One Democrat’s Wish….

Hell hath no fury…..

It’s not about caring for life. Over 40 years ago the Republicans and Democrats agreed that Roe v Wade was in the best interest and safety of women and health. The Baptist church was in agreement, the then seated President Ronald Reagan, was in agreement. (1973)
Then came the rub by televangelists, 5 years later, wielding political/church power, backing the GOP financially and making abortion rights a political cork-screw.

For anyone who saw the ruling of yesterday as a victory, think again.  It had nothing to do with actual abortion, or women’s rights or protection of an unborn or born child. It was the political agenda – the cork screw being tightened. Period.
Sorta like “A vote for us is a vote for babies. The other guys HATE babies, so vote for us.”  

The diabolical GOP “40 year Project” has found a solid footing as of June 24^th, 2022.
It isn’t happenstance that Roe vs. Wade was overturned now – it’s a muscle flex by the GOP stating plainly:  “We have the power – and we’re flexing it – no matter what the general public wants. “

And this is only the beginning.  VOTE BLUE….to Save your vote.

I propose a few new DFL Slogans:

What do we really KNOW about our rights?

Or…What have we lost with Roe v. Wade? [5-2-2022]

On this – the 108^th day of my treasured Mom’s birth, another historic event happened. Not a joyful or blissful event, but the tragic ‘passing’ of yet another historic loss of Women’s Rights: Lawful abortion. Roe vs. Wade is overturned after 50 years by a puppet Supreme Court regime – bound to destroy the Constitution and all civil liberties that have been fought for these oh so many years.

Now truth be told – I fought, I marched, I celebrated the victory of many civil rights issues in the 70’s – but I didn’t lay down my life or suffer undue hardship because of my part in the fight – as many did – they DIED in their fight against injustice. As for abortions: Many of our young women died through illegal abortions due to economics, unstable relationships, rape, incest, bigoted assaults – yet the so called ‘righteous pro-lifers’ and misogynistic politicians continued to call out for the ‘rights’ of the unborn fetus. The fetus that they never knew, never would know, never would support or care for, never deeming to know the mother or father and would never care for once born – but be the first to call out against welfare or ‘Juvenile delinquents, who often turn to crime as adults – and which should be ‘locked up’, with the key thrown away – in order to keep white families safe in their gated communities. (In deference to locking up our white collar criminals and politicians.)

I abhor the current political climate, the hate and bigotry within the U.S., the following of evil and treasonous politicians and dictators, who hide behind their office – controlled by God knows who, and willingly sacrifice their country and the minds of the free to be puppets of evil.  And what could possibly be the end goal? Tell me – because I’d really like to know.

And who is next? During the previous regime first were the Muslims. Then the Blacks. Then the Asians. Then women’s rights. Next, for sure is the LGBTQ.  But it can’t stop there. The Jews? Disabled? The scholars? The Scientists? Certainly not the right wing – white Christian majority. No they’re the sacred cows…until they step out of line with the fuehrer of the day.

If this sounds familiar, all you have to do is step back in time to 1930’s-40’s-WWII and the Nazi/Hitler regime. Many of those living at the time will claim ignorance to what was happening. They may claim they simply couldn’t believe that life as they once knew it would be shattered forever, or that families would be ripped apart, people murdered in the streets, hundreds of extermination camps and systematic death and annihilation of millions, brutal savage rape and medical experimentation and torture could occur within their own 4 walls. But it did and we are on the verge of reenacting this monstrous and evil history.  
What will your defense be (if you live through this) to your children and grandchildren? That you didn’t see it coming? But – you did and you do.  What will your maker say to you when you go to your final ‘reward’? Even if you’re an Atheist – you probably have at least a smidgling of doubt that there won’t be some Karmic ending to this life on earth. Exactly what will you justify to your Almighty?

