The Decaying of America........
There isn't a day that goes by, where I don't read about, out of the blue, suicide's taking place across America! My gut feeling is that this is just the tip of the iceberg. The present decaying of America, has been brought about by the greed and lunge for power, by banking corporations, insurance company's and wall street brokers. Why aren't these lowlife vultures being brought before the court system, for Treason to the American people? Instead, Congress and others in Washington, DC decide to offer billions, and perhaps trillions, before they're through, to bail out these ruthless bastards that sold out America! This country is in the midst of a total and unrelenting breakdown, that's going to last for years to come! People are losing their jobs, having forclosures by banks on their homes, and having their automobiles reposessed. These everyday americans are struggling to come to grips, with where the money is going to come from, to pay their bills! When all thought and efforts hit a stone wall, there's going to be a mass suicide take place, that is going to make the average american shudder in horror! One meal a day may become the norm for average americans. I still believe that america is on the brink of a blue collar armed rebellion, that's going to make the civil war look like a birthday party! There is a price to be paid by a nation that has flaunted their wealth and power for too many decades! With the Pakistani government making a truce with the Taliban, how long do you really think its going to take before the Taliban, overtakes the Pakistani government and their nuclear weapons! The Taliban wouldn't think for two seconds about using nuclear weapons on the free world. Food, medicine and weapons are going to become more important than stock and bonds! You can't eat gold, silver and hard currency! The world is in a place that it's never before faced. Adapting to the new world conditions will be the hardest thing american's have ever had to do. Not all will adapt, make no mistake, suicides will abound! This is not a doomsday prophecy, just my thoughts about what I see happening in the world in general. What do you think?
Posted by Broken Feather at 12:57 PM
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Mongolia Meat Market.......
Hi Everyone.
This picture shows Byambagerel (her first name) selling unrefrigerated horse meat, in her native country of Mongolia. It's a miracle that these people live and survive under these conditions! Another reason to be thankful for living in the United States! Did you know that horse meat is still sold in two states, in the United States? Weiners are made from horse meat and still sold in Rhode Island and New York! Most people don't believe me when I tell them about weiners being made from horse meat, but it's a fact. Ya gotta love America, even with all its faults!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Compassion Beyond Human Bounds!
Without exception, this man is my HERO! Stopping to tend to a Koala, injured in the Australian wild fires, rebuilds my belief in my fellow man.
Broken Feather
Monday, February 9, 2009
Dreaming vs Reality
Dreaming about what you wish to be true, is not a reason to believe it will come true! Are dreams something that can come true with perserverance, action and faith?
If you have dreams, what are you doing to make them come true? Are your dreams reasonable and within viable limits? Are you dreaming about the possibility of reality becoming a fact, or is your dream, so unreasonable, the chances of it becoming a reality are wishful thinking!
For years, I was the ultimate dreamer. I lived my dream for 25 years, only to finally come to the realization, my dream was a drawback to the continuation of my life and my life's work. I do not regret my dream, but it's now time to move forward in life and be happy! I have devoted ONE THIRD of my life to a dream that will never happen. Now I must live my life for myself and what I truly believe in. I believe in me. I believe in my ability to raise awareness of the plight of the Oglala Lakota Sioux on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. I believe in my financial foundation, which provides interest free loans to women in third world countries. I believe in my teachings to native american children about their heritage. And most of all, I believe in my strong cultural background to my Native American ancestors. I wonder which of my ancestors I look most like. I am greatful for my ancestors and their struggle to survive in their world, where they were treated as foreign. I do not wish to ask you not to dream, but I say to you now, that dreams that you dream, do not always come true. Most of all, always believe in yourself, for believing in yourself is by far, more important than wishful thinking.
Edward Broken feather
If you have dreams, what are you doing to make them come true? Are your dreams reasonable and within viable limits? Are you dreaming about the possibility of reality becoming a fact, or is your dream, so unreasonable, the chances of it becoming a reality are wishful thinking!
