Mari Tamburo: September 2019

Monday, September 30, 2019

"I am with you."

"I am with you." Chanel Miller

https://youtu.be/ouIxvBMF7Rw

Please just watch it, so you can have better understanding of why
we speak when we need to speak,
write when we need to write,
draw when we need to draw,
are silent when we need to be silent,
and run when we need to run.

Ox,
Mari

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Giving Credit Where It Is Due

Whenever possible, let's give credit where it's due. John Mollusk created the Greta Death Metal video.

Hello Twitter! I made this video and it went viral. https://t.co/yJuVIBbAfb
— John Mollusk (@JohnMollusk) September 28, 2019

Friday, September 27, 2019

Climate Strikes: Change Requires Just That : Change

Friday, September 27th is another worldwide climate strike.
I remember when Severin Suzuki made an angry speech at the UN.

People shared the video for a while, and some people were inspired to become more environmentally aware.

Now we have Greta Thunberg and a group of young climate activists leading the Fridays for Future and Climate Strikes. As you probably already know, Greta has been doing this for a year, gathering cooperation of many environmental groups. Evidence of changing extreme weather patterns will have to result in more action from our elected leaders. If I manage to become one, I will definitely do my best to facilitate positive actions.

I find it odd that although the change in climate affects us all, regardless of political party affiliation, it has become a partisan issue. It's difficult to imagine that the "Green" party had to exist outside the Democrat and Republican parties for so long. We are part of nature. It makes no sense to try to separate ourselves from it. I remember the days when Republican elected officials actually passed legislation to preserve and protect the environment. Those days seem so far away.

That said, the environment is one of the main reasons I am running for POTUS (President of the United States.)

So far, my campaign is not making much traction, which is expected, since I have done my best to stay out of the limelight, preferring to work behind the scenes (except when I am singing, obviously.)

Solutions:

So, how about that "Green New Deal" proposed by the Bernie camp? I am all for a radical shift in priorities backed with action and funding, but solutions to the challenges facing our society are already being implemented in various parts of the US and worldwide. In many ways, they are site and situation specific, although many are scalable. Let's take a deeper look before we just sign onto some book that evokes nostalgia while promising to solve problems that are in a constant state of flux.

What type of leader does America need? My take is, we need someone to find those solutions and raise awareness so they can be duplicated, by concerned citizens, in their own communities. What we do NOT need is more top down "feel good" policies driven by a lot of money sitting in an "improvements" fund.
I take issue with top down, cookie cutter "solutions," especially when they inspire people to ask for things they don't really need and would not ask for if they wouldn't be given away for "free."
Let's start by solving problems we know we have, like retraining workers in the fossil fuel industry to lay pipe that will deliver clean water, not dirty oil. Flint, anyone? And retraining coal workers to raise bees.

Speaking of radical shifts, how do we expect to accomplish significant change when we keep doing the same things, electing the same type of representatives the same way. Representatives who spend so much time in the political world, their constituents in the real world have a hard time relating and vice versa.

Things will not change unless and until we change the way we do things.

I hear many people saying "Get money out of politics" but still, we all keep receiving emails asking for money, because that is what is apparently needed to win an election in this country.

Why are we raising millions of dollars for political ads? Where is the real journalism?

In order for these changes to happen, I need your help. If you don't want to or can't donate, that's fine, because this campaign is different. If we want to get money out of politics, the best way to show that it can be done is to run a campaign on very little money.

The challenge with this is, money seems to be the barometer of a successful political campaign and success in our society.
The way I see it, we define our own success. What does it mean for you?

I chose to throw my hat into this ring because I believe we need a radical change in how our government and society approaches political problem solving.

Do we need a lawyer for a President?
Not really, but we do need someone who respects the law, understands people and uses their powers for good.

Obviously, we still have a long way to go.

That is all for now.
Thanks for reading.

Best,
Mari

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAJsdgTPJpU&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0GPkLZ4XH6c3U4Anh0_2doQw5VCqR6RXXzMNseTKYB8qM9ouJEPU0sOc0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=103&v=u9KxE4Kv9A8

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Forever is Nowhere

Unless you have been under a rock these past couple of days, you know that Robert Hunter, best known as the lyricist for Grateful Dead, passed away on Monday. With this news came a flood of memories attached to this song, as well as amazement and wonder of its relevance to this particular moment in my life.

This song "Forever is Nowhere" was presented to me by Greg Anton about twenty years ago. The song was written for a band named Zero, a jam band in the Grateful Dead family, as some of the songs were accompanied by Mr. Hunter's lyrics.
Oddly enough, Zero used to perform this song as an instrumental.

After much urging by my old Saloonatic friend Lonnie, Greg had reluctantly started a new band after Zero had broken up. And, for various reasons, I'm guessing related to the break up of Zero at that time, Greg decided to call this band, "Gregg's Eggs."

