Never Be Silent

Joe Lieberman's Healthcare Bill Is Worse Than Doing Nothing

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 06:25:51 -0500

Joe Lieberman's Healthcare Bill Is Worse Than Doing Nothing:

The first rule of medicine is, “Do no harm.” The post-Joe Lieberman version of the Senate healthcare bill fails that basic criterion. Unless Democratic leadership steps up to fix this misguided proposal, our only recourse will be to kill it.

The fundamental failing of the newest Senate proposal is that it requires individuals to purchase health insurance, but does nothing to rein in what insurance companies charge. There is nothing to stop spiraling health costs from eating up an ever-increasing percentage of our national productivity.

The House bill has two major cost-control mechanisms: the public option and the 85% medical-loss ratio requirement. The Senate bill is on track to have neither, and nothing new to replace them. The Senate bill is a recipe for national disaster. If it’s that bill or nothing, I prefer nothing.

We all know America’s current healthcare system is failing — and it’s failing everyone, not just the uninsured. It is far too expensive: Americans spend 16% of GDP on healthcare and get worse results than countries that spend half that. Literally.

We need health reform that expands access to quality healthcare, abolishes unjust practices of insurers, improves value to the country, and puts us on a trajectory to continue to improve our healthcare system over time.

But the Senate has systematically stripped out nearly everything I liked about what was proposed in the early, heady days of healthcare reform. They have done so in order to please a handful of so-called centrists who care more about protecting corporate profits than protecting the people they claim to represent.

Native American Code of Ethics

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 06:21:50 -0500

delacroix:

thanksforstanding:

tsupii:

poortaste:

~~1. Rise with the sun to pray. Pray alone. Pray often. The Great Spirit will listen, if you only speak.~~

~~2. Be tolerant of those who are lost on their path. Ignorance, conceit, anger, jealousy - and greed stem from a lost soul. Pray that they will find guidance.~~

~~3. Search for yourself, by yourself. Do not allow others to make your path for you. It is your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.~~

~~4. Treat the guests in your home with much consideration. Serve them the best food, give them the best bed and treat them with respect and honor.~~

~~5. Do not take what is not yours whether from a person, a community, the wilderness or from a culture. It was not earned nor given. It is not yours.~~

~~6. Respect all things that are placed upon this earth - whether it be people or plant.~~

~~7. Honor other people’s thoughts, wishes and words. Never interrupt another or mock or rudely mimic them. Allow each person the right to personal expression.~~

~~8. Never speak of others in a bad way. The negative energy that you put out into the universe will multiply when it returns to you.~~

~~9. All persons make mistakes. And all mistakes can be forgiven.~~

~~10. Bad thoughts cause illness of the mind, body and spirit. Practice optimism.~~

~~11. Nature is not FOR us, it is a PART of us. They are part of your worldly family.~~

~~12. Children are the seeds of our future. Plant love in their hearts and water them with wisdom and life’s lessons. When they are grown, give them space to grow.~~

~~13. Avoid hurting the hearts of others. The poison of your pain will return to you.~~

~~14. Be truthful at all times. Honesty is the test of ones will within this universe.~~

15. Keep yourself balanced. Your Mental self, Spiritual self, Emotional self, and Physical self - all need to be strong, pure and healthy. Work out the body to strengthen the mind. Grow rich in spirit to cure emotional ails.

~~16. Make conscious decisions as to who you will be and how you will react. Be responsible for your own actions.~~

~~17. Respect the privacy and personal space of others. Do not touch the personal property of others - especially sacred and religious objects. This is forbidden.~~

~~18. Be true to yourself first. You cannot nurture and help others if you cannot nurture and help yourself first.~~

~~19. Respect others religious beliefs. Do not force your belief on others.~~

~~20. Share your good fortune with others.~~

May The Great Spirit Smile down on you and keep you and yours safe
May the trail rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sunshine warm upon your face
May the rain fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again
May The Great Spirit hold your hand in the palm of his hand

Forget that “Native American” is a term encompassing hundreds, if not thousands, of different tribes of people, each with their own culture and history. And why not throw in a bunch of New Agey and Christiany bullshit? I mean, Native American teachings don’t offer enough on their own, and, historically, just really haven’t been raped enough already.

