Restoring Whose Sanity?

Stephen Colbert once said that "reality has a well-known liberal bias."  So, it appears, does sanity -- and that is my problem with the Rally to Restore Sanity And/Or Fear.  I love Jon Stewart.  He is incredibly funny, smart and insightful, and the best media critic out there.  And although the rally was embraced and attended by a left-leaning crowd, there was a false equivalency underlying the premise of the rally:  That pundits and politicians on both sides of the political spectrum are at fault for the caustic state of political discourse in this country.  However, the crazed rants of Glenn Beck and Bill O'Reilly are simply not mirror images of the fact-based, if impartial, reporting of Rachel Maddow and Keith Olbermann.  Calling Obama a Nazi is not analogous to referring to Tea Partiers who have links to supremacist and anti-immigration groups as "racist." One only has to look at the escalating level violence and violent rhetoric on the right, culminating in the stomping of a MoveOn supporter in Kentucky by the county coordinator for Senate candidate Rand Paul, to see the stark contrast in methodology.  In Congress, Democrats to their great discredit, in my opinion, have tried and continue to try to compromise with the Republicans.  Republicans view their goal as ensuring that Obama is a one-term President and, as Sen. Mitch McConnell declared, they will "do everything -- and I mean everything we can do -- to kill, stop and slow down" the President's agenda.  If the Republicans take control of Congress they  promise to repeal legislation, shut down government, issue subpoenas and investigate the Administration, and even foment armed revolt.  Now that is something to really fear.
[Related posts: Seemed Like A Good Idea at the Time,  Follow the Money, Good to Know]

2010 Illinois Voters Guide

I truly am honored that friends ask for my opinion about who to vote for and what they should know. I try not to just tell people who to vote for, but offer my opinion why and give you things to ponder.

Tools
I'm not about to just tell you who to vote for, but also give you tools to help you make up your own mind.

• eVoter: Make your own sample ballot! Find your polling place.
• Illinois State Board of Elections: Information for Voters (Am I registered? Where do I vote? Campaign disclosures)
• Chicago Board of Election Commissioners
• Chicago Sun-Times endorsements
• Chicago Tribune endorsements [PDF]
• Summary of judicial ratings [PDF]

Who I plan to vote for

LATE ADDITION:

I am voting AGAINST the Illinois Governor Recall Amendment. If we vote someone in, we must live with them unless they are impeached or until we vote them out. Eric Zorn has a nice piece about why we should vote NO.

I'm not going to go too far down the ballot, just the big (in my opinion) races.

Governor & Lt. Governor: Pat Quinn & Sheila Simon
I wrote about this race a few weeks ago and this is the hardest race for me. I truly believe that Rich Whitney would make a good governor and bring the new innovative ideas to the table to get Illinois out of this mess, I just know that none of those ideas, even if it was handed to Whitney by God himself, would see the light of day due to Speaker Madigan. Thus, I will vote for Gov. Quinn as Brady is too extreme in his beliefs. I've also admired the way Quinn fights for the average citizen.

Point to ponder: In the last election, Rich Whitney won over 10% of the vote which made the Green Party an established party of the Illinois. This means they get to play by the same rules as the Dems and GOP in terms of signatures needed to get on the ballot - HUGE victory. To maintain the Green Party as an established party, Whitney needs to win 5% of the vote (according to WBEZ this morning). It makes me sick that 8% of Illinois is supporting Cohen, while only 6% is supporting Whitney. 

U.S. Senator: Still wrestling over

I do not trust Giannoulias. I do trust that he'll vote along the Democratic party line. Kirk use to be independent enough for me to consider voting for, even with his support of the war, cause well, the Democrats supported the war too. LeAlan Jones of the Green Party has a great story and is as progressive as I would want a candidate to be. Mindful Metropolis has a great profile of him [dynamic PDF]. I can't give any recommendations on this race.

I know that my friends will yell at me for this saying that we need to keep the Democrats in power. But by putting a man that I don't trust in the history books? That his biggest accomplishment before becoming Treasurer was being Obama's basketball buddy? Nope. Sorry. I want to vote for the person not the party. 

Comptroller: You choose David Miller
David Miller's a dentist! Although I do love the chutzpah of Judy Barr Topinka. The comptroller writes the checks. This should be a great foil office to the Treasurer and General Assembly. Because I wish this office would act as more of a check on the system, I left Judy in the mix. But after hitting publish, this was the one race I felt like I should reconsider. Then on the way to dinner, I read the endorsement from the Gazette Chicago: "In February, we endorsed Judy Barr Topinka for State Comptroller over her less-than-qualified opponents in the GOP primary, but that does not mean we think she’s the best choice for this post." Sometimes it takes reading my thoughts in others writing to smack me across the back of my head.

Cook County Board President: Toni Preckwinkle
Again, do I need to explain this one? Cook County is in a world of pain, hopefully she has some fab ideas.

Cook County Assessor: Forrest Claypool
If I had a Democratic Party membership card, not only would it be full of demerits, but it would definitely be taken away from me for supporting Claypool in this race. I'm not naive. Claypool isn't bias free, no one is. Carol Marin says it best:

There is one, unequivocal, no-holds-barred protest vote on the November ballot. One contest that is nothing short of a bullhorn blasting how fed up people are with the corrupt, conflict-of-interest-ridden politics of this state.

It's the race between Democrat Joe Berrios and independent Forrest Claypool for the seemingly obscure but immensely powerful position of Cook County assessor...

Berrios is a lobbyist in Springfield, where Madigan runs the show. And Madigan's private property tax law firm representing wealthy clients looking for big tax breaks appears before the Board of Review, where Berrios helps run the show. And if Berrios wins as assessor, his power over tax bills only increases...

There is rebellion brewing over this, and not just among voters, but within the Democratic Party itself. And it's not going over well with party leaders. Those leaders, by the way, are named Madigan and Berrios. Madigan chairs the state party. Berrios runs the Cook County party.

Berrios and Madigan think it should be a mortal sin for any Democrat to do anything to embarrass the party. That includes, according to party bylaws, "felony convictions, or actively opposing nominees endorsed by the Cook County Democratic Party."

Only in Illinois would disagreeing with the party be right up there with committing a felony.

And now my dear reader, go forth and vote on Tuesday.

Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time

"Republicans have become obsessed with ideological purity . . . [b]ut Democrats aren’t ideological enough. Their conservative contingent has so blurred what it means to be a Democrat that the party itself can barely find its way."  So explained Ari Berman last week in a N.Y. Times op-ed in which he recounted then-DNC Chairman Howard Dean's 50-state strategy, designed to elect as many Democrats as possible. Both Dean and Rahm Emanuel, who was then the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, "backed conservative Democrats who broke with the party’s leadership on core issues like gun control and abortion rights."  However, as Berman pointed out, "[t]he party leaders did not give much thought to how a Democratic majority that included such conservative members could ever effectively govern."  Now we know:  "Conservative Democrats have opposed key elements of the president’s agenda, while liberal Democrats have howled that their majority is being hijacked by a rogue group of predominantly white men from small rural states."  Berman concluded, and Howard Dean now concedes, that "Democrats would be in better shape, and would accomplish more, with a smaller and more ideologically cohesive caucus."  As the incisive blogger Digby put it: "The Democrats can continue to pretend that having a coalition of liberals and conservatives will somehow show them to be the superior, thoughtful people they believe themselves to be or they can adapt to the existing political environment."  Eric Alterman, just wrote a piece, "Blame in on Rahm," which echoes the problem with pushing to elect conservative Democrats in conservative districts:  "Emanuel’s recruitment of a whole host of conservative-leaning Democrats in places that normally send Republicans to Congress created an entire class of legislators who, either for reasons of ideology or perceived political vulnerability, felt more comfortable undermining the president’s agenda than supporting it."  As Alterman explained, "When combined with a recalcitrant Republican Party whose leaders held no interest in cooperation but plenty in stringing the White House along until it pulled the rug out from under him, Obama was forced to water down his agenda until the bills he fought so hard to pass lacked the essential elements necessary to make them matter to people."  Alterman also criticized Emanuel's subsequent performance as Obama's first chief of staff, where his strategy was "to take any deal that was on the table and then expect the public to express its gratitude at the results."  (Emanuel, thankfully, has left to try to become Mayor of Chicago).  Alterman agreed that "[a]fter Tuesday, the Democrats in Congress will be, of necessity, a smaller leaner group that is on the whole, more ideologically coherent than they have been in decades. It should be a lot easier for them to agree on a common course of action, particularly in light of the outrageous demands that the new Republican majority in the House will be making every day."  The hope is that "in this mix, a Rahm-less Obama should be able to find his mojo again, and return to the rhetoric that won him the presidency in the first place."

Great Jazz Albums (IMO) #3

Sonny Rollins, Way Out West (1957).  Sonny is my favorite saxophone player.  As one critic said: "Sonny Rollins will go down in history as not only the single most enduring tenor saxophonist of the bebop and hard bop era, but also the greatest contemporary jazz saxophonist of them all. His fluid and harmonically innovative ideas, effortless manner, and easily identifiable and accessible sound have influenced generations of performers, but have also fueled the notion that mainstream jazz music can be widely enjoyed, recognized, and proliferated."  Sonny Rollins made so many amazing albums, probably the greatest being Saxophone Colossus, and even his recent albums are noteworthy.  But I chose Way Out West, where he turns "I'm an Old Cowhand (from the Rio Grande)" into a jazz classic.  And the cover is hilarious.  [Related posts: Really Great Jazz Albums #1 and #2].

This Is What The Democrats Should Have Been Saying All Along

Today's New York Times on the Death Penalty

The Times published a moving editorial, "No Justification for the Death Penalty," decrying the execution of Jeffrey Landrigan.  It pointed out that the system failed Landrigan "at almost every level, most disturbingly at the Supreme Court. In a 5-to-4 vote, the court’s conservative majority allowed the execution to proceed based on a stark misrepresentation"  The Times noted how the execution was thrown off due to the shortage of sodium thiopental, one of the three drugs used in the lethal injection three-drug cocktail. The state obtained the drug from a foreign source, but "[w]hen Mr. Landrigan tried to ascertain its effectiveness for sedating him so he wouldn’t feel the pain of the other drugs, Arizona refused to divulge the information. After the state defied four orders from a federal district judge to produce it, the judge stayed the execution."  This is where the Supreme Court came in:  "The majority overturned the stay, saying there was 'no evidence in the record to suggest that the drug obtained from a foreign source is unsafe.' [but] there was no evidence — either way — because Arizona defied orders to provide it."  As the Times put it:  "The court’s whitewash highlights the arbitrariness of Mr. Landrigan’s execution."  The Arizona judge who imposed Landrigan's death sentence supported his clemency plea, saying she would not have sentenced him to death if she had been aware of the mitigating evidence, including evidence of brain damage, that Landrigan's trial lawyers ineptly failed to present. The Times concluded that the Supreme Court's failure to uphold the stay of execution was "shameful."
[See related posts: Banality of Evil, Drug Problem]

If It's Friday It Must Be . . . Yo La Tengo (I Feel Like Going Home)

I Feel Like Going Home by Yo La Tengo

Statins Use in Presence of Elevated Liver Enzymes: What to Do?

The beneficial role of statins in primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease has resulted in their frequent use in clinical practice.

However, safety concerns, especially regarding hepatotoxicity, have driven multiple trials, which have demonstrated the low incidence of statin-related hepatic adverse effects. The most commonly reported hepatic adverse effect is the phenomenon known as transaminitis, in which liver enzyme levels are elevated in the absence of proven hepatotoxicity.

"Ttransaminitis" is usually asymptomatic, reversible, and dose-related.


Lovastatin, a compound isolated from Aspergillus terreus, was the first statin to be marketed for lowering cholesterol. Image source: Wikipedia, public domain.

The increasing incidence of chronic liver diseases, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatitis C, has created a new challenge when initiating statin treatment. These diseases result in abnormally high liver biochemistry values, discouraging statin use.

A PubMed/MEDLINE search of the literature (1994-2008) was performed for this Mayo Clinic Proceedings review. The review supports the use of statin treatment in patients with high cardiovascular risk whose elevated aminotransferase levels have no clinical relevance or are attributable to known stable chronic liver conditions.

References:
Statins in the Treatment of Dyslipidemia in the Presence of Elevated Liver Aminotransferase Levels: A Therapeutic Dilemma. Rossana M. Calderon, MD, Luigi X. Cubeddu, MD, Ronald B. Goldberg, MD and Eugene R. Schiff, MD. Mayo Clinic Proceedings April 2010 vol. 85 no. 4 349-356.

Game of Inches

Tonight's World Series game ended up a blow out, with the Giants trouncing Texas 9-0.  But it could have been a different game.  The turning point was the top of the fifth inning with the Giants leading 1-0, when Ian Kinsler hit a ball that missed going over the fence by an inch or two, and bounced back onto the field.  Instead of a tie-breaking homer, Kinsler settled for a double and was left stranded when Giants' pitcher Matt Cain retired the side. This was reminiscent of a pivotal play in one of the most exciting games I ever saw.  It was late September 1973, and the Mets were desperately trying to catch the first-place Pirates.  In a game against the Pirates they had to win, the Mets kept falling behind and fighting back.  They tied the score again in the bottom of the ninth and the game went into extra innings.  In the top of the 13th inning with two outs and Richie Zisk on first base, Pirate hitter Dave Augustine hit a ball that, like Kinsler's, looked like a sure home run.  Instead it hit the top of the fence and bounced right to left fielder Cleon Jones, who threw the ball to the cut-off man (Wayne Garrett) who threw out Zisk at the plate.  The Mets scored in the bottom of the 13th to win the game, and went into first place the following night after beating the Pirates again.  They held onto first place for the rest of the season and went on to the World Series. Baseball is a magical game.

