By Mary MacElveen
May 30, 2011
On this Memorial Day I chose to watch the last M*A*S*H episode, “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen”. It was three hours long, but well worth it.
In one scene, while the doctors and nurses of the fictional 4077th were operating, one could hear the last guns fired in the Korean War. Which led me to ask, when will we hear the last guns fired in the wars we are fighting overseas in Iraq, Afghanistan and now Libya? These wars seem to me that they will go on with no end in sight.
Normally, it disturbs me at how retail establishments use this somber day for sale events. Soldier’s blood for a must have item is what this day has turned out to be.
While the sales disturb me, what fully angered me this past weekend was Sarah Palin pushing her way into an event which she was not invited to. Rolling Thunders purpose is to remember our soldiers and veterans. Sarah Palin selfishly co-opted this event for her own self serving wants and that is notoriety and money as she starts her ‘One Nation’ tour. In my opinion, she is the queen of narcissism. Michelle Bachmann another narcissist must be tearing her hair out at the amount of coverage Palin received this past weekend.
When we now see coffins coming home or wounded vets, we do not often think of the doctors or nurses who patch them up so they may return to us. Day in and day out, these medics are knee deep in blood trying to save the life of one who was trying to save ours. I often think we need a Medic Day to honor them.
As they repair limbs as best they can, remove guts from a gaping hole, try to rebuild a burnt face, I rest assure you, these medics keep listening for the sounds of cease fire.
Imagine, you are a young doctor or nurse with your life ahead of you and you dream of healing patients from natural diseases and injuries; then in one fell swoop you find yourself in the military hospital. Here you are fully trained and you are treating patients whose injuries could have been prevented had we not gone to war.
When we often misuse the term hero, these medics are true heroes for stepping up to the plate where wars wage on. They are the ones who see first hand what the politicians refuse to see. Men and women dying or coming home badly wounded.
On this Memorial Day besides bestowing honor to our war dead, our wounded soldiers and veterans, I also wish to bestow honor to these doctors and nurses. They did not dream they would be healing and patching up soldiers. They do so round the clock and with little fan fare or notoriety. Do you hear me, Palin?
You may reach the author at this address, xmjmac@optonline.net
Monday, May 30, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
A Gift of Peace from Fredie
By Mary MacElveen
April 28, 2011
Over ten years ago, I started to write op-ed pieces for those who had no voice within the world via the Internet; meaning the poor, and the powerless. This led me to meet an incredible woman named, Fredie via emails. Her spirit mirrors mine when it comes to politics. Yes, we are both liberals. Do you have a problem with that? If so, tough!
Our first time meeting was at the anti Iraq War rally which took place on February 15th, 2003. Joining us was our dear friend John Schwam who has written numerous pieces on mountain top removal in the Appalachian Mountains. Fredie from time-to-time sends me emails of issues that do concern her and in some way, I bring them to a larger audience.
When I started my writing, I thought this was my path in life to become a famous journalist. These ten years later, I ask: Is being famous all that important and the answer is no. Trying to be famous is just one’s ego speaking and if one chooses to be the voice of those less fortunate, ego gets thrown out the window. With me, it is all about letting the story be the story. It is not to bloviate, but to bring light to those who read my pieces on the suffering of others.
Lately, I have not written columns due to personal reasons and perhaps God will direct me when the time is right for me to continue my work. At this point, I work as a part time cashier for a grocery store. It is a job that I am grateful to have, because in these tough economic times, there are many without. In my job as a cashier, I am living the real economy. When people have to put food items back because they cannot afford them, I feel their pain because anyone of us can be them.
In the world of journalism, the legacy of one’s writings can lead to winning the Pulitzer Prize. Well today, from my dear friend, Fredie, I received the peace prize. She sent me a pair of earrings with the peace symbol dangling from them. I was deeply humbled.
In her note to me, she wrote in part, “I want you to have this pair because no one speaks up for peace like you.” I shall wear them proudly.
Fredie, you have no idea how great your gift was to me especially at this time.