I saw this a few days ago and thought the same thing. It just needed to be said.

(via shanexcore)

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:13:59 -0500

(via shanexcore)

I know I have a few librarians around here...

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:19:29 -0500

Good profession to get into or no?

I have Bachelor’s degrees in History and Political Science, and I graduated with honors so I could probably get into a decent Master’s program. But is it worth it? I’ve just heard that the job market is super tough and probably won’t be getting any better. Any insight?

Thanks!

nerdgasms: socialsciencevisualized: Are you aware of the SIZE...

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:52:10 -0500

nerdgasms:

socialsciencevisualized:

Are you aware of the SIZE of Africa? via strangemaps

secrets0ciety: A climate activist dressed up as a horseman of...

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:05:38 -0500

secrets0ciety:

A climate activist dressed up as a horseman of the apocalypse

newfilosofee: Gaza Digs Out A Palestinian family rests in the...

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:32:41 -0500

newfilosofee:

Gaza Digs Out

A Palestinian family rests in the rubble of its home in east Jebaliya after the Israeli incursion into Gaza in January.

This makes me cry.

glass86: Johannesburg

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:31:13 -0500

glass86:

Johannesburg

(via brooklynmutt)

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:25:13 -0500

(via brooklynmutt)

morningyerba: itsthemusicpeople: A Palestinian man made...

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 21:32:49 -0500

morningyerba:

itsthemusicpeople:

A Palestinian man made homeless by last winter’s Gaza war was the first to receive a U.N.-funded mud brick home Saturday, with U.N. aid officials saying they’re reverting to ancient building techniques because Israel won’t allow concrete and other construction materials into blockaded Gaza.

robot-heart-politics: ihatethismess:ieatcatlitter:myholigay:(via...

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 21:08:19 -0500

robot-heart-politics:

ihatethismess:ieatcatlitter:myholigay:(via myhauntedvisions)

Proverbs 31:8

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:32:55 -0500

reform:

fishforpeople:

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.

Formspring

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 00:29:05 -0500

Formspring:

My arm hurts too much for me to do any writing at the moment, and it’s starting to get really depressing. Distract me.

The United Nations is a joke

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:19:26 -0500

areza:

If you watched the video and read what I posted, you might wonder why I posted it since it has to do with the U.N. and a statement that was made by someone who works with the U.N. I really want to believe that the U.N. wants to enforce these things, but the more that I see what’s going on — I find it hard to believe that will ever happen.

—

If all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights — then why do millions of people have no rights and aren’t treated equally, and are still fighting to get those rights?

If no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment — then why are so many people still being treated this way?

If everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution — then why are so many people denied asylum to escape persecution?

If everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media — why are thousands imprisoned for an opinion they have [political, religious] and censorship such a huge thing in so many countries?

If everyone has the right to equal pay for equal work without any discrimination — then why are so many people still having huge issues with discrimination when it comes to this?

If everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of themselves and family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services — then why are millions of people still living in poverty, and don’t have enough food, clothes, and go without medical care? And why are so many people still dying of starvation and because they can’t get proper medical care?

If everyone has the right to education — then why are there so many illiterate people, and people can’t afford even a decent education?

If everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person — then why are so many people still fighting to be treated that way?

If no one shall be held in slavery or servitude — then why are people even to this day still being enslaved?

—

There is a list of the Declaration of Human Rights that you should read, and be aware of what the human rights every person is supposedly entitled to, and see just how much they are violated anywhere you go. The U.N. made this Declaration of Human Rights, but yet so many of these are violated and the U.N. doesn’t seem to do much of anything to change this. They still turn a blind eye to the vast amount of human rights violations in countries in Africa [Sudan, Somalia, etc], the Middle East, and in other parts of the world.