The Stir's 30 Political Mom Bloggers Who Will Change Your Vote

On Monday I was listed as one of 30 political mom bloggers who will change your vote. When I got the email I was excited. Who doesn't like to get recognized for their work? Especially since I've been really focused on local stuff of late. But Monday I was in a migraine coma, so when I read the email and clicked to the site on Tuesday morning, I only had time to scan through and see that I also got my mug included.

Tuesday night I took a good look at the list which claims to be bipartisan, drawing from both sides of the aisles. Which is pretty true. From my count, I could ID about 10 conservative/Tea party moms and 15 liberal/progressive moms. A few I couldn't quite figure out within 15 seconds and a few seem to be real life moderates. Yeah them! I'm serious. Moderates frustrate me, but they push me to think more than far right folks.

Curiously not everyone listed was listed with a photo, despite the fact that far more than six of us have public photos. Three of the women with photos are obviously women of color. Four of the women on the list are obviously women of color. I say obviously because I know some women of color don't "look" like women of color. I welcome any corrections to my count.

So while I am really honored to be included on this list, I have to question the whiteness of this list. I haven't had time to gather up my own list of moms of color who will change your vote ala Annie at PhDinParenting, they are out there. In fact, you might just want to see Annie's list. There also appears to be a lack of queer mom bloggers listed.

Here are just four more political mamas you should listen to:

1. Cynematic was technically covered when they listed MOMocrats, but I do think she deserves a shout out on her own;
2. Mamita Mala is owner of VivirLatino, a media outlet that does pretty much nothing but politics. Even VL's fluff sometimes has a political bent.
3. Liza Sabater's culture kitchen oozes mom+politics=awesomeness.
4. MOMBIAN. Enough said.

I don't think that we need to have a representative from every single category because I think there are too many categories (where are my pagan mamas?!). But on the bigger categories, race/ethnicity/sexuality/geography/class/ability, I believe we can do better.

And did anyone else notice that The Stir joined my call for drafting Jessica Valenti to the mom blogger team? 

I wouldn't say, as The Stir did, that Jessica has brought her mamahood to the pages of Feministing yet as she's dealing with recovering from an emergency c-section, her daughter being in the hospital for 56 days and now at home. Not quite the way we all dream of joining the mamahood.

But Jessica's post about her birth experience generated a lot of comments and buzz on social networks. She asked for people to consider how women without access to top notch medical care give birth and to donate to Women Deliver or any group that works on maternal health issues. And I believe proves my point that she has a lot of power at the moment and when she uses that power to shine a light on traditionally mommy issues, she's gonna do a lot of good. Some political bloggers who are moms try to keep the kids out of their politics, but I hope Jessica doesn't. She's done so much for feminism in general that she'd be a great asset to what political mom bloggers are doing. But for now she should just be enjoying that cutie pie grrl of hers and sleeping when she sleeps.

What's new in obstetrics and gynecology from UpToDate

35% of UpToDate topics are updated every four months. The editors select a small number of the most important updates and share them via "What's new" page. I selected the brief excerpts below from What's new in obstetrics and gynecology:

Obstetrics

Influenza vaccination with inactivated vaccine is recommended for pregnant women, regardless of the stage of pregnancy. The 2010-2011 influenza vaccine is trivalent and includes antigens from both the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus and seasonal influenza viruses.

Use of acetaminophen during pregnancy was associated with a reduction in neural tube defects, as well as cleft lip/palate and gastroschisis. These data support the safety of acetaminophen for relief of fever and pain.

Gynecology

Like CA 125, human epididymal secretory protein E4 (HE4) is a promising biomarker for ovarian cancer. In contrast to CA 125, HE4 levels do not appear to be elevated in women with endometriosis, and thus can be useful to rule out ovarian cancer in patients with endometriosis and a pelvic mass suspected to be an endometrioma.

Sterilization does not impact sexual function. Sexual function appears to be unchanged or improved in women following tubal sterilization.

Botulinum toxin may be useful for overactive bladder syndrome (onabotulinumtoxinA, Botox®). Detrusor injection of botulinum toxin (BoNT) had a transient effect. The average time between injections was 8 to 12 months.

References:
What's new in obstetrics and gynecology. UpToDate.

Image source: Wikipedia, GNU Free Documentation License.

Follow The Money

NPR has a great piece today about purportedly independent advocacy groups working to elect Republicans.  These groups are fully coordinated and are awash in funds from secret donors:  "Early this year, the Supreme Court ruled that corporations could spend unlimited amounts of money in partisan politics, and Republican advocacy groups have been flush with cash ever since."  The report provides a handy interactive map to show "just how interconnected these secret donor groups are" and characterizes them as "one big network:  a Republican campaign operation, working outside the official party."  Not surprisingly, in a recent NBC/Wall Street Journal poll, seven out of ten registered votes expressed concern about this outside spending.  As Media Matters put it:  "The key takeaway number here is that 71% of registered voters are concerned that 'a candidate who is helped' by groups like the Chamber of Commerce, Americans for Prosperity, and the Rove-inspired money mills 'could be beholden to their interests.'  And we don't know what those interests are, because they won't tell us where they get their money."  The problem is whether the public is fully aware of  this development.  The NPR report notwithstanding, Eric Alterman writes today about how, with articles like the one in the N.Y. Times this week (“Democrats Retain Edge in Spending on Campaigns"), "reporters are misleading the public about what is the most important development in American democracy in decades by confusing the party committees with the actual story of fundraising."  As Alterman concludes:  "One would think a development where money does in the nation with the longest continuous history of democracy would be something of interest to those who report on it. Then again, you go to elections with the media you have."

Stelara (ustekinumab) and Remicade (infliximab) are effective if Enbrel (etanercept) stops working in psoriasis

About 7.5 million Americans suffer from psoriasis, a lifelong disorder characterized by inflammation of skin and, often, the joints.



Stelara, Remicade, and Enbrel are all biologics -- drugs made of genetically engineered proteins -- that are generally used to treat patients who aren't responding to traditional therapies such as light therapy and methotrexate.



Remicade and Enbrel both block tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a chemical produced by immune cells that fuels inflammation, much like gas on a fire. Stelara targets two proteins, interleukin 12 and interleukin 23, that also drive the inflammatory process.



