Random thoughts
Current mood: thankful
Category: Life
To say that this week has been interesting would be an understatement.
Last week I wrote a letter and tucked it inside a card for my brother, who celebrates his birthday June 1, the day before me. I am a card sender by nature and love the feel of paper, of letters and cards in my hand. So much more interesting that expedient e-mails we all succumb to. Anyway, I wrote, and since it has been over two years since we've talked, I was happy to receive not just a lovely card but a call, his deep voice washing away two years into nothing. Best birthday gift yet.
I had a birthday dinner on Sunday with my daughter, whose birthday is juts a few weeks away, and my granddaughters, who treated both of us. On Monday, both my granddaughters were at the house, albeit briefly, but it is always a joy to see them. Feed them. Mend their clothes. Enjoy their hugs. Smiles. Laughter.
On Tuesday, my daughter moved to another state. How that will work out is uncharted territory. Time will tell.
On Wednesday, my dear friend Debbie treated me to lunch at the Looking Glass, a charming Alice in Wonderland place with impeccable food and five star service. But nothing beat the time spent in the company of a friend. Especially this friend. She is "wonder woman."
On Thursday, I went to the downtown Artwalk, meeting still more friends, peering at wonderful works of art, and meeting some people as well. The subsequent city council meeting was deja vu, a step back in time to when I covered such things all the time. As amusing as some of the players are, I do not want to cover this stuff on a regular basis. I am long past those dues-paying days in journalism.
On Friday my friend Charles dropped by with ideas, and conversation. It's always good to talk with him.
So throughout the week I was accompanied by friends, by the youngest generation of my family. I received cards and calls from numerous friends in the northeast, friends I miss so very much.
As I sit here, I realize that I have one foot in each world, and though I long to be back up north, I have a life here too. One that is rich is what really counts: family and friends of the heart.
Rochelle: Prom Night
Current mood: pensive
Category: Life
In a flurry of swirling fabrics, hairspray mist, an iridescent dusting of glimmer powder, my second granddaughter, like Cinderella, was off to the ball. Her senior prom.
Rochelle is tall, willowy, with red hair tumbling down her back, draped in a strapless red gown with embroidered bodice and pouffy gathered skirt: a real ball gown straight out of yesterday's fashion runways. That was just the beginning.
A friend and professional photographer was on hand to document the transformation from high school kid to elegant young lady, capturing hundreds of facial expressions in the "getting ready" process before capturing the soft nuances of the moment when her boyfriend first looked at her in awe.
Of course there are the traditional family pictures, candid and posed. But there are also the "Vogue" shots of Rochelle, standing in a field of grass, shyly looking down, or hand raised in a soft wave, or a demure look over her shoulder...
Her boyfriend's dad hired a limo for them and two other couples; the young man arrived in style, first meeting dad, mom and assorted family like me, before the "grand entrance" was made.
It was a "whoa" moment; the wrist corsage was slipped on her wrist, with the shy smiles of the self-conscious, and then more photos in the lush outdoor setting behind her home.
The young man will be off to college 200 miles away come September, and Rochelle join her sister at college in my town, just around the corner from me, come September.
As the limousine drove, Rochelle gave us the "princess wave" from the window, smiling, moving into the next phase of her life.
Her mom and I just watched, wondering where time had gone.
Home again
Current mood: frustrated
Category: Life
Life comes at you fast (or so the commercial says...)
No kidding. I am home from a 10-day hospital stay and recovering from a fast-hitting illness and subsequent surgery that has drained my energy. For now. Now that my brain is clear from painkillers and a plethora of intravenous meds, I find myself wanting the body to keep up. It can’t, at least not yet. So I have plenty of time to think, read, nap, and regain my strength through the gentler manipulations of restorative yoga and the old standby’s of movements that strengthen the back and legs.
Though I have been a strong advocate of being an active participant in your own recovery, I had to admit that this thing knocked me for a loop. Or maybe I am just that much older since the last time I was sick enough to warrant a hospital (Back injury 1998). I came home just plain tired. I don’t like being tired.
