The Parks Report

Moving on

2010-07-18T21:35:00.001-04:00

I started this blog because my job was boring. Over the months, as my job got better, I posted less which was good.

Tomorrow I start a new job; one that I hope will not be boring, but also one where I am not sure I can blog (at least not on politics or without anonymous-zing myself more).

So I figured I'd post all of the half- thought out, partial posts I had started these last few weeks. And then I must sign off from the Parks Report, for now.

Low Fat Feta Cheese is positively worthless. It tastes like cardboard. I have similar sentiments regarding butter and sugar: I would rather have the real thing or nothing at all.

I changed my first light bulb today. It included climbing a ladder and undoing a fixture. I am 24 years old and still experience the satisfaction and pride of performing minute daily feats on my own. Is that weird?

I am in love with soccer like every other twenty-something right now. I like to think that my love is a little older and more developed than most. My one year in England and semester in South America got me hooked; MLS booming in Seattle sealed the deal. But anyway, a few reflections from the World Cup:

Americans who support other nations' teams over the US are despicable. Have some pride people! What are you trying to prove? That you've traveled? Studied abroad? BFD

Americans who complain that soccer players are weak and act too much obviously have never played the sport or have not watch enough to see how intense it really is.

Watching at work was a blast. Having superiors come into my office to stand behind my screen and cheer with me, getting high- fives from co-workers in the hall-- all of this felt very hallmark and I loved it.

I love Stu Holden.

The BP oil crisis exemplifies why we need a competent government. People can donate blankets after a storm and churches can provide soup kitchens for the homeless, but private citizens just cannot plug a gusher miles deep in the sea. Throughout this crisis I have ached for a President that would stand up and declare they he was taking control. We would not let a home burn down because a paper mill could not stop its own fire. But what would, could, should have the President done to take control? Declare that he is giving NASA or MIT millions of dollars to design a cap or new clean up system? We struggled to buy supplies at my old government agency and argued over how many investigators could travel to investigate huge crimes. It is sad but almost impossible to imagine a US President with the ability to move big money quickly. The obvious response is that we spend money quickly and make things happen quickly for defense. But even that is untrue. Our military can move quickly because we have spent a century building it. New planes are designed and bid for years in advance. But again, as much as I cannot imagine how our President could come up with the needed money or move it fast enough through our inefficient agencies, I have not stopped wanting him to do so. I am still angry that he hasn't figured it out. We have to do better.

I hate Whole Foods, and I really cannot stand the people who shop there. Whole Foods is selfishness and entitlement made worse by false claims of consciousness and good deed. I do not care that a tomato is organic or free trade, more environmental damage is done by shipping it from Chile to DC in January to counteract any of these positive labels. Plus, the fact that it ripened on a plane must make it less nutritious. If you want to help the environment and eat well, just shop locally and buy food in season. And how is that organic goat cheese from California costs 2$ at Trader Joes and 6$ at Whole Foods? The only reason I can think of is because Whole Foods customers will pay 6$-- which is insane!

My good friend's newest, and maybe most promising band: http://www.areyoumightyhigh.com. They sound great. Go see them if you can. I'm proud of you, TP. And I miss home.

The articles on BP's gross negligence in their emergency planning make me want to vomit. I would like for someone in whatever government agency was supposed to review BP's plans to be imprisoned for their oversight.

The key to cooking soba noodles is toasted sesame oil. It only took me five or six attempts to realize that maybe using Asian oil with Asian noodles was a good idea! Goodness. Anyway, cook the noodles till they are just barely done, then sauté them with sesame oil and soy sauce. Add vegetables. Garnish with peanuts and hard-boiled egg for protein and varied texture. Delicious.

About a week ago, kind of drunk, I took a cab home and did not have enough cash. I told the driver to wait; I was going to run into the corner convenient store and use the ATM. But the store was closed. And then, out of nowhere, late at night, in the dark, this old woman appeared and handed me 20$. She too was trying to buy something at the store. She saw my situation and told me to take the money. She walked away as my protest turned to gratitude. Just today, I was doing laundry in my building and one of the dryers ate the last 1.50$ on my laundry card. I knew I had no cash and would have to walk to the ATM while my clothes sat wet. A sweet, redheaded girl offered her card.

People are so good; it fills me with such joy.

That's all for now.

BK: Prime Meats

2010-05-27T07:31:00.002-04:00

A special shout out to someone very near and dear to my heart. Congrats kid, this is an awesome review!

http://events.nytimes.com/2010/05/26/dining/reviews/26rest.html?pagewanted=1&hp

Not only does the article give a nod to bohemians in brownstones and grüner, two of my favorite things in the world, it also highlights a wonderful characteristic of New York City. Simply that the best places are neighborhood places: tucked away, walked to, and enjoyed by regulars.

Diaspora

2010-05-21T08:39:00.001-04:00

I want to encourage all to check out this site:

http://www.joindiaspora.com/project.html

While I do not understand all of the technicalities, their project clearly demonstrates a spirit of entrepreneurism and innovation, which I so desperately want to believe our generation has. I don't even mind that their story ( "slept in a computer lab and ate cold pizza" story) is cliche. In fact, I love this sort of cliche. I am totally a sucker for "get up and do it", totally still optimistic that a few smart people with a really good idea can make something happen.

Beyond that, from why I do understand of their project, it sounds amazing. For 8th grade girls to be able to instant message and share pictures without having to log-on to facebook and get bombarded with pictures from some party they weren't invited to, for government employees to be able to the same without some virtual paper trail.... such advancements would be huge!

This should be encouragement to all of us to still dream, to think big.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/12/nyregion/12about.html?src=me&ref=homepage

BP's sin

2010-05-11T07:57:00.002-04:00

In an ideal world, the tragic oil spill in the Gulf would remind us of BP and other oil companies' potentially greatest sin: the distraction of the environmental movement away from their businesses and the perpetuation of guilt on the individual level instead. An Environmental America executive told me in an interview once that the most horrible development in the environmental movement was the "carbon footprint" idea, which, he informed me, was largely conceived by BP and championed by big business.

The idea that Americans can and should turn off their lights, fix leaky taps, and be more conscious of their energy use is fine. Until this idea of "all of us doing out part" monopolizes the conversation. The fact remains that big oil and coal industries are responsible for the majority of environmental destruction, releasing a third of America's CO2, more than all forms of transportation combined!

Yes, the idea is that if Americans use less energy, less energy needs to be made from these coal/ oil refineries. However, coal is estimated to release 75 percent more carbon dioxide to produce one kilowatt- hour of electricity than natural gas and 27 percent more than oil. (Yet, from 1990- 2007 coal-fired electricity generation rose 27 percent.). In other words, won't American's have to cut their electricity consumption in half to make up for the difference of not using coal or oil? Shouldn't the focus be on renewable energy!?

Seperate all together from electrity consumption, in the case of the oil spill and destruction:

There are 210,000 gallons a day / 42 gallons in a barrel = 5,000 barrels a day leaking into ocean. 1 barrel of oil = 433 kg of carbon dioxide. (Granted rarely is all of a barrel of crude oil refined and burned, much is refined and put into plastics ect. But in this case all of crude oil is literally going into the environment.) 433 kg X 5,000 barrels= 216,500 kg of CO2 worth a day.

