Conscious Choice: Wake Up, America!

April 2006 | Choice Feedback

Wake Up, America!

Please be willing to “lose” any readers who request you to “tone down the politics.” And bravo to you for standing up for such scared rabbits, with your strong views and principles. To me, you are a breath of fresh air in these days of bland, conventional media spin and fear-mongering (if one’s mouth opens to express an opinion, a political criticism or, God forbid, an independent thought).

Well, here goes. Nancy Hall of Clarendon Hills (See Editor’s Note, Feb. 2006), be prepared to acknowledge demons when they appear before you, as in Bush and Co.

They are liars, thieves and scoundrels — and these are their lighter points! Bush and his cohorts wear the masks that fit the molds.

The only thing I would agree with you on is that the Democrats and the Republicans are similarly pathetic. In fact, there aren’t two parties anymore. Wake up, America! Forget the damn parties and recognize that we have an America, a world and an Earth to save! And any imperialistic government that stands in the way of our collective responsibility to do so ought to be removed immediately from office.

Marla Donato is telling the truth, telling it like it is on each and every issue she comments upon, in regard to this administration of pirates. Ms. Hall, if Ms. Donato is to “stay on message,” she needs to say more, shout louder and expose these criminals calling themselves our top leaders. And to Ms. Hall, buck up! And be willing to review in your memory that is “too long” how much this nation has suffered and been devastated economically, environmentally, etc., since these hijackers “took” (read, stole) office.

— Stephanie Sweas, Chicago

Permeable Paving

I DON’T KNOW if they would be acceptable to the building department of Debra Shore’s hometown, but there are numerous permeable paving systems. (March issue)

Some use porous pavers, others use blocks with spaces for grass or gravel, still others appear to be completely made of grass but contain a paving grid. I would guess that someone who claims to be an expert on green technology would be up to date on all the latest (and in some cases ancient) developments.

— James Reyes, Chicago

Editor’s response: Rain runs off driveways, rooftops, paved streets and parking lots, picking up contaminants, including oil, pet waste and trash. Discharging that water directly into storm sewers degrades water quality, and can cause flooding.

The Village of Skokie, however, only allows non-permeable paved surfaces and paving brick for residential driveways such as the one owned by Debra Shore. While the community’s ordinance enforces a consistent appearance among driveways, limiting the choice to non-permeable surfaces conflicts with best management practices for storm-water control suggested by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.

The restriction also contradicts the spirit of the Federal Clean Water Act, which considers permeable surfaces an acceptable measure for reducing storm runoff and water pollution.

Pet Intelligence

PET OWNERS WHO can cite chapter and verse on the ability of animals, dogs in particular, to think emotionally, think logically, remember and act rationally are dog-sled racers and other mushers. (pet intelligence story, March issue).

In situations where there is a mutual dependency for survival, these dog owners can cite multiple examples of how dogs, especially lead dogs, have used intelligence and memory to survive dangerous and threatening situations. These include remembering a trait and landmarks as well as being able to feel tracks of other dogs under the snow and determine where to go.

Dogs pick up on the attitude and emotions of the musher and perform accordingly. When lives are at stake, sled dogs are examples of animal intelligence and emotions.

I’ve been mushing for 18 years and can talk about this subject. In many, many situations mushers trust their lives to their lead dogs and vice versa. There’s a trust, a bond that creates a dependency for survival.

— Lewis R. Elin, Chicago

Get Rid of Julia

I LOVE YOUR MAGAZINE and read it cover to cover every month. So I’m writing with some critical feedback, but it is shared with a lot of love and desire to be helpful.

I really think it is time for Julia Mossbridge to step down from Conscious Choice. Everyone else who writes for the magazine has a beat, a reason, an area of expertise. Julia writes about nothing. It’s really New Age noodling at its worst. And I figure I cannot be the only one who responds to her in that manner. This is blog material perhaps, but not something that is consistent with Conscious Choice’s mission.

Please leave the noodling to the pasta stores and to superficial New Age publications.

— Gregg, Internet

Hooray for Julia

I STUMBLED UPON your article about “little death” tonight (October 2004 issue). I don’t even know quite how I found it … oh wait, yes I do. I googled “my therapist died” and your article came up, not as an exact match, of course, but a conglomeration of words.

I had been seeing Teresa for six years. When I googled “my therapist died,” there were no exact matches, which of course only made me feel more alone. Her passing has me feeling very unraveled and I’m not quite sure what to do with those feelings. The person I would go to when I’m feeling this way is the person whose absence is making me feel this way. So where does that leave me?

Anyway, just reading your article made me feel a bit better. It’s something that Teresa and I would discuss in therapy, so it gave me a bit of comfort. Anyway, I thought I would let you know. It’s always nice to know when things we do make a difference to someone else.

— Angela, Internet

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