November 15, 2012, carnegie newsletter

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Carneg·•ec FREE. Do not pay for this paper

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NOVEMBER 15, 2012 ~

NEWSLETTER

carnnews<@vcn.bc.ca carnnews@sbaw.ca www.carnnews.ore http://chodarr.oreftaxonomy/term/3

AUTHORITY& ACCOUNTABILITY

Authority and Accountability Police forces operating in BC, both municipal (as in Vancouver) and the RCMP in most of the rest of the province have a long history of acts and incidents that are questioned, investigated and controversial in terms of criminality, systemic 'codes' of silence and non-cooperation with the OPCC (Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner), CPC (Canadian Police Commission) & public enquiries.

On November 13 the relatively new IIO (Independent Investigations Office) was introduced to some of the communities here in an event at the World Art Centre, SFU/Woodwards.

Richard Rosenthal is the Chief Civilian Director and began the evening by recounting his experience in different American cities and the differences here that drew him to Canada. He has never been a police anything; that itself distinguishes the liO, in that other internal investigative bodies have had the fatal flaw of beginning & ending as Police vs Police

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This presentation had Preston Guno, a Native activist in the north, giving all a short history of the take on the RCMP- their methods, attitude, ongoin public relations and accountability - by First Nations bands & peoples throughout the rural regions of BC. It appears to be a culture inviting mistrust and fomenting aggravation, with fell actions on the part ofth RCMP being the norm Preston's presentation was not a vitriolic personal diatribe; rather it was short statements taken from gov't enquiries and opinions of recognised experts that the police mentality was causing more problems than it solved.

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Next was retir~d psychiatric nurse Bonnie Fourn ier.

She worked in the jail at 222 Main for over 20 years, and as 'Mom' in the Health Van for over a decade.

Bonnie knew most of the sex-trade workers, their stories, some of their family members and many addicts and street people, tending to their health needs & injuries on a daily basis. She went on at length describing the lack of empathy of beat cops, the indifference of the cadre when it came to recognition of the humanity of her clients and the frustrating inability of getting action on the missing and murdered women. The official Inquiry into the allegations of police misconduct and/or sheer incompetence over this matter over ten years became, for Bonnie and many family members of victims, a farce set up to provide police officers and their departments the full protection of the law while ironclad changes were given short shrift. Bonnie made it clear that she knew details and had first-hand awareness of much of the systemic blindness inhibiting the correct application of police authority.

Doug King, on s taff at PIVOT, gave his take on the disinterest of police to uncover the reasons behind the over 650 police dog biting injuries and emergency hospital treatments in a year. Statistics show that over 50% of police related injuries per year are caused by the dogs which are sent after suspects. Efforts by Police to draw attention away from what these animals are trained to do and present them as just big pets makes any systemic changes in this aspect of policing problematic.

The last presenter was David Eby, formerly of PIVOT and now on his last public appearance for the BC Civil Liberties Association. David asked the awkward-sounding questions not really asked or answered in incident after incident involving police-caused death or serious bodily harm. "!fa person is unarmed and crawling on all fours, why was the officer who put nine bullets into him found to be not criminally responsible?"

"The video shows three officers preventing a handcuffed prisoner from getting up by slamming his head into the concrete floor of the cell, but that had nothing to do with the severe brain damage resulting - according to the police's medical expert - and no charges were laid?"

Rosenthal responded to as much as he could but maintained that the legislative mandate he has is to independently investigate incidents where police conduct causes death or serious bodily harm, disfigurement or impa irs mobility "We have to walk before we can run."

Members of the audience raised many valid points from personal expe rience & knowledge of the cynicism of those in the Downtown Eastside concerning police behaviour. Largest was the so-often-experienced harassment & brutality of police that it has become commo n; so in visible.

The one point getting unanimous agreement among attendees was that sexual assaults by police have to be included in the m and ate of the Independent Investigations Office. T he harm caused by such incidents is manifold & cannot be reported to the police if/when it is perpetrated by a member of the force.

People said they are "cautiously optimistic" but sorely aware of how fast good recommendations can be shelved. We w ill wait and see.

By PAULR TAYLOR

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20/20 the glasses are fogged I indecisive are you a concubine you don't see it when it's right before you your mindfillers misconstrues it all up and all you got is time, because it's so on your side believe in yourself what do you got to lose, Lord have mercy These are the days of our lives, sounds superficial but so so true honesty matters that's what the Nomads say - how great is that watch the behaviours: Papa Don' t Preach!

Nora Kay

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---- ----Oppenheimer Community Art Show: A PeNpedire Many times, as someone interested in the art world, I've strolled by the Gallery Gachet, peeking at the images hung esthetically on the pale yellow walls within. On these occasions, I'd unfortunately hurry by, concerned w ith life's often mundane chores. Last week, on one of Vancouver's rare dry days, I finall y stepped across the th reshold into a world of colourful expression.

My eyes were met first by Quin Martin's massive photographic depiction of the history of Gallety Cachet and Oppenhiemer Park. Bright w ith the greens of nature and harsh brick blues of the city, I felt my curios ity had bee n piqued for what was to come.

After entering the gallery l began my s low shuffle a long the walls- a sort of art crab walk. The show as a whole, as explained in various reading material, was created to give the artistic community of the downtown eastside (or DTES) a voice. Many issues affecting the poor seem to skip over this important detail, so thanks to galleries like Gachet we can hear from the often silent impoverished masses. ln specific, the issue of home is discussed in several pieces, including Angel Gaeta's mixed media image which touches on the issue with an almost eerie childli ke fl air.

Being an amateur shutter bug (like so many are these days) I often enj oy other people's frozen moments.

One such is Robert Gardiner's moving photo of a man selling art fro m his shopping cart. The photo makes the viewer feeilike you' re sharing an intimate moment in time with th e subject. It's hard not to feel

some amount of sorrow for the man in this photo who is trying to create under such huge barriers.

