McAllen, Texas and the high cost of health care: newyorker.com

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Here’s one more post on healthcare today.  This is an absolute must read.  This is the most comprehensive piece I’ve read on what’s wrong with the current healthcare system and how money will be saved (and people will be healthier) if we do this reform thing right. . .  if our leaders are persuaded to do this right.  The current discourse needs to give more voice to people like Dr. Gawande.

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Please help know and understand the facts around the current healthcare debate.  And then help others to understand.  There is so much at stake in reforming the current system.  If the scare tactics work and we are paralyzed into doing nothing, the consequences from that will be far worse than we can imagine.  I’m someone that has been reading and pricing group insurance plans for the last 15 years or so.  We as a nation have got to do this better. . .  for all of us–those with and those without.

Young people who want to receive phone calls but don’t want their teachers or parents to catch on can download high-frequency “mosquito” ringtones. After a certain age, the older set loses its ability to hear these higher frequency tones. In this way, older people literally become tone deaf to the way younger people communicate. Talk about resonant metaphors. 

Question for the day–how do we stay relevant and keep from becoming “tone deaf” to younger generations?

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There has been a lot in the media about race the past few weeks as a result of the arrest of Professor Gates in Massachussetts and the President’s comments about the situation.  I was just reminded of this interesting article I read from one of my favorite publications–The Sun Magazine.  This is an interview with a scholar by the name of Tim Wise.  Wise is amazingly articulate at describing the ongoing effects of “white privilege” in today’s society.  A curious thing about Mr. Wise is the fact that he himself is white, and just may be one of the most influential writers and speakers on civil rights today.

I know we’re not supposed to speak of “white privilege” anymore. . . that we supposedly live in a “post-racial” society now that we have an African American president and all.  On the contrary, I think we have taken some steps backward on civil rights lately and the rhetoric from some on the right side of the political spectrum these days is quite frankly. . . scary.

After reading this interview with Tim Wise, if you’re interested, another good piece to read is the comment section in this week’s New Yorker:  http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2009/08/10/090810taco_talk_sanneh.  When white folk talk about “racism” against whites, they really don’t have a clue what institutional racism really is.  I’m reminded of a quote from the cute and funny film, The Princess Bride  “. . . I do not think that word means what you think it means.”

As a white man, I certainly would describe myself more in the mold of Mr. Wise versus those crying wolf against anti-white racism.  We are without a doubt a product of what we read and whom we listen to.  I’m currently reading to our kids, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, the winner of the 1977 Newberry Medal about a family living in the segregated South.  While reading this, I have been reminded of a book that had an extremely profound effect on me as a young man in my early twenties.  Something compelled me at the time to pickup Beloved, the Pulitzer Prize winning book by Toni Morrison.  Have you ever played that game, what one book would you take with you to a deserted island for a year?  This would be my book.  I have felt transported to another place and time by several books in my life, but never before like through the words of Morrison.  I don’t believe it is possible for someone like myself who grew-up with white privilege to be able to completely absorb what the word ”racism” means (at least no where near enough to be able to throw the word around whenever I feel a little slighted).  But if anything, these books and articles have given me an appreciation for the black experience in this country–an experience we cannot ignore. . . even during the administration of the first black President.

Christians, Muslims forging new bonds in Southland – Los Angeles Times

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Gwynne is a good friend and has served as the President of our Housing Works Board of Directors the past several years.  We have experienced tremendous growth under her leadership.  Gwynne was featured in the Los Angeles Times today for her interfaith work.

Rev. Jane Via

I received the below post from Susan Duequesnel on her family making a trip down to San Diego to spend time with MMACC.  Here’s what Susan wrote:

Janet and I made a trip to San Diego last weekend to visit some friends and participate in the liturgy at MMACC. They were celebrating the 10th anniversary of their community. One of the reasons I wanted to visit MMACC was because Jane Via is the pastor. She was one of my professors when I was at USD. It was such a pleasure to see her again and join with her community for liturgy. As soon as we arrived, it was evident that much planning had gone into  preparing for the celebration. We were greeted warmly and asked to wear name tags. The church was filled to capacity and more chairs were added in the surrounding courtyard. The liturgy began with a welcome to the many visitors, announcements, and an invitation to gather in the courtyard for liturgical dance. Two community members, Michael and his dance partner (I forgot her name) taught us a simple gesture, then performed and engaged the community in a beautiful dance which set the rhythm for the liturgy. We processed back into the worship space and sang the opening song: “All Are Welcome.” Inclusion was a core theme throughout the mass, both in word and action. I was pleased to hear inclusive language and active participation in the music. I was also happy to see a variety of people contributing in leading roles. I felt a spirit of openness and hospitality (especially noticeable during the sign of peace -”hugfest” comes to mind.) After the  liturgy ,  we talked with Jane and learned more about her experiences as a professor and priest. She was silenced twice by the Roman Catholic Church, first for her stand on abortion, and secondly for her ordination. Our visit to MMACC left me with a sense of hope for the progressive catholic movement. It was an important part of the exploration I find myself doing as I attempt to connect with other like-minded people.

