Obama Letter Writer

Dear President Obama,

I've sent over 26 original collages and handwritten letters so far and have not gotten an obligatory 'form letter' yet.

Of course, I don't expect YOU to write a reply because you need to be doing the important work of saving the planet, not writing letters to every Tom, Dick and Worried Mom!  YEAH.

But on Earth Day this year, we are getting HUNDREDS (if not thousands) of kids from elementary schools in NW Arkansas to write you an Earth Day letter with a drawing of planet Earth!

These pieces will be hung in an Art Gallery for viewing and there will be a CONCERT FOR THE EARTH to go with the celebration. The next day we are going to ail them all to you.

For the KIDS, this project is sort of like writing a letter to SANTA! They want to KNOW that their message has been heard (thus a reply).

I'm curious...how many workers are on staff to sort and read the millions of letters you must get every day? Do the same people view my daily offerings?  (HI...if this is YOU)

I would LOVE to have a letter from the White House to post with all the letters on Earth Day for the KIDS sake.  (It can be a form letter, that's OK by me)  Thanks Bunches.

Earthfully yours,
One Worried Mom

Obama Spaceman

Dear President Obama,

I'm always amazed that we can put a man on the moon but we can't create a vehicle that doesn't pollute our planet!  That is one of my favorite rants.

A conversation that erupts in groups now and then about this subject is the notion that MANY HEALTHY car inventions have come down the pike only to be bought out by big oil money.

Not sure if this is fact but it sure seems plausible, we personally know several folk musician who are touring the country with 'veggie wagons' (vans outfitted with engines that run on spent french fry oil from McDonalds and such).  

One of our favorite documentaries of modern times is WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR?  It poses many unanswerable questions  and allows us to draw our own conclusions.  BUT if it is TRUE we can build a better car...one that doesn't require the burning of coal or fracking, maybe solar run...I believe that would be the BIGGEST STEP FOR MANKIND!  America could step into this new frontier FIRST!!!  Be the FIRST to create a totally GREEN automobile that is AFFORDABLE for all folks. (Remember when the VW bug first hit the scene...a car for the PEOPLE.)

LETS GO WHERE NO MAN HAS DARED TO GO!

Sincerely,
One Worried Mom

Obama Hmmmmmm

Dear President,

We (Americans and people of the WORLD) are standing with you at the crossroads. Which way do we go?

The choices you make now effect the future so profoundly.  It was interesting that we happened to be performing in Switzerland on the night that Bush got elected for the 2nd time.  The sentiment from the Swiss in the room was sadness that they had NO SAY in that choice. Folks said that...even though he is 'America's' president, the decisions he makes have huge impacts on the rest of the world, especially since America is SO POWERFUL and INFLUENTIAL!!!

Standing at this crossroads for the future of power PLEASE choose wisely. Make choices that don't harm this precious planet. Make choices that ensure a healthy future for our children and grandchildren.

Sincerely,
One Worried Mom

Obama Bulldozer

Dear President Obama,

My partner and I are on the board of the Ozark Chinquapin Chestnut Foundation. These trees were one of the most important food sources for both animals and humans. A blight took them out in the 1950's.  This organization is working hard to bring them back into our ecosystem.

We were just at the annual meeting and I was reminded that in the early 1900's almost ALL the trees in the Ozark Mountains were cut down for Railroad ties and such. In the Missouri Ozarks there is a small stand of Shortleaf Pines still surviving that massacre. We are going to visit them next week. Folks call them the WHISPERING PINES.  I wonder what they are whispering?  I bet they are saying, "Never let this happen again."

When I see pictures of the deforestation in the rainforests I just want to hang my head and cry, those trees are our LUNGS!  We should not be clear cutting one of our most PRECIOUS resources...TREES!  While creating this collage, I thought of the Joni Mitchell song Big Yellow Taxi. Here are some of the words to jog your memory, what an amazing song. 

