PERSONAL NEWS #154
October 16th through 20th – Took some vacation time to celebrate my 50th birthday and entertain my friend Michelle, who was visiting me from Nevada and enjoy a terrific party. More on that weekend to come, so please, stay tuned.

On Tuesday evening, October 21st, I attended the monthly NYDoP board and core team meeting. Not much of a turnout for the meeting and we whisked through the agenda in an hour. Howard talked about a fascinating book he’d read on a town in France during WW2 that practiced non-violent communication and action. The book is called “Lest Innocent Blood be Shed” by Philip Haley.

Thursday, October 23rd, at 12 noon the EY Insurance Tax staff went to a farewell luncheon for a staff member, Juan Antonio, who is heading back to Chile in early November. We dined at Heartland Brewery and the food, plus conversation, was all good. My boss, Marc, and I got into a somewhat heated discussion on whom to vote for on Election Day. That evening I met up with my friend Jackie for dinner at a nice Asian place on 7th Avenue in Greenwich Village. We caught up on news and gossip, plus relating our current health and job issues. Afterwards we strolled around the village for abit and did some shopping at Barnes & Noble. I picked up “Vanity Fair” by W.M. Thackeray and a biography on Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire.

Saturday, October 25th, was movie night at Linda’s place. We [ie: Linda, Parimal & I] noshed on chips, ice tea and Chinese takeout while watching two movies … “Murder on the Orient Express” and “V for Vendetta”. Both were terrific films, especially the latter one, which I thought was brilliant. [This brilliant film is based on comics from 1981, it parallels what is going on now in the early 21st Century of the USA. We are on this fast moving train and its time to get off. NOW! It’s time to do something about it and bring back justice, truth, democracy and peace to our country. If you love your country, then join me and others in stopping this train from hell with non-violent action/communication.] I highly recommend this film/DVD to all. This latter film leads to a discussion on the current political situation and upcoming election.

Early Monday evening, October 27th, after my foot doctor appointment, I walked up to City Hall to attend the “Power of Peace – Youth Led Lower Eastside Anti-Violence Coalition”. This two-hour coalition/panel discussion was organized and sponsored by Councilmember Rosie Mendez. When I arrived at the event it was already underway and I sat with Joe [NYDoP member]. Afterwards we spoke with some of the ladies [ie: Lynn, MaryBeth & Miriam] from the Lower Eastside Girls Club, plus they in turn introduced us to others interested in peace. It was a terrific event and glad to see folk take an interest, plus help out the youth of today.

Tuesday evening, October 28th, I participated in the NYDoP CCR Committee conference call. Main topic of discussion was regarding local Community Board meetings and doing the prep work [ie: letter & presentation] for these meetings.

Why I’m NOT Voting for Obama
Susan Rosenthal Blog
http://susanrosenthal.com/articles/why-im-not-voting-for-obama

[Duchess Note: Bravo Susan! Her words are spoken with much truth, intelligence, research and clarity. If you vote for the candidate who best represents your interests, values AND with a clear conscious, then that vote is precious. Those who vote out of fear, manipulation, guilt, being misinformed AND against their core interests or values, well, they are just throwing away their vote. The corporate elite and ultra rich don’t have the majority of Americans interests at heart. Far from it! Get the facts, search for the truth and vote with your heart. Remember that voting is OUR right as American citizens and we need to protect that right to the very end.]

The New Kleptocracy: Biggest “Giveaway” in American History – An Interview with Dr Michael Hudson
Bonnie Faulkner, Global Research
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=10731