April 28, 2011
Over ten years ago, I started to write op-ed pieces for those who had no voice within the world via the Internet; meaning the poor, and the powerless. This led me to meet an incredible woman named, Fredie via emails. Her spirit mirrors mine when it comes to politics. Yes, we are both liberals. Do you have a problem with that? If so, tough!
Our first time meeting was at the anti Iraq War rally which took place on February 15th, 2003. Joining us was our dear friend John Schwam who has written numerous pieces on mountain top removal in the Appalachian Mountains. Fredie from time-to-time sends me emails of issues that do concern her and in some way, I bring them to a larger audience.
When I started my writing, I thought this was my path in life to become a famous journalist. These ten years later, I ask: Is being famous all that important and the answer is no. Trying to be famous is just one’s ego speaking and if one chooses to be the voice of those less fortunate, ego gets thrown out the window. With me, it is all about letting the story be the story. It is not to bloviate, but to bring light to those who read my pieces on the suffering of others.
Lately, I have not written columns due to personal reasons and perhaps God will direct me when the time is right for me to continue my work. At this point, I work as a part time cashier for a grocery store. It is a job that I am grateful to have, because in these tough economic times, there are many without. In my job as a cashier, I am living the real economy. When people have to put food items back because they cannot afford them, I feel their pain because anyone of us can be them.
In the world of journalism, the legacy of one’s writings can lead to winning the Pulitzer Prize. Well today, from my dear friend, Fredie, I received the peace prize. She sent me a pair of earrings with the peace symbol dangling from them. I was deeply humbled.
In her note to me, she wrote in part, “I want you to have this pair because no one speaks up for peace like you.” I shall wear them proudly.
Fredie, you have no idea how great your gift was to me especially at this time.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Projected winner for the Suffolk 6th L.D. race, Sarah Anker
By Mary MacElveen
It appears that Democrat, Sarah Anker has won the special election for the 6th legislative seat for Suffolk County, NY. A seat previously held by now Assemblyman Dan Losquadro.
With all districts now in, the unofficial tally has Sarah Anker beating her opponent, Martin Haley (Republican) by a little over 200 votes.
In a district that heavily favors Republicans over Democrats by 5,000 voters, it seems that by the latest tally, the Democrats GOTV over Republicans. Democratic voters cast 3,112 versus 2,212 Republicans according to the Suffolk County Board of Elections web site.
Rick Brand of Newsday wrote this of Haley,” Haley portrayed himself in campaign mailings as part of the "Levy team." But at the very end of the campaign, Haley had to face Levy's surprise announcement that he was not seeking re-election and was turning over his $4-million campaign fund to District Attorney Thomas Spota. Democrats put out last-minute mailings attempting to link Haley to Levy's downfall due to "questionable fundraising." This may have soured Republicans from showing up to the polls as well as Independents who did lag behind the Working Families Party.
This seat was once held by Martin Haley and perhaps voters wanted a fresh voice in this elective body. Sarah Anker was a former Mount Sinai school board member, and other positions such as an environmental and civic activist. She advocated for the creation of Heritage Park and helped block a Wal-Mart from taking over that space.
With cancer on people’s minds she founded the Health and Environmental Coalition to find links between breast cancer and the environment.
Who knows by these results, but it may be an early indicator of how voters feel with a Republican led House in Washington, D.C.
You can reach me at xmjmac@optonline.net
It appears that Democrat, Sarah Anker has won the special election for the 6th legislative seat for Suffolk County, NY. A seat previously held by now Assemblyman Dan Losquadro.
With all districts now in, the unofficial tally has Sarah Anker beating her opponent, Martin Haley (Republican) by a little over 200 votes.
In a district that heavily favors Republicans over Democrats by 5,000 voters, it seems that by the latest tally, the Democrats GOTV over Republicans. Democratic voters cast 3,112 versus 2,212 Republicans according to the Suffolk County Board of Elections web site.