BIG YELLOW TAXI
Joni Mitchell

They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique
And a swinging hot SPOT
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
'Til it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot

They took all the trees
And put them in a tree museum
Then they charged the people
A dollar and a half just to see 'em
Don't it always seem to go,
That you don't know what you've got
'Til it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot

Hey farmer, farmer
Put away that DDT now
Give me spots on my apples
But LEAVE me the birds and the bees
Please!
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
'Til its gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot

Obama against Bullies

Dear Mr. President,

Please don't let the BIG BULLIES talk you into going along with the Keystone XL Pipeline. This pipeline will cut through America's HEARTLAND and put people and wildlife at risk from toxic oil spills, polluted water and MORE!

You did great by REJECTING the 1st permit for this risky project but I understand that TransCanada has resubmitted and a final decision is at hand. YIKES.

The National Wildlife Federation is working hard to stop this horror. I have a question for you.

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO NORTH PLATTE, NEBRASKA TO WATCH THE MIGRATION OF SANDHILL CRANES?????

It is one of the MOST beautiful sights to behold on this whole planet. Right now, in springtime, tens of thousands of Sandhill Cranes are stopping over there. Before you sign ANYTHING...go visit and see the phenomenon with your own eyes and heart!

Sincerely,
One Worried Mom

Obama Flintstone

Dear President Obama,

I believe in giving credit where credit is due. I just heard on NPR yesterday that you are heavily investing in electric car technology! I applaud you!

I adore the Flintstones and their rock cars that are powered by their FEET! Wish we could all drive Flintstone cars. (Tee Hee)

I just read a letter in the latest Sierra Club magazine. It basically said that- YES, electric cars are MUCH better than gas guzzlers but they still require coal or nuclear plants to produce the power. we are merely trading one problem for another in the long run.

This is a step in the right direction because when we get the WIND and SOLAR technology 'fine tuned' - cars will already be 'on board' with electricity and will just need what ever conversion is necessary to convert them.

YOU ROCK! Keep moving in this POSITIVE direction.

Sincerely,
One Worried Mom

Obama Fever

Dear President Obama,

Have you ever had a FEVER? When folks hear that the planet is warming a FEW degrees they don't understand that it is much like when WE get a fever.

I've heard folks say, "What's a few degrees in either direction? Here in Arkansas it can change several degrees in an HOUR. No biggie!"
WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I tell them MOTHER EARTH HAS A FEVER.

When your temperature rises to 99 degrees, you start feeling a bit puny, but still go about your business. At 100 degrees, you slow down a bit and consider taking off work. At 101 degrees, you climb into bed. At 102 degrees, you have chills and feel TERRIBLE! 103 degrees is DANGEROUS, call the doctor! 
That is just a FEW degrees but it can be lethal to let your temp go that high. Same with the Earth, our planet is ILL and needs to get to the emergency room PRONTO!

Sincerely,
One Worried Mom

Obama Vegetarian

Dear President Obama,

Kudos to the First Lady for her work creating awareness and better food choices for children in schools.  We perform in school cafeterias almost every day and although some sport a salad bar, it is rare that we find a vegetarian main course option. (Sometimes cheese pizza or mac n cheese).

Becoming a Vegetarian or Vegan is an AMAZING way to help the environment. Land degradation and overgrazing is a huge problem. 30% of the Earth's land is devoted to raising livestock.  This translates to more and more forest and habitat destruction.
Rainforests are being cut down at an ALARMING rate to gaze cattle.

It also takes A LOT of water to raise meat. It takes far more grain to produce 1 lb. of beef than it does to feed a handful of people.

A Chicago University study found that switching to a Vegetarian diet was MORE effective in reducing your carbon footprint than driving a PRIUS!

Maybe if we all explored going MEATLESS even ONE DAY a week it would help. Maybe schools could implement VEGGIE WEDNESDAY (or whichever day) to start educating kids about the benefits of a vegetarian diet both environmentally and health wise.

Maybe Michelle can make this topic a part of her overall program?  Let's save the world one carrot at a time!

