It's Time For Action

A Message from Michael Moore

Posted 10/8/98

Dear Friends...

Ok, I've had it. The right wing is trying to overturn a national election because... they didn't like the results! This must be stopped. I would like to propose a legal act of civil disobedience that could send the Right into near oblivion.

Go to: http://www.michaelmoore.com/message3.html to read the rest of Mike's proposal.

1/1/99

Mike is continuing to agitate educate and organize... and will have a new TV show on BRAVO with which to do it. Read his regular updates at:

http://www.dogeatdogfilms.com/message.html

Or go to his home page, http://www.michaelmoore.com/ for the archive of his Civil Disobedience rants. Highly recommended

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No Sex, Please -- We're Politicians

(But bring on plenty of pornography, so we can get our repressed little rocks off whilst tsk-tsking those BAD people who actually like sex.)

September 25, 1998

Friends,

Now that the Starr report is out and the Clinton testimony has aired, we've been hoping that Congress would take swift action and then move on with the business of the country. But it seems our Representatives are settling down for a long process, and we're not sure we can stand it. Worse, we don't think the country can stand it.

We're helping launch an Internet campaign to tell our representatives that we've had enough. The President should receive censure from the Congress and we should all move on. And the independent counsel investigation should end. It's time for the public interest to come first, and for our representatives to show real leadership.

Will you help? Just go to http://www.moveon.org to sign the petition. It only takes a minute. And then if you send a message on to your friends and colleagues, the ball will really get rolling. It's up to us.

And a brief, handwritten letter to your Representatives counts for a great deal, if you feel like taking a moment to do that.

Please feel free to forward this message to anyone you think would be interested. But don't spam, send it to friends, family and acquaintances who you feel will appreciate and act upon this information.

And don't forget to VOTE on Tuesday. It's time to kick the jerks out of office. Let's oust the Religious Right from the House and Senate, even if it means holding our noses and voting for Democrats who aren't much better. We have the chance to make a statement. Look at it as Civil Disobedience.

Thanks!

Based on a letter from Nemea

nemea@evoe.com

Thanks to Diane/Nemea for the initial mailing of this petition, and Censure and Move On for the 10.1.98 Update below.

I'm so tired of this mess, aren't you?

I knew all along that Clinton was lying about his sex life and drug use. He's a politician, for goddess'sake. Politicians lie. Our current system is built upon hypocrisy. It's impossible for an honest person to survive in the mainstream political system.

I hate how this system rewards liars, but it's laughable that people are surprised when the lies are uncovered. I don't even really care if they censure him, but with the right wing out for blood, I think it's a reasonable compromise.

My theory on the "sex-scandal": As long as the sex was consensual, it's between Bill, Hillary, and the Blowjob Girl. It's no one else's business. I wish we had the sort of honesty in this country where Bill could say, "Well, Hillary and I have our arrangement. We knew a divorce would hurt our careers. And besides, we're political partners and good friends. Who we do or don't have sex with is our own business." Or maybe that's not the way it is. Maybe Hillary thought they were monogamous. If so, Bad Bill! Bad Bill! But still, it's not exactly treason. And lying, though distasteful, is understandable given his public political life. Lying to one's lovers is even more distasteful, but we don't know that he did.

I'm sickened by what Chelsea must be going through -- what teenager can stand knowing about their parents' sex lives? And in such detail. Ugh. I agree with Susie Bright that Lewinsky and Clinton should have said nothing to the Grand Jury about private, consensual sex. I wonder how this will effect legislation in the long run, such as the laws against private, consensual "sodomy" that are still on the books. I also wonder how this awful precededent of "secret" testimony (the videotapes) being released to the press will affect the future of Grand Jury proceedings in this country. Maybe it will be a step towards doing away with, or at least seriously modifying, the Grand Jury system. This could be an improvement, as I question the basic constitutionality of many aspects of the Grand Jury tradition.

