Working Change

“We have an amazing work ethic in this country. We’re not all working in the same direction, and that’s normal to some point.  You’re not supposed to always be working in harmony, but I hope the work ethic and the sense of shared humanity in that continue.” Lena This morning in the New York Times, Paul Krugman, an esteemed if controversial economist, forecast again the third Great Depression for the U.S. economy… Read More

Delta Park Powwow: Fathers’ Day for a Change

“It will always be important to have a community of people who support each other and work together for the struggle, I guess.  Yes, for the struggle for all people.” Bruce McQuakay It took a bit of coaxing by the emcee, but today, 50 or so fathers made their way into the dance circle at the center of the Delta Park Powwow gathering for the honor song led by the Four Directions drum… Read More

What’s in a Name?

“Know what that word, change, means.  Know what this time means. Our getting together this morning to talk, what does it mean?  Do you know what we are doing?  What is in the journey?  Where are we going?” Dr. Dapo Sobomehin This morning I had my annual dental appointment.  You know, the one involving really sharp pointed hooks for scraping and poking, and the tiny rotary buffer dipped with clayish and vaguely peppermint tasting… Read More

Dayenu: You gave us freedom, and that would have been enough.

“Maybe the most empowered change is to work to be less ignorant. We’re all ignorant and it’s a life long struggle.  If we commit ourselves to do our best to be wrong less frequently, well, that’s about the best we can do.” Peter Frishauf Last night I sat at a table with eight dear friends from two families.  Four of them are teenagers.  The rest of us are parents – you know,… Read More

Tigers and Valentines

“I tell you the more I think, the more I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.” Vincent van Gogh So, love is the thing I haven’t wanted to write about.  Maybe it’s not even appropriate for this blog.  Actually, I’ve given some thought to that possible inappropriateness and decided to reject it. The whole motive for the EX:Change project and its road trip can be boiled… Read More

“I can’t do this alone.”

       “Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.”       Howard Zinn        Last night in the State of the Union Address, President Obama said these five words.  “I can’t do this alone.”  He said many notable things.  Two in particular match well with what many of the people who make up the 100 voices of EX:Change were saying this time last year. The public officials elected by… Read More

Trees, Minerals, Water and People

2-13-2009 Albuquerque, NM THE CORNER OF CENTRAL & TULANE   This morning I had the great privilege of spending time in interview and conversation with Margaret Randall. http://www.margaretrandall.org   Her thoughts on change rose and fell from the deep well of her 72 years of living the word. As a prolific writer, a passionate activist, an American and a woman of the world (having lived in Cuba for 25 years, and also in… Read More