Sincerely,
One Worried Mom

Obama Artist

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Dear President Obama,

Ohhh  NO...I be Obama knows how to spell PROCRASTINATE! (Error on collage, sorry)

We can’t PROCRASTINATE any longer when it comes to taking care of climate change issues.  We created this problem and it is time to find CREATIVE solutions!

We need to get out our painting box and explore new colors and draw outside the lines.  I love the Ted Talks programs, so many people exploring and discovering ways to clean up this mess we are in and PAINT A NEW REALITY. 

Another book that I love is called Blessed Unrest. It talks about the grassroots groups all over the globe that are doing amazing things UNDERGROUND, we don’t see all the positive work that is going on, in the news.  The news only paints a picture of all the negative things happening (which there are many) but I hope that like ‘the straw that broke the camels back’…all these great works by all these groups will culminate in a masterpiece!

Let’s paint a picture of the Earth with forest greens & bright sky blues and erase all the black smog and pollution from our creation!

Sincerely,

One Worried Mom

Obama Captain of the Ship

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Dear Captain Obama,

I love this quote by Martin Luther King Jr., “We did not all come over on the same ship, but we are all in the same boat!”

Wow, that is powerful!  My great grandparents came over on a ship from Finland. I love that this is a land of immigrants, a melting pot of cultures.  Even though I am American born and bred, my roots extend back to Scandinavia.  This boat called PLANET EARTH holds us ALL…Europeans, Africans, Asians, South Americans, Australians and our boat is listing.  It is taking on water!

The captain never abandons his ship, he’ll go down with it if he has to.  He will do everything in his power to keep the ship from sinking.

I think of you as our Captain…there are many ‘captains’ and crew steering this earth ship and they need to work together to keep it on course and sailing fine!

I was feeling rather down the other day, my alter ego ‘worried mom’ was sinking.  I wrote this song and it inspired this collage and letter.  Here are the lyrics:

 

SAIL AWAY

Words & Music Donna Stjerna March 2013

Tides are turning- woods are burning

My neighbor built a tornado shelter down the street

My compost pile- caught on fire

Hottest summer on record, unquenchable heat

The ice last winter made the branches splinter

So we piled ‘em up….like bird nests on the curb

Nobody’s listening to the North Wind whispering

Everything is so absurd

                                   

I wanna sail away,   I wanna sail away

We’re speeding down a mountain-Driving like a madman    

Speedometer on the dash- 105

We know what’s coming, we see the warnings

But ignore all the signs

We’re gonna swerve, when we hit the curve

Where the rocks are pouring down like rain

But if we slowed down, way on down

The outcome could change.

I wanna sail away,   I wanna sail away

The captain don’t abandon his ship he stays right at the helm

I’m gonna do the best I can…even though- I feel OVERWHELMED

So I’m gonna build me…a pirate boat

So I can float when the teardrops fall

It’s gonna help me stay the course,  help me through it all

It’ll be my anchor- my safe harbor…

Just like a…lighthouse in the dark

We need to listen to the North Wind whispering

And follow our HEART.

                                               

I wanna sail away,   I wanna sail away

Obama with Polar Bear

Dear President Obama,

I looked on Google for cartoons about global warming and there were millions of jokes about Polar Bears sitting on slivers of glacier and boo-hooing about the ice caps melting away.

I realize that when things are serious, it often helps to poke fun and make jokes to lighten things up. I totally appreciate that, but this is really NO LAUGHING MATTER!

The Polar Bear has become the 'poster child' of climate change...I think he is the canary in the coal mine! (Coal Mine-no pun intended)

One of my best friends is crazy about Polar Bears, she collects them and has zillions. We call her Queen of the Polar Bears. She dreams of going to Churchill, Canada some day and seeing them in person. I hope they are still around so she can fulfill her dream.  This blog specially for HER!

This little picture of the Polar Bear perched on a tiny piece of ice is SO touching to me...I can't get it out of my head.  I hope it keeps rolling around in yours too!                                                             SAVE THE POLAR BEARS!