References:

Study Shows Stelara and Remicade Are Both Effective if Enbrel Stops Working. WebMD, 2010.

Ustekinumab is a Strong Option for Moderate to Severe Psoriasis - anti-IL12/23 monoclonal antibody with NNT of 2 http://goo.gl/gbXSJ

Image source: Crystal structure of human IL-12, Wikipedia, public domain.

Braised Pears with Qunioa and Butternut Squash

A couple of weeks ago the nonprofit that I work for held a fundraiser to raise money for our grants towards economic justice for women and girls.  Our guest speaker was a distinguished author who has done a lot of work with other women's funds.  At the end of her speech, she was talking about why it is so important for everyone to be donating their time, money, and efforts towards social justice.  I believe her words were along the lines of "because no one else is going to do it... There is not going to be anyone to come in and do the job for us."  For the past two weeks, these words have been ringing in my ears.

No one else is going to do it.  No one else is going to come and solve all of the economic, social, racial, etc. etc. injustice there is in our community.  It is up to us.  No one else is going to speak up when others are being exploited.  It is up to us.  I don't know how that makes you feel, but it makes me feel like I'm not doing enough right now.

The life coach in me immediately turned those words inward and made me want to push myself harder.  No one else is going to tell me that I could be doing more in my life-- whether that's donating more, volunteering more, or being a more present community member.  No one else is going to come challenge me and tell me that they know I could be giving 110%.  It's up to me. It's up to us.  I'm not quite sure where I'm going to be taking this newfound passion and energy, but I know that I will be doing more. 

Until then, braised pears and quinoa will have to do. I love the contrast of red quinoa against the squash so I highly recommend it.  Red qunioa also has a different texture and slightly nuttier taste that is a great balance for the sweetness of the pears.  If you're in a time crunch, you could easily leave out the butternut squash or serve the pears over plain quinoa.  But, if possible, I think you should make the extra effort.  Giving more is important when it comes to cooking too.

Serves 4.

Ingredients for quinoa and squash:
1 cup uncooked quinoa
1 1/2 cups broth (or water)
1/4 cup golden raisins
handful of slivered almonds
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 tsp cumin
salt and pepper to taste
1 butternut squash - peeled, seeded, and diced
2 Tbsp olive oil 

Ingredients for braised pears:  
2 Tbsp Earth Balance
4 Tbsp agave nectar 
3 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp freshly grated ginger root
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
4 firm but ripe Bosc pears, peeled, halved lengthwise and cored
2 Tbs unseasoned rice vinegar

Butternut squash:
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Combine squash and two tablespoons of olive oil in a large bowl and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper, if desired, and scatter evenly on a baking sheet. Roast for 20 minutes, turning 2-3 times with a spatula.

Quinoa:
Rinse your quinoa; then drain, transfer to a pot and add the broth.  Add the cumin, diced onion, and salt and pepper to taste.  Bring to a boil and cover with a tight-fitting lid, then turn the heat down to a simmer.  Cook for about 15 minutes and remove quinoa from heat.  Allow to sit five minutes with the lid on then fluff the quinoa gently with a fork.  Mix the raisins and almonds in just before serving.

Braised pears:
Melt Earth Balance in a pan and saute over medium heat.  Add soy sauce, ginger, agave, and cayenne pepper. Stir well until ingredients are combined then reduce heat to medium-low.  Add pears, cut side down.  Simmer 8-10 minutes, basting frequently until tender.  Transfer pears to a serving dish, leaving the liquid in the pan.  Bring liquid to a slow boil and add vinegar.  Simmer until thick and syrupy, about 3 minutes.  This is what you will pour over your final dish.

Preparation:
Mix squash and quinoa, then plate.  Top with two pear halves and drizzle your sauce over the top.  

What To Do When The World Series Is Over

I hate guns.  I'm scared of horses.  As a city person, I am not particularly drawn to landscapes.  And I abhor racist stereotyping.  But I love Westerns.  They've got everything:  life vs. death, good vs. evil, love vs. loss, wilderness vs. civilization, old ways vs. modern times, natural law vs. man-made law, all in a riveting action-filled package.  I love the classic John Ford-directed John Wayne Westerns, the Spaghetti Westerns, and the more cynical Westerns of the 60's-70's.  Most of all, I am drawn to the Westerns of the 1950s, from directors such as Anthony Mann and Budd Boetticher.  They are more nuanced and complex than the earlier films, and have been described as bringing a noir sensibility to the conventional Western form.  Here are some of my favorites:
1.  Bend of the River (1952)  Anthony Mann. Starring James Stewart.
2.  The Naked Spur (1953) Anthony Mann. Starring James Stewart
3.  The Man from Laramie (1955) Anthony Mann. Starring James Stewart
4.  The Tin Star (1957) Anthony Mann. Starring Henry Fonda & Anthony Perkins
5.  Man of the West (1958) Anthony Mann. Starring Gary Cooper
6.  The Tall T (1957) Budd Boetticher. Starring Randolph Scott
7.  Ride Lonesome (1959) Budd Boetticher. Starring Randolph Scott.
8.  3:10 to Yuma (1957) Delmar Daves. Starring Glenn Ford & Van Heflin
9.  Blood on the Moon (1948) Robert Wise. Starring Robert Mitchum
10. Ride the High Country (1962) Sam Peckinpah. Starring Randolph Scott & Joel McCrea

When the Series is over, check them out.

In Adolescents, Gratitude Leads to More Success Than Materialism

Materialistic youth seem to be languishing while grateful youth seem to be flourishing.

In this study, 1,000 high school students completed measures of materialism, gratitude, academic functioning, envy, depression, life satisfaction, social integration, and absorption.

Gratitude, controlling for materialism, predicted all outcomes considered: higher grade point average, life satisfaction, social integration, and absorption, as well as lower envy and depression.

In contrast, materialism, controlling for gratitude, uniquely predicts three of the six outcomes: lower grade point average, as well as higher envy and life satisfaction.

References:
Gratitude and the Reduced Costs of Materialism in Adolescents. Jeffrey J. Froh1 , Robert A. Emmons2, Noel A. Card3, Giacomo Bono4 and Jennifer A. Wilson1. Journal of Happiness Studies, 2010.
http://www.springerlink.com/content/21616624m5621673/

Comments from Twitter:

@drjohnm RT @DrVes: In Adolescents, Gratitude Leads to More Success Than Materialism >>It also much better for the heart.

Mid-Week Palate Cleanser: Rural Alberta Advantage

Don't Haunt This Place by Rural Alberta Advantage

Tom Jones at 70: "I will sing as long as I possibly can. My enemy is time"

He's sold over 150 million records, but Sir Tom Jones has confessed that he dreads the day that he can no longer sing.

