On October 17, 2006, I was kidnapped and sexually assaulted by Grand Traverse Sheriff's deputies. They thought they could break me; they nearly did. I survived.
https://www.youtube.com/live/Elumv-CUoOA?si=GRpJkL1ZP-AG-jnD
The TV series Dutton
Ranch is based on faulty premises and racial bigotry. At the end of Yellowstone, Beth bought a new
ranch for her family. It was lush and fertile
land, which would be an excellent place to live and raise cattle. At the beginning of the Dutton Ranch, a fire
had destroyed the buildings and killed all but one calf of the herd, which is
why they had to use the rest of their funds to buy the new ranch and restock
their herd. The second herd needed to be
killed because the bull they bought had infected it with a contagious disease. It was the premise of their being forced to
work with another ranch. Both scenarios undercut the series credibility.
Beth would have ensured every aspect of the ranch, especially
the cattle. Whether the loss was caused by fire or illness, they would have
received financial compensation to rebuild the herd. They would have lost
nothing; therefore, there was no reason to move south or to work o the other
ranch. They would have needed a
temporary home while their ranch was rebuilt.
Even if Beth had totally lost her business sense, Kayce would have
stepped in to help while the land recovered.
In attempting to save the Yellowstone, Beth searched for an alternative
business models, which would be more sustainable and profitable for the
ranchers. Using the Four 6666 concept of
direct-to-consumer sales, she would have expanded the concept to create an
updated version of the Grange (Patrons of Husbandry). Rip’s knowledge and
connections with the ranching community would have garnered the support to make
the co-operative an effective organization.
As much as he would have hated it, Rip would have become the de facto
leader. However, this would have only been
Beth’s starting point. She has the business and financial expertise to
challenge the monopoly of the meatpacking industry. A new slaughterhouse and packing plant would
give ranchers a viable option to the status quo; it would challenge the power of
the existing companies' control of the industry and put a target on the Dutton
Ranch. This storyline would be more realistic, but it would also have the real-life
consequences of inspiring ranchers to seek alternatives in their lives.
The drug trafficking plot was simply Conservative
propaganda. Inserting the packages of
drugs, whether surgically or through the birth canal, would cause physical
damage and lead to illness that would have prevented the cows from being
allowed into the country. For those who would say that the cattle were illegally
snuck in, get real. It’s more difficult
to hide a herd of cows than the small packages of drugs they would be carrying. The storyline supports racism and subliminally
blames Mexico for the financial challenges in the agricultural industry, while deflecting
blame away from the greed of corporations.
Grade for the series: waste of talent.
Kaleidoscope Film and Television will produce projects based on
ethnic, gender, and age diversity. It will break stereotypes in front of and
behind the camera. In doing so, it will
give voice to the people and messages that have been overlooked and thus
attract the audiences who have been ignored, giving it excellent profitability
potential.
#Yellowstone #DuttonRanch #TVseries #critique #TheresaChaze
What you decide will affect the nation, the world, and the rest of your lives. You swore an oath to defend the Constitution from enemies both domestic and foreign. Following illegal orders puts you in direct conflict with that oath and puts you in harm's way. Research what happened to the Gestapo, SS, and the Nazi when they claimed they were just following orders. Why did you enlist?
Always listening. Triggered by every sound. Every movement. Fight or flight? Check. Double check. Adrenaline explosion. A flash in the distance. Friend or foe? Message or warning? Heart pounding. Always scanning. Always on high alert. Screaming silence. Moments of sleep shattered by night terrors. Nervous system overload becomes the norm; emotional and physical exhaustion becomes a way of life.
Veterans, who have experienced
physical and emotional trauma, call this just another day that ends in
“Y”. No matter how it is labeled, the
trauma they experienced affects every aspect of their life until the core issue
has been addressed and healed.
Medication masks symptoms; however, they are highly addictive and never resolve
the real source of the pain. Talk
therapy has mixed results. Civilians simply don’t understand the military mindset. Peer-support, while more effective, is more
difficult to find.
While in service, personnel
are told to suck it up and just get over it.
It’s part of the culture. To show
weakness, especially during combat, makes the person a liability to the sisterhood
and brotherhood. While in service, the
shared experience gives courage and comfort to the whole unit. Yet, after separation, that mindset becomes a
liability as the camaraderie vanishes and is replaced by isolation.
Yet, there are ways for veterans
to rebuild their lives and reclaim that support system that doesn’t involve
addictive drugs with horrible side effects. Equine therapy is an effective
healing methodology that has been around for decades. As with all therapy animals, horses are
chosen for their temperament and intelligence.
Working with horses provides comfort and support as they help the
handler actively restructure their emotional responses and strengthen their bodies.