My old jeep on the other hand: 1 gallon of gas produces 8.8 kilograms of CO2. 216,500 kg/ 8.8kg = 24,602.2 gallons of gasoline to be equal to one day of destruction in the Gulf. (right? my math sucks! ) 24,602.2 gallons X 15 miles to the gallon = 369,030 miles. I would have to drive 369,030 miles to create effect of one day of this spill. (again is that right!?) And clearly that is putting it in terms of CO2, let alone the fact that the result of this spill is sloshing up on to the coast not even burning into the air.

So again, please, less guilt on me. Less ads about turning off my lights. More protests for big policy change moving us away from coal and oil and towards wind, solar, and ocean energy!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x461413

http://cdn.publicinterestnetwork.org/assets/c6cc71242c25b051b30bc68f0d1038ee/Too-Much-Pollution-AME.pdf

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Climate_impacts_of_coal_plants

Correction

2010-05-03T10:14:00.000-04:00

A friend of mine pointed out to me that the Valdez spill was not in
fact related to off-shore drilling, but just a tanker of crude oil
that ran aground. I apologize for the oversight. But, my point is the
same: I am not a fan of oil.

Seems obvious to me

2010-05-01T11:19:00.000-04:00

In light of the recent oil spill, stop off-shore drilling:

http://www.environmentamerica.org/action/energy/gulf-oil-spill-disaster?id4=ES

Clearly I think we have known for years and years that off-shore
drilling is a disaster and a travesty. Since the Valdez oil spill, has
little been done to make it safer/ cleaner? But anyway, I like
Environment America's shout out to sperm whales in particular. Sperm
whales! Incredible! Send an email, sign the petition, its the right
thing.

Easy Curry

2010-04-30T09:41:00.001-04:00

It has come to my attention that many of my 20-something friends do
not know to cook.

This makes me so sad.

Here's a "recipe" for a simple curry I made this week.

1 can of garbanzo beans (aka chickpeas)
½ can (about 1 cup of coconut milk)
2 tsp of curry powder
1 cup of chopped veggies (eggplant, mushrooms, peppers, ect… whatever
sounds good)
salt, pepper, red pepper flakes to taste

Dump all ingredients in a pot. Seriously. That's it. Oh, it is good
to rinse the garbanzo beans first. But then, really, put them in a
pot, pour the coconut milk over, add veggies, add spices. Bring
mixture to a boil then reduce heat and let simmer until veggies are
cooked/ softened. Keep adding spices to taste. I like spicy dishes,
so I always keep adding curry powder. A little cumin can be nice as
well!

Serve over rice, or eat with flatbread.

Enjoy.

The island votes...

2010-04-28T07:36:00.000-04:00

So the Brits are voting in a few days and remarkably the Lib Dems seem
to have real chance of winning big, maybe even securing the majority
of the popular vote. This is incredible! When I lived in England,
the Lib Dems were still such an outsider party that my little
outsider, funky, smoker friend was the Lib Dem campus rep. He got the
party's candidate for the district to our campus one day. About ten of
us heard him speak. I took pictures. He was incomprehensible, but we
liked how he rambled against the Iraq war.

But now, with a young, charismatic man at the party's helm (who likes
to speak of change and bringing a whole new era of government to the
UK) the Lib Dem's are attempting to and will likely make a precarious
step from outsider to insider.

Why should we care?

First, there is good chance that if the Lib Dems do well, they will
demand a change to the UK's basic voting structure, moving it away
from its current winner-takes-all model. Many believe that the US
should look at creative voting/ counting structures to allow for third
parties to gain a more appropriate number of seats based on the
overall proportion of the popular vote they receive. Provisions like
these are hard to imagine here, where constituents are so tied to
their representative, but the UK might provide an interesting test
model for some new possibilities.

Second, many predict that the election will result in a hung
parliament (no party wins enough seats to make the government), in
which case the formal protocol is… informal, backroom dealing.
Incredible. Incredible that with pseudo- populist/presidential-type
figures in the country (Tony Blair and now Nick Clegg), the UK's
system will still keep the people so removed and disconnected from
deciding who actually becomes their Prime Minister. What's the lesson?
That we should be thankful of our system? That it doesn't really
matter? I mean, there is something to be said about having a leader
that the legislators themselves like, want, and respect…

Resurrected

2010-04-25T22:15:00.001-04:00

I just watched Julie and Julia. I know, pathetic. A real rock- bottom of sorts.

I thought it would be good for someone who feels lost. That was the
point right, she felt lost and started cooking… found herself through
a project and food.

The first part of the movie was inspiring. I like that she just
decides to do something. By the end though, I mostly just missed New
York. We used to crawl through windows to eat outside too.

Anyway, lucky for you, the movie did say in a very loud and clear way
that I should get back to blogging. I have been meaning to for months.
Now I'm back.

I want to apologize for having abandoned my blog for so long. I could
give excuses ranging from DC's awful winter to being busier at work...
but who really cares. What is important is that I am going to start
writing again. A big thank you to all, a surprising number of you, who
cared and gave me shit for my hiatus. It was flattering.

A bit of a life update: As I hinted to before I have been feeling
pretty lost lately. I came to DC with high hopes of figuring out what
I wanted to do with my life, through working and living… Silly me. It
is the end of April and I feel in no way closer to some life plan. It
took a long time to feel settled here, to get apartment and a couch,
to adequately engage with and judge my job. And so I am left still
wondering, what do I really want to do? Write, make movies, work in
politics, run back to South America, go to law school? All of the
above? In what order? I'm really just not sure yet.

One thing that I am proud of is that I have started making small films
again. I have to date, here in DC made a fundraising video, a promo
for a restaurant and some small films of events. I even have my first
potential wedding gig…! It has been fun to have projects, to feel
creative again. It has been fun to toy with the possibility of making
film a large part of my life. I have talked about it for years but,
you know, just talked about it. Perhaps I will in fact come to terms
with how happy I could be living in NYC and trying to making
movies…perhaps. But for now, I have set some small goals: two short
docs by the end of the summer and a website. So stay tuned!

As for the running, I suck. I have totally failed to keep pushing
myself. I guess I am just not as driven as that little Julie from
Queens in the movie. I did however say that I would try for a half
marathon by summer. So if "summer" can mean August, maybe there is
still time… Maybe.

And now for what you all have been waiting for…. I do think the Health
Care bill can be viewed as a success. It is not perfect. I am very sad
by how badly Democrats played their cards. But it is a start. It is
something and we can build on it. This is a good article for
reminding us to stick our chins up. The bill moves the country in the
right direction, that is for sure:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/24/business/24leonhardt.html?hp

So, to recap: I'm back. I will blog on current events and being in my
twenties. Also some about running and food.

Go to http://www.google.com/alerts and enter
theparksreport.blogspot.com as the search term. Get an alert when I
post. Seriously. Do it now.

Enough Said

2009-12-10T17:12:00.001-05:00

In the time between when the senate began debating the health care bill till now 224,000 americans have lost their health insurance.

....that many people live in Baton Rouge

....and that's more than the population of Reno

Yes I Can

2009-12-04T09:58:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, I rented a pick up truck from zipcar and drove it across Washington DC in traffic, in my cowboy boots, by myself. I loaded a 7 foot piece of art into the bed of the truck and secured it with bungee cords. I blared my horn and sped through changing lights to get the truck back on time. I carried my 7 foot lady five blocks before setting her down in my own, new apartment.

I am woman.