Which brings me back to abortion rights – Think about this long and hard: Will your God ask “What did you do my child?” Will you say: “I wrote to my reps and religious leaders to end abortion. I protested and threw stones at Planned Parenthood. I held a gun towards a doctor performing abortion in clinics, and reveled when I heard that one had been slain and taken out of ‘practice’. I hated and defiled women seeking abortions.  ….I did my part!!”  Then (this is just a guess mind you) your God may ask: “But what did you do for the women and families seeking these services – or the children that came due to the abolishing of legal abortion? Did you fight as hard a fight for their dignity and life circumstances as you did for your theory of what you thought I Might want?“

This is where it might get a bit sticky – and likely – if there’s a trap door at the pearly gates, then your Bible thumping ass is gonna drop down faster than in the Tower of Terror at Universal studios. If only for the impudence of believing that you know more than God.  Just a guess mind you….. and that doesn’t even come close to what the rest of the regime is going to face. And trust me on this – I don’t believe there’s any ‘buying’ your way out of this final destination that we all face.

So in closing, brethren – I say to you: Take heed and fight against all tyranny. Choose right from wrong, and when you have a choice – choose the path that will better humankind, this earth and all living creatures upon it. Because THAT, my friend, is what you will be judged on…. And that alone.
 

• D. Freeberg/ 2022

List of Whales kept in Captivity [as of 2020]

This is unacceptable to all standards of living. Many have been kept in captivity for decades. It’s cruelty at it’s basest form.
If this outrages you, contact: https://support.peta.org/page/1107/action/1 and/or each of the aquariums listed below.

