Twiss Retiring on All Hallows Eve

John Twiss, Federal Director of Law Enforcement is retiring this Halloween, October 31, 2008. All you numerologists out there figure the numbers significance and let me know what you discover!

Does anyone know the actual history of "All Hallows Eve"? Post your information in the comments section, please.

For further information, I am posting a link to some research on "Halloween" or "All Hallows Eve", an ancient Celtic harvest traditional ceremony.

What does this mean in relation to the date of John Twiss' retirement, if any thing? That is an interesting topic for consideration and will probably lead down an esoteric trail of great significance, to those who are up to the task.

A greater and perhaps more important question, what does this mean to the gatherings of the tribes of the rainbow family of living light? Will the "co-operation councils" for an alternative means of compliance under the Forest Service regulations continue?

Meanwhile, send your retirement wishes to John Twiss at jctwiss@fs.fed.us.

Read the orginal post about Twiss' retirement.

The Midnight Writer

Conference Calls with Mark Rey

Links to the telephone conference discussions with the Undersecretary of Agriculture Mark Rey, John Twiss, Federal Director of Law Enforcement, and Tom Florich, Forest Service Liaison were made available at Garage Band.com today.

It was my hope to upload the files directly to this site, but have yet to figure out how to do that. If anyone has a clue, please email themidnightwriter1@gmail.com.

These files are audio mp3 files. Altogether, there are five audio files.

http://www.garageband.com/artist/RainbowFamilyTalk


Meanwhile, please visit the following links and give these audio phone confabs a listen. It will be an enlightening experience as the audio files reveal the stated intent on the part of the Forest Service to the "rainbows" for full co-operation in the alternative manner of compliance regarding Forest Service regulation 36 CFR 261.10 (k). This is in regards to free assembly on public lands. It applies in this particular instance to rainbow gatherings and the right of the assembly to take place without a permit, since a gathering is not a group or an entity. Therefore, the rainbow gathering has no "legal" representative or leader who can lawfully sign a permit to represent thousands of individuals.

Posted by The Midnight Writer

ACLU Report on Wyoming Gathering

Available on the Free Assembly website, I also copied the letter below. Please visit this website for more documents and details on the quest for the Rainbow Family of Living Light to obtain justice and to preserve their rights.

http://www.free-assembly.org/gather/newsinfo/aclu_rpt-rbw08.txt/view

copied text follows next.....