In Session

2009-12-02T10:46:00.003-05:00

Yesterday I had the opportunity of visiting the Supreme Court and witnessing oral arguments. It was surprisingly thrilling. The courtroom is intimate. The Justices are seated so close to the trial attorneys and viewing gallery that everyone feels involved. Despite the pomp and circumstance of the event (the Justices grand entry, the "chant"-like call to order) the manner in the courtroom is actually quite candid and improvisational. The Justices interrupt, argue and often speak in sarcastic, informal and blunt tones. At one point Justice Scalia said, "Yes, this is a stupid law… but it is not my job to judge whether a law is stupid."

It was not until I sat in the courtroom yesterday and heard the arguments for myself that I actually realized the role of the Supreme Court, the role we are taught in the 5th grade. It seems obvious and ingrained in us through our storybook idea of the government, but the Supreme Court actually does judge the laws. When we think of "law,” "cases,” and "courts," this grand role of the Supreme Court is hard to imagine. But at the level of the Supreme Court, all of the original players, the original offenses, the crimes or the circumstances are long forgotten and removed. What is left is a deeply meaningful level of debate regarding the actual legitimacy of the laws themselves.

This role of the Court is remarkable, and it is remarkable to witness firsthand. Nine men and women, arguably the most powerful nine in the country, as they alone share the power of this entire branch of government, sit around and debate whether a law can continue, can actually be the law. After all, what is a law until it holds up in court? Congress might write them but the Supreme Court makes them real and lasting. Incredibly obvious, but mind-blowing in person.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/02/us/02scotus.html?_r=1&ref=us

Maverick

2009-11-24T16:58:00.001-05:00

My feelings towards Sarah Palin's new book are similar to those I had with Mel Gibson's movie, The Passion of the Christ, when it came out.

Although I had no real desire to see it, I felt obligated to go. After all, how can I contribute to meaningful debate on a subject if I have not engaged in the material. Long story short, I'll want to be able to argue.

Hmmm… interesting thought: Meaningfully engaging in material before opining on it. Maybe Palin could take lessons from me.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/2009/11/23/dnt.al.palin.book.signing.wbrc

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/19/new-yorkers-react-to-goin_n_363625.html --- pretty funny

Hearty and Vegan

2009-11-19T11:31:00.001-05:00

Had to share a great "recipe" I invented a few nights ago… big development in my quest to eat less meat.

Up until now I had all most exclusively used tofu in Asian type dishes (curries, soy sauce-based stir fries, ect). But the other day I incorporated tofu into my own version of POTATOES GRATIN. Warm, hearty, and full of protein.

POTATOES GRATIN (kinda) with Mushrooms and Tofu:

1 potato

¾ cup of sliced mushrooms

Thyme

Salt and Pepper

1 large square of Tofu, cut up into small ½" X ½" cubes

½ cup of almond milk (or other milk/ cream / alternative)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and grease over-safe casserole-type dish.

Sautee mushrooms with a little olive oil, adding Thyme, salt and pepper to taste.

Cut raw potato into thin slices

Place potato slices in bottom of pan, creating bottom layer.

Add half of sautéed mushrooms on top of potatoes

Add half of the tofu cubes

Add a touch of salt and pepper

Add second layer of potatoes

Add second layer of mushrooms, tofu cubes, salt and pepper

Top with last of potato slices

Pour almond milk on over the whole creation

Cook until potatoes are done, about 45 mins. Enjoy.

9/11 Suspects-- Trials, Justice.. the UN?

2009-11-17T14:28:00.005-05:00

I fully-heartedly support President Obama and Attorney General Holder’s decision to have some of the accused terrorists behind the 9/11 attacks tried in New York City’s civilian court.

At the core of our living constitution is a belief in judicial proceedings and fair trials. These values, as demonstrated in this document, are the foundation of our nation. They are what make America more than a county but an idea-- a symbol. In order to stand for justice, we cannot just espouse these words, we must live by them. Following our word, our own laws, means giving all suspects the right to face their accuser, all victims the right to face suspects, the public the chance to serve as jurors.

I found the words of a widow from the 9/11 attacks, featured in a CNN article, extremely powerful, "Thiswill be our opportunity to see justice served and have our day in court’.”

Critics of this decision to hold standard public trials argue that these terrorist are not standard criminals but war criminals. The problem with this argument is we don’t have much precedent for trying war criminals.Other nations have sought help from the UN for trying war criminals, utlizing the UN”s International Criminal Court established in 2002 to prosecute perpetrators of “genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.” While there is not specific precedent in this court for trying “terrorists” (the majority of the cases have dealt with war lords and genocidaires), there is currently a draft treaty circulating in the UN to include the prosecution of terrorists in the ICC’s mandate. Who better to try stateless actors than the body of the world’s states…? Tough questions to say the least.

I believe the ICC is the only other appropriate alternative for prosecuting these terrorists.

Perhaps President Obama agrees. It did not make a huge the media splash, but just yesterday the White House announced that representatives from the US would be traveling to Kenya to officially observe the ICC for the first time. We shall see…

Needless to say the usage of the ICC by the US is unlikely. First of all, we have not ratified the initial treaty acknowledging or participating in the ICC. President Bush argued that the US could not participate in such a court, as it would unfairly subject our troops to inquiry. Second, in offering war criminals to the standards and powers of this court, the US would also be offering itself. And many, namely those who condone the use of torture in these cases, have made it clear they do not want the US to be held accountable to international law.

Then again, as the widow quoted in the CNN article aptly pointed out, the military’s conduct (flagrant lawlessness) while holding these prisoners could lead to problems in our own courts as well. “Our ability to prosecute terrorists successfully in open courtrooms has less to do with the our judicial process and more to do with Bush's policy on torture that will make these prosecutions more difficult, she said.”

www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/11/13/khalid.sheikh.mohammed/index.html

http://www.un.org/news/facts/iccfact.htm

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-af-kenya-us-icc,0,6125127.story

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/29/AR2009062904322.html

Stupak

2009-11-12T16:18:00.001-05:00

I am sure that many of you have heard discussion about the Stupak amendment to the House's health care legislation, which that passed shortly before the final vote on Saturday.

While the "strong feelings" (as the President described) regarding this amendment have been made known, the substance remains a much more elusive. I set out to understand what exactly the fuss was about. What I found was pretty bad. The Stupak amendment, which passed with a vote of 240 to 194 with the support of 64 Democrats, is perhaps the greatest affront on women's reproductive rights in 40 years as declared my Congresswomen such as Louise Slaughter and Diane DeGette.

Here is what I believe the amendment states:

1) The "public option" (ie the insurance company to be run by the government) is not allowed to offer ANY plans which would cover any part of an abortion.

a. The argument is that federal money should not be used to cover abortions. The flaw in this argument is that the federal insurance company will only exist if it is self-sustaining. People are going to BUY their own plans, not receive government "handouts" in the form of insurance.

2) No insurance plan paid for in ANY PART by federal funds may offer coverage for any part of an abortion procedure.

a. What is remarkable here, which many are not aware, is that many employer-provided insurance plans are subsidized (to varying degrees) by federal funds. It is estimated that 250 billion dollars are given to employers to help cover the cost of providing insurance for their employees. Under this amendment all of these subsequent insurance plans would be barred from offering any coverage for abortions. Many analysts are predicting that the number of insurance premiums impacted by such an amendment would be so large that insurance companies would stop offering any plans to anyone including such coverage since so many clients would be excluded already.