Like any good show, not all is sadness. Both Jim Dewar and A ndy Mori choose to express using comedy with their one panel cartoons. Andy Mori's Japan Town Love Story left me wondering what comes next. I really enjoyed his obviously unique style. Jim Dewar, as always, left me snickering at his reptilian salesman and grinning lounge-abouts.

A long with the less conventional, there were a lso the c lassic fine art pieces like Shawn Giroux's large textural painting of a female subject or Laurie Marshall's chaotic street scene.

The best part of stepping into a gallery show like this one is the little surprises. The feeling of find ing a piece of art that speaks to you, whatever the medium, is like finding yourself among friends, where you are understood and are among like minds.

I recommend that you take a moment out of your day and come see for yourself what both the DTES and the Gallery Gachet have to offer. Spend some time, because you never know what you may find on those soft yellow walls.

By Peter Bunting

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Humanities 101: Writing 101 Please pass on the following information to anyone who may be interested in taking Hum 101 's Writing course in January. Starting Tuesday January gth' 2013, the course will run every Tuesday from 6.30-9p.m, for 12 weeks. Each week a new genre of writing will be covered with a different teacher. Genres include joumaling, blogging, manifestos, life writing, poetry, music, creative non-fiction and more ...

Books, school supplies, student cards, bus tickets and meals will be provided. Childcare costs will also be covered if needed.

Info and application available at: *Vancouver Recovery Club, 2775 Sophia St. Wednesday November 14th@ 11a.m .*The Gathering Place, Helmcken & Seymour Wednesday November 14th @ 1.30p.m *Downtown Eastside Women's Centre (women only), 302 Columbia St. Thursday November 15th @ 2p.m *Crabtree Comer, 533 East Hastings St. Friday November 16th @ I 1a.m *Carnegie Centre, Main and Hastings Friday November 16th @ 1.30p.m We also have the following public programming open to anyone interested:

A taste of the Middle East When: Every Monday from 6.00-7.30p.m Where: Gathering Place, Helmcken and Seymour Facilitator: Shahla Masoumnejad In this group we will be showing documentaries about the Middle East, with a particular focus on the rich culture of Iran. As such, the audience can be involved in a discussion regarding the culture of and life in the region, on topics including landscape, food, relig ious practices, history and traditional customs.

Coffee and light snacks will be included along with the occasional special treat.

Learning Mandarin When: Every Tuesday from 5-6p.m Where: UBC Point Grey- Buchanan D: Room 201 Facilitator: Willie Li If you are interested and willing to learn Chinese, join us on Tuesday evenings at UBC and you will be

surprised at how much you can learn in such a short period. It is not magic, but as a native Chinese speaker with a background in Chinese literature and years of teaching in universities, this course has been developed for English speakers.

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Incredibly Close Reading, Aloud!

When: Every second Saturday from 12-2p.m.

Where: Carnegie Centre -3'd floo r classroom Facilitator: Steve Wexler Participants in this study group are read ing Homer' s Odyssey, aloud. Each week we will work through a new chapter, so you can jump in at any time. Reading aloud is a really interesting method of working through books that have a lot of meaning and concepts which people will have different interpretations of. Readings for this group will be handed out on the day of the group.

Saturday Night Documentaries When: Every Saturday from 6.30p.m (except the first Saturday of each month) Where: Carnegie Centre Auditori um Facilitators: Georgina La Hue and Darren Pearson Humanities 101 alumni have been hosting successful documentaries viewings at the Carnegie Community Centre since 2006. Documentaries provoke thought, as information showcased is often not found in mainstream media.

Humanities 101 Community Programme Dr. Margot Leigh Butler, Academic Director Paul Woodhouse, Programme Coordinator Alison Rajah, Writing Coordinator Kelsey Croft, Programme Assistant Wil Steele, Programme Assistant tel. 604-822-0028 fax. 604-822-6096

Law Students Legal Advice Program UBC law students will be holding drop-in clinics on Tuesdays from 7 - 9pm in Carnegie's Art Ga llery.

It' s confide ntial and adv ice is checked with a lawyer.

A Huge THANK YOU to Everyone Involved!

Producing a festival on the scale ofthe Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival is a huge undertaking. It is a unique endeavour, not ju st in Vancouver but also in Canada.

We couldn't produce this festival without the vast support of community individuals, organizations, sponsors and audiences. Your participation is ~reatly valued and appreciated!

Thank you to the many artists and organizations in the neighbourhood who present their work during the festival with commitment, passion and generosity. Your strong voices are essential to the success of the festival and to our community.

And thanks to all the community members, organizations and businesses that welcomed the Festival into your spaces, parks and onto our sidewalks. Thank you for collaborating with us to present an exciting festival of music, poetry, stories, visual arts, media arts, workshops, food, celebrations, talks and walks that reflect our home and community in the Downtown Eastside.

To continue to enjoy the 2012 festival go to the website of AHA Media (www.ahamedia.ca) where you will find an abundance of photos and videos of many festival events.

The future : if you have a project or a program idea to contribute/suggest for next year's 2013 Festival-the 10th Annual- give us a call, 604-628-5672, or talk with Rika 604-665-3003.

Thank you once more!

The Festival program and production team www.heartofthecityfestival.com

1 Gun shots and sirens, common day place Dropped a spot on the best ever list Poorest postal code in the country Posters and rewards for missing puppies Burying the unknown and lost in unmarked graves, acres of them A place you end up, not one you come from.

The 'hood not the grave, not much difference Perception One man's slum is to another a castle I draw the line at eating from a dumpster, they say you are what you eat. f Is being soaked, freezing and homeless better than death?

How can it be judged from a warm dry room!

Another statistic, a number. Off one set of books and into another We do 'em in bulk, saves the city big money Automatically wrong, bad, trouble if you live in this 'hood Wouldn't be there if they weren't trouble The watering hole of the urban jungle where the strong prey on the weak and the hyenas on the scraps The nights bring out the painted old whores hawking ten dollar love in lifeless scratchy voices The younger toothless crack heads chasing down cars giving blowjobs for a handful of coins or a $5 hoot.

