Tag: pagan

Madison, WI Pagans Speak Out – Interviews

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Beket is a now retired, Dept. of Revenue worker. She made the choice to retire the first of the year, when the writing seemed on the wall with Governor Walker’s election. She has been a member of the Circle community for ages.

“I had been planning on retiring, but because I worked at the Dept of Revenue, I was hoping to work into the spring. A week after Walker’s election I had my annual physical, and my doctor, who worked at the Medical College of Wisconsin said, he thought Wisconsin was in for a rough ride. I turned in my resignation the next week.”

What about this vote concerns you?

“This will take our money out of our pockets twice. The amount that is taken out to pay our retirement and health insurance is in lieu of higher wages. By making us pay more, it is basically a wage reduction. By taking away union rights. He could change the amount of say, personal religious holidays available. A lot of people aren’t aware, but Lady Cybele, is a retired field ‘rep’ for AFSCME Council 24, and they got the personal holidays increased. She was on the bargaining team, and it was her intent to get that, so that Pagans could take their Pagan holidays off. ”

 

Capitol Gallery Scene photo: Nataraj - Eyedance

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Pagan Union Steward Reaction to Wi Senate Action

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At approximately 4pm yesterday, March 9th, notice was given of an impending “special committee” hearing, by Republican Senators in Madison, of a bill to separate state worker collective bargaining rights from budget issues. A budget issue needs a 2/3 quorum where non fiscal issues only require a majority in the Wisconsin senate. The 19 Republicans met at 6pm, and by 6.45 the vote had been taken, eighteen to one, to approve the ‘plan’.

I called Dennis, a Madison Pagan and state employee, and AFT union steward, for his thoughts.

What is your reaction to tonight’s Republican action eliminating collective bargaining for State workers?

” The Republicans admitted tonight that was their goal. They clothed real intent in their budget repair bill, but it is pretty obvious what they were after from the beginning. I can’t say I am surprised. I am surprised it took them this long to do something. They were using the budget bill to provide themselves with cover, but it was pretty transparent. ”

View to Speaker Podium - file photo

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30-40k Keep Pressure on Wisconsin Governor – Editorial

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View from Speakers Podium

I had no idea what to expect at the Madison Capitol square on  Saturday.  There was so little Twin Cities media coverage after last weeks massive rally that I thought protests might all be over.  Wrong!   Somehow ‘only’ 30 -40k citizens converging on the State Capitol in brisk winter conditions to  speak out against Governor Scott Walker’s plan to curtail collective bargaining  has become ‘ordinary’, and not significantly newsworthy.

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Every out-state protester, marching with a sign identifying their home town, got a cheer from the sidewalk.  Continue reading →

Sacred Temple Violated in Wisconsin – Editorial

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I am a resident of Wisconsin, have been for 35 years now. I am 230 miles from the state capitol building in Madison, but I have spent a lot of time there. I used to exhibit at Art on the Square, and found it a magnificent place to find cool summer comfort and relief, and explore the history of my adopted state.

This building is an inspirational symbol,  is  a National Historic Landmark since 2001, and  has been systematically restored to its 1917 appearance over the last thirty years, inside and out. It is such a source of pride in WI, that a 1990 state law prevents any building within one mile of the capitol from being taller than the base of the columns surrounding and supporting its dome. It can be seen for many miles. Continue reading →

Pantheacon Thoughts: Walking Your Talk

This years Pantheacon, in San Jose, Ca. had a thought provoking theme, “Walking Your Talk”. Rhetorically asked was, “What are we doing individually and as groups to take our vision of Earth Centered Spiritually out into the world?”. As Pagan sub-culture develops in communities like Paganistan, we may find ourselves asking the same question.

I asked nine attendees,  mostly presenters and authors, but also a couple involved partic ipants the same three questions hoping to get at the essence of west coast thought on the matter.  You may find their answers not far from yours!

Victoria Slind-flor (right) dressed for Poma Gira Devotional, Nels and Judith Olson(left)

1) What does ‘Walking your Talk’ (WYT) look like to you?

2) What aspect of WYT is most important for Pagans bring to their relations in the mainstream community?

3) What area of accountability in WYT do Pagans most lack, or is your biggest complaint in Pagans WYT?


Victoria Slind-flor – Victoria is a Dianic crone Witch and Artist. She is a journalist and teaches at Cherry Hill Pagan Seminary, and is a member of The Pagan Alliance.  She is known to many in Paganistan from a 2005  SHF guest appearance. Continue reading →