Gaia Community: Skeye's Blog

What is seeking -and- the Nature of 'perspective'

http://Skeye.gaia.com — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 21:22:10 GMT

A great shift is calling to be true, to honor the truth that has been, and is ever, revealing itself 'within' all. Not to settle for surface experience and the mind's definitions of 'what is', of 'who/what I am/they are', but to listen ever deeper to the undercurrent of life....inner source...spirit song...true knowledge.

We are continually hearing about how harmful, unhealthy, decisions(that appear to not have all's best interest at heart) are being made without due process and yet continually cry out to the system that is perpetuating these dis-ease-full actions to do something about this. So sometimes it appears that one hand slaps the other and 'wrongs are righted', but these are nothing more than slight of hand tricks, temporary 'fixes' that distract from the deeper realization of the root causes of these actions.

As long as the system of dis-ease that is in place is being supported, then no matter what attempts there are at mental/physical health and well being, it will be threatened and attempted to be suppressed by that system.

Whether this be the societal system or the individual system of 'me'.

So "what to do"? I don't know, other than to relate how the revealing of the source of mind made clear the workings of the mind of 'the world'. Once there is clarity on the essential nature of self that is aware of all states of mind, this essential nature(or 'truth') is seen throughout all existence, and there is revealed to be no one to go back to(or ever was in), ignorance and illusion. There may appear to be a residual momentum of misidentified actions of consciousness, but the truth within dissolves the energetic beliefs of mind and facilitates the dissipation of misidentified actions.

And truly, it's all grace...not up to 'me'.

Nine years ago there was a pointing and revelation to and from within me, that has been revealed to be timelessly unfolding throughout all life. The paradoxical nature of this revelation makes it impossible to convey through words or perhaps even actions, but it has proven to be all that matters(essential) and to what this life force is in service to. May these sharings, communings, offer what they can to this pointing and be of service to the revelation of 'you'.

What do "I" seek?

The truth of myself.

Where is this to be found?

The revelation is no(w)here...and paradoxically everywhere...but this is not to be taken as belief(conceptually lived), for it does not reveal the truth that shines and conveys through direct living of divine energy through realization attunement of the body/mind to the source.

Does this search ever end?

Yes, when the perceptions of 'seeker' stops. Which actually happens when there is awareness of deep resting or of 'silence within'.

Does the 'seeker' need to end?

That is unknown, and is only ever up to how consciousness is unfolding through 'you'. The source of happiness(the truth of "I") that is sought by the 'seeker identity', is not 'seeking or finding', is ever present, awake and available to the possibility, potential, of awakening. If there is an awareness of desire to be at peace, then the 'seeker' will surrender to the truth that is revealed of itself in the tracing of thought(mind perceptions) to it's source that is revealed to be the essential nature of all.

To realize the source of all perspective(mine, yours, theirs), that which is before all 'seeing', unites all. Not through dogmatic belief or out of fear and insecurities, but through simple reality, truth, compassion in the ever-realizing that all is 'self'.

The paradoxical mind, through a sense of compassion and fear of suffering, seeks to 'save the world': To continue to try to 'change and right the world' through the very means of mis-identified nature(as an 'ego' based entity), that has created and perpetuated the circumstances that are being sought to change, is futile. It will, and has, only perpetuated the 'war and suffering' of mind that is reflected throughout the world.

To affect any real change it is realized one is to stay focused on 'self', to look within the nature of 'me', to the source 'inside'.

Does this mean to find and define every mental/emotional/physical aspect of the individual and bring them to light, to 'fix' them, to understand them? To work at aligning all these aspects of self together separately by creating 'health' for them all individually?

No, for this is what is being attempted in 'the world outside': to perfect the imperfect. 'Fixating' on the mis-identification with the forms of life(duality, separateness) as primary reality, there is the focus on making 'me and the world' better and/or the attempts to control it/them/myself. Not that this is inherently 'wrong/bad', just recognized as a function of unfolding consciousness in the search for happiness and well being that is in ignorance of the truth of itself that is, and has ever been, the formless whole(non-duality, unity).

This does not mean that actions of compassion and support for well being and health of the body/mind are resisted or refused, only that whether or not they are enacted it is not from a limited 'self-interest' and internal sense of fear or suffering.

In the focus of attention to divining the source of life/self that is primary reality(that is wholeness and ultimate well being), surrendering the focus on the conceptual 'me'(not defining the forms of life that is secondary, at least from the perspective of a 'me'), there is the alignment with the eternal inherent wisdom of all that precedes, and actually informs, all intellectual knowledge, all action....that is the source of all health, happiness and unity.

By realizing, primarily focusing on, the formless perfection that already exists before, within and after all appearances of form....all is well....and the forms of life reflect this. Not necessarily on the surface appearance, but the sensing 'within/beneath' all appearances. There is compassion for 'self' that is believing form to be reality.

By continuing to primarily focus on the 'righting of what is wrong' in form, when essentially there is nothing wrong, there is a feeding and perpetuating the creation of unwellness that ignores the true wellness of spirit.

Is the divining, realizing, of the truth of 'me' to be for the purpose of healing others, myself, or for bettering the world?

Essentially, no. For this would be the 'me' owning the revelation of reality(that all, in it's essential nature, is 'okay' and 'no-thing-at all), that supposedly, "I am in control and doing this for 'them' ".

That the individuated sense of self is supposedly primary reality and all it's perceptions are as well, when primarily it is the impersonal indivisible nature of reality that is ever unfolding, that is whole, complete and peace itself. The definitions of separateness arise after, within, the indivisible wholeness of 'self'. The perceptions and actions of 'war' arise out of the misconceptions of duality and suffering.

So the egoic sense of 'me being humble or a better person for all of them' is out the window, non-existent....it is only ever for the truth of self.

Yet, it is realized that this revelation is quite naturally the well being of 'all'. It's just not in 'my hands' to 'how this comes about for all', only ever to pay attention to this unfolding here....that is the same undifferentiated conscious truth unfolding in all.

All is well...regardless of appearances...all is in the heart, at the source, in essence wellness/wholeness. And it is ever to point to this reality that truly serves.

'Get out of your own way'...'By the grace of God go I'....'Thy will, not mine, Lord.'

These are all just pointers to the reality of 'divinity' that is ever present like the sun, day or night, blue sky or clouds, mis-identification or none. Yet once it is realized what mis-identification brings about, and the well being the truth facilitates, then nothing is the same and the attention to this truth is self-supporting.

This is the paradoxical commitment to 'self in all': the revelation/surrender of 'me' inspires the honoring of truth in 'all', that is impersonal, whole(holy) and in no need of 'fixing'. This supports the realization of the truth and affects a peace-filled shift in the 'me' that desires 'to fix or be fixed'....supporting the surrender of 'me' to realize wholeness of self that is and has ever been.

What comes of this for 'us'(the forms of life) and how it plays out in the world is unknown. Whether in continued ebb and flows of 'chaos and order', extinguishing altogether, or realizing an unthought existence....but at least there is the invitation to peace available and unfolding throughout 'an-other' aspect of consciousness.