The days see the beggars and homeless digging through trash for a morsel of food or .some urban gold, recycl~ble bottles and cans.

A cultural exchange of the criminal element Deep pockets, enough for all The worst are the ones that believe they are better than others, fooling only themselves, a new shirt and jeans over underwear that hasn't been washed in a year.

It takes multiple personalities to survive in this 'hood We all have them, some just more than others, too afraid to admit it Those who last two years are there for life, however short that may be A door that swings both ways yet is propped open one way and wedged shut the other Hey Pabba what you need? Smokes singles and packs Any thing can be bought and sold for the right price. Life being the cheapest thing so ld.

Is that also judged from that same warm room?

Hiding in plain sight, running from yourself, from your own reflection, from your own voices Names, labels, cliches, no matter the category crazy is as crazy was Doing the same things over and over, getting the same results, nothing Put in so much time to get nowhere. Nowhere, nothing and in debt, owing Freezing homeless and hungry Karma ... Payback is a bitch Well the street I live on is in the 4 1h best place on the planet even if it is in the poorest postal code in the country P.S. Did I mention that I was wet, freezing and all alone? Just a thought

Henry George

Self-Esteem -1 do not have to feel guilty just because someone else does not like what I do, say, think or feel.

-It is OK for me to feel angry and express it in responsible ways.

-1 do not have to assume full responsibility for making decisions, particularly where others share responsibility for making the decision.

-1 have the right to say, '· I don't know."

-1 have the right to say, "No," without feeling guilty.

-I have the right to say, " I don't understand," without feeling stupid.

-1 do not have to apologise or give reasons when I say, "No." - I have the right to ask others to do things for me.

-1 have the right to refuse requests which others make of me.

waiting for him at his door.

Later, a cop came in for a haircut, and when he tried to pay his bill the barber again replied, 'I cannot accept money from you; I'm doing community service this week.' The cop was happy and left the shop. The next morning when the barber went to open up, there was a 'thank you 'card and a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door.

Then a Member of Parliament (Congress) came in for a haircut, and when he went to pay his bill the barber again replied, 'I cannot accept money from you; I'm doing community service this week.' The Member of Parliament (Congress) was very happy · and left the shop.

The next morning, when the barber went to open up, there were a dozen Members of Parliament (Congress) lined up waiting for a free haircut.

And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between the citizens of our country and the politicians who run it.

BOTH POLITICIANS AND DIAPERS NEED TO BE CHANGED OFTEN AND FOR THE SAME REASON I

-I have the right to tell others when they think they are manipulating, conning or treating me unfairly.

-I have the right to refuse additional responsibilities without feeli ng guilty.

-I have the right to te ll others when their behaviour annoys me.

-1 do not have to compromise my personal integrity.

-J have the right to make mistakes and to be responsible for them; mi have the right to be wrong.

-1 do not have to be liked, admired or respected by everyone for everything I do.

THE HAIRCUT B lessed are those that can give without remembering, and take without forgetting.

One day a florist went to a barber for a haircut. After the cut he asked about his bill and the barber replied, 'I cannot accept money from you; I'm doing community service this week.' The flori st was pleased and left the shop.

When the barber went to open his shop the ne xt mor ning, there was a 'thank you' card and a dozen roses

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Carnegie Thea-tre WorKshops We're back for the Winter Season!

Let's put our ideas together for a ~ holiday pageant ~ Monologues, scenes, readings, from works by Wm Shakespeare.

1st creative session Sat Nov 24, 3pm-5:30pm in the Carnegie Theatre Performance on (!/ytjsfmas Monday December 24

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For more info: Teresa 604-255-9401 thirteenofhearts@hotmail.com

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Chorus: (to be sung between ve<ses) Good-bye Haagen Daas W e won't miss thee, We' ll cut out everything Nestle I have not bought anything Nestle

l) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9)

10) 11) 12) 13) 14) 15) 16) 17) 18) 19) 20)

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No Nescafe, Nescafe, throw it all away at the store, at the store. ~1-~:.)

No Taster's Choice, Taster' s Choice, time for a divorce at the store, at the store. ./ No more Encore, Encore, toss it out the door of the store, of the store.

No more Hills Brothers, Hills Brothers, diarrhea kills at the store, at the store.

No more Kit Kat, Kit Kat., four sticks of crap at the store, at the store.

Nestle' s Cnmch, Crunch, leave it at the front of the store, of the store.

No more Smarties, Smarties, nasty rotten Smarties at the store, at the store.

No more Aero, A ero, mothers filled with sorrow at the store, at the store.

No Coffee Crisp, Crisp, feed it to the fish at the store, at the store.

No more Rolo, Rolo, IQ points are lower at the store, at the store.

No more Mirage, Mirage, belongs in the garbage of the store, of the store.

No Carnation, Carnation, death in every nation at the store, at the store.

No Nesquik, N esquik, poisons really quick at the store, at the store.

No Haagen Daas, Haagen Daas, permanently paused at the store, at the store.

No more Parlour Parlour, withhold the mighty dollar at the store, at the store.

No more Libby's , Libby's, other juice for kiddies at the store, at the store.

No more Stouffer' s, Stouffer's, anything but Stouffer' s at the store, at the store.

No more Friskies, Friskies, for our little kitties from the store, from the storfl.

No Fancy Feast, Feast, add it to the heap at the store, at the store.

No more Alpo, Alpo, anything but Alpo from the store, from the store.

No more Nestle, Nestle, buying nothing Nestle from the store, from the store.

