My Arrest Story and Wry Report on the Bored of Supes
By Magick
The specifics of the arrest and my article appearing in the West County Gazette: Please Read!
I was arrested at the Board of Supervisors meeting after I went to the podium during public comment and stated that I just didn’t know what could be done about the lack of democracy in this room today.
You see I had been speaking out during earlier public comment against the travesties that were being passed without any discussion, that would be devastating to the health of our children and our land.
Then I stated that I did have one idea, we could move the podium so the speaker could see, and be seen by, the public and the board. I then walked to the place were I thought the podium should be. I was told I could not walk there and before I could change direction, or before I was given any warning, the deputy came up behind me and cuffed me. I sang, “ I shall not, I shall not be moved just like a tree that’s standing by the water..” as the deputy escorted me out of the chamber people looked on aghast and in shock. I have received great appreciation and support for my actions that day, May my actions catalyze your own!
The following article, with a bit of wry humor, explains in more detail the travesties “gifted” to the community during this holiday season.
The Bored of Supes declare Greed is Go(o)d!
By Magick
At the Tuesday, Dec 14th meeting, the Board of Supervisors carried out a well-planned and pre-meditated attack on the land and people of Sonoma County.
The first two first assaults were carried out in the morning after a congratulatory back-slapping session for Paul Kelley and Mike Kerns, both of whom had fought long and hard to exploit the county’s resources, and were at last leaving the battlefield to enjoy the spoils of their victories.
The war against nature used to be a lot easier back in the days when there were fewer tree huggers and this absurd idea about global warming wasn’t always looming over every discussion.
Now “leaders” have to greenwash their dirty politics so, as the votes unfolded on that fateful day, the 3 remaining bored members took turns voting with the dynamic duo, so the other two could later pretend to have a twinge of conscience.
They pushed through the Roblar Quarry, the “frost protection” for the vineyards, and the Special Scenic Attraction to greet our visitors, the premier Petaluma Asphalt Plant, (to the Dutrament of us all!).
The Roblar Quarry was a long-protracted battle, since a landfill full of toxic goodies can now be dug into with zeal for the millions to be made. The so-called sacred land trust was shuffled under the table as neighbors pleaded with the “Bored” for mercy. None was given, this is war after all, and if nature and her people are going to continue to stand in the way of progress and growth, well, no one can be held responsible for who gets hurt.
Some diehards continued to protest but most, who had not lost hope, were already raising money for lawyers to sue for the travesties that had been perpetrated during this corporate coup.
The vineyard frost protection ordinance probably sent a chill down the spine of every salmon and steelhead, since millions were killed off in last year’s skirmish, but without the all-mighty grape rape of the land how would new baby vineyards continue to be born?
One woman suggested we need to turn the wine back into water for a true Christmas miracle, but that was ignored by the stony-faced five who knew that true miracle workers are the money makers of modern Babylon.
Then after a break for lunch, the “Bored of Us” were fueled up and ready for the coup de tat; the approval of the Dutra Dynasty’s Dirty Deal. This had been a tough sell considering the Dutra ensemble were such bad actors having been given the hook all they way from Dade County, Florida to the Farrallon Islands right here in the Bay.
These guys had to sacrifice a month’s earnings of $735,000 in fines just for dumping a little more shit on those islands then the birds do, well maybe tons more, but come on, there’s a whole ocean to wash it clean.
And so life continues, or limps along, in the greenbelt of Scenic Sonoma, and as you continue fulfilling your compassionate consumer commitments to reviving the sick economy, may the smell of asphalt fill your lungs and may you remember to genuflect at every crucified grape plant as you drive down the crumbling roads of our great state.
For it is the Gods of Industry that we pray to, May their fortunes trickle down, their philanthropy be renowned! But if they just hadn’t robbed us and stolen all nature’s riches in the first place, would we be okay, just sowing and growing our own organic communities, with no one to represent us and no one to protect us?
Oh! That would be kind of communistic, what was I thinking.. self-rule, consensus, sharing the commons, communing with nature… Was I just using my own brain and applying the lost art of critical thinking, to try to cope with the 11th hour blues on planet earth?
Why I could be arrested for even thinking like this… Wait a minute I was arrested! Public comment is risky business these days!
Here are the contacts you need to help with the lawsuits:
Dutra: www.saveshollenberger.com
Roblar Quarry www.carrq.org
Magick is a local activist who stands up for this beautiful and resilient thing called LIFE! Another world is possible! Si se Puede! www.magicktarot.com
To get an overview of county issues and my still optimistic prospective as an activist please listen to my interview on KOWS by the insightful Arnold Levine https://tommysholidaycamp.com/mp3/Magick12-17-10.mp3
