INTERESTING TIMES

http://www.buddhanet.net/winton_s.htm
A worthwhile read. Draws a distinction between ethnic religions and universal ones. Ethnic ones are value systems based on maintaining a tribe. Universal ones transcend tribal identity. Non-procreative sex, ie homosexuality, is banned by ethic mores but in universal terms is seen more openly.

this painting by Shonto Begay....
also for you this amazing musical performance
that I found tonight because of a new Navajo friend:
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=P4Xd435coD4&vq=medium
(Note to God by Diane Warren
sung by the Philipina: Charice, on Oprah)

The letter behind the cut has been circulating for years. It helps.
( With Deep Gratitude to our Native Elders. )

Isn't it ironic that the social conservatives in the US today got they way they are by way of evolution? The disposition of being fearfully averse to strange people or unfamiliar situations is instinctive. The people who behave the most instinctively in our society are the ones who wish to deny evolution. =-]
( a couple interesting quotes, nothing on the new research here, all old stuff )

Support the Indian Health Care Improvement Act

The Indian Health Care Improvement Act has been reintroduced in the House, and is expected to be reintroduced in the Senate in September. The House bill, H.R. 2708, includes naturopathic medicine in the definition of "health profession," allowing NDs to provide primary care health services to Indian communities. It also will allow NDs to participate in a federal health program and gain eligibility to a federal loan repayment program. I would be very happy if this passed, because I have long thought that I would like to serve certain tribes in my work.

Please ask your Senators to include naturopathic medicine in the Senate version of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.

Click here to send a message to your Senators.
Thank you for your support!!

Flows and lake levels in the Colorado River drainage have been lower than predicted for years now. Lake Powell has been so low for so long that the river has dug itself a new course. A new rapid has been formed.

The road that used to go to the Pearce Ferry takeout now ends miles from the water. The outfitters are upset because they can't get their boats out of the water at the old takeout (Pearce) and it costs them time/$$ to run the boats the extra river miles to South Cove. So the river outfitters (including the Hualapai tribe) have approached the US Park Service offering private funding to build the road extension--under park auspices. So it will be done. Here's a slide show of the intended road route:
http://www.rrfw.org/gallery/displayimage.php?album=11&pos=87
And here's a side show of the new rapid:
http://www.rrfw.org/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=12

Excellent talk here, suggesting that our death rate at the hands of fellow humans is lower now than it ever has been, and consideration of a few possible causes. Mind-broadening viewpoints.

I did not attend the screening at NCNM, instead I went to classmates' houses to view three segments of the program on PBS. After the first one the show began to seem like a broken record. People who have less money, less insurance, less transport, less contacts, etc have less access to the fine healthcare that is supposedly available in the US. We know this already. This program provided specific examples of socioeconomic variables that correlate with better or worse healthcare.
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