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(To the tune of "T~e Quarter Master's Store")

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Jeani nne F ischler

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(an excerpt from) SOCIAL MORALITY

That which provides the particularly emotional ideal of the mind with maiden inspiration to reach that Cosmic state is what we call morality. Every aspect of this morality goes on singing for humanity the song of the Infinite in the midst ofthe microcosms. Speaking in another strain, or rather I want to say in more obvious language, that the good faculties that help to establish one in the Cosmic state are the very ones th at constitute the virtuous principles or morality. Social life has to sail along with the inspiration of and from this morality. Then alone the culmination of its weakening inner conflict and the beginning of the triumphant march of its proper development with all speed is possible. Along with this morality we must also know the difference between religion and the so-called Dharma.

The attainment of the abiding continuance in bliss, or the endeavour to attain it through constant cogitation in the subtler stratum of one's own characteristic state, is Dharma. This state of blissfulness is the Cosmic Entity of the wise people - the devotee's very soul. The word Dharma is often loosely used for the so-called religion. The reason being that the founders of almost all religions dished out their respective doctrines to the general mass, attributing to them an appellation of "God's own words". None of them, however, ever trod the path of logic or reason. Whatever might have been their motives, people have lost their supreme asset - their own characteristic, discriminating judgement. Was the consequence of instilling fear complex into the mind of the backward people of the Middle Ages, and thrusting upon them their own doctrines by such stuff as, "I am the messenger of God, what I say is God's own decree", beneficial to humanity or the society of living beings? Almost every religion has asserted that its followers alone are the chosen of God. The rest are accursed and under satanic fetters. Some have declared, "Our prophet is the only saviour. There is no way out of mundane suffering except his refuge." There is yet another dogma, "l am the last prophet, prayers must be said before God so many times, in such and such a manner and on such and such a day, such and such animals will have to be killed. All these are the desires of that same merciful God. Those of you that follow these principal injunctions shall attain the bliss of heaven on the day of judgement."

Yet another says: "Know ye my son, thy God is the only God. Other's God is no God." Just think, everyone of these religions is preached in the name of universal fraternity, and yet this universal fraternity has been kept within the bounds of a single community. With the plethora of these tall talks of universal fraternity, humanity gasps for breath. Inspired by the profound slogans of their respective religions rending through the air, when they flung themselves into orgies of genocide with their communal dances, keyed up to the wildest frenzy: such a sight would have made their founders- had they seen it - hide their faces in utter shame. Of the bloodshed perpetrated in the medieval world, the majority was but a corollary to this communal fraternity. Directly or indirectly religion gives indulgence to communalism. It is the religion-centred kinship that goes by the name of communalism. Why in the Middle Ages alone, in the world of yore as well, repeated attempts to impart 'light' to the simple ignorant heathen had been made by the so-called religious people or camps, and these did not rest until they did something disastrous, in the majority of cases. Cherishing no real love of humanity, these standard bearers of religion never flinched - nor do they now - from applying force of arms, wiles and finance to gain some petty, mundane advantage. That is why I say, spiritual salvation apart, religions have proved flagrantly unworthy and incapable at every step in respect of any provision - even in the si mple, carefree case of the crude world. Religions, by sowing the apple of discord among the people, have only prevented humanity at every step from accepting people as part and parcel of the indivisible human society, and in support of this preventive injunction they have added numerous paralogical precedents - a lot of mouldy, worm-eaten papyrus.

Religion wants to convert the human mind into a static state, for that which is static is prone to be an easy victim of rapacious scheming. Yet this ine.rtness is the very antithesis of the mind 's characteristics. A knotty problem! So the founders of the religions wanted people to shun their dynamic nature and, for fear or for illusion, accept certain specific ideas as infallible truths without question.

Take any of the so-call ed books of religion and you will seldom come across in them such a thing as tolerance of others' religious beliefs. I don't say that one should accept whatever is said by anybody, but surely non-acceptance and intolerance are not one and the same thing. Yet why this mania for refuting and rebutting others' views anyway? In philosophical books opinions may be discussed by way of relevancy, or without being disrespectful the philosophical and psychological loopholes may be brought to light. But is the attempt at humiliating others symbolic of high mindedness? In these so-called books of religion there is a greater tendency to refute others religious doctrines than to propagate their own. Seeing all these, real theologists and theosophists are unable to hold

religions in any high esteem. The wi se would say that even if a child says something logical it should be accepted, and even if the lotus-born mythological creator of the universe says something illogical, it should be rejected like a straw. Jt is not desirable to accept anything just because it is written in the scriptures, for if such Illogical sayings be accepted and acted upon it results in the loss of Dharma and causes degeneration.

The derivative meaning of the word ' morality' is that which has in it the principle of carrying. It is the first step towards the path of spiritual practice- the persistent efforts to establish spiritual contact or communion with God. So this acquaintance with morality does not end here. It completely ceases to be what it is if it fails to help humanity progress and develop to its maximum stature. That which is virtuous with the virtue of its guidance, that which is distinguished with its distinguishing attribute of inspiring, can on no account lose its dynamic characteris tics by lim iting itself to any specific time, space or person. So morality is a living force, the practice of which is capable of implanting humanity in the ultimate subtlety - iii the supreme knowledge through the medium of refined intellect.

The term morality will be justified only if it can inspire humanity to reach that point from where the question of leading It elsewhere does not arise.

Morality is not the dreamy fantasy of the idealist, nor is it a means to the end of the materialist. It is such as presents itself before humanity with all the possibility of merging the atheistic objectivity into supra-mundane intuitio n.

