The Sound Of Moolah

Last night, I saw "The Sound of Moolah", a puppet musical about health care reform. It was presented by the Single-Payer Players. Which includes my primary health provider, Corinne Frugoni, who works at UIHS. Here is the first scene:



It was an amusing tale that included lyrics set the same tune of "My Favorite Things", such as:

We don't pay for health care, just erections,
You're canceled; you didn't say you'd had yeast infections
We put you on hold when the telephone rings
These are a few of my favorite things.

When the dog bites, when the bee stings
When you are feeling bad
I simply remember my favorite things
And you have to pay the tab. Owwww

After the musical puppetry, the players urged the audience to call 1-866-338-1015 and express support for replacing the language in HR 3200 with the language of HR 676.

They also urged the audience to support SB 810: The California Universal Healthcare Act.

My Personal Response to the Class Session on Colonialism

I had a rather visceral reaction to a lecture and presentation about colonialism that occurred in class about a month ago. The information I had seen before in my undergraduate courses. My undergraduate studies focused on psychology, Native American Studies, and sociology.

I have debated about finishing writing this entry which I began a month ago. That is part of the reason I have not been posting much. I've had this draft sitting since mid September. When I started the MSW program at HSU, I was warned by several faculty and other folks that I may encounter opinions of my classmates that might be upsetting because of their cultural insensitivity. During this class session was the first time I had really noticed anyone openly having a lack of compassion about the material being presented. Rolling of eyes and other body language gave me a new feeling of isolation that I hadn't felt before in the cohort. I do not expect to get along with all my classmates, but I do try to be respectful. I was surprised by the reaction of my peers as social workers in this setting.

Honestly, the whole incident left me disheartened and made me question how culturally sensitive some of my classmates will be with their clients if they can't even manage it with their peers. It will also make me less likely to share anything with the class because now I know it is NOT a safe or supportive environment.

Colonialism: The Canary Effect

Last week, I received a notification that film, The Canary Effect was again available for purchase. I had tried in the past to get a copy, but they have been unavailable for about a year. I promptly made the purchase with my overextended credit card because being able to share this film is important to me. I am looking forward to being able to share this film on campus during Indigenous Peoples Week. However, there shouldn't just be a week once a year to think about these topics.......

More on Health Care

I enjoy Robert Reich. A few years ago I saw him speak on campus. I was impressed with his diligence and sense of humor. Here is his recent video on the public option and health care reform.



Last night, the president gave his speech on health care. I was glad to hear him talk about the public option.



On a lighter note, here is a video Reich & Conan made that my sweetie recommended.

Poor People's March for Human Rights!

Unfortunately, I am working this day. However, I wanted to share this event.

POOR PEOPLE'S MARCH FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Contact: People for a Human Rights Sanctuary, Kathy (707) 444-3155

All are invited on Saturday, September 12th in Eureka:
Poor People's March for Human Rights
followed by a speak-out Celebration with food and music!

We will march for HUMAN RIGHTS: safe shelter, healthy food, healthcare, and dignity FOR ALL.

The March will begin at 14th and Summer Streets, near Food for People and the DMV.
and will end at Highland Park, on Glen (aka Fairfield) and Highland Avenue.

We'll begin marching at 10 am on Saturday September 12th, and
get the celebration started at Highland Park at Noon.

For more information, and if you want to help get things together for this important community event, please contact:
People for a Human Rights Sanctuary at (707) 444-3155 or 442-7465; or emailpeopleforahumanrightssanctuary@gmail.com.

Gather everyone you know for the Poor People's March for Human Rights!
Saturday, September 12th.

Controversial Speech about working hard and personal responsibility

Today President Obama addressed the school children of America. It has been quite a controversial speech. Most of the speech is about personal responsibility, hard work, and personal hygiene.

Judge for yourself.



full text of the speech

We discussed this in class today. When I came home, my partner mentioned a facebook thread that began with, "Is this controversial? "At the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents and the best schools in the world -- and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities. Unless you show up to those schools, pay attention to those teachers, listen to your parents, grandparents and other adults and put in the hard work it takes to succeed."

This thread was surprisingly quite controversial. I was surprised about how much people object to the speech when Reagan & Bush also addressed the school children of America. I hope that all parents would discuss the speech with their children as they would with any other school activity. I realize not all parents are involved with their child's classroom, but it seem that would be an obvious choice for the parents who are objecting to this speech.

Now if only I can take Obama's advice,"So I expect you to get serious this year. I expect you to put your best effort into everything you do. I expect great things from each of you. So don’t let us down – don’t let your family or your country or yourself down. Make us all proud. I know you can do it."

