We have had a great time in New Mexico. The people are really friendly, I met BOTH of them. Naw, just joking, there are more people than that in New Mexico, we are impressed with their friendliness, in a state of vast valleys and spaces, rugged and beautiful, old west, old Spanish, often feeling abandoned, but full of surprises.
Roswell Especially welcomes Aliens and the Akha!
The kids looked forward to Roswell and we rode across so many great valleys to get here, the road a ribbon going on for ever. One officer told us that New Mexico is like a third world country because the US Gov. only uses it for military and tests and that there are a lot of poor, and that they don't get much help.
Dusty towns, drying up, that is what we felt, but the hearts of people sure weren't drying up, and we have enjoyed meeting so many.
The UFO Museum downtown Roswell was NOT to be out done and gave the kids a great tour of the place, handily fitting them with Aliens to take home. The Roswell Daily Record www.roswell-record.com did a great story on the Akha and our efforts to publicize what is happening to them. Front Page. Wow.
We rest a couple days before riding for Texas and Dallas. Another 479 miles or so.
The UN now has the results of our work posted, documentation on the plight of the Akha who's land was taken by the Queen at the Upland Hill Project.
You can see it here at http://www.unhcr.org/...
Quote:
"In August 2008 the UN Special Rapporteur highlighted the case of the Akha indigenous people in Chiangrai province, whose land was allegedly seized in 2003 as a result of the Highland Development Station Project. The objective of the station was purportedly to serve as a 'centre of knowledge on agriculture for the hill tribe people'. The Akha claim that the project has left them with only a few small plots around the village, and they have lost their traditional livelihoods. The land seizure was reportedly accompanied by widespread harassment of Akha villagers by members of the military and forestry personnel. Villagers say they were not consulted, nor did they consent to the project, and they have not yet been compensated for their loss. The government has so far not responded to the concerns raised by the Special Rapporteur."
(Widespread like putting pregnant women in jail, that's what.)
Michu called her village last night. The village has lost many girls who have had to go to Bangkok to find what ever work since the land was taken. And no less than 20 boys from the village are now in prison since the land has been taken.
We have some HELL to raise with this Queen, she needs her fangs pulled.
Meanwhile the US Govt. seems to be doing its best to install complete police powers over the H1N1 Pandemic, way better way to force their way into YOUR home than the Drug War ever gave them. All the gloves are off with this vaccine you are suppose to LOVE, no restrictions, not enough testing, and sure no liability for the manufacturers.
Yeah, I will go right out and give that one to Pregnant women, kids, nurses, doctors, and how about everyone in the government first off.
Americans need to start putting limits on their government, and take back their freedom. $1.9 trillion deficit? What the hec is this?