Shades of Grey

As I get older, time is just time. It all blends together. The only thing that seems to matter to me is the weather forecast and when the sun sets. 

The worst for me was outliving not one but two personal computers and my techie soul mate. I did not see all three of these happening to me. The crystal ball is cloudy, and the world is upside-down.

Then one day, some neighbors actually threw me a life preserver and I grabbed ahold. I think a lot about time and use it slowly building myself back up, lifting my head above water. 

Editorial Opinion: First Amendment Fundamental Freedoms

Engulfed by chaos, I am taking a pause to revisit the fundamental freedoms offered to the citizens of the United States of America (USA) titled: The First Amendment.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." (Congress.gov)

What is not protected speech:
"Only that expression that is shown to belong to a few narrow categories of speech is not protected by the First Amendment. The categories of unprotected speech include obscenity, child pornography, defamatory speech, false advertising, true threats, and fighting words."
(American Library Association)

It has been eight months since I wrote of the disappointment with individuals, local government and their use of social media. Not all speech is protected. 

Finally the FCC is a five member active board. Re-instating Net-Neutrality is a priority, IMO. Without it, rural areas like the one where I am located, are being priced out of the market for utilizing a tool that is so important in today's lifestyle. 

"Net neutrality is the concept of an open, equal internet for everyone, regardless of device, application or platform used and content consumed. Proponents of the idea believe all corporations, including internet service providers (ISPs), should treat internet data and users equally." (TechTarget)

If this wasn't enough chaos. In the USA, the House of Representatives expelled the Speaker of the House, an ex-President under indictments, War in Israel, War in Ukraine and a long list of global conflicts.

When I wake to a new day, I am rather prepared for a day of Malinformation. 

Word for the Day: Malinformation

 

This type of media content has been happening for years. Months ago I heard this word used and the definition was minimal but, recently I heard it used at a U.S.A. House Congressional sub-committee meeting televised on YouTube and now there is a formal definition available:

 

• Malinformation is based on fact, but used out of context to mislead, harm, or manipulate.  An example of malinformation is editing a video to remove important context to harm or mislead.
  (CISA cyber-security)

Previous Editorial Opinion 

Editorial Opinion: Communication technology moves society backwards

Image by danny moore from Pixabay 

Communication technology moves society backwards

Communities are users of Social Media formats and it appears that some of the worst in neighbors and neighborhoods is in our face. The sharing of ideas, different points of views, role playing with a "bait and switch" motive that replaces the use of sarcasm has created a realm of chaos. All of this chaos is now, transferred by design to the World on 

the World-Wide-Web.

Then there is the posting of  misinformation that is not corrected. Mistakes happen in writing, typing, quotes, etc. but, these authors were known to have copy-editors to correct those mistakes either before printing or even noted as a correction after publishing.

There is a trendy new term titled disinformation that is just a replacement word for the old term propaganda. Society appears to be vulnerable. Economics, Poverty, Climate Change, War, Natural Disasters are topics / events that are at battle on acceptance of perspectives. 

Then we have individuals and organizations that set the stereotypes, which has brought-out prejudice that again is transferred by design to the World on the World-Wide-Web.

Years were spent telling the public that the news was fake and this drove more and more people to the social media formats. Carrying smartphones around became a constant connect to drumming stereotypes of hate, bias, and prejudice that again is transferred by design to the World on the World-Wide-Web. 

Society utilized a communication tool that was meant to enhance the ability to communicate with each other and join conversations but, it has failed. 

What has happened is a false power unleashed in the hands of the general public continuing the drumming of targeted stereotypes of hate, bias, and prejudice that again is transferred by design to the World on the World-Wide-Web.

 

Editorial Opinion: This Dadaist Sorts Hats

Max Ernst - Ubu Imperator - 1923

These days and times, I find myself wasting too much time analyzing everything I read or listen to provided as news or community social media posts.

No matter what; Just surrounded by stupid or is it?
I actually have a vintage pin-back button that says,
"I'm surrounded by stupid."
I keep it right by my keyboard so, I can stay on track. 
A mantra button that was among Dad's possessions.
Rather odd item for him, considering his age and mine.

What's the issue? The usage of defining information as misinformation or disinformation. I looked it up. One of the benefits of the internet.

The artist in me suggests reading about the DaDa Art Movement during and after World War I. 

Merriam Webster Dictionary
Misinformation
Incorrect or misleading information

In my world the proofreader is responsible to catch the errors, the flow of the words and meaing, the spelling and take those corrections to their boss or editor. There would be no misinformation. 

Merriam Webster Dictionary

Disinformation

False information deliberately and often covertly spread (as by the planting of rumors) in order to influence public opinion or obscure the truth. 

Merriam Webster states the synonym for disinformation is propaganda.

"Fake News" Is Not Simply False Information 

  

   

I am reclaiming my time! 

Creekside News Journal

Article DOT/GOV Act 2020

The Hat Makes The Man - Max Ernst - 1920

Editorial Opinion: White Space

I've given some thought after my last posting. Trying a little experiment.