For is this not what is truly sought, regardless of what is believed or perceived?: Peace.

Namaste....

Tags: seeking, seeker, search, nature, self, perspective, grace, compassion, surrender, system

Liberation: purge of self

http://Skeye.gaia.com — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 19:45:06 GMT

Yep...

...Life(GraceDivineEssenceBeingYou) has it's way
of having it's way with you (me-that-thinks-its-'it'). ;^)

Existence~Being~Bliss
that 'EBB' of flow
strips away
that 'day to day'
existence
quicker than
Jenna Jameson
poledancing
that latest craze
of exuberant
lonely housewives
what drives
Us?

What's the Force
that wields
these sabers
of Light
tripping fantastically
tipping fanatically
over the holy cow
would you look at that
not a bird
or a plane
no wings of desire
to take you higher
nor a super man
can take you
where You already
ARE.

That's what
the Beloved does
whether we're
ready or not
here it comes
up from the depths
to rest at Your feet
is all we really want
Beloved
this purging of 'self'
that leaves only You.

So don't wait
forgo the bait
and shoot straight
to the Heart
of the matter
in the midst of chatter
is revealed silent

s t i l l n e s s

Why start
following that cart
of 'goodies'
cause there's
no beginning
no end
only this Friend
that is no 'other'
not yer Mother
not tha Poppa
not even Dennis Hoppa
can breathe in this

~ F R E S H N E S S ~

of a spring rain
that knows no pain
is the reality
of Life
even strife
has it's pleasure
how else could we measure
'good and bad'
if all we had
was suffering?

Yet, this ground
upon which all sound
reverberates
is not something
to own
or can be thrown
away
even as we say
"Buenos dias!"
from all these ideas
comes only ignorance
of the Dance
dance revolution
without evolution
that circles within
every being.

In truth
there is only seeing
no self
to be purged
or urged
into re-action
but this cannot be known
until it IS.

So...ohsaycanyouseebythedawn'searlylight
that there is nothing to fight
with
but 'yourself'
is all that is creating
the war
and that shuts the door
in the face
of compassion
making a fashion
out of fascism
comes the desire
for freedom.

All is serving
and never swerving
from the path
that leads
No(w)here
cannot
be thought
only sought
by that which thinks
and ever blinks
on and off
like the light
at night
before deep
sleep.

Read this again
and again
my friend
until
there is no end
to
Awareness.

Tags:

The 'body politic'

http://Skeye.gaia.com — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:30:37 GMT

Original title: Once more questioning the 'body politic' ~or~ "Calling Dr. Frankenstein..."

Found this old Tribe post that is still very resonant in regards to the topic of 'politics' I feel...

The 'body politic' is a cadaver...a scarecrow/sex doll

If you don't care to read about Hitler and Bush (I know it's an old subject), then please start after 'SILENCING THE PEOPLE & 911' with:

"Voting in local elections and legislature can be somewhat helpful, but if the overall state of the nation and what happens in DC overrides the the issues of the local level, it may be in our best interest to address the system on a whole and how we are going to(if we can anytime soon)proceed beyond or without the current system."

It feels like these subjects are still somewhat 'taboo' or uncomfortable for people (even on Tribe and Gaia) to discuss in depth.

What say you?

Tags: politics, taboo, Hitler, Bush, voting, Mr. Smith goes to Washington

Obama Mania ~or~ None of the Above part Two

http://Skeye.gaia.com — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:48:45 GMT

Found this article on Obama on the front page of Tribe from a post in the Politics tribe and felt to repost it along with further sharings.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Would You Like Change With That?
An Analysis of Obamamania
(with hyperlinks to references, recommend reading linked articles)