Name	Gender	Breed	Current location	Captured rescued captive born	Birthdate  Capture/ rescue	Age
Lolita (Tokitae)	F	100% Southern Resident	Miami Seaquarium	Captured	1964 (est.)[8]	56
Corky II	F	100% Northern Residents	SeaWorld San Diego	Captured	1965 (est.)[6] – 12 December 1969	55
Katina (Kandu 6)	F	100% Icelandic	SeaWorld Orlando	Captured	1975 (est.)[7]	45
Ulises	M	100% Icelandic	SeaWorld San Diego	Captured	1977 (est.)	43
Kiska	F	100% Icelandic	Marineland of Canada	Captured	1977 (est.)	43
Stella	F	100% Icelandic	Port of Nagoya Aquarium	Captured	c. January 1987 (est.)	33
Kshamenk	M	100% Argentinian Transient	Mundo Marino	Captured	1987 (est.)	33
Orkid	F	50% Icelandic – 50% Northern Resident	SeaWorld San Diego	Captive born	23 September 1988 (age 31)	31
Takara	F	100% Icelandic	SeaWorld San Antonio	Captive born	9 July 1991 (age 29)	29
Kyuquot	M	100% Icelandic	SeaWorld San Antonio	Captive born	24 December 1991 (age 28)	28
Shouka	F	100% Icelandic	SeaWorld San Diego	Captive born	25 February 1993 (age 27)	27
Keet	M	75% Icelandic – 25% Southern Residents	SeaWorld San Diego	Captive born	2 February 1993 (age 27)	27
Keto	M	75% Icelandic – 25% Southern Residents	Loro Parque	Captive born	17 June, 1995	25
Lovey	F	100% Icelandic	Kamogawa Sea World	Captive born	11 January 1998 (age 22)	22
Tuar	M	75% Icelandic – 25% Southern Resident	SeaWorld San Antonio	Captive born	22 June 1999 (age 21)	21
Inouk	M	100% Icelandic	Marineland of Antibes	Captive born	23 February 1999	21
Wikie	F	100% Icelandic	Marineland of Antibes	Captive born	1 June 2001 (age 19)	19
Tekoa	M	75% Icelandic – 25% Bigg’s Transient	Loro Parque	Captive born	8 November 2000 (age 19)	19
Lara	F	100% Icelandic	Kamogawa Sea World	Captive born	8 February 2001 (age 19)	19
Nakai	M	100% Icelandic	SeaWorld San Diego	Captive born	1 September 2001 (age 18)	18
Kohana	F	100% Icelandic	Loro Parque	Captive born	3 May 2002 (age 18)	18
Ikaika	M	100% Icelandic	SeaWorld San Diego	Captive born	25 August 2002	17
Skyla	F	75% Icelandic – 25% Southern Resident	Loro Parque	Captive born	9 February 2004 (age 16)	16
Kalia	F	87.5% Icelandic – 12.5% Southern Residents	SeaWorld San Diego	Captive born	21 December 2004	15
Trua	M	100% Icelandic	SeaWorld Orlando	Captive born	23 November 2005 (age 14)	14
Ran II	F	100% Icelandic	Kamogawa Sea World	Captive born	25 February 2006 (age 14)	14
Orpheus	M	100% Russian Transient	Chimelong Ocean Kingdom	Captured	2005 (est.) —	13
Narnia	F	100% Russian Transient	Moskvarium	Captured	2007 (est.)	13
Nalani	F	100% Icelandic	SeaWorld Orlando	Captive born	18 September 2006 (age 13)	13
Morgan	F	100% Norwegin	Loro Parque	Rescued	2007 (est.)	13
Malia	F	25% Bigg’s Transient – 75% Icelandic	SeaWorld Orlando	Captive born	12 March 2007 (age 13)	13
Wow	M	100% Russian Transient	Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park	Captured	2008 (est.) – 2014 (unconfirmed)	12
Nord	M	100% Russian Transient	Moskvarium	Captured	2009 (est.)	11
Earth	M	100% Icelandic	Port of Nagoya Aquarium	Captive born	13 October 2008	11
Sakari	F	100% Icelandic	SeaWorld San Antonio	Captive born	7 January 2010 (age 10)	10
Naja (Juliet/Malishka)	F	100% Russian	Moskvarium	Captured	2010 (est.)	10
Moana	M	100% Icelandic	Marineland of Antibes	Captive born	16 March 2011 (age 9)	9
Makaio	M	100% Icelandic	SeaWorld Orlando	Captive born	9 October 2010	9
Adán	M	87.5% Icelandic – 12.5% Southern residents	Loro Parque	Captive born	13 October 2010	9
(Code Unconfirmed) Russian Capture	Unknown	100% Russian Transient	Unknown (Russia), Possibly Chimelong Ocean Kingdom(confirmed orcas) or Wuxi Changqiao Ocean Kigndom (possibly confirmed)	Captured	2003–2011 (est.) – July 2014	9-17
(Code Unconfirmed) Russian Capture	Unknown	100% Russian Transient	Unknown (Russia), Possibly Chimelong Ocean Kingdom(confirmed orcas) or Wuxi Changqiao Ocean Kigndom (possibly confirmed)	Captured	2003–2011 (est.) – July 2014	9-17
(Code Unconfirmed) Russian Capture	Unknown	100% Russian Transient	Unknown (Russia), Possibly Chimelong Ocean Kingdom(confirmed orcas) or Wuxi Changqiao Ocean Kigndom (possibly confirmed)	Captured	2003–2011 (est.) – July 2015	9-17
(Code Unconfirmed) Russian Capture	Unknown	100% Russian Transient	Unknown (Russia), Possibly Chimelong Ocean Kingdom(confirmed orcas) or Wuxi Changqiao Ocean Kigndom (possibly confirmed)	Captured	2003–2011 (est.) – July 2015	9-17
Luna	F	100% Icelandic	Kamogawa Sea World	Captive born	19 July 2012 (age 8)	8
Grace	F	100% Russian Tranisent	Chimelong Ocean Kingdom	Captured	2010 (est.) – 13 August 2013	8
Dora	F	100% Russian Transient	Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park	Captured	2012 (est.) – 2015 (unconfirmed)	8
(Code Unconfirmed) Russian Capture	F	100% Russian Transient	Unknown (Russia), most likely Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, because no orcas at Wuxi Changqiao Ocean Kigndom have been confirmed to be female	Captured	October 2003-2011 (est.) – October 2013	8-16
(Code Unconfirmed) Russian Capture	Unknown	100% Russian Transient	Unknown (Russia), Possibly Chimelong Ocean Kingdom(confirmed orcas) or Wuxi Changqiao Ocean Kigndom (possibly confirmed)	Captured	October 2003-2011 (est.) – October 2013	8-16
(Code Unconfirmed) Russian Capture	Unknown	100% Russian Transient	Unknown (Russia), Possibly Chimelong Ocean Kingdom(confirmed orcas) or Wuxi Changqiao Ocean Kigndom (possibly confirmed)	Captured	October 2003-2011 (est.) – October 2013	8-16
Tyson	M	100% Russian Transient	Chimelong Ocean Kingdom	Captured (Unconfirmed)	2001–2014 – 2013–2015	7-15
Nukka	F	100% Russian Transient	Chimelong Ocean Kingdom	Captured	2001–2015 (est.) – 2013–2014	7-15
Makani	M	50% Argentinian – 50% Icelandic	SeaWorld San Diego	Captive born	14 February 2013 (age 7)	7
Lynn[9]	F	100% Icelandic	Port of Nagoya Aquarium	Captive born	13 November 2012 (age 7)	7
Kysails/Annei	F	100% Russian Transient	Shanghai Ocean Kingdom Park	Captured	2012-2013 – July 2015?	7-8
Goren	M	100% Russian Transient	Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park	Captured	2012-2013 – July 2015?	7-8
Keijo	M	100% Icelandic	Marineland of Antibes	Captive born	20 November 2013 (age 6)	6
Kamea	F	50% Argentinian Transient – 50% Icelandic	SeaWorld San Antonio	Captive born	6 December 2013	6
Amaya	F	93.75% Icelandic – 6.25% Southern Residents	SeaWorld San Diego	Captive born	2 December 2014	5
(Code Unconfirmed) Russian Capture	F	100% Russian Transient	Unknown (Russia), most likely Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, because no orcas at Wuxi Changqiao Ocean Kigndom have been confirmed to be female	Captured	Unknown – 2015	4+
(Code Unconfirmed) Russian Capture	Unknown	100% Russian Transient	Unknown (Russia), Possibly Chimelong Ocean Kingdom(confirmed orcas) or Wuxi Changqiao Ocean Kigndom (possibly confirmed)	Captured	Unknown – August 2016	2+
(Code Unconfirmed) Russian Capture	Uknonwn	100% Russian Transient	Unknown (Russia), Possibly Chimelong Ocean Kingdom(confirmed orcas) or Wuxi Changqiao Ocean Kigndom (possibly confirmed)	Captured	Unknown – August 2016	2+
Ula	F	50% Norwegian – 37.5% Icelandic – 12.5% Southern Resident	Loro Parque	Captive born	22 September 2018	1

