Scheduled for November 6th. 10:45 check in time means I will still be able to vote. Its two weeks away. On one hand that kinda terrifies me but its good to get it done and over with so I can start recovering and not have to worry any longer. On the other hand, Dude, the election is only two weeks out and then that will be over with and we can prepare for the next four years whatever that means.

Citing irreconcilable differences Amy and her uterus have decided to part ways, paperwork to follow.

This does mean I will be out of commission for the majority of November. Maybe I can get sewing done.

gawd i am tired.

Current Situation
The current statute (MN Stat 32.393) states:
"No milk, fluid milk products, goat milk, or sheep milk shall be sold, advertised, offered or exposed for sale or held in possession for sale unless the same has been pasteurized and cooled, as defined in section 32.391; provided, that this section shall not apply to milk, cream, skim milk, goat milk, or sheep milk occasionally secured or purchased for personal use by any consumer at the place or farm where the milk is produced."

Problem
The restrictions in current statute 32.393 create hardships for Minnesotans to obtain farm fresh milk and for farmers wishing to sell farm fresh milk.

Solution
1. Remove "Occasionally" since it is vague and impractical. If it is OK to sell, the frequency of sale should not matter.
2. Remove on site purchase requirement since it is wasteful, unsafe, and impractical to have many city consumers drive to where the farm fresh milk is produced.

Justification
-In Minnesota, farm fresh milk is a traditional, cultural food consumed by many families for generations.
-Raw milk consumers evaluate their decision to drink farm fresh milk by meeting the farmers, visiting the farms, studying the health issues, and considering the philosophical implications. They choose their dairy farmer carefully.
-Our urbanized society is different from the conditions when the current purchase restrictions were established. The restrictions need to be removed to reflect the current times.
-Raw milk produced for human consumption is safe. There are 2 forms of Raw Milk. One type of raw milk must to be pasteurized. The other type is produced under different conditions and can be consumed raw.
-Pasteurized milk is a processed food. Nutrition and health professionals recommend less processed foods.

http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/mnrawmilkcom

I find a remarkable level of unrest in myself after seeing a movie this evening. I admit it. I went to see "V for Vendetta" and it made an impression on me. I left with anger. Anger at the thought that it may take something as destructive to shake the general populace of this country into wakefulness. Anger at the thought that I have cause to fear my government. Anger at myself for allowing that fear to keep me silent for so long. Anger that my government is using terror against its own people. Anger that we as a people have moved so far from what our forefathers stood for as to support the very kinds of things they stood against. All in the name of fear. THEY call it safety. "Its for your safety." "We are doing this to protect you." And we have given up our rights and our freedoms in the name of safety but in the reality of fear. If only I could take the fear from people's eyes and show them that what they think is safety is truly illusion. There is no such thing as safety as they promise it.

I don't even care who planned 9/11 anymore. The things done in its name shame those people's memory and rival the atrocity. It angers me to think that I cannot say what I really think here because I am being watched and listened to for signs of dissent. It angers me that the fear is being used to create dissent in the world. It angers me to think that not showing support for this terrorist _______ is un-American and worthy of suspicion. Un-American my ass. Part of my rights as a citizen of the United States of America is to disagree with what my government is doing. It is intrinsically part of being "American."

I do not know if I am strong enough. I have never been in the situation to test me so thoroughly. I do know that I would rather not run. I would rather stay with what rights I have left and be an example of what could be in this world. Despite my anger I have hope and I am willing to share it. I know with every fiber of my being that a new generation is coming soon with new ideas and new priorities. I have hope I will live to see it come to pass. I refuse to despair because that would be giving up and I am not willing to do that. I did not survive my life thus far to give up on something that I believe in. I do know I am that strong. Or stubborn. I hope I never have to learn whether or not I am willing to die for what I believe in. That would mean sad things for this country.

Despite my wondering if it will take something so very drastic to wake this country from its stupor I remain vehemently opposed to violence. Violence begets violence. Only love and compassion can truly change the course of the world. I truly believe that. Is it possible that the only course left is to raze what we have to the ground and start anew? A new country? With new ideas? What would that be other than turning back to the beginning of the cycle? We must learn to break out of out cycle and create something with what we have that is good. Something that is worthy of respect, that is worth the energy we put into it, and deserves everything we have to give because it is fundamentally good for all, not just a select few.

I refuse to let this fear that is being disseminated have any more power over me. I defy it and stand firmly in my hope, knowing that the love and compassion I hold for the world will make a difference.

This took on new meaning for me this evening;

Fire cannot burn me
Earth cannot bury me
Water cannot drown me and
Air cannot freeze me

For I am Air
I am Fire
I am Water and
I am Earth

I am all things and
All things are me
I am a perfect child of the Gods and
I AM FREE!