By Doug Henwood
April 04, 2008

Source: Left Business Observer
This article appeared in Left Business Observer #117, March 2008. Copyright 2008, Left Business Observer.

~~~~~~~~~~

I still say a vote of 'no confidence' written in is the way to go.

NONE OF THE ABOVE! in '08 ~8D

Hey, guess what?

In looking for a pic to go with this post, I found this: NOTA

And this: vote none of the above

Hmm, and this: noneoftheabove-tn.org

Looks like it's catching on...

None of the above
Bill offers voters a way to put action in dissatisfaction: force a new election

Wow, and it looks like Republicans are in support of NOTA:

AP Poll: GOP Pick Is 'None of the Above'

Another vid from TIME CNN:
Jesse Ventura: U.S. Ballots Should Offer “None of the Above”Monday, April 7th, 2008

Interestingly enough this link leads to a Bush speech, so here is an article:
Maverick wants none of the above for president

Now let's here from the man who started it all, Mr. Monty Brewster!

Vote None of the Above (Richard Pryor - Brewsters Millions)

If only Richard were here today...I can only imagine how fun this could be!

Now realize though that I am not necessarily advocating voting in the Presidential (s)elections, the last two were still most likely 'stolen'.

But I do feel that if enough people are in communication about NOTA and there is either a ballot measure that allows for this or enough people that refuse to turn out, it will be all to obvious that the current system is not in favor and we will be that much closer to real change.

And if you want to check out my first blog post on NOTA, here it is:
By way of deception shall you make war ~or~ None Of The Above!

Peace, Hugs and NOTA!

Tags: None Of The Above, NOTA, Richard Pryor, Obama, voting

Let the dream end...real~eyez the reality

http://Skeye.gaia.com — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 20:43:08 GMT

Wasn’t able to post this yesterday, but this is definitely one case of ’better late than never’...

40 Years Later, (The Late) Martin Luther King Still Silenced

Watch this short 3 minute video for an essential MLK:

Martin Luther King: Breaking The Silence, 40 Years Late

To read and hear the whole speech:

I have been to the mountaintop

Timeless words on ’war’....

Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence
By Rev.
Martin Luther King
4 April 1967 (exactly one year before he was assassinated)

Martin Luther King, "Why I Am Opposed to the War in Vietnam"

I haven’t posted the "I have a dream.." speech, because I don’t believe that Dr. Martin Luther King meant for it to remain a dream. I feel he spoke of it to foretell the time when we would no longer need to dream of peace, but would be living it.

To this I say, may we all realize the end of the dream, may we all realize awakeness now...

Tags: MLK, Martin Luther King Jr., war, peace, realization

What Do You Really Want?

http://Skeye.gaia.com — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 18:47:54 GMT

What Do You Really Want? / Adyashanti

Tags: Adyashanti, Truth, questioning, death, trance, sustaining force, flow

The Story of STUFF

http://Skeye.gaia.com — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 07:17:51 GMT

A very interesting quote in here, see if you can catch it. The video is only about 20 mins long, but gives a basic outline to a much bigger discussion and essentially addresses what I have thought to make into a documentary film. Do the download to get a quicktime movie, it didn't download to my computer, just played in the browser in a new window.

The Story of Stuff

Tags: sustainability, consumerism, stuff, corporation, government, resources

In Silence

http://Skeye.gaia.com — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 00:46:38 GMT

A guide has entered this life in silence.
His message is only heard in silence.

Take a sip of his precious wine
and lose yourself.
Dont insult the greatness of his love,
for he helps all those who suffer, in silence.

Polish the mirror between the breaths.
Go with him beyond words.
He knows your every deed.
He is the one who moves the wheel of heaven,
	in silence.

Every thought is buried in your heart;
He will reveal them one by one, in silence.

Turn each of your thoughts into a bird
and let them fly to the other world.
One is an owl, one is a falcon, one is a crow.
Each one is different from the others
but they are all the same in silence.

To see the Moon that cannot be seen
turn your eyes inward and look at yourself,
	in silence.

In this world and the next,
dont talk about this and that;
Let him show you everything,
	shining as one . . .
	in silence.

            -- Ode 1897
               Version by Jonathan Star
               "Rumi - In the Arms of the Beloved"

Tags: Rumi, silence

Are you Ready?

http://Skeye.gaia.com — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 04:31:30 GMT

National ID card

I'm just saying: Are you ready?

US Announces Revised Plan for National ID Cards

REAL ID Final Rule: Questions & Answers (FYI: this is the Department of Homeland Security's website)

Britons' ID cards 'to be delayed'

National ID Cards and REAL ID Act

No chicken little here...just a friendly public service announcement. Just that if you haven't been aware this was in the works. What does it mean? Read about, think about it, feel it out. At least be informed. If it makes any difference, that's up to you.

Peace...

Tags: National ID, totalitarianism

100s of Abandoned Animals Need Help

http://Skeye.gaia.com — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 07:21:38 GMT

Beloved Shemaia sent this out today and I'm passing it on....

hey ya'll
I just received this post today
I know this is in so-cal but perhaps you know someone there or you
ARE there. Perhaps someone is heading that way and wants to bring
back a few animals........do what you feel to do
send out the call to anyone you know might help with these suffering
ones.
SheMaia

100s of Abandoned Animals Need Help

Received Fri Jan 18th

Subject: CA 911 situation: 185 dogs, 100 farm animals with NO
shelter, food, water
in LA County (abandoned)

HELP! CROSSPOST EVERYWHERE! HURRY!

Contacts at bottom!

Animal Acres has stepped in to help and is in serious need of
assistance. Please
read the below. Please forward to any who might be able to help.
Donations are
always vital.

Please CONTACT:
Lorri Bauston <info@laanimalalliance.com >
661-269-5404
or email: info@animalacres.org

ANIMAL ACRES
5200 Escondido Canyon Road Acton, CA 93510
Phone: 661.269.5404   Fax: 661.269.0194
Email: info@animalacres.org
Website: www.animalacres.org
--------------------

COUNTRY CRITTERS IN THE CITY NEED HELP
Over 100 severely neglected farmed animals need
food, shelter, veterinary care, and YOU.

Approximately 100 goats, chickens, turkeys, pigs,
an emu, llama, and one pregnant horse ---along with
over 185 dogs--- were abandoned at a farm without
shelter, water, or food. Working with L.A. County
Animal Regulation & Control, area dog rescue
organizations and other sanctuaries, Animal Acres
rescue staff and volunteers have been working to
remove suffering animals from the property, and
provide food and care for animals still left behind.

Animal Acres rescuers on the scene found dead dogs
in wheelbarrows, and the farmed animals did not have
any food or water . One of the pigs could not stand
because his hooves were severely overgrown. Most of
the sheep and goats have upper respiratory ailments,
pink eye, and mange. Two of the sheep are blind in
one eye, and all of the sheep and goats have eye
infections. The animals were forced to live in
filthy puddles and dirt in 30 degree temperatures
without any protection from wind or rain. The stench
was horrific.

The Animal Acres sanctuary is now providing
emergency rescue care for 38 sheep and goats, 32
chickens and turkeys, and is working to find
temporary or permanent placement for 46 ducks and
geese.   L.A. County Animal Services informed us
they did not have shelter for the farmed animals and
Animal Acres assistance was critical for this rescue
-- BUT WE DO NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT HOUSING SPACE OR
FUNDING TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FOR ALL OF
THE FARMED ANIMALS.   PLEASE, help us come to the
aid of Los Angeles' country critters. You can help
by:

1. ADOPTING OR HELPING FIND ADOPTIVE HOMES FOR
DUCKS, GEESE, GOATS, AND SHEEP
Homes are urgently needed for the ducks and geese
that remain at the property, and we only have
temporary housing for the sheep and goats. We must
find permanent placement for these animals. If you
or someone you know can provide a loving home for
ducks, geese, sheep, or goats, please call
661-269-5404 or email: info@animalacres.org

2. VOLUNTEERING TO CARE FOR THE ANIMALS
As a volunteer based organization, we depend on
dedicated volunteers to help us with large cruelty
cases. The rescued animals need to receive health
care (treatments, hoof trimmings, etc) and be fed,
watered, and cleaned every day. PLEASE help us care
for these animals by volunteering at our shelter.
Volunteers need to arrive by 11 a.m . (and can
volunteer as as early as 8 a.m.) and commit to a
three hour caregiving shift.

3. DONATING TO THE EMERGENCY RESCUE FUND
We are in need of funding for feed, veterinary
treatments, and neutering costs (ten of the male
goats must also be neutered.) Your donation TODAY to
the Animal Acres EMERGENCY RESCUE FUND is vital for
us to continue this lifesaving rescue. Please visit
http://animalacres.org/donate.html to make an ER
FUND donation today. Thank YOU.

Animal Acres is a Los Angeles farmed animal
sanctuary and compassionate living center directed
by Farm Sanctuary co-founder Lorri Bauston. Thank
you for your support.

ANIMAL ACRES
5200 Escondido Canyon Road Acton, CA 93510
Phone: 661.269.5404   Fax: 661.269.0194
Email: info@animalacres.org
Website: www.animalacres.org

