Eastern Illinois University The Keep

The Post Amerikan (1972-2004) The Post Amerikan Project

8-1-2001

Volume 30, Number 4

Post Amerikan

Follow this and additional works at: https://thekeep.eiu.edu/post_amerikan

Part of the Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication Commons, Journalism Studies Commons, Publishing Commons, and the Social Influence and oliticalP Communication Commons

Recommended Citation Post Amerikan, "Volume 30, Number 4" (2001). The Post Amerikan (1972-2004). 254. https://thekeep.eiu.edu/post_amerikan/254

This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the The Post Amerikan Project at The Keep. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Post Amerikan (1972-2004) by an authorized administrator of The Keep. For more information, please contact [email protected]. We're broke ... how about sending US your tax refund check?

VOLUME30 .

In this issue ... Reviewing Bloomington/Normal: Movies

!I "' Open Mic nights \ ' Band reviews Von Frickle Wiplot The Hubbards I. News from local organizations Activist activities ·~ew ~f8atuf~: · ri ' Plus: Voice for Choice; Notes · I from the Land of Anti-Fat; Seeing ',. ~- Red; Jesse Wolf Hardin, Prison ''" paradise, and more! ~ .' D

peo·p.Je t~·4Jleet, ~ , • , I • I 4 ~ ·~ -~· thingSuto see ~-"'\.•. pI"\ ' ; •.:ll\ . ulnt ..~

891. "ON .11WY3d ZOL ~9 11'U0}6UtWOOI8 11 'N0.19NIW0018 ~SHXOS"O"d OIYd 39¥.LSOd ·s·n UIJI!JIWVlSOd OYYONYJ.S p8118nbei:l u~ 818.1PPV 03J.YOS3Yd BLODMrnNGTONINORMAL NUMBER FOUR AUGUST I SEPT. 2001

Page 3--Community News Pages 12-16-Special Section Page 22-Voice for Choice cont. Page 4-It's a free country' by Steve Eckardt 12-movie reviews Page 23-Poetry cont. Page 5-Burger King's dirty secret/HIV on rise- 13--open mic nights Pa?e 24-Agbiotech aggression -esp young, black, gay men 14-activist info Pages 6-7--Reindigenation by Jesse Wolf 15--band reviews Hardin & Dangers of Cell Phones 16--art show & Beyond Normal Films Page 8-Voice for Choice Page 17-Notes from the Land of Anti-fat Page 9--Il PIRG/What Bible really says Pages 18-19-Poetry pages Pick up a copy Pages 10-11--A prison paradise Page 20--Bookstore Page 21-Mental illness awareness Copies of the Post Amerikan are now available for free at the following In this Issue: locations: Bloomington AIDS Task Force, 313 N. Main About Books, 221 E. Front Barnes & Noble, Veterans & Rt. 9 About us Good numbers Bloomington Public Library, 205 E. Olive Advocacy Council for Human Rights.830-2521 Burwells, 908 N. Main The Post Amerikan is an independent AIDS Hotlines Common Ground,516 N. Main c_ommunity newspaper providing informa­ National ...... 1-800-AID-AIDS Crazy Planet Kitchen, 414 N. Main tion and analysis that is screened out of or Illinois ...... 1-800-243-2437 Gaston's Upper Cut, 409 N. Main down played by establishment news sources. Local...... " ...... 827 -AIDS ~eartland Community College, Raab Rd. We are a non-profit, worker-run collective Alcoholics Anonymous ...... 828-7092 Lizards Lounge, 612 N. Main that exists as an alternative to the corporate Amnesty International-ISU ... [email protected] Shockwaves, 415 N. Main media. · Animal Protection League ...... 828-5371 To Your Health, 1214 N. Towanda, #2 Better Business Bureau...... 1-800-500-3780 Twin City Exchange, 411 N. Main · We put out six issues a year. Staff members Big Brothers/ Big Sisters ...... 828-1870 tak~ turns-~ "coordinator." All writing, Boys & Girls Oubs ofB/N...... 829-3034 Normal typmg, ed1ting, graphics, photography, Clare House (Catholic workers) ...... 828-4035 Acme Comics, 115 W. North pasteup, and distribution are done on a Countering Domestic Violence ...... 827-7070 Babbitt's Books, 104 W. North volunteer basis. You are invited to volunteer Dept. of Children/Family Services ....828-0022 Campus Town, Ul W. North your talents. · Gay, Lesbian & Bi teen drop in center.828-3998 Centennial Hall, ISU Gay & Lesbian Resource PhoneJine, ..438-2429 Coffeehouse, 14 E. Beaufort Most of our material and inspiration for Habitat for Humanity ...... 827-3931 Deadpan Alley Records, 107 W. North material comes from the commUnity. The Headstart...... -...... :...... :...... 662-4880 Ecology Action Centet", 208 W. College Post Amerikan welcomes stories, graphics, Home Sweet Home Mission ...... 828--7356 Mother Murphy's, 111 W. North photos, lette~, and new tips from our IL Dept. of. Publi c Aid ...... 827-4621 Movie Fan, 202C W. North readers. If you'd like to join us, call 828-4473 IL Lawyer Referral ...... 1-217-525-5297 Normal Public Library, 206 W. College and leave a message~ our answering · Incest Surv.lVOlS Support . Group ...... " 827-G79() North Street Cafe, 2~ W. North machine. We will get back to you as soon UFE-CIL...... 663-5433 Stevenson Hall, ISU as we can. Don't worry if it takes while­ a lighthouse (substance abule treatment) .....827--6026 University G~leries, ISU we don't meet every week. Mclean Co. Center for Human Services ...827-5351 McLean Co. Health Dept ...... 888-5450 Peoria An alternative newspaper depends directly McLean Co. Housing Authority ...... 829-3360 Bicycle Bus on_ a community of concerned people for McLean Co. Humane Society ...... 664-7387 illinois Central College exiStence. We believe it is very important to I McLean Co. Peace Coalition ...... 823-7070 keep a newspaper like this around. If you · Mid Central Community Action ...... 829-0691 think so too, then please support us by Mobile Meals ...... 828-8301 telling your friends about the paper, Whatlsyour Narcotics Anonymous ...... 827-4005 donating money to the printing of the paper, National Health Care Services/ and telling our advertisers you saw their new adcrress? abortion assistance ...... 1-800-322-1622 ad in Pnst Amerikan. Occupational Development Center .. :-452-7324 When you move, be sure to send us your new address so your subscription gets to you. Parents Anonymous ...... 827-4005 ~ ou~ Post Amerikan will not be forwarded (it's PATH (Personal Assistance Telephone Help) .. 827-4005 hke JUnk mail-no kidding!). Fill out this Phone Friends ...... 827-4005 ~andy form with your new address and return PFLAG(Parents, Families and Friends It to us, P.O. Box 3452, Bloomington, IL 61702. of Lesbians and Gays) ...... 663-0831 Subscriptions to the Post Amerikan are Planned Parenthood (medical) ...... 827-4014 . Name a~ailable for the low price of $6.00 per year for ------(bus/ couns/ edu) ...... 827-4368 s1x complete issues. Street Post Amerikan...... 828-4473 ------Please send a check (made payable to the Post Prairie State Legal Services ...... 827-5021 City /State/Zip.______Amerikan) to: Post Amerikan, P.O. Box 3452 Project Oz ...... 827-0377 Bloomington, IL 61702. Rape Crisis Center ...... -:': ...... 827-4005 Runaway Switchboard ...... 1-800-621-4000 Due Date: This issue of Post Amerikan Salvation Army ...... 829-9476 Safe Harbor Mission ...... 829-7399 The due date for submitting articles to the iJ brought to you by ... TeleCare (senior citizens) ...... 828-8301 Po~t Am_erikan is: (please laser print your Unemployment camp/job service .....827-6237 arhcl~s m c~lumns of 3" using Palatino lOpt. Western Ave. Community Center ...... 829-4807 type If possible.); or submit via e-mail at: David, Linda, Ralph Youth Build ...... 827-7507 [email protected] Sept lSth and Sherlin •

PAGE2 POST AMERIKAN AUGUST I SEPT. 2001 Community News

Have you experienced discrimination? Let us know! WGLT Recycled Music Sale Are your old CDs and tapes and records Those of you who have been in the gathering dust and taking up valuable space? Bloomington/Normal community for a few Don't throw them away; donate them to WGLT years will remember what happened five years radio's lOth Recycled Music Sale, to be held ago: both the Bloomington and Normal city August 17-19 at College Hills mall in Normal. councils voted against amet:tded human rights We are accepting used CDs, tapes, record, sheet ordinances that would have barred music, instruments and stereo equipment. All discrimination-against glbt people in the areas types of music are welcome, and profits will go of employment, housing, public · to GL T' s equipment fund. accommodations, and credit transactions. Drop-off points for donations have been set up We still do not have gay-inclusive human for your convenience: Mt. Hawley Mini Storage rights ordinances in the Twin Cities, but this is 8101 N. Hale/309-692-5746 the time to lay some groundwork for the future. Bloomington One thing we need to do is better document cases Bloomington Public Library Samuel Music of discrimination on our community, and that's 205 E. Olive/828-6091 4640 North Brandywine/800-685-2407 where we depend on you to help. If you have experienced discrimination in employment, Samuel Music Morton housing, public accommodations, or credit 1717 R T Dunn DriveI 820-9880 Morton Public Library transaction-or know someone who has-please 315 W Pershing/309-263-2200 encourage them to contact us with their story. Schnucks 1701 E. Empire/662-9300 David Erwin's of Minnesota Coffee & Tea We understand that some people are hesitant 213 S Main/ 309-266- 9066 to come forward to report these acts. However, Horine's Pianos Plus if you feel comfortable doing it please consider 1336 E. Empire/663-7587 Washington reporting incidents to the followit:tg government Washington Public Library bodies: Normal 301 Walnut/ 309-444-2241 Normcil Public Library ·· Joe Garibay " ":'' 206 W. CollegeAvenue/452-1757 Donations will be accepted at these places from Town bf Normal July 6 through Aiigusf3. · , ·· · ' · · ' · ' · · Human Resources Department Vitesse Cycle .• ,., .. '· I-. . 100 E Phoenix • 206 S. Linden/454-1541 Your support is needed and appreciated! Goods Normal, IL 61761-0589 will be resold at reasonable prices to th~ public , ·. Twin City Self' Storage 309-45.4-2444 August 17-19. If you have any question, call · 2019 Eagle Rd:/454-1811 GLT Promotions Director Steve Fast at 309-438- Illinoi~ Department of Human Rights: 5083. 222 South Colleg-e~ Floor l· · ~ Peoria Springfield, Illip.ois 627.04.-' Lakeview Museum 217-785-5100 . • 1125 W. Lake/309-686-7000 . .. '' Barb Adkins . . . . Horine's Pianos Plus City of Bloo~~gtort. 8516 N. Knoxvill~/ 309-693-7587 Kar~~,~~~~t Community Relations Division 109 E .. Olive St. 6 Afld~ri\l~u;:~' . "·?"i~· ."~rd . Bloorrrlngton, IL 61701 309-434-2218 "Annoying Music" Also, ~leas let us know of any ads of ; · · .Host visits 8/N discriminationym,.dr anyone you know of 489 E. Grove St.,8foomington exper~ntd:~·:Wi-oonstantlylo~tliis . · . · ~ ·. :··f:::.-::,. ':· . infomiaUOn';fot ~-wr~:u~.::our p.h · "u::...b · .!" :.: \ ·: :r Host of the acclaimed Annoying Music Minute, home: 829~6318 309-830-2521 ~dnur C:.m.ril :addrZ~i: ·~ er ~~- : · < Jim ~ayder, will bring his unique brand of [email protected].· . mus1cal.amusement to WGLT's lOth annual work: 217-244•2070 · · ·· .. . Recycled Music Sale on August 17th. e-mail: karens@uiuc;edu · --from The Rainbow Connection Newsletter Nayder's Annoying Music Show is aired on public radio stations throughout the country and on the BBC. The show has spawned two Representing citizens' CD released of Annoying Music. Those CDs feature musical attempts gone wrong, such as · ideas,inter.:ests, i~sues & one by; Bonanza's J?an Blocker. •90nc~rns.to Blb.omi'Q'tgtpn hom- o-pb.o- bi-a The lure of Nayder's brand of humor can be ·.•,,'' < ••• : ••• Zl· summed up in a People Magazine review: (hom'~ t o'be d) "Annoying Music is like passing an accident. inset""rity abcut You don't want to look, but you sort of have to!" being "t.+trose~ua \. The GLT Recycled Music Sale, which runs August 17-19 from a College Hills Mall Ward 6it~;x~h1~ 4i>yvntown location, features thousands of LP's, CD's, and ..cassettes in every category including jazz, blues, Bloom:ington.a:nilall;paxts ofits classical, country, folk, children's music, opera, sunouncli~g.rie1'gJio.thpods. You comedy, pop and rock, R &B and much more. ~ed~otli~e in~.~i!L·to aallme. All proceeds from the sale benefit listener . ._., '". :t:<::::~· supported GLT's Equipment Fund.

