Molly's Story: Part 1

For the next year or so, I'll be telling you Molly's story as it unfolds. She has given me permission to tell you this story, and I'm profoundly grateful that she is allowing me to share it with you. At present I expect there will be four or five installments on this blog, but I can't say for sure. Together we'll see how this unfolds, and I will act accordingly. Molly is my friend and a brave woman, who will be tested as she battles cancer very intensely over the next year. She's letting us witness this journey in the hope something useful for all of us comes from her experiences. I hope I'm worthy enough, and skilled enough, to do justice to this story.

I'm providing photographs of Molly and her husband, Jeremy, for a very specific reason. These are photos I did of them in December. At the time these photographs were taken Molly and Jeremy had known for over two months that she had an invasive form of Breast Cancer. Molly is (age) 34. She and Jeremy have a six year old daughter. Molly had asked me to do some pictures of her and the family before she was scheduled to begin treatment in January. She wanted these photos because she knew that over the next year her appearance will likely change dramatically as a result of the chemo therapy and surgery she will undergo. I specifically wanted you to see their faces in this blog because I believe their story is so compelling and I'd like you to know them better. It is a story that will, of course, describe their personal journey over the next difficult year dealing with this disease- but it's also a story that is at the heart of what's happening all around us in this country. By seeing the faces of real people, we can better relate to their story, and make a human connection to the issues that are so important in our public discourse. These are the faces of people I know, and care about. With her permission, I will be showing you her changing image throughout the next year.

I had written earlier in "Two Illnesses"- (October 2011) about Molly's condition. At that time she wasn't sure what the treatment plan was going to be. She was still going through the battery of tests that accompany the word "cancer". She was also dealing with the flood of different emotions associated with that dreaded word. I learned from talking with her that attitudes and emotions change constantly. She was having to deal with the constant highs and lows of not knowing what to expect. I learned about her sleepless nights wondering what will happen not only to herself, but what will happen in her husband's and daughter's lives as well.

In the time between late October and now Molly has undergone two lumpectomies. They were unsuccessful. The surgeons were not able to establish the proper "margins". Margins are areas around the cancerous tissue that indicate the surgery has safely removed all the cancer cells. Cancer has a way of teaching us a new language- or at least giving us new meanings and uses for words in "the language of cancer". With the bad news that these procedures didn't work, the plan is to do a long course of Chemo Therapy- which will likely then lead to a mastectomy and eventual reconstructive surgery. By now, Molly is in her second week of Chemo.

The week before Molly started Chemo the family experienced another severe (and unexpected) blow. Jeremy lost his job. A number of us are highly suspicious about the company's motives for firing him. He had worked as a manager for the same company well over eight years and was a hard working employee. But, you see, Molly was getting her medical coverage through Jeremy's employment. Did this large corporation get rid of Jeremy to save itself what are surely going to be increased premium costs for health care insurance? No matter the "official" reason, his employer committed a heartless act, considering the circumstances. Now Molly and Jeremy face this awful challenge of cancer, with financial uncertainty as an inescapable part of the equation. It is clear that public policy decisions, and the issues within our health care system are colliding with real people in our lives. This has gone beyond the senseless rhetoric of Presidential debates. Now it is real for them (and us), just like it is for millions of Americans. Each time I hear the politicians and the pundits squabble about corporate "personhood", unemployment rates, or "Obama Care"- I see the faces of Molly and Jeremy- as I hope you will too.

In an act of defiance towards cancer and support for Molly, her friends gathered at a local pub a couple of weeks ago to have a drink and a hug before she started her treatment. My daughter and son-in-law came too. Then I saw something unexpected. My son-in-law, Landon, is a cancer survivor. He had never met Molly before that night. But I saw these two young people establish a rapport immediately. Landon rarely talks about his own cancer treatment , but he could not wait to talk to Molly. Here were two young people who are facing, or have faced cancer. I was somewhat fascinated by how quickly they began to discuss her upcoming treatment in the "language of cancer". I could see how touched Landon was to be able to share his experience with another young person- and I could also see how (almost) relieved Molly was to know she was not alone facing cancer at such a young age. I came away from that night with a new appreciation for what the rest of us can learn from what Molly is experiencing, and what Landon has already experienced . This journey is just starting for Molly and her family, but I will do my best to tell you about it as we go- always with affection and gratitude to Molly and her family........................To Be Continued

Thanks for looking in.

