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Sustainable

Preparing for War with the Bankocracy

Published in Far West Almanac July, 2009. Follow-up to the article: For Generation X Eyes Only.

Any political, economic, theological, or philosophical system that in practice rewards production over life is illegitimate because, tautologically enough, it does not value the lives of its citizens over the needs of production. Such is sufficient to define illegitimacy. No other measure is needed.

Derrick Jenson — A Language Older Than Words -p368-369

burmadump

By now it will have sunk in good and deep that my previous proposal to stage a debt repayment strike for just one month in September (09/09) [see article Gen X mentioned above] is impractical unless enough people get involved so that we cannot be ignored. Otherwise simply not paying a debt for a month will result in late charges, bouncing checks and other never-before-heard-of fees. For the first people throwing off this yoke of debt and refusing to be suckered by the Currency Controlling Witch-Doctors of the Apocalyptic Future its gonna have to be all or nothing.

Anyone considering such a step needs to think long and hard about their options. This is not the easy way out of your debt. It is a much harder road to take and will demand much personal sacrifice. For those who owe J.P. Morgan Chase, for example, feel no guilt for refusing to pay this debt. Realize it may be necessary to stop paying the debt permanently, and that this will most likely result in garnished wages and a bad credit history.

When considering such a drastic step, be aware that there are many ways to deal with this issue. Many people are having success by negotiating lower payments for bills and debts. Such alternatives are better options for people with kids or health conditions. For those of us who understand that we are at war with these bankers and don’t want to give them another cent, it is time to consider more direct action.

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4 Comments
July 3, 2009
Grow Your Own

Guerrilla Gardening by the Skytrain

Hidasta beanAfter waiting for residency for more than a year, wondering how much longer I would be an illegitimate person was starting to wear on me. But, as they say, when the planets are in line everything falls into place. The full rose moon of June 7th, 2009 was such a day. I finally got my Canadian residency so that night I planted 13 Hidasta Shield Figure Pole beans (from The Cottage Gardener) to give my thanks to Vancouver, BC for welcoming and accepting us.

The previous year I had spent a lot of time walking the nearby streets admiring everyone’s fantastic gardens. I finally found the perfect spot on one of the Greenways of Vancouver. No one was using it, it got good sun and was just by a sky-train and rail-road tracks so it seemed a perfect spot. There is a lot more space available in this area, although much of it is under the tracks and wouldn’t get any rain.

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3 Comments
June 21, 2009
Gardens / Photo Galleries

Recycled Balcony Garden 09

We haven't gotten that much rain this year and the hot dry weather brought out the spider mites. This is the balcony garden before they ravaged my beans. But you can see how well the potatoes, tomatoes, rose, purslane, chilis and even the rainbow chard are doing.

4 Comments
June 9, 2009
Gardens / Photo Galleries

Sprouting Balcony Garden 09

Previous :: Next Once we got some garden beds built and put the beans in they took off. Added a couple of bamboo poles. This end of the balcony gets the best sunlight and if the beans grow vigorously perhaps they will make a curtain for our bedroom window. The coriander, radish, squash, poppy and beans sprouted happily. Part III…

1 Comment
April 19, 2009
D.I.Y. / Grow Your Own

Thoughts on Guerrilla Gardening

Reclaimed GreenspaceThere are as many ways to guerrilla garden as there are stars in the sky, and that is the best thing about it. The best way to do it is your way and to just get started. Many people love to make seed bombs and drop them as a group, other people love sneaking privately about the city — planting plots. Some people like to be highly organized — others random and without a thought. The main thing that holds it all together is that we are people reclaiming the land around us, reaching out and getting involved, hanging around and making sure that it grows, and grows and is a pleasure for all who pass by.

I have recently started reading the book The One-Straw Revolution by Masanobu Fukuoka and his natural farming methods have astonished me and made me rethink what little I thought I knew about growing plants. I was already familiar with Rudolf Steiner’s methods of biodynamic farming, yet even so this book has been a real mind-opener.

Although I have been planting things in random places for a few years I haven’t had a chance to really take over a piece of land in an urban setting until this year. I spent much of last year walking the streets around my area checking out pieces of land. I didn’t want it to be too far from where we live in case it didn’t rain much and I had to haul water every day. I didn’t want it next to a main road to avoid the pollution from car exhaust, and I wanted it to get plenty of sun and rain. I finally found a good spot on the Greenway under the skytrain and next to the train tracks not too far from our apartment.

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April 18, 2009
Gardens / Photo Galleries

Urban Flowers 01: Vancouver BC

The gardeners of Vancouver BC create stunning gardens full of color. Gardens in this city have become a synthesis of the many cultures that have come together and now live side by side, sharing seeds and garden tips. These are a selection of some of my favorite flowers.

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April 3, 2009
Gardens / Photo Galleries

Backyard Edibles 2008 III

Not only are the gardens of Vancouver BC filled with an assortment of absolutely delicious edible fruits, vegetables and herbs but the micro-farmers are generous and friendly. This fig fresh off the tree was the most juicy I have ever had. Another happy old Chinese farmer gave me a couple of chokos from his harvest, one of them sprouted and…

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December 13, 2008
Gardens / Photo Galleries

Backyard Edibles 2008 II

Vancouver BC, has some of the most incredible backyard gardens in the world, and walking the alleys is one of the best ways to view these spectacular edible works of art. I am constantly amazed by how many beans and tomatoes can be grown on a patch of land or in pots, and it is fantastic to see balconies and…

1 Comment
November 13, 2008
Gardens / Photo Galleries

Backyard Edibles 2008 I

The micro-farms of Vancouver BC are absolutely incredible. After traveling all over the world and being an avid walker I have seen urban backyards from New Zealand to Cambodia, New York to Papua New Guinea and can say that Vancouver BC takes the prize hands down, no questions asked. OK, I have never seen the gardens in Italy or China…

1 Comment
October 13, 2008
Gardens / Photo Galleries

Porch Corn 2008 III

Balcony garden bar overlooking Vancouver, BC. Coriander, tomatoes, chilli, calendula, passionflower, nasturtiums, basil, sage, green-beans and corn. This is the first year with the garden in this location, and the corn didn't do very well--not enough dirt for their roots, they did a good job, considering, but I didn't get much corn. Next time I will have to try miniature…

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September 10, 2008