tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20932404936455849392024-03-05T04:41:09.063-08:00Amy's OpinionsAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02341215644931249957noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093240493645584939.post-30674029147388772562021-07-30T10:35:00.000-07:002021-07-30T10:35:25.684-07:00To Simone Biles<p> Dear Simone,</p><p>I am not a huge fan of gymnastics. I tune in, I say, "Wow, that kid is amazing," along with everyone else. But I don't hang on it. I have no real interest in whether you compete or not. I am a mom who sees a young woman who needs help. </p><p>Simone, you're smart, you're strong, and you're a good person. You are young. If you're done with gymnastics, then that's great. You can go to college. You can be a lawyer, or a doctor, or an astronaut. You literally can do anything you want with your life. There are people who want you to keep doing gymnastics. You know what? You owe them absolutely nothing. If you've lost your love for the sport, you need to go find your joy. Do something else. Take a break. Go to Greece and stare at the Mediterranean for a few weeks. Read some good books. Watch TV and pig out on chocolate and popcorn. Be a kid. Do what makes you happy. You can do that. You really can.</p><p>And for god's sake don't read what people are saying about you, because they don't matter. They really don't. You could walk around the street and most of them wouldn't look at you twice. You can wander around in a cute hat and kicky sandals and buy yourself some pearl earrings. Go sit in a coffee shop and eat eggs Benedict and people watch. Go be a young woman making her own life, and never look back. </p><p>Maybe that will be a permanent change for you. Or maybe you will miss the gym and you'll want to go back and coach, or even compete. You can do that too. </p><p>I don't know if you will ever see this. But if I were your friend, this is what I would say to you. And maybe some other young woman who finds herself despairing about her situation in life will read this and realize that she is free, just like you. I wish the best for you. I think you're awesome! Go be happy!! </p><p>And thanks for everything.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.amykathleenryan.com</div>Amy Kathleen Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06354811275670786851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093240493645584939.post-60590960456768362472021-06-22T09:31:00.004-07:002021-06-22T09:31:52.701-07:00Mr. Smith Should Go Back To Washington<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjZBBNKjQqcemMtpMw-B8xbXt8ZbgZL6p-d-tUy8vtfbrJVAK0N40D8XABYghhVa6HscqYzrWaB5PCXJtFfPSicUrf2pG10aCXPovQ0I3mHiAt8dFrm88uBvFGOMhL-ErMIsCq5AQ-S0/s1084/mr-smith-goes-to-washington-watching-recommendation-videoSixteenByNineJumbo1600-1084x610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="1084" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjZBBNKjQqcemMtpMw-B8xbXt8ZbgZL6p-d-tUy8vtfbrJVAK0N40D8XABYghhVa6HscqYzrWaB5PCXJtFfPSicUrf2pG10aCXPovQ0I3mHiAt8dFrm88uBvFGOMhL-ErMIsCq5AQ-S0/w400-h226/mr-smith-goes-to-washington-watching-recommendation-videoSixteenByNineJumbo1600-1084x610.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"> Who can forget the scene? Jimmy Stewart, his hair askew, his tie crooked, his face slicked with sweat, speaks passionately about the lack of integrity in American politics. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"> We don’t have Jimmy Stewart anymore, but the spirit of Mr. Smith lives on in America, it’s just so hard to find him because he doesn’t have to give a speech anymore. He need only shrug and say no. Nobody has to listen to him give his reasons why. Nobody has to sit through his thoughts on the American experiment, or his rationalization for holding up the business of the Senate, because the filibuster no longer requires objections to be voiced on the Senate floor. It all happens behind the scenes, out of view of the American public, so whatever deals are cut, whatever favors bargained for, are all negotiated in secret.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"> If senators are so attached to the filibuster surely they would support bringing back the rule that a speaker must hold the floor in order to execute it. A speaker blocks the vote by speaking. It would be inconvenient, and tiring, and very hard work, certainly, but if the minority really wants to obstruct what the majority of Americans have voted for, they should have to work for it. And if their reasons are sound for blocking a piece of legislation, and they feel so strongly about it, they should have no problem holding the senate floor to speak about it, for however long it takes.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"> And the American people should be able to see the process, rather than having to be satisfied with a shrug, and a secret phone call as another year goes by with our government accomplishing nothing.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.amykathleenryan.com</div>Amy Kathleen Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06354811275670786851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093240493645584939.post-29418760907146149612019-07-17T08:52:00.001-07:002019-07-17T08:54:38.761-07:00What Can I Do? No more plastic shopping bags.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLN47sE_aegjShhDgyNVWMcpt1nOcOe_qjXy-ax4r5TUIJmNbYlaVn11EN8etDsPvopmUVic6PMr6DQ1ydXjsPwsZqayf1Z4j72bDCvs1KO2c5ukLklVKpZz0VTcmmP4F3s1SGXPgvQI/s1600/IMG_0300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLN47sE_aegjShhDgyNVWMcpt1nOcOe_qjXy-ax4r5TUIJmNbYlaVn11EN8etDsPvopmUVic6PMr6DQ1ydXjsPwsZqayf1Z4j72bDCvs1KO2c5ukLklVKpZz0VTcmmP4F3s1SGXPgvQI/s320/IMG_0300.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">It's a no brainer people. Reusable shopping bags are easier to use. They carry more. They stack up neatly in the car. Oranges don't roll out of them when you turn left. And they don't end up in some poor seagull's stomach.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This link will show you how terrible plastic really is.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://oceancrusaders.org/plastic-crusades/plastic-statistics/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://oceancrusaders.org/plastic-crusades/plastic-statistics/</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The number that leapt out at me was that 100,000 marine animals are estimated to die every year from ingesting plastic.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We can do better than this.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's not hard to transition to reusables. They're easy to find, and they're inexpensive. I've had some of the same shopping bags for ten years, and they're still going strong.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But there's more you can do. Write a letter to your city council asking that they consider banning plastics. Already hundreds of US cities have banned the use of the plastic bags. To see which ones they are, follow this link: <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/trevornace/2018/09/20/heres-a-list-of-every-city-in-the-us-to-ban-plastic-bags-will-your-city-be-next/#4f9754293243">https://www.forbes.com/sites/trevornace/2018/09/20/heres-a-list-of-every-city-in-the-us-to-ban-plastic-bags-will-your-city-be-next/#4f9754293243</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Beyond plastic bags, another easy thing you can do is make shopping choices that avoid plastic as much as possible. Off the top of my head I can tell you that Brianna's has glass bottled salad dressing that is delicious, California Olive Ranch uses a glass bottle in their second to larger size for their excellent Olive Oil, and Classico uses real live canning jars to package their pasta sauces. Honestly these brands are the best tasting I've found anyway.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If you've found great brands that use glass bottles instead of plastic, please leave the information below in the comments!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Let's keep our oceans beautiful! Let's all do what we can to protect them!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdQey0CuL_dG8jifgg73UrEZcVLYtx6IRTKQUGACYmM5Rx6wXvLtOfAGEDYlnFf5Rr49UuXG2LQ18a3UlVNcrPCjH-JG2y-uu-iCp-oadKYMk2CgrNJ5ee3SwF4zHepZzjjYfw9ka_Dg/s1600/IMG_0297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdQey0CuL_dG8jifgg73UrEZcVLYtx6IRTKQUGACYmM5Rx6wXvLtOfAGEDYlnFf5Rr49UuXG2LQ18a3UlVNcrPCjH-JG2y-uu-iCp-oadKYMk2CgrNJ5ee3SwF4zHepZzjjYfw9ka_Dg/s320/IMG_0297.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.amykathleenryan.com</div>Amy Kathleen Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06354811275670786851noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093240493645584939.post-78994252834510927882019-06-30T07:55:00.002-07:002019-07-17T08:54:58.081-07:00Letter to my senator<div style="color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Dear Senator Barrasso,</span></div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">How can you stand by this president? How can you support the policy of child separations at the border? How can you support an administration that perpetrates such horrors while lying to the American people about it? How can you justify this treatment of children? I cannot imagine what must be in your mind as you stand next to President Trump in all those photos you seem to want to be in. How can you sleep at night? You must stop this. There must be a m<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">oral core inside of you somewhere. Please can you do something? Please? </span></span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #1d2129; display: inline;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px;">
Your Constituent,</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Amy Ryan</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Dear Amy, </div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Thank you for taking the time to contact me about asylum and border security issues. It is good to hear from you.</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
I appreciate hearing your thoughts on the recent influx of asylum requests and subsequent humanitarian crisis on our southern border. In order to uphold the safety and security of all Americans when processing asylum applications, we must have a strong background check and vetting process. While you and I agree we must remain compassionate toward families and children fleeing for their safety from war torn countries, we must also make sure our borders are secure. Please know I will keep your thoughts in mind as I continue to monitor this situation.</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you in the future.</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
John Barrasso, M.D.<br />
United States Senator</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
My response:</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
It is insane to equate child abuse with secure borders. One has nothing to do with the other.</div>
</span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.amykathleenryan.com</div>Amy Kathleen Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06354811275670786851noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093240493645584939.post-71577195243623693232019-06-18T08:07:00.003-07:002019-07-17T08:55:36.224-07:00What Can I Do about Climate Change? Plant a Garden!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TcN5UT588l9sJd7kHBYYdmVzmQ4JUK4nkIMxpsdDoK3bjE58hXPCqZ-kxR-DFlHAJQdZG9XyuS7x5iRrut7SMNbCDVTj4W7dV-27Q6iApEV3-Xl775LZ6If1enJaaOADhe9uyx4hMUg/s1600/0-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TcN5UT588l9sJd7kHBYYdmVzmQ4JUK4nkIMxpsdDoK3bjE58hXPCqZ-kxR-DFlHAJQdZG9XyuS7x5iRrut7SMNbCDVTj4W7dV-27Q6iApEV3-Xl775LZ6If1enJaaOADhe9uyx4hMUg/s320/0-1.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Part of the challenge of our modern society is finding ways to feed the massive population of people on Earth without compromising the natural world. One thing we can all do, even people without yards, is grow a little bit of food for ourselves every year.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4u53nLgrZu2cd8NRA28Tr2bV7fIeEHh8uIn_RLgYDVVzbtOJ0wCvzYQc1nSu_SWqWDLk7Bhgt7sWAE-Tfe8-eHy5nPeNnK68yDp9-EBvqbO0sXw6kiuAJIl0N7nchTt0qlfmteBHoo54/s1600/DSCF0051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4u53nLgrZu2cd8NRA28Tr2bV7fIeEHh8uIn_RLgYDVVzbtOJ0wCvzYQc1nSu_SWqWDLk7Bhgt7sWAE-Tfe8-eHy5nPeNnK68yDp9-EBvqbO0sXw6kiuAJIl0N7nchTt0qlfmteBHoo54/s320/DSCF0051.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">People with sunny yards where the summer is hot will have the easiest time growing food. If the summer nights are warm enough you can grow peppers, tomatoes, and melons. If you plant a fruit tree you can even have your own home grown cherries, apricots, pears, or apples in a few years if you choose a quick growing variety. People who live in a year round warm climate can even grow their own avocados, oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits. Even if you would have to wait ten years for the tree to bear fruit, think of how happy you will be in ten years to have avocados you grew yourself! And the good work you do now will help future inhabitants of your house after you move away! That's one more family that doesn't have to get their apricots, pears, apples, or avocados shipped in from Mexico! If a lot of people think this way and plant their trees now, in ten years, we could save untold fuel costs and shipping emissions by producing renewable, readily available, locally grown food.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosfwB5GNC2s29hV-NduOsceOscYNB_GWJ8oX2ocJ3rzqE0oVKhUjzSMfbkI3_yspk7Ca0lmgT04CuwftEz6YrHIFHSzetk-y0I3acWzUSzl88q7XQPzlESiwOSupLza5pF-BiRFmIqaw/s1600/0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosfwB5GNC2s29hV-NduOsceOscYNB_GWJ8oX2ocJ3rzqE0oVKhUjzSMfbkI3_yspk7Ca0lmgT04CuwftEz6YrHIFHSzetk-y0I3acWzUSzl88q7XQPzlESiwOSupLza5pF-BiRFmIqaw/s320/0.jpeg" width="240" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">We are not all so lucky to live in a warm climate. I live in Jackson Wyoming, the prettiest place on Earth as far as I'm concerned. The problem with Jackson is that you can't grow tomatoes without a fairly heroic effort. To me, and to most vegetable gardeners, tomatoes are almost the entire reason to have a garden. Home grown fresh tomatoes are heaven on earth! But you know what else is pretty heavenly? A salad that you make of lettuce and spinach that you picked only moments ago. It's an entirely different experience from your usual supermarket salad. Your carrots are sweeter, your kale is crisper, your peas are more succulent, and your herbs are more potent and delicious. I can't grow my favorite crops, but I can still grow some pretty fabulous produce in my cold back yard. Is it more trouble than picking up a plastic container of pre-washed salad greens at the supermarket? Sure it is. But it's so good for you to get out there every day and tend your plot, and believe me, it all tastes so much better!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But what about apartment dwellers? Well even you can sprout yourself some delicious micro salad greens to enjoy as an accompaniment to your dinners, even in winter if you are willing to invest in a grow light. Many herbs also grow well indoors, and they are so much cheaper than buying fresh herbs at the supermarket, which are usually packaged in non-recyclable plastic, just like those fresh salad greens that are so easy to buy.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If you're just starting out, I suggest you start small. Start with a small four by four foot plot, and work from there. If you use the Square Foot Gardening method, you can harvest a surprisingly large supply of veggies in a small space, and best of all this method cuts your weeding time down to almost nothing. It's easy to cut up a crop of carrots, blanch them quickly in boiling water, and then store them in the freezer with reusable freezer bags. Then you have garden grown pre-cut carrots for soups for the whole year. Makes wintertime dinners so much easier!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If you're excited by these ideas, let me suggest a couple resources for you:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">To learn more about your local growing environment, check out the nearest university or college website. Many of them have resource pages for gardeners like the one I often refer to:</span><br />