Of course there is the matter of power imbalances in the Clinton/Lewinsky relationship. But as the leader of the free world, I guess almost anyone's going to be in a strange situation with Bill in that, uh, area. I think it was stupid of him, and yes, he does seem to fit the profile of a sexual compulsive (talk about escalating behaviour in the face of damaging consequences!). But that's not grounds for impeachment, either.

Has he ever used/abused his political power to find sexual partners? Maybe. Probably. Most guys do. I'll bet some women do, too. Has he ever pressured women into sex with this power? I don't know. He seems to be more of a clumsy pass-maker than any sort of rapist. But we can't know that about anyone just based on what they show the public.

Lewinsky's an adult, if a young one. She knew he was married. I want to have sympathy with her as a woman, but frankly, it's difficult. Her behaviour -- alleged seduction, saving the cum-stained dress -- does lend weight to the theory that she went into the relationship, or at least continued it, with the intent of setup and betrayal.

Anyway, we don't know the whole story; we have no right to the whole story; and it's none of our business. Though I'll admit as much interest in a good scandal as anyone else, this one's tired. It's interesting to discuss what this says about our culture, legal system, and how our culture deals with sex and lies, but it really has nothing to do with Clinton's job as President. All these president-guys have had private scandals, and most if not all have had other lovers while in office. The only difference is that Clinton got caught. And that we're now in a time when the media generally isn't willing to cover for people the way they used to.

I hope America can get to the point where we can handle these sorts of conflicts like adults. And actually, I think the public is generally more realistic and compassionate than the giggling, ignorant, sex-phobics who are bombarding us with this tiresome spectacle. Get a grip, guys. Let's Move On.

- Kathryn

Links:

Dear Congress ...
- wherein Susie Bright addresses the situation most brilliantly. Though I'm pretty sure she meant to say "censured", not "censored." (!)

the crucifixion of my generation
- patti smith's thoughts on the Clinton fiasco.

"Confusing monogamy with morality has done more to destroy the conscience of the human race than any other error..." - George Bernard Shaw

"Loving More magazine and the Loving More community are pioneers and explorers... They tell us over and over again that the honesty required to make a polyamourous life work is the same required to make any life worth living at all." - Dr. Brad Blanton, author of Radical Honesty; How to Transform Your Life by Telling the Truth.

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Update, Oct. 1, 1998:

From the organizers of Censure and Move On:

We now have 100,000 signatures on the "Censure and Move On" petition. And you did it in one week. It's incredible - congratulations and thanks. But we need more. We need a MILLION signups to deliver a truly powerful message to Washington. Imagine the impact of "Enough! Move on." from a million individual voices.

REDOUBLE YOUR EFFORTS TO TELL FRIENDS, FAMILY AND COLLEAGUES ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN. Forward this email with your own personal appeal. Have them visit http://www.moveon.org to sign the petition and be heard. Ask them to tell others. Type the complete link (http://www.moveon.org) in your message to make it easy. Don't send to people you don't know. This campaign is built on personal contact.

With YOUR HELP, we can do it. And we must before the IMPEACHMENT VOTE scheduled the week of OCTOBER 4. Once the House votes to begin investigation and hearings, this will go on for months if not years. House leadership has indicated an intention to open up matters beyond the Starr report, as if 4 years and $40 million dollars isn't enough investigation.

We can't allow partisanship, extremism, and personal interest to tear the country apart.

Censure and Move On

September 29, 1998

P.S. For your information, we've included today's press release below. If you have any friends in the press (or just want more details). Pass it on.

___________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Online petition campaign begins "Million Move-on March":

Aims to collect 1 million signatures by Election Day

100,000 already collected in first week

September 29, 1998 (San Francisco, CA) Censure and Move On, a bipartisan online petition campaign promoting a common ground solution to the current crisis in Washington, today launched an ambitious effort to collect one million signatures by election day. The "Million Move-on March" campaign will begin with a first-stage goal of collecting 250,000 signatures by the week of October 4th, when the House of Representatives is expected to vote on impeachment hearings. The campaign, started by a husband and wife team, has already collected more than 100,000 signatures in the first week.

