Open Letter to Zynga

Internet Game company Zynga is dropping the classic Word Twist game from Facebook and my friends and I are very unhappy. As you know I don't take certain things quietly. Must speak up. I sent them this letter via the Word Twist application but now I am posting it here.

Dear Zynga

I am sorry to hear that you are killing Word Twist -- it has been simple in its interface, educational (you provided the definitions!!!), competitive (my certain circle love playing each other), mind-sharpening and FUN! It has been a quick and better version of the comic strip jumble game and we hate to see it go. Thanks for a lot of fun -- and I wish you would reconsider your decision. I don't see myself playing the other games -- they aren't Word Twist. (And my one circle member didn't enjoy your Scrabble variant [Words with Friend] which doesn't move me to trying it, even tho Alec Baldwin likes it. He's not in my Circle.)

Again, thanks. Sorry you are killing such a good game, but it has been a joy and I am grateful for that. Guess I will have less time for fun and more time for saving the world with my peace and justice activities.

Peace hugs,
Kate Anne

Happy Birthday, Sam

Longtime peace and justice activist Sam Oast celebrated his birthday with a return trip to Union Square and dinner at Heartland Brewery. Sam recounted memories of summers past and dear friend Betty Lou Hornick was remembered. (Sam and Betty Lou were mainstays at a Saturday peace vigil at Union Square for years!) Sam still volunteers time at a homeless shelter, gets to the Catholic Worker for various events, attends various NYC demos, is a member of a book club,

and maintains a lovely rooftop garden. Happy birthday, Sam. Glad I could join you for the day!

Peace hugs,
Kate Anne

Singing the praises of BlueRootsRadio.com

So many good things here. Yes there is a lot of challenge but you/we give reason for optimism.

The news has been so damn depressing! ~ Michele

Yep.

they are protesting and fighting because they do not want to be like the United States model which they feel encroaching and want to preserve theirs which they love and feel is obviously better for the people – duh – so – when you see all these riots in the streets, think about it, they are protesting the idea that they might become like us!

might explain a little why we here are not protesting al all ~ Mire

We should be protesting because we don't have it as good as them! Out in the streets, gang -- and/or make those calls to the WH, congress, reps, and letters to the editor. Post the articles Toni and others find on FB, elsewhere!!! It all adds up. (And how DARE they have 1/4 of their panel staff from folks who want a certain outcome!!! This MUST be SHOUTED as the panel results were pretty much a forgone conclusion.

JohnFugelsang John Fugelsang
by joanwalsh
1 way to honor Vets’ Day is going to B&N, finding the display of Bush’s memoir, and patriotically throwing a shoe at it. - toniD

Other places folks are restocking the books in true crime or fantasy/science-fiction -- some good photos on the wall at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=147126765334135

As for Veterans Day, I think it should be reserved for only those who served in battle or were directly supporting those putting their lives on the line. Vets like me, who basically served in peace time, are not in the same league.

What should be highlighted are the so call patriotic Americans who say they support the troops and then elect candidates who promise to dismantle the VA. ~ mb

And toniD mentions the car magnets as some people's proof of patriotism instead of real help. I have a friend who served stateside during Vietnam and he says similarly to what Chris says: It isn't the same. But not all vets are equal because of how violent they were/are. My uncle John is a man of peace but the Mai Lai massacre vets should not be equated with him. I believe in nonviolence but when people are thrown into wars the honorable ones should be honored -- and even the Mai Lai ones seriously need help, so I'm contradicting myself in a way, but no, because I would help them but not honor them. Some military do a dis-service. There is a difference, a big difference.

[The graph] Just shows that people may be giving up. We can’t allow that to happen or we will have real problems. The college kids in the UK protested, Many other European countries protested. We DO need to protest or nothing will change and could get much worse. ~ toniD

They want us to give up. And you can be darn sure that protests will go under-reported unless there is violence that will undermine the message. That is why we need internet neutrality and a google that works fairly so we (especially our great blogmother toniD) can find the truth and post it in a place where it can more easily be found/read.

Dean and DFA tonight at 7:30 pm EST about future of Dem Party ~ toniD

Missed it -- but hope an archive will be posted somewhere. Still, I am happy that discussion happens and information flows. And, as I look toward Thanksgiving, I am oh so grateful for those who make life in these dark times a little more bearable, and that it YOU guys of BlueRootsRadio.com.