I watched a unusual but lovely snowfall from my bed, and listened to the wind and rain yesterday. I move around the house, doing a bit of this or that, and can feel my energy filtering in, one little shard at time. I want to work on my garden. I want to walk downtown. I want...to be back to normal.
Oh, well. If I eat right, build on my exercise and movement, I’ll be back on track soon.
Today instead of a birthday card I wrote one of sympathy.
Annette Husson passed away at 88 years of age, having outlived my own mother by five years. The two women had been friends for 75 years, meeting in elementary school and never letting go of that bond. Through marriages and deaths, old loves and new loves, they moved through life, taking in its beauty and adventure with every breath. They also held the gift of laughter, and shared it with everyone they met.
In their later years, I would take both of them to lunch (always Chinese) and then shopping at Fashion Bug -- then back to Annette's to dive in the desserts I always brought from Bernadino's bakery -- the kind of old pastry shop that still makes pie squares, brownies, Napoleon's and old fashioned donuts. And Babka bread in two sizes.
I paused to gather old photos (there are so many) and remember:
~~~ fishing at Dayville and cooking our catch on the grill ~~~ dancing to big band orchestras in those day of nightclubs and balls ~~~ feeding the ducks at Forest Park ~~~ our trip to Washington D.C. ~~~ days at Mountain Lake Beach and Hammonassett ~~~ sitting around the table or on the porch, chatting
It probably doesn't sound like a lot, but it was everything because we ll cared so much.
My mom had Annette for 75 years; I've had her for nearly 58. A lifetime.
Frustration reveals itself, increases exponentially with each passing day. I am sick of feeling sick.
I got a horrific cold back in December, about a week before Christmas. Worst one in several years. Felt better in about a week and left for New England, school and visits with old friends. I still felt tired. Not myself. Therefore irritated with myself.
You see, I take care of myself. I eat right, eat my green veggies, lay off the fatty stuff, do yoga, meditate ... Having been flat on my back with a back injury and its two year recovery, I am very conscious of what I do, how I eat, and all those things. And I realize that everyone gets a cold now and then. But colds are supposed to have a limited shelf life.
So halfway through my residency, I began to be super-tired again, and found myself taking daytime naps (not my usual style; I am not a "napper"). By the time residency was over, I was at my friend's home and we were both "not feeling well." By the time I got to Connecticut, I spent six days in a hotel room with my good friends Nyquil, Tylenol and Kleenex.
I started to feel better in time for the grueling trip home. Then Pneumonia. I could feel it in my lungs. Thick congestion, coughing, that heaviness of breathing...and total fatigue.
Now, 3 1/2 weeks later, I am still reeling from this bug. The congestion has eased, the coughing up has slowed down, but the energy is still ... non-existent. I do one small thing and I need a nap. My brain is sluggish. Sometimes moving in reverse. I retain only enough energy to be angry at not regaining any energy.
The fact is, what hit me back in those pre-Christmas days was virulent, and I was ill-equipped physically to deal with it. It is almost two months since that first bout of cold-flu-pneumonia, and I am just now starting to feel a tad better. I have to also stay smart enough not to start overdoing it just because I do feel better. I did two hours of work the other day and it knocked me flat again.
I guess I am just ranting a bit, frustrated by not being out and about, by this feeling of chronic congestion and chronic exhaustion...
I am waiting for the daffodils to bloom, from spring to break with its welcoming, smiling sun.
Voting Matters: UnCounted documents how your vote is stolen
Current mood: accomplished
Category: News and Politics
The Clarksville screening of UnCounted, a film targeting issues in electronic voting, drew fifty people to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Friday evening, filling the screening room to capacity for this special event. The film's producer, Patricia Earnhardt, and activist Bernie Ellis, addressed the group and fielded questions about the film and the increasing controversy over the accuracy and security of electronic voting machines.