Horses' innate ability to
sense the handler’s emotions provides real-time biofeedback. They can hear and match a person’s heartbeat
from nearly four feet away. The horses reflect back the handler’s emotional
state. If the handler is relaxed and calm, the horse will be as well. However, if the handler is emotional—angry,
frustrated, or afraid, the horse will become anxious. However, instead of becoming aggressive, they
will shy away, run, or refuse to cooperate.
This real-time feedback helps the handler understand and work through
their triggers. The mission is to remain
calm and focused in the moment so that the horse will trust the person enough
to interact with them. In this way, working with horses helps the handler stay
focused on the present moment.
For many people, equine
therapy evokes images of riding horses. However, this is not always the
case. There are two primary equine
therapy methodologies: EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association)
and PATH International. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship
International). Both are national and
international organizations that set standards that each associated equine
center must meet to be certified by the organization. Horses are never ridden at Eagla therapy
centers. The focus remains on the boots-on-the-ground interaction between the
veterans and horses. However, the PATH-certified
programs offer both riding and non-riding programs. Both programs heal emotional and physical challenges. Riding a horse uses the same muscles a person
uses to walk, which strengthens the body, while motivating the mind into
forward thinking. As part
of the certification process, the program must be associated with a state-certified
counselor with a master's in mental health and have a hands-on equine
certification.
Equine centers can be found in
most states, mostly in rural or semi-rural areas. As non-profit organizations, they offer the
therapy free to veterans. However, they
are limited as to how many veterans they are able to help by their fundraising capabilities. In these financially challenging times, the
centers have been doubly hit by the increasing costs to care for their horses
and the reduction of funding, especially from the VA. Donating to local centers helps veterans while
providing yourself with good karma points and a tax deduction.
To find the closest center, visit
Horses and Heroes’ website. It has direct
links to both the EAGALA and PATH websites.
Please click on the link below.
https://www.kaleidoscopefilmandtelevision.com/horsesandheroes
The unscripted documentary TV
series, Horses and Heroes, combines the highly effective Peer Support Therapy
with Equine Therapy. Unlike most in the unscripted genre, it will focus on
healing and positive growth rather than endorsing bad behavior. Each season
will bring together veterans from World War II to the current conflicts. They
will share their challenges and support each other as they find new solutions
to their physical and emotional challenges. They know the talk because they
have walked the walk. They see the dodges and will be able to call each other
on them. Sparks may fly. Tempers may flare, especially when they force each
other to face their ghosts. But there will also be laughter and fun as they
rebuild the camaraderie, which kept them safe and strong during their time of
service. The snarkiness and practical jokes between the branches don't simply
end. There is always room for just one more prank. This interaction will help
them rebuild that sense of brotherhood and sisterhood, which will help them
reclaim their civilian lives. When it airs, it will reach the veterans, who
need to hear that they are not alone and give them information as well as the
permission they need to also heal. They will help each other find their way
back to the World. Veterans can’t go back and make a brand new start, but they
can start from now and make a brand new end.
#veterans #EAGALA #PATH #HorsesandHeroes
#TheresaChaze #KaliedoscopeFilmandTelevision, #equinetherapy
#PeerSupportTherapy #hiringveterans #PTSD #support
The weather over the last few days is a perfect metaphor for what has been happening in the world. It has been unseasonably cold, windy, and rainy. One day, we had 50-60 mile an hour gusts that did considerable damage. A very large branch from one of my trees fell. I was extremely lucky; it only damaged one of my rose bushes. My neighbor wasn’t so lucky. One of his trees started coming down. If they hadn’t immediately done a controlled removal, it would have caused considerable damage to his home. One of the workers was nice enough to cut my branch into manageable pieces so I could move it.
Last night, it again rained. When I woke up, it was still raining; it was so cold that I turned on the furnace; I don’t react well to cold and damp. To say that turning on the furnace on June 18th is depressing is an understatement. Instead of wallowing, I drank some tea and watched the Obama Presidential Center ceremony.
The Obamas again brought strength and hope to the world. Unfortunately, the last thing I remember before I fell asleep was Bruce Springsteen singing. Sorry, Bruce. Nothing personal. I love your music. When I woke up, the wind had blown away the clouds. The sun was out. It was warm enough to turn off the furnace and open the windows. In just a few minutes, everything changed.
Much of life is perspective. We have a choice. We can focus on the clouds and the rain or we can remember that life is about change and embrace every moment, but especially when it comes to challenges. We all have the power of choice; we don’t always like the options, yet when we take the broader view, we can make the best one.
Those who spoke at the ceremony focused on the positive—on what they wanted to create for the nation. They refused to bring the negativity of the current administration into the spender of the day. As a side note, I suspect that ketchup will be dripping off the walls because of it. Hey, if I didn’t say something snarky, those who know me wouldn’t think I wrote this. Michell Obama said when they go low, we need to go high. This is true. But her suing over those comments also proves that we need to stand in our power and fight for what is right. Becoming angry and frustrated is only a positive when it motivates us to be our best selves and to stand up for others, the rule of law, and Civil Rights. When we do, we become the wind that blows away the clouds and brings back the sunshine.