The Terrorist In Our Town

This story begins exactly one year ago. I was working at our agency's booth in the downtown mall on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We normally do this to promote our work in the community, and honor Dr. King on his national holiday. The local festivities included the traditional march of citizens through town to commemorate Dr. King's legacy and his enormous contribution to the advancement of civil rights. I didn't march last year because I was working the booth during that time. My boss rushed in from the march and told us the parade was re-routed because a (suspected) bomb was left on the parade route.  No one knew the details at that moment so I didn't learn the real story until later in the day when I saw it on the local news.

Indeed there was a fully operational pipe bomb left in a backpack on a bench just feet from the parade route. As the news kept developing over the next days and weeks we learned that the bomb could have caused great damage, injuries, and deaths if it had detonated. The bomb's shrapnel was even coated with an anticoagulant to make it more lethal. It was discovered before is was detonated by some very alert city street workers who recognized the suspicious nature of the backpack and called the authorities. The police re-routed the parade and set about to safely remove the bomb. It was a huge local story and eventually became a national news story after MSNBC's Rachel Maddow picked it up as a significant event.

In March 2011 the FBI arrested the bomber in a nearby rural town just north of our city. The evidence that led to the bomber came from the bomb itself, and by tracing the purchase of the materials to make the bomb. It turned out to no one's surprise, that the bomber Kevin Harpham, was a white supremacist. Harpham was jailed and has remained behind bars ever since. About eleven months after the event Harpham plead guilty and was sentenced in U.S. Federal Court to 32 years in prison for Attempted Use of a Weapon of Mass Destruction, and a Hate Crime: Placing a Bomb Targeting Minorities. He had no prior criminal record and had served in the U.S. Army.

Unfortunately this region  (the Inland Pacific Northwest) has a reputation as a hub of racism and white supremacists. Only a short time ago the Aryan Nations was headquartered in this region. The Southern Poverty Law Center came and sued them out of existence, but they could not change the hearts of some people who remained behind. The result was that our home town experienced terrorism in the name of racial hatred. The issue in this case isn't terrorism itself. Remember that terrorism isn't a movement, like the Bush people tried to tell us- it is a tactic that can be used by any movement. The idea is to produce fear (terror). The  real issue is racism. Harpham said he was trying to strike a blow for white separatists. He maintained the mantra of the racist, white separatists right up the time he was sentenced. He was a truly committed hate monger who would have killed or maimed many men, women and children to make his point.

Proudly, I can say that my community made a point this past Monday too. On the very next Martin Luther King Jr. Day this community came together to reject the terrorist in our town- to reject the racism and hate that rots in this man's heart and the hearts of many others. I was thrilled to be among the many thousands who turned out on a cold Monday morning to be inspired by Dr. King's message and walk past the same bench that held the murderous bomb one year ago. My wife had mentioned to me the week before that we needed to be there- this year most of all. She was right. We were also joined by our daughter and three of our grandchildren. It turned out that this MLK Day Celebration and march was the biggest ever. I have never had a better feeling about my town.

I believe this year's MLK event says two things. On a community level it says that we are trying to cast off the shackles of the reputation for racism, that still lives in this part of the country. It says we reject racism and we will stand together against it. There are still too many here and all over the country who harbor racial hatred. The FBI estimates there are over a thousand organized hate groups in America. Little by little we must end this by our example and our peaceful, but forceful rejection of their ways. It is both sad and disgusting to see would-be presidents still using the subtle language of racism in their quest for the highest office in the land. To hear Republican candidates talk this way is shameful. Racism is, indeed, alive and well. And secondly (on a personal level) this event says that we will not be intimidated or terrorized by a puny-brained, cowardly, racist bastard. This town will not belong to terrorists or racists!

I have long believed that our country cannot be destroyed by our enemies abroad. We are simply too rich and powerful still. Our military might is greater than most of our enemy's might put together. But I do believe we are vulnerable to our own internal weaknesses. Our greatest weakness is racism. It is an issue that has plagued our nation since its founding and we have not solved it. Even after more than two-hundred years and a civil war we are still vexed by racism. This singular issue can eventually be our undoing unless we honestly address it and somehow learn to how to resolve it. The key is a willingness to finally and universally admit our racial problem and make the commitment to change our national character. Thankfully I saw a glimmer of hope in my town last week. I shall hang on tightly to that small glimmer of hope.

Thanks for looking in.

There's a Baby Among Us

What happened here on January 9th was not statistically significant. It happened 352,755 times around the world on the same day. So, this one event is but a drop in the bucket, if you go by the numbers. But for me, and the people closest to me, it was a unique and special event- and one we will remember and celebrate for all our days. On this particular January 9th our daughter gave birth to her daughter, Kaya.

