the 4th

 The City of Chico is cutting back on all services in our incredible Bidwell Park but we still had the speeches and the booths at One Mile. Charles was there with the Peace Panel Project. He has probably 50 panels now--each with an important message and often his graphics are moving. It is a profound experience to read through them.
Caroline and her friend were there with the campaign to stop the isolation and injustice against Palestine. The Soda Stream campaign seeks to educate the public not to buy this product made at an illegal Israeli settlement on Palestinian land.

 Then these lovely campaigners are working on a Fracking petition to the Butte Co Board of Supervisors in anticipation of the need to have a Fracking Moratorium on the ballot. (We won't be protected by federal legislation nor at the state level so we must do it county by county.) I just learned of a (storage or disposal) injection well near Gray Lodge.. a wetlands area the whole pacific flyway uses as winter feeding. The fracking menace is creeping closer and closer and its wonderful so many people are motivated to address the concern.

 And of course, the die-hards of the Single Payer movement fight on. Such bad news that employers have an extension on offering health care insurance. I've been telling my women's health patients... hold on.. you'll have insurance in 2014 under the Affordable Care Act... well, no, I guess they won't and it's because of all the problems and complexities of the bill itself. Single Payer wouldn't have all these moving parts and would be much simpler to implement and the benefit is that it would be comprehensive, including dental care and vision care. (I love that Carolyn is holding her Stop Foreclosures sign... you can't help multi-tasking when there are so many issues that need our attention.)

 I was there in my orange jumpsuit with the ridiculous black stuff sack over my head saying Close Guantanamo. Call Obama 202-456-1111 but I have no photo to share of it.. hard to orchestrate a photo while hooded.
Thanks to all those who protest out of conscience and compassion and the need to have a future to aspire to.. No speeches for us about our glorious wars and thanking veterans for our liberty. They get Thanked plenty even if no one can give them their (innocent) lives back so the words, constantly repeated from the podiums, probably ring pretty hollow.  We move forward to prevent the next wars and create a good quality of life for all.
Meanwhile the hot weather and dry conditions present big problems to humans, animals and plant life but the bees forage on. We were grateful today not to rise over the 100 degree mark, that's for sure.