Some say we need not focus on this amendment. They argue that such language will not end up in the final bill which still needs a piece of legislation passed in the Senate, a compromise bill, and a final vote in both houses. It is also true that the President has said he does not want reform to be wrapped up in an argument about abortion.

On the other hand, this amendment is a scary reminder of the compromises that some politicians are willing/ eager to make, as well as an example of 11^th hour politicking which could dramatically alter the final bill. We must remind our Senators that we will not stand for reform which throws out a (30+ year old law) baby with the bathwater.

See if your Rep. voted for the amendment:

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll884.xml

http://news.firedoglake.com/2009/11/07/stupak-amendment-debate-begins/

http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2009/11/obama_we_need_to_change_stupak.asp

We need to protect those who protect us

2009-11-06T16:06:00.001-05:00

I want to send my prayers into the world for the people who lost their lives at Fort Hood.

I would also like to direct people to this contentious piece:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/beau-friedlander/rampage-at-fort-hood-are_b_347944.html

I think it is well written and disturbingly honest.

As sad and unbelievable as the shooting in Fort Hood was yesterday, I agree it is not surprising our soldiers are snapping. The constant re-deployment, paired with inadequate trauma and psychiatric care upon return, is clearly tortuous and detrimental for our troops. And we have known this for quite some time.

While each life lost was tragic, those at Fort Hood yesterday were by no means the first victims of violence committed at home by our troops. Countless veterans have committed crimes against others, often violent, since returning from war. At Fort Carson alone, there have been 14 homicides and attempted homicides since 2005. In 2008 an official from the National Institute of Mental Health estimated that suicides of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans could top the combat deaths from these wars.

While we will never know what made one man snap and turn violent, we cannot overlook our responsibility as to those who defend us nor the reality that we have failed to take adequate care of our men and women.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/08/06/accused.soldier.ptsd/index.html

http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0508/050608bb1.htm

Let's Get Real People

2009-11-06T14:34:00.001-05:00

Our health care ranks LAST in most comparisions with other indiustrailized nations.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/05/opinion/05kristof.html?_r=1

The statistics are atrocious. And I like the one personal comment Kristof includes. The woman argues that a faceless bureaucrat from the government can't be worse than a faceless bureaucrat from a private insurance company. And in her case a faceless bureaucrat from a private insurance company decided she could not have the cancer treatment she sought.

Keep calling your reps.

Can’t Drop the Ball Now !

2009-11-05T11:46:00.001-05:00

(I guess something like "Don't Take Your Eye Off the Ball" would have been timelier, but I am trying to ignore the series. Damn Yankees.)

We are close. The public option, which many left for dead, has taken center stage again because WE, the people, were loud and persistent. The legislation currently on the table in the House includes the option for small businesses and self-employed individuals to purchase government-run insurance and last week Senator Majority Leader Reid again proclaimed his support of this plan.

But the fight is far from over. As seen on Monday evening, Congress can add amendments to a bill at any hour and so we must stay vocal and engaged.

Many believe the final bill will include an "opt-out" option for states, wherein individual states can elect to not participate (ie not offer) the public option to its constituents. I think this is a good compromise. I believe that at the local level people will win the day over insurance lobbyists and vote to participate in the public option. If some states opt out at the beginning, they will come around later when they see the benefit others are enjoying.

The public option is a way to provide health care to the unemployed or those simply lacking necessary insurance --40,000 + Americans die every year because they lack insurance according to the National Journal of Public Health! It is also a way to increase freedom, malleability, and creativity in the workplace, the market, and our homes. If people are not tied to employers in order to receive affordable health insurance, they can freely pursue any and all entrepreneurial ambitions. During this recession, we have to facilitate and encourage new businesses, innovators—entrepreneurs!

Growing up my family relied heavily on my mother's job as a teacher because it included health insurance for all of us including my father who owned his own small business. Had more affordable health insurance for the self-employed or small-business owner been an option, my family might have been able to use savings and have my mother stay home when my sisters were younger. Or what about women who do not work, receive health insurance from their husbands and then find themselves divorced? The list of scenarios goes on and on...

Let alone the added benefit of inject much need competition into the health insurance industry!

I post again on this subject to urge you all to call your Representatives. Here in DC there is a commercial which runs constantly (at least 4 times during last night's game). It simply says, without explanation: 'We cannot afford this health care bill" and then asks people to call their representatives and puts their numbers on the screen. Well I believe we cannot afford to NOT pass this bill.

I do not think that the House and Senate with a Democrat majority can settle for anything less than heath reform legislation that includes a public option. No compromises.

So please call. Make calling groups.

Check out http://advocacy.barackobama.com/healthcare/campaigns/13/call_scripts/36/call_sessions/new?district=NY15&source=MS_11_3
for ideas about calling representatives (scripts, numbers, ect)

For my New York Friends, a few numbers:
Rep. Rangel, Morningside Heights:(212) 663-3900
Rep Clarke, Park Slope: (718) 287-1142
Rep Maloney, Midtown (East): 212-860-0606

Washington State:
Norm Dicks, T-town: 253-593-6536
Rep Jim McDermott, Seattle: 206-553-7170

California, Los Angeles:
Rep Richardson, Watts: (202) 225-7924

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-anthony-weiner/countdown-to-health-care_b_346626.html
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091103/ap_on_bi_ge/us_health_care_overhaul

Hello again: Life Update

2009-11-04T10:45:00.003-05:00

On Saturday my dog died. And what followed was a stressful, chaotic week: the beginning of the end of my honeymoon period with this new city.

Two months ago I moved to this city to try out life as federal employee. With my faith in government in hand, I headed off to the bowels of bureaucracy with the hope of adding to this great machine, serving the country and so on. To my dismay, upon my arrival, I was given… well… not much to do. I was assigned to no long-term projects, given no responsibility. With my desk in a large, factory room for spillover employees, many days passed with no calls, no emails, no work to do at all. The few short-term projects I have been given are basically clean-up work: filing, coding, looking through old boxes long forgotten and never sorted.

All of this changed when my supervisor asked me to plan/ host the office Halloween party. Those above me felt the need to write about what drinks to buy, what music to play, what bowls to use. One lady even asked me to take notes as she talked of chips and salsa. Clearly I have never hosted a party, never bought wine.

Complaining about the party seems silly. Baking cupcakes at midnight with my roommates was actually fun and with spider webs and jello-shots, the party ended up a total success. At least now everyone knows who I am. I guess the whole thing just hit such a nerve with me, since, like I said, I’ve been so bored. I have a college degree. I’ve worked for Senators and taught in schools. I have traveled and ran large- scale, big- budget projects. It is just infuriating to know you could add to an agency if someone only asked. There is a sign in our lobby: a note from the President asking federal employees to think of ways to cut costs. And everyday I walk by think of the waste that is me.

Wow this is the most downer blog I have ever written. I apologize.

I am trying to make myself think about the meta-knowledge being gained. I am learning first hand about life in the federal government, the hurdles, the inefficiencies, the need for better supervisors and better-formulated goals. I am also learning about me. I have realized that I would rather be a big fish in a smaller pond then a miniscule fish in the ponds of all ponds. I can’t handle mindless work. I am not the kind of person who can just earn a living and be a cog.

Let me just wrap up by saying that on Wednesday of last week I also lost the apartment I was planning on moving into on Saturday ( I spent weeks looking for a permanent place and had chosen this one weeks ago, signed the lease a week before) This apartment fiasco was the real reason I didn’t write last week—it was stressful and hectic, a lot of back and forth and negotiating. At the end of the day, the lady was just crazy. It’s hard to argue with crazy. So this weekend I moved all of my things into a friend’s basement and now feel as new to this city as ever.

