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| <back | home Introduction by Bob Banner Because one of our contributing writers Amy Landau was visiting New York, she asked what she could write about. I answered, “How about interviewing Rev. Billy and the Yes Men?” She did it!! See her interviews with these imposters impersonating a reverend (as in Rev. Billy) and various CEOs (as in the Yes Men). Perhaps we all need to start impersonating people of alleged authority in order to create some creative altercations or dissonance in this growing fascist paradigm that is creeping ever so loudly among us. And speaking of transitions, Linda Buzzell-Saltzman eloquently outlines what and how and why we need to consider seriously moving into more sustainable and regenerative livelihoods. It reminds me of the masses of people attending the Green Festival in SF. I saw and spoke with numerous “corporate types” who were eagerly looking for some alternative livelihood — perhaps not just for their own sanity but for the health of the planet. Speaking of the Green Festival, we will be giving two free tickets (value $40) to any new or renewing subscriber. To articulate the malaise that so many of us feel when it comes to our jobs and the speedy life, perhaps we ought to read Stacey Warde’s article on slowing down before you jump into the “meaningful career” department. We certainly don’t want to take along our hasty unenjoyable automatic speedy unhappy attitudes into the realm of right livelihood in the emerging sustainable society. But if you have any doubts about the possibility of this happening, check out Clark Foerster’s short piece on having fun while laundering, using the available transitional technologies. Who said we had to sacrifice and be gloomy in order to face and survive and thrive the inevitable collapse? Speaking of fun, Clark won the City Repair contest (by default). We will be going to Portland at the end of May and will report back about the incredible pioneering spirit of City Repair with photos and stories. Speaking of new jobs, look at the work of the young energetic Peace Corps woman who brilliantly implemented the idea of taking colorful trash and transforming it into fashionable hand bags and purses in Honduras. Speaking of non-sweat shops, check out what the new clothing manufacturing No-Sweat Shop is doing to change the world. In a few weeks you might even see me walking around town with my new black hi-tops made by unionized Indonesian workers who are receiving a living wage! Carol Pimentel writes about certain truths she has discovered while traveling through Thailand pondering the question of how the clean-up is going after the tragic tsunami and what people truly need and what they don’t need. David Weisman, media activist, convincingly explores how nuclear power is not the way out of the global-warming crisis. In the same vein we have an updated report on Duke Energy in Morro Bay. If you haven’t already figured out how sick and broke our health insurance policies are, read Ms. Warren’s article. It will decimate you into action. At the end of the article is something that we can do; also Uma Bingham reports about a project that is using the system to do what health centers ought to do — take care of people who don’t have insurance and can’t afford to pay the full price of health care. David Holmgren is coming to Santa Barbara. To familiarize our readers with his brilliance and our need for his insights and practical solutions, we have excerpted parts of an interview and an article that will prepare us for his talk in August. The Ventura concerned citizens aligned with HopeDance are slowly moving toward having a larger presence in HD, so we have created a section dedicated to their ads and announcements. Rumor has it that they have created some magazine racks and even insert flyers into HD for various community-building events. Films and events are happening in SLO. In Santa Barbara and Cambria we are reevaluating our commitment to show films. Even tough none are advertised in this issue does not mean we are no longer showing films in those two cities. If you live in those areas and want to see our films, stay in touch by joining the various email lists or check the website periodically. Also, to make it easier for folks to see these remarkable films, we have summarized and categorized more than 200 videos and DVDs on our website (http://tinyurl.com/78pz6) so people can borrow them for a minimal donation for private viewing or house parties. Thanks to our intern Justin Popov for posting that remarkable service online. Also, we are celebrating our 50th issue with a party. See the back cover [of the print edition] for details! Bob Banner, Publisher <back | top^ |