Sincerely,
One Worried Mom

Obama Baseball Player

Dear President Obama,

HIT ONE FOR THE HOME TEAM!  I think that we Americans are often TOO patriotic. We like to spout that America is #1, like it's some sort of contest or sport. I think we need to become patriotic about the WHOLE PLANET!!!!!

The world is getting smaller and smaller due to the Internet. I'm always shocked when I see photos of come remote village in Borneo or along the Amazon, with people wearing tee shirts with NIKE logos on them, Yikes.

Sportsmanship is about being a team player, working TOGETHER, being part of the whole. When will we begin to think of this Earth as belonging to ALL humanity and creatures equally? When will we start working TOGETHER, sharing and caring for our precious, limited resources?


LET'S STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND HIT ONE FOR THE HOME TEAM---PLANET EARTH!
(and the crowd goes wild)

Sincerely,
One Worried Mom
aka Donna Stjerna

Obama Decision Maker

Dear President Obama,

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions! I can't even begin to imagine all the intense decisions you have to make EVERY day. I'll bet you often feel like you have an angel on one shoulder and a little devil on the other. (Of course those represent you conscience) There must be a constant tug-0-war going on between those 2 characters.

One voice is saying, "Drill those Tar Sands!" and the other is saying, "No way! that will be a disaster for the environment."

One voice says, "Fracking is great, it will reduce our dependency on foreign oil!"  The other voice says, "Yes, but at what expense? It's not worth it- we need to find a better way."

I see the worried look on your face, Mr. President...it must be difficult to have to make these choices. The decisions I make on a daily basis have nothing to do with life and death issues (at least at present). My heart goes out to you and I hope you choose wisely.

Sincerely,
One Worried Mom

Obama Folk Singer

Dear President Obama,

Music has always been a way to get folks to listen to social/political messages. Music and songs can touch people in places that mere words can't reach.

Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan and modern songwriters like Roy Zimmerman come to mind as well as all the young people that are using their voices such as Rage Against the Machine, just to name a few.

I too write songs of change and it is a HUGE part of my activism work...but often I feel like a song just isn't enough these days. I wish I had a protest sign as big as a skyscraper to march up to the White House with! I wish I could fly an airplane with a banner that is miles long, to make my voice heard...but alas, all I can do is write and sing my little songs, often preaching to the choir. I can send my collages to you, hoping beyond hope that you actually read them and they touch some nerve.
Mr. President, YOU CAN FLY THAT BANNER for us...YOU CAN HOLD UP THAT ENORMOUS PROTEST SIGN, you can be the voice of change that helps to heal this wounded world. You can be the voice for all us WORRIED MOMS!

I'm enclosing a copy of our MOUTHPEACE CD. The 3rd song is called THE LITTLE FOLK SONG. It is a song written from the perspective of a Little Folk Song who wants his voice to be heard. I thought it went well with this collage I'm sending to you.  Enjoy!

Here are the Lyrics:

THE LITTLE FOLK SONG
Words & Music Donna Stjerna

The little folk song wanted to be heard

but no one would listen to his radical words

so the little folk song adapted to the world

and threw away his peace sign.

Then the little folk song began to sing

only songs about relationships and funny things

cause everyone was finally listening to the little folk song.

But it broke his spirit and it clipped his wings

to never, ever sing about important things

he could feel himself homogenizing into the pop culture.

Well, the little folk song played it safe

he never, ever sang songs about social change

only songs about dogs, cars and trains and such.

Then the little folk song began to cry

“Oh, where’d I go wrong and why, oh why,

did I sell my soul for a pot of gold and a record label?”

When the world around was raging with war,

but no but no one seemed to want to sing about it no more,

the little folk song said “It’s time to get back to the drawing board”

His songs were great, they cut to the core

but no one seemed to want to listen to him no more

he was dropped from his record label….like a hot potato.

But the little folk song didn’t give a flip

he started singing like his life depended on it…

songs against the WAR and for the environment!