Tags:

I Cry...

http://Skeye.gaia.com — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 01:53:46 GMT

Hello, Namaste all....not quite 'back' yet, perhaps soon now that I have a computer, but I wanted to offer this little sharing for new Friend Amadon and any that may appreciate it.

So click on the link in the lyrics, it will open up a new page and auto play, then click back on this page and continue reading. ;^) ]

I Cry

one day i met a precious soul
whose words had touched my heart
his poetry resounded so
it tore my soul apart
but when i tried my thoughts to speak
emotion made my mind so weak
and time stood still for years and years
i bathed him in my tears

i cried, i cried
tears of joy, tears of pain
i cried, i cried
tears of love again and again

some people turn to pills and things
to help them through the day
to take them up or down or just
to ease the blues away
but me i really want to feel
the ups and downs of life so real
happy or sad emotions reign
my tears flow just the same

i cry, i cry
tears of joy, tears of pain
i cry, i cry
tears of love again and again
i cry, i cry
tears of joy, tears of pain
i cry, i cry
tears of love again and again

gonna burn so completely i leave no trace
though so many out there would laugh in my face
for wearing emotion so close to the skin
condemn me they might if to love's such a sin

Mmmm...can you feel that? I knew that you could...

Plus, here are a couple of his blog posts(the only I have read so far) that feel to resonate and have, if nothing else, shooken things up a bit in Zaadzville. ;^) Make sure to read through the comments if you have the time, very good discussions and nice revelations, especially, I find, in the second one.

Being in Love and Ego Reactions
Are the Zaadzsters Better Than Jesus?

As always, Peace...

image: 'a quiet tear' by Tome Gore

Tags: cry, tears, emotions, love, shaking things up, questioning, communing

Kenneth update

http://Skeye.gaia.com — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 21:26:19 GMT

For expediency's sake, the full report and more, please see this blog post on Tribe! ~8D

Instead of 'world against death penalty'...World In Support of Empathy? W.I.S.E. !!!

A new tribe and movement?

Love, Hugs, Peace and Compassion....

Tags: Death Penalty, Kenneth Foster, clemency, compassion, execution, empathy

Re: Kenneth info and the fear of death

http://Skeye.gaia.com — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 21:58:30 GMT

Originally a message on my Tribe page , I offer it here in gratitude and it's relevance to You All. :)

As ever, Peace...

Calling out across the world...

I just finished sending out invites to the Kenneth Foster tribe to all 167 of you...3 at time! (new tribe update perhaps?) :)

These are not sent in any expectation of what you 'should' do...only in the possibility of what you feel capable and willing to do...and this is not for anyone else to say, but your own soul's Wisdom. Nor is it with the intention of spreading fear of death, because as I understand it Kenneth is at peace with this and, even if not, this is to support awareness of what is propagated in the world with a belief in 'separation' and from the fear of death and supposed 'need for vengeance'. To offer the potential of opening to compassion beyond fear, possibly revealing what 'connects us All'.

I give thanks for any and all attention you may give this, however you may feel to.

I offer a big Heart Hug to all you beautiful and amazing beings that, even though we do not get to commune much are hardly have ever, I am grateful for your being a part of this vast and wondrous world!

Namaste.....

Tags:

"Let's shine to the world." ~ Kenneth Foster

http://Skeye.gaia.com — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 21:50:13 GMT

Here are a couple pieces from the Kenneth Foster Yahoo support group:

From: DRIVE Movement
To: drive drive
Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2007 8:19 PM
Subject: Kenneth Foster and John Joe Amador will protest their executions!

We received the following message from Kenneth announcing that he and John Joe
Amador will protest their executions starting tomorrow, August 22.

Like Kenneth, John is from Bexar County. He is scheduled to be executed on August 29. We have also posted a message from John, "I Will Not Participate", that gives more details about his case.

Please spread the word that these two brave men will be nonviolently resisting!

"August 22, 2007 Directive

In the name of Human Rights; all religious doctrines of Peace, Love and Forgiveness; and in the vision of reform and atonement, on the above said date myself (Kenneth E. Foster Jr.) and John Joe Amador have committed to a protest of passive non-participation in our executions. Together we have decided to go on a spiritual mission to oppose our systematic executions in the hopes to open the eyes of people that think this horrific process is ok.

Starting on the 22nd we will engage in passive non-participation in this process in the same fashion that civil rights fighters stood down the cruel and inhumane treatments of their time. We are here to say that we do not condone violence and will not promote it. We recognize that violence will not solve our problems, just like executions do not help our society. We are committed to peace and grassroots activism. We are not doing this for ourselves, but for YOU, the people, to demonstrate to you that we do not agree with this process. We do this for YOU, the people, to show that we are new men today and that we
must stand down the death penalty. We seek to harm no person and we will not. We pray to compel this society to look at the death penalty in a new light.

Starting on the 23rd we will begin refusing all food. We will not eat any more meals served to us. Our only nourishment will be liquids.

Bexar County had lined up two San Antonio executions in a row - John Amador's for the 29th and mine for the 30th. While my case is known, Mr. Amador's is not. I will give Mr. Amador the opportunity to write his own words regarding the injustices that he has faced at the hands of Bexar County. Since I have a visual plight I am here to say that the State is wrong in its desire to kill me. If I was as equally guilty as the 2 other men in the car, and these 2 men are not on death row, then I should not be either. This is an obvious injustice
and railroad.

As we enter into being 7 days away from our execution we will be placed in cells that have video cameras where we can be observed 24-7. We cannot condone this invasion. We cannot participate in the way our humanity is being stripped. While we are NOT indifferent to the victims, we are also not indifferent to the fact that we are still human beings. But for a country that professes it wants a good society it's hard to acknowledge that when the prison population is 2 million and rising and the conditions are left horrific. So what is really the
purpose of the Penal system? We also ask you to think about this - in any other country when people are lined up and slaughtered it's called genocide. They said Sadaam Hussein committed mass Genocide. It has happened in Darfur and Rwanda and residents of Cuba and North Korea have been accused of it. But when America does it it is called justice? Texas will surpass 400 murders this year. It we are to be unjustly taken then we do not want to go silently. We will not walk to our executions and we will not eat last meals. We will not give this process a humane face.

We ask all of you to stand for human rights. We are men that are dedicated to change and betterment. We are dedicated to give atonement to the system and society. Who of us will be left to guide the lost? We sacrifice this for society, not for us, because death row is a cancer in the body of this country. Our actions are antibodies to oppose this atrocious disease.

I, as a DRIVE representer, stand in the name of a better day. We will be on a DRIVE and we do it with prayers, love and understand - even for those that hate us. We don't have them and we don't hate the TDC officers that will usher us to our murders. Reports have said that Governor Perry is doing the will of the people. So, we come to you, the people, to relook at this process.

For those that have read about my case you now see how arbitrary capital punishment can be. AS long as it exists these things WILL continue to happen. Why? Because human beings are fallible. Many people want us to be the men we was 10 years ago. But we're not. We could point fingers and talk about scams and corruption going on. We can talk about the ENRON's and the Scooter Libby's, the Guantanamo Bay's and Abu Ghraib's. But we won't because we know you know that these things exist. We will only point our fingers up.....up.....and say that WE MUST GET UP. We must get up the way the CEDP has gotten up and made a movement. We must get up like these medias, politicians and even friends to the victims have gotten up. Some of us see a new way. It is possible.

And so, on August 22nd we commit ourselves to something that is beyond us. Perhaps we are just tools for a greater purpose.

We will not lift a finger to another person. We will only lift our voices and spirits. We will allow YOU, the people, to be the force that must be reckoned with.

We close this Directive in the words of Martin Luther King Jr.:

"Civilization and violence are antithetical concepts. Through violence you may murder a murderer, but you can't murder murder. Through violence you may murder a liar, but you can't establish truth. Through violence you may murder a hater, but you can't murder hate. Darkness cannot put out darkness, only light can do that."

Let's shine to the world.

In struggle,

Kenneth E. Foster Jr. & John Joe Amador"

DRIVE Movement
http://drivemovement.org

DRIVE Movement e-Store
http://www.cafepress.com/drivemovement

