"WE WERE RIGHT"

"The list is endless. Over and over again, we were right, and they were wrong. So, who are these people? They’re called conservatives, and on their best days they’re just wrong. More often they’re mercenary kleptocrats whose one skill is that they’re well practiced at the fine arts of deception.

Anyone shocked to find out that so-called conservatives (actually, ‘regressives’ is nowadays the more accurate appellation) are wrong about just about everything hasn’t been doing their homework for history class, and should consider staying after school. Conservatives have almost always been wrong, almost always on the wrong side of
history. When the Founders were mutually pledging their lives, fortunes and their sacred honor to each other and to their cause in the eighteenth century, Tories took the side of colonialism and monarchism. When nineteenth century progressives fought for the ‘radical’ notion of abolishing slavery, conservatives led the opposition. In the twentieth century the record of failure ranges from women’s suffrage, to civil rights for blacks against which they staged the longest filibuster in Senate history, Native Americans, women and now gays, to environmentalism, civil liberties protections, McCarthyism, Social Security, the minimum wage, Medicare, massive federal debt and more. Nor have they done better on foreign policy questions, either. While Hitler was amassing power in Europe, conservatives forced American isolationism, creating a powerful adversary who only had to be faced down in more lethal form later. These are also the same folks who brought us Vietnam and the present war in Iraq, not to mention the toppling of democratically elected governments in Iran, Guatemala, Chile, and beyond, US-sponsored terrorism in Nicaragua and El Salvador, and winks and nods for apartheid in South Africa. And no, my Kool-Aid inebriated friends, Ronald Reagan did not ‘win’ the Cold War. However stunning his heroic victory in Grenada, the Soviets were neither wowed nor spent into submission – though we may yet be.

Quite a stellar record, eh? Indeed, what I don’t get about conservatives – always so big on honor and morality – is why they don’t do the ‘right thing’ and... well, at least shut up. If I was that wrong, that often, I sure as hell would."

A tree falls in the forest...

I have been wondering what I should record on this blog, and as no-one has started reading it much yet, I think I will do a verbal code brown and clear my system a little. Later I can revisit this rant and see how much I have changed my POV....
I think the President should be impeached for his Lying along with all his lying liar cronies. I think the opposition should stop their pandering to what they think the people want and be honest about their feelings...on all issues. I think Mary Cheney is a fuckin' hypocrite and all her type...
I believe any nurse or doctor who agrees in any way with the republican (and much democratic) Agenda- specifically towards Gay and lesbian people should not be allowed work in healthcare. My hospital requires I treat all patients without regard to their 'anything' yet all these religionists and this government discriminate...I believe Moderate republicans are just as guilty as the regressive radical right...as are conservative democrats . I strongly believe that ALL homosexuals should come out en masse and if challenged- leave the military, and all soldiers who disagree with this war should desert. I DO NOT SUPPORT OUR TROOPS! What have they done for me?
And Why should I ? They are fighting an illegal, morally bankrupt war for nothing- these are adults who should have the guts to stop. I know that holding a gun does not make you brave. I know killing people doesn't make you strong, if anything it fucks up your head or makes you eager to kill more. Killing is for cowards, if you wanna be brave, have gays in the military and if you are such a good shot, wound, don't kill.
I believe religion is limiting , small minded and at its best a crutch or cudgel. I believe this world is more beautiful and more shimmeringly alive in spirit and visual tactile beauty than any badly translated fairy story. I don't need to read an old book of Tribal pre-mediaeval SNOT, to know how to treat people with kindness and respect. (By the way I am being kind to the military.) How can ANYONE take the bible seriously? How dare it be considered anything important or of importance...spare me your " faith" .. I'm supposed to be thoughtful and respectful of your faith...but what the hell is it?...WISHFUL THINKING.. clothed in artifice and not a little camp..... myth and magic. OK, that's good for now.....

..lie there and suffer...?

General Peter Pace Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff opposes openly gay soldiers in the military (read Nurses)
I may as well post my recent addition to a NY times online discussion on this subject...

" I’m a Critical Care Burn Nurse-I worked to save the lives of the Burned victims of 9/11 here in NYC.
Sometimes when I hear the small minded idiocy and squirming of the ilk of the general and his supporters, I entertain the idea of NOT taking care of a burned and badly wounded straight soldier (” lie there and suffer! “)
If I was in the army they would throw me out- as they have other gay Nurses- Because I’m gay.
I really don’t know what soldiers do to their wives/girlfriends in bed, but it seems the imagined sexual acts of Gay soldiers are really what these ‘men’ are scared of. They are scared of Homosexuals. And to defend a sick policy on the basis of the fear engendered by thoughts of what I may do sexually to others or them is just incredible. Wimps! Call yourselves brave?
To all those I say-
I am a critical care nurse- I am trained to comfort, care for, palliate and heal my patients on many levels. I will take care of you if you are injured, and you will be lucky to have me as your nurse, I can guarantee you that. I can save your life, and I would try, regardless of what I think of your private life. Will you be thinking of what I might do to you in my bed, as you lie in pain dying in your own? I think not.
Remember me."

Me and Rhian

Rhian Gastineau and Myself, happily bringing the message to the masses at the "refugee camp in the city" (central park NYC)! Rhian was my recruiter for my first mission, she was so great to me and helped me segue into my role as a MSF newbie. The staff at MSF HQ in New York are wonderful, the office is a great place to meet and explore...If you are interested you should go attend one of their monthly info. sessions, and all you Nurslings who are interested in working for change around the world....Learn French!!!!! I have provided the links to MSF and Alliance Francaise, so jump to it!!!

RUYIGI Hospital BURUNDI

The REAL and the IMAGINED

So here goes- I believe nursing at its most vital is a profession that crosses all boundaries and touches on all aspects of our humanity and on the burning issues of these times. Unfortunately not all nurses see it that way. I have no choice, for ME Nursing is the political, the freedom fighter, the rebel, the compassionate who 'fights' with caring. The Nurse can be the person who can smile and warm hearts even as death cools others. Nursing has to grow and expand as a human spirit should, open to learning and innovation, forgiving of itself and striving for excellence. Sounds like a lot of hot air eh?

That's why I have decided to start the drive to build the FIDDLER HOSPITAL FOR HOPELESS CASES (FHFHC). My last year teaching Nursing students after being in Africa renewed my plans for the ideal hospital . I have the vision of a Hospital where I can choose the staff, try out innovative procedures and no HIPPA is ever needed. For example: It will be staff from the FHHC that will pay unannounced visits on JCAHO headquarters looking for mean people, unimaginative clothing and redundant paperwork.
Please leave comments and ideas on how you think you can add to the FHFHC dream. Together we can upset the old nursing applecart and lead the way. I have lots of ideas from fab Uniforms to 'theme' nights on the nightshift, to having CEO's periodically cleaning up bloodspills... Maybe you can already tell it will sometimes be hard to tell the possible from the impossible. THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT. So if you feel comfortable with the suggestions that will follow, there may be a place waiting for you on staff ... or as a patient - welcome to FHFHC!

A clear limitless sky

Birth

Here we go I'm starting out, I took the suggestion and started a blog. If you're interested I hope you will continue to be - and if not....Ah well....
You may notice betimes that my musings take Flight and become kinda like poetry, or on the other extreme my anger at a current injustice Spills into script...Whether flying or spilling I guess all is fine as long as I land safely, and mop up the mess!