Well, the moral of the story goes like this

if you’re a little folk song always do your best,

speak your mind swim against the tide….for the love of it

Cause you’re a little folk songs…you’re a little folk song

You’re a little folk song!

                                           

Sincerely,
One Worried Mom

Obama Spiderman

Dear President Obama,

I LOVE this letter from Chief Seattle, the thought that we are all strands in the Web of Life (see below) is profound. Often humans think they are the center of the universe and that nature is there for our USAGE and the taking. In the BIG PICTURE, we are no more important than any other creature on this Earth!

Many of the threads in the web are broken...we need you to be the Spider Man and help mend those severed strands! One of the most amazing nursery rhymes is Itsy Bitsy Spider. That little spider is SO persistent; he keeps trying and climbing up to his goal no matter what happens! We need to be like that spider to heal this planet.

EXCERPTS from CHIEF SEATTLE'S LETTER

Will you teach your children what we have taught our children? That the Earth is our mother? What befalls the Earth befalls all the sons (and daughters) of the Earth.

This we know: the Earth does not belong to man, man belongs to the Earth. All things are connected like the blood that unites us all. Man did not weave the Web of Life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to HIMSELF!

Your destiny is a mystery to us. What will happen when the buffalo are all slaughtered? The wild horses tamed? What will happen when the secret corners of the forest are heavy with the scent of many men and the view of the ripe hills is blotted with talking wires? Where will the thicket be? Gone! Where will the Eagle be? Gone!

When the last red man has vanished with this wilderness, and his memory is only the shadow of a cloud moving across the prairie, will these shores and forest still be here? Will there be any of the spirit of my people left?

We love this EARTH as a newborn loves its mother's heartbeat. So, if we sell you our land, love it as we have loved it. Care for it, as we have cared for it. Hold in your mind the memory of the land as it is when you receive it. Preserve the land for all children, and love it.

As we are part of the land, you too are part of the land. This Earth is precious to us, It is also precious to you.  One thing we know, no man, be he Red Man or White Man, can be apart. We are ALL brothers after all.

Sincerely,
One Worried Mom

Obama Prince Charming

Dear President Obama,

This collage features my adorable Godchild who is an artist/poet/dancer/actress and all around amazing child.

We went to visit her last year in California and took her to the beach. She kept pointing out the Tsunami Evacuation Route signs. They deeply disturbed her and she asked lots of questions about how probable it would be for a Tsunami to hit southern California.

Of course I can't answer that for her. Growing up in California myself, I had never even heard of a Tsunami...until recent years.

Poking around the net, I learned that Tsunamis are more frequent than in the past. The same holds true for hurricanes, tornadoes, ice storms...etc.

In January, Bill Moyers had a very knowledgeable guest named Anthony Leiserowitz, the director of the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication. (He oughta be on your staff).  Here is a loose version of the metaphor he gave, it made sense to me.

Imagine you are barreling down a mountain road at 100 mph ignoring all the signs that warn: DANGEROUS CURVES AHEAD or FALLING ROCKS or CAUTION LANDSLIDE and if you don't SLOW DOWN, you will be toast! BUT IF you heed the signs and slow WAY DOWN...you may still get hit by some falling rocks but it might not be a total disaster.

We ALL want to have a Fairy Tale ending and live HAPPILY EVER AFTER...but we need to start heeding those 'Tsumani signs'.  You are my Godchild's PRINCE CHARMING. Please make PROTECTING the Earth your priority!

Sincerely,
One Worried Mom

Obama Train Engineer

Dear President Obama,

I wish we could bring back TRAINS!

Our country needs a great mass transit system. I bet it would reduce pollution if we di so. Maybe we could put folks to work (like the WPA did) and rebuild tracks and trains?

My partner and I love touring in Europe (www.stillonthehill.com) because everyone rides the trains. (Well, not EVERYONE...but lots and lots)  They are SO inexpensive and extensive. I'm surprised that this topic is not being talked about more on mainstream radio. Special interest groups may be discussing this but I rarely hear a serious dialogue about mass transit as a viable option in the fight to reduce carbon emissions on the radio.  Just a thought.
I LOVE TRAINS!!!!!!!!!!!

