www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-trump-retribution-tracker/
Gene Dieken
Instead, have a conversation around your Thanksgiving table with your family and friends about going on safari.
A safari with your loved ones is a trip, and a Christmas gift you will all remember forever. This once-in-a-lifetime experience will mean more to all of you than more boxes under the tree.
I can still get you a January safari at a low, low price. The weather will be warm, animals abound, and tourists are few. Mine are not off-the-shelf tours. Whatever your budget, however many days you’d like to travel, this safari will be created and personalized just for you.
Contact me soon to go in January or early February. Or we can start making plans for later in 2026.
503-313-9263
www.customkenyasafaris.com
I’ll be venturing into Portland for this but have done this prior years here on the coast.
With everything everyone has gone through the last couple of years, random unconditional love can go a long way!
I’ll be teaming up with Kajsa from the Good Mail project (kajsa.love); she’ll be making love letters to pass out!
Open to proposals of sponsorships/ads (such as a business contributing in exchange for sharing stickers or flyers of your business). We just want to be able to share with as many people as possible and see what good it can do!
Please learn more here and contribute if you can, any amount: gofund.me/ecca4d23e
Thank you!
With the ascendance of anti-vaxxers into the U.S. government, U.S. residents need to be sure we are receiving medical information that is accurate, unbiased and free of propaganda.
Sadly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and many Federal sources are no longer completely trustworthy as sources of scientific information.
For those of us who are older, the risks of severe illness are higher if we do become sick. With North Tillamook County having an older population we are also at higher risk from the unvaccinated.
Due to vaccine hesitancy, the U.S. is seeing severe outbreaks of preventable diseases this year.
If you have a trusted doctor, they are the primary source of current and safe information.
The American Medical Association (AMA) continues to be rated well for disseminating reliable health information: www.ama-assn.org/public-health
Sources outside of the United States can also be reliable. A comprehensive study on vaccine safety has been published by a Danish source that may be of interest:
Large Danish Study: No link between vaccines and autism or 49 other health conditions
Facts about the study
Researchers from Statens Serum Institut (SSI) used Denmark’s unique health registers to analyze data from more than 1 million Danish children born between 1997 and 2018 to investigate potential long-term health effects of aluminum-containing vaccines.
The study examined 50 different conditions and found no statistical association between aluminum content in vaccines and increased risk of developing autism, autoimmune diseases, asthma, or allergic conditions such as hay fever and food allergies.
The study has just been published in the prestigious medical journal Annals of Internal Medicine.
Source: Statens Serum Institut (SSI)
Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday season.
In all these relations and this time of descending,
it is possible to receive light.
A Clearing
If there is a way to this opening,
it will not be marked.
Crossing over to what is beyond,
carried on the energy of understanding,
the deep caring for our mother earth
and all that is impermanent,
a sacred entrance may be offered .
There will be a clearing where
every being is invited to rest,
appreciate these luminous bodies,
the dust of distant stars twinkling light.
Hard for our MAGA friends to point at Ray and call him mainstream media, but life becomes easier when you’re credulous, I guess.
https://youtu.be/ARTLXxPI2X0?si=1-9WSDSCzfu4QujY
Gene Dieken
Shifting for a moment to the meaning of Thanksgiving, I recall attending one of my niece’s dance recitals in the Portland area many years ago. The walls there displayed messages challenging the traditional story of Thanksgiving that many of us grew up hearing. Many people may not be aware of the complex history behind this holiday—especially perspectives shared by Indigenous communities. I encourage you to take some time to research the “real Thanksgiving” to gain a deeper and more inclusive understanding of its origins and significance.
Returning to our ongoing protest efforts, I want to highlight the need for new and updated signs that reflect the pressing issues we face today. As times change, our messages must evolve too. For instance, many people are losing their health insurance due to rising costs, and SNAP recipients are facing cuts to critical food assistance programs. Veterans are also worried about potential reductions in their health coverage and other government support. We need your help to bring attention to these concerns:
Write to your legislators: If you or someone you know has been impacted by healthcare cuts, SNAP reductions, or changes affecting veterans, please consider writing a letter to your state representatives. Share your personal experiences or concerns about how these policies are affecting you, your family, or your neighbors. The more personal stories lawmakers hear, the harder they are to ignore.