<a href="http://www.uwyo.edu/barnbackyard/resources/gardening.html"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.uwyo.edu/barnbackyard/resources/gardening.html</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Mel Bartholomew's method, Square Foot Gardening, is revolutionizing home gardens. Bartholomew was a genius gardener, and his method is really quite amazing, and pretty easy for beginners! Link to the foundation that he started:</span><br />
<a href="https://squarefootgardening.org/"><span style="font-size: large;">https://squarefootgardening.org</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">For more information about indoor gardening, go here:</span><br />
<a href="https://www.thekitchn.com/what-to-know-about-indoor-gardening-244938"><span style="font-size: large;">https://www.thekitchn.com/what-to-know-about-indoor-gardening-244938</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And here are links to a couple books I've found really helpful:</span><br />
<a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780760362853"><span style="font-size: large;">https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780760362853</span></a><br />
<a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781603586153"><span style="font-size: large;">https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781603586153</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Don't get depressed get GROWING!</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.amykathleenryan.com</div>Amy Kathleen Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06354811275670786851noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093240493645584939.post-39563579368090247592019-06-13T07:42:00.001-07:002019-07-17T08:55:53.446-07:00New Series: What Can I Do? Plant a Tree.<span style="font-size: large;">So I've been thinking a lot about the state of our environment. Seems that things aren't going too well. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So instead of listing all the horrors, I'm going to write my blog posts centered around the question: What can I do?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here's an idea: Plant a tree!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOH0OvAxx87sTFdQfjClD-5oKzMdu0DhfnWW7T09gifXcSU0irqJkXOaTiB6quSO5OUiXI83_nLAuxWBXfFrWUp-uy2NrNnEGM6-OjXq0oo0pPfGe0FTUVtyBx76vBzP1fFu0Mms4OEDU/s1600/IMG_9206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOH0OvAxx87sTFdQfjClD-5oKzMdu0DhfnWW7T09gifXcSU0irqJkXOaTiB6quSO5OUiXI83_nLAuxWBXfFrWUp-uy2NrNnEGM6-OjXq0oo0pPfGe0FTUVtyBx76vBzP1fFu0Mms4OEDU/s320/IMG_9206.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I have a big sunny back yard with a mature aspen tree that has been sending up pesky shoots. We decided to let five of the baby trees grow, and they are already over seven feet tall! Soon we will have a place to hang a hammock. More birds will have places to nest. We'll have shade to relax in. The trees cut down on traffic noise from the road near our house. And best of all, these extra trees will eat up all kinds of carbon dioxide!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Once, the earth was positively covered with forests. Since the agricultural revolution, people have been cutting into the Earth's lungs to make room for human crops. These crops do indeed also sequester CO2, but not as effectively as trees. What's worse, modern agriculture has destroyed the soil all over the world, and you know what active organic soil is good at? You guessed it! Sequestering CO2 and breathing out nice oxygen!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now it's time for us to start undoing that damage. Mayor Bloomberg spent his term as New York City mayor planting one million trees. I used to live in New York, and I made a recent trip back there for a visit. I hardly recognized the drive in from JFK airport. All those TREES!! My taxi driver was so excited about it! I can tell you without a doubt the city is much more beautiful with greenery. It's shady and fragrant, and there are sounds of the wind rustling leaves that counteract all those harsh traffic sounds. It's only going to get better as those trees mature!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Even if you don't have a yard to plant a tree, you can help pay for other people to plant them! Below is a list of charities that need funds so they can go out and plant all kinds of gorgeous saplings all over the Earth! Give those kids something to climb! Even a few bucks helps!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Don't get depressed! Get going!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://www.arborday.org/"><span style="font-size: large;">https://www.arborday.org</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://edenprojects.org/"><span style="font-size: large;">https://edenprojects.org</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_2114909145"><br /></a>
<a href="https://trees.org/">https://trees.org</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://plantwithpurpose.org/"><span style="font-size: large;">https://plantwithpurpose.org</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">UPDATE:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Look at this study that just came out! They identified places where forests could be restored, and how many trees could be planted there. These trees could consume 2/3 of the carbon released into the atmosphere by humans. Follow the link:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/how-many-trees-to-plant-to-stop-climate-crisis/?fbclid=IwAR0lflA0K4kuRkZzUpJCY45-Kyfl4fDP4RP6E7bCAwJNWfOwQm_bv2G6mIc"><span style="font-size: large;">https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/how-many-trees-to-plant-to-stop-climate-crisis/?fbclid=IwAR0lflA0K4kuRkZzUpJCY45-Kyfl4fDP4RP6E7bCAwJNWfOwQm_bv2G6mIc</span></a><br />
<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.amykathleenryan.com</div>Amy Kathleen Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06354811275670786851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093240493645584939.post-31324699007565939312018-09-28T10:56:00.001-07:002018-09-30T17:44:20.990-07:00What bothers me the most about the Kavanaugh hearing.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-ShrqkUwxS_qTG-l6bA3Ywqs9VdE5y8zOCO16xMIIPC698_t9gESzjDTWZE8XZqKEj2xoLKI2SulyTGGfs6R1XvqL2WvcaQRgedYX2dKLEBWJcylYUNu8tTD4u73Y7h1fIckOgkg9VU/s1600/dreamstime_s_66350000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="652" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-ShrqkUwxS_qTG-l6bA3Ywqs9VdE5y8zOCO16xMIIPC698_t9gESzjDTWZE8XZqKEj2xoLKI2SulyTGGfs6R1XvqL2WvcaQRgedYX2dKLEBWJcylYUNu8tTD4u73Y7h1fIckOgkg9VU/s320/dreamstime_s_66350000.jpg" width="260" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">The Republicans on the Senate </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Judiciary Committee created a </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">situation where we </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">only hear from two witnesses, the accuser and the accused. The Republican majority refuses to allow for an FBI investigation before the hearing, which would be routine. Both witnesses give their testimony, then many of the Republican members announce their unwavering support for Judge Kavanaugh, and demand that there be a vote to confirm.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(28, 30, 33); white-space: pre-wrap;">Why do they say they believe him and not her? </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Why are they blocking a routine investigation?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Why are they insisting the vote happen right away?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Why don't they want to know more about it?</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It seems to me that the Republican Committee members, all of them male, simply do not think that Dr. Ford's accusations are serious enough to delay the vote or allow for an investigation. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">An attempted rape accusation is not serious enough to investigate.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Instead, they want the accused to be elevated to one of the highest offices in the land, and right away.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;">That's what bothers me the most.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Letter to my Senators and Representative:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am writing because I am very demoralized at the actions of the Republican party, most notably the refusal for so long to launch an FBI investigation into Dr. Ford’s accusation of attempted rape. Members of the GOP claim the Dems have mounted this attack against Kavanaugh, but the timeline of Ford’s letters suggests otherwise, and they never came after Gorsuch at all, though they were justifiably angry that the nomination never went to Garland. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kavanaugh is an entirely different sort of nominee. Several women and witnesses have come forward. How can you vote for a man with this cloud hanging over his head? There has got to be someone better. Please can we just find someone better? Can you please stand up for women in Wyoming, and show our daughters that when people try to rape them, their attackers suffer consequences? And don’t use language like, “Innocent until proven guilty.” This isn’t a trial. This is a grave matter of considering a man for one of the highest offices in the land. He should have to meet higher standards than most people, including having a completely clean record.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Please don’t tell me talking points, like how Feinstein withheld the letter for so long. She was waiting for Dr. Ford’s permission to do so, and everyone knows it, so don’t pretend. Please be honest and straightforward. Can’t you just show some moral courage and do what’s right? I’m begging you. I have three daughters. They need your protection.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sincerely,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Amy Ryan</span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.amykathleenryan.com</div>Amy Kathleen Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06354811275670786851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093240493645584939.post-58185810579455076062018-06-22T06:57:00.001-07:002018-06-22T06:57:26.223-07:00Letter to my Senator<div style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
Dear Senator Barrasso,</div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Since you are a medical man, I would be interested in hearing your opinion about what the immigration policy of separating young children from their parents is doing to them psychologically. Do you ascribe to attachment theory, for example? Have you ever medically diagnosed PTSD in children? Are you familiar with the medical and psychological effects of trauma on young children? If so, what do you think is the likely outcome for these children? Is their outcome unimportant because they are not US citizens? Does the hippocratic oath only apply to US citizens? Or did you renounce your oath to "do no harm" when you became a senator? I look forward to your response. </div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-top: 6px;">
Sincerely, Amy <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=717081001&extragetparams=%7B%22fref%22%3A%22mentions%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/amykathleenryan?fref=mentions" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;">Amy Kathleen Ryan</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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His response:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dear Amy, </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank you for taking the time to contact me about immigration issues. It is good to hear from you.</span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">I noted your concerns about the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) policy to separate children from their families after crossing the border illegally. When family groups are detained and adults are referred for prosecution, children accompanying these adults are separated while the case of the adult is determined.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Children are hosted in DHS facilities for no more than 72 hours before they are transferred to the care of the Department of Health and Human Services. The children are then put in the care of relatives, sponsors, or foster families. Families wishing to apply for asylum and cross the border at legal ports of entry are not separated when family ties can be confirmed. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">I understand the concerns of those who support keeping family groups together. We must do more to fix our immigration system so that the process for legal immigration works. Please know I will keep your concerns in mind as I continue my work in the Senate. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. I value your input.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">John Barrasso, M.D. </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">United States Senator</span></span></div>