Kaya came into the world as a completely healthy, beautiful baby girl. She is a fortunate child because her parents gave her the best care, even in the months before she was born. On the day of her birth she was delivered peacefully in the finest of medical facilities, lovingly attended to by family and the best medical  professionals anyone could ask for. Her grandmother was only a few feet away and witnessed her birth and her first breath- a fitting link in the lineage of great women who have come before her. She was placed in the arms of her mother and father, two people who planned for her and wanted her very much. As that day went on, this new baby among us was visited by family members from both her mother's and her father's side of the family. Later in the afternoon, her big brother came to join the family and saw for the first time this mysterious person his mom and dad told him would be joining the family. He touched her head and then got to hold her, taking note of every aspect of her. She was welcomed by all who saw her. She was also the cause of countless calls, texts, and pictures transmitted far and wide to announce her presence in the world.

This was a proud and happy day in our family. The arrival of this new grandchild was not just a moment to celebrate and cherish her, but for me it was also a time to reflect on all the children in our family. Kaya is our fifth grandchild, but I can recall the moments just as vividly at the arrival of each of the other grandchildren. For that matter, I can recall each moment in the births of my two daughters as if it were yesterday. There is nothing truly special about that. No doubt, most of us can remember the details of our childrens' birth. It is good we do, because to reflect on those events is to know what is most important in life.

The birth of a child reminds us that our primary purpose is to pass on life, and to help that new life grow and develop to their full potential. This activity has been occurring as part of our nature since the first of our ancestors began to evolve eons ago. It predates, and outlives all other activities of man. So, in a world that has become so complex for us in the "civilized" portion of this planet, the simple birth of a child is a perfect reminder that this is what we are here for. Countries, cultures, borders, politics, religions, and empires have all been vagrants moving through time in this world. And throughout all that time this one act, of bringing a child into the world, has remained the same. I think that is a remarkable thing.

Kaya now joins Zoe, Micah, Ben and Jaydn as our family's contribution to this generation. They also join the millions of other children who will next manage the world when we're gone. These children are particularly fortunate to be born here. Our country is wealthy by comparison to many other places where it's a struggle to merely survive. They are fortunate because they were born to good (dare I say, great) parents. Many children are born to lesser parents- people plagued by their weaknesses and troubles. They are fortunate because they will get an excellent education and hopefully use their education to further improve their community and their world. But I'm mindful that we, the older generations, aren't done yet. We still have a responsibility to these young people-to all these babies among us.

Our responsibility to do our best to leave them the best world we can. I'm afraid our values seem to be drifting away from what is best about mankind. I hope that before we leave these children a world that needs too much repair, we do our best to work for justice, economic and social; and we decide to finally preserve the environment and work to sustain the planet for them, instead of squandering its riches. I hope that when they grow up, the issues of genocide, terror and torture will be things of the past. But if we can't accomplish all these things for them, I'm still optomistic. I'm optomistic because throughout history people have always risen to meet challenges. Difficult times always produce the talent needed for the times. Kaya, her brother,  and her cousins will surely be part of that effort.

We couldn't be happier than to have this baby among us. She will be a joy for all of us, as are all our  grandchildren. Their parents will someday be just as proud when they welcome grandchildren to the world. She is a the realization of the future and all the wonder it holds.

Thanks for looking in.

Citizens United States of America

This isn't about U.S. citizens uniting in America. It's not about any unifying force at all-quite the opposite. It is really about something very important that happened about two years ago that has fundamentally changed America. It all started in 2002 when Senators John McCain and Russ Feingold sponsored a law to reform federal election finance by prohibiting corporations from influencing elections. It passed and became the McCain-Feingold Act. Fast forward to 2008 when a corporation called Citizens United tried to broadcast a film called "Hillary: The Movie". It was a film critical of Hillary Clinton, who was running for President at the time. The Federal Elections Commission stopped the airing of this film, saying that it violated the McCain-Feingold Act. Fast forward again through a series of Federal Court case hearings on this matter until we end up at the Supreme Court in 2009. Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission.

In January 2010 The Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision in the case overturning lower court rulings and all previous precedent, and found in favor of Citizens United. The Court held that corporations had First Amendment rights to exercise free speech and that the use of money in the exercise of free speech was acceptable, and therefore was Constitutionally protected and could not be infringed upon by the Federal government. If that sounds like a lot of legal mumbo-jumbo- it is not!

