(So I'd forgotten I'd written this letter to ED and sent it to the PASADENA WEEKLY, but well, this past week it was finally published)
I want single-payer national health care.
When health care “reform” left Washington DC for the summer recess, industry players spent more than $1 million a DAY on advertising to convince us that only they can deliver the health care we need and deserve.
As unemployment climbs, people lose their employer-sponsored health insurance. And if what they said was true, we the people would not have health care that would allow us to be underinsured, without insurance or bankrupt.
In addition to the advertising campaign that our premium dollars buy, we also foot the bill for multimillion-dollar paydays for health care insurance company employees, according to Bill Moyers on his show, “Bill Moyers’ Journal.”
Recently, Moyers said H. Edward Hanway, chairman and CEO of Cigna, the country’s fourth-largest insurance company, has announced his retirement at the end of the year. By then, he will have made $11.4 million.
Mr. Hanway is not alone in reaping benefits sown by our health insurance premium dollars. Mr. Moyers reports, “Ron Williams, the CEO of Aetna Insurance … made more than $17 million last year, [and] John Hammergren, the head of McKesson, the biggest health care company in the world, was [compensated] nearly
$30 million.”
How many of our health care dollars do we lose to support these men as multimillionaires?
Since our health-care dollars are siphoned off for advertising and salaries for executives, we need to consider a few questions.
How many pregnant women could get prenatal care for this money? How many prenatal classes for parents could we have so that maybe the words “we support families” coming from politicians would ring true?
How many kids could have regular physical, dental, visual and emotional check-ups so our medical teams could monitor for abuse, cavities and myopia?
How many people might find the cancer that’s growing within them early enough to have reasonable and effective treatment if our premium dollars didn’t finance executives and TV commercials?
We have a lot to think about.
~STEVI CARROLL, PASADENA
Source: http://pasadenaweekly.com/cms/story/detail/letters/7812/
Pasadena Weekly
10/14/2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Thanks for the memories Pace e Bene
Peace & All Good Indeedy
Glitter Gulch, Sin City, Las Vegas – my home for 26 years. The last weekend in September when I visited the ‘entertainment capital of the world,’ a man chatting me up in the gym asked why I’d left. My reply: I was finished in LV. I realized throughout my stay I miss the people but not the city.
Pace e Bene (PeB) celebrated its 20 anniversary. A long time ago I volunteered in the PeB library filing various newsletters. That job was like surfing the net in hard copy. The article that’s stayed with me discussed how many leaders or former leaders of Israel are/were Holocaust survivors. That piece of information filled in a gap in my thinking about Israel’s government and its actions.
My experience with From Violence to Wholeness happened within a short time of my Gandhi studies: a hand to glove situation. As a non-believer in God in any of her incarnations save the natural world, I find the need to have a spiritual/god figure as the guiding reason for working for justice difficult to understand. How can we organize our behavior by offering it to a being, spirit, force we cannot see? Perhaps people think of this as a ‘gut feeling’ or a ‘heart feeling.’ Of course though, since PeB has Franciscan origins I’d be disappointed if some divine force weren’t involved.
I love being part of a community in which I am lovingly welcomed even after I’ve been gone for a number of years. Leslie, Julia and I reveled in the joy of our quarter of a century of friendship while in pursuit of compassionate justice. We also swapped silver-hair styling tips with KMS blue shampoo, Fructis Shine spray, and Grecian Formula tinting topping the list. We’re cultivating the cool long-time social activists’ look. We were in Andre Agassi territory, and he did once say for Canon Camera “Image is everything.” Seeing, hugging, and talking with everyone once again revealed to me how rich my life has been. Another example of the loving community arrived when Allen remembered me as a person who brought meals to the peace walkers.
When I realized Alain would be at the celebration, I yelped with joy that filled my heart because I’d be seeing “Zee Gray Wolf.” Our ride home from the NV Test Site (NTS) allowed us the time to catch up. Financial Dictatorship – Alain’s idea in process. Our conversation did make me wonder what I’d see if I looked deeply into the ways money worldwide is used , who the main cast of benefiting characters around the world is, and what their connections are. I got a huge kick out of Ken’s rendition of Alain’s ‘I’ll be truly nonviolent 15 minutes after I die.’ What a joy! Speaking of joy, when Ken shows pictures of his new baby daughter he simply vibrates joy.
My first real introduction to Vincent Harding was his interview on KNPR Friday morning of the weekend. Dead air on the radio makes people nervous both in the studio and in the audience. I loved how after the host asked his question, Vincent paused, considered, and then answered. Maybe this approach to having a dialogue would give politicians the time to develop deeper thoughts as they consider, perhaps reconsider, their responses. Talk show hosts and guests could think about this approach, too. President Obama as a brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, son – that’s how Vincent thinks of our president. He believes as family members of a loving family we need to remind Prez O where he comes from so he can continue to blossom along that path and not be overtaken by the weeds of realpolitik. Maybe the Nobel Peace Prize is one of those reminders.