#ObanaPreisdentalCenter #hope #ceremony #positivechange #tomorrow
When I talk about breaking
stereotypes by supporting age, gender, and ethnic diversity, it isn’t just a
talking point; it’s a mission. The goal
is to make diversity and inclusion so commonplace that talking about them is boring. This is achieved by creating unique characters
that challenge the perceived stereotypes and encourage new perspectives.
Graham Greene is a perfect example
of our goal. As a Native American, Graham
honored his culture; however, he did so by playing characters who were cops,
veterans, doctors, politicians, etc. His
ethnicity was only one aspect of a multifaceted character. I enjoyed his work because you never knew
what to expect from his talent. He
refused to play one-dimensional characters, which is why I created Martin
Flying Crow in Operation Home Base with him in mind.
Martin Flying Crow
A full-blooded Oneida, Martin
Flying Crow enlisted as an Army Medic to escape the abject poverty of the Rez,
only to find the destiny his ancestors had placed before him. Trained by his
shaman grandmother, Flying Crow walked the Red Road from childhood. At age 13,
he set out on a vision quest to learn his life’s path. The Eagle Spirit showed
him that he was destined to be a healer and guide others. This life was to be
one of service to others. He was to teach them the way of spiritual balance.
However, to lead others, he needed to walk the path himself. Enlisting as a
combat medic in the Army was the first step of many. In Vietnam, he served two
tours as a medic. Although he was not officially allowed to carry weapons, he
did not hesitate to defend those in his unit by whatever means necessary. It
was during this time that he crossed paths with Deek and Walter. After his
tour, he returned to the Rez. Working as a Paramedic, he quickly learned how
little emotional, spiritual, and medical support there was for the military
personnel, vets, and wounded warriors, along with their families. Working out
of his garage, he gathered information, contacts, and resources, which he used
to improve the lives of those affected by war. He gained national attention
when he was able to talk a wounded warrior out of committing suicide. It was
this exposure that brought him to the attention of Lorelei Stuart and Michael
Woodsman.
Unfortunately, Graham is permanently
unavailable. I need to consider one of
the many very talents alterative and tweak the character to make it more comfortable
for the actor.
The projects that I write and
produce offer the same opportunities and growth for women, veterans, and the LGBTQ+
community. It’s this fractioning of the
expected norm that shatters stereotypes and turns two-dimensional paper dolls
into real people. This is our goal; we will achieve this mission by focusing on
entertaining first and foremost. No one
likes to be preached at. But by creating
characters and putting them in situations that touch people’s hearts, you can
change minds and behaviors. In a world
where ignorance and cruelty are now celebrated, we will find the commonality in
our humanity to celebrate. If you share
our mission, let’s chat. Here is the
link to our website.
https://www.kaleidoscopefilmandtelevision.com/
#diversity #inclusion #veterans
#women #Native Americans #indigouspeople #TheresaChaze #KaleidoscopeFilmandTelevision
#film #Television
There is a market and a need for support in film and television for the LGBTQ+ community. Many Indie projects do support diversity and inclusion. The bump in the road is the lack of support from marketing and advertising professionals to talk the good talk, but when it comes to supporting projects through product placement and integration, their rubber leaves the road--they don't follow through with their support. Talk is cheap. The projects I write and produce break stereotypes by supporting diversity and inclusion. However, instead of making a big hairy deal out of it--looky, looky, we have a gay character--we do as a matter of fact, every day--she/he is gay; so what? mentality.
There is a scene in Completely Loyal to Me where William James speaks to the portrait of his love, Samuel. He expresses his loss and anger. Of all that could have been, that will never be because of the murder. When it comes to grief, gender doesn't matter.
WILLIAM JAMES
Today, your beard gets shaved. They will be gone and the Oyster will be back at her home dock. Will it make me miss you more or less? The sea was our oyster. We could be ourselves--without fear. I wish we could have claimed our love. If we hadn't needed her, you would still be alive. We would be together. Happy. Maybe we should have left. So many maybes and what ifs. But you are dead, my dearest. Nothing can bring you back.
(crying)
After they have gone, I'll take your ashes to your favorite fishing spot. She thinks she got away with it. She thinks they can leave and enjoy their love. She murdered you. She stole our lives together. I may be alone
(grief turns to anger)
but I'll see them in hell even if it means I can't see you in heaven. Ohmygod Samuel, I miss you!
To read more about Completely Loyal to Me and the other projects on our slate visit our website.
#diversityandinclusion #lbgtqcommunity #womeninfinance#womeninfilmandtelevision #nativeamerican#nativeamericaninfilm #veterans #TheresaChaze#Kaleodoscopefilmandtelevision
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