Happy Belated Birthday to Edward Snowden

Hello there!

Just saw that yesterday was the 30th birthday of whistleblower Edward Snowden.  Hope that you had a good one under the circumstances, Edward, and that you are and continue to remain, safe!

Saw the birthday blurb in the latest Glenn Greenwald piece at The Guardian site

This is a good read as to the important issues involved.  The comments are usually pretty good, too.  Pay attention to those who mention that stifling of dissent is probably at least one cause behind all this suspicionless snooping and warrantless wiretapping.

You can also read the Q and A Snowden did at the Guardian's site.  I read it a few days ago and was pretty stunned.  Here's why: 

Back in February (before any of us had heard of Snowden), I wrote a poem, the first I'd composed in a while.  When I read his response to the second part of the first question - what did he say----- "Truth is coming..."  THAT WAS THE TITLE OF MY POEM !!!  So here's the poem - I hope somehow Snowden gets to read it:

Truth is Coming (Truth Chant)

 

Truth is coming
Truth is on the horizon

Truth is coming
Truth must be our guide
Its light chasing the shadows from our path

Truth is coming
Truth must be our fortress
Its strength forming our pillar of support

Truth is coming
Truth always must be heard
Its voice piercing the static of oft-competing lies

Truth is coming
Truth must not be denied
Its pure simplicity finding a way to be openly revealed
 

Truth is on the horizon
Truth is coming


A neat (I think) aside:  The fortress/strength stanza was inspired by Rep. John Lewis. Shortly after I finished the first version of the poem, I was reviewing his BookTV appearance and at one point he said: "Nothing is stronger than the Truth!"  Well, I had to add a stanza after that!

BTW, I see I have been getting some readers - or page views anyway.  Hope some of you leave some comments sometime; it would be nice to actually hear from folks - it would make it less like speaking to an empty hall!

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.