Elders Wisdom Jul.26th. 2014

The first day I ever was in Kinzu, I arrived in a wheel chair, with my triceps burnt in half and my right arm grown to my chest, so I couldn't use it at all.  I had two pair of pants, one shirt, shoes too small and two sets of underwear. That day I only met two neighbors that day and was very upset that I had to come there instead of going home. The next morning i learned about the giveaway. Uncle Bob and Kathy (age 11) had to spend a hour bringing in clothes for me. the front porch was covered with clothing. When it was all sorted out I had sixteen pairs of pants, five pair of shoes, twenty seven shirts, eighteen  sets of underwear, and six slings to keep my arm immobile. None of them were new, but all of them were clean, in bags or boxes and either fit me or I grew into in the next few months. this from a community of about 92 people at the time including children. Kathy who had volunteered to be my wheel chair person, received three sets of sneakers and two loose skirts plus a nurses uniform which fit in about six months. Grandmother received various  herbs to treat me with, a bed for me to sleep in, enough sheets to take care of me for a week  and enough food to feed a growing boy for a month. This is community is action, this is working together to solve problems. this is acting without being asked. If a small village can accomplish this what can we accomplish with a larger community?

Big Tree 7/26/2014

Thoughts July 21st. 2014

Today Israel is mowing the grass again. Making sure Gaza realizes it is totally dependent on and subject to the invaders. However the objective is a Jewish state from the Nile to the Euphrates and from Turkey to Jeddah. A compliant goyan slave labor component would be nice too.  Silly Arabs for getting in the way and complaining.

In the meantime our Nazi friends in Ukraine have shot down a airliner and blamed the Russians. this is more a distraction from what is going on in Israel.

Both the United States and Israel have a major fault. Neither has any use for diplomacy and both are over reliant on a strong military. If the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

When I was taking journalism classes in high school I was taught News reports Who, when, where, what, why and how. Opinion is reserved for the editorial page. wish our talking heads and faux news sources would learn this today. However when our news sources are beholden to the same five sources for their paycheck, what you get is a one sided highly edited viewpoint.

I was taught by my elders in Kinzu that two types of government exist. One like the village council is open to and responds to the needs of the people. the other governs by fear.  I went by the police station the other day and saw the police owned tank sitting there. I also heard on local news that the swat team has served another warrant. Why the swat team? the Elders also taught me one government is loved and the other is feared. Why govern by fear? I also remember the Chief of police in Titusville, PA back in the 50's telling me the job of the police is to prevent trouble. If they have to make a arrest they have failed in their primary job.

Bob Smith (Big Tree) 7/21/14

Elders Wisdom July 19th. 2014

Elders Wisdom 7/19/2014

    I guess if we are going to have civilization her in this world it's up to a handful of people to lead the way. We have no peace, no security, no cooperation, no community and no rights under the corporate rule.

    Who is teaching the wages of peace brings s all more security. Who is teaching that even animals have rights? Who is teaching that everyone has a right to a lifetime of education? Who is teaching that each and every individual human being is sacred and has something special to share with the rest of us? Who is teaching that all of us have to learn to work together for the benefit of all? Who is trying to bring traditional knowledge and give it a modern spin so it can be used by everyone? Who is caring for our Mother the Earth? Where are the Earthkeepers, the Peacemakers, the Community builders and the People who say to the strangers, Hello Friend?

    Who offers a kind word to someone who has reached the limits of what they can endure? Who lifts up and binds the wounds of those who have fallen no matter the reason? Who teaches how to use council to find solutions that serve all of us? Who will stand between warring parties as a human shield? Who grows to feed them self and others without asking in return?who goes out of the way to choose to offer friendship to those who would attack him or her?

    We do not need more government, nor bigger corporations. Each and every one of us is a part of the whole. It doesn't matter what your sex is, what you skin color is, what your religion or lack of is, what matters is are you working toward a kinder, more inclusive world. If you fighting it because you feel you will lack I can only say try. If your afraid to take the first step, I can only quote another "Follow me."

Our government either responds to the needs of all or it will fail and be replaced. Our religions either teach that the stranger is us or be replaced. Our cities are massive blocks to community and need to be changed, what better place to start then Detroit and Gaza?  All government is local and regional for every one has the same limitations and needs. Only by working together to solve problems may we truly call our self as CIVILIZED.

Robert N. Smith (Big Tree) USN Ret. Peacemaker and Earthkeeper and Green Party candidate for TN 1st. Congressional District

Elders Wisdom 7/18/2014

"Just because a government or religion tells you something true does not mean everything they tell you is true."

Uncle Bob (Big Tree) 1952