But its ok, all of this venting has been good. And exciting things come out fresh starts and a little frustration.

So, again my apologies for not writing, but I’m back now. Check here for ways to be a liberal activist, for thoughts on the news and bits about my life.

Get Reading

2009-10-26T10:52:00.001-04:00

I would like to turn your attention to a new blog, Chelsea Chews It Over, started by a friend of mine: chelseachews.wordpress.com .

Chelsea has years of writing and editing experience. I expect great things from her blog....

Running Update

2009-10-23T14:37:00.001-04:00

For those who remember, my dive into running began because I was reading Chris McDougall's now very popular book, Born to Run. McDougall's background as a journalist comes through in the way the book is written—more like long articles with minor narrative flow. One section on the business of shoes, the evils of cushion-y Nikes, the dangers of arch support and one section on diet.

McDougall, in his personal quest to re-find his ancient running self, adopts a very purist, minimalist, vegan diet: rice, beans, corn, veggies veggies veggies. A lot of what he talks about is obvious, lessons we all already know and which I already live by, such as eating less processed, more local and organic food. Where McDougall takes the conversation a step beyond your average health food raving is with his discussions of meat. He has endless facts about the abundant carcinogens and bacteria in meat. He raves about the increased fiber and nutrients he gains from eating more beans and soy. And he is convincing.

I am already lactose intolerant so dairy is not an issue.

But ….

I have always been, and always want to be a girl that can eat a burger and drink a beer with the guys. (I guess admitting that I like this about myself makes me less cool … but whatever)

Basically I am not making any drastic decisions. McDougall's focus on meat, paired with the article I read/ blogged on a few weeks ago about E. coli, has just made me reconsider my ways. Last weekend during my usual weekly TJ's trip I just did not buy any meat. Instead of making tacos or fajitas with chicken or ground turkey, I made beans. And once wrapped in a tortilla with salsa and guac, they were just as good. Instead of chicken or shrimp in my usual weekly stir-fry, I added tofu. I was very nervous about the tofu but my roommate showed me a great trick: boil the tofu in cubes for 5 mins before adding it to the stir-fry. The cubes hold their form better and soaked up all of the peanut and soy sauce flavors.

Again, I am not making any drastic decisions. I do not want to be that vegan girl, no offense to all of the lovely vegans in the world. I may be West Coast but I'm just not that hippie. I'm not going to cut it out completely. If I'm out and want a burger I'll get one. But for now, what's the harm in trying it?   … Something new… I like new…

http://health.usnews.com/blogs/on-fitness/2009/04/28/born-to-run-christopher-mcdougall-says-humans-evolved-to-run-like-the-tarahumara.html

Fairy-Tale Economics

2009-10-21T08:42:00.001-04:00

A friend of mine pointed me to this op-ed yesterday.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/opinion/20herbert.html?_r=1

Bob Herbert discusses the failings of top-down economic theory, bringing to our attention the dichotomy between the recovery of banks and the jobless rate that continues to climb. As this friend of mine said, "It makes me furious." Both him and Herbert are clearly right— "The money is never going to trickle down," and it should make it us furious.

I'm hoping Congress can pass some clever Christmas-y, jingle-y bill this fall to raise taxes again on bank executives' bonuses.

I'd also like to note that I specifically appreciated yet another call to stricter, broader, more proactively enforced anti-trust laws, which Herbert provides. Goldman Sachs should never have been able to grow to the point that its collapse threatened the stability of the entire market.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/opinion/20herbert.html?_r=1

Fixed Link to Bono Article

2009-10-21T08:25:00.001-04:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/18/opinion/18bono.html

Thanks, Bono

2009-10-19T10:30:00.001-04:00

Read this article-- all of it. It made me teary-eyed.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/18/opinion/18bono.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&em

Bono reflects of why President Obama does deserve the Noble Peace Prize, how America is becoming America again, and why this matters so much to the rest of the world.

First, I completely agree with Bono's take on the Noble Peace Prize. Yes, at this point President Obama has not finished turning his promises into conclusive action. But it doesn't matter. The Noble Peace Prize is recognition of just how powerful it is to the world to have the US finally say that we will fight climate change, work to end global poverty and seek nuclear disarmament.

Second, I completely agree with Bono's take on the global disasters of our time, Darfur and the Congo for instance. He argues that they are a result of three extremes: Extreme poverty, extreme idealism, and extreme climate change. My Earth Science Professor at Columbia made the same argument: the genocide in Darfur is a result of climate change which lead to huge migration and further strain on insufficient resources, which, paired with ideological extremism, led to genocide. Bono is right that our approaches to development and foreign policy/ security must be inter-twined!

Third, America is an idea. And a great one at that.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/18/opinion/18bono

Anti-Trust Saving Lives

2009-10-15T14:24:00.001-04:00

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/end-to-insurers-antitrust-exemption-proposed-2009-10-14

Yesterday, Christine Varey, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Dept's Anti-Trust Division, testified before the Senate with regards to the anti-trust exemption that health insurance companies have enjoyed but which many now believe should be repealed. The story demonstrates again how necessary health care reform (and specifically the development of a public option) is today. The article cites instances wherein companies such as Blue Cross enjoy a 90+ % of the market share in certain states and thus have been able to charge monopoly prices for insurance premiums. In this instance anti-trust laws, applied to the health care industry, could have a real impact on people's lives by forcing companies to compete and thus lower prices.

A public option could help expedite this process. The creation of a public health insurance option would inject more competition into the market by providing more health insurance options for the self-employed and small business owners. The more players in the market, the lower the prices.

This angle of the debate demonstrates again that the ONLY people to gain from the country not engaging in serious health care reform are the executives of large insurance companies. Anti-health care reform is pro-big business. Plain and simple.

Call your reps. Call other reps. Call Blue-Dogs. Call Pelosi!

Dowd strikes again

2009-10-14T11:26:00.001-04:00

I want to be Maureen Dowd. Well... I want her job at least.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/14/opinion/14dowd.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&ref=global&adxnnlx=1255526037-l6dGvBEIOa2f18W6XNxI0w

"And there are bound to be oodles of clients who want coaching on how to make things look totally the opposite of what they are."

This article, and the general upsuragnce of Cheney-ies, makes me seriously reconsider my stance of non-prosecution of former leaders with regards to torture. In the immediate aftermath of President Obama's innauguration, I wrote that the President should focus more on un-doing Bush's policies rather than prosecuting them. I believed that it was more important to build stonger institutions with stricter laws to ensure that such lawlessness did happen again. But now, with this Cheney daughter actually advocating for the United States to break international laws and re-engage in torture, I have changed my mind. Maybe we should put Cheney in jail. As professor Scott Horton explained: Laws are not laws until we test them in court.

Running Update

2009-10-14T08:54:00.001-04:00

I am now running consistently for about 20 minutes, just over two miles. I know that doesn't sound like a lot for all of you running folk, but considering that a month ago I wanted to die after ten minutes, I'm ok with my progress thus far. After 20 minutes I'm tired but not heaving— a huge accomplishment!

