Cinn Daz Blog

I am actually surprised that some form of health care reform passed. That it was so close shows how entrenched big business (and many small businesses) are in the political process. Eventually 32 million more people will be insured. That leave 16 million uninsured & covering them is the next goal.

In Albuquerque, we have just had a sensational story about a young woman who stabbed to death a man along a trail in the foothills. She told that police that she was a Wiccan and had used a “Wicccan dagger” to kill the man, who she feared  was going to rape her.  No body in the local Pagan community (which includes Wiccans and other variation of modern Paganism) knew her.

She claimed that they were heading to a Wiccan Beltane celebration. However, this religious holiday happens around May 1, not March 22. A lot of us wrote to the various media and objected to the portrayal of this as a ritual murder.

Gradually the police agreed. Now this is just another murder case and the woman’s claim of self-defense will be considered on their own merits.  The police chief acknowledged that no connection between the Wiccan religion and this woman could  be established.

Two positive outcomes are good reason for being thankful at this time of year.

Today, March 22, begins the countdown for Beltane (a May Day celebration). Ordering new clothing, jewelry, sarongs, statues, etc is on my mind. We traditionally vend at a large private May Day celebration held  in the East Mountains near Albuquerque. In a few weeks we will have our Beltane stock in house and available for sale.

Also, I am somewhat amazed that a health care bill actually passed congress. As I understand it, people such as my step-son Eliot will qualify for government subsidized health insurance in a couple of years. He has been busy starting his own business for the past couple of years. Paying for his own health insurance was not a realistic option. A young healthy adult may spend $300 or more a month for a minimal policy. An adult with any prior medical problems may spend double that or not qualify at all.

This health bill is far from perfect, but it is a start for the US to join the rest of the developed world where universal health  insurance is a right taken for granted. Let’s hope that this becomes the case here within the next ten years.  All the conservatives who now take the government’s Medicare and Social Security for granted may well assume that government-sponsored health insurance is a basic right as well.

Finally we are getting out to vend just as the weather warms. This Saturday and Sunday, we will be set up in the lobby at the Sandia Courtyard Hotel near Eubank and I-40 (just behind the Owl Cafe on Eubank).

The event is Oritenal Potpourri , a series of belly dance workshops given by experienced teachers. The vending are is free! Hope to see some local folks there.

Jump into Spring with our colorful tops, sarongs and decorative jewelry.

On the political front, I am seeing ads again against universal health care that are sponsored by the insurance industry. The ads try to make people worry about a trillion spent over ten years on health care. Never mind the we are spending a trillion a year on foreign wars now! Reducing the latter expense would free up money for something more useful, such as health care.

Jim Heyser

Cinnamon Dazzle

I know that this has been a record winter in much of the US. Here in Albuquerque, we had three months of below normal temperatures, but little snow. The surrounding  mountains had plenty of snow. Now temps are hitting the 60s and Spring is coming, regardless of how many cold spells we get.

We just received a shipment of colorful rayon clothing from Karuna Arts. These colorful tops, catans and banners scream Spring. Check out the Karuna section on our webpage.

On the political front, I remain a little optimistic that some form of health care reform will actually pass congress. At best it will be a half-step. At worst, nothing will change and 30 plus million American will still be uninsured.  The vested interests (basically the health insurers) have succeeded in scaring people away from reform with their ad campaigns.

After watching politics for 50 years (yes I  supported John Kennedy in 1960 when I was too young to vote), I am still amazed how a few deceitful ads can scare people away from a good idea.  With that idea I will close this post.

Jim Heyser

Cinnamon Dazzle