Right at the time, or from that time onward, when the seed of activity is being sown, people will have to start inculcating the habit of morality. By activity I mean here social activity. Judging from this standpoint the juvenile mind is the best receptacle for morality. But who is to impart this moral training or education? Parents find fault with the teachers who in their turn argue as to how on earth they can take individual care in a crowd of two or three hundred. Although it is true that most of the parents are either illiterate or semi-literate, and it will be unjust to hope that most of the teachers are well educated, yet it will not be responsible to impose the whole burden on their shoulders. increasing the strength of the teachers in educational institutions may solve the problem partially but still the key to. the solution remains with the parents themselves. Where the parents are unfit to shoulder the responsibility, the teachers and well wishers of society will have to come forward to prove their greater sense of responsibility. Remember, when this morality, on which the very human existence is based, leads humanity to the fullest expression of its human-ness, then alone its practical value is properly realised. From the first express ion of morality to the establishment in universal humanism - the concerted effort to negotia\e the gap between the above two is what is cal led social progress. And the collective body of those who are engaged in the concerted effort to conquer this gap I shall call the society. [from "Universal Humanism", p.lS-19, by P.R.Sarkar]

"Saint Anthony's biographer was another Egyptian, Saint Athanasius, whose theories on the Trinity, the Incarnation & the divinity of the Holy Spirit, set down 300 years after the murder of Jesus, were/are considered valid by Catholics today."

11-20:

NA SVARGO NA RASA'TALAH

- ' There is no heaven, no hell." Traditional religions teach that the result of a ' good' life in line with scripture & dogma will result in an afterlife of eternal paradise and bliss; the result of a ' had' life is eternal, unbearable agony.

The theory was a creation of priests to control people through fear and allurements. Christ's teaching of reincarnation was destroyed in 553 A.D. in Constantinople by a council of church fathers.

- Dogma: Bad theory presented J!!! truth.

"Calvary Cemetery ... was named in honor of a hill in Jerusalem, thousands of miles away. Many people beli eved that the son of the Creator of the Universe had been killed on that hill thousands of years ago.

Dwayne Hoover (a character in this story) didn' t know whether to believe that or not." (Neither do I - Ed.) from Breakfast ofChampions by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

Invocation to the New Moon Moon, you are a small, subversive messenger to this blue planet, this cage \.;rhere poor people crouch like imprisoned birds, scratching sustenance from the stony ground of megabusiness and megagovernment.

Tin Pan Alley misread you - made you a silly moon in June whereas you are much more: symbol reflecting a series of horizons as you wax and \.;rane - silvery shores \.;re could reach, if we would only match your revolution.

The sun is ever the same unchanging great patriarchal stone grinding us day after day, whereas you, at full moon holding yourself in equipoise, are a woman-vision of what could be in a world where small is beautiful, and your quieter light is balm for a wounded earth sick of neon and noise and pollution and poverty.

Yourself overshadowed, you speak for desperate people going down in the dark, without hope.

Nurturer of all green growing things, gardener of night, we knm.;r we live in macro, not micro times, and thus it is at ne\.;r moon your message is most urgent for us when you rise up like a silver blade of grass breaking through night's heavy dark to remind us of this truth again and again: one small blade of grass can shatter concrete, one small blade of grass can overthrow stone.

Radical moon, reach down in our common earth and bring our hidden seeds to green life and strong harvest that, in this day's darkness, the poor and the dispossessed may also rise up may also shatter and overthrow those dead weights who suppress us.

Jancis M. Andrews

Question 1 Who wins When the hater makes you hate When the negativity they wear like a badge, a thorny crown wears you down till you get angry as angry as they are spreading it like manure onto everyone else's shoes till you're infected with all their rage and you hate them for the hate they wave like a flag and intolerance invades you and you become your own enemy how do you win in a game rigged like that tell me, I really need to know

Question 2 Ever look into the big brown eye of a doe who's frozen in your backyard, caught eating lettuce?

Ever feel the soft brown hair of an animal who overcomes all instinct to let you touch its shoulder?

What kind of people crush their enemies and for decades after murder the children of the vanquished never pausing in the onslaught of murder and genocide?

Question 4 What kind of people can walk by the faces of the disappeared plastered like bloodstains on the streets of the city and just go on, business as usual?

A day in the life begins early rush to pack up scant possessions always too heavy that burden the showers or not too cold too hot baby bear's porridge It is Not

What power do we have to keep living Jn a world so cruel that we eat our young and die laughing? / Ri chard Allan Loewen

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the day of lines not coke cocaine the soup the sandwiches the coffee never enough the United Church's Marquee

Ever loaded a 30 30 and shot dead deer who became accustomed to your backyard come November when all that trust is just thrown aside like the casing that bounces from the chamber?

Night descends four-thirty or so Sometimes Dance all day so close to the - North Pole xmas trees at Starbux Bless all ye faithful at the Mall

Question 3 What kind of man can kidnap a teenage girl torture mutilate and rape her and leave her in pieces out in the forest?

Shop early, shop often after all it's Later than you think, bro Love & Stuff, brer Wilhelmina & the tar baby

News from 1:he LibrarY Here are a few of the new books we have received in the past few weeks: Vultures wheeled overhead as author Tim Watson found himself running out of fuel in the desert. Indeed he had many hair-raising encounters in his 8,000-mile ride across small-town America which he shares in There & Back Again To See How Far It Is: Cultural Observations of an Englishman Aboard a HarleyDavidson Motorcycle Across Small Town America (917 .3 W34t) - severe dust storms, mountain snow, an angry rattlesnake and even angrier racoon, not to mention weird folk, and the novice rider's struggles with a huge motorcycle. His account, informative and hilarious, is a must for armchair adventurers and anyone who has ever wondered what small-town America is really like.

New York Times bestselling author Stephen Singular provides an inside look at the Mormon pol_ygamist sect that made headlines in 2008 for coercmg young girls into marriage, and the story of their ruthless leader, Warren Jeffs in his book When Men Become Gods: Mormon Polygamist Warren Jeffs, His Cult of Fear, and the Women Who Fought Back (289.3092 J47s) As the self-p roclaimed prophet of the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints, Warren Jeffs held sway over thousands of followers for nearly a decade. His rule was utterly tyrannical. In addition to coercing young gi rls into marriages with older men, Jeffs re- . putedly took scores of wives, many of whom were hts father's widows. But in 2007, after landing on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List, Jeffs's reign was forcefully ended. He would be imprisoned for committing rape as an accomplice. ln When Men Become Gods, Edgar Award-nominee Stephen Singular traces Jeffs's rise to power and the concerted effort that led to his downfall. Newly updated, it describes the controversial 2008 raid on Jeffs's Texas compound and the fate of the 439 children taken from the sect. It offers readers a rare glimpse into a tradition that' s almost a century old, but has only now been exposed.