Make new protest signs: Let’s brainstorm messages that resonate in these challenging times. Remember, large letters and concise phrases are best for visibility as people drive by. If you have ideas but don’t make signs yourself, send your suggestions to me—I’m happy to help bring your thoughts to life.
Our presence and messages are being noticed—drivers passing by, both locals and those from out of state, have been incredibly supportive with honks and thumbs up. If you’re local, we invite you to join us on Saturdays in Nehalem from noon to 2 PM. If you can’t attend in person, you can still make a difference by sending letters to our elected officials. Let them know how you feel about the direction the Republican-led government is taking, especially as it relates to changes that impact so many people across different age groups and backgrounds.
Turning our attention to community support, we continue to encourage donations to our local food banks and pantries. The North County Food Bank (PO Box 162, Wheeler, OR 97147) and Nehalem Bay Community Services (PO Box 232, Nehalem, OR 97131) are both in need. At this time, monetary donations are particularly effective, but any contribution is appreciated. If you prefer, you can bring your donation to our Saturday protest between noon and 2 PM, and we will ensure it reaches those in need. Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far!
For your convenience, here are key addresses where you can send your letters and concerns:
Oregon Department of Human Services, Attn: Liesl Wendt, 500 Summer St. NE, E 15, Salem, OR 97301
Oregon Health Authority, Attn: Dr. Sejal Hathl, 500 Summer St. NE, E 15, Salem, OR 97301
Robert F. Kennedy, Health & Human Services, 200 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. 20201
As always, our best wishes and a Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families.
With gratitude,
North County Resistance
Invitation
As we walk and breathe
movement never ceases,
everything is changing.
May this renewing inspiration
anchor and protect us.
May the thoughts that come,
whatever the mind constructs
fall softly into our hearts.
May whatever words we speak,
all the messages we send
reach others with kindness.
And as we live out our lives,
may the light of one heart
always connect with the light
of another.
Dr. Amy and Julie you will be remembered.
Our billionaire overlords work very hard to entrap us in their ecosystems (which are not ecological in the least). It’s quite freeing, and opens a whole world, to reject all those enterprises. There is much more to life. Not an absolutist, but I’ve been doing this for many years and at times feel left out. Then I remember how much more there is to discover beyond those greedy guardrails and their tiny video interfaces.
– Dave
Oh, and a very Happy Thanksgiving to all 🙂
A poem by Judy Chicago:
A Prayer for Our Nation
And then all that has divided us will merge
And then compassion will be wedded to power
And then softness will come to a world that is harsh and unkind
And then both men and women will be gentle
And then both women and men will be strong
And then no person will be subject to another’s will
And then all will be rich and free and varied
And then the greed of some will give way to the needs of many
And then all will share equally in the Earth’s abundance
And then all will care for the sick and the weak and the old
And then all will nourish the young
And then all will cherish life’s creatures
And then all will live in harmony with each other and the Earth
And then everywhere will be called Eden once again.
Some grow weary of North County Resistance protests. Yet, in an era when the rule of law is being openly challenged—when executive orders undermine judicial authority and long-standing norms are disregarded by those in power—apathy is a luxury our community cannot afford. For instance, the administration’s refusal to comply with congressional subpoenas and the repeated spread of misinformation about immigration and public health are not just political disagreements; they are clear affronts to the foundational principles of our democracy.
I’ll bet even some of the protesters are growing weary. But the same people keep showing up on Saturdays. Thank you! It’s been a long slog since this past late winter and early spring. Why are people still protesting the Trump Government and the people he’s hired? Why are people from all over the USA not giving up? Why are we not giving up on Democracy? I don’t think this is a dream. These thoughts and protests are coming from the Declaration of Independence.
