Are We Becoming Xenophobic

The current immigration issues should be looked upon as an opportunity to show the world that this country still respects human rights and that we have not forgotten that we are a nation with a heritage of immigration. We have never been xenophobic, and the frightening thing that I see is that we are so focused on restrictive policies, deportation, and removal that we are being led into an era of racism, bigotry, and discrimination that equals that of a few years ago.

Some say that we still are in an era of inequality of human rights; but we have made progress, and I don’t want to see that lost. We still have a long way to go but we don’t need setbacks right now.

Get over the mindset that every immigrant, undocumented or documented, is a criminal, or a terrorist, or will be a burden on society. Give them a chance to prove themselves - to work, achieve an education, earn a place for themselves, and contribute to our culture.

We need immigration legislation, based on fairness, reasonableness, and compassion. Get out of the box and look at your family history - How did your family ever get to this country. I am glad that my ancestors, some of whom arrived here in a hold of a ship, were not turned away or deported.

Watch for "The Immigrant"....should be released in 2 - 3 months.

National Women's Equality Day

Probably only a handful of women of today are aware that August 26th is National Women's Equality Day. It commerates the anniversary of the passing of the XIX Amendment that gave women the right to vote and to hold office. The day comes and goes with little or no media recognition, with no celebration, or with hardly a remembrance of the courageous women of the 1800s and early 1900s who faced verbal and physical abuse during their suffrage campaign that lasted over one hundred years. I did a pseudo-research survey on my own, asking a sampling of women to tell me the name of just one women rightist from past history. One named Lucretia Mott; a few could name Susan Anthony - most were lost after that.  

And think for a minute: we might have a woman president in 2008. I am aware that there is still inequality in the work place for women, but the gap is narrowing, and the same drive that was present among the women rightists of years past is present yet in todays women.But all of you out there: go to the Internet and read a little history. You'll gain appreciation for what went on in those days. By all means read the speech by Sojourner Truth, Ain't I a Woman? given in 1851 at a womens rights convention that was a turning point in the campaign. And if you haven't already done so, read "Return to Dos Encinos" - a novel based on the life of a young, dedicated rightist. Incidentally she was an immigrant from Germany. 

Seniors Like to Read

Last week I was invited to speak to a book club at a large retirement center. You are looking at a group of seniors well over 65 years of age - many octogenarians. I groped with the question of what they would likely be interested in hearing, what were their interests, what type of books do they read, what sort of questions could I expect to face. Without going into specifics, the session was one of the most enjoyable and rewarding that I have ever experienced. These people are literate, they read daily, they have a library of probably a thousand books that they keep updated and well organized. The questions they ask were incredibly appropriate. I presented the premise that each one of them had a story in mind that they thought would make a good book - about some character or relative that was unique or about some life experience that they thought would serve as a theme for a novel. I took them through the process, from the idea, to the writing, editing, and publishing.

For those of you who are authors or who are contemplating writing, this is an audience that I don't think has been fully exploited from a marketing standpoint. I am going to expore the feasibility of doing similar presentations to other retirement and independent living centers.

Time Out!

What do you think of when you hear "Time Out!" Traditionally, we think of some athletic event during which one team calls for a temporary halt to the game.

In Healthcare Safety in a hospital, that is monitored by The Joint Commision as one measure to ensure patient safety, the term, "Time Out", carries a totally different connotation. "Time Out" refers to The Joint Commission's mandate to verify the correct patient , correct procedeure, and correct site before starting any operative or invasive procedure.

Wrong site, wrong procedure, and wrong patient surgery and procedure should never occur. Hospitals go to extremes to ensure patient safety. If you hear the call for "Time Out" as you are going under anesthesia for some procedure, give thanks that your hospital is concerned for your safety. Every hospital may not be; don't be embarrassed to ask. 

AT&T Wireless Amber Alerts

Click on the NCMEC link or go directly to the wirelessamberalerts.org for information on signing up for the AT&T free Wireless Amber Alerts. If you submit your cell phone number you will receive messages that might lead to the recovery of kidnapped or exploited child. Anyone who has read CODE PINK! will appreciate the devastation and anxiety that parents endure when a tragedy such as child abduction occurs.