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My response to Senator Barrasso:</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dear Senator Barrasso,</span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">I wrote to you begging you to stop the horrific treatment of migrant children at our southern border, and you responded to say children are not separated from parents at legal crossings when when "family ties can be confirmed." Nevertheless there are 20,000 beds on their way to the warehousing facilities where the children continue to be sent. I'm thinking most of these desperate, terrified people don't have documentation. And so their children are taken. And the ones too scared to present themselves at a border crossing? We both know what happens to them. So in fact, the vast majority of people seeking asylum at border crossings, and elsewhere, have their children taken from them. Isn't that right?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am sure you wouldn't dream of taking a child away from his/her parents without trying every possible means of determining familial relationship. If the parent fleeing gang violence doesn't have time to apply for a passport for their children, I am sure the US could provide speedy DNA tests to determine parentage. Of course as a doctor I am sure you would support any and all methods of determining "familial ties" rather than psychologically scarring a young child by subjecting him/her to the prolonged terror of being separated from their beloved parent in a foreign country after a harrowing journey. Because otherwise, it would seem as though the psychological scarring, and the terror, were the whole point of this miserable exercise.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">The world is watching. At what point, Senator, will protecting children supersede your desire to be re-elected?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sincerely, Amy Ryan</span></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.amykathleenryan.com</div>Amy Kathleen Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06354811275670786851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093240493645584939.post-36506340015413503392018-02-13T08:55:00.002-08:002018-02-17T09:31:09.168-08:00Little Read Writing Hood.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNNC0pv6tAUEAjlNDhrAwbQTgmGhk0A9LJZEfcRl3OBn5iKTjdNb6mu0lCfRbtUhOOZ-jJG3kOxJyrlMfR27Nm3KudKlaoo-aHuHP6RtZJlpTGuD3AxuHsCcFwCOm7aZJhFnvHwEGfSM/s1600/dreamstime_s_79998885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="702" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNNC0pv6tAUEAjlNDhrAwbQTgmGhk0A9LJZEfcRl3OBn5iKTjdNb6mu0lCfRbtUhOOZ-jJG3kOxJyrlMfR27Nm3KudKlaoo-aHuHP6RtZJlpTGuD3AxuHsCcFwCOm7aZJhFnvHwEGfSM/s320/dreamstime_s_79998885.jpg" width="280" /></a><br />
Who knew there were so many wolves in children's literature?<br />
<br />
A lot of people, apparently.<br />
<br />
I brushed up against one wolf when he interviewed me for a teaching job at the university where I was a student. I left my one hour conversation with Mr. Wolf feeling nearly certain he'd offer me a part time teaching gig. Minutes after the interview he emailed to ask me out to dinner. I burst into tears when I read that email, then gathered my wits and politely declined, claiming I was busy.<br />
<br />
He didn't offer me that job after all.<br />
<br />
Later that week I ran into him and he said, "You didn't think I was..." The sentence fragment dangled in the air between us. He raised his eyebrows, and I swear I saw sweat on his brow. He'd emailed me proof, after all.<br />
<br />
"Oh what? Sexually harassing me?! Yeah. That occurred to me," is what I should have said.<br />
<br />
But he was an administrator at the university where I had a job and was earning a degree. I wasn't in a position to go to war with him. Besides, I'd heard things about his boss. They had sharp teeth, and I was a little girl in the woods.<br />
<br />
I'm not naming names, or the university, (I have more than one degree in several fields, before you go digging,) because I haven't heard complaints from anyone else about this particular person, and it happened a long time ago. But if someone else comes forward who has a more recent story to tell, I will certainly back her up. Until then, I will grant Mr. Wolf the benefit of the doubt because I have some uncertainty about his motives, and because I'm not willing to publicly humiliate someone if his misstep with me was an isolated incident.<br />
<br />
After reading this article and the alarming comment section: <a href="https://www.slj.com/2018/01/industry-news/childrens-publishing-reckons-sexual-harassment-ranks/">https://www.slj.com/2018/01/industry-news/childrens-publishing-reckons-sexual-harassment-ranks/</a>, I realize how very common my experience actually is. These revelations have provided a new lens through which I view the past.<br />
<br />
I've always felt uncomfortable at professional conferences around large groups of writers drinking and socializing. These settings make me feel anxious, which always struck me as strange. I love writers, and I love talking to them. Meeting a writer I admire and talking about our industry is always illuminating and energizing. But the big conferences have never been fun for me, and so I don't attend many. I used to think this was a stupid thing to do because according to conventional wisdom, I should be networking. Now, after reading the article posted above and the comment section, I feel avoiding those wine fueled conversations with other professionals was perhaps wise. My intuition was whispering to me that something wasn't right.<br />
<br />
The few conferences I have attended felt skewed toward male writers. More than once I've felt dismayed at how males seemed to be praised more, appreciated more, offered more. Don't misunderstand. Most men that are celebrated in young adult literature deserve their success because they write excellent books. But the VAST majority of writers for young people are women, and many of them are writing excellent books too. So why does it feel like the men are somehow more visible?<br />
<br />
Do we laude male writers more? Does all that admiration make predators feel safe in professional settings? Is that partly why they test the boundaries of acceptable behavior?<br />
<br />
At one writers' gathering, early in my career, I met an older, famous male writer who seemed very happy to meet me. He gave me advice that I appreciated. I knew he was attracted to me at the time, and subtly hitting on me, but I wasn't interested and I moved on to other conversations thinking nothing of it. Years later I had a couple more books to my name and saw him at a large conference. I approached him when he was talking to someone else, waited for the other person to walk away, and told him how what he'd said years before had really helped me. He was openly hostile, completely different from years before. Was he hostile because I came up to him when he was hitting on a young woman, and she took the opportunity to walk away? Or did he remember me as a young writer who hadn't responded to his advance? I don't really know, which is, again, why I'm not naming names.<br />
<br />
This uncertainty protects the wolves, and the wolves know that. Some of the wolves are women. Some of them are gay. This problem doesn't just belong to straight men.<br />
<br />
These thoughts have been with me a long time, but I've been silent because I was afraid to seem like I was speaking out of jealousy, or sour grapes, or hubris. And so I hid.<br />
<br />
Its time to drop the cape, pick up an axe, and be my own huntsman. I don't know what that means yet. But I'll probably be going to more conferences. I have a feeling I'll enjoy myself more now, partly because I'll have changed, but also because as a community, we're all a lot wiser.<br />
<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.amykathleenryan.com</div>Amy Kathleen Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06354811275670786851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093240493645584939.post-77532802827048290832017-11-11T10:41:00.004-08:002017-11-13T08:01:27.087-08:00The situation.<div style="color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyHqyblj-5AagNmFicttTCLOAF-8R0FWBnzstr-DPH_o9TADBII48suzjODqGSa4Rea6C5gZCJ9UBRLbn2o3_Bo4BUC5FS-MXJGcEuw3eluhpaN184Mtur0K6aEbSj0zBwN9CkbqdrXw/s1600/dreamstime_s_68141003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyHqyblj-5AagNmFicttTCLOAF-8R0FWBnzstr-DPH_o9TADBII48suzjODqGSa4Rea6C5gZCJ9UBRLbn2o3_Bo4BUC5FS-MXJGcEuw3eluhpaN184Mtur0K6aEbSj0zBwN9CkbqdrXw/s400/dreamstime_s_68141003.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">If you look at their platform and actions, it becomes clear t</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">he Republican Party's underlying motivation is to shunt money to billionaires at the expense of services for the middle class and poor. This seems self evident once you take some things into account:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />--They seek to harm access to affordable healthcare, which will kill thousands or more, so that they can keep a little more of their money. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">--They create gun purchasing laws and apply them to one kind of gun store, but undermine this law by allowing the loophole of gun shows.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">--Despite proof that the fossil fuel industry is raising the temperature of our planet to dangerous levels, they continue opening up pristine wilderness for exploration. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">--Their most recent attempt at legislation, the proposed tax overhaul, gives massive tax cuts to the wealthiest citizens and removes lots of tax credits that help middle class and poor families. The rich pay less, the poor pay more. This will create a deficit that will necessitate cuts to social programs such as social security.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">The examples go on and on. </span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">How can a party that has such terrible intentions for the rest of us still be in power? It's got to be a combination of a few things: </span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">--very smart PR people, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">--an ideology that denigrates science and forbids government help for the individual,</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: large;">--a gullible populace, </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: large;">
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--an incredibly wealthy ruling class that is, as we speak, trying to hijack our system of democratic government, and has the financial resources to achieve it.</div>
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This ruling class, or let's call it an oligarchy because that's what it is, has managed to make themselves the figureheads of government in a few countries. One of those countries is Russian, where Vladimir Putin, one of the wealthiest men in the world, has taken over the government with the help of his billionaire friends and has a stranglehold over the entire country. Their methods are brutal and unscrupulous, including the murder of journalists, the imprisonment and murder of political rivals, and joining forces with other equally brutal dictatorships such as Syria.</div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129;">It's worrying to see a man like Putin take an interest in Donald Trump, who might have ideas about making the United States a lot like Russia. In proof, I offer these quotes from the man himself: "Putin is a strong leader. He's made mincemeat out of our president," and about Hillary Clinton, "If she gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do, folks. Although the second amendment people, maybe there is, I don't know." Here he is inciting violence against his political rival, a very Putinesque thing to do. </span></div>
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Not all billionaires are pitching in to this effort to make American government a seat of power for the billionaire oligarchy. There are plenty who stand on the side of the middle and lower classes. George Soros, Bill and Melinda Gates, and Warren Buffet have all thrown their lot in with the majority of humanity, not only because they're basically good people, but because they understand doing so is the wisest course for themselves. Not even billionaires would be safe if the government of the greatest power on earth is taken over by unscrupulous people. This can only lead to instability and death for many. In other words, they are civic minded.</div>
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Donald Trump and the billionaires who support him are not civic minded, impossible to be if they are willing to accept help from a man like Vladimir Putin. So what is motivating them to support a man who obviously wants to enjoy the benefits of dictatorship, at least for this term, maybe for the next, and the next? My only conclusion is that oligarchy's interest in the platform of the Republican Party is not about ideology like it is for their puppets Paul Ryan etc... It's about money. The Trump presidency is a good business decision, and good business decisions take precedence over absolutely everything else. They're in a knife fight right now with the media and career public servants in our federal government, some of whom can likely be bought.</div>
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This is, presently, our situation.</div>
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Reasons for hope:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px;">
--President Obama and Eric Holder are going after the practice of gerrymandering, which in most cases benefits Republican candidates. If they manage to redraw district lines to be less attuned to voters' political orientation, they may help bring congress into better balance, and stop the increasing polarization of districts.</div>
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--As I mention above, we have billionaires on our side too.</div>
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--Our responsible news media is viciously attentive to all of this and,</div>
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--so are the majority of Americans.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px;">
--I can still write this blog post, and you can still read it.<br />
--There's still a special counsel investigation being headed by Robert Mueller, who so far seems determined to uncover the conspiracy.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The oligarchy is not going to win. Believe that. Some of the billionaires who supported Trump must see that if Trump made America into an authoritarian system, the results could be bad FOR THEM. These are not stupid people.</div>