Looking for love? This book might help or maybe put you offl There are plenty of boo~s that o~fer advice about how to find or keep love m your hfe. But what can we learn from those who've gone to the extremes of love and desire? Liz Langley answers that question in Crazy Little Thing ( 155.3L28c), a lighthearte.d look at the science ofwhy we long for love.

She deciphers how the burbling, boiling soup of endorphins, hormones and neurotransmitters that spill from our brain make us do things, in the name of love, that would otherwise be viewed as insane. From the greatest breakup story ever told to the psychologists and scientists who can explain our bad behaviour, Langley reveals the control our chemicals have over us in this hilarious, confounding and too-strangeto-be-anything-but-true look at love.

Those of you who suffer from chronic pain may find this book worthwhile, Make Pain Disappear: Proven Strategies to Get the Relief You Need (616.0472 F67m) by the editors of Reader 's Digest discusses simple tricks for fast relief as well as deeper, longerterm solutions-ranging from exercise to home remedies to prescription drugs to alternative solutions like herbs, acupressure, massage, and even mental strategies. Recognize hidden pain triggers, and make small changes to daily habits that bring amazing amounts of relief. Many people think nothing of"suffering through" the pain. But in fact, letting pain go on too long can make it much harder to treat. And it can have detrimental effects on your mind, your memory, even your lifespan. ln most cases, people in pain don't have to wait for a breakthrough treatment to heal their pain.

The solutions already exist. But the best pain solutions are not one-size-fits-all. Too many people try one remedy and then give up, or they stick with a oneremedy solution that's just so-so because they don't think they have any other options. Make Pain Disappear brings together options to figure out which solutions are best for which people, and which combinations of remedies work best together. Find answers such as these:

• • •

Who should combine antidepressants plus relaxation therapy to tame tension headaches Which arthritis sufferers benefit most from taking joint- building supplements Why physical therapy doesn't always work for back pain

And some home remedies are the best: -Humming can help blocked sinuses -Use a sock to ease neck pain -Cherry juice can help muscle aches This book is guide towards better pain relief, but it also busts myths and attitudes that keep people from addressing the ir pain. Surprisingly 95 percent of people with pain stick with their family doctor, but experts say the majority would get more relief by consulting a specialist. The biggest roadblocks to con quering pain are ou r own beliefs and attitudes.

On a lighter note, Music Box (781.57 M9873c) by Gino Castaldo is an amazing collection of memorable photographs. Music and photography have always shared a special relationship-when an iconic musician is portrayed by a first-rate photographer, theresult is often transfonnative and transcendent, and a classic pop culture image is born. J\lfusic Box gathers more than 340 such legendary photographs of musicians--covering the stars of jazz, blues, rock and roll, soul, and all of their contemporary offshoots . The book is arranged in thematic chapters that look at the music scene from a witty and fresh perspective, collecting photographs such as Philippe Halsman's seminal portrait of Louis Armstrong, Jim Marshall's vision of Jimi Hendrix kneeling over his burning guitar, Annie Leibovitz's anthemic shot of Bruce Springsteen leaping in front of the American flag, and many more.

Megan, your librarian. .

Yuuueeh, Followin' my rap career i guess that's the reason I'm here in treatment whether or not you wanna bel ieve it can't you see it? It's almost like amessage s it back and listen now you can tell me it's impressive, I'm definitely a poet and especially you gotta know it learn to flow it, I'm a artist so be quiet for a second let me start this, going at my own pace winning the race leaving nothing not a si ngle trace you can't find me you're clueless you don't even see the irony or the half of it that's why i laugh at it. I don't

care about the shit that's around me or care about the people who doubt me i just scream it out so proudly, now ya see? This is reality start to feel welcomed too bad for some people there's no way we can help ' em they're in it too deep anything i do it's always complete notice how i speak loud and clear as I'm looking in the mirror seeing my image and asking if i real ly wanna live it or should i make a pivot see how i spit it giving you the full description i don't know how i can be any more specific i just rip shit i do my shit you do yours for me rapping is a chore you gotta do it up and open up all the doors and then in the end you'll win an award hopefully i will be known locally so to speak that's just hope for me totally. Start to get used to it never tell yourself you're useless 'cause everybody got a talent gotta use it keep it balanced at first that could be a bit of a fuckin' challenge and never mind your self esteem cause that could get in the way of your hopes and your dreams gotta keep everything in routine know what i mean? I ain't gonna speak twice it's up to you to take a piece of my advice start to believe and in the end you'll start to receive, even if you are having a hard life turn it around into hard rhymes, it's like I'm trying to be at the top but I'm already there can't always be impaired yea i agree iife ain't fair there's always ups and downs did i forget to announce always gotta ask why can' t life be so fuckin' cliched and what the fuck did he just say that's why i write these lyrics so eveybody that's struggling can hear it and relate start to restate I'm honest eyes in the back of my head always cautious speak the truth be honest i was in the same shoes as you i was doin' shit i wouldn't usually do work hard play harder that's just for starters king of all captains is what we do is our fashion this is how we rappin' quick slick without even trying to resist attacking me with q uestions who what when where why I'm another rapper in d isguise and realize they gotta open up their fuckin'minds start to vibe tune into the rhyme.

Heath Cherry

Farewell Get-together for 'Beth

Davies

3:30pm, Tuesday, November 27th 3rd Floor Gallery Stop by for a chat and a snack with lon.g-time Carnegie librarian Beth Davies who has moved on to a managerial position at VPL. Everyone welcome!

Hungry for Change - Poll Shows British Columbians Want Action -- Seventy eight percent of British Columbians say it's important or very important for political leaders in BC to address poverty, according to a recent poll conducted on behalf of the BC Healthy Living Alliance.