"We're just looking for a common-sense solution to end this impasse," said Joan Blades, co-founder of the software firm Berkeley Systems. "As Republicans, Democrats, and Independents, we don't necessarily agree on everything. But we do agree on one thing -- it's high time to move on. And, if Congress and the President can't figure out how to do this, we'll give them a million reasons to try just a bit harder."

Censure and Move On began its initial signature gathering effort on September 22, aiming to collect 10,000 signatures. With 100,000 signatures in the first week, the campaign has already far exceeded expectations. This success spurred the group to dramatically increase its signature goal to one million.

"Frankly, we've been blown away by the response," said Wes Boyd, also a co-founder of Berkeley Systems. "We spent $89.95 on a Web site, and sent out a few dozen e-mails. And now, a week later, we've got 100,000 signatures. However, we are a 100 percent volunteer effort. So, if we are truly going to reach our goal of 1 million signatures, it's essential that campaign supporters continue to spread the word."

The Comments section of the petition has been surprisingly popular. "Enough is enough!" and "Enough already!" compete for the honor of most frequent comment. The campaign has posted the first 100 comments at http://www.moveon.org/comments.htm. Another surprise is the number of individuals who have volunteered to give time to the campaign. More than eight hundred supporters have offered to help.

"The response from across the country reflects a deep concern for America's future, and expresses a powerful commitment to revitalize democracy through the active participation of its citizens," said Blades. "With more than 100,000 signatures, and with hundreds of people volunteering their time and skills, we hope that politicians in Washington will pay heed and act in the best interests of their constituencies and of our nation."

About Censure and Move On

Censure and Move On is a bipartisan "flash campaign," made possible only through the organizing capabilities of the Internet. Using e-mail and the Web, the campaign aims to translate a broad and deep consensus in the American public into swift action by Congress and the President. The campaign began with an online petition drive to highlight public opinion. However, if the issue remains unresolved, the campaign intends to promote the issue in this fall's election, and mobilize its supporters to electoral action.

The Censure and Move On petition can be found at http://www.moveon.org. The petition simply states that "Congress must Immediately Censure President Clinton and Move On to pressing issues facing the country." In addition, the site includes directions for sending campaign e-mail to friends and associates, and directions for becoming more involved in the campaign. Censure and Move On is a 100 percent volunteer campaign.

For more information on Censure and Move on, see our online press room at http://www.moveon.org or e-mail us at press@moveon.org.

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Update, December 12, 1998:

From the organizers of Censure and Move On:

Countdown to the impeachment vote

Dear MoveOn Petitioners,

I know you're furious -- and maybe a little sad for our country. I am. The only cure for this feeling is action.

Over this weekend, email may be the best way to reach Congress. As outlined on our webpage, an email version of your petition has been automatically sent to your representative. But you can do more.

We've set up a special group email address to make it easy to forward a note to swing votes. The email address is:

swingvotes@list.moveon.org

If you send a letter to this address, we will automatically bounce it to three dozen Members of Congress on our swing list -- the ones who have email. You can see our swing member list at http://www.moveon.org/swingvotes.htm

Compose an email and send it to swingvotes@list.moveon.org -- there is a sample letter at the bottom of this message. You will feel better, and it could make a real difference.

We have one week left before a House vote on impeachment. We can turn this around. The three day call-a-thon we promoted this last Wednesday through Friday delivered 94,659 anti-impeachment calls through the 1-877-TO-MOVEON number. This isn't counting tens of thousands of direct calls made by our members. The phones on Capitol Hill are ringing off the hook. The Capitol Hill switchboard has been incredibly busy. And swing members are listening. A staff member from Speaker Elect Bob Livingston's office told me they've been swamped with pro-censure calls in the last three days -- that's us, folks. And as censure becomes the key issue in impeachment discussions, our efforts and message have received great media attention, both local and national.