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So, with a sigh and a furtive look around the room, I'm still going to write this: I think it's going to be okay. America will remain a democracy; I really believe that. But the world may never be quite the same again. The only thing to do is the very best we can, and call congress when we need to, and stay alert and informed. I think we're all concerned enough to stay on top of it. </div>
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That's because we understand how much there is at stake.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.amykathleenryan.com</div>Amy Kathleen Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06354811275670786851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093240493645584939.post-77063622555828441722017-05-12T08:34:00.002-07:002017-05-13T07:00:32.219-07:00The News Is Not Depressing.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCH6LvK2VFEJB_s0sAvjZGJeT2usruFgJTlWGHGY6ZNBJFUsQJjvjywjHrzTfrBVi6dq2z44zZrmJxPyUi_eSkcdlMqbmi-yc4BdPQvl4UiKQ2vHT5jnT_tPl0kz0k6ERAov5UJL-l7r0/s1600/dreamstime_s_35494863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCH6LvK2VFEJB_s0sAvjZGJeT2usruFgJTlWGHGY6ZNBJFUsQJjvjywjHrzTfrBVi6dq2z44zZrmJxPyUi_eSkcdlMqbmi-yc4BdPQvl4UiKQ2vHT5jnT_tPl0kz0k6ERAov5UJL-l7r0/s400/dreamstime_s_35494863.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I see a lot of people talking about how the news is too depressing, and they're shutting it off and tuning out. I have a message for you:<br />
<br />
The news is not depressing. Do we have a corrupt regime right now? It appears so. Did they collude with a hostile foreign power? Looks like they did. Are some members of congress helping them cover it up? Yeah, they probably are. Are they going down for it? Yes. Emphatically yes, they are going down. It's happening NOW.<br />
<br />
Remember, from the first news of the Watergate break-in until Richard Nixon's resignation took THREE YEARS.<br />
<br />
This is bigger than Watergate.<br />
<br />
This is the most important time in modern American history. What happens in the next few years will determine the fate of the world. I'm not kidding. There are heroes, right now, courageously standing up to a powerful group of people who are trying to subvert American Democracy. These heroes say: "Oh, no you don't. NOT in America." Sally Yates. Jim Comey. John McCain. Members of the media are doing the same: Rachel Maddow, the Washington Post, the New York Times, The New Yorker and other heroic, insightful, hardworking reporters ALL THROUGH THE MEDIA are proving their indispensability to the American experiment. Pay attention. Every story is built on the basis of staffers and elected officials leaking information, risking their careers to fuel reporters' research into all the ways democratic laws and norms are being flouted. This is a massive effort of people all through the government and news media to expose an administration that is trying to be above the law.<br />
<br />
And all those shady people backing them, the corporations and millionaires and billionaires who would gut our feeble health care system to create tax savings for themselves? They. Will. Lose.<br />
<br />
They are not above the law. They will never be above the law. They are going down.<br />
<br />
Repeat after me:<br />
They're going down.<br />
<br />
If you can, if your health allows, watch it as it happens. Don't hide from it. I'm telling you, we are living through some of the most inspiring, uplifting, important events in American history.<br />
<br />
You don't want to miss this.<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.amykathleenryan.com</div>Amy Kathleen Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06354811275670786851noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093240493645584939.post-82697734465703708072017-03-16T22:31:00.001-07:002017-03-16T22:31:45.837-07:00Are you a trans teen?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzOOENhNMOM9vYzSH4sT2-vhlwObPABCMy1H00eswRuPcKYZG3i25vFF2byE51bF_eFlJGV7DvYwqTFtdBa0D8K4YpGsjspjVOaa_Z3ZfAUAZTB4g0cwCf0rm_1IcFZ3KNbQoj4lcSoo/s1600/the-adventures-of-priscilla-queen-of-the-desert-climb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzOOENhNMOM9vYzSH4sT2-vhlwObPABCMy1H00eswRuPcKYZG3i25vFF2byE51bF_eFlJGV7DvYwqTFtdBa0D8K4YpGsjspjVOaa_Z3ZfAUAZTB4g0cwCf0rm_1IcFZ3KNbQoj4lcSoo/s320/the-adventures-of-priscilla-queen-of-the-desert-climb2.jpg" width="320" /></a>Are you feeling unwanted? Are you surrounded by ignorance? Is cruelty a part of your every day life? Has it been getting worse lately?<br />
<br />
You just need to wait a little while.<br />
<br />
Maybe you're a kid trapped in a small town with a narrow family, and you feel invisible, or worse, when you are visible, you're in danger. I cannot imagine how oppressive that must feel.<br />
<br />
Just know that out there, somewhere, are your people, and you just need to hang onto your courage and make it until you can go out and find them.<br />
<br />
They might be in New York, or San Francisco, or Miami Beach. They might be in Chicago or St. Louis, or New Orleans. When you are of age and free, and you've earned a little bit of your own money, you can buy a crappy car and load it up and go out looking for them.<br />
<br />
Maybe they're in Columbia University. Maybe some of them are in the nearest state college. Maybe they're on a cruise ship or in Paris. When you find them, you will agree that the travels and adventures, and risks, and disappointments were worth it. They will recognize you, they will embrace you, they will say, "Honey. Me too." And you will be home. You will know self expression<br />
and creativity and joyful abandon.<br />
<br />
So just hang on. That moment is coming. It is in your future.<br />
<br />
And when your new people welcome you, together you will know acceptance and love while you wait for this idiotic world to catch up to you.<br />
<br />
I'm rooting for you.<br />
<br />
In comments, if you are an older trans person, please leave a word of encouragement.<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.amykathleenryan.com</div>Amy Kathleen Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06354811275670786851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093240493645584939.post-52283458352549253282017-02-04T11:23:00.000-08:002017-02-04T21:52:28.459-08:00Letter to my Senator about Betsy DeVos<span style="font-size: large;">My senator's response to my email begging him not to confirm Betsy DeVos for Secretary of Education: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Dear Amy, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for sharing your thoughts about the nomination of the U.S. Secretary of Education. It's good to hear from you.
President Trump nominated Betsy DeVos to be the next U.S. Secretary of Education. Her confirmation hearing was held on January 17, 2017. The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions extensively reviewed and debated her nomination. On January 31, 2017, the committee approved the nomination of Betsy DeVos by a vote of 12-11.
Following the committee's review, I personally met with Betsy DeVos to discuss her views on a variety of education issues. I discussed with her the importance of a strong public education system, the unique challenges facing rural states and communities, as well as the need to ensure both opportunities and protections for students with disabilities. She committed to supporting public education, fully enforcing current federal laws, and providing flexibility to states. Following the discussion we had during our meeting, I believe she is dedicated to ensuring students received a quality education and returning the authority over education back to state and local control. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks again for sharing your thoughts with me. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">John Barrasso, M.D.
United States Senator </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My Response to him: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Dear Senator Barrasso, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Your response might be comforting to me if I didn't know Betsy DeVos has literally not one iota of experience in the public school system, and that she is a huge donor to the Republican Party, as was Secretary Tillerson, who personally donated to your campaign. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Look, I am sure you are a sincere public servant, and that you want to help Wyoming, but you must see this looks bad. </span><span style="font-size: large;">In the long term, with DeVos at the head of a government office that affects parents' and children's lives in the most direct and personal way, if she messes up through incompetence or intent to disrupt public education, both of which seem eminently possible, this will have very real political repercussions for everyone who voted for her.
I beg you to reconsider. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Best, AKR</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.amykathleenryan.com</div>Amy Kathleen Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06354811275670786851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093240493645584939.post-50068562333326841652017-01-27T06:46:00.002-08:002017-01-27T06:58:41.127-08:00My letter to banks funding the DAPL:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGta1szqhhKWX6zNRWtnVyJMi4X65ytGv9gmteKPnlZLP8zS8u_GB__qaMfnONT1KZI_SB6Ue1gNJflCKMkIfWrSYB7FCCAc5OeZeNyYzpNom1BdtET2ho4pFMH6-s_iYVgifNPMybb4/s1600/dfc99e6ed7e1300201ec520dfb5869cb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGta1szqhhKWX6zNRWtnVyJMi4X65ytGv9gmteKPnlZLP8zS8u_GB__qaMfnONT1KZI_SB6Ue1gNJflCKMkIfWrSYB7FCCAc5OeZeNyYzpNom1BdtET2ho4pFMH6-s_iYVgifNPMybb4/s320/dfc99e6ed7e1300201ec520dfb5869cb.jpg" width="223" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dear Sir/ Madam,</span><br />
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I am writing to you because your bank is a revenue source for the Dakota Access Pipeline. You must know this project is enormously unpopular, and has the added taint of being strongly opposed by native americans who depend on the river you plan to bisect. The tactics employed to curb protesters are only likely to increase in severity. History does not look kindly on those who harm Native Americans. Your institution will partake of the shame of what happens, not only to the protesters, who are enormously popular on social media, but forever after, with every new leak, every new environmental travesty that will occur with this pipeline. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I urge you to reconsider your financial support for this project. I urge you to use your influence to guide the project along more environmentally sound avenues. Above all, I urge you to consider that oil does not need to be made cheaper. It is already cheap. For the earth, for investors, for everyone, a more expensive oil price is much to be desired. </span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for your time,</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">AKR</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">ENCOURAGING RESPONSE FROM RBS:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for your enquiry regarding the Dakota Access Pipeline. We can confirm that RBS relationship with Dakota Access Pipeline companies ended in 2015. RBS has been named in several recent reports about the financing of the Dakota Access Pipeline in the United States. We can confirm that we no longer have involvement with companies developing the pipeline.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the past, RBS did provide general finance to Energy Transfer Partners LP and Energy Transfer Equity LP, (the parent company of Dakota Access LLC), but we exited these relationships in September 2015 and November 2015 respectively. We no longer have a significant presence in North America as a result of our strategy to become a smaller, simpler bank focused on the UK, the Republic of Ireland and Western Europe. <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As a result of these changes, our overall lending to energy sectors – including coal, oil and gas – has declined by 75% since 2010. Despite this, we remain a leader in sustainable energy finance and we’ve been the biggest UK lender to UK renewable energy projects since 2011. Our lending to renewable energy and energy efficiency projects continues to grow and we are committed to helping our customers lead the transition to a low carbon economy.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Further information about our approach to social and environmental issues, including lending policies and details of our energy sector financing can be found at <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.rbs.com/sustainability/serving-society.html&source=gmail&ust=1485614589497000&usg=AFQjCNGeQTIWZCom8HkKCNoD2_bH8LqsfA" href="http://www.rbs.com/sustainability/serving-society.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.rbs.com/<wbr></wbr>sustainability/serving-<wbr></wbr>society.html</a><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Regard<span style="color: black;">s</span><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Aslam Abid | RBS CEO Office | London</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">DEPRESSING RESPONSE FROM HSBC:</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: xx-small;">Dear Sir / Madam</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: xx-small;">Thank you for taking the time to email Mr Gulliver, our Group Chief Executive. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: xx-small;">HSBC is firmly committed to providing financial services that support economic development while ensuring that there is not an unacceptable impact on people or the environment. Mr Gulliver, and our senior management have actively made this a priority for HSBC. Mr Gulliver was the only Chief Executive Officer of a leading global financial services company to attend COP21 in Paris in December 2015. Our Climate Change Research team were present and active across a range of discussions involved in helping to formulate plans to tackle the transition from fossil fuels to a low carbon future. The ratification last week of the proposals which aim to limit global warming to less than 2 degrees is a very positive step in the right direction and HSBC is leading in the funding of projects both in the UK and internationally that will contribute to this.