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Other People's Mocassins

7/10/2016

This is a SoulCollage® card I made in response to the tragedies of the past week. It's not much of a collage really, just the addition of a small image to a larger one. It's called "Other People's Moccasins."

My mother kept a hanging in her home that read: "Great Spirit, grant that I may not criticize my neighbor until I have walked a mile in his moccasins." Around this, she hung some of the ceremonial items I gave her. Items that I had carried and prayed with for many difficult days.

Today I pray that this message be considered and embraced by all. It comes from a poem by Mary T. Lathrap in 1895. She was a Michigander, like my mother and me. I share the complete poem here.

Pray, don't find fault with the man that limps,
Or stumbles along the road.
Unless you have worn the moccasins he wears,
Or stumbled beneath the same load.

There may be tears in his soles that hurt
Though hidden away from view.
The burden he bears placed on your back
May cause you to stumble and fall, too.

Don't sneer at the man who is down today
Unless you have felt the same blow
That caused his fall or felt the shame
That only the fallen know.

You may be strong, but still the blows
That were his, unknown to you in the same way,
May cause you to stagger and fall, too.

Don't be too harsh with the man that sins.
Or pelt him with words, or stone, or disdain.
Unless you are sure you have no sins of your own,
And it's only wisdom and love that your heart contains.

For you know if the tempter's voice
Should whisper as soft to you,
As it did to him when he went astray,
It might cause you to falter, too.

Just walk a mile in his moccasins
Before you abuse, criticize and accuse.
If just for one hour, you could find a way
To see through his eyes, instead of your own muse.

I believe you'd be surprised to see
That you've been blind and narrow minded, even unkind.
There are people on reservations and in the ghettos
Who have so little hope, and too much worry on their minds.

Brother, there but for the grace of God go you and I.
Just for a moment, slip into his mind and traditions
And see the world through his spirit and eyes
Before you cast a stone or falsely judge his conditions.

Remember to walk a mile in his moccasins
And remember the lessons of humanity taught to you by your elders.
We will be known forever by the tracks we leave
In other people's lives, our kindnesses and generosity.

Take the time to walk a mile in his moccasins.

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"The braggart with the ducktail who would be president" - Garrison Keillor says it all

6/18/2016

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Keillor's wit and insight is stunning and simply wonderful in this recent essay about .... (he who shall not be named on my blog). It's a "must read."

READ IT HERE.

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Election Year Distractions from the Real Issues

4/3/2016

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Beirut, Paris, Brussels, San Bernadino, too many African events to mention... the violence of Islamic extremist groups like Al Qaeda and Daesh continues. And with each attack that touches the American sphere of concern and media frenzy (California, Paris, Brussels), we mostly focus on the comments of presidential candidates, many of whom are buffoons whose opinions are meaningless at this point.

It's been a long time since 9/11, and awhile since Bin Laden was killed, yet we're not a bit closer to stemming the tide of these hateful, angry, and increasingly well-organized groups of extremists. Why? For one thing, we never confront the "elephant in the room" and deal honestly with our "allies." Specifically, I'm talkin' Saudi Arabia. Why has the press been so light on covering the role of the Saudis? And why has the public been so lax in demanding some understanding and action?

This week, PBS Frontline brought some information directly from Saudi Arabia to light. It is well worth your time, and much more useful than listening to what any of the candidates have to say. Check it out. And talk about it whenever you can.

Saudi Arabia Uncovered is available on the web, or On Demand from your PBS station.

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Full Frontal is just what I need....

4/2/2016

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That's Samantha Bee's witty, intelligent, well-researched political satire "Full Frontal" shown on Monday nights on TBS. Just try it. Let me know what you think. Bee is the only woman in the sea of late night hosts, and she is fabulous.

It still baffles me that she was not given the opportunity to host The Daily Show. She was the logical choice.

I'm grateful that Bee lifts my spirits weekly and reminds me just how many battles we must continue to fight for the safety, health, and dignity of women and girls. All with the requisite humor we must maintain to survive this horrible era in American politics.

Her website is HERE.

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Connecting the public to public finance

7/13/2015

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We've got an important bond election coming up here in Pima County. November 3 will bring some big decisions about our future. We need these bonds primarily to compensate for the actions of our Devil-for-a Governor (Ducey) and his marionettes in the Arizona legislature. To maintain their calls for no new taxes, and the flow of taxpayer dollars into the pocket of corporate interests (think prisons, charter schools, etc), they've shifted expenses to local municipalities to make up for the State deficits. It's bad enough that Pima County is suing the State for this.

