FBI Wise to Move Cautiously on Assessing Causation in Orlando Shootings

FBI Is wise to move slowly on assessing the causes of the Orlando shootings. While some have had a knee jerk reaction over this declaring that the FBI Is somehow "afraid" to label Islamic terrorism as the root cause of the shooting in Orlando I believe that there are still some unanswered questions that need to be asked. Specifically, why did the shooter invoke several different islamic groups all of which hate each other and are in competition soldiers and supporters. Was he invoking these groups as a way to cover what was purely an act of hatred and self-loathing? It is important that we not jump to conclusions without careful consideration.

Wind in the Sheets
Painted Sheets Abstract No 18
16x24"
Limited to 5 original prints
Click here

Why Super PACs, Donor Class Funding, and Speaking Fees Matter

by Wayne D. King

The debate between Bernie and Hillary over who is and is not a Progressive is a silly diversion for everyone. However, the issue of accepting funds from Super PACs and the Donor class is VERY important. Hillary has made the case that no one can point to an instance where it has changed her mind and that is precisely why this point is so important. The influence of big money on the political process is an insidious one when it comes to donations made to progressives. The money does not make the candidate advocates for the monied interest, it makes them complicit.

In the 8 years since the monied interests broke the economy not one CEO has gone to prison. Furthermore many of them were immediately placed into positions of authority to fix what they had just broken.

The Republicans help the monied interests because they are the lifeblood of the Republican party. Progressives who accept money from these folks do so because they have learned over the years that they can criticize them and still receive their money just as long as they don't step over the line and do more than talk about it. It is how the monied interests inoculate themselves against the possibility of success of these candidates. Just in case they win, the monied interests provide just enough support to keep them from turning their rhetoric into action.

I am a huge supporter of President Obama but there is a reason that in his eight years as President no CEO has gone to jail. This too is Hillary's problem. If she becomes President it will be up to us to force her to move from talk to action. If Bernie becomes President we can put our energy into supporting his sincere efforts.

Clouds in the Flightpath Mug by MoosewoodMindscapes
Create unique custom cups at Zazzle.com

Twice in a Blue Moon Poster by MoosewoodMindscapes
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Remembering Christa McAuliffe and Marty Gross

Heroes come in many forms - defined by a lifetime of effort or a moment in time into which they are thrust, capturing our admiration and inspiring us with their example. It hardly seems like 30 years since I stood in the reception area of the Governor's Council and watched as a room full of people turned from excitement and pride to sadness beyond description. At the same time that we were remembering Christa we lost a very dear friend, Martin "Marty" Gross. To me Marty was a hero of the first variety; a man of great principle and heart who quietly provided the kind of leadership that is all too rare today . . . a selfless dedication to public service that reached across the aisle to build coalitions that brought out the best in us.
Christa, thank you for inspiring us to reach for the stars; and thank you Marty for a life of service and for all that you did to remind us that our common humanity was always more important than our political differences. If there is a heaven, Marty and Caroline will surely be moderating a bi-partisan discussion right now. http://bit.ly/1SOgoAK

A Ripple of Hope

Perhaps it is unfair to make a comparison between a giant like Bobby Kennedy and the small minds that seem to dominate the Republican party in the US today but it is unquestionably worth examining why so little seems to have been learned by both political parties in the US from our history.

So much was lost on that June day in 1968 when Sirhan Sirhan denied us the chance to have a President who was unafraid to use the word love in a speech and who spoke of healing the divisions in our country.

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A Ripple of Hope:

Poster and Card created from an image of the same name inspired by the famed courageous speech of Robert F. Kennedy in 1966 in South Africa where he spoke out against the Apartheid system.

"It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance."

http://bit.ly/1ZKf7yQ

The Cerberus of Terror

The image of Cerberus, the three headed dog-like monster of Greek mythology who guards the gates of Hell, preventing those condemned there from ever escaping is an apt image for our time. It invokes the fear of terrorism that has so captivated our imaginations and, as a mythological creature, it expresses the likelihood that we will find ourselves its victims.

Yes, it is twice as likely that we will be struck by lightning than by a terrorist. Can you imagine if someone came up with a proposal to spend 10 billion dollars annually to prevent the 29 deaths that occurred  last year from lightning strikes? How would we react to that if it was offered as a proposal by a Presidential candidate? I offer this as a tongue in cheek suggestion, but the numbers are real.

This is not to say that Terrorism should simply be dismissed. Indeed we must take it seriously for the threat that it presents. But we must be clear about the threat it presents.

Terrorism, like the Cerberus, is a three headed beast and we must eliminate all three heads if we are to have peace and justice without sacrificing our freedom in the process. The first two heads are the twin challenges of Isis ("Daesh") and Al Quida.  While they are related, they remain separate challenges and ignoring one while we take the fight to the other is like trying to remove a wrinkle in a rug by pushing on it. The wrinkle simply moves elsewhere.

Despite the bravado of many of the candidates for President and a whole host of Republicans and Democrats, eliminating the twin challenges of Isis and Al Quida will not be easy and will not happen quickly. The more we emphasize violence as a solution the longer it will take.