To better understand our motivation, consider the defining characteristics of fascism: the consolidation of power by a single leader, the targeting of minority groups, the suppression of dissent, the manipulation of truth through propaganda, and the erosion of independent institutions. In recent years, we have witnessed the separation of families at the border, the vilification of the press as “enemies of the people,” and the firing of officials who uphold checks and balances. These actions mirror the very traits that history warns us against, making it imperative that we remain vigilant and actively resist.
We have so many organizations in our communities doing good work for our area, our country, our state, and our Democratic nation. I know many of you are a part of one or more of them. It is a commitment to your time. It is a commitment to your financial resources. Thank you to each of you for making this space, our community such a better place to live. You have made a difference to our futures and remember our school children are going to be walking in your footsteps. Keep up your good work! Don’t give up.
The North County Resistance are not giving up when peacefully protesting for our Democracy. We protest for Freedom of Speech, we protest lies, we protest what is happening to our education system, we protest the multiple projects Trump is creating with foreign investors, and we protest the treatment of our citizens by ICE. This is a small list of what we are protesting.
Knowing all this, we cannot give up. Two hours a week protesting what is going on for our citizens is nothing, compared to what many of our neighbors are going through. Our next protest will be in Nehalem on November 22, noon to 2 PM. Dress for the weather, which might not be too wet, but bring that rain gear. Bring your signs, a chair, your upbeat attitude—saying, yes, we can make a difference. Don’t forget some canned food or a donation to the North County Food Bank, PO Box 162, Wheeler, Oregon 97147 or Nehalem Bay Community Services Food Pantry, PO Box 232, Nehalem, Oregon, 97131. You can drop food and donations off at the Protest between noon and 2 PM. Thank you all for the wonderful ways you have contributed to this cause.
If you can’t make the protest, please write your letters to our politicians and ask or demand they stand up for all our rights—where is the Justice Department?
Thank you all.
Patty
Question to Silence
The fields are covered in snow
and the caprice of the wind is alive.
Rising up from dark branches,
oak leaves offer a last ovation.
Is it possible to find such grace?
So good to be home again in this beautiful
community…Jett
https://youtu.be/q6Mb4AQIx3Q
Gene Dieken
Given these clear parallels, it is imperative that we resist the normalization of such fascist traits in our society. We must continue to engage in peaceful protests and civic action. Join us every Saturday from noon to 2 PM—most often in Nehalem, and for larger demonstrations in Manzanita. If you cannot attend, please write letters to elected officials at every level, expressing your concerns about the erosion of our democracy. Let our leaders know that their actions are being watched, and that the American people demand accountability and respect for democratic norms.
The recent release of individuals convicted for their roles in the Capitol riot is a sobering reminder of the ongoing threat to our democracy. Watching these events unfold is both sickening and frightening, but it is also a call to action. Civic-minded Americans must stand together, peacefully and persistently, to safeguard the values that define our nation.
Thankyou,
Patty Rinehart
www.npr.org/2025/11/03/nx-s1-5593112/national-guard-mass-deportations-trump-2026
Thanks Gene for suggesting music as therapy. I play favorite classical music on a loop all night long and it really helps me. Sticks in my head during the day too 😉
And for the expose on how Trump is informed (not). He of course lives by TV, notoriously so during Jan 6. Lacking education, which he disdains, he learned to shape reality with performance and playing to audience reaction.
I make recurring donations to ProPublica, they do great work, but learned about the misleading Fox News story back when it happened by reading Australia’s ABC website. At the time no US media were reporting it, just focusing on what Trump was saying about Oregon.
Recently there’s been hope the Epstein scandal will bring down Trump. It won’t – haven’t we learned anything? I think the most effective strategy is to expose what’s behind the curtain (a la Wizard of Oz) like ProPublica did. We need much more of that. One problem is media’s reluctance to report speculation…. Then just label it as speculation to avoid legal hassles. It would still better inform the public than all the free airtime they now gift the administration’s deceptions.
Finally, thanks to Patty for the Astorian article. Current federal agency tactics are abhorrent and unnecessary. The cruelty is unamerican, and I think we’d be more effective countering the administration’s narrative by mainstreaming that term – CRUELTY (and GREED) – rather than talking about less relatable terms like authoritarianism. Also, the total lack of any responses to a plethora of media questions is clearly part of the overall strategy. Tech companies, notably Tesla, have long shown it works for entities with less than honorable intentions.