What are we waiting for in “Adaptive Fashion” ??

I recently read an interesting blog on “Adaptive Clothing” (see link below blog) that talks of all of the “new and innovative” clothing lines available for disabilities.

This was my response to the editor:

“We have been in the adaptive clothing business since 2001.
As a matter of fact – we, Dignity by Design, introduced Adaptive Fashion to the world.
For years we went to investors, we pitched, we were up for awards. We were, and are, considered the leaders and experts in adapted fashionable clothing, without a stigmatized “adaptive” appearance. Yet we couldn’t make the investment market take notice – not enough to invest real $$.
The main brands that are referenced in this blog simply modify their current lines “enough” to be considered adapted – but there’s so much more to adapted clothing: Materials, cut, price, style and research.

If this market truly is going to approach $393 billion by 2026, then perhaps my readers can point us to the people that are serious about disabled fashion, investing in this market and providing a real solution that will capture the market with integrity and purpose – not just a quick fix. “

Donna Freeberg for Dignity By Design http://www.dignitybydesign.com

http://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/new-adaptive-clothing-lines-for-people-with-disabilities?success=true&fbclid=IwAR3_yYY-zSzRbHPm5CL1q67cesI4chLqlHBf9Z9dilCwPi1c72xgNi-kQX4

SEARS: The end of the era of Brookdale Mall

I remember watching Brookdale Mall (Brooklyn Center, Minnesota) being constructed as we all eagerly peered out the school bus windows, on our way to  Northport elementary.  (It was my kindergarten year, and everything was bustling with “newness”.)

It was magical – Just imagining a mass of stores, under one cover, in a luxurious setting with restaurants attached – called:  A MALL!