The 70-year-old veteran -- whose latest album 'Praise and Blame' is a meditative collection of gospel and blues songs dealing with spirituality and mortality -- was speaking to CBS News when he revealed his fear.

"I dread the day. Time is my enemy. Time will catch up with me vocally. And I dread that,' he said. "I dread to think about life without singing because I can express myself, it's a great release, it's a wonderful feeling to get on stage and pour all this stuff out and for people to go, 'Yeah!'''

From the comments on the YouTube video:

catcando75: I grew up listening to this man who belted out a song like no other & always did it in skin tight pants! His voice was clear & crisp yet deep & raspy. When you watched him you knew he loved every note because he wore it like a banner on his face. He pushed tv limits without a pause, his charisma was strong. This is a man so in love with music he knows no boundaries...

References:
Tom Jones: Time Is My Enemy. CBS.
'Time is my enemy': Tom Jones confesses to US TV network CBS that he 'dreads' the thought of retirement. Daily Mail.

Tom Jones: 'I Want to Live Forever' (video) http://goo.gl/UZ2jX

Corporate Takeover

While it is generally agreed that, as Justice Stephen Breyer recently said, business interests "have always done pretty well" before the United States Supreme Court, a new study by the Constitutional Accountability Center demonstrates that the current conservative members of the Court have driven a marked ideological shift that favors corporations to a far greater degree.  The new study compared the years 2006-2010, since Justice Samuel Alito's appointment to the bench under Chief Justice John Roberts, to the terms 1981-1986, under former Chief Justice Warren Burger, before any of Court’s current conservative members joined the bench.  The study concluded that the current conservative majority is significantly more likely to favor corporate interests than the most pro-corporate member of the Court twenty-five years ago. 

Banality of Evil

Jeffrey Landrigan was executed Tuesday night after the stay issued by a federal judge was lifted by the United States Supreme Court.  Arizona conceded that they obtained one of the drugs required for lethal injection from Great Britain due to a nationwide shortage of the drug, but declined to name the company that provided it.  (It should be noted that this unnamed company may have violated the European Union's ban on the sale and export of devices that can be used for executions).  As described in an earlier blog entry, a federal judge had issued a stay after Arizona officials refused to explain where or how they obtained the drugs.  The Supreme Court's order vacating the stay gives the benefit of the doubt to the State.  It places an insurmountable burden on the condemned inmate to establish that the drugs to be used are unsafe even though the State refused to provide sufficient information to make that determination.  It is a chilling order:  "There is no evidence in the record to suggest that the drug obtained from a foreign source is unsafe. The district court granted the restraining order because it was left to speculate as to the risk of harm.  But speculation cannot substitute for evidence that the use of the drug is sure or very likely to cause serious illness and needless suffering."  This was a 5-4 ruling.  Four justices (Ginsburg, Breyer, Sotomayor and Kagan) voted to deny the State's application to vacate the stay.

Good To Know

"We know the Tea Party has a ... unique interpretation of the country's foundational text, but it's hard sometimes to keep track of all the things their favored candidates would like to see abolished" as part of its "return to the Constitution."  Courtesy of Talking Points Memo, here are the top six established laws that Tea Partiers (aka Republicans) claim are unconstitutional.

Drug Problem

It generally had been assumed that lethal injection was the most humane way to execute people.  The 3-drug combination of barbiturate (sodium thiopental), paralytic (pancurionium bromide) and heart-stopping drug (potassium chloride) was devised by Oklahoma state medical examiner Jay Chapman in the late 1970s, and simply adopted by 37 other states without scientific testing.  Chapman took only 3 weeks to come up with the combination of drugs and now concedes that his method probably should be revised.  A more rigorous examination of the lethal injection protocol temporarily halted executions in several states, including California, in the wake of several botched executions and after it was established, among other problems, that the paralytic may be masking excruciating pain.  A decision by the United States Supreme Court in a case arising out of Kentucky has made it more difficult to establish that this method of execution constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.  Nevertheless, states are beginning to consider using a single large dose of sodium thiopental, similar to how animals are euthanized.  This has already been done in Ohio.  A new problem, however, has arisen, whether the one-drug or three-drug method is used.  There is a nationwide shortage of sodium thiopental, and as a result, several states have been unable to carry out executions.  California's attempt to execute inmate Albert Brown failed after the state was forced to concede that its reason for trying to push for the execution was that the expiration date on its last dose of the drug was about to lapse.  Hospira, the company that manufactures the drug, has objected to its use in executions, but blamed the shortage on problems with its source for the raw materials.  After Brown's execution was called off, California revealed that it had obtained a new batch of sodium thiopental from an undisclosed supplier, although it did not not seek to reschedule the execution.  In Arizona, Jeffrey Landrigan was supposed to be executed today.  Officials claimed to have obtained a new supply of sodium thiopental for the task but a federal judge stayed the execution because the State will not reveal where or how they obtained it.  The most Arizona will say is that the drug has a 2014 execution date and is from the same supply obtained by California.  It further revealed that the drug was obtained from an unidentified foreign source.  This is beyond creepy.  There are myriad problems with the death penalty.  One is that we must rely on the good faith and competence of state officials at every stage of the process, from arrest to execution.  Exonerations, prosecutorial misconduct, racial discrimination, and now, this latest debacle with drug shortages and mysterious overseas drug deals establishes that we cannot trust the government to administer the death penalty.  We need to Just Say No.

The Fall Classic

The last moment of pure joy I experienced as a Met fan was in 2006, when Endy Chavez literally, if temporarily, snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a spectacular catch, leaping above the fence and snagging what would have been a tie-breaking 2-run homer in the 6th inning of Game 7 of the NLCS against the Cardinals. Three innings later, in the top of the 9th, Yadier Molina hit a ball out of Chavez's reach for a two-run home run, putting the Cards ahead 3-1.  In the bottom of the inning, with the bases loaded, Carlos Beltran looked at strike three with his bat on his shoulders to end the game and end the Mets' season.  It has been frustration and heartbreak ever since, and this year, like its last several predecessors, was devastating.  Remarkably, though, every year after the regular season is over, I take a few days to shake off the bitterness of the Mets' failures and get excited for October baseball.  Cue the Ken Burns' music:  Playoff games seem to encapsulate a season's worth of drama into a few short weeks.  Each team that has gotten this far has its own uplifting story and appears to be the team of destiny.  We get to know the personalities of the players and see rivalries develop as the same teams play each several games in a row.  Every game, every inning and every pitch is pivotal.  We are treated to legendary victories and tragic failures in each series, culminating in the Fall Classic itself.  While I can't help but be reminded that my team is once again not a team of destiny but of ignominy, I easily find players and teams to root for and to root against, and I lose myself in the drama.  Ken Burns' music fades. When the Series is over, I will begin obsessing about who the Mets new general manager and field manager will be and what off-season moves should be made to improve the club.  But until then, Go Giants!