Because of the overwhelming success of the toll-free campaign, another organization, People For the American Way, has agreed to fund the toll-free line until the House convenes. THE 1-877-TO-MOVEON NUMBER WILL REMAIN LIVE THROUGH NEXT WEDNESDAY. The call campaign will begin again on Monday. If you can't wait, and want to make calls over the weekend, you can find instructions at http://www.moveon.org/actions.htm

And as we begin the final countdown to the House vote, moveon.org has posted a live simulcast of all the comments entered in the petition drive -- all 150,000. Giving four seconds per comment, this simulcast will take an entire week to play all the comments -- from now until the House vote. If you have a Java enabled browser you can view the simulcast at:

http://www.moveon.org/thepeople.htm

These comments are great. They speak volumes on the diversity of our backgrounds, yet unity of our message and purpose.

-Wes.

SAMPLE EMAIL TO ALL SWING VOTES -- REMEMBER: Short personal messages are best:

To: swingvotes@list.moveon.org
Subject: Don't impeach -- censure and move on

As a leading member of the House, I ask you to show leadership and openly support the option of censure over impeachment. I am deeply concerned that a trial in the Senate will continue to divide our country. At a time of global economic uncertainly and international challenges, we must unite. We have better work to do as a nation.

It's time for healing. It's time for true statesmen to lead the way.

Sincerely,

Wes Boyd.

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Update, January 1, 1999:

From the organizers of Censure and Move On:

Moving On in 1999

Happy New Year! Congratulations on being part of the vocal majority last year. Our voices were heard in congressional offices across the nation, in the media, in the halls of Congress, and in the November election. We have formed an effective, centrist movement with over 450,000 petitioners and 5,000 volunteers, reflecting broad opposition to impeachment and rampant partisanship. The overwhelming majority of Americans -- Democrats, Republicans, and Independents -- want to Censure and Move On.

Despite the American electorate's eloquent message on election day, the House voted along party lines to impeach the President. Americans are fair-minded and far-sighted. Apparently, some of our representatives are not.

One minute after the House voted to impeach, we launched the "We Will Remember" campaign. In just one week, 14,000 individuals have pledged more than $8.5 MILLION dollars to congressional campaigns in the year 2000 election. This is just the beginning. To add your voice, make your "We will remember" pledge at

http://www.moveon.org/pledge.htm

Whether $25 or $20,000, a pledge highlights your substantial support for a change in congressional leadership. Pledgers will donate funds directly to congressional campaigns in the spring of 2000.

Ex-Senator Alan Simpson said, "The attention span of Americans is which movie is coming out next month and whether the quarterly report on their stock will change." This disdain for the American people is unfounded and anti-democratic. We will oppose representatives who put partisanship above the public good. We will support candidates who share our values and respect constituents. We will remember.

There is much work to do in 1999. In the next week, your Senators will receive your petitions, and we will lobby for speedy closure to this divisive episode. In the coming year we will also oppose the current Independent Council statute, which is up for renewal. By the end of the year, our attention will shift to monitoring emerging candidates for the year 2000 election.

On a personal note, we want to thank you for your "move on" efforts this last year. It has been a pleasure meeting so many of you online, over the phone, and in person. We apologize to anyone we failed to reply to in the more hectic times. The wonderful people we've met through MoveOn.org have given us hope for the political process, in spite of the sad situation in Washington. You've made the world safe for optimists.

Thank you,

Joan and Wes.

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Update, January 3, 1999:

The following message is from Boston MoveOn Volunteers. -WB

Boston Rally -- Tuesday Jan 5th at Noon

COME ONE, COME ALL, TO A CITIZENS' RALLY

When: Tuesday, January 5th, 1999

Time: 12 Noon

Where: Boston's City Hall Plaza/Government Center
(accessible to MBTA blue/green/orange/red lines)

"We the People" signed petitions. We e-mailed, wrote them letters, and called them. We even voted against them.

Then lawyers, Ivy League professors, and historians tried to educate them:

"DON'T DO IT -- IT'S WRONG -- DO NOT IMPEACH OUR PRESIDENT. PRESERVE OUR CONSTITUTION, DON'T UNDERMINE IT!!"

But, they did not listen -- they impeached the President along party-lines.

NOW IT IS TIME THEY LISTENED. LET'S PUMP UP THE VOLUME! TOGETHER WE WILL BE HEARD!