AUGUST/SEPT. 2001 POST AMERIKAN PAGE3 Seeing Red: lt•s a Free Country by Steve Eckardt

(GLENSIDE, PA.) -The college student and I Hey, it's a free country. But the question was "Does this happen every were outside the theater with the Che T-shirts So, duh, we kiss crew-cut blue ass -all concern, time you go out?" for maybe three minutes before the owner apologetic smiles, and "yes sirs"-- put the · charged out shouting "You can't do this! You shirts back in the big cardboard box, and start And the answer is "Yes." can't do this!" handing out leaflets for the party. Every time you do people's politics on a U.S. In fact I was still parking the car when the big Eight minutes later the squads are back. "You street, you meet a uniform within a matter of graying red-head made his appearance, can't hand out leaflets in front of the theater," minutes. (OK, how many cops and how soon threatening the college student like a 200- they say. varies a little depending on what part of the pound rooster who'd forgotten his chest had U.S., whether it's rural or urban, if there's a. fallen into his belly long ago. I smile and show my palms. "Well, we're on the President ardund, etc., etc.) public sidewalk here, officer ... but why don't The squad cars showed up two minutes later. you show me the line we should be outside of so Every time. Thing was that the Afro-Cuban All-Stars band and we'll stay there." The crowd's passing by was playing the theater, and we wanted to again and seeing us with the uniforms. In fact, there's a hierarchy of which First reach the crowd. We hoped to sell some Che T­ Amendment freedoms are actually allowed (as shirts to raise some cash for a big group of local The bulls show us where they'll let us stand for where, almost nothing's allowed on youl)g people organizing themselves for a trip and we go there smiling. We hand out some "private property" --which is virtually to Cuba, thanks to a nationwide invitation from more leaflets. But the cops don't leave. One everywhere except most sidewalks). Cuban youth groups representing like two beckons us back to the squad. "Problem, sir?" I Petitioning to get on the ballot, even for a million people. ask cooperatively. Socialist, will usually be tolerated. Non-ballot petitioning runs into more trouble, but still flies T-shirts for sure, but mainly we wanted to meet "People can tell what's in the box," he says. much of the time. Handing out leaflets is more people who liked the Afro-Cuban All-Stars, And sure enough we'd --oops--left enough of one of a problem --they'll usually let you proceed let them know what was going on, and invite hanging out so that people could tell we had a only after missing a lot of people and being them to a big-ass party we were organizing. box of Che T -shirts. "You need to remove the moved somewhere less effective. box." Arguing with the proprietor meant letting the Selling a newspaper --freedom of the press, people pass by. And the squad cars and uniforms So I stuff the exposed shirt inside the box and right?-- is lucky to be allowed half the time. weren't exactly sending them a you-want-to­ move it further down the street. "Best I can do, Selling posters or T-shirts fares even worse. get-involved-in-this message. officer, I have to wait for someone to pick me . up. OK?" But now there's only a few stragglers And the worst thing you can do? Sell books. Try Now the heat's pretext was "vending without left so we hand out a few more leaflets and setting up a table full of books anywhere a license," though they would've used leave. outside the space of a demonstration or a anything from an 18th century law requiring political meeting ... or on a good day, a college horses to be hitched (yep, we hadn't hitched . "Does this happen every time you go out?" the campus, and you're almost guaranteed to be shut any horses) to a drug-positive nuclear analysis college student asks. I realize that the kid, down. of our hair thanks to.eating poppy-seed cake though he's done a lot of things, has never worked the street before. three months ago. A hundred words on a leaflet is one thing, fifty thousand is something else. People will start Sure, there is such a thing as the First But I can't help just saying, "Yes." getting ideas, fer crissakes. Amendment (freedom of speech and press), and Later, over a cold one or three, I wonder if I'd the Supreme Court has ruled that banning sales said the right thing, thinking of ways the And I remember my first trip to Cuba. It's for a of things like Che T -shirts with anti-vendor answer could have been finessed. I think of· small international conference on the 30th laws is stone unconstitutional. And 18 months possible raps about capitalism's hostility to anniversary of the TriContinental Congress after the crowd was gone --and after an evening democracy, about police power being (famous for Che's "two, three, many in the lock-up, a bunch of missed days at work, constrained by the legacies of struggles like the VietNams" speech). I walk into it, been in the and a thousand dollars of attorney's fees-- we civil rights and antiwar movements, the ·country less than 12 hours, and here's three international context of it all, and volumes would have won. Australians with some boxes of political books, more of blah and blah. many of the same ones I've helped sell over the years.

But there's a problem --we don't have a table. And then the women in charge of the conference goes charging by, trailed by various assistants trying to get her attention on a panoply of pressing details like microphones and air conditioning and chairs. She sees the books, stops so dead in her tracks that there's nearly a pile-up and says, "You've got books!" And gives every one of us a hug.

Then she looks again, puts her hands on her face and exclaims "But you don't have a table!"

It's intolerable. "''ll get you one myself," she we specialize in declares and shoots off to find one, leaving the GM diesel repair assistants standing there hanging, but then nodding understandingly. complete automotive "Holy shit," I"say to one of the Australians, and truck service dumbfounded. His face crinkles into a smile. foreign and domestic "Hey, it's free country, mate." Leave questions and comments at . Or email .

PAGE4 POST AMERIKAN AUGUST/SEPT. 2001 Burger King's dirty secrets Burger King's dirty secrets inside one of their farms

Former PET A intern Freeman Wicklund and his moltings before they're finally killed. This You can help industry ploy threatens consumers' health-­ team from Compassionate Action for Animals Urge Burger King to commit to our list of forced molting weakens birds' immune systems knew the Michael Foods egg factory wouldn't specific steps to improve animals' lives. In the and increases the risk of disease. Studies be pretty, but one step inside this Burger King U.S. contact: reveal a link between the stress of forced supplier's Minnesota farm and they were Mr. John Dasburg, CEO molting inflicted on chickens and the incidence appalled. Burger King Corporation of salmonella in the chickens and their eggs. 17777 Old Cutler Rd. The activists faced endless rows of suffering No beak, no room, no life Miami, FL 33157 hens and scrambled to help as many as they In 1999, the agricultural ministers for the Tel: 305-378-7011 could. They watered desperately thirsty hens, European Union voted to ban battery cages Fax: 305-378-7262 untangled claws twisted around cage wires and because of cruelty concerns. But in the U.S., it's ' pulled fly-infested corpses out of cages. They hideous business as usual-99% of all eggs sold Please urge Burger King's Franchisee took photos and video of cages encrusted with in the United States are laid by battery hens in Association to take a stand: filth and crippled, featherless hens who were squalid factory farms, where the sights and Frank Capaldo, Executive Director being trampled by their cagemates. And they stench of waste and death are hidden inside National Franchisee Association, Inc. whisked away hens from death's door and windowless sheds. Everything is mechanized. 3901 Roswell Rd. N.E. delivered them to a sanctuary. Conveyor belts deliver water and food and Ste. 208 remove eggs and waste. Marietta, GA 30062 The rescue exposed everyday cruelties endured r el: 770-971-0808 by hundreds of millions of factory farmed hens At this Michael Foods egg factory, a missing ~lease write t~ Michael Foods and request that conveyor belt meant that hens in the lower tier all over North America who are treated like tt stop debeaking and force-molting hens and machines-then killed, their bodies ground up of cages were covered in excrement from hens phase out the use of battery cages: for chicken soup and pet food. (Visit housed above them. Because the ceilings of Gregg A. Ostrander, CEO BanBatteryCages.org for more details on the their cages are actually conveyor belts, many Michael Foods, Inc. rescue and investigation.) hens who stand tall while the belts are moving 5353 Wayzata Blvd. are choked to death after their heads get Ste. 324 Forced molting: A cheap, cruel ploy caught and they are dragged along. Minneapolis, MN 55416 "When man domesticated animals, it was E-Mail: [email protected] inevitable there would be some negative A single cage, roughly 18 by 20 inches, typically holds seven or eight hens--in the aspects for those animals," says Donald Bell, Write a.letter to your local newspaper about widely considered a driving force behind forced Michael Foods facility, as many as 11 birds how arumals suffer for Burger King. molting. were crammed into one cage. ~rganize a l~~al demonstration and sponsor a The process of forced molting, starving birds In an effort to decrease injuries that frustrate, bdlboard--vtstt www.Murderi

HIV on rise in young gay men--especially black males

Federal health officials reported yesterday that young gay men are contracting HIV at a "I'm very concerned about the pockets of rate not seen in more than a decade. The new epidemic that we are seeing," said Surgeon data, released just before the 20th anniversary General Dr. David Satcher. ''Thirty percent­ I The of the first published description of AIDS, that's approaching Botswana's level of suggests a "resurgent epidemic" among gay men­ infection." Phil Wilson, founder of the African the population in which the first cases were American AIDS Policy and Training Institute, found. Dr. Helene Gayle, head of AIDS said the data show "we have a screaming prevention programs at the CDC, said the data emergency ... and that we've failed in underscore "the need to reach each generation developing prevention messages for young black of gay and bisexual men early-- and to sustain men who hove sex with men." He also blamed those efforts as they age." social prejudice against young black men, leading to low self-esteem. An incidence rate of The survey of 2,942 gay men ages 23 to 29 was 14.7 percent-that seen in young black gays­ conducted in six cities between 1998 and 2000 leads rapidly to a state where the majority of Monday... s1 Jagermeister and found that 4.4 percent were becoming in that population is infected, according to CDC fected with HIV each year. But this incidence epidemiologist Robert Janssen. Tuesday... sps Domestic Beer rate varied widely by race and etnicity: it was 2.5 percent among whites, 3.5 percent among --David Brown Wednesday... s2 Long Island Ice Tea Hispanics and 14.7 percent among blacks. Washington Post (06.01.01) According to the survey, 32 percent of young black gays are already infected, as are 14 Hours: Monday· Thursday 4 pm. I am percent of Hispanics and 7 percent whites. Friday 4 pm • 2 am • Saturday 8 pm • 2 am Sunday 6 pm • I am 316 N. Main ~treet •Bloomington •309.829.2278

AUGUST /SEPT. 2001 POST AMERIKAN PAGES . . . . • . ..

Rei ndigenation: Matters of

put for a change, requires loving attentiveness practice. They couldn't "go back where they and a great listening as well as ritualized prayer, came from," even if they wanted, when so many a ritualized reaching out. migrants from so many different countries may have crossed sweat and semen to create the To commemorate, to celebrate, to pray, and just persons they are. to make it real, contemporary land-based and spiritual communities have begun to fashion Should one of mixed lineage return to their Pict rituals relevant to the current times, the planet's roots, search through the sprawling cities of dire straits, the mixed-lineage of the clans, and Great Britain for the vibrations of their history, their terrestrial site: their place. They may be or take off to find the birthplaces of ancestors on fourth and fifth generation inhabitants of Turtle their mother's Russian side, where the oldest Island, as the North American continent has surviving tradition is patriarchal Orthodoxy? Or been called, and yet they are unlikely to have might they belong in France, the place of origin elders to tum to for instruction, or rites to call for at least one branch of the spreading family their own. In camps next to threatened forests, in tree? Or is the only real geographical return one gardens and on mountain walks, during rites of to Mother Africa, the playground of "Lucy," • passage for their children and attending the according to genealogists the original home of . births and the deaths of their loved ones, they the common ancestor of every human on Earth? · piece together fragments of prayers, symbols Nor can one carve up their body, send a foot to and ideas. They draw from the universal to tap . walk two separate shores, an arm to be raised to the power of the sacred circle, of sweat lodges the Gods of the Pyreenes, guts to the Caucasus, and burning smudge. They gather bagpipes, one's head staked to the destiny of the Emerald drums, rattles, sometimes even a saxophone­ Isles.. .forever looking west. And even if, our and open themselves to giving voice to Spirit, to heart must surely remain in the place we love Gaia, to God. most, the place of allegiance, the place where we finally take on the responsibilities of home.

It turns out to be a fine line between the creation Being Indigenous doesn't necessarily require one and adulteration of tradition, between honoring be a member of an established culture, religion Indian spiritual traditions and what some and community history previously associated Amerindian activists have labeled "cultural with that piece of land, although it certainly IN-DIG-E-NOUS: adj. 1) Occurring or living genocide." After a history of their homelands helps strengthen and codify the relationship. naturally in an area; native. being appropriated and sold, the extraction of More crucial, perhaps, is that the person (or 2) Intrinsic, innate. their Native American rituals and symbols is other lifeform) be open to the directives of the "We see in the present best efforts of groups of experienced as the final affront, the ultimate ecosystem, ready and able to symbiotically non-Indians an honest desire to become theft. The one thing usually left to a defeated interact, morphically and spiritually with every indigenous in the sense of living properly with and dispossessed peoples was their unique element of that ecosystem. A wolf, even bred of the land." "... Sacred places in North America cosmology, the songs and rituals through which stock that never saw the Gila Wilderness, would may yet see a series of transformations in which any culture knows and defines itself. The new quickly qualify as indigenous if released into its new peoples using new languages rely on them Indian traditionalists grew up with their artifacts undeveloped interior. It would integrate, for spiritual sustenance." sold to museums, their implements bastardized assimilate, and resonate with the vibrations of -Vine Deloria. Jr. (Sioux historian) as rubber tomahawks and pueblo ashtrays, their the bioregion in all its constituent forms ... or else people stereotyped thanks to non-Indians it would perish. That's how it works, and there Not so long ago the tribes of the Americas playing their part in a deluge of western movies. can be no exemptions. marked five centuries of opposition to the Many have struggled to eschew the materialist European incursion. Five hundred years of ways of the invader culture, and applied At the same time, the primal perception of resistance, preceded by over three millenniums themselves to learning the old ways of their remaining land-based and tribal peoples of struggle by land-based tribes against the various tribes. Now they find other Native becomes increasingly important as our modem encroaching civilized paradigm in Asia, Europe, Americans sharing, and sometimes charging for society reels out of control, out of balance both and Africa. We may remember this passage of lessons in their spiritual ways. They find ecologically and spiritually. In their land-specific time and our reoccurring loyalty to the Earth as EuroAmericans marketing "Lakota" lnipi stories we can help recover our lost the part of a vast store of wordless information, a ceremonies (sweats), and making money writing awareness of place, the feeling of being home. language of touch and smell, love and fright, ;'Indian" books. The knowledge of how to live in balance, sound and sight. sustainably, already exists-- in the ways of the "It is essential that people reconnect with Earth­ ancient ones of every continent. The information I remember it in bright pictures, in green fields based religions, but many times people are is being lost along with the unraveling of tribal tinged with red. I remember it in innocent trying to practice Lakota vision questing or other customs, with time tested skills and gifted laughter rent by screams, in the aroma of sexual practices out of context. You can't practice insights disappearing as fast as their lands are bliss overcome by the smell of open wounds, Lakota without being in the context of a Lakota being seized for development. The young often oiled gears, and retching mountains of refuse. I community." feel they have no choice but to embrace foreign remember and mark not five hundred, but over values and lifestyles, seeking a livelihood in the three thousand years of conscientious resistance -Winona LaDuke major urban centers of the colonizers. As our to the encroaching colonialist paradigm. LaDuke admonishes her mostly Caucasian existences and enterprises become increasingly audiences to search out Earth-honoring practices commercial and controlled, our pleasures ever The strength to resist destruction or assimilation, within their own cultures and religious more vicarious, our sense of both culture and to resist the denigration and transformation of framework, she means for one to look to the place perverted or absent, as both our schedules the physical landscape, comes from the depth of Kabbhalic roots of prepatriarch.al Judaism, the and our thoughts race ever faster, we can still one's relationship to it. Strength is one of the Gnostic traditions of early Christianity and the tum to they who have lived here, and loved here gifts we're given in return for our devotion and example of St. Francis, and by implication the the longest. religiosity and rites of the Druids of Western loyalty, for acting like responsible natives. ·, Europe, the Yoruba of Africa, and the Jains of 'Power comes from belonging not owning, and it Tum to the Indian !elders,' placed peasants~ is their unimpeachable connectedness that gives India. I agree with her this far, but the problem Hispanic dirt farmers with their knowledge of all indigenous people the strength to face is that not everyone claims a single country of weather and wild foods, nomads still following seemingly insurmountable odds. Such origin, a single (or any) existing religious the reindeer and the seasons, the Kayapo and connection requires a slowing down and staying