Sincerely,
One Worried Mom

Obama Deep Sea Diver

Dear President Obama,

      Again, please ignore any typos, grammar or spelling flaws as I am trying to create one of these every day or so to send you and I'm not a great editor...so I apologize in advance!
       A couple years ago, a friend gave my partner and I a trip to St. John in the Virgin Islands. We had a lovely place on a private CORAL REEF. I had never snorkeled and it was a life changing experience to swim with sea turtles, squid and fish of every color in the rainbow. It was breathtaking, like being in the movie FINDING NEMO!
       Recently I learned about how the coral reefs are dying...bleaching out....YIKES- It breaks my heart.  The repercussions are VAST; the oceans are the LIFE BLOOD or our planet! HELP!!!!

Seafully yours,
One Worried Mom

Obama Crooner

Dear President Obama,

I just want to say that I voted for you in both elections. I think you are a great man and have done many great things for our country. I understand that often your hands are tied and you are not able to do things 'YOUR WAY'.  That is frustrating to us Americans as well.

I wish you could just CROON into the microphone and tell the world that NONE of the pressing issues will even matter if we don't make taking care of the Earth the #1 PRIORITY!

I believe that Climate Change is the MOST important challenge of our times. I know many people don't agree.

I hope your LEGACY will be...that YOU were the President that stood up against huge oil companies and corporations and said all the things that NEED to be said...and that you DID what you had to do WITHOUT EXEMPTION!

HERE IS THE SONG FOR THE DAY!

Excerpts from:

I DID IT MY WAY

Frank Sinatra

Regrets, I've had a few

But then again, too few to mention

I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption

I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway

And more, much more than this, I did it my way.

Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew

When I bit off more than I could chew

But through it all, when there was doubt

I ate it up and spit it out

I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way.

I've loved, I've laughed and cried

I've had my fill, my share of losing

And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing

To think I did all that

And may I say, not in a shy way,

Oh, no...oh no not me, I did it my way.

For what is a man, what has he got?

If not himself, then he has naught

To say the things he truly feels and not the words

of one who kneels

The record shows I took the blows and did it my my way!

Sincerely,
One Worried Mom
 

Obama Uncle Sam

Dear President Obama,

I didn't send a letter/collage over the weekend but I'm back!  I'm keeping it simple here today, just posting the lyrics to one of my songs.

WISH MY FOOTPRINT DIDN'T HURT
Words & Music Donna Stjerna

Up on my soapbox I complain, about global warming, acid rain
but last night I left my kitchen light on...way past dawn
I wish I would walk lighter on this earth,
wish my footprint didn't hurt...wish my footprint didn't hurt

Ever time I stick a nozzle in my tank
I complain...fossil fuel down the drain...
but last night I drove my car down the block,
for a case of Shiner Bock
I wish I would walk lighter on the earth
wish my footprint didn't hurt, wish my footprint didn't hurt

Sure it helps to turn my AC down, ride my bike all over town
Sure it makes a difference when I buy, 
ecological fluorescent lights      
Sure it helps to put a sweater on instead of turning up the heat
Sure it's good to make sure that my faucets never leak...
BUT IS IT ENOUGH????

I try to buy organically, locally...good and green, fresh and clean
but last night I bought a box of macaroni with processed cheese  
I wish I would walk lighter on this earth,
wish my footprint didn't hurt, wish my footprint didn't hurt

Sure it's great to take a shower with a friend, become a vegetarian
Drink coffee grown in the shade, recycle everyday
It's great to hang your clothes on the line, they'll smell & save a dime
It's really swell to plant a tree, turn off the water when you brush your teeth,
BUT IS IT ENOUGHT???  

I think we...COLLECTIVELY-need to keep doing these simple things...
even though we try, I know sometimes...we miss the brass ring
I wish we would walk lighter on this earth
So our footprint will not hurt
So our footprint will not hurt

Sincerely,
One Worried Mom