My Pledge
I pledge allegiance to all life
in its interdependent diversity;
and to the Planet upon which it exists;
one World, under the sky, undividable
with harmony and balance for all.
~ Tom King, 2001
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Me
This is my personal website which contains links and information to all aspects about me. My active posts can be viewed at my blog page and the social media links on the right side bar.
Dee’s ‘Dotes~Anecdotes of a Green Activist
Dee’s Dotes is my personal blog (click tab above). I write about my activist activities, including the peace movement, the Green Party, politics in general and other progressive issues ; and other topics in Utah and beyond.
My original Dee’s ‘Dotes blog is here:
Much of the content from the original blog has been incorporated in this site.
I am not a political analyst. I provide my opinions, experiences and perspectives straight from the heart.
NOTE: There was a hiatus of about 5 1/2 years (with a gap between 2012 and 2017 in the archives).
Afghanistan Escalation
The peace community around the nation is outraged at Obama’s announcement of the deployment of 35,000 additional troops to Afghanistan. But should we be surprised? Obama promised the reduction of forces in Iraq and further escalation in Afghanistan during his presidential campaign.
Regardless, not only are more lives going to be lost in an escalation that shouldn’t happen, but billions of taxpayer dollars are going to be spent on this escalation, further impacting domestic programs that provide essential services to human beings in the U.S.
This is an outrage.
There are numerous actions being held around the country this week in reaction to Obama’s announcement. Here in Salt Lake City I hope people will come out to the event listed below to raise their voices:
Afghanistan: No Escalation Vigil – December 3, 5:30pm
Afghanistan: No Escalation!
Vigil, 5:30 – 6:30pm
100 South State Street, Salt Lake City, UT
Where is everyone?
Where is the rage? “Hundreds” of demonstrators? It seems as though since Obama has been elected people have let down their guard. At our regular vigil in Salt Lake City not long ago a bus driver pulled up and shouted out “Obama won, why are you still out here?” There’s still a war, there are still injustices, there is still corporate control and domination. Now, more than ever, we need to hit the streets and demand an end to all of this!
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged iraq, obama, peace, u.s. domination, war, world domination
Two Utahns and others: The First 100 Days: What would a Green Administration look like?
The Green Party has asked Green leaders from all over the US to tell America what a Green President of the United States would do during the ‘First 100 Day’s of his or her administration.
Green candidates and members of the Green Party’s Speakers Bureau submitted video clips and short essays to describe what they’d do if elected to the White House and what Green steps President Obama should take to resolve the nation’s problems.
“This is our Inauguration Day gift to Barack Obama and to America. We celebrate the landmark election of America’s first African American president, but we’re worried that Barack Obama will retreat from his promises of change, especially given some of his Cabinet appointments. That’s why we’ve collected these recommendations from prominent Green Party members,” said Sanda Everett, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States.
Brian Czech
Ph.D. ecologist and Certified Wildlife Biologist
read more about Mr. Czech here . . .
Morgen D’Arc
Co-Founder, Co-Spokesperson and Former Co-Chair, National Women’s Caucus; Chair, Cumberland County Green Party; 2002 Candidate for Cumberland County Register of Deeds; National Green Party Delegate, 2002-2006 and 2007-present, Maine
Women: Rights, Issues And Conditions. A Breakthrough Agenda
read more about Ms. D’Arc here . . .
Kathy Dopp
M.S. Mathematics, Executive Director, National Election Data Archive, UT
read more about Ms. Dopp here . . .
Ron Forthofer
2002 Green Party candidate for Governor of Colorado, 2000 candidate for Congress, CO
read more about Mr. Forthofer here . . .
Cynthia McKinney
2008 Green Party Candidate for President
Discussing Palestine, Israel, and her trip on a relief boat destined for the Gaza
More from Ms. McKinney on the Middle East
Deeana Taylor
Co-Coordinator, Desert Greens Green Party of Utah, 2006 Green Party candidate for Salt Lake County Council
read more about Ms. Taylor here . . .
Pete Van, Jr
2006 Green Party Candidate for the Michigan State House of Representatives/District 88 (Allegan County)
read more about Mr. Van here . . .
Laura Wells
2002 and 2006 Green Party candidate for State Controller, CA
read more about Ms. Wells here . . .
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged 2008 elections, Green Party, obama, presidential inauguaration
Writing to Obama
Yesterday I held a civics lesson for my 10th grade advisory students where I teach on the "Power of the President". I was given some materials by a colleague to use, including a cute little video on "brain pop" and some other items for discussion.
One thing I had the students do was write a letter to President Obama. First I gave them the entire transcript of his speech for reference. Happily, most of them had watched his inaugural speech already. The prompts I gave them included:
"I like it when you said…." and "I wish you would have said….". It was a great exercise in civic engagement. Some students finished their letters but others really wanted more time to do a thorough job, so I anticipate more coming in to me today. We will send them in separate envelopes and await replies.
I will share some of those letters here over the weekend.
Obaman’s Inaugural Address
Obama’s Inaugural Address: The Full Text
My fellow citizens: I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.
Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.
So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.
That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.
These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land — a nagging fear that America’s decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.
Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America — they will be met.
On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.
Honeymoon’s Over!
The day before he was inaugurated as 44th President of the United States, he held dinners for two war criminals:
Jan. 19, 2009
The New York Times
In Bipartisan Appeal, Obama Praises McCain and Powell
By Katharine Q. Seelye
In a major bipartisan appeal on the eve of his inauguration, Barack Obama held dinners Monday evening for Republicans Colin Powell and John McCain, praising both to the skies and perhaps making a down payment on future political success.
In an unusual effort to create political opportunity out of what is usually a dead period in the days leading up to an inauguration, Mr. Obama reached across the aisle and across the battle lines of the last election, calling his former opponent a man who sought common ground and attaching superlatives to Mr. Powell.
He did not mention that Mr. McCain evinced little of his bipartisan side during the presidential campaign.
“There are few Americans who understand this need for common purpose and common effort better than John McCain,” Mr. Obama said at the dinner he held for Mr. McCain at the Washington Hilton. “It is what he has strived for and achieved throughout his life. It is built into the very content of his character.” Continue reading
Deanna Dee-Dee Taylor 