Perhaps there's hope if we look at municipal bonds in a new way. Yesterday, Amy Cortese's article in the New York Times offered some novel ideas for bond funding. Basically, it suggests that bonds be sold directly to the people. I think we've got just the right blend of residents in the Tucson area, and statewide, for such approaches to work. This could be a win-win as the County would get more from the allotted funds (lower administrative rates), the bond owners would get higher interest rates than many options they have for investing, and a local bank could profit from administering the program in a streamlined, cost-effective way.

Read the excellent article here.

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OXI means......

7/5/2015

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OXI, OXI, OXI. We really didn’t need a referendum to learn that Greeks are proud, stubborn, and love to hold a grudge. However, just what today’s apparent “no” decision means for Greece and the world economy is yet to be revealed. As the story unfolds, I ask that you consider a few things:

1. Greeks are not lazy. Please stop saying that. Those of you who know me, my family, or other Greeks realize it’s quite the contrary. For those of you who don’t, try saying “lazy” in the same sentence with names like Arianna Huffington, George Stephanopoulos, David Sedaris, or Tina Fey. Got it?

2. Angela Merkel and other European negotiators are not Nazis. They are experienced politicians, economists, and bankers who are attempting to come to an agreement. Some of them gracefully admit to being a part of the problem, particularly by enticing Greeks to borrow amounts that were far beyond the nation’s means. (Wounds are slow to heal for many Greeks. The only thing that would be worse than having Germans in control right now would be if they were Turks.)

3. The Greek people will be suffering more and more in the days to come, regardless of what happens. Please hold them in your thoughts, and join me in wishing the best for my family and others in Crete, Athens, and elsewhere in Greece. From beloved elders to precious newborns, they are in my prayers.

4. And, for what it’s worth, this opinionated Greek woman hopes that Tsipras, Varoufakis (I call him Putin, Jr.), and the other posturing clowns will be ousted. The (well-manipulated) OXI vote was about the Greek spirit; it was not an endorsement of Syriza. Greece desperately needs competent, visionary leadership to ride out this storm without completely capsizing. Let’s encourage international leaders to support that option.

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Greece's Sorry Reckoning

7/5/2015

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In the New York Times on July 4, Nikos Kostandaras shared a bleak, but honest view of Greece's current troubles. It's one of the best pieces I've read, and aligns with many of my own, less informed, opinions.

Nai or Oxi, the arrogant and incompetent political leadership must go. The question is whether sufficient vision and expertise will step forward and be elected to lead Greece from this serious state of chaos and malfunction.

I pray, "Yes they Can," particularly for my many hard-working, dedicated family members who are already struggling in Crete, Athens and elsewhere. Perhaps they can return to family villages where self-sufficient lifestyles still abound with olive trees, prolific gardens, diary goats, beehives, and the ancient knowledge of what can be harvested from the hillsides.

As we await today's referendum results, I cannot conclude more aptly than Kostandaras:

"Throughout their history, the Greeks have fought hardest when all seemed lost. We won so many wars, overcame so many coups and foreign occupations to achieve the stability that now — in peacetime — is threatened. With so much at stake, we will soon see whether today’s Greeks are worthy of their ancestors."

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Ducey's Express Train to AZ's Demise

6/17/2015

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I got this idea during my desert walk this morning. Perhaps it was the heat. Enjoy and then take some action!

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It's Not a Business, Stupid

4/17/2015

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It is frustrating when yet another misguided politician insists that government should be run like a business. Aren’t you tired of that?

On Wednesday evening, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Robert McDonald, told Rachel Maddow that the VA health care system needed to function like a business. This should surprise no one; Mr. McDonald is the retired CEO of Proctor and Gamble and has limited experience leading anything but a business. And he is an Obama appointee, reflecting that Democrats have joined Republicans in acting out the fairy tale that successful business people make the best leaders of government and its agencies.