As a result of a number of press articles regarding conflicts at the 2008 Rainbow Family Gathering in Wyoming the Wyoming Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union requested complaints, narratives or reports regarding individuals experiences at the Gathering. We were particularly interested in a conflict that occurred in "kiddy village". Kiddy village is an area set-aside for those participants that have children and is particularly directed to children's experience. There are no official Rainbow Family representatives, documents or incorporations. It is my understanding they have been gathering since the 1970's and generally believe in non-violence and alternative lifestyles. They gather once a year in national forests to pray for the planet and for peace.One of the United States Forest Service's (USFS) press releases regarding the 2008 Rainbow Family Gathering stated that "about 400" Rainbow Family members surrounded a squad of officers trying to leave the "kiddy village" area after an arrest. The press release also stated that Rainbow Family members threw sticks and rocks at federal officers. Both the USFS and the Rainbow family agree the incident started when officers arrested a family member for an alleged drug offense.The accounts of the experiences of individuals at this years gathering came from a number of sources: many of the reporters were long time Rainbow Family members and participants, some were casual or first time attendees and others Wyoming residents that just wanted to see "what was going on." Among our reporters were doctors, lawyers, National Guard members, a nurse, and a retired carpenter from Lander. One of the telling items in all of the reporting was how similar the experiences were. The similarities maintained despite the date, time, number of people reporting, age, or place of occurrence. These similarities in experiences and allegations provided an added element of validity to the reporting.The USFS has stated that they are simply at the gatherings to "handle the perimeter" and to deal with "specific problems". The reality of their presence seems very different however.From the beginning of the gathering all respondents reported a massive law enforcement presence. At the Welcome Gate law enforcement massed and stopped and searched car after car. Individuals were stopped for hundreds of insignificant violations - dirty license plates, obstructed vision (rear view mirrors with items hanging on them), tail light out, not using turn signal for turn, the list goes on and on. These individuals were forced to drive 68 miles to court to pay a $15 dollar fine and $25 dollars in court costs. Many of the tickets were dismissed by prosecutors or judges. Out of 142 violations heard in a special magistrates court 90 were fined nothing or dismissed, 32 individuals were fined under $100.00 and 20 were issued fines of over 100, the largest fine being one issued for $525.00. Once stopped, individuals were asked what kind of drugs they had, if they denied having drugs they were often searched, drug dogs were used. Individuals were told that drug dogs had "hit" on their vehicle and they better just tell them where the drugs were. This procedure of continual mass stops and searches of vehicles went on during the entire gathering. Armed officers walked through gathering asking people what they were doing or what kind of drugs they had on them. People in tents were woken up and their tents were searched; individuals also reported seeing officers searching tents when people were not at their campsites. One woman reported being at the latrine site using the latrine, she had her hand behind her back when an officer walked up and asked her what she was doing and what she had behind her back - he asked her if she was smoking pot - she showed him the toilet paper and he then walked away.Several individuals said they either left the gathering or made a decision not to attend after seeing the numbers of law enforcement officers present. Many people said there was an atmosphere of continual threat from law enforcement.This type of harassment and general over zealous enforcement appear to have been the pattern in the USFS relationship with the Rainbow Family. The USFS has set up roadblocks, safety checkpoints, rolling gauntlets, and have searched and ticketed people on the narrowest of pretexts. Law enforcement are often in full riot gear armed with sidearm, tasers and shotguns. In 2006 in Colorado the agency issued the same kind of petty offenses tickets - over 100 of them. The USFS also issued more than 500 citations for "illegal use and occupancy". Another apparent conflict between USFS and participants in Colorado gathering resulted in the statement that participants had thrown "sticks and rocks". One online video shows no sticks or rocks thrown during the confrontation. During the 2003 gathering there were reports of 8-10 mounted officers circling the gathering flying the American Flag immediately preceding the main days prayer. Individuals at this years gathering reported officers taking pictures of participants - this type of surveillance has been reported at previous gatherings. None of this behavior has been conducive to a good relationship; but often seems motivated to cause clashes between participants and law enforcement. The participants that reported on the 2008 "kiddy village" conflict were unanimous in their version of the events: The officers came into "kiddy village" following a man that was later charged with a marijuana complaint (this is the best of my information). The officers were armed with pepper ball guns and side arms. When the individual was arrested a woman went up to one of the officers and asked a question - there is no indication of what was said. This woman was then thrown to the ground, handcuffed and surrounded by several officers. At this time the crowd became upset and people were asking what was going on - individuals came into the area - at no time was it apparent that there were 400 individuals in the area. Additionally, at no time are there any rocks or sticks seen being thrown at the officers. One reporter states he may have seen "one stick" thrown. This is not evident in any of the videos. Rainbow member's state that, according to their training and belief in non-violence, they began to police themselves some of them going down on their knees and chanting and others trying to calm the crowd and back them off. Many of the participants report being shot by pepper balls in the back or when they were kneeling. One of the medical crew, a nurse, reported treating several people for multiple welts and many individuals for contact with pepper spray. The Sublette Examiner reported that one officer was injured but I have not been able to verify that injury. After the incident people reported being stopped by officers and told to take off their shirts so that officers could identify them to charge them with "inciting". John Twiss, Director of Forest Services Law Enforcement and Investigations in Washington, D. C. Stated, " I think we have to have that discussion within the agency." (regarding banning the Rainbow Family from Forest Services lands) "We spend an awful lot of time and effort on these people and frankly, the taxpayers deserve better." He also gave his clear opinion saying that Rainbow Family Members are "non-compromising" "arrogant" and "anti-authority". Statements such as this lead us to believe that agency personal have no intention of working with the Rainbow Family to provide a reasonable compromise for both the Family and the USFS. The pattern of antagonistic harassment that has occurred over the years makes this clear. There should be a discussion in the USFS and the US Congress regarding this history of abuse of process and individuals by the USFS. The taxpayers and the Rainbow Family deserve better. The continual harassment and heavy-handed enforcement methods are not necessary and only serve to cause more problems and more bad feelings. There is no reason to pay USFS personnel to issue frivolous tickets, conduct illegal searches and overburden the Federal Courts and Prosecutors. These situations should be handled in a professional, best practices manner. The USFS seem to be more intent on provoking confrontation.