Volunteer Rally Organizers:

Jodie Grossman: alef@innocent.com (617) 720-0000

Jean Inglis: jinglis@gph.com (617) 570-1185

(note - I'm not involved in organizing this rally, and I do not know the organizers. I'm just passing this info on. Check it out yourself if you're interested. --k)

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Proposed CDC Guidelines Threaten Privacy!

From the ACLU Actions List

1 . HIV Names Reporting
2. Civil Asset Forfeiture

HIV Names Reporting: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) yesterday released draft guidelines for the surveillance of HIV cases that would violate our most basic privacy rights. In these guidelines, the CDC recommends that states institute case reporting of people who test positive for HIV by name rather than using a system of unique identifiers.

The proposed CDC guidelines are bad for public health and threaten to destroy our most basic privacy rights. Study after study confirms that mandatory names reporting discourages people from getting tested for HIV.

A recent article in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association makes clear that anonymous testing is the most effective means of insuring HIV positive people receive the life-saving treatment they need.

Although the CDC recommends that states maintain the availability of anonymous testing, it well knows that the guidelines are likely to have the opposite effect. Nationally, ten states have eliminated anonymous testing after starting names reporting.

The CDC is accepting public comment on these guidelines through January 11, 1999. Take action today! Send a FREE FAX to the CDC --stating that HIV names reporting violates privacy and ignores scientific evidence-- from the ACLU web site at:

http://www.aclu.org/congress/congress.html

Civil Asset Forfeiture: Imagine that the police had the right to seize your property -- your home, your car, your business, your cash -- and you hadn't even been arrested, charged or convicted of a crime. Believe it or not, under the law of civil asset forfeiture, such conduct by the police is perfectly legal.

Currently asset forfeiture is used by federal law enforcement officials as a dream way to fill their coffers by seizing assets allegedly used in a crime. But asset forfeiture has become a nightmare for many Americans who have been accused of a crime but have not been proven guilty. In many cases, even when the accused citizens are found innocent, they face an expensive struggle with government bureaucrats to recover their property. Many times they are unsuccessful in ever recovering their property!

In anticipation of action on this critical issue in the upcoming Congress, the ACLU has purchased an ad in the New York Times to raise public awareness and mobilize grassroots action. You can see a copy of the ad and send a FREE FAX to your members of Congress by visiting the ACLU web site at:

http://www.aclu.org/features/nytimesad121198.html

[Go the ACLU site to join their Actions List. They will e-maiil you periodic updates like the one above. The messages only come about monthly, so it won't overwhelm your e-mail. - kpt]

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Action Alert, July '98

Save the Wolves

The following is a copy of an e-mail -- thanks to Sundance for passing this on. The deadline to withdraw the lawsuit is July 27th, so call NOW. If anyone has any good suggestions for additional actions to be taken, or news of any other actions that have been planned around this issue, please let us know via e-mail and/or the guestbook.