-Dave
These two have been fostered in a loving home, socialized, litter box trained and spayed/neutered, and are now ready to embark on new adventures with loving forever families.
To learn more please visit unitedpaws.org or email us at unitedpawshelp@gmail.com.
A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same country or nation. It is a conflict fought between different factions of people who live in the same country, with the aim of taking power, changing government policies, or achieving secession.
This is exactly what is happening in Portland at the ICE facility, and in Los Angelas, in Chicago and other sanctuary cities. Americans fighting Americans over the the idea of open borders. If a country has no borders – then it is not a country is it? Think about it. Are we Mexico? Are we Canada? There is a group that wants to get rid of our country and its constitution, and have a one world government with themselves as the rulers! Some of these groups are funding the riots! I have not been watching these riots on any news networks – I have been watching videos taken by people who are there at these riots.
Portland, Los Angelas, Chicago…….
In Portland, Police and other law enforcement agencies of the US have arrived – not the national guard – and have finally brought some law and order to this area.( The ICE building was attacked, the windows broken out, and you can see where someone tried to set fire to the building when there were people inside!!). You can see the people who live in that area, plus bystanders, are cheering law enforcement on. Me too!
The streets were blocked by protestors so people trying to get to work or come home from work couldn’t do it. The noise the protestors made kept the people living in these areas from getting sleep. Also some of the people living there were afraid to leave their apartments to get groceries etc. It is a truth that civilization can not exist without law and order.
Some of you older people need to get used to the idea of paid protestors – I think most protestors are paid today. Most of these protestors are groups like Antifa, or BLM, and they are backed by money from persons that want to make big changes or eliminate our constitution and local governments. Resisting law and order!! Defund the police!
Antifa is the group funded by elites that is starting and perpetuating some of these civil wars. Their goal is to destroy this country and its constitution to bring about a “NEW WORLD ORDER” to be totally controlled by a handful of the very elite with no guarantees of any rights the citizens.
This group is called “The globalists”. Representing this group – the WEF -the ”World Economic Forum” can be seen on YouTube. You have to go back a few years to watch them telling the American people how they will live in this new world order, and believe me you won’t like what they say. You will own nothing they tell you, plus they tell you there is no God, so get over it!!
I read that main (lame) street media is going away – most people don’t watch it anymore – basically if you really want to know what is going on – you have to search it out and find information somewhere else!
Non-paywalled article: wapo.st/4puXAZB
Research paper: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/gps.70163
New book by Daniel Levitin on music as medicine: “I Heard There Was a Secret Chord,” wwnorton.com/books/i-heard-there-was-a-secret-chord
Gene Dieken
ProPublica has the answer:
www.propublica.org/article/portland-protests-national-guard-fox-news-coverage
Gene Dieken
Sheriff tells Clatsop County Commissioners ICE interaction could be ‘perilous’ Published 11:30 am Thursday, November 13, 2025 By MATHIAS LEHMAN-WINTERS Clatsop County Sheriff Matthew Phillips said ICE operations put local law enforcement in a tough spot. (The Astorian file photo) They operate with ‘a different rulebook’ On Saturday, Nov. 8, six people were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in Seaside. The community was alarmed by the actions and it was one of the main topics of discussion at the Clatsop County Commission meeting on Wednesday. Clatsop County Sheriff Matthew Phillips spoke at the meeting and communicated to the commissioners that he and the other 35 sheriffs across the state had had an earlier meeting that day with ICE officials. The meeting, Phillips said, did nothing to assuage local law enforcement concerns about ICE raids. “We laid out several instances that brought significant concern, and basically they didn’t blink,” said Phillips. “They were maybe indifferent to what our concerns were, not responsive or acknowledging them.” The sheriffs listed examples of dangerous situations to Scott Meyer, interim field office director for ICE out of Seattle, and other ICE officials. In one instance, a sheriff said an unidentified ICE vehicle chased a car resulting in a high-speed crash in Salem. In another, ICE agents