PAGE6 POST AMERIKAN AUGUST I SEPT. 2001 respect &belonging

their jungle pharmacy. Not to emulate OJ: We become more and more indigenous to the the temperance of Chuang-Tzu, the resolve of simulate, but in a respectful search for the degree that we reside in our primal minds, in Odin and Ogun, the determination of the evidence of truths we might then apply in our place, in the moment. To become: coming to be, Berserkers and the spirit of Crazy Horse. No own lives, families and societies. leaning how to really be, coming into one's self. matter where they're situate, they'll have In re-becoming native, we re-create a survived because they came to know and The primal mind isn't just for the seekers of a contemporary culture, community, vocabulary, manifest themselves, completely and few tribes, a state of mind accessible to the spiritual practice, and finally a history true to unapologetically, as indigenous. tranced-out Ladakh, the Kogi or the Shuar. It is a our mixed-blood ancestry and the urgent and And this alone will have brought them great region or capacity of the human brain, accessible trying times at hand. Along with our grounding peace. by the most predisposed of us. It surfaces during comes an almost forgotten humility. We can love making, while crossing the slick head of a look to the first "two legged" peoples to inhabit --JESSE WOLF HARDIN is a longtime waterfall, in the presence of enraptured children, this continent for guidance, but we must each sociopolitical activist and teacher of ecocentric whenever circumstance and surprise have establish our credibility directly with the land, spirituality, ai}d is now availabl~ for university delivered us most fully into our sentient bodies. own our deepening connection. We must stand and conference·presentatiortsin your area.nbsp; At these times the Earth reveals itself as · · up for the fact that we too belong, while For infprmatiQn on his counsel,. resident unquestioningly sacred, imbued with the respecting. the ways of those peoples who internships~\vi4femess qu~sts.~d retre<~.ts; numinous. Even the most mundane expressions showed respect to these places so long before us. contact: 'Fhe Eitrthen SpiritualitY Project • · · of inanimahiNature appear alive, and one can >, Box 51~, Reser;ve, NM 87830.nbsp; sense movement in patterns of fiber and the In time we. may come to recognize being native Photographs of their special Sanctuary can now grain of mineral and wood. We find ourselves in as a condition of relationship. Of sensitivity, be found on the E.S.P. website: the timeless now, the eternal bodily and psychic engagement, reciprocity and allegiance. To engagement with the present, a part of an survive, those facing the tests of the next century interconnected universe that unfolds and will havehad to learn to be placed. And they're contracts in cycles. Even if only for the shortest likely to be of ever more mixed blood. They will period of time, we jettison words for reality, be the descendants of Shona and Aborigine, symbol for touch, and know the world through Mongol and Semite, Hispanic and Cree, and our primal minds. We feel more alive, complete, they will have learned respect. They will be the tested and worthy. And we are. Worthy to be. proud inheritors of the affections of Aphrodite, Worthy to be here now.

Kindred Spirits is the haunting cry of a wild­ The danger of cell phones voiced wilderness seer and the ecstatic song of an Earth lover, a person intoxicated with the beauty and diversity of life. -From the Foreword Everywhere you go you see people with cell Cell phones emit microwave radiation that ,l phones pressed up against their c;ells. penetrates the human skull. Research shows that the radiation that cell phones emit causes Kindt-ed Ubiquitous would be a good descriptive word. direct DNA damage. That damage is linked to cancer and other conditions. Sp;,..;fs So the book Dr. George Carlo wrote, Cell Sacred Earth Wisdom . Phones: Ir:zvisible Hazards in the Wireless It is also determined that the radiation Age: An insiders alarming discoveries about penetrates deeper into children's skulls than Jesse Wolf Hardin cancer and genetic damage, is eye catching. inte the skulls of adults. Foreword by Ralph Metzner Dr. Carlo is presented as the "chief scientist of Granted, more research is needed, but the the world's largest research effort into wireless stature of Dr. Carlo and the mature of the A profound book for those safety." evidence presented make a very good case that who long to strengthen serious warnings should be issued. their deep kinship to Cell phones were introduced into the market Earth and her creatures. place in 1984. By 1993 many millions were in As an additional point of fact, it has been Wolf's rich and sensuous use. That year came the first reports that cell recently reported that no long-term studies of writing stvte will stir and phone use could be harmful to human health. the possible harm the radiation emitting awaken ancient memories The industry reacted by announcing that they devices night do to our health were done before in vour soul. would bring in an independent scientist who they were introduced for sale. So the reality is would do the research that would reassure the that no one knows for sure what their long-term public of cell phone safety. effects are going to be. . .. fresh, future, wild, re~ned. an at once, which should be no sur­ prise-that's how the real world is-my respects to jesse Wolf Dr. Carlo took the position and for the first But the experiment that will answer that Hardin. -Gary Snyder. Pulitzer Prize-winning author couple of years his findings generally supported question is being conducted now. the industry's contentions. But then his own Wolf powerfUlly brings us into lhe presence of our animal elders, research and that of other scientists around the reawakening us to !he lessons they have to teoch us in !he recov­ Look around you. ery of our own instincts and aiveness. This is a fiery, possiono~ world began to produce more and more red flag and importDnt book. -hul Winrer. Paul Winer Conson: warning signs. As he began presenting these -Gregg Brown warning signs, as a conscientious scientist would For i1tiJrmoDon an 'Miofs $20.00 plus $6.00 S & H have to do, the industry distanced itself form pubic prese!ltOtions, ClUISel or wilderness telreGIJ, c:untDCZ: ISBN 1·893183-06-8 him and then severed 'the relatidriship. ' - 8.5 X 11 • 248 pp. The Eanhen Spirituality Project To order call1.800.366.0264 Dr. Carlo stands by the research. What are . Box 516. ~NH87830 some of these red flag warning signs? -.concemric.n«/-.nhway

AUGUST I SEPf. 2001 POST AMERIKAN PAGE7 News from Voice for Choice

Believe It: Religious Americans are Pro-Choice

For years, religious political extremists have Jewish tradition upholds chQice A personal, moral, medical decision claimed religion opposes abortion. They've Jewish tradition has long affirmed and Those who seek to impose their religious views said it so often that many people assume it to be protected the life, well-being, and health of on others threaten not just women's reproductive true. In fact, this assertion is false. Religious pregnant women and has upheld the basic right freedom but the religious freedom of everyone Americans actively support a woman's right to to abortion. The United Synagogue of · in America. Most religious Americans believe choose. they trust women and their fap1ilies to Conservative Judaism, representing that the decision to have or not have an decide whether and when to have children. Conservative congregations, in 1993 reaffirmed abortion should be a personal, moral and They recognize that in a pluralistic society its resolution opposing any legislative attempts medical decision, not a political one. Most such as ours, the decision regarding abortion to weaken Roe v. Wade through constitutional religious Americans are prayerfully, must remain with the individual, to be made on amendments. Recent resolutions of the Union of faithfully, pro-choice. the basis of conscience and personal religious American Hebrew Congregations, representing principles. They do not want govenunent to Reform congregation, upheld an "unwavering --Reprinted from a whitepaper by the impose law:s qbout childbearing based on any commitment to the protection and preservation Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice one bel.ief about when life begins. of the reproductive rights of women" and urge (RCRC). Sources: We Affirm, published by constituents to work toward securing or RCRC; clergy survey conducted by RCRC; Protestants have long-standing pro­ retaining these rights. Catholics for a Free Choice. choice positions Most Protestartt denominations in the United Most Catholics are pro-choice . States have long-standmg pro-choice positions. On family planning and abortion, the attitudes On the other hand ... The United Church of Christ has maintained a and behavior of Roman Catholic laity often (excerpt from "Church and State, March 2001) consistently strong pro-choice stance since 1970. clash with Roman Catholic Church teaching. In 1994, the General Convention of the In the U.S., 59 percent of all Catholic women of . .. So far, the primary support for Bush's Episcopal church adopted a resolution childbearing age practice contraception - a ~ate initiatives has come from Religious Right expressing "unequivocal opposition to any statistically equivalent to that of the general groups and leaders, including TV preacher Pat [legislation] that abridges the right of a population (60 percent). Further, 82 percent of Robertson's Christian Coalition and James woman to reach an informed decision about the Catholics think abortion should be legal, at Dobson's. Focus on the Family .. termination of pregnancy or that would limit least in some circumstances; specifically, 39 the access of a woman to safe means of acting on percent say a woman should be able to get an Additional information about Bush's her decision" In 1992, the General Assembly of abortion if she decides she wants one, no matter motivation for introducing these initiatives the Presbyterian Church (USA) reaffirmed what the reason (1995 Time/CNN nationwide came in a private White House meeting with support for a woman's right to choose; jrl1993, poll, cited by Catholics for a Free Choice.) Catholic bishops and Catholics charities the General Assembly voted to affirm the Catholic women have abortions at the same leaders. Bush spoke openly and candidly about Freedom of Access to Clinics Act (FACE). At rate as women in the population as a whole. his intentions for his faith-based project, the 1992 General Conference of the United largely because the President did not know that Methodist Church, the principles of Roe v. Clergy believe in women's right to his comments were being overheard by reporters Wade were reaffirmed by an 84 percent choose in the White House pressroom. majority vote.· Clergy had an important role in abolishing anti-abortion laws that hurt women. Today, During his private meeting, the President Unitarians support abortion rights many religious leaders believe abortion must indicated that he believes his efforts will assist and anti-abortion movement in the The Unitarian Universalist Association remain a private, moral decision and trust United States. affirmed. a ~oman's right to choose in 1963 and women and their families to make their own has consistently reaffirmed this right at all decisions in the light of their faith traditions . General Assemblies since then. In 1993, and moral values. A 1998 national survey of "See, this faith-based initiative really ties Unitarian Universalists overwhelmingly Protestant and Jewish clergy showed into a larger cultural issue that we are working on," Bush told the Catholic leaders. "It begins adopted a re5olution urging·members to support widespread support for reproductive choice, to affect the life issue." Bush added, "When · federal legislation that would guarantee the including abortion. Ninety-two percent of you're talking about welcoming people who are basic right to abortion, provide federal funds respondents said that every woman should be disadvantaged, the logical step is also those for abortion to low-income women and military able to decide when to have children according babies." personnel, and protect doctors and clinics to her conscience and religious beliefs. Eighty oroviding abortion services from acts of percent supported a woman's right to a safe and violence and harassment. legal abortion. Bush recount.

In 1973, the Supreme Court legalized abortion. In 2001, Bush wants a recount IJoin one million voices in urging Senate . leadership to block any anti~choice Supreme; \ Court nominations at the Feminist Majority's , new site, http:/ /www.Million4Roe.com

~ Legal abortion hangs by a razor-thin 5-4 margin in the U.S. Supreme Court. This summer, as ) many as two of the nine Supreme Court justices , could announce their resignation,giving _ President bush the opportuiuty to appoint anti­ choice Justices who would overturn Roe v. Wade. Join Dolores Huerta, Gilliari Anderson, and one million voices in urging the Senate to filibuster any anti-abortion or ambiguous Supreme Court nominees! Don't let anti-abortion politics win out! Tell

----··::.~-·- • Washington we won't go back at http:/ /www.Million4Roe.com Conl p. 22 PAGES POST AMERlKAN AUGUST /SEPT. 2001 Illinois PIRG: Advocate for the public interest