If only Human Rights day was every single day, and we actually respected the human rights of everyone in this world. If only more people in this world truly cared about human rights and the violation of them everyone [some more than others] and really wanted to do something to help start making a difference — there probably wouldn’t be such a lack of human rights, and the world wouldn’t be nearly as screwed up as it is in certain ways.

From the ONE Campaign, in its entirety: Poverty surrounds us....

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:15:00 -0500

From the ONE Campaign, in its entirety:

Poverty surrounds us. It steals wealth and homes and health, to be sure. But I think it’s also fair to say that poverty attempts to steal beauty. Hope. Memories. Joy.

Poverty points at the broken and says “worthless.”

Help-Portrait exists to speak to the hearts of poverty. While others around the world work tirelessly to meet the hands-on needs of people in poverty, Help-Portrait steps in and attempts to revive the inside. The things, that when the outside doesn’t want to live anymore, rise up and give us the strength to keep going.

What is Help-Portrait? Simply a movement of photographers around the world who are using their time and expertise to photograph those in need. By partnering with a local non-profit organization, photographers are able to photograph families (or children or adults) and give them back the portrait free of charge.

On December 12th, over 6,000 photographers at more than 500 locations in 50 countries will partner up with local non-profit organizations to photograph thousands and thousands of people who deserve to be the center of attention. Who deserve to feel special. Who deserve a break.

It may not seem like much—taking a picture of a single mom and her kids. Or photographing a 28-year-old man who wants to send the picture to his family in another country. It’s not a hot meal in those stomachs or a roof over his head.

But it’s hope. It’s a chance. It’s a visible reminder of a carefree moment when all that mattered was standing up straight and smiling as big as possible.

We hope to see those in poverty have their physical needs met as well as their emotional needs. Sometimes we all need a reminder that beauty still exists, even in the darkest times.

Help-Portrait is fighting poverty. Each photograph snapped is an opportunity to reverse the paradigm that “you’re not worth anything.” We are celebrating the beauty in and outside of each individual by providing a mirror in which they can see what we all see: beauty, value, friendship and life.

And maybe this one moment, this one photograph, is the rebirth of hope.

-Annie Downs, Help-Portrait Events Coordinator

A new report released by Amnesty International sheds light into...

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:00:00 -0500

A new report released by Amnesty International sheds light into the “discriminatory policies” that Israel imposes on the Palestinian population of both the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Israel uses more than 80% of water from the main underground source, while restricting Palestinian access to 20%.

Amnesty International calls on Israel to end its discriminatory policies, immediately lift all the restrictions it imposes on Palestinians access to water, and take responsibility for addressing the problems it created by allowing Palestinians a fair share of the shared water resources.

More about Palestine in my previous posts.

Honor Women’s Rights Defenders by calling for a strong UN agency for Women

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:45:00 -0500

Honor Women’s Rights Defenders by calling for a strong UN agency for Women:

From the Amnesty International blog, in its entirety:

Amnesty International spoke to three inspiring women’s rights activists about the challenges they face in their work, the personal risks they endure and their motivation to continue their struggle. Today, on World Human Rights Day, we should take a moment to recognize the work done by Gertrude Hambira from Zimbabwe, Zebo Sharifova from Tajikistan and Aminatou Haidar from Western Sahara, and countless women like them around the world, to defend human rights.

Despite threats and physical abuse women’s human rights defenders strive to improve women’s lives and promote human rights. However, all too often, their work is constrained by limited resources and limited commitment to promoting women’s rights from their governments.

The United Nations is a galvanizing force in setting new international standards and commitments to protect and promote women’s human rights. The UN needs the strength and the capacity to ensure that these commitments are fulfilled. Amnesty is calling on the President of the General Assembly to make the United Nations more effective in realizing women’s rights by creating a strong, UN agency for women. Today, on the final day of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence and World Human Rights Day, take action to increase the UN’s effectiveness in realizing women’s human rights and sign the petition calling for a strong UN agency for women. Take action today in honor of Gertrude, Zebo and Aminatou.