I’m thrilled to be “connected” to the two of you.  Thanks for this post, Susan!

As a matter of conscience, I will be reducing my monthly financial commitment to the IHC because of what I see as the unfair and unjust extent of subsidy of the Kenmore residence, and therefore, the financial limitation of support for other aspects of our mission as a community. The difference in my reduced monthly donation will be going directly to some of our mission work.

Rod goes on to address the problem within the community that one cannot question the status quo and still be perceived as someone that has an adequate level of respect for elders in the community.

Coincidentally (or not), Megan and I recently received a note from a long-term member of the community sharing with us her letter to the Admissions Committee announcing her intent to leave the community and no longer renew her commitment.  I did not get permission from this individual to share this information with others, so I am withholding her name here; however, I’m sure her letter will be published in News Notes at some point in the near future.  Here is one of the reasons cited in her letter:

Our internal concerns overwhelm us and paralyze our efforts to do more beyond ourselves. . . I feel that battle fatigue has eclipsed my willingness to stay with the potential hopes that could be outgrowths of our tensions. . .

The truth is, Megan and I have not given financial support to the community enthusiastically for several years now while at the same time giving as generously and as enthusiastically as possible to Alexandria House and Housing Works, the two organizations Megan and I serve as officers and board members–oraganizations we do not have to question whether or not they are adequately outward focused in how they serve on a daily basis.  The issues cited by Rod and this former IHM are not new.  Many of you know, Tom (my father-in-law) challenged us on so many levels in community, to do more, to be more. . . begging for a leadership approach to take us to the next level, to be agents of change in the greater community and making the necessary changes to our organizational structure that would allow this kind of leadership to flow through us.

Tom used to preach about a hunger for spirituality in the world (especially in younger generations) and would constantly ask, why aren’t we making the IHC a home for them?  As a more outward focused community, I believe our internal problems could more easily be solved if we worked on growing our footprint in the world.

But to get there, I believe Rod is absolutely right–we have to be able to question how we care for one another, how we do things as a community without our love and integrity being put into question.  This is just like our patriotism being put into question during the Bush years when so many of us failed to support the government’s invasion of Iraq.  We have to get out of the circling the wagons, “you’re with us or against us” mentality.  Tom was a visionary and was persecuted for it, just as we all are whenever we have tried to fill his shoes.

As a result, I can identify with and appreciate the “battle fatigue” experienced by this former IHM.  It seems like on a regular basis Megan and I weigh whether or not it’s worth it to stay.

With some of the newer people joining the leadership of the community, I am more hopeful in some ways than in any other time in recent memory.  And I’m not just talking ”newer” as far as age.  I have been inspired on more than one occassion by Fran Burnford’s approach to leadership in one-on-one contact I have had with her.  Fran is the first director in a long time who has validated any of my thoughts and ideas and not completely dismissed them.  I’m also encouraged by the changing compositon of the board of trustees.  But I guess the question I have asked myself most recently is, “is it too little, too late?”  I hope not.

So today, I am definately saying “yes” to community (with a small “c”).  What that community is and what it is shaping up to look like, we will see.  Maybe we can find some answers together.

What are your thoughts?  Please share your comments here and join the discussion.

While Bush had Karen Hughes and Condoleeza Rice, these two were no match for Cheney and Rumsfeld when it was time to make mischief.  I would put heavy timber on V.J. and Michelle over anyone else in the current administration in the influence department, or if the President ever needs his clock checked.

Last year’s Democratic Primary put men and women like me in an awkward position.  As a man who describes himself as a staunch feminist, it was difficult not to back Hillary.  However, deep down I just knew it was not the time to send the Clintons back to the White House. . . that we needed to move forward somehow and as wonderful as Hillary is and as wonderful it would be to break that barrier, it would somehow be a step backward for the country, and potentially detrimental to the long-term health of the nation and the future of the Democratic Party.

I truly believe Obama has been a giant leap forward for feminism (as contrary as that sounds) and that we are making big progress in the early days of this administration.  With that said, I hope the administration and the Democrats are doing some “succession planning.”  I like Joe Biden and I think he helped Obama win last year, but he is not the best choice of a successor seven years from now.  This is a bad comparison in a lot of ways, but the biggest strategic mistake the GOP made was letting Dick Cheney stay on the ticket in 2004 and continue as V.P. all eight years.  Biden will be 74 in 2016 and in a similar place in his career as Cheney is now.  Plus, he’ll be six years older than Cheney was in 2008.

If I were an insider, here’s what I would propose:  give Joe Biden the next Supreme Court seat that opens up, then replace him with Janet Napolitano (former Governor of Arizona, current Secretary of Homeland Security).  BAM!  Just like that, we have our first woman V.P. and in a few years a natural successor for President.

Biden would be an unconventional choice for Supreme Court (both for his age and his lack of experience as a judge), but not completely unprecedented.  As the former chair of the Judiciary Committee, it’s difficult to imagine him not winning Senate approval.  As far as his age–any bold step that would make it easier for the Dems to hold the presidency for the next 11 to 15 years would be a good long-term strategy for the Court, regardless of how long Biden would be able to serve.

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