I find that it helps to alternate between running for a certain amount of time and running a set distance. When I run with a distance goal in mind I am more upbeat and energetic. My body can just decide to go the distance and normally faster than I thought. Running for a set time is slower and harder but helps me maintain and monitor steady progress. My goal has been to increase how long I run by a few minutes each week. I don't want to increase how long or how far I run too quickly, yet I have to add more and more if I want to stay the course for my half-marathon goal. Also, I do some yoga stretches when I get home, which I think have helped to ensure that I do not feel swore.

Last week my roommate said I needed new running shoes. Mine are battered,old, and have hardly any padding. I responded with an arsenal of information from McDougall's book: "My feet will land with greater impact if I have more cushion, causing more hardship for my joints!" "Why would I want to pad one of the most sensitive parts of my body?—my feet will make sure I'm running ok!" "My feet need strengthening not support!" "Pronating is good!" I'm not sure if she believed any of my ranting, but she was perplexed and maybe intrigued….

Anyway my co-worker and I are thinking of signing up for a 5K in November. If any one in DC has any good ideas—let me know!

Read it.

2009-10-13T21:51:00.001-04:00

She's smarter than me.

Check out her blog: http://viterbivoices.usc.edu/elizabeth/2009/10/12/ex-nay-on-columbus-day/comment-page-1/#comment-2

I like her take on Columbus Day.

Costco

2009-10-09T15:07:00.001-04:00

Just a quick shout out to Washington State: specifically Costco. This story is horrible, depresing and should make us all never buy hamburger meat again. The only silver lining is-- Kirkland Signature!

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2009/10/03/health/1247464978948/tainted-meat.html?scp=2&sq=tainted%20meat&st=cse

Again the story re-enforces all value placed on buying local meat from small produders.

Well done to a Washington company for being the only major non sleaze-bag, meat-packing company.

Call About the Public Option

2009-10-07T11:32:00.001-04:00

For those of you that DID NOT call your representatives yesterday....

Here is good article on why it is not only eocnomically feasible but advantageous for us to offer a governemnt-run, public option: http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2009/07/todays-debate-health-care.html

"Opponents who rail against "government run" health care seem not to have noticed that government already directly covers about a third of Americans through Medicare, Medicaid, military and veterans care. Though not without flaws, these are hugely popular programs that provide coverage for less than private plans can. According to the Urban Institute, Medicare and Medicaid spend about 5% on administration compared to 12% in private plans. The simplest version of a public plan, the one that would not create a big new bureaucracy, would allow people to buy into Medicare at cost."

Call or write to your congressman : https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

Where to Get Vaccinated

2009-10-07T09:23:00.001-04:00

Most of you can get the H1N1 vaccine at your doctor. But for all fo you like me still struggling to find a primary care physician it seems like the best place to check for information is your local health dept's website. They will list hospitals, pharmacies, and agencies adminstering the vaccine. Start looking next week and get guarded against the pig... They say all under 25 or so are high risk.

http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/vaccination/locator.html

http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/

The Public Option

2009-10-06T12:03:00.001-04:00

This past weekend I attended a women's rights conference held by the Feminist Majority. It was provocative and inspirational-- and got me all jazzed up! I wish more young people were told everyday that they can add to or, better yet, instigate successful activism.

One issue discussed frequently at the conference, which I would like to advocate for now, was the public option component of the health care reform legislation. The women at the conference spoke of the public option in a new light-- not only as a way to provide insurance to the unemployed -- but as a new freedom, a chance for people to abandon their employer and retain health care if they choose. If people were not tied to employers in order to receive affordable health insurance, they could freely pursue any and all entrepreneurial ambitions. During this recession, we have to facilitate and encourage new businesses, innovators—entrepreneurs!

This idea of the public option as a new freedom is far-reaching. Growing up my family relied heavily on my mother's job as a teacher because it included health insurance for all of us including my father who owned his own small business. Had more affordable health insurance for the self-employed or small-business owner been an option, my family might have been able to use savings and have my mother stay home when my sisters were younger. Or what about women who do not work, receive health insurance from their husbands and then find themselves divorced? The list of scenarios goes on and on...

The public option is a way to provide health care to the unemployed or those simply lacking necessary insurance --40,000 + Americans die every year because they lack insurance according to the National Journal of Public Health! But it is also a way to increase freedom, malleability, and creativity in the workplace, the market, and our homes.

The public option is also a good idea. I do not think that the House and Senate with a Democrat majority can settle for anything less than heath reform legislation that includes a public option. No compromises.

I would like to encourage all of my (few) trusty readers to call a Congressman today. It takes 2 minutes. We can, must, be heard too.

For my New York Friends, a few numbers:

Rep. Rangel, Morningside Heights:(212) 663-3900
Rep Clarke, Park Slope: (718) 287-1142
Rep Maloney, Midtown (East): 212-860-0606

Washington State:
Norm Dicks, T-town: 253-593-6536

California, Los Angeles:
Rep Richardson, Watts: (202) 225-7924

Go Home

2009-10-02T11:41:00.002-04:00

I understand why President Obama went to Copenhagen before commenting on Derrion Albert's death. A Presidential visit to Chicago would not have quietly relieved grief or peacefully mended a community. Instead, a such visit would have the single purpose of bringing attention and placing importance on what happened-- all of which might have severely decreased Chicago's chance of winning the Olympic bid.

I do not necessarily agree that the Olympic games should be the end all priority -- but I understand and can appreciate the President's decision to follow though with his plan and working hard to win the bid which would bring jobs, excitement and honor to the city and our country. The city of Chicago had already invested millions of dollars in the bidding processes and a visit by the President to the city, the day before the pitches and focused on the city's youth violence, might have done serious damage.

That said, I think the President should have Air Force One ready to take him home to his city the moment after the Olympic Committee votes today.

What happened in Chicago was devastating and deserves attention. More importantly, no President in recent history has been as in touch with, admired by and able to truly speak to our youth as President Obama. The President must reach out to Chicago's youth— many will listen. In this poignant moment of grief, he has the opportunity and responsibility to challenge the country to think serious and proactively about the issue of teen violence.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/10/02/navarrette.chicago.obama.olympics/index.html

Good Timing NY Times

2009-10-01T10:41:00.001-04:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/28/opinion/28mon3.html

I turn your attention to this op-ed not because it is extremely insightful but because its argument is a no-brainer. The beginning sums up the idea perfectly, "To the many excellent reasons to abolish the death penalty — it's immoral, does not deter murder and affects minorities disproportionately — we can add one more. It's an economic drain on governments with already badly depleted budgets."

The death penalty has not recently become abominable-- it always has been. But maybe now, in this moment of deep recession, opponents will listen to the simplest reason to do away with this sentence: the fact that it costs a fortune.

It may seem counter-intuitive but this fact has been agreed upon for years. I think back to last summer-- I helped my mom read her 8th grade students' final papers. The students had to argue one side of a contemporary political issue using both current facts/ figures and also the language of the bill of rights language and legal precedent. (Yes, my mom is an amazing teacher). One student, an 8th grader, 14 years old, wrote on the death penalty. He made the same claim as the NY Times: besides the fact that its easily cruel and unusual punishment, it is also surely not worth the cost. Simple.

So again, they say moments of tragedy bring great possibility. Maybe now, as states struggle to function with dwindling budgets, our society will leave moral judgments and debates aside and, relying on pragmatism alone, finally make the right choice and abolish the death penalty.

A doctor please...

2009-09-30T10:50:00.001-04:00

Don't you love when real life confirms your political beliefs! Check out excerpts from an email chain this week. My roommate here in DC wrote on my behalf to friends to help me find a doctor… Looks like we absolutely need more general practitioners. They are the most important doctors and the hardest to come by!