Independence has its Rewards

My article in the current IABC Atlanta member magazine, empart, talks about the challenges and rewards of being an independent communicator. If you've ever thought about striking out on your own, the time couldn't be better. Find out below what it takes to succeed as an independent communication pro in today's ever-changing business landscape.

Striking Out On Your Own: Self-employed Communicators Speak Out
Reprinted from empart magazine, Summer/fall 2010
 
One in six IABC professional members worldwide is self-employed, and I proudly count myself as one of them. My editorial and PR consulting firm was launched more than 11 years ago after signing up my first client, a wireless communications firm, and I haven’t looked back.

Going independent, for many of us, represents a chance to pursue clients and work that most interests us, with the opportunity to work on our own terms – in our pajamas if we like. Of course, the deadlines and expectations to deliver great results are just the same and maybe even tougher than in the full-time employee world, depending on the client load that’s carried.

The jump from full-time staffer to consultant isn’t as huge as it used to be, with cutbacks in full-time marketing and PR departments and in full-service PR agencies compelling many professionals to go at it alone. Eight of the 10 largest O'Dwyer-ranked independent PR firms were in the minus column for 2009. Also reporting negative years were 15 of the top 25 and 32 of the top 50.

For Audraine Jackson, it was one too many downsizings from area PR firms that finally prompted her to go independent 12 years ago.

“Despite delivering great work for agencies servicing clients like Kroger, MARTA, Orange Crush and Hardee’s, I was always targeted for layoffs when an account was lost or didn’t pay on time. As a VP/ account supervisor, my position was the first to be cut for less experienced, lower-compensated hires,” recalls Jackson, who knew something about the entrepreneurial mindset since her father always ran his own businesses while Jackson was growing up.

“Being independent is better now than when I started. Companies are more willing to contract out for services they used to have in-house,” says Jackson. A consultant brings value by getting the work done without the organization having to expand annual payroll, which is important to publicly-traded companies as well as smaller businesses that are scrutinizing bottom-line results, Jackson notes.

Her company, Jackson Communications, serves clientele in construction/real estate development, restaurant, government, healthcare and sports marketing. Jackson also is a highly-followed blogger whose ATLFalconFan rants and raves regularly appear at USA Today.com.

Attitude is Everything

For veteran communicators who have been downsized, and may be considering contract work for the first time, “Don’t be discouraged,” Jackson says. “Some layoffs should be viewed as an opportunity for new growth instead of mourning it as a loss,” she says, noting that Oprah Winfrey once said that there had been no failures in her life -- just opportunities for lessons to be learned. To be successful, according to Jackson, independents need to balance time each week on new business development, account service and operational functions. “It is a lot of work but they are all necessary to building and sustaining a livelihood.” She offers this helpful advice for communicators thinking about moving into the entrepreneurial ranks:

• Develop a solid business plan and know how to budget money and time.
• Close a few accounts before going out on your own full-time
• Assess your skill level and determine your hourly rate and identify clients who can afford to pay those fees.

“The smaller you are, the smaller your accounts may be sometimes since businesses can’t afford to expend money for failed results,” says Jackson.

Jeremy Porter, a consultant specializing in tech PR and marketing for start-ups and founder of Journalistics, an expert search engine and marketing platform, says his decision to go independent a decade ago was out of a realization that he was “never good with following rules.”

“I also saw an opportunity to help clients do more with less, track results closer to real dollar values, all while making more money than I would in a full-time gig,” he says.

'Best Time’ for Independents

Porter thinks now is the best time for communicators to go out on their own. “When I first ventured out on my own it was in the midst of the dotcom bust. Despite what you might think, it was the best time to start out. We’re in a similar place right now – companies are looking for smarter, more cost-effective resources to help them with their marketing programs. Independents are more attractive options than ever. In Atlanta specifically, there seems to be the most opportunity with entertainment, alternative energy, life sciences and the tech sectors though everything looks to be rebounding right now.”

How to keep momentum in your business going? Porter advises to stay visible. “Volunteer on boards, speak at events, get quoted in articles, share interesting information with your contacts and don’t let two months go by without at least checking in with your top contacts.”

Jackson reads biographies of successful leaders and has found IABC a huge asset to her consulting career. “The local seminars and workshops always give me new ways to solve recurring business challenges,” she says, adding that entering and winning her first Golden Flames Award in the integrated marketing category last year was a “real confidence booster.” She also has done reciprocal award judging, which has helped her understand how others are facing similar challenges in other parts of the world – and gives her a “bird’s eye view at how they are able to tackle communications issues and overcome them.”

She advises anyone who becomes an entrepreneur to stay positive and understand that business trends in cycles. “You must have vision, forecasting skills and sources of motivation to keep your attitude and approach right.”

Local Resources for Independents

PRSA/GA President Timothy Hussey says PRSA’s Independent Counselors Special Interest Group (SIG) (https://www.prsageorgia.org/sigs/Independent-Counselors/) meets monthly and is one of the largest SIGs in the Atlanta chapter.

IABC/Atlanta recently formed a new Independent Communicators Roundtable SIG, which holds meetings every other month. Organizer Debra Jacob, owner of Jacob Market Research, a web analytics and e-marketing firm in midtown Atlanta, relocated to Atlanta in November 2009 from San Francisco, where she coordinated a similar IABC independent communicators’ roundtable, while working as a marketing communications consultant.

“The premise is to pull together independent business owners so they have a forum in which to discuss critical issues to their business – that means anything from how to bill and how to use new media, to sharing tips among each other so they can learn from positive and negative experiences,” Jacob says, who tries to inspire a “collaborative spirit” to the group.

While outside speakers present at the roundtable, she keeps the group small (the target is 15 people) to ensure rich dialogue. “We want to hit those key target areas – what do I charge? Can I go on vacation and still run a business? How do I subcontract?’ These are all critical issues,” Jacob says.

A key success factor in the roundtable format is that it’s collaborative and non- competitive: “We’re not all individuals here; we can help one another out. If I am approached with business I don’t particularly do, I can pass leads on. Especially in this economy it’s important that we be resources for each other. It’s not every man or woman for him or herself.”

D.C. Area: Steady Growth in Independents, Larger Contracts

Heathere Keenan, founder of the Independent Public Relations Alliance (IPRA), a 60-member group of independents in the greater Washington, D.C. area, reports seeing continued steady growth in the number of independents but not a major uptick as a result of the economy.

“What we are seeing is larger contracts being awarded to independents, which I think speaks to the whole concept of the virtual model and the benefits it brings to clients, especially in this economy where budgets for integrated communications are being monitored and analyzed,” Keenan says. “I think the (independent practice) model offers serious benefits to clients looking for value, senior level talent and a flexible kind of team.”

