Yeah, I know I said I wouldn't do this, but it was so much fun! And the subject is rather interesting! And I know we have hippies in Oly... They make the place fun at times.

After having an argument about what hippies are, I started researching them a bit. (Hey, I'm 27 I missed the summer of love by a couple of years, okay?) and found lots of fun hippie facts!

Man, wikipedia knows like EVERYTHING ! Hippies

He's an Old Hippie....

Are you a hippie? Take the Hippie Quiz!

Hippyland!

And the Way of the Hippy

And in all fairness, the Anti-Hippie Action League

This is all just light hearted fun okay? No judgments on what a hippie is or if that is a bad thing. Can you dig it? I had a groovy time researching this and wanted to share man.

I expect my hippie grammar will be critiqued though.

In Olympia, The War Is Over?

Olympia, WA…Today, more than 1000 peaceful demonstrators, many carrying signs that read “Welcome Home! We support you and want the war to end,” surrounded the Port of Olympia property and the USNS Brittin which arrived in the capitol city last night, after returning from Iraq.

“Welcome to Olympia’s “Circus of the Sane,” shouted Skip Crackle, public relations liaison for the local group, “P.E.A.C.E. or Peaceful Eccentrics Against Crazy Ethics

The apparently, well-organized event is being touted as “three hours of music, magic, burlesque and satire against the war in Iraq.”

Through a bullhorn, directed towards the US Navy vessel, Crackle and fellow P.E.A.C.E. member, Melony Bottom explained, “We are so happy that you’ve returned safely and we just want three hours of your time. We’ve prepared a great show for you!”

Cameras from local, National and International news organizations covered the elaborate variety show, which included a barber shop quartet, a self-styled, rapping-cowboy, an Olympia based burlesque review and some biting one-liners from Comedy Central’s Stephen Colbert.

Onlookers from the deck of the ship flashed peace signs and, at one point, “mooned” an effigy of the Vice President.

After the show was over, as Stryker vehicles were unloaded and began the final leg of their journey home, crowds shot silly string across the roads and at each other.

I love Annie's, and am enjoying the live music tonight, something I rarely get to do. Very enjoyable group playing here, relaxing, melting stress away. A good burger, a glass of beer and good music...

This is a test.  I tried clearing all my internet files and cookies, to see it that has anything to do with it.

Remember, I'm a computer dummy.

Look, her photo got published in the Stranger!! I am so excited. (Phoebe, however, is very blase about the whole business.) You can bet this is going into her college applications!

When I am traveling I always keep a few simple things with me...

A lighter and a package of "lifeboat" matches, two ways to make fire, and fire can make you happy! A blanket poncho I made by taking a British army blanket and cutting and hemming a slit in the middle to pass over my head, a knit wool "beanie", an extra pair of socks, and some form of plastic sheeting to help keep dry. I always carry some water, and some munchies with me, and sometimes a stainless steel "sierra cup" that i can heat water in to make tea.

In Seattle, Oak Harbor, San Diego and Mukilteo this kit or something similar has held me in good stead. If you have to sleep in some bushes because you missed the last bus for hours, it is nice to be able to make a hot drink in the morning, and wake up more or less warm and dry. Plus the whole thing can be packed in not much more space than the blanket itself.

Oh yeah, always carry a good knife.

This may not be very hyperlocal, but I was thinking about this while realizing there were a lot of people out last night, and maybe not all of them were able to get home, or find a decent place to crash for a few hours. A good blanket poncho and a way to keep your head and feet warm sure makes even a catnap in a doorway more comfortable! (And I've been there, done that...)

Growing up in America in unincorporated Piece County, I'd say that there were very few cultural “messages” that helped to shape my identity. The “messages” I did receive were about ownership and consumerism, things I am just beginning to understand as an adult.

Watching TV (“the mostly still broadcast but also early cable years”), and attending public school, and living in a rural housing development, was all a subtle indoctrination course that Life orchestrated for me so that I could get a glimpse of the “American Dream”: the idea that in America, every American has the God given right to get up and drive to work each day in a car.

The “keeping up with the Jones” mindset permeating everything from designer blue jeans to big fishing boats in the various neighborhoods of my youth (and much hasn't changed in Summit, South Hill, and Puyallup: big trucks rule).

Identity should be about more than where you work, what you drive, and where you shop.

It should be, but is it?

What truly delineates each of us as an individual, or even as neighbors, let alone as citizens of the federal republic we call the United States of America?

Why are "we" we? Just random chance of birth?

What are the odds of being born in the US? Any thoughts?

Ok folks, I'm tired of the protest protests and the protest protest protests, therefore, I submit the following:

 Wise men don't need advice.  Fools don't take it. - B. Franklin

Always obey your superiors.  If you have any. - M. Twain

Rise early. Work late. Stike oil. -  J. P Getty

It is fatal to look hungry.  It makes people want to kick you - G. Orwell

and my personal new favorite....

Life is a shit sandwich.  But if you've got enough bread, you can't taste the shit - J. Winters

Have at it, people

In our effort to provide in-depth coverage of the recent Port Of Olympia protests, The Sitting Duck is seeking short submissions from the community (500 words max, please). The Sitting Duck staff is already working on our accounts, but of course we weren't there for it all.

Selected submissions will capture first hand accounts of actions, specific details (names, location, etc.) and capture the spirit of the time. We're thinking real community journalism.

We are also interested in photos and will compensate for writing/pics that we use.

Email erinsittingduck@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Writers Guidelines:

Email your submission to erinsittingduck@gmail.com AND terrysittingduck@peoplepc.com

Please keep your submission to a maximum of 500 words.

Upload a .doc with 12pt Times font.

Photos must be .jpg and no larger than 1 megabyte.

~erin~

--
Erin H. Korntved,
senior editor
The Sitting Duck
ErinSittingDuck@gmail.com

The actions of a small few at the port in Olympia are disturbing. It is far too late in their emotional development to think my thoughts will alter their opinions and subsequently their actions. I cannot, for any reason, condone the obstruction of military traffic, placing innocent children in the path of loaded trucks, breaking bank and police car windows, inujuring police officers or pouring cement on railroad tracks. The actions of these diissenters poses as an insult to those of the southern states during the 60's who had real and personal mistreatment and real cause to quietly change American society and policy. Similar to the destructive and ineffective Watt's rioters several years later - the Olympia protestors have damaged their cause. The real focus of my comments are toward those who have taught and influenced those who choose violence and incivility in an effort to forward their cause. These protests will accomplish no positive outcome. Resisting any and all authority with any and all means and with no concern for those they may harm along the way. Parents, mentors, City counselors and Evergreen CC educators bare responsibility for any harm or destruction coming from these actions. While many may identify with your cause, paultry few will support your means or teachings. Please grow up and 'move-on' from the 60's.