There is so much more to this story, but this post was intended to be a tribute to the wordsmith Robert Hunter, so I will just post this link to the version of the song that made it onto the Greggs Eggs CD:

https://youtu.be/yhvnd1y45KI

I remain honored and grateful for that step on my life's journey and all the gifts Mr. Hunter leaves us, as I send sincerest condolences to all feeling this loss.

Here's to the next step, wherever that may lead.

Ox,
Mari

Forever Is Nowhere

Lyrics: Robert Hunter
Music: Greg Anton

One of the lyrics Robert Hunter wrote for Zero (though it is played as an instrumental on "Chance In A Million.")

Lost again in the light of your shadow
Stood at the window facing a star
Behave yourself - you've got no reason
Who you've been is not who you are

Beat of the one to the end of the song
Forever is nowhere and not very long
You can see to the other side
Forever is nowhere and not very wide

Every mountain is a whole lot to climb
Take the front porch, take a step at a time
Every ocean is a long way to swim
Don't have to cross but you gotta jump in

[chorus]

What are you waitin' for - some kind of sign?
Take what you've got - put yourself on the line
Trust your hunch, you could do fine
It's all that you got ten times out of nine

[chorus]

Forever is nowhere - it's nowhere at all
Time runnin' out - your back to the wall
Stood in the shadow facing a star
For this one moment you know who you are

[chorus]

Recordings
	Date	Album	Recorded By
	1992	Chance In A Million	Zero (note 1)
	1998	Nothin' Lasts Forever	Zero (note 2)
	?	Double Zero	Zero (note 2)
	2001	Gregg's Eggs	Gregg's Eggs (note 3)

Notes
(1) instrumental
(2) not checked whether these are instrumental or have the lyrics (they are credited just to "G Anton" rather than "Hunter/Anton" , which may indicate they are instrumental versions)
(3) with lyrics

Further Information
For more information on recordings see Matt Schofield's Grateful Dead Family Discography

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Call for Impeachment

Impeachment will happen as a result of citizens calling our representatives.

We, the people, have the power, but we have to use it.

Call your Representatives
Congressional switchboard
(202) 224-3121

https://www.senate.gov/general/contacting.htm

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Act Blue Link : Music

Ok to share. Thanks!
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/music2020

International Day of Peace

Let's keep working on this. Yesterday's Climate Strike showed the power of the people, inspired by one determined young woman named Greta, who refused to accept all the excuses.

It is up to us to continue the work.

I have faith we can do this. We need to encourage and support candidates who understand the importance of protecting and restoring our environment.

We need more green spaces, cleaner air, water.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Veterans Green Bus Needs Our Help

http://www.avehicleforchange.com/2019/09/the-veterans-green-bus-needs-our-help.html

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Make America Polite Again

In case you missed it last week, Bill Maher tried to be funny by suggesting we start "fat shaming" people. I didn't think it was funny, but since I'm busy seeking a decent, stable day gig while trying to make ends meet at home, all while running for POTUS from facebook (until we raise enough to start travelling) and attempting to stay true to myself in the process, I didn't feel the need to respond to it. After all, this isn't the first time he (Bill Maher) has said something so completely stupid that it was easy for me to ignore.

That is, until James Corden decided to use his public platform to respond. So, a thank you to Mr. Corden.

“If making fun of fat people made them lose weight, there’d be no fat kids in schools.” — @JKCorden responds to @billmaher's call for the return of fat shaming. pic.twitter.com/asXmlNEx4L
— The Late Late Show with James Corden (@latelateshow) September 13, 2019

Maybe we should stop shaming and blaming each other for things we cannot control and start working together on the things we CAN do something about, such as being more courteous, and protecting each other's rights.

Ox,
Mari

Monday, September 9, 2019

Bahama Hurricane Evacuees Kicked Off Florida Ferry

Once again, the incompetence and cruelty of this administration rears its ugly head. Yet another case of top down control freaks coming in and ordering the locals around.
Enough already.

Here is the full story we put together after getting off the ferry this morning. Hurricane evacuees kicked off the boat. Crew on the boat blamed US Customs and Border Protection, CBP now blames the ferry company @Balearia . pic.twitter.com/QLRcxbALdk
— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) September 9, 2019

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

Close the Camps Choir Protest: September 15th, 3 - 5 pm, Embarcadero Plaza, San Francisco

Come one, come all! Add your voice to the Close the Camps Choir as we sing to protest this administration's mistreatment of immigrants. This is not a concert, but an opportunity for us all to sing as one against the camps.

Visit closethecampschoir.com to RSVP and receive updated information about the event. Sheet music is available to download.

Choirs, choruses, and individual singers are all invited to participate. Join us!

Also - please let us know if you can help with transportation and/or audio needs by posting to the facebook event.