25 November 2021

Blog Post: What's Up? Food for Thought notes

What's Up?

Food for Thought notes

Been a month according to the timeline since I have written anything here so, just notes on what's up. This type of writing helps me sort out the chaos. 

The global pandemic is still active. Some areas will claim it isn't but, that is just a political and economic statement that is hurting everyone everywhere.

Then since I live in a global universe (internet), the Climate Crisis is spiraling. Water rising, heat soaring, glaciers melting, permafrost melting, polar vortex in winter, the ocean currents are changing, earthquakes, wildfires, tornadoes, volcanoes erupting, food shortage and I probably missed one or two. I'm not very optimistic. Beyond the Tipping point.

Zero back down to home. So, much mis-information. In order for some to succeed they buy into this bad information and the result is oppression, social injustice, discrimination, etc. but, always claiming how they are the good people. My comment to those that can not see this oppression; What color should I sew your apron and do-rag?

A book titled, What Color is Your Parachute? inspired a generation of entrepreneurs years ago. A lift one up optimistically and the possibilities were at one's fingertips for success. The "good entrepreneur" took others along for the ride in an upward motion as well. A good business plan includes lifting others into success as well as lifting oneself. A Team.

I'm not lacking for thoughts on this oppression, social injustice or even discrimination. The years of setting-up reporters to be Fake News. The role that social media plays in advancing this propaganda. The lack of understanding that the FCC and FTC are gatekeepers that have let citizens down because the mis-information spread like a wildfire. 

I struggle as well as others but, I am a mentor with a voice.

Update editing March 9, 2023



02 October 2021

Blog post: Littlemouse Vision Quest

Littlemouse Vision Quest

I have been busy bringing together over twenty-years of website work back to life.
Some of my readers might remember me, since I began communication right here.
The new website that I am building is a challenge. No longer working off my Mac so, I can stop that mantra in my head. You know the one: Go left not right - click once not twice.




Some of you might be wondering, What is with the Word for the Day
I find myself surrounded by individuals that just seem to be lacking in the proper perspective on behavior, history and law. 

So, call it mentoring to a larger audience. It allows me the opportunity to utilize a formidable education for the greater good. 

Now, have a very good month. I have a lot of web work to put together. 

 



09 September 2021

Word for The Day: Cyber-bullying

Word for The Day: Cyber-bullying

It has been some time since I have addressed the word; cyber-bullying.

In 2006 and 2008, teenagers were the victims of cyber-bullying in Missouri. Those incidents brought attention to the lack of laws to punish the criminals having damaging effects on the lives of others. 

Today, there are about 45 states that have laws in their State's to legally address this crime. Before the cyber-bullying laws were put into place, teenagers got the word out among their peers to stop being cruel.

So, here it is 2021, and cyber-bullying is widespread among adults especially when politics has a voice in this abuse utilizing tech instruments and social media platforms. 

Arkansas is one of the states that has a cyber-bullying law (Ark. Code Ann. § 5-41-108.) Is it time for adults to wake-up and realize that it is not just young people that utilize their devices (internet, social media, phones, letters and gaming) that causes harm to others?

Even First Lady Melania Trump attempted to have bullying her personal project but, it got lost in the news cycles. So, what is cyber-bullying?

Definition? Cyber-bullying or cyber-harassment is a form of bullying or harassment using electronic means. Cyber-bullying and cyber-harassment are also known as online bullying. It has become increasingly common, especially among teenagers, as the digital sphere has expanded and technology has advanced. Wikipedia https://g.co/kgs/GkaQs4

What are the causes and effect of cyber-bullying? Like all forms of bullying, cyber-bullying causes psychological, emotional and physical stress. Each person's response to being bullied is unique, but research has shown some general tendencies. StopBullying.gov reports that youth who are bullied have a higher risk of depression and anxiety.