'A provincial poverty reduction plan with clear targets and time lines to reduce the number of people living below the poverty line was the most popular response. British Columbians were asked to consider a number of disease prevention measures that leaders should act on now.

"The poll shows that the public understands the relationship between poverty and health, and more importantly, they expect government to act on the facts," said Scott McDonald, BCHLA Chair and CEO of the BC Lung A ssociation.

Support for a poverty reduction plan was even higher among seniors (82%), women (84%) and those with household incomes below $50,000 (86%). They also placed a high importance (80%) on increasing income assistance rates to account for the real cost of a nutritious diet and market rental rates.

Such stunning results, especially when including the opinions of those whose annual household income is less than fifty grand. Raise the Rates has been doing everything every which way to get these facts out what actual living amounts to on $610 a month, with 2/3 of that going to keeping a roof over your head.

There was another, broader challenge recently, asking people across the province to live on $26 a week for food. Scores of individuals experienced the hardship involved, many for the first time in their lives. As was voiced at their latest meeting to evaluate the outcomes of this challenge, "It was a grassroots groundswell of

people from many walks of life getting involved."

The need to 'capitalise' on this raising of awareness is translated as how to keep people interested and talking to friends & co-workers, spreading the word about the harsh realities of poverty. One comment from Jean Swanson: "At a public forum there was this guy who introduced himself as having a Masters degree in one thing and a Bachelor's degree in something else - and I thought ' what a pretentious jerk .. . " until he fini shed, after giving his bona fides that make him an expert on nutrition, saying, "There's NO WAY anyone can budget correctly or even hopefully to get sufficient nutritious food with this pittance of assistance."

"Even the most basic nutritious diet, can eat up 35%47% of the monthty budget for those on income assistance," said BCHLA Member and Dietitians of Canada, BC Region, Regional Executive Director, Kristen Yarker. "It's encouraging to see this level of support for a provincial poverty strategy, as it's something we know can improve health outcomes for vulnerable tow-income people." Briti sh Columbia is one of only two provinces without a provincial poverty reduction plan. [And, thanks to the predations of Gordon Campbell and his criminal cohorts at the Fraser Institute, BC has had the highest child poverty rate in Canada for over 5 years.]

High levels of support were also given to measures that would improve healthy living conditions - such as access to nutritious foods, affordable housing and healthy workplaces.

"We're also pleased with the high levels of support for workplace wellness programs. This is an area where BCHLA looks forward to working with its members, the private sector and the provincial government to encourage employers to invest in the physical and . mental wellness of their workforce" commented Mary Collins, Director of BCHLA Secretariat.

How important is it to you that provincial leaders, now and following the next election take action on the following issues: Important/Very Important A provincial poverty reduction strategy - with clear targets and timelines to reduce the number of British Columbians living below the poverty line.

78%

Encourage employers to offer programs that improve employees' physical health and mental % 76 well-being.

Adjust income assistance rates to account for the real cost of a nutritious diet and real market % 75 rental rates.

Ensure a full range of housing - from emergency shelter to s upportive, social and transition housing to affordable rentals- is built to meet the needs of specific and vulnerable , 74% populations.

Location: Gym D Britannia Community Centre 1661 Napier St Vancouver BC

Artful Saturday

britanniacentre.org

604-718-5800

Sat, Dec 8, 2012 12-Spm

Local Artists • Workshops • Live Music • Tea Leaf Reading • A Cafe & MoreJ u ~ --.

-()

6Natk eaGIJ I woke up and there I was, I truly have a way to be tremendous in my routine I have a life today and it gratifies me

stimulates me and it holds steadfast when l shine have gratitude not benign or challenged the universe loves me and the hate lies

l

untruths rock steady pop fast, only the lonely, freedom in loving without feeling the feelings, the Wow of it! dreams are no longer empty Nora Kay

tlJ

CarnegieC

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Meade

7.

NEWSLETIER

THIS NEWSLETTER IS A PUBLICATION OF THE CARNEGIE COMMUNITY CENTRE ASSOCIATION Articles represent the views of individual contributors and not of the Association.

WANTED Artwork for the Carnegie .newsletter

•

Next Issue: SUBMISSION DEADLINE

Small illustrations to acronpany artides and poetry.

Cover art - Max size: 17cm(6 ¥-")wide x 15cm(6")higl Subject matter pertaining to issues relevant to the Downtown Eastside, but aM work considered.

Black & White prtnting only.

Size restrictions apply {Le. if your piece is too large, it will be reduced and/or cropped to fit).

All artists will receive credit for their work.

Originals will be returned to the artist after being copied for publication.

Remuneration: Carnegie Vaunteer Tickets

. TU

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27th

Jenny WaiChingKwan MLA Working for You 1070 - 1641 Commercial Dr, VSL 3Y3 Pbo.ne: 604-775-0790 1

Please make submissions to Paul Taylor, Editor.

carnnews@vcn.bc.ca carnnews@sbaw.ca www.carnnews.or~:

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WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION ~