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: xx-small;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: xx-small;">In the UK we have made the commitment to focus more resource on supporting sustainable business with the introduction of a dedicated senior banking team to target and support sustainable businesses and a program of training across all our relationship teams. Our commitment to supporting the transition to a low carbon economy includes funding energy efficiency projects such as the installation of smart meters, funding renewable energy across a range of sources including solar, onshore wind and offshore wind and critically, supporting the local businesses that provide the people and services to deliver these projects. Supporting local jobs and local business is key to HSBC. Our funding for these projects is growing quickly and we aim to be the UK leader and bank of choice for sustainable businesses.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: xx-small;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: xx-small;">I note your comments with regard to the Dakota Access pipeline. I can assure you that HSBC reviews all relationships in detail to determine if there is an unacceptable impact on people and the environment from that company’s operations and where we feel that risk is unacceptable we exit relationships. Our policies are determined after extensive research and advice from experts and guidance taken from the highest standards set by Governments globally. I cannot comment on any specific customer relationship, but want to let you know that this is a continuous and evolving set of standards that we have for our customers and HSBC aims to only support businesses that demonstrate that they meet our standards. As businesses and society develop and demand new sources of energy and changing standards the balance has to be maintained between ensuring that the energy needs of the population continue to be met at the same time as significant progress is made to reduce greenhouse gases. Moving to increased use of gas and reducing the burning of coal is one step on this transition. The extraction of all fossil fuels has to be done with the minimum impact on the environment, but there will be a need for fossil fuels for a transitional period until renewable sources can meet the demands of the population.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: xx-small;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: xx-small;">HSBC does not just set standards for our customers, but hold ourselves to those standards. HSBC has been committed to reducing its environmental impact and reducing greenhouse gasses since 2001 and our Sustainable Development Goals extend our ambition well into the future. In the UK we are investing in two renewable power projects, solar and wind, and by the end of 2016 over 66% of our UK power needs will come from renewable sources. We have committed £25m in funding to science projects to develop a range of solutions to help transition to a more sustainable economy and in 2016 HSBC was accredited to work with the United Nations’ Green Climate Fund helping developing nations to develop sustainably.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: xx-small;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: xx-small;">I hope this demonstrates our commitment to playing a leading role supporting and developing solutions to help us all move toward a more sustainable future. In the short term, there will be a balance to be struck between meeting the immediate needs of our communities and population and moving to a sustainable society, but I want to let you know that we take this commitment seriously and are taking action to deliver against our ambitions. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: xx-small;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: xx-small;">Yours sincerely,</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: xx-small;">Peter Taylor</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: xx-small;">Executive Complaints Manager</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">MY RESPONSE TO HSBC: </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dear Sir/Madam,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for your response, but your mention of commitment to the environment and lessening impact on land and people simply does not match your actions regarding the DAPL. This thoughtful note of yours amounts to lip service while your company obviously pursues the almighty dollar, kowtowing to a dying industry, and building a vastly expensive infrastructure that will necessitate a long term commitment to fossil fuels in order to realize any profits from it. In this context, your response is quite Orwellian. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have a nice day,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">AKR</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.amykathleenryan.com</div>Amy Kathleen Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06354811275670786851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093240493645584939.post-49898161322694796752017-01-01T07:07:00.000-08:002017-01-01T10:35:26.905-08:00Reasons to be ENCOURAGED about the new year.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeG10b1yi2cLk3_-x3JPi2LzYc_5Nv9-xMB6y1B6otiVb89bBgtSTd39R4f-9yNb5P6hgptleHaJMmESUGo_ojEG7lSubFLi7E5_RX9OtkKnH8nyMlm8HbjadNOuNd6CABP9yZC8gWpD8/s1600/dreamstime_xxl_83079671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeG10b1yi2cLk3_-x3JPi2LzYc_5Nv9-xMB6y1B6otiVb89bBgtSTd39R4f-9yNb5P6hgptleHaJMmESUGo_ojEG7lSubFLi7E5_RX9OtkKnH8nyMlm8HbjadNOuNd6CABP9yZC8gWpD8/s320/dreamstime_xxl_83079671.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Here is a list of reasons to be encouraged in 2017:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">1. Our next generation of voters and leaders, (I'm looking at you, Millennials,) are an awesome bunch of kids committed to the environment, equality for all, and a bright future for everyone on the planet. And they're on their way up.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2. Organizations like the Sierra Club, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the Southern Poverty Law Center are seeing huge surges in donations. Let's keep that going!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. Newspapers like the New York Times, the Washington Post, and magazines like The New Yorker have seen a huge upsurge in subscriptions. All those brilliant reporters are going to be hard at work exposing all kinds of government sludge.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4. Solar power is taking increasingly larger shares of the energy market away from coal and oil, and that is creating all kinds of jobs, and we should see that trend continue.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5. Hybrid and electric cars are getting cheaper, and better.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXIBDWiAbB5_BT0BTcAb3-f5IUhyphenhyphen6CBnSNHeEikJUNZ3HslGjPisWOAa-osv6Vm6o0-iWBQSHr70DD_OmK8DNcu-17LsY9ZF1Lw6zKXOLWe_vh0ERzRlhsis5kjNtDhyX9FK3bcK_U5I/s1600/dreamstime_xxl_83079658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXIBDWiAbB5_BT0BTcAb3-f5IUhyphenhyphen6CBnSNHeEikJUNZ3HslGjPisWOAa-osv6Vm6o0-iWBQSHr70DD_OmK8DNcu-17LsY9ZF1Lw6zKXOLWe_vh0ERzRlhsis5kjNtDhyX9FK3bcK_U5I/s320/dreamstime_xxl_83079658.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">6. China just banned the ivory trade. How about that?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">7. We are seeing a huge wave of political engagement in progressives who have never engaged politically before. This is new, and exciting! A great example: The Million Woman March, January 21, 2017, in cities all over the country! I'm going to be at the one in Washington DC, and I'm going to be posting all kinds of pictures and videos about it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">8. Cities and states are starting to realize that we can't wait for the federal government to fix the environment, and so they are taking on these challenges themselves. Yay local government!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">9. The United Nations is becoming a more outspoken voice of reason on the world stage.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCbUs0uJ68euTqqVnDGyj4G7rhDEVEaXppyETwdrKzdNeYd8p7TTzJHQ3q94_3uAnLKalwF0p2U5kf1M3_w4RFgrkH5lcwHbSSjrDD-yb3_kBJZExl9ZHJiUAP43Ha_wHCxeVBQKAfJI/s1600/dreamstime_xxl_82957613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCbUs0uJ68euTqqVnDGyj4G7rhDEVEaXppyETwdrKzdNeYd8p7TTzJHQ3q94_3uAnLKalwF0p2U5kf1M3_w4RFgrkH5lcwHbSSjrDD-yb3_kBJZExl9ZHJiUAP43Ha_wHCxeVBQKAfJI/s320/dreamstime_xxl_82957613.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">10. People are </span><span style="font-size: large;">consciously choosing to help the environment rather than hurt it by </span><span style="font-size: large;">starting to garden, supporting local farmers' markets, and composting their waste. More people ride bikes to work, bring their own travel mugs to the coffee shops, and cook at home rather than order take out. This </span><span style="font-size: large;">greener lifestyle will keep catching on, especially as the Millennials start calling the shots.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So happy new year everyone. Let's make it a good one, because my darlings, it turns out saving the world is up to us.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.amykathleenryan.com</div>Amy Kathleen Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06354811275670786851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093240493645584939.post-74663282914051446852016-12-10T11:24:00.001-08:002017-01-24T09:34:00.634-08:00Write your governor.<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Letter I wrote to my Governor: Dear Governor Mead, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am writing to you with deep concern for this apparent trend in the GOP to sell off public lands. Wyoming's parks and forests make our state a very special place, and to sell these jewels off to the highest bidder will cut future generations off from a rich and varied natural habitat. Please stand up to the forces that would destroy this legacy. And please let me know of what I can do to help. Best, Amy Kathleen Ryan</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Response I got a few weeks later:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dear Ms. Ryan,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you for your message to Governor Mead about state management of federal lands. The Governor asked that I respond.</span></div>
<div class="m_8087326282647661870gmail-MsoNoSpacing" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This year, a Wyoming Legislative Select Committee has been examining the effects of the state taking ownership and management responsibilities of federal lands. Over half of the surface area and two-thirds of the subsurface of Wyoming is owned by the federal government. This access to open, public land is a hallmark of Wyoming. It has provided residents and others great opportunities to hike, fish, hunt and make a living for generations. It also comes with certain challenges, such as slower economic development and decisions that are not necessarily in the best interests of citizens of Wyoming.</span></div>
<div class="m_8087326282647661870gmail-MsoNoSpacing" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As the study of Wyoming taking ownership of federal lands within its borders has progressed, the Governor was asked in a recent interview his thoughts on the matter. The Governor does not believe Wyoming’s constitution, its act of admission, requires the federal government to cede public land back to the state. This of course varies from state to state. </span></div>
<div class="m_8087326282647661870gmail-MsoNoSpacing" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wyoming has worked on a pilot project to manage a small tract of federal land for a specific purpose. This was done in an area torched by forest fires. Wyoming worked with the U.S. Forest Service to avert the spread of cheatgrass, an invasive weed. This is an example of how Wyoming can work for the best management of federal land in coordination with the federal government.</span></div>
<div class="m_8087326282647661870gmail-MsoNoSpacing" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you again for your message. Please let me know if you have any further questions.</span></div>
<div class="m_8087326282647661870gmail-MsoNoSpacing" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sincerely,</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="m_8087326282647661870gmail-MsoNoSpacing" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Colin McKee</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="m_8087326282647661870gmail-MsoNoSpacing" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I followed up:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="m_8087326282647661870gmail-MsoNoSpacing" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hi Mr. Mckee, I do have further questions.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How can Wyoming fund the management of such huge portions of our state without the fiscal support of the federal government? A lot of people are afraid responses like yours are just doublespeak for a plan to transfer public lands into private hands so that corporate interests can "help" the economy by destroying a natural balance that can never be repaired. The very study the state commissioned reported that a sale of public lands to compensate for the cost of management would be almost inevitable, and then who is to stop the owners from destroying the precious habitat that hangs in the balance? Wyoming is unique. If it is "developed" it will be destroyed. You must know that. Some things are more important than money.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I would appreciate hearing more from you about this. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you, </span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">AKR</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have not yet received a response. I don't really expect to.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Update: Because a lot of people in Wyoming spoke out against this legislation, it was dropped. For now.</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.amykathleenryan.com</div>Amy Kathleen Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06354811275670786851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093240493645584939.post-23215576295300315832016-11-19T07:21:00.002-08:002016-11-19T07:21:31.169-08:00Write your congressperson.<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Letter I wrote to my Republican State Representative: </span><br style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Hi Congressman Lummis,</span><br style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Thank you for your newsletter that I didn't ask for. You wrote to me of executive overreach, so I'm going to write to you about congressional obstructionism. Your political party has been playing a game of brinksmanship that has brought our government to a standstill more than once during a time of severe economic duress. You have obstructed infrastructure spending bills that would have brought much</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> needed jobs to the working class, knowing doing so would increase the political power of the Republican party. Congratulations. You have obstructed "common sense" climate change measures that could save countless people from respiratory illnesses and unclean drinking water. You have obstructed supreme court nominations of perfectly reasonable, centrist nominees. You have created a huge controversy about "security breaches" regarding an attack on a single embassy when the Bush administration suffered 13 such attacks that resulted in 60 deaths. Your political party has become the party of obstruction, lies, and racism. Don't talk to me about overreach because to me that is utterly hypocritical. Sincerely, Amy Ryan</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.amykathleenryan.com</div>Amy Kathleen Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06354811275670786851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093240493645584939.post-54747609468854162662016-09-21T13:05:00.000-07:002016-09-22T08:06:44.013-07:00On How Difficult it is to DECIDE this Presidential Election!Gee, I'm having trouble, because both candidates are so BAD!<br />