Keenan, who is an 11-year independent practitioner through her company, Keenan PR, says that successful people in this industry have an entrepreneurial drive, believe and value this work model, and share a strong spirit of partnership. Winning new business “is often the result of a few independents partnering together,” Keenan concludes.

Free Medical Education Resources by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)

Head, Neck and Oral Cancer Examination

This 40-minute video is intended for practitioners of dentistry, medicine, nursing and public health who are responsible for diagnosing and referring patients with head and neck and oral cancer.

Emergency Medicine Ultrasound Simulation (U/SS) Case Scenario Package

This resource consisit of a modular package containing 5 high-fidelity full-body simulation case scenarios with supplemental bedside Emergency Department Ultrasound videos (de-identified) to assist in EM decision-making training.

Disclosing Medical Errors To Patients

This is a standardized patient case, which has been used to assess the communication skills of radiology residents when disclosing a medical error to a patient. The case content can be modified for use in other specialties. The checklist for the standardized patient and the self-evaluation checklist for the resident can be used without modification by all residencies.

Introduction to Effective Communication Skills

This PowerPoint with audio program covers the relevance and basic concepts of communication and interpersonal skills as they apply to general dentistry.

The Study Skills Workshop

The Study Skills Workshop was introduced to guide and promote 1st year Medical Students towards effective ways of learning in medicine. It is hoped that through the workshop the students are able to identify their individual learning styles and approaches. Thus they can find out self-improvement strategies to enhance their learning in medicine.

Image source: OpenClipArt.org, public domain.

Today's Must Read: How Obama Lost the Narrative

David Corn has an excellent article in Mother Jones titled "How Obama Lost the Narrative," which concludes that Obama's "ultimate political error" was "not keeping the base energized and engaged in the narrative. A president cannot control the economy. But he can control the story he tells."

What's new in endocrinology from UpToDate

35% of UpToDate topics are updated every four months. The editors select a small number of the most important updates and share them via "What's new" page. I selected the brief excerpts below from What's new in endocrinology:

Osteoporosis

Denosumab (Prolia)

Denosumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that specifically targets a ligand known as RANKL (that binds to a receptor known as RANK) which is a key mediator of osteoclast formation, function, and survival. Denosumab was approved for the treatment of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis at high risk for fracture (history of osteoporotic fracture, multiple risk factors for fracture) or patients who have failed or are intolerant of other available osteoporosis therapies. Denosumab inhibits the formation, function, and survival of osteoclasts. It decreases bone resorption, increases bone mineral density (BMD), and reduces the risk of fracture.

Teriparatide (Forteo)

Teriparatide (parathyroid hormone) did not accelerate fracture healing in postmenopausal women with distal radial fractures.

Transdermal teriparatide patch worked as well as teriparatide injection in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Orlistat (Xenical, Alli) in obesity

Severe liver injury has been reported rarely with the use of orlistat (13 reports). Over the ten year period of the review, an estimated 40 million people worldwide used orlistat.

References:
What's new in endocrinology and diabetes mellitus. UpToDate.

Image source: Flickr, Creative Commons license.

Let's Play Ball

In 1916, during WWI, President Woodrow Wilson ordered that the Star-Spangled Banner be played at military events, and two years later, it was played during the 7th Inning Stretch at the 1918 World Series.
Thus began a wartime tradition. 

During the Second World War, the National Anthem began to be performed before every game.  It has been asserted that this was not solely due to patriotic zeal but also to make sure the fans didn't question the patriotism of the players who weren't fighting in the war.

Peace came but the anthem played on.  During the Vietnam War, at the 1968 World Series in Detroit, Jose Feliciano sparked enormous controversy by performing a soulful rendition that was deemed disrespectful.  This eventually paved the way for countless non-traditional versions which could be poorly rendered as long as they were considered respectful. Rosanne Barr's attempt at a comedic version at a 1990 Padres games was widely trashed, with then-President Bush calling it "disgusting." And Michael Bolton was lambasted after his 2003 American League playoff game performance when he forgot the words midway through and had to rely on a cheat sheet.

After 9/11, one song did not seem sufficient for players and fans to express their love of the United States, and Irving Berlin's God Bless America began to be sung during the 7th Inning Stretch, either instead of or in addition to Take Me Out To The Ballgame.  It is played during every game at some ballparks, like Yankee Stadium, as well as at All Star Games and the playoffs and World Series.

Those who believe that this nationalist fervor is misplaced are shouted down.  When Toronto Blue Jays slugger Carlos Delgado refused to stand with his teammates during God Bless America in protest of the war in Iraq he was booed and roundly criticized.  In 2008, during a Yankee game, a fan who tried go to the bathroom while the song was playing was restrained and ejected.  Anyone who doesn't stand and remove their hat during either song will likely find a beer poured over their head.  Baseball remains America's Pastime. 

However, it has never been clear to me why we must reaffirm our love of this country -- including the 28% of  Major League Baseball players who are foreign born -- not once, but twice during a baseball game.  It seems to me that we show our faith in what is great about the United States by enjoying the great American game itself, and I truly believe there are few things more patriotic than standing up during the 7th Inning Stretch and singing about "peanuts and crackerjacks" at the old ballgame.

Great Jazz Albums (IMO) #2

Horace Silver, Doin' The Thing (1960).  So hard to choose a Horace Silver album since so many of them are so great.  I selected this one because it was the first one I heard.  I also love how he introduces the tune "Filthy McNasty."  Horace Silver is the quintessential hard bop piano player, heard here with the great Blue Mitchell on trumpet.

Live Sweet and Sour Soup

How was your Saturday?  Ashley and I finally made it out to the pumpkin patch today.  After much online research, we decided on Gordon's Skagit Farms because we love Mount Vernon and had a great road trip there a few years ago.  The patch was every bit as adorable as their website -- beautiful pumpkins of all varieties, incredible prices, and even a corn maze!  You couldn't ask for more.

Even though it was supposed to pour buckets of rain today, it was absolutely gorgeous outside until this evening.  Something about walking around in this pumpkin patch with the sun shining over the entire field left me feeling amazingly blessed.  I don't know, maybe it was just a much-needed Vitamin D dose, but it was one of the moments when my frivolous worries slip away and I realize all of the small miracles in my life.  Thank you. 

For lunch today we stopped at the Skagit Valley Co-op.  We first discovered this little Co-op on the only vacation that Ashley and I have ever taken together. (A camping trip that went horribly wrong; remind me to tell you that story some day!) Even though it is three years later, the Co-op was just how I had remembered it.  Lots of yummy food options and the same small-town vibe. 