Bless you for the good you do. ToniD has to dig through so much, some of it depressing, to present her nuggets. Chris/mb hosts us and brings us music as well as insight. Cent and 60th Street share so much and help with the blog. Michele offers her professional insight. Mire is as colorful as her icon. Crank Bait provides a cranky wit. Dan, Ramses/Sandy, CatChew, Vernon, JMach, GBasin/Steve ... you all contribute/share/sustain. Thank you. Bless you. Carry on. Make a positive difference. Together we can and must change the world, positively, in some way. We have. We do. We will. Thank you all. One big group hug! ....

Peace hugs!
Kate Anne

P.S. And I didn't even mention our Ya Think? Monday night show/podcast....Gratitude! BOTTOM LINE: Click that little blue radio in the right hand margin of BlueRootsRadio.com and enjoy the music and a live show now and then.

Where has the YEAR gone??

Back home from Ohio and Pennsylvania visits to children and aunt, et cetera, I've spent today going through bills and putting some stuff away (not enough) AND making a few end-of-year donations. I wish I had lots of money -- I don't. I could go broke if I answered 10% of the solicitation letters I get. BUT, I remember Gloria Steinem saying, what does your checkbook tell about you? Well, mine still pays a few bills, but I could expand her thought to say, what does your credit card say about you? Today I donated online to Episcopal Relief and Development, Fellowship of Reconciliation, The Interfaith Alliance, The Center for Constitutional Rights, Amnesty International, National Wildlife Federation, and Consumer Reports Foundation plus several checks. I end the New Year right by giving and then sharing a few hours with friends.

When my son was born I quoted Tiny Tim to the delivery team, "God bless us everyone!" I repeat the sentiments and wish all of us a Peace-full, Healthy, Prosperous, Happy New Year.

Peace hugs,
Kate Anne

Where has the month gone??

It has been a busy month and I'm not ready to play catch up on Peace Hugs because my busy level is still high, BUT, I have posted autumnal pictures of my Adirondack visit to Dorothy Morehead's Northville cottage, a/k/a camp on Flickr.com and there are more pictures from various events yet to come.

You may have noticed I've been better at posting the quick stuff at Quick TAKES and Tasty Tidbits. You are invited to visit there for various political and personal snippets and recipes (great butternut squash soup!!), but I am reposting the whole thing from today as it bears repeating:

McBush and Folksy Palin endorsed by SNL's GWB

I was at the FreePress.net's 2008 internet Freedom Bash party last night so didn't see it live but George W. Bush endorsed McCain-Palin on Saturday Night Live's Thursday edition last night, with help from Will Ferrell and Tina Fey.

See Dubya, see McCain, or as my friend Judy Young Brannan from Kent Ohio put it: McBush!!! From Judy:

***

OMG -- when I saw Judy's McBush it struck terror into my heart. Now, let's get out there and win. Judy's picture is worth a thousand words. Please help out where you can, the Obama-Biden ticket or progressive candidates to Congress and to the state house and senate. It all matters. Thanks!!!

Peace hugs,
Kate Anne

Home with MUCH to do

Find out what I've been up to by checking out the June posts and pictures from my two weeks off at my QuickTAKES blog and at my Flickr.com site: a trip with my daughter Kat, a family wedding, a trip to Erie, and the St. Benedict Academy a/k/a SBA Class of 1968 Reunion. (Pictures of the latter are in the process of being uploaded but suffice it to say it was fun and I wish more had attended.)

Great vacation but sooooo much to do.

Peace hugs,
Kate Anne


Kat and Mom Kat

Hugs to Teddy, Hi to Bobby: a Kennedy reflection

My heart and healing hugs go out to Teddy Kennedy at this challenging time. In truth, though, he has had my heart since my baby boomer childhood. I look back at it all and ponder. The Kennedy family was charmed, even as they were punched time and time again, yet came back for more: to serve, to be challenged, to survive (or not), and to serve again -- or send another family member to continue the tradition. Yes, they weren't perfect. Not all their choices were good ones, but they tried and they did a lot of things positive. And they impacted and inspired several generations. When my first boy friend Ray Hauser helped me win three teddy bears, I called them The Kennerts -- and named them Tedward, Bobbert, and Jackit. But I/we knew who they were named after.