How we address the challenge depends largely on whether the individuals we seek to reach are already in the "pipeline" or can still learn to dream different dreams. Put another way, it depends on whether hope is still alive or whether the only role models for those we must confront are Bin Laden, the 9-11 terrorists and their ilk. The more we try to "go it alone" or wage war on Islam the longer it will take.

For those already in the pipeline of terror; Those who have already completely rejected values of freedom, equality and opportunity; we have no choice but to confront them in the only language they understand, and with the same uncompromising tone. Resolve must be met with resolve, Violence must be met with violence. Our values must be asserted every bit as forcefully as the values expressed by our enemies.

For those who still can be reached, the vast majority, we must replace dead end dreams with dreams that offer renewal and hope. We must show people all over the planet that we will be there for them when they dream these dreams and this brings us to the third head of the Cerberus of Terror.

We must confront the head of the Cerberus that finds its source among us - expressed through racism, hate and the psychological terror that is the modus operandi of the "Masters of War" who use the violence of the few to justify hatred and the tendency toward violence against the many, without regard to the innocence or guilt.

The first stage of this battle to remove the third head of the Cerberus of Terror may very well be the presidential election of 2016. If the Republicans nominate Donald Trump or Ted Cruise we will surely see an election that presents us with the starkest choice between the dark forces that will lead us into unending conflict and those who will face this challenge as Americans have faced similar challenges in the past - with resolve and a firm eye on the values that have made us the beacon of hope to the world.

Camel's Pride - Love Card by MoosewoodMindscapes
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Stinson Brook Birchfall

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Wayne King Images Chosen for Los Angeles Based Linus Gallery "Fauna" Exhibition

Los Angeles-based Linus Gallery recently announced the winners of a call for artists in a juried competition titled "Fauna". Among those images chosen were two images by New Hampshire-based artist Wayne King. Chosen for the exhibition were "Pelican Mindscape" and "Knee Deep in Zebras".

"Pelican Mindscape" is a mixed media image combining elements of photography and painting. The image was printed from a negative through textured glass, hand-painted using Marshall oils and then scanned for output using archival inks in an edition of 100 16" x 24" prints, signed by the artist and available at an affordable $195. Unsigned images are also available from RedBubble.com: http://rdbl.co/1M4cPky

"Knee Deep in Zebras" is a composite monochrome image created from a series of images of Zebras. Three editions of 10 prints each are available, two edition are toned in Blue and Brown respectively with the final a straight monochrome. Original prints are available from the artist at a cost of $495.00 for a 16"x24" signed print. Unsigned open edition prints are also available from Fine Art America: http://bit.ly/1XK6mia.

"I am honored to have had two images selected in this prestigious competition" said King. "The Linus Gallery is one of the most active and progressive galleries on the Web. It may also provide an opportunity for a visit to Lost Angeles where my sister resides - a great added benefit!"

Asquamchumaukee - A photographic ramble through the Baker River Valley of New Hampshire

Here's a great idea for holiday gift giving. . .

Asquamchumaukee - A photographic ramble through the Baker River Valley of New Hampshire

Storm Over Tenney Mountain

Asquamchumaukee - Place of Mountain Waters

A photographic ramble through the Baker River Valley of New Hampshire

This book and the images from it are available in a number of different formats including a large landscape hardcover, signed and numbered, limited edition art book; an open edition in hardcover, softcover and eBook formats as well as other related products including calendars, clocks, mugs, cards, posters and prints.

Signed, Numbered Limited Edition, Large Format $165.00

This book requires the artist to sign and number the books, it can ONLY be ordered directly from me at this secure address:

Asquamchumaukee Cover

http://bit.ly/OrderAsquam

Purchase the signed limited edition and receive your choice of two complimentary posters

Open Edition (unsigned) - Large Format $98.76

Available through Amazon.com

Large Landscape Hardcover 13” x 11” 

42 Pages printed on standard paper

http://bit.ly/AsquamNo3

Open Edition Small Hardcover (unsigned) - 8"x10" Format $59.35

Available through Amazon.com

Standard Landscape Hardcover 8” x 10” 

42 Pages printed on standard paper

Hardcover with Dust Jacket: 

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Softcover "Keepsake Version"  8"x10": $39.58

Plus shipping & handling

http://bit.ly/AsquamNo6

eBook from Blurb

42 Pages

$4.99

http://bit.ly/AsquamNo7

Detailed information about Calendars, cards, clocks and other gifts can be found here.

http://bit.ly/Aquam_Gifts

Asquamchumaukee Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Asquamchumaukee-Baker-River-Valley/189924584514401?ref=hl

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Dedication: This book is dedicated to the "Ladies of Got Lunch! Rumney" who saw a need and selflessly stepped forward to help and the millions of heroic people who volunteer in their communities, small and large in the quiet of anonymity and the glow of the hope they create through their actions.

ebook

http://store.blurb.com/ebooks/491117-asquamchumaukee-place-of-mountain-waters-open-edition

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50% of the net  proceeds from sales of this book will benefit the local "Got Lunch!" programs in the Valley.