~~~~~~~~~

Texas Death Penalty Abolition Movement <abolition.movement@hotmail.com> wrote:

For Immediate Release

August 21, 2007

Media Contact: Njeri Shakur 713-237-0713
Gloria Rubac 713-503-2633

On August 22 Texas Will Execute the 400th Person Since Executions Resumed in
1982.

A Houston Protest to Condemn This Milestone will be at Houston’s Old Hanging Tree

Johnny Conner is scheduled to be executed on Wednesday, August 22, in Huntsville at 6:00 PM. Conners’ execution, if carried out, will be the 400th in the state of Texas since executions resumed on Dec. 7, 1982.

The United States has executed 1,090 people since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976 and executions resumed on January 17, 1977, when the state of Utah’s firing squad killed Gary Gilmore.

Houstonians will protest the 400th execution at 5:30 at Houston’s Hanging Tree on the corner of Capital and Bagby. Protests will also take place around the state on Wednesday, including at the governor’s mansion in Austin.

“We will protest at the 200-year-old oak tree where Black people were illegally lynched many, many years ago. Today lynching in Texas is legal and it is done by the government in Huntsville. But Texas does not have the moral authority to execute anyone. The death penalty is used only against the poor and is a racist attack on the African American and Latino communities,” stated Njeri Shakur, a spokesperson for the Texas March Against Executions Committee, which is organizing Wednesday’s protest in Houston.

The death penalty is losing favor around the world. Even in the US there are fewer people being sentenced to death and fewer executions are being carried out. Because over 120 people have been released from death row for reasons of innocence, people sitting on juries are more reluctant to condemn a defendant to death. Only in Texas are executions continuing at a fast pace.

On Tuesday, the European Union issued a statement directed at Texas*, saying, “The European Union notes with great regret the upcoming execution in the State of Texas and strongly urges Governor Rick Perry to exercise all powers vested in his office to halt all upcoming executions and to consider the introduction of a moratorium in the State of Texas.”

[ * Texas carries out 400th execution ]

Texas has 3 more executions scheduled for the next week, including one of an innocent man, Kenneth Foster. Foster’s family will be in Houston to speak on Saturday at 2:00 PM at St. Saviour Baptist Church at 5202 Tronewood in N. E. Houston. ( www.freekenneth.com )

Tags:

Urgent! Can you help Kenneth?

http://Skeye.gaia.com — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 03:24:43 GMT

This is an '11th hour' attempt to bring attention to a serious injustice and unbalancedness in the legal system pertaining to Texas' application of the Law of Parties and of it's use in regards to the case of Kenneth Foster Jr. who is sentenced to lethal injection on August 30th, in just 8 days.

See this page for a legal analysis of the Law of Parties

"Don't execute Kenneth E. Foster!" online petition

Kenneth's website with mass info. Please explore the many informational pages on here and read some of Kenneth's writings.

Here is the petitions page

Kenneth's Yahoo group
This is a world wide effort and this Ygroup provides useful files, photos and links...read the past few days postings for many helpful suggestions of action.

Intro to Youtube Petition Campaign to Save Kenneth Foster
Youtube group: http://youtube.com/group/kennethfoster

ABC video
A somewhat misrepresented and biased in language report, but at least it got on there.

Man Speaks About Life From Death Row
There is a short video news report and full 43 minute interview posted on the right.

Getaway driver nears execution for '96 murder
(opens up in an ad, but can close at top right to go to article)

Two Weeks To Live: Convicted Killer Speaks Out

Man to Be Executed, Although Prosecutors Say He Didn't Kill
(Note: see below the first page for links to more on this story)

Jocks 4 Justice article

Tags:

Still questioning 'Conscious Capitalism'

http://Skeye.gaia.com — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 04:00:02 GMT

I find these comments and actions to be of interest to note in regards to the words and actions of Mr. John Mackey and the consideration of 'conscious capitaism'.

Read these remarks from Mr. Mackey in his comment responses to this blog post:
(you can read the whole post and/or scroll all the way down to the comments, the discussion there feels to be very 'enlightening')

"My argument for "Conscious Capitalism" is that capitalism can be improved. Quite honestly there is no viable alternative to capitalism that doesn't involve some type of totalitarian government with massive losses of both human freedom and prosperity. The question isn't whether we'll have capitalism in the world or not, because we will. The question is whether we can evolve it or not to a higher level of consciousness. I think we can and I'm working to do exactly that."

For a very good response to this comment and more see:

Nick Theodosis' post at January 28, 2007 07:02 PM

Mr. Mackey gives an interesting insight into his perspective in these comments.

Here are a few more pertinant words:
(I am not identified with the person's comments ideas that Mr. Mackey is responding to, but do see possible merit in exploring them further than somewhat dramatically rebuting them, as it appears Mr. Mackey has done.)

"As I've followed this thread about Conscious Capitalism/Conscious consumption, I am prompted to write. While I give support to you that if we're going to have a consumer economy, a conscious capitalistic system certainly is preferable to the current capitalistic model, or that of any of the other 'consumer economies' that get bandied about, ”communism, socialism, fascism, etc. All of these economies are consumption economies, really the only difference between any of them is the distribution methods: capitalism distributes on a supposed 'free-market', communism is a centralized government etc."

I'm quite surprised and disturbed, Ann, to read that you believe that capitalism is very similar to communism, socialism, fascism, etc. because they are all consumption economies. These other economic systems are radically different from capitalism. Capitalism is the only economic system which puts the needs and desires of the customer at the heart and soul of it. The customer is King & Queen in capitalism and producers compete to best satisfy their desires. Socialism, communism, and fascism all locate the decision making power in the hands of governmental bureaucrats. The bureaucrats decide what will be produced, how much will be produced, and how much it will cost. If they don't think something is needed or is very important then it won't be produced. Want a computer? Too bad. Want an iPod--not necessary. Need a heart transplant--get in line and we'll see if we think you are important enough to get one. The 20th century is a long nightmare on the failed attempts of these alternative economic systems to work. They failed miserably and reduced individual freedom and individual rights everywhere they existed. The communistic utopias of the Soviet Union, China, and Cambodia resulted in the murder of over 100 million of their own citizens. Think about that before you lump capitalism--the economic system which has created so much human progress-- in with these other economic systems which have created so much human misery.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Yes, we are all well steeped in the consumer economy, so much so that it seems as if it is the only way to be. In the early 1900's, the idea of 'insatiable desire' was implanted in our culture through the intense rise of advertising, because insatiable desire was considered a cure all for an ever rising/falling economic system that depended on consumers continuing to consume. When they were erratic in consuming, depressions/recession ensued, at least in the money flow. I can't blame our forefathers because from their perspective this looked like the best choice. Consuming led to money flow which led to more consuming and if we could keep this going on a fairly constant flow, depressions, recessions and economic chaos would be a thing of the past. And consume we did and as we consumed the money flowed. Over the last 100 years we have perfected a consumer economy, efficiently setting up a supply/demand (insatiable desire + money = demand, please note, 'demand' does not necessarily mean 'need'."