Bobby Kennedy Jr.

I recently took the opportunity (perhaps a little gracelessly) to say hi to Teddy's nephew Bobby Kennedy Jr., at the 19th annual Riverkeeper Shad Fest held at Boscobel [see my earlier post and Flickr pictures]. I had seen and heard him once in person at an event in Astoria but hadn't gotten very close. And it was before Ring of Fire. But at the Shad Fest Bobby was walking amidst the guests and I just had to say a brief, "Hi, Bobby -- I just love Ring of Fire." Then I realized I had interrupted him talking to some others and felt a little awkward, but Bobby generously offered me his hand and gave me a big warm smile before turning back to his party. And all was great. He hadn't held my little faux paux against me. Now that is charm and class.

So now the family gathers around Teddy. Lets keep them in our prayers. Send healing to Teddy. And in his environmental and on-line effort, go, Bobby, go!!

Peace hugs,
Kate Anne

What a hat! No wonder Bobby smiled! (Yes, that's Kevin Bacon.)

Shad Fest: Spirit in the Rain

Bobby Kennedy Jr.
The 19th Annual Riverkeeper Shad Fest and Hudson River Celebration took place yesterday (May 18, 2008) at Boscobel Restoration, near Cold Spring New York. The day started as overcast when Queens CB2 Environmental Committee chair Dorothy Morehead and I arrived and we were happy to take in some great informational and green-friendly products booths and a falcon demonstration before we headed to the wine and food tents, which we were pleased to find were part of our $75 pre-sale admission fee. But the day got grayer and wetter. We met some nice folk, including NY Assembly candidate Jonathan Smith [102nd District], his wife Catherine, and their friend Jonathan Wright. And the sky opened up, dampening the fesitival grounds but not our spirits. Dorothy and I toured the beautiful restored home and finished in time hear the last part of Bobby Kennedy Jr.'s talk to the crowd. Then we gathered closer to the stage to join others under umbrellas (and kind enough to share them) in pouring rain to enjoy the Bacon Brothers Band, with Kevin Bacon rightfully getting a lot of attention but older brother Michael Bacon offering a lot of talent to the band as well.

Kevin and Michael Bacon with fiddler Carrie Rodriguez
Bobby came back to introduce a surprise guest, Dan Aykroyd, who joined the band and fiddler Carrie Rodriguez for a Rolling Stone number. Wow! We were all wet but very happy!


Jon Wright, Catherine and Jonathan Smith

I've posted a whole bunch more pictures at my Flickr site, conveniently in a Shad Fest set. Suffice it to say, the rain was a challenge, but in the end, it thinned out the crowds a bit and allowed us the opportunity to be able to get closer to the stage. I count my blessings and am thankful to my friend Dorothy for offering me company and transportation to this great event. We are already looking forward to the 20th annual Shad Fest and plan to bring more of our friends with us to support Riverkeeper's environmental efforts. Couldn't go? Donate anyway -- and talk to me about joining us next year.

Peace hugs,

Kate Anne

Dan Aykroyd

Back home -- Happy New Year

Back from the wilds of Ohio and Pennsylvania, I am just beginning to tackle my to do list. Catching up on my Hightower Lowdown -- even went to Jim Hightower's great website to catch his new videos. Check 'em out!

On a personal note, I got over to Rockefeller Center to see the Christmas tree. Gorgeous!



(More Christmas tree pix at QTakes.blogspot.com with other holiday pictures to be posted on Flickr.)

I bought my friend and kitty sitter Joan Pagan a Swarvorski crystal ornament which she wore out last night when a bunch of us WQIDC friends went out to see the not-to-be-missed Denzel Washington movie, The Great Debaters.

An unhappy note: Mac Cat continues to be ailing. It is difficult to witness my little long-in-the tooth pussy cat waning.

There are bills to be paid and the holiday letter remains unwritten, with lots of cards still to be sent, post Christmas. (Hey, I'm happy to be in contact with my friends anytime.) When I discovered lots of opera being shown on PBS's Channel 13 WNET, how could I not spend some time watching? I'm enjoying what is left of the holiday and my vacation.

Back to work tomorrow! Happy New Year! And ...

Peace hugs,
Kate Anne