For years, I was the ultimate dreamer. I lived my dream for 25 years, only to finally come to the realization, my dream was a drawback to the continuation of my life and my life's work. I do not regret my dream, but it's now time to move forward in life and be happy! I have devoted ONE THIRD of my life to a dream that will never happen. Now I must live my life for myself and what I truly believe in. I believe in me. I believe in my ability to raise awareness of the plight of the Oglala Lakota Sioux on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. I believe in my financial foundation, which provides interest free loans to women in third world countries. I believe in my teachings to native american children about their heritage. And most of all, I believe in my strong cultural background to my Native American ancestors. I wonder which of my ancestors I look most like. I am greatful for my ancestors and their struggle to survive in their world, where they were treated as foreign. I do not wish to ask you not to dream, but I say to you now, that dreams that you dream, do not always come true. Most of all, always believe in yourself, for believing in yourself is by far, more important than wishful thinking.
Edward Broken feather
A Point in your Life.....
There comes a point in your life when you must realize:
Who really matters,
Who never really did,
And who won't anymore...
And who always will.
So, don't worry about people from your past,
there's a reason why, if they didn't make it to your future.
Edward Broken Feather
Who really matters,
Who never really did,
And who won't anymore...
And who always will.
So, don't worry about people from your past,
there's a reason why, if they didn't make it to your future.
Edward Broken Feather
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Native American Vision of Circle..........
1. We are our own best experts. No one knows us better than us. Nobody but us has seen with our eyes the things we've seen, and most importantly, no one but us has experienced our lives in quite the same way that we have. What others do know of us, they know only through what they see and what we tell them. It is our choice whether or not to invite others to see with our eyes or walk in our shoes; it is their choice whether or not to do so.
2. We are our own worst enemies. No one does a better job of deceiving us or treating ourselves badly than we do. No one can do a better job of finding ways to ignore our innermost thoughts and fears than we can. Certainly, other people may try to make us feel badly, or want us to be different than we are; however, their success depends on our willingness to let them succeed in doing so. Our success in doing ourselves wrong depends solely on intention.
3. The worst thing about having so many choices is having to choose. No one can say for sure who is truly worse off: the one who is forced to do something and wishes she or he could do something entirely different, or the one who freely chooses to do something and later regrets it.
4. Imagination is the one true measure of freedom. It’s not a matter of what you can or cannot do, but what you think you can or cannot do that matters. Inevitably, the rest will follow in time. Being open to experience or the possibilities of every situation reflects the inner strength of one who has established harmony within oneself.
5. Wisdom is having more questions than answers. The one who has found all the answers to his or her questions has run out of questions. The one who has run out of questions has run out of learning. A person who ceases to learn has also ceased to experience. And a person who has run out of experience cannot be wise.
6. Search long and hard enough for something and you’ll surely find it. Sometimes we look for something when there is nothing. However, if we keep looking for it to be there, almost miraculously it will be–this is especially true of limitations. Moreover, the harder we look for a certain quality of limitation, the more likely it is to appear before our very eyes. At the same time, if you look too hard for something you might miss it altogether.
7. Sometimes we try so hard to be what we're not that we may forget who we are. Our nature provides us with opportunities for becoming something much greater than ourselves. However, if a circle tries to bend by ignoring its center, it’s no longer a circle.
2. We are our own worst enemies. No one does a better job of deceiving us or treating ourselves badly than we do. No one can do a better job of finding ways to ignore our innermost thoughts and fears than we can. Certainly, other people may try to make us feel badly, or want us to be different than we are; however, their success depends on our willingness to let them succeed in doing so. Our success in doing ourselves wrong depends solely on intention.
3. The worst thing about having so many choices is having to choose. No one can say for sure who is truly worse off: the one who is forced to do something and wishes she or he could do something entirely different, or the one who freely chooses to do something and later regrets it.
4. Imagination is the one true measure of freedom. It’s not a matter of what you can or cannot do, but what you think you can or cannot do that matters. Inevitably, the rest will follow in time. Being open to experience or the possibilities of every situation reflects the inner strength of one who has established harmony within oneself.
5. Wisdom is having more questions than answers. The one who has found all the answers to his or her questions has run out of questions. The one who has run out of questions has run out of learning. A person who ceases to learn has also ceased to experience. And a person who has run out of experience cannot be wise.
6. Search long and hard enough for something and you’ll surely find it. Sometimes we look for something when there is nothing. However, if we keep looking for it to be there, almost miraculously it will be–this is especially true of limitations. Moreover, the harder we look for a certain quality of limitation, the more likely it is to appear before our very eyes. At the same time, if you look too hard for something you might miss it altogether.