This Supreme Court decision is the most significant change to existing law relating to how our government is elected, in our history. The significance is that it gives corporations personhood with Constitutional Rights and makes money the same as speech. On the face of it, we know intuitively and intellectually that corporations are not people; and we know that money is not speech. Yet the conservative members of the Court decided they are. This was the hope of conservatives (Republicans) for generations, and it finally happened. This ruling allows corporations both domestic and foreign to place unlimited amounts of money-that is, influence- into our system of elections. It allows them to finance Political Action Committees (PACs and Super PACS) anonymously with unlimited freedom to spend on the candidate or issue of their choosing.

Theoretically any company from anywhere in the world could pour millions or billions of dollars into our election process and we would never know who did it or what they hope to gain. Let's face it, no one or no corporation invests huge sums of money into elections without some assurances that they will hold sway over the candidate who wins office. Corporations do not contribute large sums of money out of the goodness of their hearts- they do it to get something in return. Why does Exxon Mobile contribute to campaigns? -for favorable environmental and tax laws, and tax credits. Why do you think we give tax payer funded subsidies to the most profitable company in the world? Why does Halliburton contribute?- for favorable defense contracting positions. Why does G.E. contribute? for tax breaks and favorable foreign trade regulations. Think of what the Koch brothers have done with their money. The list is endless. The Supreme Court gave corporations a blank check, with no disclosure so we can never even see the faces of those who rule our country.

Let's move from the theoretical to the practical. Folks, it already happened! Immediately after this ruling we had off-year elections in 2010. Do you remember what happened? The Republicans regained control of the House of Representatives with the election of 84 new Republican members- most of whom had never held any office before. It was unprecedented and it happened with the unlimited funding of corporate backers. The result was a gridlocked Congress in 2011 that accomplished nothing except to threaten the full faith and credit of the nation, while protecting the 1% and the corporations. These bankrolled tea-party types brought us to the brink of default and financial disaster.

Several states elected new Governors in 2010. We got Walker in Wisconsin- Kasich in Ohio-Synder in Michigan- and Scott in Florida, all Republicans backed by well funded anonymous PACs and corporate contributions. The immediate result was an orchestrated attack on the working people of this country and the public employees that serve us everyday. How did we go from revering the first responders (after 9-11) to despising and villianizing them in 2011? How did our teachers become public enemy No.1? In a broader sense how did America overwhelmingly reject this agenda in 2008 with the landslide election of Obama, to once again looking to the same corporation friendly policies that got us into this mess? The answer is MONEY! Unlimited and anonymous spending by corporations and unfettered Super PAC spending is the reason this happened. It is the only variable that is essentially different. Money has the power to persuade- money has the power to influence. And, those with money will always use it to their own advantage.

As I watched the caucus results from Iowa the other night I was struck with the irony of that contest. Republicans who so wanted the Citizens United decision were the first to be personally victimized by it on a national stage. Two weeks ago Newt Gingrich was riding high in Iowa and nationally- nearly anointed the Republican nominee for President. Then the Romney PAC and the Paul PAC unleashed millions of dollars in negative TV ads against Gingrich. The result was an unprecedented fall from grace for Gingrich and he ended up a weak 4th place and out of the spotlight. He was destroyed by the use funds specifically designed to take him out- all the while Romney recited patriotic song lyrics and acted innocent. Granted Newt's own record was despicable and the ads were essentially true, but the point is that if you have the money- you can just destroy someone by sheer volume of negative advertising. It didn't lead to a clear Romney win, but the destructive power of spending was undeniable. The Citizens United ruling enabled him to take out his chief rival in that contest. Santorum is the latest flavor of the month- let's see what the anonymous PACs do to him.

Thankfully some of the damage was undone by the elections in 2011. (please see my blog "A Super Tuesday for Us" for my take on those elections and initiatives) Nonetheless it is clear that unless this ruling is changed by the Court itself, or by law, or constitutional amendment, we will be at the mercy of the corporations and the very wealthy. This is not American democracy. Let me leave you with the words of Supreme Court Associate Justice Stevens in his dissenting opinion in the Citizens United case:

"At bottom, the Court's opinion is thus a rejection of the common sense of the American people, who have recognized a need to prevent corporations from undermining self government since the founding, and who have fought against the distinctive corrupting potential of corporate electioneering since the days of Theodore Roosevelt. It is a strange time to repudiate that common sense. While American democracy is imperfect, few outside the majority of this Court would have thought its flaws included a dearth of corporate money in politics."

Thanks for looking in.
Note: all five Justices who ruled in favor of Citizens United were Republican appointees to the Court. Three of the four dissenting Justices were Democratic appointees. Justice Stevens who wrote the dissenting opinion was a Republican appointee.