What is the purpose of cyber-bullying? Cyber-bullying is the use of digital-communication tools (like the Internet and cell phones) to make another person feel angry, sad, or scared. Online bullying is like in-person bullying in two key ways. It's done on purpose, and it tends to happen more than once.. understood.org

My message to seniors and young adults; cyber-bullying is not just about oppression of teenagers and their silly, impulsive manners. There are adults that utilize all of the new telecommunication platforms. These tech platforms are harboring cyber-bullying offences as well as breaking open meeting laws, which were created  to insure that citizens were informed, able to participate and elected officials followed government procedures.

Why do any of us continue to address the wrongs and continue the pursuit of Hope and being good mentors?

My answer to that question are the words spoken, to a group of journalists during a dark time of misinformation, by John Seigenthaler, "enduring values matter."

rls
Update editing March 8, 2023

Word for the Day: Oppression

Word for the Day: Oppression

"a situation in which people are governed in an unfair and cruel way and prevented from having opportunities and freedom"




rls
Update editing March 8, 2023





27 August 2021

Blog Post: Littlemouse's Vision Quest journey

Littlemouse's Vision Quest journey

  1. Gathering together all the locations I have utilized over the past twenty-years.
  2. Word for Day is in draft for the moment.
  3. Sized a masthead to fit Creekside News Journal's RSS feed and published the first short article for a local news item hosted at the Creekside News Journal (CNj).
  4. And the final assignment is to gather facts together after receiving replies to a long list of FOIAs in order to write short articles regarding local governments. One fact that is clear, government needs to be transparent and reporters need to write What is transparent. Well, let's see how long it takes to sort through a tangled mess of mis-information provided by Pandemic isolation and many, many ZOOM meetings. 
It has become difficult to compete with little social groups of people that pass a story around and then utilizes a social media location where more isolated individuals grab a hold of the misinformation and add more little stitches to the story and what one is left with is the worst Quilt ever. The grandmothers should be appalled at this sloppiness. Who knows; was this what developed the Crazy Quilt?
 

rls
Update editing March 8, 2023

20 July 2021

Word for the Day: Social Media

Word for the Day: Social Media

Social media usage for advertising in the U.S.A. is overseen by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC.) 

Social media usage by government officials in the U.S.A. is overseen by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC.) 

Government Social Media Policies are recommended for elected officials as well as their staff. Elected officials need to comply with campaigning laws and open meeting laws

rls
Update editing March 8, 2023

14 July 2021

Word for the Day: Gerrymander

Word for the Day: Gerrymander

In 1812, Eldridge Gerry was the Mayor of Boston and signed a bill that created a partisan voting district. Gerrymandering is the political term, named after the Mayor, and the term is considered to carry negative connotations including corruption of the democratic process.

The term will be used most often when voting districts are re-drawn utilizing the data collected and provided by the Bureau of the Census and when the new voting blocks result in greater advantage for some and unfair representation for others; Gerrymandering is the word of choice.

In 25 states, the state legislature has the primary responsibility for creating a redistricting plan and in many of these states the state governor has the final approval.

"On June 27, 2019, the Supreme Court, by a 5 to 4 vote, ruled that claims of unconstitutional partisan gerrymandering are not subject to federal court review because they present non-justifiable political questions, removing the issue from the federal court's purview." 

Congressional Research Service 

https://crsreports.congress.gov

LSB10324

update 5/ 15/2021 

The community where I reside became an incorporated town and then a city all within less than a year; during the Covid outbreak. At a workshop meeting, procedures were discussed for the creation of Wards. The following information was being researched and here is an example that I found at MRSC in Washington state.

https://mrsc.org/Home/Explore-Topics/Governance/Offices-and-Officers/Council-Election-by-Wards-or-Districts.aspx

Election Procedures

" Council candidates must be a resident of the ward they wish to represent. Candidates are elected by the voters within the ward at the primary election to select the finalists who will appear on the general election ballot for election by all voters in the city." 


rls
Update editing March 8, 2023








31 May 2021

Word for the Day: Special Meeting

Word for the Day: Special Meeting

In Arkansas; the government official calling a special meeting shall notify the newspapers, radio stations, television stations and anyone that has requested to be notified. Notification shall be made at least two (2) hours before the meeting takes place in order that the public shall have representatives at the meeting. The time and location for the meeting will be announced.