More specifically, the refrains of using this blog environment tools for expression.

This will inspire me to clean-up this paper mess on my table.

As a senior,

 I get bombarded constantly with forms.

I haven't seen my drawing table in years now.

Over here, 

everything one was taught and trained to do 

has been altered to benefit whom?
The sheep? 

A Pod that needs a leader.

 No self expression or thinking.

Over here, are the creative minds,

expression in various formats.

The artist in you, creates the inward soul.

The political you, builds the all-inclusive others Pod.

If you do this, that Pod might not want to be there.

Now, there is conflict.

And here you are:

In the middle.

In the White Space.

 

Blog Post: check website security compliance

Take the time to  check website security compliance 

I have been writing about website compliance in other places but, it occurred to me to check my personal pin boards. Artists, if you are using a Pinterest pin board, get prepared to spend a lot of time checking those pins.

I have hours spent and probably a few more days yet to go in checking.

Many of those pins come back to not be found or no longer active.

Then there are the ones that are not secure with the https compliance.

The good news to share; eBloggers or blogspot users are good.

Update editing March 9, 2023

Blog Post: Think by Rebecca Lea

 I love rainy days!

so,

     

"quiet please, I'm musing" 

Minimalist

Think

Blog Post: Almost

Almost ready. Pretty much done.

Captured almost all of the journeys that I have undertaken in the virtual world.

When I finish clearing my art table with only art tools and supplies, then the next title will say done. 

I am happy and pleased to see trending the styles of Art Deco, the Bauhus movement, and the Surrealism Art movement. Then there is the light. Black and White in any art form with concentration on shadows and highlights.

 Update editing March 9, 2023

Blog Post: Peace & Happiness

Peace & Happiness

I will take the Gemini path, today. 
I am taking the time to re-focus.

Some follow the path of crisis.

This type of messaging is filled with mis-information.

Asking myself, Is Truth also at a tipping point?

I choose Peace & Happiness and will take Time to focus.

My burden basket is full.

Blog Post: Next ...

Next ...

Today, I am just trying to not miss posting during the month of May.

I woke at 4 a.m. for no apparent reason. 
Fifteen minutes later, I understood why?
The the lightning began, the thunder clapped so strong that the house shook and the windows rattled.
This went on for nearly an hour. 
I see no indication that it actually rained but, those jet streams that many meteorologists now include in their weather reports, were definitely hitting head-on at my home. 
Later today, I will check the stormchasers that I follow on Twitter in addition to news stations with meteorologists on their staff.

So, why talk about this? I can not see a section anywhere in the United States that is not effected with changing weather patterns. One should no longer say, It was a fluke. The climate has changed and "WE" are in the new normal.

Here it is May and tornadoes, floods, snow and ice, droughts, dust storms and wildfires have been a part of the news cycle and here comes hurricane season. 

Climate Change is a National issue and if you dare to get outside one's bubble, it is a Global issue, too.

Update editing March 9, 2023

 

Editorial Opinion: Upside Down

Upside Down

I've been using this phrase for years now. It seems to be catching on. I just hope that people using it truly understand the impact of utilizing this phrase.

It has come to my attention that I missed having, at the very least, a single entry for March.

So, today's task is to start setting a pattern for entering words and thoughts for this storytelling journey that I have put myself on.

Don't know about you but, if you live in a neighborhood or city that markets using any of these phrases:

• It is so, beautiful here. You'll love it.
• The wildlife is abundant, here.
• It is so, cheap to live here.
• Welcome! Glad you made it. What's your address so, we can bring you a welcome basket.
• Lots of things to do. Volunteers needed!

Where is it not beautiful? On the edge of an industrial road?

Where is there no wildlife? Birds have no boundaries.

Cheap? Who is that audience you are trying to pull-in?

Welcome? Who would say anything other than welcome?

Volunteers needed? We'll take your money and your time, too.

These types of statements kept me away from writing. Attempting to let-go and clear my head, obviously. 

Watched a viral video on upside down lightning. Have you seen it? 
This science moment opens up a huge discussion for meteorologists.

Have you talked with you friends? 

I have one that is South of me and she has snow when I don't. 
I do watch those jet streams that are shown more now than ever: The Wind.

Maybe it is trash service and haulers. I'm older and the children brought home from school nearly 40-years-ago the need to recycle. Now, what one participated in "doing the right thing" has diminished. It isn't talked about much in the moment. People were too involved in so much stuff that they missed the moment China said they would not take the USA recyclables or waste. That did happen during the Trump administration. Some entrepreneurs began companies that utilized some of the glass or plastics, which is a very good thing but, no one picked up on this point. Small business can only help in a more local way. Now, I sit in a local community that just says, only taking "this" and the rest; will go to the landfill. A return to upside down.

Just going to save the rest of today's frustration and save it for another April post.

Update editing March 9, 2023

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.

Creekside News Journal (CNj)

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. 

 

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"

Cambridge Dictionary

rls

Update editing March 8, 2023

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Creekside News Journal update

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