At Saturday night’s yummy dinner, we saw three kids from a community center located in the historic Westside. One guy played drums and all three of them gave oratory. Vincent was also to receive his peacemaker award. I kept thinking about how during the day, he’d discussed his assignment to write our bro/son/etc Barack Obama a letter as a reminder of where his roots burrow into the soil of a more just world. As these boys performed, I thought about how the message from these kids would make a mighty addition to that letter. Powerful ideas.
SUNDAY IN THE DESERT
Even the idea of Predator and Raptor drones flying over Afghanistan, Pakistan, or Iraq to deliver their bombs makes my stomach lurch and my heart ache. On January 23, 2009, Prez O authorized the first drone bombing of Pakistan of his administration. My bumper sticker with the green peace symbol for the ‘O’ in Obama came off my car and into a letter to the Brand New President with a note reminding him of his public promise to Sasha and Melia about the use of USA force in his open letter published in Parade Magazine. I interpreted the message to mean a very definite last resort. Creech (formerly Indian Springs) Air Force Base is creepy. It still looks just like it did before guys sat in rooms at the controls of drones and their bomb activators half way around the world as seen on monitors. I marvel at people who can do this kind of abstract violent destructive work and then return home to their families and a suburban life. I felt good being out in the desert considering the fragile life, plant and animal, that thrives in that harsh environment, and the harsh consequences unleashed by humans in that same desert.
When I go to the NTS, memories of many events meld into a collage that could be called ‘The Dance of Facing One Evil Humans Can Produce and Defend.’ I remember finding Peg and her boys almost at the entrance my first time out there. My girls and I drove right up to the gate, realized it wasn’t the place to meet, turned around, and drove toward the 95 until we spied the clutch of folks on the right standing in the desert. At some point recently, my daughter, Sydney, told my granddaughter, Eris, about our exploits at the NTS. As Eris and I sat on the floor, face to face with her legs wrapped around me, I told her about the December 31, 1999 – January 1, 2000, candlelight procession. I told her I had this conversation with myself: ‘Get arrested? Not get arrested? What to do?’ Then I said I thought about this new little granddaughter I’d just gotten the end of November and how I wanted a more compassionate world for her so ‘Get arrested’ won the night.
I remember the time, probably an Easter season, when Louie was saying Mass. I could hear the Wackenhut guards talking and laughing. I may not be religious but I do know a little Bible. ‘Roman soldiers at the crucifixion,’ popped into my mind. The last two times I’ve been to the NTS, a guard has stood to our left on the other side of the line as we approach, usually beside a sign post. He’s packing two rods, one Velcro-ed to each thigh. The German Shepard is a sobering addition, too.
Code Pink women joined us at Creech, the goddess temple, and the NTS. I am thankful people continue to have a presence on that long lonely stretch of highway. I feel like all of us who work for peace with justice are like iron filings scattered across the country and the globe. Ken once told me to remember we are not alone; others share our work. I wonder when the big magnet will be strong enough to gather us together, united in the solidarity of compassionate humanity. Probably never since fear seems to trump all other emotions, but luckily for us, everybody can use a good hobby. Let’s face it; what’s a hobby if not involvement with our vocations? Pace e bene & peace with justice!
MY BIG THANKS
I was so pleased when Peter told me the Pace e Bene crew agreed to let me show From Hiroshima to Hollywood and Why Not War? I’m thankful some of my pix found new homes. The set up and break down benefited from the ‘many hands make light work’ theory. The guys at Christ Church helped me out with the large wooden easel Myron made for me. Richard stayed late and set up early, cutting the time in half. Anne said seeing so many images together impressed her. A few friends from LV stopped by too. What a joy!
Happy Birthday, Pace e Bene! Many thanks for all I have learned from Rosemary & Klaryte, Louie, Alain, Ken, Leslie, Julia and Peter to skim off the top of my thoughts.
Peace and all good, most def,
Stevi
October 11, 2009
For more information about Pace e Bene, go to paceebene.org
Glitter Gulch, Sin City, Las Vegas – my home for 26 years. The last weekend in September when I visited the ‘entertainment capital of the world,’ a man chatting me up in the gym asked why I’d left. My reply: I was finished in LV. I realized throughout my stay I miss the people but not the city.