AIDS

~

POVERTY

-~

HOMELESSNESS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN TOTALITARIAN CAPITALISM IGNORANCE and SUSTAINED FEAR

~ ~ ~

2012 DONATIONS Shyla S -$75, Sonia M -$25, Elsie MeG -$200, Julie 8 -$100, Sue K -$40, Terry H -$350, Van-Mt.P NDP -$200, LV -$10, Jenny K -$100 Richard M -$100, Eleanor 8 -$60, Marsha 0 -$50 to the memory of Sandy Cameron, Glenn B -$100, Margaret D -$40, Sheila 8 -$200, Harold & Sharron D -$100, Leslie S -$175, Bob S -$200, Michael C -$50, Michelle C -$20, Lazara Press -$100 to the memory of Ginger Richards, Solder & Sons Cafe -$50, Bake Sale at BC Cancer -$405, Lou-$5, Naomi N -$20, Peak House -$40, Learning Centre Tutors -$25, DE Literacy Roundtable -$1 000, CUPE Local15 -$1000, Wilhelmina M -$65, Patrick F -$90, Phoenix W -$60, Robert MeG -$150, Alexandra L -$60, Maxine T -$60, Jilll -$20, Brenda 8-$8, Joan T -$50, Colin C -$50, Connie H -$100, Elizabeth M -$200, William C -$100, Alastair C -$100, Valerie B -$100, Mel L -$200, Essop M -$200, Harley R · $200. Penny &Tim -$200, Joanne F -$25, George H -$50, Paul 0-$50, David S -$150, Barry M -$100, Neil N -$100, Jean 8 $200, Donald F -$200, Gabor M -$200, Tri-City Capital-$200, Susan S -$100, Eve S -$100, Bruce MacD -$100, Phyllis T -$ 200, Valeris R -$100, Christopher R -$850, Kevin W -$100, Danielle A -$100, Nancy H -$50, Shirly R -$50, Nathan E -$200, Margot 8 -$100, Gail C -$20, Kyla R -$10, Stephen A -$100, C.S -$5, Jasmine G -$50, Marion S -$200, Janet W -$150, Bonnie McD -$1 10, Ethel W -$100, Libby D -$175, Ann T -$100, Jaqueline L -$75, Wendy P -$50, Sheila K -$25, Yukiko T -$30, Dave M-$20, Laila 8-$40, Rob D -$25, Devon S -$50, Ellen W -$100, Phyllis L -$200 to the memory of 8 Giesbrecht, Anonymous -$161 .

Advertising revenues: JK -$460, HiS -$200.

Ascendancy Evil indeed is the m an whom has no one to share with, to talk to, to love, to mourn his death / Wasting time, a wasted life.

Nothing, tired, wanting.

Always wanting, chasing, more.

Misanthropic.

Enviroment, ascendancy.

An effort to think, Fear.

Positive.

Tears unseen by the world So easy to accept, under cover of a smile.

Negative.

Unfeeling, selfish, selfless.

Living but not alive.

Dead but still breathing.

Alone and lonely.

Constant tormenting memories.

I Wanting, hurting, empty.

Another day gone, lost forever.

One day closer to death.

Tomorrow another.

Maybe.

Henry George

I

ST MINUS: FROM MISERY WITH LOVE My dear St Minus has come for a stay too tired to sleep he wi ll sleep here today I am counting the seconds for his new stories if nothing else they are nothing but the truth, like a case of self-inflicted flesheating disease or kids playing on parking lots painted green St Minus knows cuz he has heard and seen he knows a bit about me and everything about you, like if the other captives had killed Gilligan the very first day that island would not have become so permanent - they would have been rescued the very next day but would freedom have made any difference at all? l dare to say nought, one th ing he has mentioned quite a few times is that we all dig our own graves; Death just be more kind now .. some dig with pitchforks while others use toothpicks or their fingernails and those absently-m inded-creatures get so carried away their sanity gets tied up in knots . ..

The other nig ht we sat up smoking and talking man those stories he wove will keep me wide asleep and no more nile-walking like a door-to-door War salesman one day everyone and everything will end; he freely admits to being an Empty People Prophet yet never points fi ngers at those who have lost it he has lived a life mere mortals could never duplicate just his

beginning is better than anyone else we're talking 75 billion souls from Mankind's debut right thru to the end, like waiting 28 minutes for 4 buses right in a row w hen St Minus says action it's go Go GO take off those Global Positioning Leashes trust this guy he is the on ly one acti ng Now! He reminds us of Robert Dzekanski and his needless murder 5 years ago and a 1500 dollar fine and no driving for one whole year for Hit & Run killers is this the true worth of a human being and his soul?

T he SatanGodlceCream Family are enraged and will deal with all soul butchers who even dare stand up to take a bow, such a fine line between worthless and priceless people will be skateboarding the empty Arctic Ocean floor not realising there is a crisis ' all your superheroes are dead' St Minus says blowing mushroom-shaped smokerings from his fistful of (extra)lite cigarettes, he hates telephones and simply refuses to pay connection fees his w ritten words are his guarantee things like commitments he avoids like the plague (as do I) This saint can possibly forgive but never Never forgets, like a agician pulling an endless supply of methadone scrips out of his pocket he has beaten the shit out of cancer more than once even his kanna is toxic one day soon I pray that evil will fall down behind us, like a clairvoyant at an Altzhe~ mer Centre or excelling in that government-funded (sort of) at the Helen Keller Schl of mentors soon everyone not keeping up with the times wi ll be rounded up for that scenic but not very popu lar trip of a deathtime Get On That BUS! Now do not worry if your Timex Sundial is a few minutes off St Minus' concerns are real this guy does not scoff and at all times is as sober as a g rudge, now Mother Nature screams while St Minus asks so politely to cut down on all Seltishist primate breeding yet who am 1 to judge? Nam ing names is never a good habit to start so cut it out still some people carve courage into their skin I guess that's a start too St Minus steps out of misery's darkened heart to remind us all Life can be as scary as every unaccomplished dream, for every person who really tries to care there are twenty willing to take their allotment of hellish lives elsewhere Do not worry: dead souls rarely scream.

By ROBERT McGLLIVRA Y

"A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him."

-David Brinkley

To become a vendor you need to attend a training session .You'll get a legal vending permit for the calendar+ one free calendar to get you started. Vendors buy each calendar for $10 and sell them for $20.

LifeSkills 412 East Cordova Monday November 5, 1pm - 2pm Wednesday November 14, 1pm- 2pm Monday November 19, 1pm - 2pm Monday November 26, 1pm - 2pm Please note: sessions are one hour and limited to 16 people.

Sign up on the day, 10 minutes before the session begins.

For m ore info call: 604-255-9701 ext 136 or visit 121 Heatley Ave. (at Alexander)

HOPE IN SHADOWS

Hopei nShadows.com