by Susie Applegate
    Defiant to the end, Old Paiute High School senior, Becky Arratola, refused to bow to the ultimatum of High School Principal Janet Korsofski that she remove a controversial webpage from the internet. Arratola said she would drop out of school and work toward a Graduate Equivelant Degree (G.E.D.), rather than, “give in to these fascists.”
    The satirical webpage, entitled A History of the Man Project, and Why It Failed, as told by God to Becky Arratola, offended some parents and citizens of Germaine, who demanded the site be removed. Originally posted to the school website, Arratola promptly had friends post the webpage to another site, beyond the school’s control, but this did not deter the angry parents.
    Principle Korsofski said she also would not back down. “This website,” she said, “is inappropriate, and we cannot allow students to defy authority in this manner, unless we want anarchy to prevail.”
    Becky Arratola’s mother, councilwoman Angela Arratola said about her daughter’s statement, “I’m obviously disappointed by Becky’s decision, but it’s her choice. Principle Sarkofski is wrong about this, and I’m proud that my daughter has the strength to stand up for her beliefs.”

by Susie Applegate
    The recent rise in oil prices may have caused a stir in Washington, and it will certainly be problematic for America’s commuters, but here in agricultural Wilbur County we have our own special issues which will cause difficulty for farmers.
    Many aspects of agriculture are currently dependent upon oil. Most harvesters, and other farm equipment runs on diesel or gasoline; commercial fertilizers are produced with petro-chemicals; and transportation of our products requires the trucking industry.
    Wilbur County, because of its foresight, has been a leader in alternative technologies and organics, which do not use petro-chemical additives. But many of our farmers are still stuck in the old ways, dependent on the oil economy. These people will be hurting, and there is no quick fix, according to Harlan McCoy.
    Harlan McCoy, of McCoy Industries, has been a leader in taking Wilbur County into the appropriate technology future. He has promised to invest several hundred thousand dollars in expanding biodiesel production in the county, and helping farmers convert. But McCoy has a sobering caution.
    “I used to think that biodiesel was the answer,” he said, “but I’m not so sure anymore.”
    McCoy pointed to the recent riots in Mexico as the cause of his concern. “Corn meant for humans and animals, is now being purchased in huge quantities for American automobiles,” he claims, “and I don’t see how we can justify that.”
    McCoy believes that ultimately the American love affair with the automobile will have to end. But in the meantime he is investigating a possible way to bypass the use of corn and other food crops for fuel.
    “Sugar beets,” he announces with a big smile. “They can be grown in areas of the northwest where regular food crops don’t do so well. We can never produce enough to replace oil - not even close- but it should be enough to meet our agricultural needs.”
    When asked if he thought the current oil crisis was permanent, McCoy shrugged. “It’s got to run out someday. I can’t say if it’s a structural crisis, or another example of oil company manipulation of the market. But it’s sure got folks in the government shook up.”

For more information about the current oil crisis, visit: World Without Oil.

by Howard Applegate
    Nearly forty protestors showed up at the Germaine Town Square on May 1st to celebrate International Labor Day, and march to the Malsanto Agricultural Research Station in south Wilbur County for a protest rally.
    The event in downtown Germaine included speeches by City Council member Willie Walkingstick, and labor leaders from the Willamette Valley. Most of the crowd seemed to be hispanic, and many were workers from McCoy Industries greenhouse division.
    According to Harlan McCoy, owner of McCoy Industries, he gave the workers the day off. “They were going to take it anyway…” said McCoy, “I couldn’t see any reason to stand in their way.”
    Willie Walkingstick, a leader of many past rallies prior to his election to City Council, spoke about labor history in Wilbur County, bringing up the spectre of Ansel Johanssen, a member of the I.W.W. lynched by a mob in 1913.
    â€œAnsel Johanssen,” said Walkingstick, “was an immigrant worker from another era. He was an honest, hard working man. His descendants are respected members of this community. These workers here…you…you have even more right to be in this land. You are the indigenous people of this continent. You are my cousins. I say, welcome cousins.”
    The march, nearly seven miles, went without incident. Protestors carried signs which said, “No GMOs,” “Malsanto Poisons the Food Chain,” and “Malsanto Exploits Workers,” among other messages.
    A small contingent took the rising gasoline prices as an opportunity to raise the issue of oil dependence. “Oil Economy = Death Economy” said their banner.
    Rachel Valazques, a spokesperson for the group, claims that “the world is on the verge of triple collapse. Energy, ecology, and the economy –they are all about to burst,” she said. “The only way out of this is to convert to alternative energy and to stop this consumer orgy” by controlling corporations who profit by it.
    â€œDon’t cry about gas prices,” she continued, referring to the latest U.S. oil shock, “Quit driving your gas guzzlers, and do something to change things.”
    Not everyone interviewed on the street, though, looked kindly at the rally and its multiple messages.
    “These protestors are a disgrace,” said Geena Rawlins, “…they’ve swallowed all of the liberal lies about doom and destruction. Global warming, peak oil. Crap. As for the Mexicans, go back where you belong. Mexico. Not here in the U.S.A. And if Walkingstick loves ‘em so much, he should be the first to go.”
    Others, like Jasper Bradford, were more circumspect. “I don’t agree with everything that’s being said here,” he opined, “but it sure makes you think. We are a nation of immigrants, and these folks are important to our life blood. We need to listen to what they have to say.”

