Hodgepodge catch-up post July 28, 2009
Posted by midnightzimadreams in Civics, Gibberish, Healthcare, Life, Media, New Media, Superfluous musings, Technology.add a comment
Life has definitely been a whirlwind in the past few months. After a layoff, several long weeks of semi-disheartened job searching, grandmother traveling back to Europe, sister’s graduation, new job (which was a surprise and has become a great learning experience), and lots of reconnections with friends, one moving wedding, and finally an apartment selection (and one more wedding prep), I have decided I’ll never “find” time to resume blogging. I had even taken to sending myself e-mails from my new smart phone (wow, never had a pocket-sized computer that makes phone calls before; they’re truly come along way, despite all the criticism) during my long commute via ferry – all with subject line “blog” and a sentence or two on a topic that was capitalizing my attention that day. Well, I won’t get around to developing full blog posts out of each e-mail, so here’s a hodgepodge list, just to get it out there and hopefully start blogging somewhat regularly again:
Celebrity deaths – what do they tell us? – I thought about this when news about Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Billy Mays, Walter Cronkite (and I’m sure I’m forgetting someone) hit within a few short days of each other. Beyond the stories I was reading about online journalism, mobile technology, etc. and how these worldwide (in case of MJ) news bits profliferated many new technologies, I was thinking that a lot of these folks were fairly young and succumbed to either cancer, heart disease, or drugs (prescrption and otherwise) – worth pondering what these trends say about U.S. healthcare issues in light of the healthcare reform debate currently playing out in government.
The world as a community – I’m not sure what I was thinking exactly here, but in that e-mail I’ve written: “Obama approach – the global community organizer? Will that work?” Pretty cool to think about how global of a community we truly are – global warming, global economic crisis, global flu epidemic (that spread lightning fast), global mourning of Michael Jackson, etc. If anything, the United States is lucky to have so global of a leader again (I think the last to be revered abroad was Bill Clinton).
Why are we so afraid of government meddling – This was a thought brought about by the healthcare reform debates I kept hearing on NPR on my commute to and from work. To quote myself again from that e-mail: “Isn’t that the point of representative government? If they really mean it, why aren’t (Republican) politicians declining their government health plans & buying their own – after all that is the ultimate free market.” No need to elaborate here, I think (except to reiterate how irritated I am by blatant and not unintentional hypocrisy).
Reaction to NPR healthcare story on All Things Considered (July 1) – “Gov $ already going more & more to healthcare & decisions are out of patients’ hands b/c of insurance rules & coverage patterns, not b/c of gov bureucrats… & it’s much costlier often than just treating…” – basically what I always take issue with when Republican (and some Blue Dog Democrats) talk about the danger of having the government make healthcare decisions for you instead of that being up to you and your doctor. Hah! Who makes those decisions now? Insurance companies. They must know better than the government. (And don’t even get me started on the whole argument of whether the government will encroach that much into the decisions anyway.)
Media splinters – As a PR professional, I started in fall 2006 targeting “top tier” publications; today, for the best impact, we target “niche” publications – audiences have splintered into specialized interests thanks to the bloggosphere, other new media on the Internet, a-la-carte news and opinion even on cable news TV networks. It took something like MJ’s death to bring the whole world’s attention to one story, like a lazer beam.
Are we all spoiled consumers? – “Do we expect too much from our technology, too fast? Can’t help but wonder, reading all the new smart phone reviews (partial to Palm Pre – small keyboard actually a + for me, but would like better/more solid hardware & more apps..)”
The return of yard and garage sales – Is this a sign of the (tough economic) times? I can’t remember when was the last time I saw a sign for a garage sale and they were everywhere in the late 1990s when my family first moved to the United States. All of a sudden this summer they’re everywhere again.
Historical moments January 26, 2009
Posted by midnightzimadreams in Civics, Elections 2008, Life, Work.add a comment
Inauguration Day 2009 is one of those dates taht I believe people will recall with the “where were you when …” prompt. I was at home, then listening to NPR on my commute (on foot and Max) and then at my desk at work, watching the event on NYTimes.com. That evening, my boyfriend and I went to the Oregon Democratic Party celebration (the dance party at a local club one, not the $100+ per plate dinner). The sight and sounds were incredible. Young and not-so-young people, dance music, live DJ. And then they stopped all and replayed the President’s inaugural speech on two large screens. Everyone listened, everyone applauded right at the natural pauses. It was elecrtifying. What a difference a crowd makes – feeling connected and experiencing other people’s reactions elicited one more wave of emotionally overwhelming thrill.