>I want to alert you to a National Call-In Day Defenders of
>Wildlife is holding to persuade the American Farm Bureau Federation to
>drop its lawsuit to remove wolves from Yellowstone and Idaho.  As many
>of you know, the Farm Bureau is not the benign farm advocacy outfit
>they appear to be.  The Farm Bureau is one of the leading "Wise-Use"
>groups in this country and is behind almost every effort to gut
>environmental (and other laws).  The Farm Bureau supports the
>Kempthorne ESA Reauthorization bill (S. 1180) -- opposed by every
>environmental group, and many of the riders currently on the Interior
>Appropriations Bill.
>
>One of the Farm Bureau's most egregious stances is their effort to
>expel wolves from Yellowstone.  They were successful in convincing a
>federal judge to order the removal of wolves from Yellowstone and
>Idaho.  Fortunately, the order was immediately stayed pending appeal.
>
>The Farm Bureau has a deadline of July 27 to submit a brief in the
>case.  Instead of filing the brief the Farm Bureau should drop the
>lawsuit and recognize that wolves belong in Yellowstone and Idaho.
>
>Please read the Call-In alert below and make sure we tie up the Farm
>Bureau's phone system on July 14.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Roger Featherstone
>GREEN Director
>
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>WHAT TO DO:
>
>On July 14, 1998 call Dean Kleckner, the President of the Farm Bureau and
>ask him to drop his lawsuit against wolves.
>
>     The good folks at Working Asset Long Distance Phone Company
>     have donated a toll free telephone number that will patch you
>     through to Mr. Kleckner.  The number is:  1-888-38-STAND-UP
>
>     This toll free number is good from July 13-24.  We ask you to
>     call on July 14th but feel free to call at any time while the
>     number is valid.
>
>Distribute this alert far and wide.  Make sure everyone you know calls
>to protect wolves in the northern Rockies.
>
>For more information call Defenders of Wildlife at (202) 682-9400.
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>ALERT
>
>                Help Save Yellowstone's and Idaho's Wolves!
>
>                   Participate in a National Call-in
>                 to the American Farm Bureau Federation
>
>                           July 14, 1998
>
>                      Toll-Free 1-888-38-STAND-UP
>
>As you know, US District Court Judge William Downs ordered in December
>the removal of the wolves reintroduce in Yellowstone National Park and
>central Idaho.  The American Farm Bureau Federation persuaded the judge
>to rule that the wolf reintroduction was illegal and that all wolves
>would have to be removed.
>
>The judge's order likely means that more than 150 wolves may have to be
>captured and killed.
>
>The Farm Bureau's brief is due by July 27.
>
>Help keep Yellowstone's wolves safe by participating in this National
>Call-In.
>
>Ask the Farm Bureau to drop its lawsuit against Yellowstone and Idaho
>wolves.
>
>Call toll-free 1-888-38-STAND-UP to be connected to the American Farm
>Bureau Federation.  Ask their President, Dean Kleckner, to drop the
>lawsuit against Yellowstone's wolves.  You can also send him a fax at
>(847) 685-8896.  The direct phone line is (847) 685-8600.
>
>Thanks for your help!
>
>Free calls courtesy of Working Assets Long Distance.
>
>Please note that the toll free number will be active from July 13-24th.
>If you cannot call on July 14, call another time while the toll free
>number is active.
>
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>SOME FACTS ABOUT THE WOLF REINTRODUCTION IN THE NORTHERN ROCKIES
>
>Wolves have brought many positive changes to the Yellowstone ecosystem
>including reducing coyote numbers, which in turn allows smaller animals
>to flourish.
>
>Wolves have also brought a new flood of tourism to the area as people
>flock to the region to watch wolves and other wildlife.
>
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>Roger Featherstone, GREEN Director
>PO Box 40046, Albuquerque, NM 87196-0046
>(505) 277-8302  fax, (505) 277-5483 rfeather@defenders.org
>http://www.defenders.org/grnhome.html
>
>GREEN DC Office
>1101 14th St., NW, Ste. 1400, Washington,  DC 20005 (202) 682-9400
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Update, September 25, 1998:

The National Call-in to Save Yellowstone's Wolves was a most unsatisfying and badly organized action, as far as I can tell. I could never find any updates on their website. The above-cited free line wasn't working, so I wound up calling the other number. I left messages for the targeted guy and company, but never had any sense of whether this was reaching them or making an impact.

Sep. 26, '98: Through search engines I finally found http://www.defenders.org/index.html, the website address which I assume should have been given in the e-mail message above. Whether the site had wolf info. back then, I don't know, but you can now go there for information on the Wolves and other inhabitants of Yellowstone. However, it doesn't seem to have been updated in quite awhile. But http://www.gomontana.com/w_update.html has detailed updates on the specific Wolves and Packs in Yellowstone, and information on an upcoming Wolves conference for activists, scheduled for November 12-14, '98 in Seattle. And http://www.defenders.org/wupdate.html has updates on other Wolf actions worldwide.

Awhoooooo! - k

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copyright ©1998 kathryn price theatana for big electric celt productions
moonstone@bandia.net
copyright on all other contributions reverts to the original authors
background by Karen Nicholas and Nanette Vaughan.