Dlinois PIRG (IllinQiS State Public Interest Recent progress: Illinois PIRG staff documented Support Illinois PIRG . Research Group) is an advocate for the public that the high cost of running campaigns and the Illinois PIRG's research and advocacy are made interest. When consumers are cheated, or our constant pressure to fundraise deters many possible by our contributing members. Illinois natural environment is threatened, or the would.:.be candidates from running for office. PIRG membership contributions support~ staff voices of ordinary citizenS are drowned out by Protecting consumers: Consumer of attorneys, scientists and other professiOnals special interest lobbyists, Illinois PIRG speaks program who monitor government and corporate up and takes action. We uncover threats to decisions, research and craft policy solutions, public health and well-being and fight to end Consumers face rising bank fees, error-filled and advocate on the public's behalf. them, using the time-tested tools of credit reports, invasion of privacy and investigative research, media exposes, dangerous products. Illinois PIRG exposes these problems, advocates for solutions, and alerts Illinois PIRG members who want to do more grassroots organizing, advocacy and litigation. without making a large one-time contribution Illinois PIRG's mission is to deliver persistent, consumers to how they can protect themselves. can enroll in our monthly giving program­ result-oriented public interest activism that PUBLIC INTERESf PARTNERS. For more protects our environment, encourages a fair, Recent victory: Illinois PIRG' s annual toy information, call 1-800-838-6554. Or visit our sustainable economy, and fosters responsive, survey prompted major toy retailers to give website at www.illinoispirg.org and donate on­ democratic government. consumers more prominent warnings about potentially dangerous toys. line via our secure server using your credit card. Preserving our environment: Campaign to save our wild forests Logging, mining and over-development have ·spoiled one-third of our national forests, which provide clean air and water to hundreds of What the Bible really says ... communities across the country, habitat for endangered species, and recreational opportunities for millions of visitors each year. What was the sin of Sodom in Genesis 19:1-28? What the Bible really says ... This Old Testament passage is often wrongly I'm sure most gays, lesbians and their used as "biblical proof" that God is displeased Recent victory: In J~uary 2001, the U.S. Forest supporters are aware that the Religious F~ Service finalized a plan to permanently protect with homosexuals. According to many people Right often uses the Bible to condemn our hves. these cities were destroyed because residents 11,000 building, logging and other destructive Newspapers,... religious leaders and zealots activities. Illinois PIRG and other state PIRG committed the "sin of homosexuality." To have a plethora of Biblical quotations they suggest that Sod om and Gomorrah were staff are defending the plan from members of spout to condemn homosexuals. Their arg~ment Congress and the Bush administration .who destroyed because of homosexuality is to is that, since quotes are taken from the Btble, misinterpret Scripture. · favor rolling back the protections. they are to be accepted without question. What they fail to take into consideration is The prophet Ezekiel, in an equally inspired Safeguarding ·our health: Clean air that the Biblical phrases are open to numerous book of the Bible, tells that God was ;' now campaign interpretations... not just their own. displeased with Sodom for very different ·Air pollution contributes to the conditions of Additionally, the Bible has been interpreted reasons: "Now this was the sin of your sister J the hundreds of thousands of Illinois residents and rewritten countless times, most often to Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, .. with respiratory illnesses and is responsible for make it state what the current ruling power overfed, and unconcerned; they did not help the 3,000 premature deaths in the state each year. wanted it to. poor and needy. They were haughty, and did Illinois PIRG supports action to reduce detestable things before me (literally, dangerous levels of smog, soot and other I've researched and assembled many answers to "committed idolatry"). Therefore I did away pollutants in the air. Our priorities are the Far Right's condemnation based on the with them as you have seen." (Ezekiel 16:49- cleaning up the major contributors to air Bible. When I first started, I was immediately 50, New International Version). pollution: power plants and automobiles. encouraged by the abundance of different Recent progress: Through research, report interpretations of the same statements that In every other reference in the Bible (and there releases, education and outreach efforts, and were being used as "proof" that the Bible are several) the condemned "sins of Sod om" are direct advocacy, Illinois PIRG and our coalition condemns homosexuality. To the contrary, it such things as pride and inhospitality. The partners are making the case to Gov. George seems some religious groups, and bigots in people of Sodom broke the law of hospitality Ryan for bringing the state's dirti~ power · general, choose false interpretation over the to strangers which was so religiously observed plants in line with modem clean air standards truth. in their culture. Use of the expression "bring to significantly reduce Illinois' air pollution these men out to us, that we may know then:t" problem. As a result of this discovery, l wantto share (Genesis 19:5) is the basis for most of the the "real" truth with our readers. Beginning in misinterpretation. The Hebrew verb yadha Recent victory: Thanks to the work of Illinois this month's issue, we will begin dispelling ("to know") used here is found 943 times in the PIRG staff and others, in December 2000, the religious fallacies with the truth. Watch for a Hebrew Scriptures and in only ten places does it U.S. EPA finalized new rules to reduce the new column about the same subject in upcoming mean sexual intercourse-each time referring to amount of toxic diesel pollution from new trucks issues. As Emerson stated, "Every violation of heterosexual relations. But even if the people and buses by more than 90 percent. This action truth is a stab at the health of human society.n of Sodom did attempt a "homosexual" attack is expected to save 8,000 lives each year. upon the angels, the passage would serve as a Illinois PIRG is now working to stop attempts to What the Bible really says... about Sodom and clear condemnation of rape (certainly an roll back the regulation. Gomorrah extreme form of inhospitality). Rape, either heterosexual or homosexual, is sin under any Cleaning up politics: Campaign to get Sodom, creation and the Law: circumstances. big money out of politics Hebrew scripture tells an exciting story of epic scope and includes many books and writings. It -from The Rainbow Connection Newsletter Our campaign system is being corrupted: was the Bible Jesus knew and studied. For powerful campaign donors hold undue influence Christians, it continues to serve as the over who runs for office, who wins, and what foundation of faith history. It also contains decisions those elected officials make. Illinois some of the most popular quotes used against PIRG advocates for low limits on campaign lesbians and gays. contributions and spending in order to reduce special interest influence in elections.

AUGUST /SEPT. 2001· POST AMERIKAN PAGE9 --~­ . ~ A prison paradise

One might forget that Greensville Correctional tool for positive change. Inmates atlowed to Center is a prison. As dawn breaks, mist clings · purchase their own sets' have an incentive to to the trees, woodpeckers tap out their morning work hard. Friends and family ~an send them , cadence and the dew glistens on the neatly funds to purchase one, allowing'them to help planted rows of exotic flowers along the their loved ones. it's a win-win deal! · boulevards. Then correctional officers appear; and the incarcerated humyn' s day begins. The The argument might be made that prisons sounds of nature are replaced with friendly should install II educational TV" c;:hannels only greetings, and the sourid of sidewalks being with purely entertainment channels deleted. A swept, the rumble of garbage laden carts, the couple dozen culturally enriching channels • patting of guards frisking each inmate passing could probably do more to iehabilit~te · through check points. All is calm, but no matter prisoners than any other program, for a fraction how nice the recreation yard time is, or all the of the cost. Like the old expression says, benefits are, one never forgets where he is. , "Garbage in, garbage out." If prisoners consume There are several daily "standing" counts, the garbage TV it is a wasted opportunity. With gun towers peer out upon every motion, and not good programming, it is a wise investment. far off the popping of the target range is clearly heard. A great percentage of Greensville' s personal property policies are Greensville' s inmates are from other states, as great in some ways, and leave much to be the Interstate Compact allows smaller states to desired in other ways. For instance, one can save huge sums of money, and pours dollars into purchase items from approved vendors (i.e. art poorer states like Virginia. supplies, clothing, watches, etc.). However, magazine subscriptions and books are limited to Greensville was not always a 11delightful twelve per inmate. To get more, inmates must facility." It has a past history of harsh arrange with a property officer to add and repression. For the most part, this has been delete property. The exchanged item must be replaced by progressive and proactive either shipped out via UPS or destroyed, or attitudes, and a set of policies which strive to donated to charity. This applies to all reduce recidivism. A myriad of well run property items. treatment programs, a variety of religious . The Interstate Compact is an agreement services, nutritious and fairly tasty food, an The policy that is off t~e wall is t~e postal between states to transfer prisoners from one abundance of fresh air, and a polite, policy. It says letters may be no more than five state prison to another state's prison for a professional staff (with a few exceptions) make sheets or paper, and not weigh more than one myriad of reasons. Often it is used for Greensville quite different from the average ounce. This causes frustration, extra time, effort protective custody reasons, such as transferring national-state correctional system. and cost to the friends and family whose letters an incarcerated former police officer where he are returned for being a fraction over the or'she would not be recognized by those he or Greensville has much to teach other state's · maximum weight, or contain one extra page. she may have arrested. Other times it is used correctional systems. This brings up the need to remove gang leaders from those they lead. for a central clearing house of correctional Another policy Virginia shares with other As any prisoner can tell you this can back-fire, information of what works and what policies . . states is the insanity of prisoner families· big time. In fact, it may spread gangs are an utter failure from every perspective. paying the highest phone rates allowed by throughout the country. Policies such as long term restrictive housing (or law. For out-of-state inmates this creates a warehousing) turn humyns into raving lunatics financial barrier to staying in verbal contact The Interstate Compact is also used for that are then released back into society, or with their kindred. Policies like the postal economic reasons. It is cheaper for large states shuts them off from society so much that they weight restriction and unreasonable phone like Virginia and New Jersey to house inmates, are like fish out of water when they return to rates are counterproductive to the mission of than small states like Connecticut and "the world." corrections, which is to "fix" people. Essential · Delaware. Interstate Compacts govern links to the outside world are hampered, movement of prisoners form state to state. Greensville's policies seen quite effective in reentry into society becomes more difficult and Connecticut's guard union has a strangle hold on preparing people to go back to civilization. recidivism is increased. the correctional funding, causing a shortage of The programs, real jobs, and treating prisoners funds for other purposes. The food budget is like humyns works! Anybody who thinks that Cigarettes and cigars are perrriitted in drastically reduced, educational and treatment Greensville is molly coddling inmates is quite Virginia. This is a two-edged sword. While it programs suffer big time, and the general mistaken. All the rules and regulations of a is desired by many inmates, more than a fourth population is on permanent "lock-down." So, prison system are very much in place. The staff of the inmates do not smoke, yet there are no how does a state like Virginia incarcerate is more than ready to squash any flare-ups that non-smoking pods (blocks, housing units) so non­ people cheaper and with better results? occur. smokers are subjected to second hand smoke, posing the question of who is going to foot the States say they don't have the land to build Greensville proves the power of television. medical bills for the long-term health prisons on. De-coded that means "We can't find Common public opinion says giving television, problems. property that is not filled with 'Not in my ba<;k especially cable programs, to prisoners is yard' people." Or the excuse is, "We don't outrageous. Yet seeing its effect in action gives The brutal events that happened in Virginia's have the funds to build new prisons." It's not one a quite different perspective. It is an "W alle11' s Ridge" and "Red Onion" prisons are the cost of building, it's the operational cost. excellent management tool. It reduces violence, as much frowned upon by the Greensville staff The reasons Greensville Correctional Center in and wrongful behavior that is often times as they are by the inmates that lived that Virginia can afford to operate cheaper are caused by men going "stir crazy." From society's waking nightmare. Greensville is the flip side lower guard salaries and benefit packages. perspective, it adjusts attitudes. In the days of Virginia's correctional system. Here the Most state's prison guard unions are out of without TV, prisoners were released into an Interstate Compact should continue, albeit control, feeding the media stories of violent and alien world. But TV puts them in touch with a with minor changes. sex crazed prisoners, the danger they are in and world beyond the bars. When educational how underpaid they are. In fact, they are stations like PBS, Discovery, and The Learnin~ One dichotomy bf Greensville is that this is highly overpaid, and many are lazy, careless, Channel, The History Channel, CNN, CSPN, where Virginia's Death Rowhumyns are unthinking, sadistic and corrupt. Guards had Home and Garden Television, Odyssey and killed. The execution building is within a few their housing on prison grounds in the early steps of two of the rec yards, and within view even stations like the Food Channel and Court 11 days of prisons, not for convenience, but because TV are available television actually can be a of a building nicknamed The Yellow Brick they were the dregs of society, unwanted in Road" (once a place that if you got into trouble towns.

PAGE 10 POST AMERIKAN AUGUST/SEPT. 2001 it was the place where you started all over What should be made note of be the national again). The goings and comings of the onlookers is that the "earned freedoms" condemned ones' families and visitors on their afforded to the inmates shipped to Greensville way to say their firial goodbyes, and the from out-of-state (and who are repeatedly in witnesses to the executions, are all within trouble back in their own state) have had a view, as is the brown ambulance-like hearse calming effect on them. When they were which lowly creeps by with the departed's locked up 221/2 hours a day, they pent up their body. Needless to say, this has a sobering frustratio~, so is it any wonder that they acted effect on the inmates and staff alike. out when they were released for "chow"' or for a quick shower? These men now have access to Currently, in C~nnecticutthere is a list of fresh air and sunlight, may touch grass, hear hundreds of inmates requesting transfer to birds singing, eat like men, not swine. They are Virginia because of the overcrowding and other relaxed, suddenly pretty good workers, aforementioned problems in the cr prisons. productive, and are working towards atonement The Interstate Compact requirements have instead of cultivating rage. changed in that the 'inmates who used to be transferred were the "worst of the worst," The obvious solution to this, when possible, is while now prisoners requesting transfers must to make the interstate transfer programs not have any violent crime charge , nor any available on a voluntary basis. For inmates tickets or rules infractions on their records. that desire to return to their own state, let them go back. There are plenty of incarcerated The cost of transporting the prisoners, the humyns that will benefit greatly from such a continual trips of Jnterstate Compact officials, chance to participate in the treatment, transportation officer pay, and moving prisoner educational and work programs here. property is allowed .in the transfer,· many of their .belongings are dumped if they can't The bottom line is that the Interstate Compact afford to ship it home (if the inmate has a programs throughout the country can work, staff are made available-to the incarcerated, home). Another transportation cost is that of which is not saying that most of them do work. then we'll ~e that the so-called "corrections returning inmates for court cases and hardship Many have serious drawbacks, but the solutions machine" which is generally not known for reasons, adding even more costs to the systtvn. cq~ld be inexpensively and easily correcting anything or anyone, could actually implemented~ . When a facili.ty like correct the incarcerated. For the iricilt,~~~~f~d; ~t4fl~i9Ye~ is gri,teling. , Greensville, with its progressfve and proactive Making new connectionS, finding a friend, policies, and its professional, well mannered --Nikolai A. Za~;ick . getting a job, begging friends and f~ly for a start -over loan, getting magazines re-sent to the new addresses make it a nightmare come true! These, are "tiny'' distresses for men the public believes are deserving of "anything handed to them as part of their punishment," but little things are treaSures to a prisoner. Family photos (easily "misplaced" during a move), a piece of tape to put them up with, a AUGUST @ THE LIZARDS LOUNGE rubber band or a manila envelope to hold letters or legal papers, a few colored pencils, a special MoN TUES WED THUR fRI SAT memory cassette or letters from home cannot be 3rd: 4th: Wiplot; Open replaced. Purchased items take months to low Twelve, Dead Sexy, 9 pm acquire and pay for. It takes time to adjust to Mic 8 pm new cell mates, to learn new rules and regulations and send them to family and Night 10th: The 11th: friends, to find out what programs are Every Every Every Amazing Taxi War Dance, 8 pm available, which counselors are helpful and 9 pm Tuesday! Wednesday! Thursday! Kilowats wj Ora~ Strip who is of no help. Any transfer, even to Syn icates, UPSTAIRS- 9 pm Greensville, is a real hardship, full of Chris The frustrations. If an inmate is lucky, he may get a Open Mic wjTim 18th: TBA, 9 pm job starting at 20 cents an hour at Greensville. & Hubbards 17th: TBA, 8 pm Joe DOWNSTAIRS - Surprisingly, in spite of the hardships of Martini transfer, a majority of those sent to Greensville Acoustic 9 pm 24th: TBA, 25th: TBA, 9 pm Thursday Dance 9 pm have written to their Interstate Compact Jam Party Commissions, and/ or state officials, asking to 31st: TBA, 1st: TBA, stay at Greensville for the d1:1ration of their 9 pm 9 pm state's contract with Virginia. For many it is a 9 pm 9 pm severe hardship to be so drastically separated from their families, and be put into a real culture shock. There have been reports that DRINK SPECIALS buses, which carry visitors from other states Mon. $1.50 domestics are being boarded by police and/ or federal agents searching for drugs or weapons. Visitors Tues. $2.00 Well Drinks are strip-searched and this has frightened Thurs. $4.75 16oz. Long Islands many away. Somehow the need for security Fri. $5.50 32oz. Long Islands or King Lizards and the respect for privacy need to be balanced. Sat. $1.75 bottles of Leinies This is true for all visitors in every state. Still the visits at Greensville are 1-6 hours long and Fo_r.future shows ... www.thelizardslounge.com visitors are allowed to embrace and kiss the inmate. In warm months there is an outdoor visitor court yard for use.