From the ONE Campaign and the Catholic Climate...

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:30:00 -0500

From the ONE Campaign and the Catholic Climate Covenant:

Who’s under your carbon footprint?

An authentically Catholic response to climate change must be about both the care of creation and the protection of those most vulnerable to its impacts.

As the U.S. bishops said in their 2001 statement, Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence and the Common Good: “In facing climate change, what we already know requires a response; it cannot be easily dismissed.” And on the ground, we’re hearing from organizations like Catholic Relief Services that the impacts of climate change are real and tangible. This should add great urgency to those meeting in Copenhagen.

So what can you do to help? This spring, the Coalition launched a major new initiative: The Catholic Climate Covenant. It urges Catholics to take the St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor. Check out our video to learn more—and please share with others!

From the ONE Campaign: This guide includes traditional Jewish...

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:00:00 -0500

From the ONE Campaign:

This guide includes traditional Jewish texts about the Hanukkah light and miracles, quotes from famous Rabbis and inspiration from modern commentators. On each day of Hannukah, you can focus on the provided texts and refer to the appropriate ONE Resource Page for further information about each issue.

Hanukkah is translated as dedication - an idea historically significant to the Maccabee’s rededication of the 2nd Temple in Jerusalem and relevant to our work today as we rededicate ourselves to the repair of our world.

ONE members work to end global poverty and preventable disease by focusing on the following issues: HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria; Development Assistance and Millennium Development Goals; Education; Water & Sanitation; Trade; Debt Cancellation; Child and Maternal Health; Agriculture and Food.

Particularly in this season, as we celebrate the great miracle of Hanukkah, let us share the extra light and warmth we kindle in our own homes – sending that radiant glow out into the world. Just as the Maccabees overcame a seemingly insurmountable force to revive holiness and light in the darkest of moments, we too have the power to create a modern day miracle.

Chag Sameach Hanukkah,
Jennifer Gubitz
HUC-JIR Rabbinical Student
ONE Sabbath Fellow

From the Amnesty International Blog, in its entirety: The date...

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:45:00 -0500

From the Amnesty International Blog, in its entirety:

The date of December 10th was chosen to honor the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) more than sixty years ago today. The declaration says that every human being deserves dignity, freedom and respect. It is the first blueprint for our global rights and continues to light the way for our work today.

Protecting human rights may sound like a major undertaking, but here are 5 simple things that you can do to stand up for our universal rights today – on Human Rights Day – and for as long as it takes until human rights are realized and protected in every corner of the world.

Write a letter. Save a life.

The Global Write-a-thon is the biggest Amnesty International event all year. It also uses one of the oldest (and most powerful) weapons of the human rights movement – writing letters.

We’ve seen it work! Just last year, Ma Khin Khin Leh, a school teacher in Myanmar and Hana Abdi, a women’s rights advocate in Iran, were both released from prison soon after Write-a-thon letters overwhelmed their respective government offices.

Your letters can bring justice and human rights back to people who need it.

Make a video – tell your best human rights story.

Each month, YouTube’s Video Volunteers program asks folks to make videos about organizations working on a particular issue. This month’s issue is human rights. To participate, make a promotional, less than 3-minute video about a human rights organization whose work you admire. Submit it by December 21, 2009. The top 3 videos will appear on the YouTube homepage at the end of the month.

Urge elected officials and corporations around the world to take action on key human rights issues

Send emails directly to those responsible for ongoing human rights violations involving issues such as poverty, indefinite detention, torture and the death penalty.

Write a blog on human rights and help spread the word!

Your opinion counts. Blog about a human rights issue that is important to you and help get others involved.

Oh yeah, join Amnesty International!

For nearly 50 years, our worldwide network of activists have helped free political prisoners from jail and bring brutal human rights abuses to an end. By joining one of the largest and most effective human rights organizations in the world, you can stand on the front lines of change.