Producers describe UnCounted as "an explosive documentary that shows how the election fraud that changed the outcome of the 2004 election led to even greater fraud in 2006 — and now looms as an unbridled threat to the outcome of the 2008 election. This controversial film examines…how easy it is to change election outcomes and undermine election integrity…"
"There is still time to return to a verifiable system [such as paper ballots] for the 2008 presidential election," Ellis said. Ellis, (at left with producer Patricia Earnhardt), is featured in this film. He noted that when issues arose with the e-machines in Maryland, the Republican governor of that state dumped the machines in favor of paper ballots in just seven weeks to guarantee the "integrity" of the election.
UnCounted details the long lines, missing machine, inaccuracies in tabulating votes, and the ways voting machines can be tampered with to affect tallies. The film documents long voting lines, missing and failed machines, and other occurrences in the 2000, 2004 and 2006 elections. It examines the relationship between companies such as Diebold, manufacturer of voting machines that serve millions of American voters, and elected officials including election commissions and federal and state officers whose decisions affect how Americans will cast their votes.
In Nashville, David Earnhardt said "buying a Krispy Kreme donut was better documented than our vote." Our most vital right as as Americans is our right to vote, and that right is being eroded by the manipulation and malfunctioning of electronic voting machines, and there is no paper trail, no way to verify how votes were cast or tabulated.
Producer Patricia Eatrnardt introduced the film, noting that the Clarksville screening was only the second time this film has been shown in the state of Tennessee, though it has been screened in 39 other states and several other countries since its worldwide premiere in Nashville in November at the Belcourt Theater. That premiere played to a standing room only crowd, just as last night's screening played to a full house. At both events, the film generated heavy comments and considerable questions in the post-film debate. Earnhardt also noted the absence of interest by mainstream media in this film, noting that Clarksville Online was the only media to cover the world premiere of Uncounted in Nashville.
For a state that tipped the scales on women's suffrage and was pivotal in civil rights, Tennessee stands "eighth from bottom" on a list of states when it comes to election integrity, Ellis said. "[Election officials] say it is too late to change how we vote in this state. It is not. If Maryland can do it in seven weeks, we can too."
Ellis noted that pivotal votes on the voting process are coming up on December 18 and urged this audience to contact their legislators and election commissioners to demand verifiable voting. Ellis is also creating a lending library of UnCounted DVDs that will be available at no cost to groups who want to screen this film.
Friday's event was hosted by the Unitarian fellowship and sponsored by the FreeThinkers for Peace and Civil Liberties and Clarksville Online.
FreeThinkers founder Debbie Boen was "excited" over the turnout, voicing satisfaction that so many people are interested in the voting process and concerned about issues of voting and electronic machines. "This kind of turnout just fuels us, recharges us and makes us want to do more.Boen brought her sculpture, Bob, to the event, attaching a "trust me" sign about voting to this figure, which has been displayed in numerous art venues throughout Clarksville.
Clarksville Online Publisher Bill Larson, equally pleased with the success of the program, said that Clarksville sponsorship of this event, which was offered admission-free as a community service by all sponsoring groups, is just the first of a number of community programs Larson would endorse in the coming year. "This is part of what we give back to the community."
Ellis wrapped up the event with recommended contacts and suggested actions for those interested in voicing their opinion about electronic voting. Ellis urged anyone who wants to know more or wants to communicate with legislators on the issue to email him ( [1] tracevu@bellsouth.net ) for an action packet and/or visit the web-site: [2] www.votesafetn.org . More information is also available at [3] info@votesafetn.org.
Please check out my coverage of this film at ClarksvilleOnline.com
"UnCounted" premieres to SRO crowd
Current mood: accomplished
Category: satisfied News and Politics
I published this article on November 12 in Clarksville Online, just hours after seeing the film (must viewing; see it, buy it, share it with friends) and speaking directly with Bernie Ellis and David Earnhardt about the issue of voting machines and the lawsuits being launched in all 50 states to require a paper trail of your vote. -- Christine
______________________________________________
Business as usual will not be the norm over the next 48 hours as Secretaries of State in all fifty states will each receive subpoenas in the National Clean Election lawsuit, according to an announcement made Monday night by activist Bernie Ellis at the Belcourt Theatre in Nashville.