7. Sometimes we try so hard to be what we're not that we may forget who we are. Our nature provides us with opportunities for becoming something much greater than ourselves. However, if a circle tries to bend by ignoring its center, it’s no longer a circle.
Silence
Could silence be the answer for confrontation? By ruffling your feathers and getting in the face of an person, there is nothing gained, but the need to raise the confrontation to a hightened level. Silence leaves the purported conveyor of confrontation questioning their motives and what is to be gained by such actions. Years ago, as a child, my Grandfather told me of the strength and wisdom of silence, but at the time the true meaning excaped me. Today, I understand the power and wisdom of silence and use it often. It ends the confrontation. How does a person answer the quietness of silence? Silence will always be the answer, where none is warranteed!
Edward Broken Feather
Edward Broken Feather
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
Strength.......
STRENGTH! A measure of how well you hide the pain, of life, knowing that there are abused and hungry children in the world.
Edward Broken Feather
Edward Broken Feather
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
The Miracle of my Life!
Taken from the web and personalized to my daughter Renee.
"Before you were conceived,
I wanted you.........
Before you were born,
I loved you.........
Before you were here an hour,
I knew I would do anything for you......."
RENEE, You are the Miracle of My Life!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Making the world a better place!
Hi Everyone,
I'd like for you to meet Zenaida, a 20 year old single mother of one child. She sells groceries at home, in Pantipampa, two hours away from the city of Ayacucho, Peru. She also cultivates potatoes in her land, which she then sells at the markets in the city of Lima. Finally, she breeds animals.
Thru KIVA, she has applied for a loan for 3000 soles, which she will invest in the purchase of rice, sugar, oil, candies, sodas and beer.
Zenaida’s dreams are to buy a house in Ayacucho, improve her business and provide her daughter with a good education.
This young woman, is one of the many women in third world countries, that I have focused my philanthropy towards. I look for women, that are raising children, but also contributing to the family's finances. In the real world, this young lady, doesn't have any vital assets, nor past credit, to be able to go to a bank for a loan. Thru KIVA and local MFI's, credit is available to women like Zenaida. Roughly 85% of the loans I'm involved with are to women. I'm pleased to say that the repayment of all my loans has been on time and in full. This allows me to refunnel the funds back into KIVA, funding new loans. I have loaned to women in Peru, Mexico, Vietnam, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Ghana, Iraq, Bolivia, Honduras, Philippines, Uganda, Paraguay, Tanzania, Tajikistan, Kenya, Togo, Nicgaragua, Equador, Ukraine to name a few.
My mentality is such, that I believe that it's in the best interest of humanity, to help raise the living standards in third world countries, especially among women. The financing they receive empowers them to better their lives. It tells them that people, somewhere on the earth, care about them enough to provide a loan.
I ask you to check out www.kiva.org
Sunday, February 1, 2009
It's Time To Set The Record Straight!
CENSUS 2010
WHY THE 2010 CENSUS IS IMPORTANT TO ALL AMERICAN INDIANS
Should I Identify as Native American in the 2010 Census?
It is absolutely critical that all “non-enrolled” Native Americans, and those people that can prove lineal descent from a Native American ancestor, self-identify as “Native American in Combination with One or More Races” when completing their 2010 Census questionnaires! Get the message out – pass this along to your family members and other Indian friends.
Results of the 2000 Census
For the first time ever, the 2000 Census measured “Native Americans in Combination with One or More Races,” That number totaled 4,119,301. The number of Americans that reported themselves “Native Alone” was 2,475,956 (these are considered predominantly enrolled members of a federally recognized tribe. The difference between these two numbers equals 1,643,345. This is significant because this 1,643,345 represents the number of persons that self-identified as “mixed-blood”
It must be pointed out that the 2000 Census was “flawed” - in that it did not provide a method to distinguish what percentage of the 1,643,345 were enrolled members of a federally recognized Indian tribe that chose to identify using this category only. However, it is generally accepted that the vast majority of these (perhaps exceeding 90%) are “non-enrolled” members of a federally recognized Indian tribe.
Many of them are likely to be direct lineal descendents of an “enrolled” member that do not qualify under tribal membership policies that impose a “Content of Degree of Indian Blood” (CDIB) requirement, yet they feel strongly tied to their Indian ancestral heritage. (Example: The great-grandchildren of a ‘full-blood’ Indian will not meet a 25% CDIB).