AUGUST/SEPT. 2001 POST AMERIKAN PAGE 11 Things to do, places to go, people

Off the Beaten Path

Hello! Or should I say hello movie fans? My name is David, and I'd like to give you some The Gift ***1/2 . Blow Dry *** tips on movies that you dm put on your high-. Good supernatural thrillers don't come around Fun and funny comedy from the writer of The priority must see list. A lot of very good moVIes that often so you definitely want to watch The Full Monty. It's over-the-top time during never play in Bloomington-Normal or play a Gift. Eerie mystery is set in a backwoods England's hairdressing championship when a week so catching it on video is a great way to swamp town that has more than its share of very dysfunctional family shows off more than see some knock-out films. You have to love -strange characters and secrets. A well-to-do a few split ends. Alan Rickman plays a way discovering a cool flick. Okay, so you walk into young socialite is engaged to the town's popular down on his luck hairdresser who has a rocky a movie store ana suddenly your mind goes young doctor. However, she never makes it to relationship with his ex-wife after she leaves blank--you have no idea what to the alter but instead winds up at the bottom of him for one of his models. Through some watch... hmmm... take your Post Amerikan the swamp. Lack of clues means the police circumstances they team up with their now along, flip to the movie review page, and then investigation grinds to a halt, and they tum to teenage son and enter the contest. After years of you have at least a half dozen choices, just a a local woman who is a fortune teller. Because not competing, they find-their scissors are not slight warning: my movie tastes do run a tad of her supernatural gift of visions the woman is quite as sharp as before, and the road to the top off-the-beaten-path. With that in mind, enjoy shunned by the townspeople but now they need is full of scheming stylists hell-bent on winning the picks and write me if you catch any films her. Once involved in the case, she is plunged at all costs. Natasha Richardson, Rachel that are must-see movies. into a thick web of lies and dark deception that Griffiths, Josh Harnett and Rachel Leigh Cook puts her own life in danger. Written by Billy co-star in a warm-hearted comedy that is In the Mood for Love **** Bob Thorton and directed by Sam Raimi, The cleverly written and genuinely entertaining. Gift features a terrific cast of Cate Blanchett Internationally respected director War Kar­ (of Elizabeth), Hilary Swank (Boys Don't Wai (who did Chunking Express and Happy Cry), Katie Holmes (Wonder Boys), Giovanni Together) has fashioned a beautifully brooding The Claim ***1/2 Ribisi (Saving Private Ryan) and Keanu romance. Hong Kong film stars Tony Leung and Immensely talented director Michael Reeves (Matrix). Blanchett shines as the Maggie Chan both give subtle and layered Winterbottom (who did Jude and Welcome to psychic and Reeves is very convincing as a performances as would-be lovers. The two Sarajevo) strikes gold again with his latest violently jealous husband. Beautiful locales critical suc~ss. Circa 1869, a young man (Wes share next-door apartments and seem to have enhance a twisting plotline that spirals the Bentley of American Beauty) claims his fortune little in common except that daily drift viewers to an unsettling ending ... creepy. through lonely lives. They strike conversati()n form his gold-rich California property. In the and soon find in each other a common soul and process, he encounters a mother and daughter an intimacy lost in their marriages. Though The Pledge ***1/2 with a shocking secret. Stark and picturesquely never consummated, the intensity of their love Disturbing psychological thriller gives Jack beautiful, this epic features a top notch cast bums up the screen and draws the viewer into Nicholson his best role in quite some time. _including Sara Polley (Go), Natassia Kinski another world. Cinematically mesmerizing, In Director Sean Penn (The Crossing Guard) (Your Friends and Neighbors), and Milia the Mood for Love lingers with you long after submerges the viewer into an unpleasant and Jovovich (The Messenger). Love and loss are the last frame fades away. obsessive investigation headed by a homicide both explored in unexpected way with cop (Nicholson) who has some personal demons. Winterbottom providing us a richly detailed Before Night Falls ***1/2 Set in Nevada, a young girl is murdered and her story. Highly recommended. mutilated body is found near a stream. IF you want to see an actor in top form, check out Nicholson is the one who has to break the news Javier Bardem's Oscar nominated best actor to the girl's parents. The victim's mother is performance as the late Cuban poet Reinaldo deeply religious and she makes Nicholson Here's a checklist for some more high-priority Arenas. Bardem breathes authenticity and an pledge to find her daughter's killer. She tells movies: emotional depth into his character that few him to keep the pledge or he'll be damned to -Caveman's Valentine actors could ever hope to reach. Director Julian -Poor White Trash eternity. The pledge starts to invade his every Schnabel (who did the unrated film Basquait) -Snatch thought. A man is arrested; he confesses and scores again with the true story of a poet who -The Last Cigarette proceeds to take his own life, but the case is not was victimized by a Cuban government that -Into the Arms of Strangers closed for Nicholson. His instincts tell him banned his books and hailed him for a crime he -Blow they arrested the wrong man, and he begins his did not commit. Arenas made a stand against -Amores Perras own elaborate and maybe not altogether • oppression and censorship, but making his stand -Flowers of Shanghai rational investigation. He becomes obsessed _ was costly. He suffered intense persecution and -The Dish with finding the truth and that drives him into became a man without a country. Johnny Depp -Paradise Lost 2 the darker side of his own mind. The pledge is (of Chocolat) has dual roles as a prison warden -Memento a total throwback to the solid 1970s character and a transvestite inmate. Arenas' lifestyle is -The Luzhin Defence studies a Ia Clint Eastwood's Play Misty for front and center and it's the heart of what -Western makes the film work. Me. Grippingly twisted the film makes for some very uncomfortable viewing as it moves --Dave toward an ironic and haunting conclusion. Love it.

AUGUST/SEPT. 2001 PAGE 12 POST AMERIKAN to see in Bloomington/Normal.

Open mic nights are the places to go!

As a person sitting in the audience, you may be described to me as "anti-folk" played on an thinking, "Open mic night, this is going to be acoustic guitar, to an electric guitar with a some amateur nobodys who write bad poetry laptop computer (named Gary) somehow and only know about three chords." That could hooked up as backup (that was one hell of a not be farther from the truth, and besides, a lot show). Thanks to Mike Manna, the owner of of good songs have only three chords in them. The Lizard's Lounge, there is a drum kit that Although, you do get entertainers who aren't as musicians can use and there is always someone good as some, most of the ones that I have to jam with. The open mic night at The hear$! are fantastic. If you go to one of these, as Lizard's Lounge is not just a music scene. a listener you are definitely in for a good time. Quality poetry can be heard from time to time. But if you're not a poet or a musician, don't be For all you musicians and poets out there who shy, as I mentioned before, they are open to just are looking for a place to show your stuff, I'm about anything. From the audiences gonna tell you about a few places in town where perspective, the open mic night at The Lizard's you can do just that. Open mic nights in Lounge is definitely non-stop entertainment; Bloomington-Normal are beginning to become you will not be disappointed. quite popular and entertainers of all sorts are beginning to take advantage of the TheCoffeehottse, at 114 E Beaufort in Normal, opportunities they offer. has an open mic thing getting started that's run by the poet John Firefly. It's called Stone Soup For entertainers, every place I checked out is and it happens every other Tuesday, starting For all you entertainers out there who aren't open to just about anything. If you're a July 24, from 7 tq,9pm, but if it gets a good going to these open mics to do your thing; don't musician, there is just about always someone(s) response from the artists and the audience in be shy! People want to be entertained! And you you can jam with. If your a poet, don't the community, it may begin at 6pm in the probably have some sort of talent that can underestimate your audience; there are more future. Speaking of artists, Stone Soup is open entertain them with and it is a sin to hide it. poetry fans in Bloomington-Normal than you to all kinds of entertainers, though it is Besides, this town, this country needs to have might think. If your some other kind of generally going to be a more mellow (or should the arts supported in any way possible. So get entertainer-comedian, juggler, artistic dancer, I say less loud than at a bar at 11:30 at night­ out to one or all of these open mics and do your etc.-- go for it! These places are open to just it's a coffeehouse-what do you expect?) kind of thing! about anything. atmosphere for music-folk, blues, acoustic stuff, etc. Electric instruments are welcome, but -David Hall Now let me tell you about some of the places remember that this is a coffeehouse, not a bar. that I checked out on the open mic scene: As far as other entertainment goes, poetry will Slick Rick's, located at 907 E Oakland in probably be one of the main things on the list Bloomington, has open mic night every an witnpoets ranging from amateur to published Sunday from 7pm until they run out of reading their poetry on the stage at The entertainers. Here's a good one--they actually Coffeehouse. It sounds like it is going to be like provide guitars for anyone who wants to get up the '60s beatnick coffeehouse kind of scene and play some music! A drum kit is sort of an where Bob Dylan played guitar and Jack unpredictable thing--they never know when Kerouac did his poetry thing. Dig it. they're going to have one there. At Slick Rick's open mic night anybody can get up on stage and lliinois Brewing Company, located at 102 N do anything. There is always a good crowd Center in Bloomington, has an open mic from there and they love to be entertained. Slick 9pm to close (lam) every Thursday night. It's Rick's is the only place I have ever heard the run by Amreen Kahn, and like The Lizard's whole bar sing along to--I don't remember the Lounge, it has a wide variety of mostly music name of the song, but the chorus goes, "Stop! and some occasional poetry; but they are open to Hey, what's that sound? Everybody look just about anything. When I checked out the what's goin' down." It was a great time, and open mic at me, as far as music goes I heard you're guaranteed to have a great time at Slick everything from acoustic cover songs to a Rick's open mic night. It's run by Dave Scott Nirvana-ish sounding band to a guy with a big from the band Easy Money. I would like to send keyboard set-up that was timed to a video that my congratulations to Dave for getting a was playing on a huge wide-screen TV. That contract from a Hollywood movie producer to was a pretty interesting show--very artistic. use his song "I'm Your Man" in the upcoming There have also been some poetry readings movie, Out Of The Black. there and the audience, like The Lizards Lounge, has been surprisingly receptive. The The Lizard's Lounge, at 612 N Main in stage at Illinois Brewing Company is high B!oomington, open mic night is every Monday above the audience so the entertainer rught from about lOpm to close, which is lam. commands their attention. If you are afraid of It is run by Matt Scott who did his first band heights, fret not; with all the lights in your eyes while you're on the stage and no lights on review article for the Post Amerikan this issueI and if Matt's up for it, we'll see a lot more! the audience, you can't see how high up you Thanks Matt! The open mic night at The are. In closing, the open mic night at Illinois Lizard's Lounge is very cool. Although it's open Brewing Company is a great place for all to an~ kind of entertainer, there are mostly entertainers--musicians, poets, etc.--to go to, expenenced musicians who know how to handle and as an audience member you're bound to have an instrument. The music varies from what was a great time.

AUGUST I SEPT. 2001 POST AMERIKAN PAGE 13 ~ . . ' t ~ ..,. _,.~ ~ ·-~· ' ~ Ij ' '

Local activist/volunteer opportunities

Countering Domestic Violence Publicity Volunteer. Get involved by helping Trapper: Trapping feral cats to spay /neuter is a The following volunteer positions require 40 with the monthly newsletter and other vital volunteer position. Volunteers are needed hour CDV domestic violence education publicity events. to set humane traps when necessary and program. transport them to a local veterinary clinic. At-Home Volunteer: Volunteer at home by • Medical Advocate Volunteer: Provides crisis putting together packets, or distributing ribbons Fundraising/Publicity: Volunteers are greatly support and assistance to survivors at hospital when necessary. needed to help with fundraising ideas and emergency departments, physicicans' offices helping to recruit new volunteers. and health clini.cs. Special Events: Throughout the year CDV organizes volunteer events to educate the Office volunteer: Although Sterile Feral has no Residential Service Support: Provides support community about domestic violence, especially central office we are in need of volunteers to to Residential Assistants (RAs) at Neville House, in the month of October which is Domestic help with such things as sending out thank you handles hotline crisis calls, assists RAs in Violence Awareness Month. Volunteers letters, typing forms and data entry tasks. Many working with clients, and helps with basic can help put up flyers, staff tables, recruit of these activities can be done at home. shelter maintenance. participants, and help plan events. Sterile Feral Children's Service Support: Works with the Countering Domestic Violence P0Box3415 Children's Services Coordinator to provide 923E.Grove Bloomington, 11 61702 activities for child clients and/ or assist with Bloomington, n 61701 662..()636 children's support groups. 82~-8913

The following volunteer opportunities DO NOT Sterile Feral require 40 hr. training. McLean County AIDS Task Force _Colony Caretaker: Colony caretakers feed feral Office Assistant: Helps with office duties such cat colonies around McLean County. Volunteers as filing and making copies. · The McLean County AIDS Task Force is an all­ can commit to feeding an entire colony everyday volunteer organization which depends on the Donation Management: Helps sort donations or just once a week. talents and energies of its members. MCATF that are given to the Neville House. would like to expand the services we offer to our clients, but without new volunteers, our goals will never be reached.