stopped a woman, took her car keys and ID and left her on the side of the road. The sheriffs reported that local law enforcement agencies had been flooded recently with calls about abductions and apparent crimes that turned out to be ICE operations, according to Phillips. “We had a very unproductive conversation with ICE today, so that’s problematic,” said Phillips. “It really harms the legitimacy,” he said. Commissioner Mark Kujala said ICE actions are causing fear in the community and are not acceptable. “There is a certain arrogance and obviously not a spirit of cooperation or collaboration with what is going on,” said Kujala. “We have U.S. citizens that (are) carrying around their passports because they’re afraid that just because of the color of their skin they’re going to get arrested or detained.” Phillips said the ICE officials said there were increasing numbers of assaults and threats directed at them. They said assaults against their officers were up 1,000%, and threats against the families of ICE officers up 8,000%. “I can’t help but wonder if the way they’re conducting business has an impact on that,” said Phillips. “You can do it respectfully and still accomplish the mission.” Phillips said he had told ICE officials that their tactics “don’t necessarily fit the profile of the person that they’re taking down. …they’re not all taken off the Top 10 Most Wanted list,” he said. Commissioner Lianne Thompson wondered if ICE was conducting the detentions lawfully. “What I hear you describing (and) what I read about is lawlessness under the guise of a federal policy,” said Thompson. She then asked what the commission could do to support the sheriff’s department. “This is a very difficult situation,” Phillips said. “Federal law enforcement is able to operate with a lot more liberties than state and local law enforcement. We have to accept that they have a different rulebook.” Phillips then said he is concerned that if his deputies or other local law enforcement challenged ICE agents during an action, they could be arrested for interfering with federal operations. “Potentially, the best thing we could do is be good observers and document and report things,” said Phillips. Phillipps said he “has the sense” that the ICE officials they were talking in the meeting weren’t aware of what actually was taking place as they said with assurance that their agents always wore vests with clear markings. “The sheriffs around the room basically laughed and challenged them on that and said, ‘That is not what’s happening in the communities,’” said Phillips. At the end of the meeting with county commissioners, Phillips said spectators should keep their distance from any ICE operations that may happen in the future and warned that confronting ICE agents could be “perilous.” The Astorian reached out to Phillips on Thursday, and asked if he thought there would be increased ICE activity in Clatsop County. “My best guess … They’ve brought in (ICE) agents from around the country,” said Phillips. “They’re focusing on Oregon for a period of time, and then they’re going to go focus on another state.”
Please feel free to give me a call and we will discuss the needs of your loved one. I can also be reached at 503-707-4027. Thank you.
With sporadic help from our government, it is important in our community and surrounding areas that we stay on top of the push to keep our North County Food Bank and the Nehalem Bay Community Food Pantry secure. The North County Food Bank is open on Tuesday. You can take food there on Tuesday from 10 AM to noon. They are only able to take food at this time-no clothing or such. The mailing address for them is NCFB, PO Box 162, Wheeler, Oregon 97147. Or you can bring food you would like to donate to our protest. Nehalem Bay Community Services, located at the Methodist Church in Nehalem, is requesting food, both for people and animals, plus kitty litter. They can take clean, used clothing, blankets, bedding, pillows, and personal care items. They are open Monday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM. Also, on Wednesday from 1 PM to 5 PM.
Please do what you can when you can. The North County Resistance was taking donations at their protest this past Saturday. It worked very well with both donations and cash for these two organizations. Thank you all very much.
Well, where do we go from here? North County Resistance is looking at all our unresolved problems. We thought the Democrats would remain unified. Who is going to stand up and push for more negotiations. Our Resistance will carry on. We will continue to Protest.
Please join us in our Protest if you are not happy with all that goes on. We need you to come and join us.
Best,
Patty
For more information, go to our website NehalemBayCS.org
36050 10th Street
PO Box 232
Nehalem, OR 97131
503-368-4385
admin@nehalembaycs.org
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