The 2010 Census will correct this flaw to obtain accurate measures. This is due to the importance these numbers have related to funding formulas directly linked to the federally recognized tribes.
Reasons for Self-Identifying as Mixed Blood Indian in 2010
There are several reasons why “non-enrolled” Native Americans, and those people that can prove lineal descent from a Native American ancestor, should self-identify as Mixed Blood Indians:
The 2010 Census can accurately enumerate the number of mixed blood Indians in America that still feel strongly linked to their Native American ancestry.
It can be used as an indicator that identifies “unmet need” for the Native American population that is “not served” or “underserved.”
How will this benefit Mixed Blood Indians in the United States?
The Census is the single most important event in America that drives all Federal “Formula” and “Need-Based” funding decisions for the next 10-year period. Mixed bloods must not miss this opportunity to document the need! Various American Indian organizations will use these Census 2010 figures over the next 10 years to apply for charitable services and grant programs to meet the needs of non-enrolled Mixed blood Indians. While most federal dollars are earmarked only for use by ‘federally recognized’ tribes – there remains millions of dollars that are “set-aside” to serve Native American Indians that live off reservations. These funding opportunities are made available to “organizations that serve Native Americans.”
Housing, housing assistance, and homeless programs.
Education and education assistance projects.
Economic assistance and employment assistance programs.
Scholarly cultural and heritage research about the Metis Nation.
Health and wellness, substance abuse, and social justice funding.
Financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and business financing loans.
WHY THE 2010 CENSUS IS IMPORTANT TO ALL AMERICAN INDIANS
Should I Identify as Native American in the 2010 Census?
It is absolutely critical that all “non-enrolled” Native Americans, and those people that can prove lineal descent from a Native American ancestor, self-identify as “Native American in Combination with One or More Races” when completing their 2010 Census questionnaires! Get the message out – pass this along to your family members and other Indian friends.
Results of the 2000 Census
For the first time ever, the 2000 Census measured “Native Americans in Combination with One or More Races,” That number totaled 4,119,301. The number of Americans that reported themselves “Native Alone” was 2,475,956 (these are considered predominantly enrolled members of a federally recognized tribe. The difference between these two numbers equals 1,643,345. This is significant because this 1,643,345 represents the number of persons that self-identified as “mixed-blood”
It must be pointed out that the 2000 Census was “flawed” - in that it did not provide a method to distinguish what percentage of the 1,643,345 were enrolled members of a federally recognized Indian tribe that chose to identify using this category only. However, it is generally accepted that the vast majority of these (perhaps exceeding 90%) are “non-enrolled” members of a federally recognized Indian tribe.
Many of them are likely to be direct lineal descendents of an “enrolled” member that do not qualify under tribal membership policies that impose a “Content of Degree of Indian Blood” (CDIB) requirement, yet they feel strongly tied to their Indian ancestral heritage. (Example: The great-grandchildren of a ‘full-blood’ Indian will not meet a 25% CDIB).
The 2010 Census will correct this flaw to obtain accurate measures. This is due to the importance these numbers have related to funding formulas directly linked to the federally recognized tribes.
Reasons for Self-Identifying as Mixed Blood Indian in 2010
There are several reasons why “non-enrolled” Native Americans, and those people that can prove lineal descent from a Native American ancestor, should self-identify as Mixed Blood Indians:
The 2010 Census can accurately enumerate the number of mixed blood Indians in America that still feel strongly linked to their Native American ancestry.
It can be used as an indicator that identifies “unmet need” for the Native American population that is “not served” or “underserved.”
How will this benefit Mixed Blood Indians in the United States?
The Census is the single most important event in America that drives all Federal “Formula” and “Need-Based” funding decisions for the next 10-year period. Mixed bloods must not miss this opportunity to document the need! Various American Indian organizations will use these Census 2010 figures over the next 10 years to apply for charitable services and grant programs to meet the needs of non-enrolled Mixed blood Indians. While most federal dollars are earmarked only for use by ‘federally recognized’ tribes – there remains millions of dollars that are “set-aside” to serve Native American Indians that live off reservations. These funding opportunities are made available to “organizations that serve Native Americans.”
Housing, housing assistance, and homeless programs.
Education and education assistance projects.
Economic assistance and employment assistance programs.
Scholarly cultural and heritage research about the Metis Nation.
Health and wellness, substance abuse, and social justice funding.
Financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and business financing loans.
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