The one morsel I would like to take away from the experience is the call to action – to volunteer and to keep a strong work ethic in these trouble times. May we all remain as driven and active as the President has demonstrated to be the day after.
Transparent and accessible government January 14, 2009
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The Obama transition team continues to amaze me. I am in awe at how accessible and engaged they are portraying the President-elect to be.
I was very pleasantly … well, not surprised, not really … when the team announced, via Michelle Obama, their call for a day (and/or weekend) of volunteer service for the MLK Jr. holiday this year, just before the innauguraiton. But what is truly an innovative idea is the “Citizen’s Briefing Book.” I first received the e-mail addressed from Valerie Jarrett (co-chair of the Obama-Biden Transition Project ) this morning. It may have been distributed earlier and only reached me recently, but nonetheless, it is impressive when I log in the afternoon of the same day and there are already several thousand ideas collected. A glance at the list of recent topics and it is obvious these are serious, thoughtful ideas… no spamming here. Well, either that gets filtered out (which would also be indicative of the commitment on the Obama team’s side) or people are considerate and eager to get engaged. It’s probably a bit of both.
So, the book itself will be a collection of the most popular ideas submitted to this web site and it will be assembled in the same binder as the incoming President’s other briefing documents. He will actually look at it himself. Talk about a direct line to your top leader! Genious.
I hope his administration keeps up the fantastic job the campaign and transition team have done thus far to make ordinary people feel connected and engaged once again. It’s a mighty feat in today’s communication tools onslaught.
Being a part of history November 5, 2008
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People have already identified Nov. 4, 2008 as one of those days that everyone will recall – where were you when Barack Obama was elected president of the United States of America?
I was at home. Crying, overwhelmed by emotion. Watching the speeches and crowds on TV – all over the States and abroad as well! I printed a few front-pages of news organizations from around the world. I celebrated with my love and I couldn’t keep my eyes dry for more than 30 seconds at a time. But we wanted to feel more a part of the moment, so under the pretext of getting smoothies, we made our way to the local Democrats’ gathering place and sat among those moseying the hallways, leaving with their “President Obama” placards, or lingering to chat with friends – new and old. It felt electrifying, even though we arrived way past the time of elation, the speeches by both major party candidates. The mood was positive and uplifting. I know it is bitter to lose, but I also have had a sense of more warmth and unity from the Democratic side throughout this election season (all 2+ years of it). That feeling leaves me hopeful and peaceful today, the first full day with a President-Elect Barack Obama.
I am happy to have had the opportunity to be a voter in this momentous election.
“Hope Trumps Fear” November 4, 2008
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To quote someone very dear to me!
Congratulations to us all – Americans and global citizens alike.
Take it for what it is… November 4, 2008
Posted by midnightzimadreams in Civics, Education, Elections 2008, International Relations, Life, Reminiscing, Superfluous musings.add a comment
This is an excerpt from the personal testimony I submitted with my last tiny contribution to the Obama campaign sent online this weekend. I know there are a few typos and probably other errors, but I think it’s a good summary (albeit way too short) of reasons why I am so excited for tomorrow!
“I am saddened by the turn the country has taken since 2001. Sept. 11, 2001 was my first day of college classes and I was gripped by the attacks just like any other American, except I wasn’t yet a citizen and I felt the coldness toward recent immigrants almost paradoxically intertwined with the solidarity the country was experiencing. Today, I once again see hate and disillusionment bubbling up in the face of war, economic collapse, health care system deterioration, job loss, etc. This time, I have been inspired by the messages of hope and unity that the Barack Obama Presidential campaign has brought forth. I am confident an Obama/Biden administration will restore the world’s confidence and favor of the United States and in turn that will mean growth for the economy in this increasingly globalized era. I also know the health care plan from the Obama/Biden camp is the best (not the ideal, as there is no such thing) solution for that crisis. Growing up in one extreme (socialized medicine) to living my high school, college and professional life thus far in the other (the closest thing to free-market health system with insurance and drug companies), I know the answer must be in a balanced system somewhere in between the two.
