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Life as an activist and photographer

the accidental activist

Because Its Happy Indigenous Day ( No I do celebrate Columbus Day ) Its been a busy month for this activist… I went and gave a talk at a local YMCA that was about the Rover pipeline.  A few of went to tell some of the workers that we were not happy with their work….  there phone camera’s came out … I waved to a couple I recognized … it was nice to see a little bit of shock on their face… Oh crap it’s her again….  Wavey wavey boys…. Also went up to Lansing and hung out at the … Continue reading Life as an activist and photographer

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Life as an Activist – Heartbreak and Grief (Tears show Love)

the accidental activist

Sometimes I wish for days of my youth. I am sure that many of us do… I was a well protected child by my parents and we did not have any losses that I remember until my grandfather who died when I was 12 and away at summer camp. I should have known something was up when my brother and his wife arrived to pick me up but it wasn’t until my cousins parents, Aunt Martha and Uncle Harold said ” We will see you tommorow.” I ask my brother if we were going to lake for water skiing a … Continue reading Life as an Activist – Heartbreak and Grief (Tears show Love)

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Life as an activist – Protecting Fellow Activists .

the accidental activist

Recently a protest happened, afterwards photos and videos were posted. Later a person popped up on a feed saying take it down … that the photographer and videographers were “endangering” their fellow activists …. I went on to the discussion and suggested that many of us who photograph and/or video actions be they marches or protests do photograph from behind… just showing the backs of the heads of people. We have also handed out wristbands for people not wanting to be photographed … The truth is that as a photographer … I am going to damm well photograph what I … Continue reading Life as an activist – Protecting Fellow Activists .

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Life as an activist and here we go again… California Oil Disaster…

the accidental activist

Another Day and another oil spill… This time off the coast of California … I wonder how many times its going to take before people wise up as my father use to say…. (the actual phrase was”Don’t you think you should smarten and wise up ???” after I had done something really stupid like most teenagers) I use to live in Orange County which for those who haven’t lived there, is one of the most diverse communities in Cali … I actually loved living there for the weather and diversity… and I loved the beaches and would of course escape … Continue reading Life as an activist and here we go again… California Oil Disaster…

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life as an activist – being a caretaker

the accidental activist

A lot of activists seem to be caretakers … not sure if we are born with something in us that gives us an extra caring gene… But I also find a lot of care takers who become activists because they see issues that are wrong … It may be elder abuse, trying to deal with issues that a family member on social security or school issues due to a disibility… It may be simply trying to get a medication needed for a love one… If anything good comes out of dealing with a pandemic is that so many people are … Continue reading life as an activist – being a caretaker

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Stories from an Oil Spill

the accidental activist

Today on my Facebook the photo above popped up in my memories… its from the 2010 Tar Sand Oil Disaster courtesy of Enbridge Energy…. Today I am going to tell you about my friend who’s name was Susan aka as Teddy … she lived across the street from me in a 2 bedroom trailer… with her special needs son. She lived within 200 ft of the river … I didn’t really know Susan and her son until several days after the disaster …. We had finally gotten the word that Enbridge would provide hotel rooms for impacted residents… and we … Continue reading Stories from an Oil Spill

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Park Rapids City Council caught selling millions of gallons of city water to Enbridge without telling the public

the accidental activist

Originally posted on Wisconsin Citizens Media Cooperative:
August 13, 2021 Barbara With Kent Brock was one of several concerned citizens who testified at the Park Rapids City Council meeting Monday night to hold them accountable for selling millions of gallons… Continue reading Park Rapids City Council caught selling millions of gallons of city water to Enbridge without telling the public

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Your Medical Chart — What’s On It?

the accidental activist

Originally posted on Epilepsy Talk:
When asked if they’d like to see their doctor’s notes, patients in two new studies overwhelmingly said yes. But doctors weren’t nearly as enthusiastic. The idea of opening up doctor’s notes has been around for decades. Advocates figure that patient oversight will reduce medical errors and help patients be more engaged. Patients have a legal right to see their records. But actually getting those notes — especially those that doctors take during a visit — can be painfully slow (and expensive!) Moreover, doctors and hospitals can charge whatever they want for photocopying, and can take… Continue reading Your Medical Chart — What’s On It?

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I Am Not a Camel … but I Do Have Epilepsy

the accidental activist

Originally posted on Epilepsy Talk:
Here’s an excerpt of a successful woman’s odyssey through the world of epilepsy… It’s riveting. By Maya Schenwar, Truthout | Op-Ed “Why am I telling you all this? First of all, I really wanted to share this glamour shot I took of myself in the hospital with my head tangled in wires (see below). I think the cyborg-Medusa look could be the next runway hit. More importantly, though: For a long time, I didn’t want to tell anyone in my professional world about this unique feature of my brain. On the topics-that-are-fun-to-disclose-in-the-workplace-o-meter, epilepsy ranks somewhere… Continue reading I Am Not a Camel … but I Do Have Epilepsy

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Sometimes Justice Prevails…. and why I always film cops….

the accidental activist

The verdict just came in on the George Floyd Case …. I have been crying …. crying for the Floyd’s family…. crying for relief … This case was a hard one for me … Its a personal reflection pehaps tainted with a bit of PTSD … My partner Tracy was in a similar situation almost 5 years ago and as I stood there in shock (cops are not suppose to act this way) I was screaming for the cop to stop and filming the interaction… but in that moment I heard him saying I can’t breath and watching the cop … Continue reading Sometimes Justice Prevails…. and why I always film cops….