Protests in Turkey

I'm really appalled that the Prime Minister of Turkey used riot police to clear their famous square of protesters.  Things like this just seem to happen way too much all over the world.  Yes, here in the U. S., too.  They certainly took lots of pains to throttle the Occupy Movement.  I guess it's still around, but it's certainly getting no notice.

Why do those in power feel they have to do this.? Do they forget that they SHOULD be accountable to the people, not the other way around?  Is the lure of power so strong that they would do ANYTHING to hold on to it?  Physical force is probably the worst - as Civil Rights protesters, Suffragists, and labor organizers could probably attest.  But it can be more subtle, too.  I remember when Occupy Philly was camping in the one spot, the news media seemed to be all to happy to point out how much this was costing the city (police overtime, cleaning, etc.).

I hope the brave people of Turkey stand firm, make their voices heard, and get real results to their petitions!

Now, what would THEY say?

Especially considering the revelations of such far-reaching spying and data gathering recently, I decided to play that old game of imagining what the Founding Fathers would have to say.  We may not know for sure, but we may have some clues - and I do have some actual quotes!

So imagine a news anchor is on air when 5 gentlemen in colonial garb enter the studio...

"Here in the studio are some gentlemen with extraordinary claims.  I think I'll let them speak for themselves and you folks at home can make up your own minds."  She gives a microphone to the first guest.

"This is George Washington.  I have some real concerns about the state of our freedoms.  In 1783, I said, 'If freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to slaughter.'  Citizens, do not take this Freedom, or any other of our Freedoms for granted.  Be ever vigilant."

The next guest takes the microphone.  "This is John Adams.  I learned the hard way that Freedom of Speech needs to respected. Yes, the Bill of Rights is there for a reason.  Remember also not invest too much power in any one official.  My words are still true: ' ...trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty.'  By the way, Mrs. Adams keeps asking me about why some Equal Rights Amendment has not been ratified."

The microphone passes to a third guest. "This is Thomas Jefferson.  It is true that members of our generation were the first American Dissenters.  So nothing could be more American.  I still feel that 'The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions that I wish it to be always kept alive.'  Do not let government put out this fire of independence of spirit."

Guest number four now takes up the mike.  "This is Benjamin Franklin.  A wise man once said, ' They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.'  Oh, that was me, wasn't it?  Well, I told you it was a wise man!  My message to you today is do not give into fear-mongering, but cherish and defend your liberties.  Freedom may have some risks, but isn't it really better than the alternative?"

Guest number five now takes his turn.  "This is James Madison.  Please remember who ordained our Constitution.  It was 'We, the People.'  It was not We, the Surveillance State, and certainly not We, the Corporations. One of the functions of our hallowed document is to 'secure the Blessings of Liberty.'  We must make sure we hold our laws and officials to that standard."

The microphone passes back to George Washington.  "Dear citizens, remember that a republic is supposed to foster liberty and freedom. As I wrote so many years ago, 'It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his natural liberty upon the supposition he may abuse it.' Know your freedoms and protect them."

The anchor receives back the microphone.  "Thank you, gentlemen for sharing with us your very stimulating thoughts.  We'll be right back after this break."

Invading Workers' Privacy

If you haven't heard of the new CVS health policy - go here.

I don't know about anyone else, but I am outraged.  We need to put a stop to this corporate invasion of workers' private lives.  Another example: there's a hospital in Phila. that will be stop hiring smokers.   What next? No workers who drink iced tea?

I've written on this issue before, and it seems to be getting worse.  One report said CVS would also be insisting employees take steps to MANAGE their health.  Another report, if I remember correctly, said the percent of companies using some sort of punishment for not submitting to corporate health dictums has increased to around 20%.

We must not just shake our heads and think - oh, it's the OTHER guys and gals who are affected.  WE might be next.  Employment is employment, not a license to control employees off the clock.

Let's do what we can to oppose these invasive behaviors.  Be sure to post a comment if you hear of or are working on any action .

Death of Lorraine Bayless

For sevreal days now, since I first heard the news, I can't stop thinking of the death of  87 year old Lorraine Bayless who was denied CPR by a staffer at the Glenwood Gardens residence facility.  This was in spite of desparate pleas from the 911 dispatcher. 

I can hardly believe this happened.  How could someone not only refuse to administer cpr but basically keep anyone else from helping as well?  In my opinion it was totally heartless.