Here in crAZy we’re suffering from this on a large scale. Arizona’s buffoon for a governor, Doug Ducey, campaigned on his business experience (Cold Stone Creamery). He often repeats his pledge to manage the state like a business. Thus far, that approach has failed miserably. However, it will ensure that Arizona wins the Race to the Bottom, as we face a growing deficit and poorer measurable outcomes on all fronts. His policies center on transferring state budgetary funds to the hands of private industry. Charter schools and private, for-profit prisons are two of this favorites. Most recently, he suggested the state’s university system be (what else?) run like a business. Accordingly, he directed the University Regents to take a “businesslike” approach in solving the problem of our grossly underfunded higher education system. He’s enamored with for-profit “universities” like the fraud-ridden, under federal investigation, University of Phoenix. Interesting that the Arizona Constitution, which he swore to uphold, reads (Article 11, Section 6): “The university and all other state educational institutions shall be … as nearly free as possible.”

While government does need to function with higher efficiency and effectiveness, it should not do so “like a business.” It is not a business. It’s a government – for the people, by the people, and all that. But why listen to me when you can turn to Forbes, a business magazine for some perspective? In 2012, John Harvey offered a clear and convincing explanation of why government should not be run like a business. He reminds us -

…the key issue is this: not everything that is profitable is of social value and not everything of social value is profitable. The proper role of government is the latter. … Profit is the realm of business, while unprofitable but socially useful tasks is the responsibility of government. (Forbes, 10/5/2012)

Republicans, Democrats, and the rest of you confused public servants – please give up this madness! Your jobs involve running a government. Make it so.

And Mr. Ducey: The Grand Canyon State ain’t no ice cream stand. We deserve better than your foolishness. The time cannot come soon enough that you are Stone Cold Out of Office.

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Psycho Killer: Qu'est-ce que c'est?

4/6/2015

As French investigators pursued the recent Germanwings tragedy with clear determination, they likely pondered that more frequently as the days progressed. The co-pilot was, indeed, a mass murderer of horrific proportions. He was also a disturbed man who should not have been flying a plane. In this “post 9/11” era, how does such a thing happen? Have we forgotten about terrorist pilots?

Immediate Germanwings responses offered the simple “solution” that US airlines already practice: always have at least two people in the secured cockpit. But, would such a system have stopped this tragedy? Would the co-pilot not have simply subdued or otherwise restrained a flight attendant as he completed his evil deed? His premeditation and preparation was reportedly extensive.

The world has struggled for more than a decade to balance airline security with privacy and freedom. It hasn’t gone well, and was mostly farcical until March 24. Think about how many tubes of mascara and hand lotion were confiscated as underwear and shoe bombers boarded planes. Or how many of your emails were scanned by NSA to determine whether you could be offered “TSA –Pre.” (Ever wonder how that happens?!) I long for the “old days” every time I enter an airport.

Travel stress will be heightened now. Thanks to Andreas Lubitz’s terrorism, we’ll look carefully at our pilots and crew as we enter a plane - wondering whether they will get us there safely or take us on a terrifying final ride. Someone else should be concerned with that question. Not us.

Each day we learn more about Lubitz’s psychiatric history. A deadly imbalance of privacy over public safety in Germany has come to light. Lubitz should not have been driving a bus, a train, controlling air traffic, let alone manning an aircraft. There is overwhelming agreement that people with severe mental illnesses should be identified and treated – not quietly shepherded into positions that require integrity and reliability on a grand scale. People who choose such positions should understand that they are also choosing to be monitored carefully. It “comes with the job” of taking so many lives into one's hands each day. Privacy cannot be the primary driver.

Health care providers have a unique and essential role not only in caring for individual patients, but in protecting the public. The fate of Flight 9525 could have been altered by a physician with an enlightened perspective, perhaps one who paused to consider whether s/he would travel on a plane that Lubitz was piloting.

Louis Lasagna’s Modern Hippocratic Oath includes – “I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body, as well as the infirm.”

In the future, may our clinicians, indeed, feel obligated to all their fellow human beings.

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Other People's Mocassins

"The braggart with the ducktail who would be president" - Garrison Keillor says it all

Election Year Distractions from the Real Issues

Full Frontal is just what I need....

Connecting the public to public finance

OXI means......

Greece's Sorry Reckoning

Ducey's Express Train to AZ's Demise

It's Not a Business, Stupid

Psycho Killer: Qu'est-ce que c'est?

Politics Writ Large
"Politics is public health in its most profound sense."
Adapted from Virchow.

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Politics Writ Large"Politics is public health in its most profound sense."Adapted from Virchow.

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Politics Writ Large
"Politics is public health in its most profound sense."
Adapted from Virchow.