In general, the stars over Germaine are trembling.
Aries
(March 21-April 20)

May will be pretty much the same as the other four months of 2007 until the 2nd half of the month. Things will begin to unravel around the 16th. Not in a bad way, necessarily, more like a ball of string or knot that has tied up your energies. It’ll come undone and straighten out and you will feel ready to face Detective Hinterteil when he comes poking around.

Taurus
(April 21-May 20)

Have you been feeling like a bull with a ring in his nose? A little subdued? I gotta tell you that is probably not going to change in May. The only way you are going to be released from the limitations of this world any time soon is by taking drastic measures. I don’t see that happening. You’re more likely to keep pawing the ground and sending up a cloud of dust which may make you feel like you’re having some impact, but it’s just a cloud of dust.

Gemini
(May 21-June 20)

May 8 - 17 would be a good time for Gemini to deal with financial matters. For some that could mean getting the piggy bank or the sock down to the credit union. For others, you might want to make sure that auxiliary set of ledgers is in good order. The IRS was a little surprised by your tax return which is why the refund you expected hasn’t yet arrived.

Cancer
(June 21-July 22)

Saturn is still in your second house and the crises of confidence is still with you. Should be getting used to it by now, so you might want to stop shining. If you study hard you will do well at the spelling bee in Madras. You will only have yourself to blame if you’re not ready.

Leo
(July 23-Aug. 22)

Saturn has settled down into Leo like it never wants to leave. Being pedantic, overbearing and dysfunctional may earn you a room at the Restin’ Easy instead of settin’ easy in your Barcalounger with a Bud in one hand and the remote control in the other. In fact, if you do manage to come down from your fool’s nest you should seriously think about losing the Bud altogether.

Virgo
(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

A letter arrives from Konigsberg, Germany from a distant relative. You are not sure if you should accept the invitation due to your age. You are not likely to get younger. That adult education correspondence course on Jungian psychoanalysis helps you to understand your cousin’s deep-seated need to conceal certain family matters.

Libra
(Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

You will begin to explore new activities this month and a chance encounter with an elderly woman will get you traveling down the information highway. You will be reminded of how much you love research and will consider a course correction in the trajectory of your career.

Scorpio
(Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

It’s true she is quite a bit younger than you, but if it doesn’t bother her then why should it bother you? Someone who has learned how to turn junk into treasure will inspire you to look at your options in a whole new light. This could become very lucrative. Be open to romance for the first two days of May.

Sagittarius
(Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Control has always been a major issue for you and lately things haven’t conformed to your need. If you don’t exercise patience things could go quite badly for you. Restraint is often the better part of a successful plan. Keep your eyes open and your head down.

Capricorn
(Dec.22-Jan. 19)

Old friends come back into your life and the community begins to take a greater interest in you. Nevertheless, you may find the attention somewhat disquieting. It has been a long time coming, but you can’t say you didn’t think this day would never come. Part of you has to be surprised at how long it has taken.

Aquarius
(Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

You are at an amazing point of discovery. Everything seems new and exciting. Sometimes it seem like everyone is putting obstacles in your path, but they really don’t want you to get in trouble. Show them how much you know and they’ll gradually give you more space.

Pisces
(Feb. 19-March 20)

You are able to connect with people who share your interests, but the spotlight that begins to shine on you isn’t what you wanted. Sometimes you will want to erupt and lash out at those around you. Some will understand and others won’t.

If Your Birthday Is in February

If you were born in May you are Taurus (the bull) or Gemini (the twins). The bull is powerful, reliable, but lethal when crossed. Keep your eye on the goal and count to ten. The twins representing Gemini, are the brothers Castor and Polydeuces (some call him Pollux), sons of Leda, brothers to Helen and Clytemnestra. Some say they are half brothers, that Zeus was the father of Polydeuces and Tyndareus the father of Castor. You will find yourself sinking in a quicksand of contradictions if you try to find the truth of this matter and that may be the lesson of the twins or the Dioskaurai. Truth is sometimes shadow, sometimes quicksand. Sometimes solid ground rocks and crumbles.

Disclaimer: This horoscope is presented for entertainment purposes only. The Germaine Truth does not endorse any particular system of divination.