Desert Messenger

6 www.DesertMessenger.com April 20, 2016 OPINION DESERT MESSENGER Quartzsite's FREE Community Paper Proud to be a Quartzsite Licensed Business 928-916-4235 O� T��� - E���� T���! Founded by Walt Akin October 1, 2004 P�������� �� P���� R��� P��������� C�. P.O. Box 3185 Quartzsite, AZ 85359 P�������� ����� � ����� 1st & 3rd Wednesday Sept. thru May with Special Summer Editions June, July & August EDITOR/PUBLISHER Shanana "Rain" BearCat CONTRIBUTING JOURNALIST Joanne Winer GUEST COLUMNIST Jedidiah Free GUEST COLUMNIST Gypsy Jane Finley CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Starr BearCat NAME PLATE LETTERING Paul Winer www.DesertMessenger.com www.MyQuartzsite.com E-mail: Editor@DesertMessenger.com Copyright 2013 Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Desert Messenger. LIKE US on Facebook.com/ DesertMessengerNews FOLLOW US on Twitter @QuartzsiteRain By Shanana "Rain" BearCat www.DesertMessenger.com After dealing with a federal civil rights lawsuit and the appeals pro- cess, I've learned so much more than I ever wanted to about the le- gal system (see Page 3.) I'm grateful that the courts have supported the freedom of the press as journalist and publisher of this paper. Being involved in civil litigation can be challenging, to say the least. But we all have obstacles in our lives...that just comes from living in today's cra- zy western society. However, people can get addicted to the adrenaline anger and drama provides. Sunday, I was inspired as I watched CBS's Morning show which featured the Gross National Happiness (GNH) of the small country of Bhutan. GNH is a phrase coined in 1972 by Bhutan's fourth Dragon King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. It rep- resents a commitment to build- ing an economy that would serve Bhutan's culture based on Buddhist spiritual values instead of west- ern material development gauged by gross domestic product (GDP) Imagine this: Happiness is funda- mental human goal and universal as- piration. Their legal code of 1729 says "if the government cannot create hap- piness for its people, there is no pur- pose for the government to exist." "The esssence of the philosophy of GNH is the peace and happiness of our people and the security and sovereignty of our nation " ~– His Majesty Jigme Singye Wang- chuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan Life is full of suffering; to many, Buddhism is more of a philosophy or 'way of life.' It is a philosophy because philosophy 'means love of wisdom' and the Buddhist path can be summed up as: (1) to lead a moral life, (2) to be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions, and (3) to develop wisdom and under- standing. We all can learn much from the peaceful and happy people of Bhu- tan. When we choose to understand others from a place of compassion rather than hate, we have peace in our hearts. All religions teach us to love one another...so let's spread some love instead of hate! LETTERS TO EDITOR POLICY Desert Messenger encourages letters from its readers. Letters should be no longer than 300 words, and may be edited for grammar, content and length. OPINIONS EXPRESSED HEREIN DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THOSE OF THE DESERT MESSENGER. We invite you to not only see a problem, but search for the solution to share with the community, keeping the benefit of all in mind. Letters considered libelous, in poor taste, on a personal issue, mean spirited or dominated by Scripture quotes will not be published. Third party letters will not be accepted. To avoid confusion over people with common or similar names, writers must provide a full name and indicate the name they are known by. Writers must provide a full street address and phone number. Rvers can provide the location of park/BLM land, etc. Street addresses will not be pub- lished. Phone numbers are for verification only and will not be printed. Mail letters to: Desert Messenger, P.O. Box 3185, Quartzsite, AZ 85359 or E-mail to Editor@DesertMessenger.com 928-916-4235 DEADLINE : WED. APRIL 27 TH for the may 4 th edition Desert Messenger News Email: editor@DesertMessenger.com 928-916-4235 www.DesertMessenger.com Need Someone to Talk to? Problems with Drugs? Alcohol? Depression? Mental Health? Suicidal Thoughts? Serving Quartzsite 24 hour Crisis Line 1-866-495-3735 Blood drive April 25 The GF Women's Club of Quartzsite is sponsoring a blood drive in April in Quartzsite. Please make an appointment to save a life! Call 1-877-827-4376 or visit Blood- hero.com or unitedbloodservices. org. There is always a need for blood and only volunteer donors can fulfi ll that need for patients in our community. Nationwide, some- one needs a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds and most of us will need blood in our lifetime. Please note that if you have travelled in any of the Zika Virus countries: Mexico, South America, Central America or the Caribbean, or had sexual contact with some who has been there, within the last 28 days, you will not be able to donate blood until the FDA lifts the ban on this deferral. Because of the number of blood donors who have travelled to these countries, blood banks are suffer- ing a severe blood shortage. Your donation REALLY counts to pro- vide the much needed blood for patients. Monday, April 25 9:15am to 1:30pm Quartzsite Community Center 295 Chandler Ave All Donors will be entered into a random drawing for 2 concert tickets to see Miranda Lambert in Laughlin "The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself." ~Benjamin Franklin

• Cover