A special meeting is a topic meeting. 
The reason for the meeting is to be announced by the official calling for the meeting.
A quorum must be a known factor by the official calling the meeting.
No other topics are discussed and public comments remain on the specific topic.

20 May 2021

Word for the Day: Executive Session

Word for the Day

Executive Session

Arkansas Open Meeting Laws state:
(c) (1) Executive sessions will be permitted only for the purpose of considering employment, appointment, promotion, demotion, disciplining, or resignation of any public officer or employee. 

The specific purpose of the executive session shall be announced in public before going into executive session.

22 April 2021

Word for the Day: Volunteer

Word for the Day

Volunteer

I use to look upon this idea of volunteering as an action to assist someone or something for the greater good. An action with NO strings attached. The recipient had the final say on whether to accept or not. 

The offering came in many forms such as a meal, a ride, a reader, a listener, a helper on the farm, a babysitter, a coach, etc. 
Gestures or offers extending a hand of hope for the moment.  
An offer with no strings attached and no monetary gain. 

The common thread for a volunteer is Time.


rls
Update editing March 8, 2023

11 April 2021

Blog Post: Survival thinking

Survival thinking 

I survived the polar vortex. Had the foresight to get really good firewood for the winter and used it. Wasn't easy to stoke that fire every four hours for five days. Actually took some planning just to prepare to light the fire. Found a couple of videos on YouTube that were just what I wanted for starting a fire with a very cold stove pipe, wind and minus degree temps outside. Worked like a charm and never let that fire go out.

Turned the electric Heat & Air completely off and covered up the top of the outside heat pump with plastic topped with left-over kitchen counter linoleum and weighted that down with small stepping stones and rocks. Kept the snow and ice out of the unit, completely. Kicked it back-on when I was ready and the result: I stayed off the wait list for Heat & Air service plus, not singing the electric company billing blues.

Will there be another polar vortex? That is possible. I found and used what was on hand: heavy guage plastic to cover windows, with no storm windows, on the inside with pushpins. For the glass doors, I found on-hand the foam that is used when laying down wood floors. Cut that to fit the in-and-out doors and secured with packing tape to the door frame itself. 

Did not have that old crafter snake for under the door draft but, I found some foam swimming noodles and cut them to fit and that kept out the door draft. Just taped the noodle to the bottom of the door and I could go in and out while all the items stayed in place. 

I feel rather good, knowing that I could do all this on my own. Darling husband finally admitted that he was a pack-rat and I went hunting for what I thought would work since I am all into upcycle.

Also not in denial regarding the changing climate. Been involved in that thinking since the 70s. 
As I empty out 38-years of stuff, "Day After Tomorrow" reminded me that books are burnable trees and don't let the fire go out!


rls
Update editing March 8, 2023








21 January 2021

Blog Post: Change

Change

The simplest for today was to be painting a wall in the house that finally got patched but, NO been working for hours trying to match-up the correct color. Decided to continue my artistic license ☺and be creative. This is my bad since I used an analogous color scheme. This is when one says, "I can do this" and make it work.

Creating this post while I wait for the wrong color to dry and start over with the Kill2. Then of course there is the new creative position yet to complete. 

I caught bits and pieces of the Inaguration yesterday of President Joe Biden and VP Kamala Harris. 
(I was painting.) Grateful other networks and reporters captured all the moments so, I could put it all together. 

Now maybe, life can return to some level of normal on a Federal level. I'm with Stephen Colbert, survived the four year countdown and we survived for the moment.

There is the State level to reckon with and even the Local level.

Social Media and now COVID has really messed things up for professionals. I tuned into my new City's meeting, today by ZOOM while painting. When I write a news story, I'll come back and link it up here.
The short takeaway; I live in a place that now has two forms of government and the City one is going to be based on Google. No money, no lawyer, not even an office space. Like I said, hook it up later.

And then there is the return to the Paris Accord, WHO, stopping of the oil & gas permits, Climate Action and hopefully no more talk of some stupid wall. Never could figure that one out. 

Well time to return to my own wall. 
Peace and Joy to the World.
This is a global platform.


rls
Update editing March 8, 2023