There is still time, Ellis said, to require a paper trail for the 2008 election.The announcement was made in a panel discussion following the sold out Nashville premiere of the David Earnhardt film, Uncounted [The Movie], which ended with a standing ovation for its writer/director. The documentary film addressed the issue of voting machine error/failure, the need for a paper trail of votes, the political and business ties between government officials and manufacturers of these DRE (Direct Recording Electronic) voting machines, and the ease of tampering with such machines and "flipping" votes that are electronically counted.
"I cannot think of anything more important than to save the core of our democracy — the vote!" — David Earnhardt
The film also reviewed extensive cases of mechanical errors, lost votes, voters turned away from polls, incomplete ballots and the installation of uncertified software into voting machine reported from across the nation. "The lawsuit aims to establish that all computer systems (or other systems) which hide the ballots from the people for even a short period of time before the count is accomplished and the results are posted – are unconstitutional…
"The lawsuit argues persuasively … that the use of computer and machine election systems violate each citizen's right to vote, as defined at least twice by the Supreme Court of the United States. "
– Jim Condit Jr., NetworkAmerica.
The lawsuit is aimed at prohibiting the use of all types of vote counting machines, and requiring hand-counting of all primary and general election ballots in full view of the public. The lawsuit has raised significant constitutional questions challenging the generally accepted practices of state election officials of relying on "black box" voting machines to record and count the votes at each polling station, and allow tallying of votes by election officials outside the view of the general public.
In many cases, states have officially authorized voting "systems" that leave virtually no paper trail from which to audit the vote. [We The People Foundation].Ellis said that regardless of what voters are being told, there is still time to pass legislation that would mandate voter verifiable paper ballots in 2008.
The Tennessee Voter Confidence Act of 2007 [Senate Bill 1363/House Bill 1256], sponsored by Senator Joe Haynes and Rep. Gary Moore, mandates a paper trail.
"Today in Tennessee, 93 of our 95 counties use nonverifiable, paperless touch-screen voting machines. In 2006, over one in every six Tennessee counties reported problems with this equipment. Our state is not alone, but (sadly) it is now one of the worst states for voting security and accountability in this nation." — Bernie Ellis
What began as lawsuits in ten keys states including Iowa, Ohio, New York and Florida has burgeoned into a nationwide effort. Earnhardt's film, which was ignored by corporate media during this world premiere, exposes the vulnerability in current technology of voting machines, or at least, the lack of oversight in acquiring and using them without hacking, flipping or under/overcounting votes, and other problems. Earnhardt asked why, when it is so easy to get a printed receipt from anything from an ATM machine to the drive-through register at a Krispy Kreme, it should be so difficult to get a verifiable voting machine receipt.
The lawsuit seeks an Order from the Court prohibiting the use of all voting machines and to force election officials to instead utilize paper ballots and to count and total all votes by hand, always in full view of the public. Plaintiffs from all fifty states have signed on to the lawsuit.
In the question and answer period following the screening, an Iraq veteran said he had pledged to protect his country "from all enemies foreign and domestic" and viewed the issues of voting machines as a domestic threat to voters across the country.
Judge says section of Patriot Act "offends" Constitutional principles
Current mood: ecstatic
Category: News and Politics
I just posted this artcile on Clarksville Online. Check it out here or there (but please, visit that site anyway. Thanks.
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"Democracy abhors undue secrecy … an unlimited government warrant to conceal …has no place in our open society…
– US District Judge Victor Marrero
At least one part of the revised USA Patriot Act of 2001 has fallen under a federal judge's gavel in a ruling that requires a court approval before investigators can order internet providers to turn over customer records.
