September 7th, 2019: Gathering of the Tribes and Vibes to Feel More Alive

With many traditions around the world marking September as a time of harvest and start of a new cycle or year and with public school, private and homeschool people shifting their routines to interact with many others after time off over the summer or from other programs, there is plenty to consider as a person, community member and in larger contexts. In America, the time of remembrance of the September 11th, 2001 is coming around, with more people aware of the possibilities that it may not have been what was portrayed in the media or even what eye witnesses came to believe they were seeing.  Not to get anyone's ire up but who among us wouldn't really want to know 'The Truth.' The official 9/11/01 report is highly suspect by many who have done their own scientific and in depth investigations of first responders and witnesses. Figuring things out and making a case based on physical evidence has been a steadfast ambition for a small but persistent group of lawyers, with the backing of 2000 professionals around the world  including architects, engineeers, and scientific analysts. I have covered these topics in prior posts and give references to the youtube and online groups which I have watched in the past few years. It can take days and really months to consider the possibilities offered. There likely should be a version written up for people from various walks of life, including the families of the victims, surviving victims and responders and those witnessing the events, as well as people of various ages who are all almost twenty years older now. One of the main sources NoLiesRadio.org and others advocates have been banned from having a conference in NYC in recent years, but was able to put something online and I am not sure if they have been censored further. 

When I asked the esteemed reporter Dan Rather who spoke at St. Joseph's College September 3rd, 2019 (and the podcasts are on Green Light Bookstore's website, under Brooklyn Voices, as in Brooklyn NY), Dan said he believed the main media accounts. He says he trusts the AP, Associated Press, as a reliable resource of skilled accurate reporting.

He spoke sincerely on many topics about pulling together and finding a way to listen and learn from one another, to bridge differences with respect as part of the American experiment and ongoing leadership role we have in the world, particularly as the 2020 US Presidential election presents us a critical opportunity to become more involved than ever, not less at our peril. He spoke in ways that indicated President Trump is not serving the best interests of the common people but those of the uber rich and corporate values.  There were indications that it is challenging to get interviews with leaders and to ask meaningful questions as well as get an important 'follow-up' question.

When I braved getting in line after a dozen people asked about the ins and outs of his reporting views and some political insights, he acknowledged the anniversary of 9/11 was coming up and that is was a meaningful pivotal time in our country's history. He said he didn't consider any conspiracy theory as being valid since the mainstream media did not contend they had merit. I am summarizing. The audience of a couple hundred people seemed to murmur agreement. Then I uber braved asking what he thought of Ralph Nader's efforts to hold the airlines accountable for the safety of planes today given the disaster with the Boeing planes?

The audience let out an audible set of 'boos' or 'No's' to immediately shut me down for 'asking another question.'  Dan Rather didn't stop them or say it was  reasonable or timely question, perhaps the most pertinent one for our time and the evening given the nature of the topic of joining together to fight for our safety, country and basically our lives.

Another woman then pleaded almost tearfully for him to consider the fate of our planet, with the climate change challenge likely to wipe us out by 2038. He said something like it was a concern and we could only hope that science and leaders and people working together would inform us what was going on and what to do about it. Again that is from memory. I don't know if the Q and A will be on the podcast. 

Dan Rather did endorse the author who was interviewing him who wrote (Still) Unbelievable about what happened in the election of Donald Trump in 2016 to POTUS. More people are realizing we have to get more people voting to use 'the only card we have left to play' to unseat Donald Trump as President if that is the desire. Most people who are involved with environmental and other serious concerns say it's our last chance to save the planet and much of the American way of life for most Americans.

At least we are considering the possibilities here and social media does play a significant role in how things play out on the local, state, national and world wides scene. Ideally most people would feel connected to the advocacy online and sharing posts as they can work out as reasonable on their various platforms whether Facebook, a blog or comment online or other organized efforts locally and online. 

Thank you for taking time today to learn about the good life and works of Carey Watson Gabay, who was caught in gang gun violence in Brooklyn NY on September 7th, 2015. There are details online about his head injury and subsequent passing 9 days later. Fortunately at the request of his wife Trenelle Gabay who had been planning to have a child with him, a sperm sample was obtained so that dream could be realized a few years later.  Trenelle Gabay and others established The Carey (Watson) Gabay Foundation in Brooklyn NY. They raised $15K from a Concert Across America Against Gun Violence. There is more information on their website about upcoming efforts. Donations and support are welcomed.

In the tri-corner MA/NY CT area there are many seasonal events that celebrate the efforts of agricultural and local areas. The Bethlehem Fair (in CT) and The Sheffield Fair (in MA) are some highlights. I will be at the Sheffield Fair for the early afternoon and can fill folks in. If you're local though, it'd be nice to meet you. I'll be wearing a rainbow tie-dye shirt.

Others may want to enjoy the Old Tones Festival in Hillsdale NY. It's always great to know of the good things going on locally and to bring a friend along as you can. The 12 Moons Coffee House will be held in Falls Village CT the first Saturday of the month from 7p-10pm. Tonight members of "Famous Before We're Dead" are playing. Stay tuned for what's still happening in the classical music world at Music Mountain in Falls Village CT on Sundays at 3pm in September.  

To enjoy the outdoors there are plenty of walks at the Sharon Audubon Center in Sharon CT and many listed throughout CT on these fall foliage weekends. For a special fundraiser to address hunger and food needs, consider joining or donating to the CROP Walk on September 29th, 2018 at 12:30pm at the Housatonic Valley Regional High School in Falls Village CT.

Better yet, consider moving into one of the small towns that comprise the public school district--Falls Village (also known as Town of Canaan), North Canaan, Cornwall, Salisbury, Sharon or Kent which I've dubbed with codes for easy reference such as 1FV, 2NC, 3CO, 4SA, 5SH, 6KE. That is not official or endorsed by any town or organization just a handy way to count off the towns.

Referencing various issues for each age and income group could also be discussed in an area to create energy around addressing issues and sharing resources as possible. 

I promote safety, community networking, sharing and caring about one another as much as I can in many posts and in various small (but mighty) outreaches, whether flyers, impromptu talks (and Questions in public forums), letters to  CT's The Lakeville Journal and other papers and more. A moment of reverence for all those who have crossed over or faced serious challenges in this year of 2019 so far, including a man who was killed by police who had been attacking his wife.

Thankfully the mother of two was able to yell to her children to run and they got out of the house safely, and the police arrived in time after a 911 call was placed. There is the option to text 911 now as well in many areas and hopefully more people could figure out ways to run drills and have resources handy.

From what I have heard about the case in Sheffield MA in which a man ended the lives of 3 children and his legal wife before taking his own life in March of 2019, there were no obvious warning signs to others who knew him, that he was unstable. It is not clear whether she had spoken of wanting to separate or divorce but that can also be a time of high risk for a spouse or the children. I have been learning more about Kaydyn's Korner in PA which advocates for protection of domestic abuse victims and their children. There is a FB page in her memory.

 I had the pleasure of speaking with musician Jeff Folmer and hope to get some concerts arranged in Brooklyn NY--one for adults and one for kids. I hope to get a local school to benefit from the one for ages 6-10. For adults, it would also be wonderful to bring members of the Clinton Hill Co-op area together. I welcome help with that little project.

To the 200 K readers over the years of this blog, I extend sincere thanks and appreciation for taking the example of one person making a little noise and adding their two cents to the mix and offerings to the world today, without 'saying a word' or taking up too much time someone doesn't wish to spend on listening. Ideally more people could start their own blogs and incorporate views from others in their circles along the way to keep the discussion rolling.