Sincerely,
Linda Burt

Shared information by The Midnight Writer

Fw: rainbow passage, a brother transformed

Another Rainbow Brother, Coleman Berry, has joined the Spirit in the Sky. Good journey, my brother. Quoted text below taken from agr@agr.welcomehome.org ------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Rob, A dear friend of mine, Coleman Berry, was killed Thursday night while riding his scooter. I don't know who to contact from the Rainbow Family to make sure his Rainbow Family friends knew so I Googled The Rainbow Family and yours was the first name up. In the years I have known Coleman he has told me many stories but the one that resonates today is the role The Rainbow Family played in his life. Coleman had a rough childhood that left him with lifelong emotional scars. As a result of his past, he had become a wild sometimes violent young man. He told me that the Rainbow Family showed him that he did not have to be that man to be strong or to be happy. He learned at Rainbow gatherings that he could be gentle and kind, party and laugh,love all the people around him and be loved in return just by being himself. He wanted a different way of existing in the world and by example the Rainbow Family showed him the way. That was many years ago but right up until he died Coleman lived as a loving caring man who was the light of the parties he attended (and he attended A LOT of parties and festivals). He had so many beloved friends that he mentored and learned from. At most gathering he could be found either swing dancing with lovely goddesses or sitting in front of a fire talking until the sun came up with the friends he cherished so dearly. Coleman was the life of every party he attended. He built his home from an old school bus and made it so beautiful on the inside that the bus was once featured on HGTV. I don't know if there are anymembers of The Rainbow Family who still remember Coleman but I wanted to make sure I let someone know who could pass on this information. His memorial service which if Coleman's wishes are honored will end up being a big happy party will be Monday Oct 6, 2008 at 4pm at The Brahma Ridge Event center inCandler, NC. Thank you for your help, Hillary --------------------------------------------------- I found Coleman Berry's obituary and wanted to share it here. -------------------------------------------------- CITIZEN-TIMES.com: Obituaries Coleman Berry Candler – Coleman Scott Berry, 48, of Candler, N.C., passed at his home Thursday, October 2, 2008. Coleman lived in the Brahma Ridge community in his infamous yellow school bus and was a successful natural foods broker with Nature's Trading Company. Coleman was the former owner of The Bus Stops Here and Coleman's Burrito Palace and he was a major vendor at the Lake Eden Arts Festivals for several years. Coleman cared passionately about community and he dearly loved his family and friends. He was happiest at a festival or gathering, believing that the shared power, wisdom and grace found in the company of like-minded men and women was life's true treasure. He was a beloved co-founder of the Brahma Ridge Farm in Candler and a cherished member of The Brothers and Sisters of the Reunion. Coleman was the life force of any gathering and, as if endowed with a magnetic field, people were drawn to his charismatic energy. His resounding laugh will always echo in the hearts of those who loved him and throughout the canyons of the farm that was his home. Coleman was a Southern gentleman and lived according to his own hard-won code of being. He credited the Rainbow Family and the Grateful Dead for teaching him a different way of living and giving him the tools to become the man he wanted to be. Coleman lived fully in the moment and often said, talking badly about people bears no fruit. Coleman, who had his father's sparkling blue eyes and his mother's will and determination, was a role model, mentor and teacher to many generations of men and women. If you were lucky enough to have been a member of Coleman's extended family you knew that his loyalty, courage and love were unwavering. He leaves behind his sisters, Holly Berry, of Asheville and Poppy Berry, of Seagrove Beach, Fla.; and his father, E.W. Scotty Berry, of Poquoson, Va. There will be a memorial for Coleman Monday, October 6 at 4 p.m. at Brahma Ridge Farm in Candler. For directions please go to the website, www.brahmaridgefarm.com. An online registry is available at www.penlandandsonsfuneralhome.com Published: 2008-10-06

The Ascension of Earth

There's a storm on the Horizon....
The Bear comes down out of the North~~~
The Lamb carries the Burden of the Oxen.

Fire will cascade the Heavens like Water on sheer Rock...

Read the Eagle Dance Prophecy