Double-Dog Dare

Catchy title huh? The truth is, I would never dare you to do anything. The dare applies to me, this blog and my aspirations. Over the last nine months I've been putting out these small essays with two goals in mind. My first goal was to sharpen my writing skill through practice. (still very much a work in progress) Like anything- practice makes you better. Secondly, I wanted to join the conversation through this technology. This world of the computer has become the medium by which we communicate and share ideas. So, here I am. I'm so grateful that a few of you read my stuff. I've gotten some very nice feedback, so I believe I'm meeting my goals for this blog. This week's entry is actually about what I plan to share with you over the next year in this space.

If you have read much of what I've written in the 45 entries of 2011, you can probably guess where I stand on current events, politics, family, and cultural values. I've come right out with it in several instances and given some pretty strong hints in other instances. For example, you must surely know that I don't think much of the Republican Party political agenda. I vote Democratic because the Democratic Party agenda (as I understand it) is much closer to my personal values. That is not to say I'm always pleased with Democrats (including our President). Nothing is more disappointing to me than when the party I support lets me down- and it has happened many times over the last few years. I suppose I could be more accurately described as a Progressive. I reject the "liberal" label because it has been so badly used in the current political climate that its meaning has been infused with erroneous emotional nonsense. In the year to come I plan to examine the use of political labels in more depth. I'm sure the election will provide a wild assortment definitions for all political stripes.


2012 is going to be the Mother Load of political drama and interesting events. I don't think I'll be able to resist commentary on the politics this year, and the work of government leading up to the election. I admit I'm a shameless political junkie. Yes, big things are happening! I expect to see greatness and pettiness in this pivotal year. My belief is that the political and cultural conflicts of the last thirty years will come to a head in this election. This will be a real "values" contest- at least I hope it will be. I mentioned several times last year that we are at a cultural crossroads- expect me to write more about that in the coming year as events come into focus. Culture and values are expressed in many ways, including elections. And this ought to a good one!


You may have gleaned that I'm not religious- I have said so. At the same, time I have referenced religion often in what I've written. This is no accident or Freudian slip. I recall a time when we had dinner guests, and the conversation rolled around to politics and religion. (In this country they are strongly connected). Our friends told us they weren't comfortable with these topics. They said they "never" talk about politics or religion. I understand why some people believe this old saw. We know these topics touch on deeply held beliefs, and we don't want to offend anyone, intentionally or unintentionally. I don't subscribe to that way of thinking. I'm very interested in, and curious about, religious beliefs and have studied the topic for years. I was brought up in a very religious atmosphere at home, and in Catholic schools. I don't shy away from the topic and I plan to write specifically about religion in more detail than I did last year. When so many of us claim that religious faith is the most important aspect of their lives, then why not open up the conversation on this topic? The key to discussing politics or religion is to do so RESPECTFULLY. I pledge to always respect those who do me the honor of reading these blogs, as well as pledging to express myself with honesty and intellectual integrity. Disagreement and Respect can, and should, co-exist.


I often write about family and friends. Essays about the personal aspects of life and those around me are the most popular blogs I've written. (I do keep track) They are the ones I most enjoy writing too. Everyone has a story- and I've been fortunate to know people with great stories. I will be sharing as many of those as I can. I look for intelligence, character, and inspiration in people I know (and some I don't know)- and I find it. My own wish is to meet, and get to know, even more very special people this year- and just maybe share their story too.


I will also be expanding this blog with some photography. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then I may spare you the words and just put up some photographs from time to time. My favorite photographer is Dorothea Lange. Her work in the '30's and '40's provided a social commentary well beyond words. I'll try to capture a little of that spirit in what I publish this year. Some stories and ideas are best expressed in images that impact us in different ways than words impact us. I like photography that is edgy and elicits an emotional response. I hope I can live up that standard in what I share with you. You will have to be the judge.


Most of all, I would just like to get better at this, and the other activities of my life. Personal growth in all we do is a worthy goal- and a goal not limited by age, geography or wealth. All we need is the will to explore, and be open to new ideas and new people. I like to write, so I will endeavor to do this better and keep honing whatever skill I possess. I like to meet people, so I will open myself to new people and new experiences.  I want to do better in all my personal relationships with family and friends- so I"ll make that an important priority. I want to maintain my health- so I'll keep plugging away in the gym to keep this old body in reasonable working order. I want to keep my mind as sharp as it can be- so, I will keep all the thought processes moving and keep learning as I go.


"Double-Dog Dare" is a term we used when we were kids to signify the issuance of a really big dare. I'm issuing that dare to myself. The challenge I lay out before myself is to keep growing. The experiences of the last year have reinvigorated my mind to keep pushing forward in both thought and action. Once again I thank you for allowing me to share that with you along the way.

Thanks for looking in.