Sorry but I don't agree with your cynical view of the stupidity of people who you believe are so easily manipulated by advertising to buy things that they don't really want. Who is going to define what people really need, Ann? Will it be you? Will you decide what everyone needs? Will some group of government bureaucrats decide in your economic system like they do in socialism and communism? Or will individuals make these choices themselves? Will people be free to make their own choices or will you or some other dictator decide what is best?

(this kind of response has a feel of projecting and defining what Ann is supposedly saying, a rather reactive/defensive/aggressive response that possibly attempts to make Ann look 'bad' and 'wrong'...not real questioning and openly listening, more 'shame and blame' than anything else)

~~~~~~~~~~

"To that, I then ask the question: ”what if instead of a consumer economy, we instead created a whole life economy? It would serve a primary need of life, relationships, species diversity, health, etc. instead of the current primary need of money. Yes, there would still be businesses and productsâ, but only so much as is necessary for real life. What I'm suggesting is that we move into a new paradigm. The following is the best encapsulation of the old to the new paradigm that I am suggesting. It comes from Barbara Brandts' book, Whole Life Economics."

Ann--who is in charge of the "Whole Life Economy?" Who decides what gets produced and what doesn't get produced? Will individuals have the freedom to decide for themselves what they want and will entrepreneurs be free to innovate and create to meet their needs? If not entrepreneurs and individual consumers--who?

To read all of Mr. Mackey's responses go to:

John Mackey at March 13, 2007 07:55 PM

Now read this article:

(excerpt:)

"Whole Foods' documents outlining plans for the transaction, dubbed "Operation Goldmine," call for about 30 Wild Oats stores to be closed, according to a government court filing. The company expects revenue at nearby Whole Foods stores to nearly double, government attorneys said.

Whole Foods also plans to sell 35 Wild Oats stores in California and Texas that operate under the Henry's and Sun Harvest names."

And from this article: merger with Whole Foods

"The District Court's ruling affirms our belief that a merger between Whole Foods and Wild Oats is a winning scenario for all stakeholders," said John Mackey, Chairman, CEO, and co-founder of Whole Foods Market. "We believe the synergies gained from this combination will create long term value for customers, vendors, and shareholders as well as exciting opportunities for team members."

And...

"We are very pleased with the court's ruling and always had confidence that, once presented with the facts, the judge would rule in favor of this merger," said Gregory Mays, Chairman and CEO of Wild Oats Markets. "We continue to believe this merger is in the best interest of our stakeholders, as it will mean significant career opportunities for our store associates, capital investment in our stores to enhance the shopping experience for our customers, and value-creation for our shareholders. We look forward to closing the transaction."

Hm...was the local community consulted in this 'merger'? Were they asked if they would prefer this or not? What of the many workers that are going to be unemployed? Were their needs considered or questioned? And what of the communities that will be losing a 'competative alternative' or perhaps be more limited to their access of a 'natural foods store' and more healthier choices?

Seems to me Whole Foods/Wild Oats and their respective 'owners' have made this decision for them...all in the name of 'our stakeholders' and 'progress', but what about that 'competative market'? Is it only good until one can 'outgrow' the other? Until one can become 'top dog'?

This is 'conscious capitalism'? Sounds like the same old story to me. And any time someone starts accusing others of being 'dictatorial', is a time to take a good look at the accuser. I'm not defining WF or Mr. Mackey as anything, only questioning what they say they are and what they are showing.

There is so much to consider in this and I do not assume that all that is involved has been reported, but once again, there is enough questionable actions to call for a deeper questioning of the claiming of 'honest and conscious intentions' and possibly supporting otherwise.

Of which I feel business voodoo aptly offered some perspective on Brian's blog post:
John Mackey's an Investor in Zaadz!

And a very interesting conversation ensued, many days apart, but the recent legal developments of WF and Mr. Mackey have not yet been responded to that business voodoo posted about.

So, if you've got some perspective to shed some light, please do, I would really love to hear it.

Peace....

Tags: conscious capitalism, Whole Foods, John Mackey, totalitarianism

Man on Death Row requires your attention

http://Skeye.gaia.com — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 01:44:52 GMT

Please review this website and, if you feel to, support the efforts to stay
his execution.

~~~~~~~~

(form letter I edited slightly...) 

The 'law of parties' is being used to execute a man that was driving the car
that the actual trigger man (who has already been executed) rode in before he
killed a guy in a botched robbery attempt [Skeye: which sounds questionable
as well if that's what it was] . Whatever your feelings are on the death
penalty, this feels to be a pretty clear misapplication of it.

There are a bunch of links to supporting media coverage and other info,
check'em out...

~~~~~~~~

Also, click on Kenneth's Case on the left menu and whatever else you feel to
read.

Peace...

Tags: Kenneth Foster, justice system, death penalty

Love matters

http://Skeye.gaia.com — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 20:10:47 GMT

This morning we(Shem and I) were expressing appreciation of however we make love it is 'fresh', yet not too familiar and not too unfamiliar, without need of trying something 'different' or more extreme. That the act of love making is not the focus and what is wanted to supply 'satisfaction' or to 'get love', it is the vehicle of Love's expression...just as every moment is truly.

Just more consciously, it would seem, when 'love making'. I expressed how there used to be a confusion around sex in past relationships: the motivations for it, the whys and whatfors, what it 'meant', am 'I' good enough, all the insecurities involved....and about 'love', a confusion as to what 'it is'...but now there is not. 'Love Is'....what 'we are', 'I AM'....

Love sees the insecurities and desires and embraces them, awareness of their energy, but not a belief in them as 'real' or necessary...as to what applies to reality, they do not apply to Love. The act of love making is not 'needed', because Love is Here always, so if it comes to be enjoyed, it is...

My Beloved said this most simply profound thing this morning:

"Love does not get in the way of Love."

I laughed with this spark of a new twist on the phrase:

"Get out of your own way"

Whereas I had heard the emphasis on 'your' before, the primary importance being 'your' in the sentence, I heard it this way now:

get out of 'your own way'

Free yourself from 'your way'....choose Love...let Love has it's way.

It may seem paradoxical, but the more you consciously choose Love(not an image of what love is thought to be, but paying attention to the simply profound, still silent presence of your~Self, not any thought of 'who I am' or what anything is for that matter) the less you 'get in your own way'.

Love is not being then obstructed by the habitual nature of the personality...and yet it may appear still, just no real concern with it...and there is great and simple Joy. Not necessarily 'explosive' or most expansive, yet it can be, bust most importantly 'clear' and beautiful.

I read then these passages from Love Poems from God:

Just these two words He spoke
changed my life,

"Enjoy Me."

What a burden I thought I was to carry----
a crucifix, as did He.

Love once said to me "I know a song,
would you like to hear it?"

And laughter came from every brick in the street
and from every pore
in the sky.

After a night of prayer, He
changed my life when
He sang

"Enjoy Me."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

How did those priests ever get so serious
and preach all that
gloom?

I don't think God
tickled them
yet.

Beloved----hurry.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

...and Rumi's father's(Bahauddin) the Drowned Book:

The Khotan Ceremony

I have heard of an old ceremony in Khotan, a region of China where Turk tribes settled. Men and young unmarried women---there heads uncovered and wearing disreputable clothing---would walk through the marketplace hand in hand. This is how the ritual started, with everyone drunk and dancing, passing cups of wine around. The party would straggle and stagger in before the Khan under the great mosque dome, where the women would partly disrobe, showing their breast to the men. Lovemaking began there in the open. They did things in public that we do only in private inside our homes. It was part of the annual clitorectomy initiation for the women of those tribes.

It makes me faint to imagine what came next, with the young women passed out drunk. Is God part of everything human beings do, even this? Qur'an 11:6 says, 'Every creature'....This world we watch is strange and disturbing. Here, for instance, are 'my' desires at the moment: I want a beautiful woman. I want wine, music, and laughter. I want everyone to see the sacredness of life. I want wide recognition for myself. I want my wantings intensified, and I want to feel the divine being poring through me every moment.

Answers came for this declaration. 'Watch bees sipping juice from flowers. Do that with the mystery of presence. Let your body become honey made from that sipping. We are the unlimited wine you dream of, the reviving light. As you restore that in yourself, you will find fulfillment for every pleasure you pursue.'

Drink zikr. The blessed cave-sleep of that will give you peace(18:9).