---

Hi team:

Hope everyone is doing well. M, our new subletter, is looking for a doctor recommendation and I couldn't think of better people whose advice I trust to ask for recommendations.

M is looking for a good general practitioner here in DC who is accepting new patients and is nice, thorough, and spends time with patients.

If you know of someone, please email!

Thanks a million!

B

---

Reply to All

From: Friend 1

RE:

If she finds that guy, someone please send me the name too. I have looked for this person – an internist like that - for years to no avail.

---

Reply to All

From: Friend 2

RE:

I have a great gynecologist but also need a general practitioner. Would love to see any responses too! Thx!

---

Reply to All:

Friend 3:

RE:

Hope we all don't get the flu… I could use a general practitioner too!

---

To: ME

From: B

RE:

So the doctor thing in DC is apparently really bad. If you can find a good doctor, he or she isn't accepting new patients. There's a dearth of doctors and an excess of lawyers in DC. Maybe you could go to med school instead??

Foreign Policy

2009-09-29T08:34:00.005-04:00

In response to his recent work at the UN, there has been much discussion in past weeks regarding President Obama's foreign policy. As demonstrated in an an article in the Economist last week, experts seem torn between their optimism regarding the President's new tactics and rhetoric and their fear that the world's politics will prove unchanging.

First, I think that we as American and global citizens must wait longer. Eight years of Bush will not be cleaned up in eight months. Obama's new bold and thoughtful efforts, with his compromising and respectful tone, is all that we can hope for right now. It will take time for him to wrestle with world leaders. He must gain their trust by proving that he is not just full of words and they must work with him, so that he can in fact demonstrate that he is seeking a shift in policy. He will have to keep trying, and they will have to, slowly, trust him.

But second, I think President Obama needs to come to terms with how to speak about the last eight years. Talking in front of the UN, the President seemed confident and forceful when speaking directly to his actions thus far and plans for future policy. But at the beginning of the speech, when making refeneces to the world losing faith in the US and criticisms that we only worked unilaterally, I thought he sounded unsure: with a shakey voice and vague word choice.

It will be a tough task. But with opponents such as Liz Cheney still publically advocating for the US government to engage in ILLEGAL activity, namely the use of toture, President Obama must come to terms with how to vocalize to the rest of the world his contempt and disapproval for many of the policies of the last adminstration. It is imperative for the country's reputation and security.

http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14506368

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/28/us/politics/28cheney.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=cheney&st=cse

Coups and the World Cup

2009-09-25T10:31:00.001-04:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/24/sports/soccer/24soccer.html?ref=soccer

I am sadden by the news that the US v Honduras World Cup qualifying match might be rescheduled or moved. I want to believe that soccer has the power to bring people and countries together. Yes, the US has been vocal about the ongoings in Honduras, spekaing severaly against the coup over the summer and postponing aid, but the siuation remains an internal, domestic affair. I hope that FIFA will decide that the country is safe enough for our US team to play there and that our men will go graciously and courageously in the name of good sportmanship. I hope that Honduras will find peace and security.

Running Update

2009-09-24T08:37:00.001-04:00

I never listen to music while walking down the street. I don't like the extra clutter in my head. I wouldn't want to miss the sounds of the street.

But I have learned that I like music when I run. It helps with my goal of finding my "running" self, the part of myself that loves running. With the music, I can just dance a bit when I start to get tired.... I smile, shake my hips, shimmy my shoulders. It helps.

Thanks

2009-09-23T08:57:00.001-04:00

Also just a word of thanks to my dear friends that have been reading. I was floored by the number of you who called and texted when I didn't post for a few days! Keep reading--- and if you like, pass it on to friends!

All the best.

Student loans

2009-09-23T08:43:00.001-04:00

Don't worry, I have NOT made the switch to the Washington Post. But.... I did take interest in an Op-Ed I happened to read last Sunday.

Michelle Singletary wrote about the often unnoticed but hugely important statistics regarding defaults on student loans. According to the Dept of Education, over a quarter of a million borrowers defaulted on their student loans between 2007 and 2008. With unemployment figures even higher now, this number will surely rise. Singletary makes the obvious argument that more needs to be done to address the cost of education, speaking to the relationship between the high cost of education and the unemployment: "Without that education, many people won't be able to get well-paying jobs. And without better jobs, they risk eventually becoming part of this nation's underemployed or unemployed. "

Clearly, I agree with Singletary broad critisicm of the cost of education in our society and support the call to address this issue. Yet unfortunately Singeltary missed some more nuanced and extremely pertinent connections between the problem of student loans and other pressing issues facing our society.

For instance, the presence of crushing student loans, I believe, plays a huge role in the failing of our health system. When the majority of rockie doctors face upwards of 250,000 in student loans, how can we blame them for choosing the much more lucrative path of a specialist instead of a general practioner? Our society as a whole needs the generalists, who get to know a whole person and advocate for preventative care, yet our expensive education system, clearly encourages the over abundance of specialists who run test after test and keep insurance costs high. Obama has mentioned the need for encourgaing general practioners, he has suggested some tax and scholarship incentives for new doctors and medical students. Let us hope this piece makes it into the plan.... one small step in a fight against the absurd cost of education , but one with the potential for dramatic change in the health of our society.

Well done, Obama

2009-09-18T12:31:00.001-04:00

I was very pleased with the news today that Obama had rescinded Bush's plan for a large-scale antiballistic missile system in Poland/ Czech Republic. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/19/world/europe/19satisfy.html?ref=global-home

Obviously we need to win over Russian suppport if we stand any chance in effectively addressing the growing concerns of Iran's nuclear capabilities (ie passing greater UN sanctions). But the decision speaks to more than this issue. First, it again reveals a clear switch in diplomatic philosophy from the previous administration. Long over are the days of "You're with us or against us" -- instead this decision had the tone of compromise, thoughtfulness--an effort towards calming peace. MOstly it make Obama, again, look rational. There is not need to stiff arm those who might be our friends. We have enough enemies as is.

This is not to say that Obama looked like a push-over. As explained by Gates, the announcement did not take the larger antiballistic missle systems off the table all together. Research will move forward and the possiblity of placing systems abroad with this capability of bringing down long-range missbles remains an option in the future.

I must say, the most exciting part of the article for me was the subtle mention of putting the smaller antiballistic systems, which Obama is ordering, on ships! It reminded me of one of my favorite articles regarding our contemporary foreign policy in the Middle East: Time to Off Shore our Troops by Darly Press and Benjamin Valentino. I read this article for a class on American foreign policy a few years and find myself thinking of it and re-agreeing with it often! We have multi-million dollar air craft carriers! Lets use them, please! And while we're at it, we might just be saving our soldiers and helping tremendously with our foreign policy! http://www.dartmouth.edu/~vox/0607/0108/troops.html

Get to know me...