The ruling is another blow to already beleaguered Bush administration and its anti-terrorist policies.The USA Patriot Act of 2001 (revised in 2005) is a perpetually controversial package of anti-terrorist legislation that has been sharply criticized for its apparent violations of basic constitutional rights and civil liberties.
In a 120-page ruling, US District Judge Victor Marrero supported the American Civil Liberties Union contention that the government's ability to demand records and use administrative subpoenas known as security letters without warrants or judicial review was a violation of free speech and individual rights. The letters under protest include a gag order that also prohibited businesses from disclosing that such demands were even made. Marrero said the law "substantially deters any judicial challenge."
"The law reflects an attempt by Congress and the executive to infringe upon the Judiciary's designed role under the Constitution.
– US District Judge Victor Marrero
The verdict stems from an American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) that challenged the legality of allowing federal investigative agencies to demand records with prior court approval. Marrero, of the Southern District of New York, said the Patriot Act "offends the fundamental Constitutional principles" that form the checks and balances and separation of powers. Marrero said government orders must be subject to "meaningful" judicial review.
"Under the mantle of secrecy, the self preservation that ordinarily impels our government to censorship and secrecy may be turned on ourselves as a weapon of self-destruction … secrecy's protective shield may serve not as much to secure a safe country as to simply save face…"
– US District Judge Victor Marrero
Marrero said the revised Patriotic Act amounted to "unreasonable search and seizure" and violated free speech. Marrero ruled against the first version of the Patriot Act in 2004, and was asked by the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals to review the constitutionality of the revised 2005 Patriot Act.
In essence, and upon review of an earlier ruling, Marrero said that tools such as NSL's (national security letters) require a judicial order or grand jury subpoena. NSL's are commonly used by the FBI and federal security agencies to force the release of otherwise private customer information from internet providers, telephone companies and even public libraries. This ruling, however, applies only to internet and e-mail providers. "
The law reflects an attempt by Congress and the executive to infringe upon the Judiciary's designed role under the Constitution. – US District Judge Victor MarreroArguing the winning ACLU position, Attorney Jameel Jaffer charged that the revised Patriot Act "wrongly" gave the FBI the authority to decide on its own, in the absence of court review, whether internet companies, designated as Electronic Communications Service Providers, could inform their clients of an investigation.
The ACLU held that in approving the revised Patriotic Act, Congress failed to provide enough protections to the people when it prohibited service providers from informing clients when records are turned over to authorities.
The ACLU cites this ruling as a strong warning to the government about the tactics it is using in the fight against terror, and said the decision is a "refutation" of the government's use of "excessive secrecy and unbridled power under the Patriot Act."
Documents in this case showed that the government had censored some portions of the filings in the case, including a statement from a 1972 Supreme Court ruling that said government has a "tendency" to abuse its power in the name of domestic security.
This latest ruling will now move to appellate court. Earlier rulings issued this year in other U.S. courts supported the rights of "enemy combatants" to legally challenge their imprisonment and two other rulings in June refuted portions of the law regarding the criminality of providing material support to potential terrorists.
I penned "A legend passes; the world mourns" for Clarksville Online [www.clarksvilleonline.com] last night as the light that was Pavarotti faded to black.
The story includes a montage of photos set to music, and five other videos from his repertoire.
Almost larger than life itself, Pavarotti brought an exhuberant joy to life through his music, and brought hundreds of years of great music to the masses, creating new audiences that numbers in the millions.
I was fortunate enough to see him once, life, in concert, at his peak. The range, power and passion of his voice reduced listeners to tears, so great was the beauty of it.
Music is the great equalizer, it is shared by people of all races and beliefs in one form or another, and it seems to be the soul-to-soul connective tissue that unites us. As we sit, watch and listen, boundaries fall and we are lifted to someplace higher, and our lives are filled with light.
Pavarotti was not without his foibles, but his life was a celebration of his very existence. his life was gift to the rest of us. He will be deeply missed and mourned.