Below are some of the opportunities aVailable , , MCATF training, its equiv

HIV Prevention & Public Outreach 1\-fCATF Phoneline/ Office information, referrals, peer counseling; festivals & fairs; • safer sex workshops; supi?ort groups for family, friends, significant others &: caregivers of PWHN /PWA; member outreach & volunteer coordination; panel participation; speaking presentations ... okay~ now that we'ue got your attention... Specific ucommunity" Outreach !he Movie Fan can deliver. .. general population; African Americans; Hispanics; men who have sex with men; No, we do not carry sex films women who have sex with women; GLBQT youth; injecting drug users; medical/ dental; BUT we DO carry movies that ARE sexy business; university I college and interesting or if you prefer just plain Liaison to/from Other Groups strange in .an off-the-beaten-path MCATF has liaisons on numerous community kind of way. Hmmm? boards & committees. MCATF needs people to act as liaisons on these boards & people from other organizations to act as liaisons for their Think Movie Fan organizations at MCATF meetings think... DVDs I foreign titles Every Mon & Wed Every Day movie sales I knowledgable staff Rent 1 new release Rent 1 catalog title Get 1 FREE Get 1 FREE Client Services (of equal/lesser value) (of equalflesse; 'laloe} easily the best mix of titles in the Twin Cities helping to administer client services & client close to both campuses Every 12th mvvie is free! (with puncn card> financial services; providing transportation; Must have Driver's License &. Major Credit card chore services; hospital visits; pastoral counseling; client; buddy system

Additional DOWDTOWD DORmHL help is needed with advocacy, computer 451.4443 services/ skills training and office work Sun-Thur 10:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. MCATF Fri-Sat 10:30 a.m. - 11:30·p.m. 313 N. Main St. . Bloomington, IL 61702 827 -2437 (AIDS)

PAGE 14 POST AMERIKAN AUGUST I SEPf. 2001 Local band reviews: Von Frickle, Wiplot & The Hubbards

I have chosen to tell you about three bands in The band Wiplot has been in the community for the area that are all pretty unique, the first being a few years now playing at many of our local a band called Von Frickle. Von Frickle? Sounds bars. Their sound is very traditional but is still like a disease or main course af a German unique in its own way. They have just .released restaurant. Despite their unusual name, they their first CD entitled "Soldiers From The Mock happen to be a very talented band pushing an City Of The Dead" and I'm not sure what that The Hubbard's are a new acoustic act with instrumental style, that is very urilike the usual means but don't judge a CD by its title. The CD sounds that are down home and more familiar Bloomington Normal soimd. · was produced by the band and has whopping 16 to our beloved Bloomington Normal area. While tracks of pure original music. the band does not have a drummer, they still The sound is comprised of highly melodic bass manage to keep a tight sound. The central pivot lines played by Tim Pierson, technical "drum Let's break it down brothas and sistas. Wiplot man is an 18-year-old by the name of Dan rhythms played by John Ganser·, harmonizing has the main lyricist and rhythm guitar of Dean Hubbard who has come up with some good hom pieces from Dan Meyer (on CD only), and Carlson, who if you have ever seen him on stage original songs to be reckoned with. His age only Lee Fehr playing guitar that adds the needed can also cut the rug. The strong lead guitar lines compounds the fact that he is a talented pieces to complete the puzzle. played by "Fish" Carpenter can be heard on such individual with sure promise. Backing up on vocals and throwing down the deep end is DJ songs as "Obl~vion." James McManus who has Von Frickle has captured a sound that is been playing around for some time now holds Hubbard who keeps the crowd entertained with futuristic and computerized but not so far out of up the low end. Last but not least is Tony San his outrageous personality and crazy hairstyles. whack that the human ear gets lost. They have Filipo who keeps the time in line with his fresh Holding the harmony side on lead acoustic just released their first CD entitled "feeding the beats. All the members ·have been playing in guitar is Seth Hubbard who does a good job of organic computer" which has routinely found its various bands for years and have contributed completing a good act. They will be playing at way into my stereo many times. Hearing the CD their own style for a good original band. Lizards Lounge every Wednesday night this is just as impressive as their live shows. You can summer so go get involved with your local hear them play in their white suits and masks at Essentially they are a rock band with a sound music scene. many places in Bloomington Normal. Be sure to that crosses over to other styles as well. From -Matt Scott check this band out, it is definitely.ill\ the hard sound of "Oblivion" to the soft sound of experience. "Try" there is something about this band that you should see. Matt Scott is a musician and a native to Bloomington Normal who has been playing guitar for eight years and hosts an open mic every Monday night.

---- estobllshed 1968 ______· ~--. ___ m c:n::rr:rJ B0 IKITlD NEW/ usED GUITARS ___ --, ~VLL --- C1J....L\.1AMPS STRINGS W(J]lllil p & THINGS . 111 1/2 NORTH ST 452-6712

KATE BOARDS A521 SKATE CLOTHES 8--~+ ) IN 82 BODY JEWELRY d 1_6_ ~ -~;Jo~mington HAl~~~~~~~~ I ··--·----·-·· -· ------· ___ _j Issues of Identity in recent American .art Beyond Normal Films August/Sept. shows

Beyond Normal Films was formed in October Universiiy Galleries is pleased to announce the myths of popular culture and mass media. 1996. They are a not-for-profit organization opening of Issues of Identity in Contemporary Combining elements drawn from the traditional which assists the Normal Theater in selecting American Art. This traveling exhibition Japanese woodblock print, ukiyo-e, and foreign/ independent films to be shown on a presents work by nine contemporary artists American Pop Art, Masami Teraoka addresses monthly basis. All films will be shown at the residing in the United States addressing issues issues concerning East/West culture clashes, Normal Theater. Admission for adults is $5.00, of culture, race, gender and national and contrasts of modem and archaic culture, and Children under the age of 12 pay $4.00. All personal identity. Often employing strategies crass consumerism. Carrie Mae Weems utilizes concessions are $1.00. Free off-street parking is . available throughout downtown as well as in of humor, cynicism and anger, the art in this photography and text in a strategic attempt to the central lot located behind the theater. Please exhibition represents a broad range of media transform the representation of African­ do not park 1n the Cyberia lot. and involves the viewer in such sensitive topics Americans. as oppression of women, cultural cliches, and The Dish revisionist history. It is curated by Dan Mills, Thursday, August 2@ 7:00p.m. Director of the Gibson Gallery at SUNY, University Galleries is located at 110 Center Friday, August 3 @ 7:00 p.m. Potsdam. for Visual Arts, on the Illinois State University Saturday, August 4@ 7 & 9:15 p.m. · campus (off Beaufort between University and Sunday, August 5 @ 7:00 p.m. Enrique Chagoya intermixes the cultures of US School streets). Parking is available in the and Mexico, old and new religions, and art and parking garage off of University Street Based on a true story, "The Dish" recounts the popular culture in his paintings and prints. The (located behind the tennis courts). . emotions, drama, and humor behind the four­ day Apollo XI mission in July 1969 and the late Tseng Kwong Chi made photographic self­ Gallery hoUl'S: extraordinary role Australia played in televising portraits in which he presented himself as the historical lunar landing to the world. cultural"other'' in a Mao Suit, making Summer hours (12June-18 August) expedition to Western tourist attractions. Mon: 12:00-4:00 When Brendan met Trudy · Bursting with drama, humor, and cultural Tues: 12:00-7:00 Thursday, August 23@ 7:00pm cliches, Robert Colescott' s paintings grapple Wed-Sat: 12:00-4:00 Friday, August 24 @ 7:00 pm with racism, sexism, and historical Sun: dosed Saturday, August 25@ 7 & 9:15 pm perspective, often through reinterpretation of Sunday, August 26 p 7:00pm earlier works of art. Brad Kahlhamer paints Autumn hours (starting 20 August) narratives that explore his Native American Sat-Mon: 12:00-4:00 Brendan, a teacher, movie buff, baritone and heritage and history as a child adopted into a Tues: 9:30-9:00 loner is the first to admit that he's lost touch. His Wed-Fri: 9:30-4:30 pupils ignore him and his work colleagues are European-American family. Michael Oatman's wary of him, his only solace is in singing - installations investigate the transformation of baritone for the local church choir and a passion identity during processing for incarceration, or for old movies. "classification" under the guise of faux sciences such as eugenics. Adrian Piper creates Trudy is blond, beautiful, feisty and fast talking. installations, performances, drawings, and She hates any films that don't come in color and videos that expand our attitudes about race, has a secret night-time occupation. xenophobia, gender, and forms of oppression against women. Cindy Sherman employs Luzhin Defence photography to challenge the images and Thursday, Sept. 6 @ 7:00 pm Friday, Sept. 7@ 7:00pm Saturday, Sept. 8@ 7 & 9:15pm Sunday, Sept. 9 @ 7:00 pm

Alexander Luzhin, shambling, unworldly and eccentric chess Grand Master arrives in a North Italian lakeside resort in 1929 to play the match of his career. A childhood prodigy, chess has been his refuge and his passion in a life bereft of love and affection. Songcatcher . • We believe in Infinite Intelligence. • We believe in the phenomena of nature, both physical and spiritual, are the expression of Tentative booking; please check newspaper Infinite Intelligence. listing this week or call454-9722. -SUNDAY SERVICES- • We affirm that a correct understanding of Thursday, Sept. 20 @ 7:00 pm such expression and living in accordance therewith, conslitute true religion. Friday, Sept. 21 @ 7:00 pm LYCEUM SUNDAY AT 1 PM • We affirm that the existence and personal CI.ASSES ON SPIIITUAUTY DEVELOPMENT identity of the individual continue after the Set off on an exhilarating adventure across a change called death. part of America still rarely seen, deep into the MEDITATION AND HEAUNG AT 2 PM • We affirm that communication with the so­ raw and rambling, high-mountain roots of rock, called dead is a fact, scientifically proven by the phenomena of Spiritualism. bluegrass, folk and country music. This is the terrain of "Songcatcher," a different kind of DEVOTIONAL AT 2:30 PM • We believe that the highest morality is con­ tained in the Golden Rule: 'Whatsoever ye movie about music: part love story, part archive I,EcTuiE THEN MESSAGE SEIVJCI (CWIVOYANCE) would that others should do unto you, do ye of America's most secret musicallegaci~. also unto them. • • We affirm the moral responsibility of individu­ PoTWCK DINNER AT 3:30 PM als, and that we make our own happiness or Panic unhappiness as we obey or disobey Nature's Saturday, Sept. 22@ 7 & 9:15 pm physical and spiritual laws. Sunday, Sept. 23 @ 7:00 pm • We affirm that the doorway to reformation is never closed against any Mlman soul here or hereafter. "Panic" is a black comedy gem about a middle­ • We affirm that the Precepts of Prophecy and class husband and father who seeks the help of a Healing are divine attributes proven through shrink when he decides he wants out of the 102 S. PEARL STREET Mediumship. family business. His father and mother are LEROY, IL killers for hire. At last year's Sundance Film WWW.CRUMBAUGHCHURCH.OIG Festival, "Panic" drew raves for the actors, (WEB SITE CONTAINGS LINK TO U.S. DIRECTORY OF SPIIITUALIST CHURCHES.) including Neve Campbell as a twenty­ 309.962.9076 something who gets between William H. Macy's WE AlE CURRENTLY IN NEED OF AN ORGANIST. character and his wife, played by Tracey DIRECTIONS: TRAVEL 174 EAST TO LEROY EXIT. TUIN LEFT, PROCEED TO STOP SIGN (IT. 150) TURN Ullman. -Rolling Stone liGHT. TUIN LEFT ONTO PEAIL ST.

PAGE 16 POST AMERIKAN AUGUst/ SEPf. 2001 Notes from the Land of Anti-Fat . ·."'. ,.

donning a fat suit is easy shorthand for doing the Ugly Duckling thing. Put an actress in a fat suit (cf. Shelley Long in Irreconcilable Differences, Goldie Hawn in Death Becomes Her), and you're likely to see the following: slovenly dress, overeating, and a general mien that says, 'There is no way I could be an attractive being." Like silent actor John Barrymore (who loved donning Mister Hyde makeup because it buried The Great Profile), fat suits are a means for actresses to escape the trappings ofconventional beauty, to show off their range as "genuine thespians." Too often, though, this expansive move is in the service of stereotype reinforcement.

Take . (Insert Henny Youngman Doctor, doctor his prescriptions. Thanks to the wired joke here.) As portrayed by Short, talk show Occasionally, we in the Land wonder about revolution, the capacity for quackery has host Glick is a no-talent egotist who's more those health care professionals who are significantly increased in the Land of Anti-fat. interested in talking about himself than the responsible for wonder diet drugs like fen-phen. celebs on his show. Amusing enough by itself, Recently, we had got one small glimpse into the · She suits to conquer but as extra insurance, they decided to make the life of one of these tireless servants: in June, the Those of us who spend way too much time at character fat and gluttonous, too. (The ad for self-described "father of fen-phen," Pietr Hitzig, the movies or at home tube-sucking are already Primetime Glick shows Short stuffing a large was convicted of illegally prescribing the diet aware of the recent prevalence of fat suits being pastry into his mouth.) Result? An ongoing fat drug combination over the Internet to patients used in current comedies. Belle du jour Julia joke that negates anything that might have been he'd never seen. Roberts has donned one for a segment of her inventive about Short's show and turns it into newest comedy, America's Sweethearts, while the Same Ol' Stuff. Lest we forget: fenfluramine, the "fen" half of tonier actress Gwyneth Paltrow is reportedly the combination, was pulled off the market in puttin' on the suit for an upcoming Farrelly Taken out of cultural context, a fat suit is just 1997 amid concerns that it scarred heart valves . (Something About Mary) Brothers comedy. On one more makeup tool. But popular irreversibly and sometimes fatally. This didn't the small screen, meanwhile, the formerly funny entertainment has always been context laden-­ _ stop Hitzig from prescribing the drug combo not Martin Short has been wearing a far suit as part and until an actor or actress puts one on in the just for weight loss but Gulf War syndrome, of his Jiminy Glick persona for the Comedy service of more than stereotypical jokes, than fat chronic fatigue, alcohol and drug addictions, as Central show Primetime Glick. men and women are right to cringe when they well as AIDS and cancer. As part of his qefense, read about the next big fat suiting. Hitzig claimed that he'd discovered fen-phen The trend has some members of the size was effective in curing a variety of addictions. acceptance community feeling qualmy -- and --Bill Sherman Prosecutors had a different story, asserting that with good reason. For actresses like Roberts, the doctor was just prescribing fen-phen willy- nilly. '

Hitzig was charged with distributing medicine to twelve patients, two of them undercover "\:! agents~ He was found guilty of 34 charges and ft' faces a prison term of up to lOlyears. ~ ~-·· Prosecutors said hundreds of patients around {\'.. the world obtained'· drUgs like fen-phen fram Hitzig after visiting his web site and sending '*'0 him requests by e-mail. Yet doctors in Maryland ~ are required to examine patients before ~ prescribing medication. ~ ~ ~& To add insult to patient injury, Hitzig was doing ""'~. ~ all this without a license. In December 1998, t'f. ~ Maryland regulators had suspended Hitzig's ..~ I physician license. He'd surrendered it two ~ } months later, admitting in a four-page statement ~ -~ that he'd abused his authority, ''betrayed" his ...~ patients' trust and engaged in sexual contact 1'-o. with some under hiscare. Hitzig had agreed A ~ .. never to seek reinstatement as a physidan in the ~ ~ II ~ state, but apparently he did not believe that this ~ .,.. prohibition extended to activities over the ~ ~ ~ Internet. Pure glycerine soap, without fragrance or dye. s.' •""' t'\ A"' Back when this writer was a college student in Embedded with