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I could vote for the guy who had to ask an advisor twice, on camera, why he couldn't use nuclear weapons, and still seemed unsure... Or maybe I should vote for the woman who worked with Russia, China and the EU to create sanctions against Iran to force them NOT to produce nuclear weapons.<br />
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Hm. I'll have to think on this some more.<br />
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I could vote for the guy who repeatedly refuses to disavow the KKK, or I could vote for the woman who wants to create a national task force to address violence against African Americans at the hands of police departments. But calling half of the other side "deplorable" was kind of a dick move, you know? Sure, there are a lot of swastika tattoos at those rallies, but she's white herself, so...<br />
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This is a real brain twister.<br />
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I could vote for the guy who wants to put pregnant girls in jail for trying to get an abortion, or maybe I should vote for the woman who made that historic speech in China about how women's rights are human rights. But don't forget: <i>she's</i> a woman! That's a conflict of interest right there!<br />
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Golly, this is a thinky problem!<br />
<br />
I could vote for the guy who publicly appealed to Russia to hack the Democratic server to undermine the US presidential election, and has openly praised that horse-riding shirtless bald guy who murders journalists, (Vladimir somebody? The Impaler?!) or I could vote for the woman who brokered a cease fire between Israel and Hamas that lasted for eight years...<br />
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Nope. Still not sure.<br />
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It's just that she got some important emails mixed in with thousands of other emails on her private server that she wasn't supposed to have even though many government officials have them, and she deleted some emails to protect the privacy of her family and friends. That is MAJOR. Also she talked to somebody about her Foundation while she was in her State Department Office, and she got all those people in Benghazi killed. Sure, the FBI exonerated her of wrongdoing about the emails, she doesn't even draw a salary from the Foundation which sends medicine to AIDS patients worldwide, and I guess there's something about how the Republican Party repeatedly blocked requests from the Obama Administration to increase funding for security at high risk American embassies, but still. It's because of her.<br />
<br />
I mean I <i>guess</i> with the guy who's running they were talking about... fraud was it? Like he's being investigated for it? And someone is suing him for rape when she was a child, and she has witnesses? And his like, BEST friend at the time is now in jail for rape? And there are no former presidents endorsing him at all? And also wasn't there something about how he took money from HIS foundation and used it for personal reasons? But is it really stealing if you're already rich?<br />
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This is really hard.<br />
<br />
She has like, a squishy neck? Like she's old? And she doesn't smile enough. And... and... and...<br />
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I think I'll just vote for somebody who can't possibly win.<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.amykathleenryan.com</div>Amy Kathleen Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06354811275670786851noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093240493645584939.post-4905637699784213792016-09-16T09:01:00.000-07:002016-09-20T08:59:53.336-07:00On The Scariest US Presidential Election in Recent History.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3QtzvGWE8VEMVgky4f863IXjJk5K3rTmuMauQIPb377JNZRgHEBX551kUBDbBg1GaThrzpTZr4ywV7VJDzprr0zxqbwnPX72dLnYqzhv7wZYbyHozmz3QWazirFh17h4D-LbNxYmx2Q/s1600/strange15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3QtzvGWE8VEMVgky4f863IXjJk5K3rTmuMauQIPb377JNZRgHEBX551kUBDbBg1GaThrzpTZr4ywV7VJDzprr0zxqbwnPX72dLnYqzhv7wZYbyHozmz3QWazirFh17h4D-LbNxYmx2Q/s400/strange15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Responsible journalists and commentators have listed ad nauseum all the ways Donald Trump is unfit to be President, but let's give it a go, shall we? He's made it clear using nuclear weapons would be on the table for him as commander in chief. He's made it clear he plans to deport tens of thousands of people and to build a wall reminiscent of the Berlin atrocity. He's promised to prosecute journalists who report things he doesn't like. He has a long, sad history of making deals with small businessmen, and then bilking them out of the money he owes them by sending a team of lawyers to intimidate them, leaving their livelihoods in ruins. Trump University was an obvious swindle by which he cheated hundreds of earnest people, taking their money and giving them absolutely nothing in return. The way he talks about women would not be tolerated in any corporate boardroom anywhere. And who could dismiss his cute little references to assassinating Hillary Clinton, like a petty dictator tries to take out political rivals. He routinely lies in speeches, interviews, and even during presidential debates. To dismiss his praise of reporter-murdering Vladimir Putin as some kind of jujitsu statesmanship is to twist yourself into a pretzel because you're so horrified at the idea of Hillary Clinton running the country.<br />
<br />
You shouldn't be.<br />
<br />
Her use of a private email server in order to preserve her privacy, considering she's endured one humiliation after another, is not much of a story. Sorry. It really isn't. No damaging material was compromised in her private emails. She did not risk national security in any way, and no criminal charges have been brought against her. It would be ludicrous to compare Clinton's emails to the actions of David Petraeus, who showed a binder full of top secret government documents to a woman he was having an affair with, and then lied about it to the FBI. In short, Clinton was exonerated of wrong doing. And that much ado about the Clinton Foundation? Absolute bullshit. It's an AIDS foundation that saves lives across the globe. The independent vetting organization Charity Watch gave them an A rating --as highly rated as UNICEF. Hillary Clinton has done a beautiful job combatting the AIDS epidemic, and she served as Senator and Secretary of State very admirably.<br />
<br />
Here is an abbreviated list of her many accomplishments over her career: As First Lady she fought to pass the Children's Health Insurance Program, which cut the number of uninsured children in the US by half. As Senator she co-sponsored the Employee Free Choice Act, which made it easier for workers to unionize, and harder for their employers to stifle them. She also co-sponsored the 9/11 First Responders Bill which helped people suffering health problems from volunteering at Ground Zero, and much more. As Secretary of State, she negotiated a cease fire between Israel and Hamas. She also worked with Russia, China, and the EU to craft trade sanctions that forced Iran to make a deal with the US not to develop nuclear weapons. Think about that. She brought <i>Russia</i> and <i>China</i> to the negotiating table and got what she wanted. To list all her hard work, all the ways she's changed the world, would not fit in this essay. She has worked tirelessly to make the world a safer place for millions.<br />
<br />
But that's not what the Republicans want you to believe. They want you to think she was doing secret deals with scary people, that she's corrupt and untrustworthy, that she's incompetent. And you know why they want you to believe that? Because she scares them.<br />
<br />
They should be scared. In increasing numbers, the American people are no longer buying the insane Republican ideology that what's good for the rich is good for everyone. How the GOP managed to keep voters believing this ridiculous economic fiction for as long as they did simply boggles the mind. The middle class is not doing particularly well in America, and that should be obvious to everyone. We are being bankrupted by medical bills, paying more for college and housing and saving less for retirement than any generation previous. And why is that? Very simply because the tax code has been quietly rewritten ever since the Reagan presidency to go easy on the rich so they can keep more of their money, while the middle class pays a HIGHER PERCENTAGE of our earnings to the federal government for services that are constantly under attack. The GOP is peddling a heaping pile of fetid excrement to the American people, but we are wising up, and they are losing.<br />
<br />
Right now their strategy resembles the writhing death struggle of a pinned rattlesnake: They are scapegoating the brown people. Oh those Mexicans, those Muslims, trying to steal America away from us honest hard working white people! This is the best they can come up with, which is absolutely pathetic. The GOP has routinely made life more difficult for the middle and lower classes, but they want you to think our woes are the fault of the hispanic guys in the parking lot of Home Depot. You know what would curb the practice of hiring undocumented workers in the US? Put the people who hire them in jail. Simple. They're breaking the law too, right? How about we disrupt <i>their</i> lives just like we rip families of undocumented workers apart when we raid the sweat shop? Let Mr. Joe Public spend a month in jail thinking about what he did. Huh? No? Not gonna happen? Gee. That's kind of racist. People who hire undocumented workers and pay them less than minimum wage face paltry fines for their first FEW offenses, which, when factored in as a business expense, do absolutely nothing to their bottom line. It makes more economic sense for them to keep paying undocumented workers ridiculously low wages and risk those fines, which to me says, hello, THEY'RE NOT BEING PUNISHED ENOUGH. But I digress. This kind of logic does not fly with the GOP. They don't blame the piece of shit white guy who pays desperate people two dollars an hour and works them for twelve hour days in sub-human conditions. He's not the bad guy. No. The poor, terrified, desperately struggling people who are fleeing crushing poverty in Latin America --they're the bad guys.<br />
<br />
If this isn't proof of racism in America I really don't know what is.<br />
<br />
And Donald Trump has mounted the fire breathing stink-worm of American Bigotry and plans to fly on its ragged wings right into the White House. And people are LETTING HIM. The polls that claim voters believe Trump has more integrity than a woman like Hillary Clinton who has spent her career fighting for working families reveals a shocking gullibility that is troubling in the extreme. Donald Trump must not become president. And that means, for the love of God, vote. You need to vote. Deal with the inconvenience and go to your polling place and vote for Hillary Clinton and get your sticker and go home and watch TV. It is the least, the very least, any of us can do. This is not a time for complacency, folks. The stakes are higher than they have ever been.<br />
<br />
To learn more about Hillary Clinton's many accomplishments, click here:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.hillaryclinton.com/post/seven-hillary-clintons-biggest-accomplishments/">http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/09/carly-fiorina-debate-hillary-clintons-greatest-accomplishment-213157</a><br />
<br />
To learn more about Trump's scandalous history:<br />
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/09/donald-trump-scandals/474726/">http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/09/donald-trump-scandals/474726/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.hillaryclinton.com/feed/things-donald-trump-has-said-and-done-that-in-a-normal-election-would-disqualify-a-nominee/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=fb&utm_campaign=20160915feed_disqualify">https://www.hillaryclinton.com/feed/things-donald-trump-has-said-and-done-that-in-a-normal-election-would-disqualify-a-nominee/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=fb&utm_campaign=20160915feed_disqualify</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.amykathleenryan.com</div>Amy Kathleen Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06354811275670786851noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093240493645584939.post-12375962043915198052016-06-09T12:51:00.001-07:002016-06-09T14:07:10.043-07:00To the Stanford Survivor.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLL8yWSpf1NgPwpx2yAkmE9oM5bH6oCEv-cp_6PHW6JOaYsXjJh68mCrV2NL1KSRsHfn26h78vGWJoDkh4yHK0ptxinAtMGVZu6T24QrrH4aquKdNgi7-NlUHbFS_8HvALh6eKxXbSyck/s1600/dreamstime_m_11921115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLL8yWSpf1NgPwpx2yAkmE9oM5bH6oCEv-cp_6PHW6JOaYsXjJh68mCrV2NL1KSRsHfn26h78vGWJoDkh4yHK0ptxinAtMGVZu6T24QrrH4aquKdNgi7-NlUHbFS_8HvALh6eKxXbSyck/s320/dreamstime_m_11921115.jpg" width="320" /></a>First, I want to tell you that you are a very good writer. I think you could make a career of it. I hope <br />
you do.<br />
<br />
Second I want to tell you that you are an inspiration. You are courageous, and your poignant letter to that smudge of excrement who attacked you will serve as an inspiration to other survivors. You have inspired me.<br />
<br />