~~~~~~~~~~~~

If sex and pleasures come to be enjoyed, there is Love...if they do not, there is Love. If hardships come to be felt, Love welcomes them, embraces them...here in this Heart.

This is felt to be the essential misconception or 'flaw' in the presentation of 'the Secret' and they even went into this somewhat, but did not quite express the fullness of it:

That yes, there is a universal 'law of attraction', but not how we may 'think' it to be...that it is not about getting 'things' for 'somebody', but rather that 'where' or on 'what' we place attention energetically is what will be attracted, will be revealed, will 'show up', but not necessarily in circumstances of life, but merely in the quality of how circumstances are experienced or 'felt'.

Yet, there can be an affect on the circumstances...paying attention to 'negative' energy/thoughts, ruminating on them, can create 'negative' circumstances...paying attention to 'positive' energy/thoughts can create 'positive' circumstances, but not always either way.

Thought energy is limited...there could be really nothing 'wrong' but the mind's continued engagement with 'negative' thoughts and projections can create a sense of 'bad' experiences, an internal attracting/affect externalizing. There could be 'negative' circumstances showing up and by not paying attention to the thoughts about it, or by engaging in 'positive' affirmations, there could be a sense of 'good' experience with it and even a changing into 'positive' circumstances.

It's all relative...and ever changing, but what doesn't change is what is aware of it all, at the core and foundation of it all: 'You'...the background of all experience and circumstances of Life....the essential 'Being' of all creation....this that is simply here....without need of anything....is whole, complete....always....welcoming all, embracing all, letting all 'be', because there is no question of 'what things are or why they are here': they are essentially 'self' and not a 'they or that'....nothing in particular, yet everything.

In paying attention to 'yourself', essential nature, this that resonates through all creation, and not fixating on or about the forms of creation(the manifest world), then the forms of creation are not what they 'appear to be', they are 'known' to be Self...without need of fearing or desiring, or fearing desire, or desiring fear....without need of defining a 'somebody' that is attracted to 'something', attachments to 'experience' are unnecessary.

If there is an attention on attaining something 'for me' it comes from a sense of 'lack', separation, but when attention is on the simple 'being' of self that is All, any sense of separation points back to this truth of 'unity', of Self/Love.

Paying attention to a sense of 'lack' and a desire for something to fulfill this, may attract a momentary satisfaction, but this too shall pass. Both the desire AND the satisfaction....desire, satisfaction, desire, satisfaction....coming and going, with a belief that this is all there is to Life: the satisfying of desires.

But what is it that all these desires are 'wanting', what is it that is wanted or thought/felt will be gotten when they are satisfied? This is what is to be clarified, because it clarifies 'you' and then the usual things that are thought to be true about life, about you and what you 'should or shouldn't do/be' are not the 'deciding factors' that shape the experience of life and how it unfolds, or the sense of self, anymore. Yet, they are not ignored either...just not believed to be 'reality' or responded to in a known or conditioned way perhaps.

Self does not pass...Love is always here...let Love have it's way.

Paying attention to what doesn't pass fulfills every moment.

What comes of this is, what circumstances unfold, is unknown...the mind's definitions may continue to categorize, evaluate, compare and have preference, but this is irrelevant in the Light of true Beingness that is the Love of Heart, of Home, of Self....of You.

Not the mind's definition of 'who you/we are', but the essential reality 'You/We' that is unconditional Love.

Love, Peace and Hugs, You

Tags: Love, Self, the Secret, law of attraction, sex, desires, peace, fulfillment, You

If You Want

http://Skeye.gaia.com — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 18:21:48 GMT

If You Want

If
you want,
the Virgin will come walking down the road
pregnant with the holy,
and say,

"I need shelter for the night, please take me inside your heart,
my time is so close."

Then, under the roof of your soul, you will witness the sublime
intimacy, the divine, the Christ
taking birth
forever,

as she grasps your hand for help, for each of us
is the midwife of God, each of us.

Yes there, under the dome of your being does Creation
come into existence eternally, through your womb, dear pilgrim----
the sacred womb in your soul,

as God grasps our arms for help; for each of us is
His beloved servant
never
far.

If you want, the Virgin will come walking
down the street pregnant
with Light and
sing...

~ a St John of the Cross interpretation by Daniel Ladinsky in Love Poems from God...

...and truly from your Heart.

Tags: Love, poem, God, Virgin, Christ, beloved, divine, holy

What is 'conscious capitalism'?

http://Skeye.gaia.com — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 21:59:46 GMT

[I may be updating with more soon, but for now this will do.]

I find the new revelations into the practices of John Mackey and at Whole
Foods Inc. worth questioning. And no, the statement: "the views expressed
by Mr. Mackey do not reflect those of Whole foods" does not ring true here.

Whole Foods CEO Attacked Rival Online
Thursday July 12, 3:45 am ET
Whole Foods CEO Made Anonymous Online Attacks Against Rival Before Offering
to Buy It

DALLAS (AP) -- The chief executive of Whole Foods Market Inc. wrote anonymous
online attacks against a smaller rival and questioned why anyone would buy its
stock, before Whole Foods announced an offer to buy the other company this
year.

The postings on Internet financial forums, made under the name "rahodeb,"
said Wild Oats Markets Inc. stock was overpriced. The statements predicted
the company would fall into bankruptcy and then be sold after its stock fell
below $5 per share.

In February, Whole Foods announced it would buy Wild Oats for about $565
million, or $18.50 per share.

The company acknowledged that the postings by "rahodeb" were written by CEO
John Mackey.