AUGUST/SEPT. 2001 POST AMERIKAN, PAGE17 The Poetr

Open letter SPACE ALIENS

the aliens land on our roof and pleasantly ask what time it is " what the hell can i write about to make yall with crazy ink pens they scrape my sister and mother, both of whom listen? who ami to pursuade you anything, are crying and seeing visions from god with whatchu read reading thru your mind warm and exciting, a keepsake, tryin to be the next picked out piece for the throbbing in my sister's hand like a chicken liver memory chip ready to be a part of the next the aliens have always been attracted to our women move ment to live that brighter now while you the wind blows from the Pacific, bringing flying fish search for that magical door into realizing your and the aliens dreams are what you are what you see, like those Silkies in Scotland, half seal, half man, they creep into beds at night whatchu hear, whatchu feel smell taste think leaving a trail of sea-water and sand do say to everyone & every day,be, just that, is later a poor girl is stranded, pregnant so much so so much it makes you not able to with some weird· baby sleep, sleep too much either way more time to in their red alien eyes, a fake smile, in their little hands they hold a gift dream & show others what you have come up like a pantyhose package · with, come down with, are they paying previously hidden somehow in their pouches , attention or giving it freely since you gave your it goes on until I bang on the door and yell that I'm calllng the police sence here is some of mine which really comes what are you doing there in the closet, sister dear? from others get the pattern here getcha paper oh nothing here no charge whatta deal although all art is in some orange juice dream world of necklaces and acorns of truth free, free to be when you let it flow now so the door sticks, and why won't she listen to me ever whatcha gonna do wit it, who's it for, whazit they are pretending to be Patrick of Ireland treating the Irish to some lies gonna do, probably more than you will know she wears an apron and ten hungry kids attached to her legs & thats amazing, yes daily miracles giving life mother dear, in your rocking chair, the crochet hooks are ready another way to make love form from whatever you put together by yourself or with lots of --Eileen Murphy help see its all so beautiful so when you're fukin up remember to really look, at what who else is goin on, what's who's goin off & learn FLOODED FIELDS my friend even if its only for a moment of 7-1-01 Crickets course how long is that, undetectable, (for Michael Dubina) Crickets penetrate inconceivable all rolled intoone particle, object, Midnight's gray obscurity planet, universe get the pattern here ...... I see a few dark bumps on the horizon, they look Rhythm in the haze. peacelove.matt. like uh farmhouse an maybe some trees, --Matt Toczko far-uh-way on the bleak flatland, For All Intensive Porpoises an the sky is shades for john firefly I've heard it said and I agree of tangerine You've never told a lie an blue, i have read I've seen you walk the ocean and as the that poet of Firefly Nation I've watched you swim the sky recently plowed i have heard field comes forward, beautiful things he's flung Savor the sweet flavor at the bottom i have seen of your freedom every day of the painting, night walking white rain Each moment that you live this way we see little an i know he knows is cause to celebrate overflowing streams, poetpennotebookflow so carefully turn this to notice Child-like in your innocence dug by a man, yet exclaim "You are a poet!" Yet few are wise as you now this field is to one who was unsure Filling this world with wonder weeping, with what now if i wuz a female Just like the dolphins do it cannot contain, i' d be a mermaid an the vast bustin outa his dream Stay away from lonely sharks picture of sky, to become that great moment and always pay your debts horizon, an field, woven within natty canvas Stay away from fishermen they speak of something or instead i be a poem yea and stupid tuna nets so powerful, printed on this Amerikan page with an elegant black ink to scream an shout For all intensive porpoises weary tired, doud revolution uprising I sing this swimming song I somehow &: a whisper inna air I hope to be joining you get through ove jusa Normal breeze at sea before too long feeling, what i really eez an the mournful. isa 'rita ana reada Swimswamswum hopeful sad song ove what we all here Dim damn dumb of sky, is reflected gently bringin to tha Live love laugh in flooded fields hear Splish splish splash of painting. -matt erickson --Peter Elvidge --John Firefly

PAGE 18 POST AMERIKAN AUGUST/SE17f. 2001 Thousands of dreams

To break the outline is not easy A View From the Edge RIDING THE WIND to begin new paths nor it is Lost man, sad man, young man, old This old cut end up do not believe Light years from his ancestry on her nose, the in those old histories Racism, antisemitism and ageism pin his spirit to a world of lies. stitches weren't too carry the pain He's not bl~ck, he's not caucasian, not Asian, nor hispanic, but gray. smooth, you could of lose He's not umque, there is a million more locked up beside him. still make it out, He's not young, for he never had a childhood. it said so much To find a real love C~ught up in a vicious cycle of hate, cards, porn and scams. about her, uh remnant is not easy Bhnd, he sees nothing of something wild hanging can see it before you die Deaf, he refuses to hear the truth around,ontheface nor it is Words of violence mask his fear of an angel, something end up do not say Always ready to swing his fist, because he has no answers. other worldly, lurking, to nobody your ideas The o~y thing he does better than running from reality, is running waiting for uh chance carry the fear from his responsibilities as a man. to be known again, to be veiled The o~y thing he has accomplished in his life is the pain and like uh fresh blooming without still to born suffenng he created in others. rose, the scent He knows God has the answers he craves, yet he ignores God's call. riding the wind Knock down frontiers He knows knowledge is obtainable but false pride prevents him from unseen, but to break color chains learning to read. . speaking intimately, to declaim poems He can stop the madness with a snap of his fingers for it's never of rose blooming, that claim freedom too late to live the examined life. of unraveling, Hear the wake up call, my brother paper petals Knockdown systems Irs your turn to live standing upon your own two feet. with the shadow to end the stupid wars of ink falling, and invoke the. peace --Nik Zarick as the unsaid are only thousands of dreams is heard, this that I put up in my mind wild other worldly and day to day thing, damning are many more evree thorn, Real Estate for Sale my sweet Kathleen. To come back to love her is not easy We found ice on the moon --John Firefly to live without smell her And hope to settle there soon is too hard Cause the damage we've done here Has left folks with the fear is too hard with a doth dry the blonde weeping That the Earth can no longer sustain over all when still Life if humans remain there is so much for walk On this course of destruction The Earth in seduction but I find in the weariness a new strange place So off they'll fly and I find that to die Those with money to buy is not hard A ticket to the moon and I do not want to And real estate too The Post Amerikan is seeking poetry comeback They'll divide the land submissions for the Poetry Page. Melt the ice so they can --Presvi Sotelo Have water for drink If interested, please mail your poem to: That ice they will shrink Post Amerikan, P.O. Box 3452, Bloomington, IL 61702 or e-mail to: And hope there's enough [email protected] · I ''Til to another planet they can thrust I Backyard Their spaceships so they can survive 1 We have the right to reject any poem. 1 Humans have brains that can devise ------1 artificial daylight drowns Ways of changing life to their needs the parking lot, sick ochre . To fill their hunger on it they'll feed Write for a free 2- issue trial subscription security lamps Name lit up all night. the pigeons So though some may fear Address living in the store signs along That human life's end is near City, St!ite, Zip ------the strip mall coo in ignorance No need to worry of the cycles of the sky; Those pocket books will surely sometimes the light Buy life on another planet is warm, Maybe a home on Saturn sometimes the light Perhaps them the meek will inherit the Earth only buzzes... payphones And respect it for its worth stand in a line, backs to the wall, Though years may go by 'til it heals appearing idle to the untrained Again its beauty and love warm hearts will eye ... potential energy feel. somewhat psychotic when translated into kinetic mayhem. ring .... ring .... -Lin "Frog" Simmons collect calls and stray receipts litter the spaces striped goldenrod for pedestrians and shopping carts on the lam, dreaming of fatty ankles roaming the scuffed linoleum plains speckled vermilion by the prowess Cont. p. 23 of their hunt

-Matt Toczko

AUGUST/SEPT. 2001 POST AMERIKAN PAGE 19 the Post Amerikan Bookstore Featuring titles from Soft Skull Press

The Breaking Light Sander Hicks All Ears Three plays that resist the defen­ Dennis Cooper sive conformity of contemporary lliili\1\\1111 11\lAntler As the media monopo­ America. lies consolidate, novel­ Antler is a wilderness Our price: $8.00 ist Dennis Cooper poet, bard in the tradi­ marvels that "we just tion of Whitman, let political and corpo­ prophet critic in the rate higher-ups manip­ footsteps of Ginsberg. ulate our very ways of Our price: $7.00 receiving information. Our price: $9.00

No More Prisons Saving Private Power 1\i\!\ij!j\.. \\l\\!\.\.\!j:!jfJ!!Ii:lji!\!!ij\\i\!iij!!i\!\\!\\il! William Upski Wimsatt Michael Zezlma A hitchhikers guide to communi­ The Hidden History of the "Good War.· ty organizing, urban life, home Saving Private Power is the most schooling, hip-hop leadership, provocative history of the "Good War" the cool rich kids movement ever published. It questions the ultra­ and why philanthropy is the patriotic assumptions we have been greatest art form of the 20th taught since birth. century. Our price: $13.00 Our price: $8.00

Fortunate Son J.H. Hatfield Republican Like Me Prior to recall by St. Martins Press, &!~~ ~'lr Tl( ttvu Burning Down the Sparrow Fortunate Son was #30 on the New York ~·~:~;:;1;:~fi~~~.;:7:'~f~' House Sparrow lost the GOP presidential Times Best-Seller's list. What caused Various nomination to Bob Dole. "How?, this book to be censured? Why?, Uh ... What?" asks a tearful, Selected Poems from the angry America. Finally, an answer J.H. Hatfield's Fortunate Son presents Nuyorican National Poetry Slam in this poetic record of Sparrow's George W. Bush haunted by the Champions. These five poets campaign trail. specters from his past. It researches the stand at the vanguard of the slam movement, with verse that Our price: $5.00 allegations of GW's abuse of extreme is passionate, tight, political and privilege, draft-dodging Vietnam and a lucid. past cocaine habit, and comes up with Our price: $9.00 almost 400 pages of more startling infor­ mation. And there's more. The Bushs' anti-Semitism, their connection to the Bomb the Suburbs BCCI Scandal, GW's SEC investigation for insider-trading, and the cronyism You Don't William Upski Wimsatt practiced with business associates while Have to Most books are suburban books. Governor of Texas. Neatly designed, neatly pa~k­ Fuck People aged, and automatically pro­ Banned Book (Go ahead, try to buy it at duced. The author chooses one Amazon.com) Over to topic, one voice, one style, one Our price: $12.00 Survive audience, one point of views, and lays out the book according to Seth Tobocman plan. Online Diaries The sick heart of con­ Our price: $8.00 Various ·~;ii1!1!~!~·· formist, competition­ Online tour journals of obsessed culture cries Lollapalooza Tour Artists. out resist! An interactive space Our price: $10.00 where fans could commu­ nicate with artists such as Courtney Love, Beck and Thurston Moore. Our price: $5.00 Soft Skull products and serv- ices are intelligence and intel­ ligence gathering for the ani­ Order Form Make checks a; ~~~ nomian community. From payable to llri Quantity Item Price inside of the international tf: Post Amerikan I workingclass and its bastard wr and send to: children subcultures punk, 1------P.O. Box 3452 1. hip-hop, etc. we report on 1------Bloomington, I IL 61702-3452 the true progress of human l------­ l-______j I history. We publish the his­ 1Subtotal_$. ______Ship to: tory, pop culture studies, Name.______I graphic design, art, poetic Shipping $3.50 (add 50¢ for Fortunate Son) Address I I records and fiction that fuel ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~· the vanguard. We are the CIA of anti-imperiali-:m PAGE20 POST AMERIKAN AUGUST/SEPT. 2001 Mental iII ness awareness •

Update on stigma A film to be "As The World Turns" The long time soap series As The World Turns busters commended included a recent story line where the NAMI has received many reports from parents A Caveman's Valentine with Samuel Jackson character, Julia, commits herself to a about children's TV animation series and comic portrays a homeless man with paranoid psychiatric ward of a hospital, pretending to books: schizophrenia. This film which played in be "insane." Stereotypical language such as: theaters this spring was based on a mystery "loony," "nuthouse," "psycho," and "lunatic" -Green Lantern comic book series "While Rome novel with the same title. The film provided a was used repeatedly by the other characters. Burns" with its villainous character Nero who welcome change in the story line, which did has schizophrenia. not stereotype the lead character. He lives in a NAMI has written to the producer reminding -Saturday morning popular TV animated series cave in a New York park. He hallucinates and him that a few years ago this soap opera "Max Steel," featuring one of the villains he has delusions, but he is not violent. In fact, he received honors for its sensitive treatment of fights named "Psycho." is portrayed as an individual struggling in his AIDS and AIDS patients and advised him that -A cartoon test strip, '~Agnes" which used own way with his disorder, who actually mental illness including schizophrenia, bipolar offensive language and inaccurate concepts i.e. becomes the hero of the movie by solving a disorder, clinical depression, OCD and panic "crazy-woman-hair," "look-of-lunacy," and murder mystery. disorder deserve the same respect; and that restoring "a crazy woman to mental health" by this situation was de-humanizing and hurtful combing out her, !rizzled out, wild hairdo. The video will be out this summer. Watch for a to real persons struggling with a real mental review of A Caveman's Valentine in the disorder which are devastating as NAMlhas sent aletter to the upcoming issue of the NAMI ADVOCATE. Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, diabetes, HIV, etc. editor I producerI writer for each of the above, We will be following up! advising them of the offensive ,and . -from NAMI of Livingston/McLean Counties dehumanizing nature of their creation. NAMI newsletter has not received a response. However, should they continue the described story line or names, please inform NAMI and we will turn of the Stigma Busters Alert.

'JDining for the casual gourmet"

unique beer and wine selection

Extensive vegetarian selection

Reservations recommended

Lunch Monday- saturday: 11 :oo a.m. - 2:00 y.m. Dinner Tuesday - saturday 5:00 y.m. -?

414 N. Main Street,

AUGUST/SEPT. 2001 POST AMERIKAN PAGE21 Cont. from p. 8 Roe v. Bush ... What's he been up to since taking office?