Third, I want to acknowledge your repeated trauma, first at the hands of a morally bereft Neanderthal, and second at the hands of a morally bereft injustice system. Much of our society functions in a haze of sociopathy, without remorse or empathy, and your letter forces us all to take a look at that. Well done.<br />
<br />
Fourth, I want to advise you to reclaim your body, your sexuality, and your life, as quickly as possible. I am a survivor of sexual assault too, and I can personally attest to the possibility of a full recovery. You will enjoy sex again. You will enjoy life, and love. I bet you've already had good moments, and laughter. That horror of a few hours will fade, and you will get better. If you get therapy to help you deal with PTSD, you will get better faster. But know that you will get better. Your life HAS NOT been ruined.<br />
<br />
Finally, to any other survivors out there, it wasn't your fault. Were you tricked? Were you coerced? Did you feel safe when you weren't safe, and made a decision that resulted in disaster? Your decision was to trust. His decision was to rape. That wasn't your fault. Repeat after me: It wasn't my fault. And the shame society tries to impose on you? It isn't yours. It's theirs.<br />
<br />
With a raised fist in the solidarity of love, AKR<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.amykathleenryan.com</div>Amy Kathleen Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06354811275670786851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093240493645584939.post-85772305138232781912016-05-14T15:32:00.001-07:002016-05-16T08:44:50.959-07:00On All the Things I Used to Do Before Social Media Took Over My LifeAuthors have to do social media, they said. You must develop a platform, they said. Post eighty percent on random crap, and the other twenty percent on shameless self-promotion! No ten. Actually fifty! You must include Twitter and Facebook and Instagram and Tumblr and Twitter, wait, not Twitter! Twitter is dying! No it's not! Are you writing a book about birds? Look for message boards filled with people who will attack you like a flock of rabid chickadees if they get ANY INDICATION AT ALL that you are there to promote your book. You must promote your work without SEEMING to promote your work! Actually it's okay to promote your work! People expect it now! Unless they are internet purists. Avoid the purists. They will TROLL YOU, destroy your reputation, accuse you of trying to actually profit on the very activity with which you are desperately trying to earn a meager living. Get noticed by people, but not OVER noticed, or they will come for you. The misogynists and militant vegans and religious fundamentalists and crazy lonely cat people will lie in wait for you on message boards and in comment sections. They will surround you like hyenas circling an injured baby wildebeast! Don't be a baby wildebeest. Be a hyena. Unless there are catfish around. Or cat-fishermen. Or...<br />
<br />
Avoid animal metaphors!<br />
<br />
And forget. Forget how you used to sing in a bar at a thing called a Hootenanny, how you would practice with your friend Mimi and harmonize for a group of tolerant middle aged people. Forget making dinner for friends, showing off your lasagne, telling them that hilarious story that happened in Spain and making them laugh. Instead entertain those friends from afar with 140 characters. Forget how you used to get bored of being home, and you'd put on your shoes and walk to a coffee shop to read a book. Especially forget that you used to carry a book with you everywhere you went, because books are heavy and iPhones are light, and Twitter is even lighter. Forget sitting quietly in a park listening to birdsong. Forget taking naps.<br />
<br />
Entertain yourself entertaining people entertaining you.<br />
<br />
And definitely forget about how much you used to write. How much MORE you used to write. How much longer you used to write.<br />
<br />
On second thought, forget it all. Forget Twitter and Facebook and Instagram and Tumblr. Forget your passwords. Forget your iPhone. Remember that story you never sent off? That book you meant to read? That idea you had for an essay about how social media is destroying your attention span?<br />
<br />
Look out the window.<br />
<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.amykathleenryan.com</div>Amy Kathleen Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06354811275670786851noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093240493645584939.post-87338555015021985012016-04-05T15:05:00.001-07:002016-06-21T10:11:55.114-07:00On Migraine.It's scary when your head hurts so badly that you can literally FEEL that a vein IN YOUR BRAIN is swelling up, causing clusters of neurons to cry out in agony. It makes your stomach turn inside out. It totally exhausts you so that taking a single step requires an act of will. You lie there helpless for hours, for days maybe, and hopefully your special pills from the doctor will work. But sometimes they don't. Sometimes the headache takes on a life of its own, and it won't be controlled, it won't be reigned in, and your only choice is to huddle your poor head between two pillows, pressing an ice pack to your temple, and just pray for time to go by quicker.<br />
<br />
I had a headache like this on Sunday. It really started Friday night, but it was late when I felt the first pulls inside my skull, so I took a prescription pill and went right to bed to sleep it off. Or so I thought. The next morning I woke up and, since it was Saturday I had time to myself while my husband played with my kids, so I ignored the slight ache in my head, and took myself to breakfast, and then took my dogs for a nice stroll in the woods, thinking a little food and nature would be restorative. But by the time I got back home, I felt shaky, so I decided I better lie down and take it easy. I figured I wasn't dealing with a migraine, I was dealing with a migraine hangover. And in most cases, I would have been right. I've never had a migraine last for longer than a day. That night I endured a headache while I put the kids to bed. (Hubby got to go out with friends, only fair after he took care of the kids all day, and I was glad he had the chance for some fun of his own.) I watched a little trashy TV before I finally went to bed myself.<br />
<br />
The next morning I woke up, made breakfast for the kids, and realized by the shaking of my hands and the spike in my head: I had a full on migraine. I took a pill, which is usually enough to make it better, and lie down. Hubby took the kids out for some fun. And I waited for it to get better.<br />
<br />
And I waited.<br />
<br />
It didn't get better. And I had taken my last pill. And my husband was gone.<br />
<br />
At some point, with a migraine like this, when you've run out of pills, you begin to cry. For about an hour, I let the tears come as I pressed an ice pack to my head. I called in a refill for my pills, and texted my husband to please go get them. He did, but I had to wait, and that was not an easy wait.<br />
<br />
The second pill took the edge off. I was able to kiss my kids goodnight before going right back to bed. I slept through the night, and then had a weird migraine hangover that lasted another twenty four hours, which included foggy thinking, poor muscle coordination, and knock-you-down dizziness. But the worst was over.<br />
<br />
There are supposed to be four stages of a migraine: the Prodrome, where you don't feel quite right; the Aura, where you might see things or have ringing ears; the Attack; where you lie helpless in all encompassing pain; and finally the Postdrome, or hangover, where you feel foggy, confused, and SORE. But I submit there should be a fifth and final phase, which is the Aftermath. Every migraine is so painful and scary and isolating that when you finally come out of it, the world looks different. You feel unbelievably lucky to be able to walk across the room without leaning on the wall. You can look out the window at a sunny day without feeling like someone with long fingernails is pinching your optic nerves. You feel grateful it's over, and incredibly relieved, and yet. And yet.<br />
<br />
You will get another one. Sometime in your future another headache is lurking. Maybe next week. Maybe next month. Maybe next year. It's impossible not to feel afraid.<br />
<br />
If you have a friend who suffers from migraine, or a family member, you can help, but just a little. Make the room dark and quiet. Bring them ice packs. Bring them cups of cool water to sip. Don't touch them. Don't speak. Above all don't make them talk.<br />
<br />
If you suffer from migraines like me, I'm here, buddy. I know.<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.amykathleenryan.com</div>Amy Kathleen Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06354811275670786851noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093240493645584939.post-16705238275504960522016-03-12T08:25:00.002-08:002016-05-17T12:23:03.693-07:00On Politics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQj16S8kPT1sN_tSvfx9tEb0pYqY_tbCkFBMoaLYcFwUlZQGKujxye7RAuwJFgOkm8-zmrcClwcj9P_UYLab-MmT-Kpsn6u_azSd7IW_mwThJ5GKowVrVuY46D13GV2Yh0UCwGXftqUp0/s1600/dreamstime_m_63166391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQj16S8kPT1sN_tSvfx9tEb0pYqY_tbCkFBMoaLYcFwUlZQGKujxye7RAuwJFgOkm8-zmrcClwcj9P_UYLab-MmT-Kpsn6u_azSd7IW_mwThJ5GKowVrVuY46D13GV2Yh0UCwGXftqUp0/s320/dreamstime_m_63166391.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It's an election year, did you hear? This time around, it's scary.<br />
<br />
Our Republican front runner is building his power with rhetoric that scapegoats vulnerable minorities. Muslims fleeing political upheaval and civil war, who have had their lives destroyed by extremism, are being told they will not be allowed in the country whose motto is Freedom and Justice for All. He wants to build a wall to keep people out because he is so ignorant of history that he believes walls actually work, when in fact they embarrass the nation that builds them. Remember "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall?" If not, you should look it up. A Republican said it. He wants to register Muslims in the United States because their young men don't feel excluded and disenfranchised enough. He wants to deport millions of people from US Soil. Do you know what has to be built in order to accomplish such a feat? Internment camps. Sound familiar? Other Republicans are talking about carpet bombing the Arab world. These people are being cheered by thousands.<br />
<br />
We have another candidate using facts and figures to build his argument that the middle class in America is in danger. He is only saying what economists have been saying for decades. He wants to give free college to everyone, like they do in Europe. He wants to bring single payer health care to America, like they already have in Europe. He wants to readjust the tax structure to pay for it. The numbers work. Independent agencies have vetted his math and approved it. He wants to bring prosperity to the middle class again, and how is he dismissed by the media? Not possible. Can't do it. Pie in the sky. Vote for the one who is in bed with Wall Street, the one who will uphold the status quo, won't rock the boat too much, won't piss off those powerful billionaires who are really running things, including the media. They try to prop her up. They try and try. Maybe they'll do it, and she'd be so much better than the fascist orangutan, but only because she's not insane.<br />
<br />
Please don't bother posting your defensive comment spewing hysterical fear, and rage, making some veiled threat like, "You'll feel differently when the scary brown people come for your family!" No they won't, so no I won't. And I won't feel differently when people are forced into long lines where they have to register, and ushered into camps where they await deportation, and become more angry, more embittered, and more sadly aware that after a death defying slog through deserts both figurative and literal, the land of Freedom and Justice for All was a mirage.<br />
<br />
Let's not go down this road, America. Let's remember who we are. For the love of all that is holy, if you are capable of empathy, if you believe that violence and oppression are not the answer, if you don't buy into the easy scapegoating being touted by a bullying braggart who inherited his wealth, if you believe that hope is a worthy cause, vote. Please vote. And remember what Edmund Burke said:<span style="background-color: white;"> The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men <i>and women</i> to do nothing. </span><br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.amykathleenryan.com</div>Amy Kathleen Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06354811275670786851noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093240493645584939.post-53383688290162839642016-01-08T09:00:00.000-08:002016-01-11T08:48:15.434-08:00On Loving Yourself.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggF-HN2UqELipfCE9Ww7ZNjVUKZ1oHpwelYhbfQf9Ogt8DOIpVDBUXt1K2trHf7jouBTPdRU-oJqQDOxswrFrjlxUovI5PDMHTxmv9ul_BKdMOtkEZFRv3AEv-S8D_tohZ6Upg-ZI2H54/s1600/dreamstime_m_43447638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggF-HN2UqELipfCE9Ww7ZNjVUKZ1oHpwelYhbfQf9Ogt8DOIpVDBUXt1K2trHf7jouBTPdRU-oJqQDOxswrFrjlxUovI5PDMHTxmv9ul_BKdMOtkEZFRv3AEv-S8D_tohZ6Upg-ZI2H54/s320/dreamstime_m_43447638.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I was always a little uncomfortable with the phrase, "Love yourself." Aside from it being a bit touchy-feely, I feel it puts too much pressure on a person. Love myself even after I said something I deeply regret to someone I love? After I embarrass myself? After I tell a lie and betray trust? The truth is it isn't always easy to love yourself. We all make mistakes, some of them disastrous, and living with the consequences can be crushing.<br />
<br />
Besides, how do you really love yourself? When you love someone there's a certain polished sheen we give them. We forget the nasty sides of their characters, and see only their glossy goodness. Parents love children this way, often blind to their character flaws, sometimes to damaging effect. And romantic love might be the most blinding of all, sometimes making us vulnerable to a malicious personality, or simply a careless one. Love is blind. Familiarity breeds contempt. Both are phrases coined by the Bard, and they've taken hold in the English language because they perfectly express profound truths about human nature. Don't we all know ourselves far too well to see ourselves through love goggles?<br />
<br />
I think what the phrase, "Love yourself," really means is that you must treat yourself lovingly. Think of yourself during that embarrassing moment when you did a social belly flop in front of your peers. Oh, you're probably pretty angry at yourself for the way you undermined your social standing, sure, but try viewing the scene with the compassion borne of love. If your best friend did the same thing, or your child, or your lover, wouldn't you wrap your arms around him? Wouldn't you give her a kiss on the cheek, try to say something encouraging, and maybe run her a nice fragrant bath where she could relax and put it behind her? Instead of those self-punishments, try a little self nurturing.<br />