I haven't eaten much raw food since August.  Of course, I've had salads here and there and my typical green smoothie, but my body has definitely been craving more raw food lately.  I decided to indulge in some raw soup and came across this recipe from the March issue of Vegetarian Times.  It might not look like much, but it warms you up in the same way that cooked sweet and sour soup would.  You can also gently heat it if you prefer to. (As long as it's under 115 degrees fahrenheit it's still technically considered raw.) 


Serves 4.

1/2 cup mung bean sprouts
3 Tbs. nama shoyu
5 dried apricots
1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onion
2 Tbs raw apple cider vinegar
1 Tbs. peeled and minced fresh ginger
1/2 cup cucumber, cut into strips
1 jalapeno chile, seeded and minced (2 Tbs.)
2 Tbs. fresh lime juice
2 Tbs. chopped cilantro
1 Tbs raw agave nectar
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper, or to taste

Stir together the sprouts and nama shoyu, and let marinate white you prepare the soup.

Soak apricots in a bowl of warm water for five minutes to soften.  Drain.

Place apricots, tomatoes, green onions, vinegar, ginger, and 3 cups of water in a blender or food processor; blend until smooth.  Transfer to serving bowl, and stir in cucumber, jalapeno, lime juice, cilantro, agave, cayenne, and sprout mixture.

Guest Post:: New Documentary from Rachel Maddow: "The Assassination of Dr. Tiller"

This was originally posted at Blog for Choice and reposted with their permission. 

The murder of Dr. George Tiller in his church on May 31, 2009, caused great sadness and profound anger for all of us who hold the values of women's right to privacy dear. This heinous murder made headlines at the time, but we must be vigilant in making sure Americans don't forget.

One journalist has not allowed the story to be forgotten: Rachel Maddow. She just announced that she'll air an hour-long documentary on the murder of Dr. Tiller and the latest developments in the investigation. "The Assassination of Dr. Tiller" will broadcast on Monday, October 25 at 9 p.m. ET on MSNBC. 

Dr. Tiller was a tireless advocate for reproductive health who urged society to "trust women" to make the personal, private decisions that are best for them and their families. Anti-choice extremist Scott Roeder was convicted of Dr. Tiller's murder, and a grand jury is investigating whether Roeder acted with accomplices.

We hope you tune in to MSNBC on Monday, October 25 at 9 p.m. ET to watch Rachel Maddow's documentary. 

Shocked, Shocked That Anita Hill Was Telling The Truth

In the wake of Clarence Thomas's wife's bizarre phone call to Anita Hill, the media has revisited the controversy surrounding Thomas's confirmation hearings.  These articles generally take the position that there it is still a serious question as to which party was telling the truth (the Washington Post referred to it as an "enduring mystery," stating it was "still unclear who was lying.")  Now, another woman, Lillian McEwan, has come forward to reveal that Thomas repeatedly made inappropriate sexual comments to her at work, including descriptions of pornographic films.  Of course anyone who was paying attention will recall that she is not the only one to corroborate Anita Hill.  At the time of the hearings, there was yet another woman, Angela Wright, who was willing to testify that what had happened to Hill had also happened to her.  She was slimed by the right, and the Democrats on the Judiciary Committee were cowed into cutting a deal where Wright would not be called.  It was also confirmed that Thomas had rented pornographic movies.  So, not only is there no mystery about who was telling the truth, but as Jim White on the Firedoglake blog points out, "we are now in a position of having a sitting Supreme Court justice who has been demonstrated to have committed perjury during his confirmation hearing."

What I learned from Whittier

Media reports say that the Whittier moms have come out victorious. That Whittier will soon get a library INSIDE the school and that La Casita will be renovated and leased to the Whittier parents for community use.

My daughter & I returned to Whittier a few weeks ago to drop off some supplies and a few Spanish-language books. It was day 27, as the photo to the left indicates, and Columbus Day (ironic, I know). The place was far quieter than I was expecting on a school holiday.

The plan was to drop off items and then return to our hectic day of errands. Instead my daughter took off for the playground. It was a nice day and me being the push over I am let her play. That's when I took the opportunity to snap a picture of the 27 Days banner. And that's when a girl playing took the opportunity to come say hi and ask if she could take some pictures too.

"Can I take a picture of you?" And obviously I let this little girl who looks like she could be mi familia. She then started to walk off with my smart phone snapping photos of everything on the playground. The pictures below are of Lucky, her new puppy.

 As the girls and Lucky ran around the playground, I sat and chatted with one of the girls' step-grandfather, J. Yes, as soon as we started chatting, I thought, "Shit. Why don't I have my digi-recorder with me?" Then again, perhaps it was best that we didn't have that between us.

J told me that he takes care of Girl 1 and her cousin Girl 2. He drops them off at school in the morning, then heads out on his seemingly-never-ending search for a new job. In the afternoon he picks up the girls and watches them. At one point one of the girls is clearly doing the potty dance. J tells the girl to ask the Whittier Moms if she can use the bathroom. The girl hesitates...J says that it's because she doesn't speak Spanish.

"Right now they are 5 & 6, they need to focus on learning English. They can pick up Spanish when they are older."

I told J the abbreviated version of my life and how for some of us *AHEM* it's actually quite hard to pick up another language later in life. I also told him that I understand where that decision is coming from.

Here I was at Whittier to show my solidarity in their fight for a library and yes, there are plenty of injustices in our public school system, but to come against this English-first feeling at Whittier wasn't expected. As a dual-language school, I assumed a lot. Too much in fact.

And I bet that same assuming way is what made CPS think they could say that La Casita could be torn down, land sold to a private school and turned into a soccer field. Instead the moms said, "Hell no!" They are still keeping vigil in La Casita until Tuesday's CPS Board of Education meeting where, dear Goddess hopefully, the deal will be finalized and in writing. Because if this deal falls apart a lot more than just La Casita will be lost - the children who saw their moms, tias and neighbors fight and then get shafted will be lost. Thankfully their fight has grabbed attention of local news, blogs and national media outlets. Hopefully this will buffer any ideas of backing out or screwing them over on details.

So what did I learn?

• That being cynical isn't productive.
• That change can happen, but you'll have to pull up your sleeves too.
• That moms are certainly a force to be reckoned with - soccer, security, or whatever label.
• That kids do want to learn. Talk all you want about electronics, online stuff but kids are naturally curious and want to learn. 
• That some people are so broken by the all the injustices in this world that they can't muster enough outrage when something like Whitter happens. I get that. Hopefully this will help revive them because...
• The system wants us to accept injustice because there is so much of it. How else can you explain why CPS would respond to the Whittier mom's demands with "there are 160 other schools without libraries." They want us to accept our place on their timetable. These moms, this community said, "No. You work for us." 

Congrats mujeres!