Suicide up among troops; Army concedes need for more mental health care
Current mood: accomplished
Category: News and Politics
Suicide rates among Army personnel have hit a 26-year high, according to a new report just released by the U.S. Army.
soldier20embrace.jpg"It's not surprising," said Clarksville Therapist Polly Coe as she heard details of the report stating that suicide rates among Army personnel have hit their highest rate in 26 years, with 25% of those self-inflicted deaths occurring in the Afghanistan and Iraq arenas. Iraq led the numbers with the most reported suicides and suicide attempts, according to a report released by the U.S. Army.
I've been hearing about it," Coe said, while voicing a bit optimism that the Army is acknowledging the program and bolstering its metal health treatment efforts for troops worldwide. "They (Army) have to got to face this. Many of these soldiers are facing overwhelming depression and desperately need treatment." Mental health issues among troops have reached "disastrous" proportions, Coe said, noting that suicides have been occurring not just among enlisted troops but officers as well.
Army officials report 99 confirmed suicides by active duty troops in 2006, significantly higher than the 11 suicides recorded in 2005. The suicide rate is approximately 17.3 per 100,000 troops, up from the previous average of 12.3/100,000. The United States currently has 500,000 troops in active service.
Medical records of these soldiers indicated that at least one-quarter of them had at least one psychiatric disorder, with 20 percent affected by mood disorders, or diagnoses of bipolar disorder and/or depression, anxiety, and post traumatic stress disorder. The latter is the hallmark mental health issue of the Iraq conflict.
According to Polly Coe, a local therapist and one of many providers of mental health services for the Fort Campbell area troops, prolonged deployments, "especially these second and third deployments," contribute to "family problems" including spouse and child abuse, financial problems, sex addiction, depression, job stress, and divorce."
Coe is concerned that this third deployment of Fort Campbell troops, who will now serve 15 months instead of twelve overseas in war zones, will result in a sharp increase of psychiatric, psychological and behavioral disorders among enlisted personnel while overseas and when they finally return home.
"They are angry, and that can fuel or be fueled by depression," Coe said, adding soldiers often dehumanize themselves in battle zones. "It's a coping mechanism," she said. "They begin to not show emotion, become like robots who don't feel anything." It's their way of shunting aside pain and rage. But they can't always turn that off when they come home. They isolate, or they explode, she said.
Coe joins the ranks of other therapists in also voicing concerns about the "dumbing down" of background checks and standards of new recruits in an effort to bolster recruitment numbers, in particular the much reported disregard of some mental health and medication issues which would under other circumstances have kept some military applicants out of the service.
"It's disastrous," she said, adding that some of these recruits are already having mental health problems or have been taking medication for such problems. The (structure and training) of the Army will acerbate that, she said. "It's predictable."
Coe was pleased that the Army is stepping up and acknowledging publicly that there is an increase in suicide, and increased efforts to address the mental health needs of troops both deployed and at home bases. "It's a start."
soldier-afghan.jpgArmy officials admitted to a "significant" relationship between suicides and suicide attempts and the length of deployment in Iraq, Afghanistan and bases in the region where troops are involved in the war effort. The conceded that there was "limited evidence" of a correlation between multiple deployments and suicide. Although preliminary numbers for 2007 currently show a decline among armed forces as a whole, there is an increase of suicide among deployed troops. Twice as many servicewomen deployed to war zones committed suicide compared to those stateside or in non-combat areas. Firearms were the method of choice among most suicides, while those who attempted to end their lives but failed more often when attempting to overdose or cut themselves.
In the wake of both public opinion and a demonstrated need for services by troops and their families, the Army has attempted to create a larger number of programs and expand mental health services to alleviate the stress created by a seemingly endless war, a battle now entering its sixth year.
In prior interviews with Clarksville Online, Coe said that therapists across the region are having a hard time keeping up with the numbers of troops and their families who need help coping with both deployments and the return of their loved ones.
The full report on suicide in Army ranks will be released Thursday.
thankful
pensive
frustrated
sad
tired
accomplished
ecstatic