It seems that we're always fighting on a new front...or more likely the old ones, disguised with new marketing and packaging. If it's not one thing it's another.

A commonality of all of these issues is 'Who Decides'. The First Section of the California State Constitution states: “All people are by nature free and independent and have inalienable rights. Among these are enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing, and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining safety, happiness, and privacy.”

Without our consent, the California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) aerially sprayed pesticides on Monterey and Santa Cruz counties in the fall of 2007. They plan to resume aerial spraying of an unknown chemical mixture every 30-90 days, 9 out of 12 months, for the next 2-10 years. Who decides?

Pesticide spraying has expanded to seven more counties and is continuing to expand. The use of pesticides is becoming alarming, both in urban and rural areas. Families are affected; children are affected; elders are affected; our wildlife, water, food, environment & our planet are affected. Who decides?

Concerned citizens are pushing for safer alternatives and for a critical review of short- and long-term potential health impacts (over 643 people filed adverse health reports from the fall 2007 aerial pesticide applications). Again, who decides?

Some time ago, I viewed a presentation by Marianne Williamson. She said something that touched my heart. Female hyena circle their young while they eat; thereby, protecting them from all predators, including the male of the species. She ended this thought by saying, should we human females be doing less?

I’m certainly not going to blame the females on our planet for our voice has long been unheard. What I would like to say is the feminine energy that guards our planet is so lacking that our future survival, our children’s survival, and all of the other life forms on our planet are in peril. The feminine energy embraces the qualities of openness, lovingness, gratitude, compassion, consideration and kindness. It is gentle, nurturing and healing. And let us not forget, our energy has strength. We can be heard, for our voice is ancient.

We know who decides! We, the mothers, the grandmothers, the daughters, the sisters, the girlfriends...we decide together! Undoubtedly, we can agree that our combined voice and effort is needed now. It is time to 'Draw The Line' and Stop The Spray In Monterey...for all of California, whether it be aerial or ground spraying. There are groups forming everyday that need our help to increase public awareness.

You decide...it's your body, your choice...your voice.