The family says it was her wish to "die naturally".  First of all, there was NO DNR order on file according to all reports I've read.  If this really was her wish, why wasn't there such an order? I would think that would have been one of the first things done on admission. And did she really want to die collapsed on the floor with someone diverting all possibility of timely help?  It just doesn't seem right to me.

And of course we must not lose the big issue.  That is, this should NOT happen again. We need to make sure our elder facilities have decent policies and treat residents very well. 

Black Friday

So today was/is Black Friday.  I actually used to go out shoppng on this day after Thanksgiving, but more recently, if I do go out, I tend to not go to the big box retailers.  The crowds have just gotten too much.

Personally, although I love a bargain as much as anyone, I dion't intend to camp out for a cheap electroic device or some other deeply discounted piece of merchandise.  And as far as getting myself to a store at 5 a.m or so, well, I just don't see THAT happening, either!  Now people are getting to stores Thanksgiving evening - go figure.  I wonder about the workers who don't have much of a choice but to show up, no matter what the holiday means to them or their families.  The stores, say, of course, they're just giving the customers what they want.

And that's the problem.  Are we so jaded that it's "worth it" to leave family time behind, brave crowds, possibly edure scuffles (although I think this year hasn't been as bad as some prevous years), worry about potetial robberies in the parking lots?

Speaking for myself, I don't think so.  And I would hope that more and more people would also see the way to get a more healthy balance back into the shopping season, and say 'no' to the overencroaching materialism that seems to be around us.  Bargain hunt, but set some limits.  If WE don't support the expansion of Black Friday, the herd mentality of camping out and all, hopefully we can get to a more sane season. 

Happy Birthday to John Adams

Let's take a moment from all Sandy all the time and wish a "Happy Birthday" to our Second President (Number 277!). 

My, how the years have flown by!  My, how the nation has grown!  Are you still keeping an eye on us, John Adams?  We surely need someone to do that.  If it is at all possible, any wisdom you could cosmically impart to us would be appreciated.

Be sure on this birthday to also celebrate a little and know you're not forgotten.

Billy Elliott and Escape

I recently had the occasion to view the film Billy Elliott. It was a wonderful film, very memorable and affecting.

Of course the rags-to-riches, escape from opressive circumstances, or break through to one's ultimate potential is pretty familiar territory.  I immediately thought of Flashdance (maybe not quite as deep as Billy Elliott, but the heroine does want to better herself through ballet!).  Other films in this genre would be Working Girl and Slumdog Millionaire (which I haven't seen).  Still others have been taken from real life stories: The Blind Side, The Pursuit of Happyness, October Sky. I've listed here films, but of course there are many other examples in literature and in real life.

It was suggested somewhere in my searching out some things about rags to riches stories and myths that the classic hero makes good with work and maybe some luck has gone somewhat out of favor. I still think this is a pretty persistent mythological story line.  The American Dream is of course to get ahead through education and effort.  Also, think of all the young folks who dream of making it in the NFL, NBA or as a music star (whatever genre).  I  think it's still very much around.

The trouble is: it's often more myth than reality.  Studies have found that America is not as upwardly mobile as many of us might think.  Sociologist Fabian Pfeffer found that parental wealth is an important factor in the socioeconomic mobility of children.  A study by the Pew Charitable Trust found that children whose parents were in the bottom fifth in income tended to remain below the middle income level as adults.  You can read a bit more about this here.

Does this mean the myth has no value?  Is is just something that's a social control?  I'm not so sure.  I think that these stories can be inspiring.  The real life stories do show that such successes are possible.  But we must make sure that we always put the 'myth' in context.  Students need to know that the odds are against making it big in sports or music.  Even rising to a high position in business or academics is a long shot.  That doesn't mean that students - and the rest of us - shouldn't put forth best efforts.  It means that we need to be aware of other factors (such as the social constructs of our field). try to work around those, and of course have a Plan B. It also makes sense that we should put in place things that might help youth to achieve success.  Mentoring programs, career guidance ( for example, how many would-be sports or music stars would cosider a career in say, science, or a more behind the scenes job such as athletic training or music production), and of course, educational suppport could be important building blocks for a solid future.

Another thing we must be aware of is the dynamic between making a living and doing what one truly loves.  Billy is fortunate to be able to do what he loves at the highest level. Many will not be quite so fortunate.  Each individual must find this balance for him or her self, but we must as a society and a community dialog about this dynamic and strategize ways to work through it.

And oh, yes, I love happy endings!