So many shopping firsts and fashion firsts were acquired at Brookdale Mall: Dayton’s, Penney’s, Donaldson’s, Snyder’s and……..Sears. I worked at Sears throughout High School….. it was a grand place to work.  I can’t remember a time as a little girl when I didn’t look forward to the “Christmas Wish Book“, or going with my Dad to get a “Craftsman” tool.  And when Mom’s washer went on the blink – off we’d go to Sears for a replacement.  Sears was the store for the Everyman.   

The demolishing of Brookdale Mall a number of years back left one vestige standing: Sears. But now – it will soon be demolished as well.

I visited my flagship job/store/memory maker  –  in the last final days, and it was heartbreaking.  Below are a few pictures on the history of Sears – as I remember it and photographed  it.

Nothing stays the same.
And, at times, they simply vanish. 

        

DIVERSITY

It’s a harsh world we live in.

Diversity acceptance should be the norm – but it’s not. We rarely accept our own differences – the ones that make us unique, let alone accept what is foreign to us or is a challenge to our norms.

How we deal with encountering diversity will measure us:

• We can either look the other way,
• Engage awkwardly as if some “kindly act”,

…..or perhaps we simply open our arms and hearts and listen and learn.

That’s humanity.

RETAILER’s: Open on Holidays? Are we outraged or are we ignorant?

…… This is my take – Holidays mean 3 things to the average citizen:

• A paid day off from work (but not in retail)
• Football, Family, Food (But not in retail)
• Traditional family time (But not in retail).

So perhaps we shouldn’t leave it up to the hard working employees to suffer the consequences for our greed – perhaps we should support the retailers that choose to honor those employees with quality family time off, visit their stores (after the holiday) and simply NOT SHOP on holidays…..

There is the flip-side to this coin: Employees that don’t have or want family time.  Should they be forced to lose the income for those holidays?  Should the employer pay holiday pay to all that don’t work on holidays (this will never happen – perhaps for management – but not for the hourly workers) – or give them the choice to work?

There are always two sides (or many) to the coin.  Opinions??

“I have an autoimmune disease…..

“I have an autoimmune disease…..

I just wish more people understood . . . what I have is not a cold or the flu. I will never get better. A nap won’t help. I’m on meds to keep me alive because my cells attack all cells thinking all cells are bad – but this kills good cells which are in the body to help me.

Please, in honor of someone who is fighting Fibromyalgia, Lupus, Sarcoidosis, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Hepatitis, Diabetes, Celiac, Lupus, PBC, CIDP, UC, Crones, Hashimotos . . . (copy, and paste).”   -author unknown

In RESPONSE:  At Dignity by Design*, I work with ALL of the diseases that are mentioned above – and many, many more.

It is true – people are not aware of – nor cannot truly empathize with – the inner struggles associated with individual disabilities (nor outer struggles for that matter).  It’s difficult for anyone dealing with a disability to be patronized, or awkwardly sympathized with, or to have to “describe” or “qualify” one’s self over and over, day in – day out. When the world doesn’t see a “cookie-cutter” human – they often turn away or literally act incapable of natural human interaction – simply due to their personal discomfort. 

Here is my advice: GET OVER IT!  Deal with all humans with respect and actual INTEREST in them as human beings – not diseases.  Get to know the PERSON – not the disability….. then all else will fall into place.  Maybe… a new friendship, maybe…. Better understanding of your partner or child or parent. 

Diversity is what makes the world go round – Embrace it!

donna@dignitybydesign.com
www.dignitybydesign.com

If you’re a frequent traveler (by air)? You’ll want to read this report on scanners at our “safety conscious” airports….safety for whom??

………(Also – TSA agents: Think you’re safe? Think again.”)

Scanners can rip apart DNA

“Millimeter waves have been reported to produce a variety of bioeffects, many of which are quite unexpected from radiation penetrated less than 1 mm into biological tissues

.

Of particular concern is the citing of studies that show there is an irreversible water memory effect by millimeter waves operating in the 36GHz frequency, and that the millimeter wave effects on blood plasma vary greatly from one person to the next.

Does this information make you extremely uncomfortable? Well, it should. And it should also make every one of us mad as hell.”   – DR. KATHY J FROTI (CE: Collective- Evolution.com)

read on……………Scanners can rip apart DNA

I’m rethinking travel.