Rick Brand of Newsday wrote this of Haley,” Haley portrayed himself in campaign mailings as part of the "Levy team." But at the very end of the campaign, Haley had to face Levy's surprise announcement that he was not seeking re-election and was turning over his $4-million campaign fund to District Attorney Thomas Spota. Democrats put out last-minute mailings attempting to link Haley to Levy's downfall due to "questionable fundraising." This may have soured Republicans from showing up to the polls as well as Independents who did lag behind the Working Families Party.
This seat was once held by Martin Haley and perhaps voters wanted a fresh voice in this elective body. Sarah Anker was a former Mount Sinai school board member, and other positions such as an environmental and civic activist. She advocated for the creation of Heritage Park and helped block a Wal-Mart from taking over that space.
With cancer on people’s minds she founded the Health and Environmental Coalition to find links between breast cancer and the environment.
Who knows by these results, but it may be an early indicator of how voters feel with a Republican led House in Washington, D.C.
You can reach me at xmjmac@optonline.net
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Letter to the Editor at Newsday regarding Nassau County's Bus System
By Mary MacElveen
March 19, 2011
Below is a letter to the editor at Newsday. In the event that they choose not to publish my letter, I am posting it here for all to read.
Dear Editor,
Let me just say that I was livid when ‘CensorThisOne’ responded to “On Nassau County’s plan to turn bus service over to a private operator”: when he/she wrote: “Dump the buses altogether. Will never make money and we will have to bail them out.” which was published on March 18th.
I suppose that this person drives. I have frequently posted in numerous places for politicians to go without cars for a week in order to make meetings, go to the doctors, go shopping and any other place they need to go. I have suggested that they use buses instead. You know, putting yourself in another’s shoes? At this point, I would suggest to ‘CensorThisOne’ do the same.
As far as bailing out, I would rather have my tax money go to help save a bus system that serves thousands upon thousands of people each day; namely the disabled or those who cannot afford to operate and own a car. These working class people need to get to work and without reliable buses; they can soon find themselves out of a job. I know for a fact that taking cabs is far too expensive. Perhaps this person would love to see a human being on the side of the road with a sign “Need a ride to work” and then just drive by them.
By the way, I have suffered from epileptic seizures since the age of 15 and I am now 52. I have never driven and must rely on public transportation in order to get to work. I have lashed out at Suffolk County Executive, Steve Levy when it comes to the bus system in Suffolk County, NY that does not operate on Sundays. There have been numerous Sundays that I have worked and must take a cab where the fare is more than my hourly wage.
Sincerely,
Mary MacElveen
March 19, 2011
Below is a letter to the editor at Newsday. In the event that they choose not to publish my letter, I am posting it here for all to read.
Dear Editor,
Let me just say that I was livid when ‘CensorThisOne’ responded to “On Nassau County’s plan to turn bus service over to a private operator”: when he/she wrote: “Dump the buses altogether. Will never make money and we will have to bail them out.” which was published on March 18th.
I suppose that this person drives. I have frequently posted in numerous places for politicians to go without cars for a week in order to make meetings, go to the doctors, go shopping and any other place they need to go. I have suggested that they use buses instead. You know, putting yourself in another’s shoes? At this point, I would suggest to ‘CensorThisOne’ do the same.
As far as bailing out, I would rather have my tax money go to help save a bus system that serves thousands upon thousands of people each day; namely the disabled or those who cannot afford to operate and own a car. These working class people need to get to work and without reliable buses; they can soon find themselves out of a job. I know for a fact that taking cabs is far too expensive. Perhaps this person would love to see a human being on the side of the road with a sign “Need a ride to work” and then just drive by them.
By the way, I have suffered from epileptic seizures since the age of 15 and I am now 52. I have never driven and must rely on public transportation in order to get to work. I have lashed out at Suffolk County Executive, Steve Levy when it comes to the bus system in Suffolk County, NY that does not operate on Sundays. There have been numerous Sundays that I have worked and must take a cab where the fare is more than my hourly wage.
Sincerely,
Mary MacElveen
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