Gagging Globally women's heath advocates and legislators in the codify restrictive provisions that severely President Bush wasted no time in starting his U.S. work to overturn laws that put women's limit the availability of mifepristone. attack on reproductive rights. On his first full health at risk are still occurring throughout Congress has never before acted to enforce day in office, Bush issued a memorandum that the world. Nearly three decades later, more limitations on the use of an FDA approved reinstates the Reagan-era Mexico City policy, than 75,000 women die every year as a result of drug. known as the "global gag rule." President bush unsafe abortion. New restrictions on family says he's imposing the Mexico City policy to­ planning providers overseas might even Nipping Stem Cell Research in the Bud ensure that taxpayer funds are not used to " pay prevent them from speaking to their clients or President Bush has said that he is opposed to for abortions or advocate or or actively promote their governments about this grave health risk. all federal funding for research using embryonic abortion either here or abroad." In truth, Does that sound compassionate to you? stem cells to combat and cure such grave however, no taxpayer funds were being used to diseases as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, pay for abortions. Such practices have been RU-4 ... eighty-sixed? Huntington's and diabetes. The Clinton illegal, by Act of Congress, since 1973. Why is During his confirmation hearings, Bush's administration approved rules for funding the President misleading the American people? nominee for Secretary of Health and Human research last summer, but Bush's spokesperson At the heart of the policy, and what makes it Services- Governor Tommy Thompson - has said that policy is under review. The Bush so intrusive and far-reaching, is that it denies revealed his intention to review the recent Administration might block funding before any U.S. funding to any foreign non-governmental FDA approval of RU-486 (officially called experiments actually begin. Secretary of organizations that provided a}?ortion services, mifepristone) citing safety concerns. Health and Human Service Tommy Thompson, counseling or referrals with their own money. Afterwards he admitted, "not knowing the while serving as Wisconsin governor, praise the This policy would violate the 1st Amendment details", but that someone had told him it was Wisconsin researchers who co-discovered stem right to free speech if it was imposed on U.S. unsafe. cells as "pioneers." But when asked about his soil. "Compassionate" conservative Bush Already, legislation has been introduced that earlier support for stem cell research, apparently feels comfortable denying that Thompson said that his new position might same right in the international community. would restrict access to mifepristone. Sen. Tim Hutchinson (R-AR) and Rep. David Vitter (R­ have to change. "I found out that I'm a cabinet officer now," he said. - The very same conditions that prompted LA) introduced the so-called "RU-486 Patient Health and Safety Act." Thisbill woul~ health care providers, members of the clergy, --Voice for Choice

STERILE FERAL Fou NDATIOI: ,' Promoting the humane management of feral cat P

.·<'"'' . 'l :<""'j····· . . '...... ,, Members of the 5 terile Feral Foundation care for numerous feral cqt colon~s in McLean County. Colof!Ji caretakers provide shelter and da:i/y foot/ cfnd w{l~ei..,'

In addition, thry set traps to catch cats that need to be spayed or'neiitere2t'-. : i

This takes a considerable amount of monf!Y. !/ .. .;

The 5 terile Feral Foundation has. a program where you can· help. 1ust fill out the form at the bottom of this page and pledge a month!J gift to support a colof!Y.

The Cats Need Your Help! r------• 1 You can help Sterile Feral and the feral cats by making a donation. Please indicate how you are interested in I The Sterile Feral helping the feral cats of the McLean County : OYES! I want to support the work of Sterile Feral area. Please include your name, address, and Foundation :with a tax deductible donation of of: phone number. : 0 Subscribing $15 0 Supporting $20 Thanks for your support 1 0 Sustaining $50 OOther $__ _ P.O. Box 3413 OJ am interested in volunteering to help Bloomington, IL Any amount is appreciated! care for feral cat colonies. Send $15 or more and you will receive issues of The Feral Fixation. 61702-3413 Please make checks payable to ~he Sterile Feral Foundation OJ am interested in the monthly Support-A­ and mail to the address listed on the right. Colony program. Phone: 309-663-4406 Name______OJ am interested in donating wish list items www. ste ri Iefe r a I. o rg such as dry & canned cat food, litter, humane Address. ______traps, carriers, & old towels. Sterile Feral Foundation is a City ______State ______Zip ____ OJ am interested in helping foster feral kit­ 501 c3 nonprofit organization tens and friendly strays. Phone ______email. ______1 I ~------Cont. from p. 19 Cloned to the Bone

I'll take Matthew Kosbob two copies One for my girlfriend With a single moment your life was changed. and one for my wife And please Four narcissistic thugs stole your voice. don't get sl_oppy I want those clones Yet the universe hears your silent scream. to have my eyes

Every soul weeps for your agony and loss. How could this world get along without me A father and mother so noble, so loyal, so lugubrious, so valiant. I've wondered how it would be So much pain in a world of apathetic chaos. But they've found a way to make a copy Rest well, Matthew. So today I'll go done shopping We shall never forget the image of you. Be careful --Nik Zarick with that cell THE GREEN I CAN'T LET GO And remember it must almost die but don't send it to hell Another gray Be careful where winter day in you incubate Ill-uh-noy, A Mother no longer snow has not is just fate Twistory yet stuck, most leaves have fallen, Find me one Time is a ripple in the cosmic pool and if uh day could who's understanding That never seems to stop be uh painter, taday Loves me unconditionally Truth is a bubble on a fickle wind would be uh dreary with perfect handling That suddenly can pop Ren-wah day, No need to keep those photos with uh bitter from when I'm a baby The H.M.S. Titanic swerved and avoided wind that says, They'll send me back around That hidden iceberg death an sleep just by paying only to collide with disastrous misfortune are the same, and the airship Hindenburg falling like OhCloning shadows, at last I've found Wyatt Earp cried like a bahy falling like Away to keep Abraham Lincoln burned his beard the snow, this ole' body around John Wayne dressed up as a lady falling like And I can be in more than Amelia Erhardt just disappeared my eyelids one place at a time that weary I may commit Glenn Miller sat in with the band grow, and the perfect crime Bozo the Clown kept ~ stiff upper' lip I begin dreaming Human discoveries ZZTop plugged in and jammed like the fields of they persist in finding Jack t~ Ripper went down with the ship cutcorn, ofgreen Ways to-keep ' . shiny and shimmering, this old Earth crying. History is full of little twists the green I can't let go, and mysteries-gigantic no matter how high the snow, ·-Lin ..'Frog" Simmons · How well I remember that fateful night no matter how deep the shadows, The Hindenburg hit the Titanic the green lcan't tet go, that pushes throush the earth, The seas Wer'e calm, the skies were dear with the force of stars, The great ship sailing proud the green I can't tet go. The Zeppelin. plummeted, billowing flames and crashed into her' bow -John Firefty

Lindsey Buckingham sang out of key Lucky Lindy slipped on the soap Benjamin Franklin fell into the sea Joe Namath threw him a rope

Louie Armstrong launched a boat and saved a lot of lives Donnie and Marie fought a hammerhead shark with their ninja knives

History and destiny keep the gods amused Reality and fantasy sometimes get confused

The Titanic hit the Hindenburg in the most amazing disaster in the history of mankind not caused by Japanese monsters

--Peter Elvidge

AUGUST I SEPT. 2001 POST AMERIKAN PAGE23 BioDemocracy News: Agbiotech aggression

Quote of the Month: denying consumers free choice by co-mingling rBGH-tainted milk with regular milk and "We are very hopeful that last domino will fall," "Genetically modified food is viewed as unsafe said Bob Callanan of the American by most [Americans], and the public wants then deliberately lying to consumers about the presence of the hormone ("we don't know") in Soybean Association. 'That's why the warning labels on food, a new ABCNEWS.com environmentalists are putting up a poll finds ... 52% believe such foods are unsafe, their company's products. rBGH is banned in stink down there in Brazil. Thev know if th"t and additional13% are unsure about every industrialized country except for the USA, an goes, it's all gone." (New York Times 6/11/01) them ... 93% say the federal government should primarily because of scientific concerns that it is According to USDA figures (PS&D database) US require labels on food saying whether it's been a cancer hazard and likely to cause increased soy exports to the EU during the 1995-2000 genetically modified ... 57% also say they'd be antibiotic residues in milk. Voting with their pocketbooks against rBGH, millions of US period declined 14.3%, while Brazilian exports less likely to buy foods labeled as genetically increased 10.7%. modified . . . The image problem of consumers have turned to organic milk and genetically modified food is underscored by dairy products as well as rBGH-free labeled brands. • The Bush administration announced 6 I 13 I 01 contrast to organic foods. While only five that studies carried out by the Centers for percent of Americans say they'd be more likely Disease Control found "no evidence" that to buy a food labeled as genetically modified, 52 • Reports of genetic pollution and genetic drift A ventis' genetically engineered StarLink corn percent say they'd be more likely to buy continue to proliferate. According to a CBC has caused allergic reactions in humans. Last food that's labeled as having been raised (Canada) radio broadcast (6 I 2/ 01), gei1etically fall, revelations that StarLink corn, banned by organically." ( engineered canota plants are showing up in 6/20/01) farmers' fields all across the Canadian the EPA for human consumption, had prairie, even though many of them have never contaminated over 300 brand name food planted GE seeds. Martin Phillipson, a products, caused a massive billion-dollar recall Attack of the Gene Giants University of Saskatchewan law professor, said and disrupted overseas grain markets. Further that Monsanto may be liable for damages if their recalls were announced July 5 as StarLink corn The global controversy over genetically gene-altered, herbicide resistant canola was detected in white corn tortilla chips. US engineered foods and crops has intensified. continues to spread. 'The GM canola has, in fact, critics from the Genetically Engineered Food Sensing that they are losing the battle for the spread much more rapidly than we thought it Alert coalition immediately hearts and minds of the public, even in the US would," said Martin Entz, a plant scientist at the denounced the CDC findings as inadequate and and Canada, Agbiotech interests, large unscientific. Among serious problems with the food corporations, and their allies in University of Manitoba. "It's absolutely impossible to control." CDC tests: a tiny and insignificant sample of government have stepped up their · human blood serum was tested, too small to propaganda and intimidation campaign. Since. * Similar genetic pollution has been reported in be representative of the potentially affected the beginning of 2001 an unprecedented number population; the Cry9c protein studied for of editorial, opinion, and news stories have the US by farmers growing organic corn and certified "GMO-free" soybeans. US trade allergenicity was a synthetic lab construct rather appeared in the world press,. extolling the than the actual gene-altered protein as expressed virtues of agricultural biotechnology representatives, working hard to engender a growing sense of fatalism regarding the in the corn plant; and special risks to infants, while denouncing opponents as know-nothing children, mill workers, and farm workers were "impossibility" of growing "GE-free" soybeans, Luddites. Accompanying this industry media not taken into consideration. For a scientific corn, and canota, have told EU bureaucrats that barrage, choreographed by leading public critique of the StarLink whitewash see relations firms, are a number of other recent it is unreasonable and "unworkable" to expect anything less that 5% genetic contamination in (www.purefood.org/gefood/fdaallergyscandal. noteworthy aggressions: dm) non-GMO grain exports. (Financial Times6/20/01) • In Canada, Loblaws, Sobey's, Safeway, A&P, * Reuters reported 6 I 25 I 01 that Sri Lanka was and other large grocery chains have banned the being pushed by the US to reverse its ban on use of "GMO-free "food labels. Natural food But well-known critics such as Jeremy Rifkin point out that the biotech industry's gepetic genetically engineered foods. Responding to companies marketing organic and other foods intense pressure, Sri Lanka officials announced a pollution is creating a backlash. 'They're hoping certified as free of genetically modified temporary suspension of their ban, but there's enough contamination so that it's a fait organisms (GMOs) have been ordered by emphasized that the ban would likely be accompli." But the liability will kill them. We're Lob laws and other chains to block out reimposed Sept. 1. 'We know of no credible going to see lawsuits across the Farm Belt as or remove "GMO-free" labels or else their scientific evidence justifying Sri Lanka's ban. We conventional farmers and organic farmers find believe it is totally unwarranted," Weyland products will be taken off supermarket shelves. that their product is contaminated." (New Despite polls that show 90% of Canadians YorkTimes6/13/01) Beeghly, agricultural counselor of the U.S. support labeling GMOs, government regulators, Embassy in neighboring India, told a news pressured by the US and the biotech lobby, have conference in Sri Lanka May 10. Informed thus far ruled out mandatory labeling. But a new • The US government has warned EU officials sources report similar strong-arm tactics being GMO food labeling law has been introduced that their proposed mandat'?ry labeling and employed by American diplomats and trade into Parliament, supported by 80 public traceability requirements for genetically bureaucrats throughout the Asia and Pacific interest groups. engineered grains and foods violate World region (and across the world)-where mandatory Trade Organization rules mandating free trade labeling and production or import bans on • In 1994 Monsanto and state agriculture r · and could subject EU countries to major WTO GMOs are steadily gaining momentum. in the United States launched a similar sanctions and fines. (Reuters 6/1/01) In a intimidation campaign against several thousand 5/18/0l.letterto U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann • Cropchoice.com reported 5 I 21 I 01 that dairies and health food stores in the US Veneman, the American Farm Bureau Monsanto has continued suing "hundreds" of US attempting to label or advertise their Federation, the Grocery Manufacturers of farmers for "patent infringement," for the dairy products as free of recombinant Bovine American, and 17 other farm and commodity "crime" of having genetically engineered plants Growth Hormone (rBGH). To this date, giants warned the EU's proposed regulations growing on their property without paying Monsanto's "no labeling" intimidation campaign threaten "a $4 billion US agricultural export royalty payments to Monsanto. Several farmers has been quite successful. Less than 10% of US market." being sued by Monsanto are fighting back dairy products today are labeled as however, filing counter-lawsuits in North "rBGH-free "even though the overwhelming • The White House and the biotech industry Dakota and Illinois, claiming that Monsanto is majority (90%) US dairy cows are not being continue to pressure Brazil to approve deliberately causing genetic pollution, and then injected with the drug. Most of America's 1500 Monsanto's Roundup Ready soybeans for turning around and suing innocent farmers who dairies, backed by food giants such as commercialization. Because of their ban on GE are victims of this genetic trespass. Kraft/Phillip Morris, have collaborated in soybeans the Brazilians have captured an increasing share of the EU and Asian export -RonnieCummins,OrganicConsume~ market -while US market share has declined. Association-www.organicconsumers.org

PAGE24 POST AMERIKAN AUGUST/SEPT. 2001