They were made public this week as part of a lawsuit by the Federal Trade
Commission to block Whole Foods from buying Wild Oats on antitrust grounds.
Regulators say the sale would combine the two largest organic and natural
foods retailers and raise prices for consumers by concentrating too much
power in one company.

Austin-based Whole Foods defended Mackey's postings, saying they were being
taken out of context years later.

"Mr. Mackey made those postings from 1999 to 2006 under an alias to avoid
having his comments associated with the company and to avoid others placing
too much emphasis on his remarks," Whole Foods said.

The company added that many of Mackey's opinions in the postings "now have
far less relevance than when they were written. In addition, like most people, Mr.
Mackey's opinion about some things has changed over time."

Whole Foods concluded by saying the comments were Mackey's, not those of the
company.

One posting, from January 2005, questioned why anyone would buy shares of
Wild Oats at their price then of about $8 each, The Wall Street Journal
reported.

"Would Whole Foods buy (Wild Oats)? Almost surely not at current prices,"
rahodeb wrote. "What would they gain? (Their) locations are too small."

Rahodeb also said Boulder, Colo.-based Wild Oats' management "clearly doesn't
know what it is doing." The company, he wrote, "has no value and no future."

Mackey has led an unusually public countercharge to the FTC's attempt to
block his company's purchase of Wild Oats. He has said both companies
compete in a much larger market because many traditional grocers now sell
organic and natural foods.

Mackey used the blog on his company's Web site recently to bash the FTC. He
ridiculed the FTC's reasoning that it needed to stop Whole Foods from
eliminating a competitor. If that were the case, he said, the FTC should
never permit any mergers because they necessarily remove a rival from the
marketplace.

[Hmmm, this is a really questionable statement. Is Mr. Mackey saying that
there is no reason to question 'how' a merger comes about? That a merger
is always good for business? - Skeye]

The blog broadside by Mackey came after the FTC moved to release sealed
documents which quoted the CEO telling Whole Foods directors that buying Wild
Oats would help the company "avoid nasty price wars" and block a bigger
retailer from building a national natural-foods chain.

The FTC lawsuit is pending in U.S. District Court in Washington.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Whole Foods CEO Launched Anonymous Web Attacks on Rival Company
John Mackey Panned Wild Oats in Posts

By Peter Kaplan
Jul 11, 2007

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The chief executive of Whole Foods Market Inc. posted
messages on a Yahoo! chat forum under an alias for years, talking up his own
company while predicting a bleak future for Wild Oats Markets Inc. , the
rival it has since sought to acquire.

Company CEO John Mackey posted messages on a Yahoo! financial forum under
the user name "rahodeb," according to a court document filed by the U.S.
Federal Trade Commission and postings on Yahoo!

Mackey's messages painted a bright future for Whole Foods, the largest U.S.
natural and organic grocer, and downplayed the threat posed by competitors.

"The writing is on the wall. The end game is now underway for (Wild Oats) ....
Whole Foods is systematically destroying their viability as a business --
market by market, city by city," Mackey wrote in a March 28, 2006 posting.

[this 'aggressive' language and practice is 'concious'? This is 'healthy
competetion'? - Skeye]

It was cited by the FTC as part of a lawsuit aimed at blocking Whole Foods'
planned $565 million acquisition of Wild Oats on grounds the deal would
hobble competition and increase prices to consumers.

"Bankruptcy remains a distinct possibility (for Wild Oats) IMO if the
business isn't sold within the next few years," rahodeb said in another
March 29, 2006 posting on Yahoo!

Whole Foods confirmed Mackey had made the "rahodeb" postings between 1999 and
2006. It said references to those comments were among millions of documents
the company provided to the FTC as part of the agency's antitrust lawsuit.

In a statement, the company said Mackey posted comments under an alias "to
avoid having his comments associated with the company and to avoid others
placing too much emphasis on his remarks."

"The 'rahodeb' postings are the personal postings of Mr. Mackey and not those
of the company," Whole Foods said.

In separate comments posted on Whole Foods' Web site, Mackey said he "posted
on Yahoo! under a pseudonym because I had fun doing it. Many people post on
bulletin boards using pseudonyms."

"The views articulated by rahodeb sometimes represent what I actually
believed and sometimes they didn't. Sometimes I simply played 'devil's
advocate' for the sheer fun of arguing," Mackey said on the company Web site.

"All of rahodeb's postings also need to be understood in the context of the
time that they were written. Because the competitive market has evolved so
much in the last 5 years, older postings mean far less today than they did
when they were written," Mackey wrote.

Whole Foods announced plans to buy Wild Oats in February. The companies have
said the merger should be allowed to proceed in light of fierce competition
in the overall grocery business.

But in some postings, rahodeb downplayed other supermarkets as potential
competitors that could hurt Whole Foods.

"If you are waiting for Trader Joe's or Wegmans to slow down the Whole Foods
express train you're going to be waiting the rest of your life. It ain't
(going to) happen," rahodeb said in a September 28, 2005 posting in
response to another participant.

"You say that competition is increasing against Whole Foods, but continue to
ignore the fact that your so-called competition isn't hurting them," rahodeb
wrote in an October 3 2005 posting.

The FTC's complaint was filed June 6, but portions were initially kept under
seal. The FTC released the document late Tuesday.

On his personal blog, Mackey has accused the FTC of distorting his private
statements in order to portray him as excessively aggressive and bent on
eliminating healthy competition.

~~~~~~~~~~

I include both these articles because they offer extended perspective on Mr.
Mackey's supposed actions and perspective. For Mr. Mackey to refer to Whole
Foods as an 'express train' is somewhat revealing I feel, or at least
questionable.

And this,
"In a statement, the company said Mackey posted comments under an alias "to
avoid having his comments associated with the company and to avoid others
placing too much emphasis on his remarks." 
...has a ring of untruth to it. Yet his remarks, those that we have seen so
far, have been to 'de-emphasize' the competition. Is it not questionable for
Mr. Mackey to accept the acclaim for being the mastermind behind Whole Foods,
and then when it is unfavorable to 'detach' from it?

I am also including links to previous posts that I have offered in regards to
economic growth, conscious(spiritual) capitalism, sustainablity and offer
them again in light of these new developments.

What is 'conscious capitalism'? What is 'sustainable'? What is 'integrity'?

And what is the true intention of Mr. Mackey and Whole Foods?

I am not saying that these articles hold the whole truth, but Mr. Mackey's
comments and responses to this news are cause enough for asking these
questions.

And if you do not feel so, then why not? Really, I'd like to know.

The Field of Zaadz, capitalism and the questioning of intention

More perspective on 'commercialized spirituality'

Let's talk 'sustainability'

And here is a long and thorough comment (takes a few momments to load) on
Brian's 'Business Model' blog post, which never really got a response but is
relevant to the new developments at Whole Foods.
 
Thanks for listening...peace, Skeye

Tags: Whole Foods, conscious capitalism, questioning, integrity, competative market, monopoly, growth