Pace e Bene (PeB) celebrated its 20 anniversary. A long time ago I volunteered in the PeB library filing various newsletters. That job was like surfing the net in hard copy. The article that’s stayed with me discussed how many leaders or former leaders of Israel are/were Holocaust survivors. That piece of information filled in a gap in my thinking about Israel’s government and its actions.
My experience with From Violence to Wholeness happened within a short time of my Gandhi studies: a hand to glove situation. As a non-believer in God in any of her incarnations save the natural world, I find the need to have a spiritual/god figure as the guiding reason for working for justice difficult to understand. How can we organize our behavior by offering it to a being, spirit, force we cannot see? Perhaps people think of this as a ‘gut feeling’ or a ‘heart feeling.’ Of course though, since PeB has Franciscan origins I’d be disappointed if some divine force weren’t involved.
I love being part of a community in which I am lovingly welcomed even after I’ve been gone for a number of years. Leslie, Julia and I reveled in the joy of our quarter of a century of friendship while in pursuit of compassionate justice. We also swapped silver-hair styling tips with KMS blue shampoo, Fructis Shine spray, and Grecian Formula tinting topping the list. We’re cultivating the cool long-time social activists’ look. We were in Andre Agassi territory, and he did once say for Canon Camera “Image is everything.” Seeing, hugging, and talking with everyone once again revealed to me how rich my life has been. Another example of the loving community arrived when Allen remembered me as a person who brought meals to the peace walkers.
When I realized Alain would be at the celebration, I yelped with joy that filled my heart because I’d be seeing “Zee Gray Wolf.” Our ride home from the NV Test Site (NTS) allowed us the time to catch up. Financial Dictatorship – Alain’s idea in process. Our conversation did make me wonder what I’d see if I looked deeply into the ways money worldwide is used , who the main cast of benefiting characters around the world is, and what their connections are. I got a huge kick out of Ken’s rendition of Alain’s ‘I’ll be truly nonviolent 15 minutes after I die.’ What a joy! Speaking of joy, when Ken shows pictures of his new baby daughter he simply vibrates joy.
My first real introduction to Vincent Harding was his interview on KNPR Friday morning of the weekend. Dead air on the radio makes people nervous both in the studio and in the audience. I loved how after the host asked his question, Vincent paused, considered, and then answered. Maybe this approach to having a dialogue would give politicians the time to develop deeper thoughts as they consider, perhaps reconsider, their responses. Talk show hosts and guests could think about this approach, too. President Obama as a brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, son – that’s how Vincent thinks of our president. He believes as family members of a loving family we need to remind Prez O where he comes from so he can continue to blossom along that path and not be overtaken by the weeds of realpolitik. Maybe the Nobel Peace Prize is one of those reminders.
At Saturday night’s yummy dinner, we saw three kids from a community center located in the historic Westside. One guy played drums and all three of them gave oratory. Vincent was also to receive his peacemaker award. I kept thinking about how during the day, he’d discussed his assignment to write our bro/son/etc Barack Obama a letter as a reminder of where his roots burrow into the soil of a more just world. As these boys performed, I thought about how the message from these kids would make a mighty addition to that letter. Powerful ideas.
SUNDAY IN THE DESERT
Even the idea of Predator and Raptor drones flying over Afghanistan, Pakistan, or Iraq to deliver their bombs makes my stomach lurch and my heart ache. On January 23, 2009, Prez O authorized the first drone bombing of Pakistan of his administration. My bumper sticker with the green peace symbol for the ‘O’ in Obama came off my car and into a letter to the Brand New President with a note reminding him of his public promise to Sasha and Melia about the use of USA force in his open letter published in Parade Magazine. I interpreted the message to mean a very definite last resort. Creech (formerly Indian Springs) Air Force Base is creepy. It still looks just like it did before guys sat in rooms at the controls of drones and their bomb activators half way around the world as seen on monitors. I marvel at people who can do this kind of abstract violent destructive work and then return home to their families and a suburban life. I felt good being out in the desert considering the fragile life, plant and animal, that thrives in that harsh environment, and the harsh consequences unleashed by humans in that same desert.
When I go to the NTS, memories of many events meld into a collage that could be called ‘The Dance of Facing One Evil Humans Can Produce and Defend.’ I remember finding Peg and her boys almost at the entrance my first time out there. My girls and I drove right up to the gate, realized it wasn’t the place to meet, turned around, and drove toward the 95 until we spied the clutch of folks on the right standing in the desert. At some point recently, my daughter, Sydney, told my granddaughter, Eris, about our exploits at the NTS. As Eris and I sat on the floor, face to face with her legs wrapped around me, I told her about the December 31, 1999 – January 1, 2000, candlelight procession. I told her I had this conversation with myself: ‘Get arrested? Not get arrested? What to do?’ Then I said I thought about this new little granddaughter I’d just gotten the end of November and how I wanted a more compassionate world for her so ‘Get arrested’ won the night.