I better get back to homework.......

Salt of the Earth

This week for class we were required to watch, "Salt of the Earth".




The 1954 film is based on an actual strike against the Empire Zinc Mine in New Mexico, the film deals with the prejudice against the Mexican-American workers, who struck to attain wage parity with Anglo workers in other mines and to be treated with dignity by the bosses. The film is an early treatment of feminism, because the wives of the miners play a pivotal role in the strike, against their husbands wishes. In the end, the greatest victory for the workers and their families is the realization that prejudice and poor treatment are conditions that are not always imposed by outside forces. This film was written, directed and produced by members of the original "Hollywood Ten," who were blacklisted for refusing to answer Congressional inquiries on First Amendment grounds. Written by Bob Shields {rshields@igc.apc.org}

The man behind Blue Velvet & Eraserhead quoted in my class......

I was happily surprised when my professor quoted David Lynch in our class last week. Yes, the man who brought us Twin Peaks was quoted in my graduate studies course. I was delighted. The David Lynch Foundation: for Consciousness-Based Education and World Peace focuses on transcendental meditation.
www.davidlynchfoundation.org


David Lynch on Consciousness, Creativity and the Brain (Transcendental Meditation)


According to the foundation's website, they provide funds for students to learn to meditate through Transcendental Meditation centers, hospital-sponsored wellness programs, boys and girls clubs, before- and after-school programs and in schools when invited by the administration. Instruction is voluntary and is provided to a child with the permission of a parent and at no cost to the family, organization or school. In the past year, the Foundation has provided millions of dollars for thousands of students, teachers, and parents to learn to meditate. The Foundation also provides funds for independent research institutions to assess the effects of the program on creativity, intelligence, brain functioning, academic performance, ADHD and other learning disorders, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.


ADHD: Medication or Transcendental Meditation?


There have been several high level fundraiser events for the this cause. The events have included Donovan, members of the Beatles, Eddie Vedder, etc., etc.. Here is a lovely clip of Donovan performing a slightly different version of "The Hurdy Gurdy Man".



At the end of September, the foundation is the sponsor for the International Conference, Building a Healthy, Sustainable American Indian Community: Innovative approach includes meditation, preventive medicine, wind and solar technologies, and organic greenhouses. The website has an interesting video about the effects of transcendental meditation on diabetes and high blood pressure in indigenous communities. www.americanindiansustainableconference.org


My professor focuses on neuroplasticity. Here is Norman Doidge discussing the brain and neuroplasticity:




Perhaps, now I'll spend the rest of my Labor Day, drinking PBR and watch the lime green box set I still haven't finished watching.

Health Care Reform?

Health care reform has been a passionate topic for debate for many years. With Senator Kennedy's death still fresh in our minds, I thought a video from him discussing health care would be appropriate. Although I realize many people have concerns about his tumultuous and troubled past, I feel he like many people deserve a chance to show the greater good they can accomplish. He was a multifaceted and complex person. No person is entirely good or evil. I hope we can focus on the strengths of this man and his life, not ignore anything, but to simply focus on the good in his passing.




In the last six months with town hall meetings across this country, tempers have been flaring. Last Wednesday, there was a town hall meeting in Eureka with Congressman Mike Thompson. The large crowd was pretty well divided on their political views.



I observed several disagreements between people who were standing next to one another. People had a few heated words and then moved to another part of the crowd. However, I was pleasantly surprised that although people disagreed, they were able to be somewhat polite. I only witnessed one person being removed from the town hall meeting. Thankfully, no fisticuffs or biting happened during our local meeting. Here is a video composed by the local conservative group old glory radio. While I do not agree with their agenda, I thought it was interesting to see their coverage of the meeting.



Alas, they chose not to show the young veteran who proposed marijuana hospitals or the community member who proposed that Jesus was a socialist.

Congressman Thompson to Host Town Hall on health care reform

I just wanted to share that Mike Thompson will be hosting a town hall meeting on health care reform.

Congressman Thompson will host an in-person town hall meeting on health care reform Wednesday, September 2, 2009, from 5:30 – 6:30 pm. The forum will be held at Redwood Acres Fairgrounds, Home Economics Building, 3750 Harris Street, in Eureka. All constituents are invited to attend, seating will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.

“I am interested in hearing ideas from our community on how to improve health care in our country and how to make it more accessible for everyone,” said Congressman Mike Thompson.

WHO: Congressman Mike Thompson

WHAT: Town Hall Meeting

WHEN: 5:30-6:30pm; Wednesday, September 2, 2009

WHERE: Redwood Acres Fairgrounds
Home Economics Building
3750 Harris Street, Eureka