<br />
Or think of the stranger who is being attacked by a group of mean bullies. This type of thing happens all the time in school when you're a kid and at your most vulnerable. Most people walk by, trying not to get involved, and sometimes this is the best thing to do if the situation seems dangerous. (An even better thing is to run and find an adult who can put a stop to it.) But those silent observers are not on the side of the bully. Most of them are on the side of the person being attacked. So if you're the one being attacked, and you have no choice but to be a silent observer in your own humiliation because you're outnumbered, or in physical danger, try compassion for yourself. Instead of admonishing yourself, even hating yourself for being the target of a bunch of knuckle draggers, try being the kid who, when the whole thing is over, picks you up from the ground, gives you a hand, tries to say something kind and comforting, and buys you a chocolate sundae. Because it's not your fault what some troglodyte decides to do to you for some random reason in his own twisted mind. You can't control how he treats you, but you can control how you treat yourself. If you can't love yourself in this moment, at least be loving.<br />
<br />
Be your own friend. Never be a bully to yourself.<br />
<br />
That's what that silly, touchy feely saying is all about. Maybe you can't love yourself the way you might love that beautiful girl or that handsome boy. Maybe you can't cuddle yourself the way you cuddle your dog, cat, guinea pig, lizard, what have you. But you can be kind to yourself. Instead of being malicious in your internal dialogue, catch yourself, notice when you're repeating some cruelty done to you by a peer, or a parent, and reverse it. Be loving. Give yourself a nick name. Call yourself sweetie. Give yourself a hug. Go ahead and be loving toward yourself.<br />
<br />
It's the first step toward a better life. I promise.<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.amykathleenryan.com</div>Amy Kathleen Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06354811275670786851noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093240493645584939.post-62593595994054480012016-01-01T07:39:00.002-08:002016-03-07T10:54:43.759-08:00On Coming Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am from Jackson Hole Wyoming, where the winters are snowy, COLD, and gorgeous. Hoar frost glistens in the air so that in the morning when the light is right, there is a rainbow halo around the sun and teeny diamonds floating all around you. Sure, it might be twenty below zero, but when the sun is out, all that lovely radiation warms you up, and you don't feel the cold. The town is situated in one of the most remote areas in the continental United States. The closest large city is Salt Lake, which is a five hour drive away. In all directions, for miles and miles, there is nothing but twisting mountain roads, tiny western towns, cows, and wildlife. On a single drive dropping off a dear friend at the airport recently, we saw moose, elk, deer, and buffalo. There is a place right next to town where, in the fall, you can drive your car and be surrounded by a herd of bighorn sheep who come to lick the salt off your doors while looking you right in the eye. </div>
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While I was slogging through six years of graduate school, first in Vermont and then in New York City, I missed Wyoming desperately. But I married a New Yorker. To someone from America's greatest city, (arguably,) Jackson is stark and isolated. New Yorkers have the instinct to be around lots of people because you're less likely to be mugged if there are dozens of witnesses around. Here in Wyoming, the only witnesses would be the elk while you're being mugged by a grizzly bear. For understandable reasons, my husband was reluctant to move to Jackson, and I thought Colorado would be an okay compromise, thinking the nature and climate would be comparable. Fort Collins is at the base of the Rocky Mountains after all. </div>
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I regretted the move almost immediately. I found out we were living in what's called the Banana Belt of Colorado, along the base of the Rocky Mountains, which experiences mild winters and very hot summers. A lot of people imagine huge piles of snow for Colorado dwellers, but this is not true along the Front Range. Because of the huge wall of mountains that cuts through the state, warm air gets trapped at the base, creating a bubble of warmth in a sea of cold. This is called an inversion, and I hated it. Sure, we'd get a little snow, but it would melt usually within a week or two. Winter was a brown, slushy affair, flaccid and boring. Not enough snow to cross country ski, and no alpine ski resorts within a reasonable driving distance, so winter sports just weren't the emphasis there, unless of course you count indoor hockey. Yuck. Nothing against hockey; it was the indoor part I didn't like. In the summer the temperatures are punishing. Sure, you can go for a hike in 100 degree weather, but do you want to? The town is great. The people are great. But at night I had dreams of Wyoming, recurring nightmares featuring people I went to high school with who'd stayed in Jackson, whispering at me that I could never go back. I would wake up in anguish.</div>
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My husband loved Colorado, loved the sun, loved the mild winter, but he saw what it was doing to me. Even though I had resolved to live there for the rest of my life, and had tried hard to do so cheerfully, he knew it was eating me up inside. One day when we were in Wyoming visiting my Dad, walking through the woods, watching our kids happily scrambling over the mountainside, he said out of the blue, "Okay. Let's move here."</div>
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I dissolved into sloppy, grateful sobs. </div>
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So we moved in July, and I was ecstatic. The summer was glorious, a pleasant upper seventy degree paradise. I took my kids on hikes, and they were little mountain goats, scrambling over the hillside, loving it. Oh, I was so happy. So utterly thrilled! I looked at the mountains every day and I thanked the universe, thanked my father who helped us buy our house outside of town, and above all thanked my amazing husband for his loving sacrifice, which was large. I thought I was the luckiest woman in the world. Autumn was just as gorgeous, with intense yellows and golds glowing in the slanting sunlight. At night in our rustic home we listened to coyotes talking to each other, and elk bugling, their hauntingly beautiful mating call that sounds a little like whales singing. Paradise. Winter was beginning, the first true cold of the dark months, and skiing soon! Hurray!</div>
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Then I had a bad week. </div>
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My husband left for New York on a week long business trip, and I was all set to enjoy the time alone with my kids. We would watch movies and cuddle in bed, and I was going to handle everything just fine. Best of all, it had started really snowing. We'd had a few humble snowfalls, but finally we were getting some REAL snow, about a foot expected to fall over the next five days! Finally a real Jackson winter!! </div>
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Then one day, on my way home from dropping my kids off at school, I was approaching the turn off to my neighborhood from the highway. There was a large truck right behind me, and I was afraid of being rear ended if I slowed all the way down before I made my turn. There was enough snow on the side of the road I couldn't move over to the shoulder to slow down either. So I decelerated as I made the turn. I was going probably twenty five miles per hour as I came down the slope, and I hit my brakes again to turn onto my street, and slid right into the ditch by my house.</div>
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Allow me to describe this ditch: It is about twenty feet deep, with a STEEP drop down from the road, steep enough it would be hard to walk down without sitting on your butt as you slide. It's almost cliff-steep.</div>
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I started screaming as my car approached the edge. Even my car screamed. I didn't know I had an alarm that beeped if you were about to roll your car. I know it now, and it screams in your ear, making you even more scared. Somehow my lizard brain took over and I was able to straighten out so that my nose was pointed down. I stopped the roll, but the ride down was bumpy and scary as hell. I wasn't injured much beyond being shaken painfully against my seatbelt. For two weeks afterward, my neck and back ached, with pain radiating down my shoulder into my arm. But it could've been so much worse.</div>
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I got my car towed, and borrowed my Dad's car while they fixed mine. I had thought loading three kids into carseats in my minivan was exhausting, but my Dad's SUV was a killer on my already sore back. My husband wasn't due to come home for a week, and though he offered to cut his trip short, I insisted I was fine and I could handle it on my own. And I did. The insurance covered most of the repairs, I got the kids to school on time, I did all the house work alone. I managed, but missed my husband. I cried a little, and a couple times I yelled at my kids until I realized I was being a jerk and apologized. </div>
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But the accident left a scar. Suddenly I remembered that these beautiful Wyoming winters are dangerous. Really dangerous. How could I have forgotten? The list of people I grew up with who have died on these roads is unsettlingly long. And now, every single time I approach my street, I tense up. I look down at that ditch, afraid I'm going to end up there again, but this time we might roll, and my kids could be in the car. We have to drive past that yawning chasm of death every damn day. Suddenly the beauty I had longed for seemed menacing, and I began to question my selfishness in moving my family from a home they loved to this Siberian Hellscape. </div>
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The honeymoon period is over. My dreamy joy at living here has been replaced with a mundane seriousness, a grim acceptance that we now live in a place that can kill you. People die from cold. People run into grizzlies and get mauled. People fall off mountains and die. Avalanches can sweep across a major highway that connects Idaho to Wyoming, which hundreds of people commute every day. I personally know of people who have died when their cars got pushed over the side of a cliff by a rumbling mountain of snow. </div>
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There are things you have to know to survive here. Always make noise when you're in the woods to warn bears of your approach, and if possible, bring a buddy and bear mace. Check the avalanche report before you go into the back country, and if an avalanche happens anyway, swim as you fall and try to make an air pocket in front of your face so you don't suffocate. Wear proper clothing if you're going out so you don't get frost bite on your fingers. And when you're approaching the turnoff to your neighborhood on the icy highway, slow down starting about a quarter mile before your turn so the dummy tailgating you is forced to slow down too, make the turn at the top of the hill going at a crawl, so you don't end up rolling into the ditch at night in twenty below weather and end up freezing to death in your car because you live in a remote area, there's almost no traffic, and no one will find you until morning. For example.</div>
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Some time has passed, and I wish I could say these dark feelings inside me have dissipated. My husband knows I'm having second thoughts about moving back here, and he's annoyed about it, understandably so. I'm annoyed with myself. I suppose a period of adjustment is to be expected, as well as a mourning period, saying goodbye to those mild Colorado winters, those easy roads, the convenience of living an hour away from Denver. Did we make a mistake moving here? I hadn't thought so. I'd thought it was the best thing we could do for our kids, moving them to a natural paradise, one of the last vestiges on Earth of what this planet used to be. But now I know it's the kind of decision we could come to regret if something happens to one of our precious children. Maybe one, or all of them, will slide into that ditch, rolling this time. I think I will have to be one of those mothers who stays up until they are all safely home, not the one who goes to bed without worry. (Are there any mothers like that?) And if there is a night when they ignore curfew, come what may, and stay out into the late hours in the dead of winter? I will be frantic. That is the deal we made when we moved here. I didn't realize it before, but I sure as hell understand it now.</div>
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Yesterday, when I took my kids sledding, a bald eagle flew overhead through the glistening hoar frost, utterly silent, oblivious to my children's laughter, close enough I could've hit him with a puff of powdery snow. I reminded myself that I do know how to avoid a bear encounter, and my kids do too. I don't have to make that Idaho commute because of the generosity of my father who helped us buy a house on the much more expensive Wyoming side of the Tetons. I'm not a back country skier, so avalanche risk for me is next to nothing. And I now know how to make that scary turn onto my road with relative safety. I'm no longer living in easy going Fort Collins, true, but there are bald eagles right in town. There are coyotes that frequent my neighborhood, singing me to sleep. And the natural beauty is absolutely awesome, in every sense of the word.</div>
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Okay, Wyoming, you treacherous beauty. I'm home.<br />
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Update:<br />
I am pleased to report that I am fully recovered from the accident. How do I know? I was telling a friend that the other night I heard the haunting scream of a mountain lion outside my house. She smiled, and said, "So. Did that make you more worried about moving to Wyoming? Or did it make you feel excited?" My answer was: "Excited. Very, very excited!"</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.amykathleenryan.com</div>Amy Kathleen Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06354811275670786851noreply@blogger.com5