I remember the time, probably an Easter season, when Louie was saying Mass. I could hear the Wackenhut guards talking and laughing. I may not be religious but I do know a little Bible. ‘Roman soldiers at the crucifixion,’ popped into my mind. The last two times I’ve been to the NTS, a guard has stood to our left on the other side of the line as we approach, usually beside a sign post. He’s packing two rods, one Velcro-ed to each thigh. The German Shepard is a sobering addition, too.
Code Pink women joined us at Creech, the goddess temple, and the NTS. I am thankful people continue to have a presence on that long lonely stretch of highway. I feel like all of us who work for peace with justice are like iron filings scattered across the country and the globe. Ken once told me to remember we are not alone; others share our work. I wonder when the big magnet will be strong enough to gather us together, united in the solidarity of compassionate humanity. Probably never since fear seems to trump all other emotions, but luckily for us, everybody can use a good hobby. Let’s face it; what’s a hobby if not involvement with our vocations? Pace e bene & peace with justice!
MY BIG THANKS
I was so pleased when Peter told me the Pace e Bene crew agreed to let me show From Hiroshima to Hollywood and Why Not War? I’m thankful some of my pix found new homes. The set up and break down benefited from the ‘many hands make light work’ theory. The guys at Christ Church helped me out with the large wooden easel Myron made for me. Richard stayed late and set up early, cutting the time in half. Anne said seeing so many images together impressed her. A few friends from LV stopped by too. What a joy!
Happy Birthday, Pace e Bene! Many thanks for all I have learned from Rosemary & Klaryte, Louie, Alain, Ken, Leslie, Julia and Peter to skim off the top of my thoughts.
Peace and all good, most def,
Stevi
October 11, 2009
For more information about Pace e Bene, go to paceebene.org
Friday, October 2, 2009
A billion here - a billion there - bonus bucks bloom
It's always good to know where our money goes and what we're up to so here are a couple of little articles from this morning's (10/2/09) local rag. And of course I wonder how many of us even know we've had 33 million gallons of radioactive salt waste stored somewhere. Not me.
PASADENA
Parsons completes facility foundation
Parsons Corp. is pleased to announce that it has completed the foundation of the Salt Waste Processing Facility at the Savannah River site in Aiken, South Carolina.
The facility is essential to disposing of approximately 33 million gallons of radioactive salt waste stored at the site, vitrifying radioactive liquid waste at the Defense Waste Processing Facility, and closing SRS tank farms.
The foundation is a highly critical portion of the facility, designed to enable the structure to withstand natural disasters, including a powerful earthquake. Concrete pouring began in January and continued until this month
"Parsons is proud to work with the DOE on this important program," said Tom Roell, current president of Parsons Infrastructure & Technology Group who took on the newly created position of group executive for operations and risk.
WASHINGTON
Northrop gets $3.8B Air Force deal
Northrop Grumman Corp. beat out rival Boeing Co. for a $3.8 billion deal to provide logistics services for the KC-10, a fleet of aerial refueling tankers, the Pentagon said late Thursday.
U.S. plane maker Boeing, based in Chicago, builds the KC-10 and currently holds the current service contract for the plane, which is set to expire in January.
A Boeing spokesman was not immediately available to comment.
Pasadena Star-News 10/2/09
Source: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_13463418
PASADENA
Parsons completes facility foundation
Parsons Corp. is pleased to announce that it has completed the foundation of the Salt Waste Processing Facility at the Savannah River site in Aiken, South Carolina.
The facility is essential to disposing of approximately 33 million gallons of radioactive salt waste stored at the site, vitrifying radioactive liquid waste at the Defense Waste Processing Facility, and closing SRS tank farms.
The foundation is a highly critical portion of the facility, designed to enable the structure to withstand natural disasters, including a powerful earthquake. Concrete pouring began in January and continued until this month
"Parsons is proud to work with the DOE on this important program," said Tom Roell, current president of Parsons Infrastructure & Technology Group who took on the newly created position of group executive for operations and risk.
WASHINGTON
Northrop gets $3.8B Air Force deal
Northrop Grumman Corp. beat out rival Boeing Co. for a $3.8 billion deal to provide logistics services for the KC-10, a fleet of aerial refueling tankers, the Pentagon said late Thursday.
U.S. plane maker Boeing, based in Chicago, builds the KC-10 and currently holds the current service contract for the plane, which is set to expire in January.
A Boeing spokesman was not immediately available to comment.
Pasadena Star-News 10/2/09
Source: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_13463418
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