There are many other reasons why I admire the Obama/Biden ticket, not the least of them because they are honest with the American people and encourage us to take personal responsibility and make smarter choices in our daily lives – from parents actively engaging in their children’s education to re-learning how to live within our means… But ultimately, I am simply lifted by the future-driven direction an Obama/Biden administration would take the country, by the unifying power of the messaging (bringing together all Americans, from all walks of life, experiences, backgrounds and aspirations), and by the positive, issues-focused political campaign so successfully run (with new and social media tactics that speak to the globalized, digitized youth)!”
The next president will be tested with an international crisis… November 4, 2008
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… let’s just hope the next president has caller ID.
As John Stewart says, sometimes those 3 a.m. calls are “Baba Booey.”
Muslims and government October 28, 2008
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Let me prefice this post with the disclaimer that this is just a high-level, general musing, not based on research or deep understanding of the issues. But as I am listening a discussion on NPR mid-day about the role of Muslims in our society, in light of the recent presidential election scare tactics from McCain/Palin supporters, I am hopeful… I am hopeful that the United States will once again be able to pave a rocky way to understanding and embrace a growing group into its bubbling society. I think of the Muslim communities in Europe (the UK, France, Germany) and how there are underlying issues in each country there. But then I also think of how brash the discussions tend to in the United States. It’s hurtful, but perhaps that is what is necessary in order to make reconcile peoples and to educate the fearful and embrace the marginalized.
I think that Colin Powell put it best in his endorsement of Barack Obama -
- it is really disappointing that there haven’t been more outcries when some express concern that Obama is Muslim. The correct reply should be that it is not true, but if it was true it does not matter. I hope that will soon be the answer voiced not just by the Obama campaign, by the McCain campaign, but by more and more every-day Americans. (Don’t even get me started on the divisive comments spewing from the principals as well as serogates on the Republican side about pro-American and anti-American parts of the country! Shameful, sad, worrisome.)
Confused and disappointed October 15, 2008
Posted by midnightzimadreams in Elections 2008, Healthcare.1 comment so far
I’ve been meaning to look at the AMA’s healthcare proposal for a while now… really every time I see their TV ad. So, I finally did. And I’m confused and disappointed. There aren’t many details included and sadly it reads to me like a vaugely disguised spin-off of the McCain health plan. I guess I should not be surprised, after all it makes sense that the AMA has a stake in the insurance companies’ well-being. Perhaps I don’t understand all of the intricacies of the relationship (vicious cycle, but it seems to me that malpractice lawsuits drive the need for doctors to get malpractice insurance, which drives business into the insurance companies’ doors), but reading the main points of their plan, it certainly hints at partiality.
There are many things that worry me about McCain’s plan especially – the tax credit is not going to begin to cover the actual costs of obtaining your own insurance; cross-state insurance shopping will encourage insurance companies to gravitate to the states with the least regulation allowing them to exempt more people for pre-existing conditions, etc.; it will lure healthy, young people to shop around for a cheap deal because insurance companies will give them better terms, but that exodus will leave all the sick and older people with employer-based plans that (as a result of the healthy people leaving) will face skyrocketing premiums; another side-effect will be a strain on employers to front even more expensive healthcare costs for the ailing employees who can’t afford to go out and purchase a plan on their own for anything near the $5,000 tax cut (per family, not per person, by the way) (oh, and talk about punishing companies and forcing them to outsource jobs to Canada because of healthcare costs, not to India or China because of labor costs); and I can’t comprehend how McCain who persists “why raise anyone’s taxes?” does just that in his health plan – unprecedented, he’s going to tax healthcare benefits as income. Yes, I know I’m rambling, but I have a hard time wrapping my mind around his plan. Not to say Obama’s plan is perfect, but it is by far the superior one.
I highly recommend reading the primary sources, though:
And check out this earlier blog entry where I linked to an interview with a health and policy expert who compared McCain and Obama’s plans.
Are our “brave” leaders provoking another war? September 6, 2008
Posted by midnightzimadreams in Civics, Elections 2008, International Relations.1 comment so far
I truly hope the Bush administration (and by that I mean mostly Cheney) don’t succeed in getting us into another war before they are ousted. Not to worry, if Cheney and Bush run out of time, McCain would surely finish the job.