2009-09-17T08:29:00.001-04:00

Get to know me a bit:

http://www.columbiaspectator.com/search/google/albright?query=albright&cx=partner-pub-8888057119309500%3Ave9qwn-eebs&cof=FORID%3A11&sitesearch=

http://www.columbiaspectator.com/search/google/albright?query=albright&cx=partner-pub-8888057119309500%3Ave9qwn-eebs&cof=FORID%3A11&sitesearch=

http://www.columbiaspectator.com/search/google/albright?query=albright&cx=partner-pub-8888057119309500%3Ave9qwn-eebs&cof=FORID%3A11&sitesearch=

http://www.columbiaspectator.com/search/google/albright?query=albright&cx=partner-pub-8888057119309500%3Ave9qwn-eebs&cof=FORID%3A11&sitesearch=

As for the post yesterday, I want to clarify that I do not think it is alright for Democrats to bring up race at every disagreement. Engaging this argument will take the discussion further away from the issues at hand and merits of their argument. I simply believe that conservatives have obscured the debate recently by their use of irrational name-calling, whether it is racially charged or not, and that this has to stop before we can move forward.

Also, the past few days I have started my running quest. Basically I suck and can only run just over a mile (I've been focusing on going a certain, pathetic, length of time—12 mins--- without stopping.) But the 12 minutes of running are fun. I listen to music and enjoy being outside. It's nice to get to know my neighborhood more. You have to start somewhere... right?

What to do with the Joe Wilsons?

2009-09-16T11:42:00.002-04:00

I am very torn about what to do with Joe Wilson.

I believe that the country has more pressing issues, and that mostly democrats should not give him any more coverage but focus on their message—and pass their health care bill!

However, as usual, I was enlightened by Maureen Dowd's column yesterday. Dowd called Joe Wilson a racist. She talked of the need to not shrug off his and other's comments because they speak to a larger, very pressing issue in the country: some people just can't handle Obama as President. Dowd wrote, "I've been loath to admit that the shrieking lunacy of the summer — the frantic efforts to paint our first black president as the Other, a foreigner, socialist, fascist, Marxist, racist, Commie, Nazi; a cad who would snuff old people; a snake who would indoctrinate kids — had much to do with race."

I have to agree with her as I have personally seen much evidence of this unnecessary and irrational name-calling--- this desire to paint President Obama as "the other".

Take for example an encounter I had this weekend here in DC. On Saturday morning a large crowd gathered at the capitol to rally against the current health care legislation. I stopped to talk to two elderly women who held signs that read, "Obama is a socialist." Believing that discussion should always win the day I asked them simply what they wanted – no reform? different reform?

The women began by saying that President Obama had no way to pay for his plan. It is true that the cost of the plan is one of the many complex components and still needs ironing out, and I can understand (if not agree with) concerns of increased government spending. Yet as the ladies' continued to talk they said specifically, "He is going to cut my Medicare. He will have to cut my Medicare to pay for his plan." And at this point, their argument made no sense.

How can you call a man a socialist if you are worried about him CUTTING government spending/ a government program? How can you be against more government spending on health care but adamant about keeping your public Medicare coverage. Their logic didn't add up. In the end, very real concerns about spending and cost cutting were shaded, obscured by illogical name-calling and nay-saying. In this regard, we have to deal with the Joe Wilsons, who block progress and ill-inform constituents, or we won't be able to truly handling any pressing issues.

Read Maureen Dowd's column: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/opinion/13dowd.html?_r=1

The Running People

2009-09-15T08:57:00.003-04:00

I am not a runner. I never was a runner. I was a varsity athlete for two seasons every year at a large competitive high school. I swam and played water polo but I never played soccer or basketball. I felt like running only hurt my knees. I have always lived in the pool. I believe myself to be part fish and feel most at home, most at ease, strongest in the water.

But I have had a change of heart. I am reading a phenomenal book by Christopher McDougal that combines a detailed passion of running with one of my favorite things: hidden Latin American tribes! Much like the Huaorani, the topic of my thesis, the Tarahumara of Mexico, have worked hard to live in near complete isolation from the outside world for centuries. But what makes the Tarahumara even more unique is their talent as runners. Known for their ability to run hundreds of miles a day, the Tarahumara are the Running People. McDougall's book investigates their culture, but also focuses on running in general: as a sport, a past-time, a way of life. The book talks of running like I always talked of swimming: as something primal, intuitive, spiritual, easy. The runners in his book go so far to say that humans are humans because we can run: catch food, stay safe, survive. And I get this— Hawaiians, my heritage, are in large part Hawaiian because we can swim, be on the water: catch food, stay safe, survive.

So as I am 23. A non-runner. And new to DC. I can't find a gym with a pool or a yoga studio near my apartment. So in this moment, with in my new appreciation of running, I have set a goal. I am going to try and find my Running People roots. I am going to train and, within ONE YEAR, run a half-marathon. From zero to 13. something miles.

I think I can do it. One year.

Stay Tuned. Politics and Running.

Read a review of the book:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/19/AR2009061901078.html

Welcome

2009-09-14T07:10:00.000-04:00

This is not the beginning of the rest of my life.

Yes, I just graduated and moved to a new city—but I've done all that
before. Instead, I am thinking of this is time as simply the next, the
current transition. After all, my Grandma says I have a gypsy soul
like her and so this is just the beginning of more many beginnings.

But a beginning nonetheless. I have always been interested in, worked
in, and studied politics and so now I have taken the inevitable plunge
and moved to Washington DC.

I'm on week three and this city seems fun, but compared to NYC where
I've been the last four years, DC mostly feels small, quiet. My
first, full-time stint as cog in the national machine has been slow to
say the least, but I am hopeful it will improve.

And so this brings me to the writing. As a way to honor the newness
of this moment in my life, I have decided to write, to opine, to
record. Mostly I'll write on current events, but probably some on
cooking and life too.

Enjoy.

CNN- Do Better.

2009-09-11T19:33:00.001-04:00

I wanted my first posting to be a formal "Welcome" but I guess that will have to be second.

I had an insight today while watching CNN and I couldn't wait to comment.

Last winter I was working for a PR firm and helped investigate a young guy by the name of James O'Keefe. O'Keefe was named as an accomplice in a series of videos made about Planned Parenthood. The videos, presented namely by a Lila Rose, sought to convey a feeling of investigative journalism by "catching" Planned Parenthood employees, yet the videos were largely fictitious having been spliced, diced, and re-edited into a specific narrative.

Well today, CNN reported "ACORN workers caught on tape allegedly advising on prostitution" -- The story consists of an under ground investigative-like tape in which ACORN employees, a liberal political advocacy group, look as if they give advice on pimping and prostitution. According to CNN the tapes were made by a young guy named James O'Keefe.

But here's the real clinger. CNN did NOT make the connection that the James O'Keefe might be same James O'Keefe from the fake Planned Parenthood Tapes. No mention at all in the story of the near identical tapes supposedly about Planned Parenthood, Lila Rose, anything.

Now this may be because it is in fact a different James O'Keefe. But if so, CNN should have said so. The fact that they did not even draw the line or mention the obvious connect/ coincidence means one of two things:

1) CNN was lazy because all you have to do is google the name James O'Keefe and tapes and the Planned Parenthood mess comes up.

2) They ignored the potential connection because in doing so it lessened the story. Lila Rose has been sued for making false accusations and distributing slanderous material. Her methods have been under great scrutiny. If CNN made the link between James O'Keefe and Lila Rose they would have to tell a more full story that involved the perils of a YouTube generation that can put any thing online and pretend to be journalists. ( like me I suppose!) If CNN had outlined this possible connection they would not have been able to take the amateur video as news and would not have been able to tell this more sexy story of liberals and pimps.

Either way, come on CNN-- Do better. Report fully. Do your homework. Making a video is not reporting facts. We cannot accept it as such.

Here is a link to the CNN story.