Saturday, April 30, 2011

TAALK, RAINN & an AL update!

I'd like to give you information about Male Survivor, a 501c3 charity organization that helps male survivors of abuse by providing necessary services such as therapy, support, and so much more... Here is a new talk show dedication.



Dr. Fradkin will be a featured speaker on

TAALK's First Talk Show Dedicated to Child Sexual Abuse Issues.



Dr. Howard Fradkin, co-chair of MaleSurvivor's Weekend of Recovery program,


will
be a featured speaker April 29th, 4:30-5:30 EDT on The TAALK Show with
Diane Cranley, which will be the first talk show dedicated to the
international issue of child sexual abuse. TAALK is hosting a 24hr
TAALK-A-THON on April 29th, beginning at 8:00am(pdt). TAALK has gathered
more than 60 of the worlds top experts and leaders in the child sexual
abuse arena. Each hour is a different theme.




Dr.
Fradkin will be joined by film producers Kathy Barbini and Simon
Weinberg (who co-produced the film Boys and Men Healing) for "Dare to
Dream: Empowering Boys and Men Healing from Childhood Sexual
Abuse". Expand your understanding of the impact of child sexual abuse
on boys and men. Male survivors will gain hope and be empowered to
actively engage in their healing and others will learn how their
understanding and compassion may be all that's needed for a male in
their life to disclose and begin his healing journey.


"Child
sexual abuse is predictable, preventable, and everyone plays a part in
the solution. Experts estimate there are 39 million survivors of child
sexual abuse in America alone and we believe it's time to talk about
it." says founder and host Diane Cranley.



You can register for FREE and get all the links you need to listen in:


Go to the TAALK web site, http://


www.taalk.org/TAALK-A-THON


.


MaleSurvivor.org


5505 Connecticut Avenue NW

PMB 103

Washington, District of Columbia 20015


Please visit their website here.

RAINN, which stands for Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, has a lot going on to help survivors of sexual assault. I'm amazed at what they do, and right now, the big agenda is to Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Registry (SAFER) to congress. It's getting bipartisan support, and sponsoring to the House of Representatives are Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Ted Poe (R-TX).


There is so much more going on, and lots of cool stuff, like meeting wrestlers with a donation to help abuse survivors. Please visit RAINN's website here for more information.


More good news, April's Law Wisconsin is out to the full state legislature to get sponsorship from all parties involved, as well as both branches of the state legislature. I've been in touch with Senator Wangaard's office, and will be tentatively having a phone conference on Thursday, May 12 in the afternoon to talk about it. Since he's gotten the email from Representative Cory Mason, the office is aware of it already, so I'm hoping for a slam dunk, even though sponsorship is due by May 6. The ironing of the budget seems to be taking up so much time, that it's getting frustrating that we haven't made time for much of anything else in the legislature... Our children are too precious and important to ignore, and predators are getting more dangerous and sneaky by the day.


To learn more about the topic, please visit Youth Voice Initiative's website to find out more. Have a look around, don't worry. It's all confidential.










Wednesday, April 20, 2011

What's the Alternative?

I came of age in the 80's where anti-establishment sentiment was high, but not necessarily like it was in the 60's. People didn't necessarily want the status quo, and if something wasn't fair, we wanted to fix it. But of course we grew up with the idea that politics was for the adults, so we took it to our music. I'd like to share some of what we listened to.

My first favorite song of the 80's alternative rock genre, is "Just Can't Get Enough" by Depeche Mode. It's an upbeat song. I actually like many songs from this group.


Another good one was "Metal" by Gary Numan, it's a cross between industrial and alternative, and has a little of grunge in it. Another good song by the same is a song called "Cars", which more people may be familiar with.


Alphaville, with their strong synth sound, helped pave the way to dance music, which eventually to House & European dance music (Euro-dance), the song "Forever Young" is classic to 80's alternative music. This kind of represents how there are always loose ends, not enough time to do what counts, etc... This one is one of my all time favorite songs. Other good songs are "Big in Japan" as well as "Dance With Me".


I HAVE to include the group Dead or Alive here, they are definitely the most awesome alternative rock band. The song "You spin me round" is my all time favorite, but songs like "Lover come back to me" and "Something in My house" keeps everyone dancing. There's also the remake of "That's the Way I like it". There are so many of their great songs, I'll post one, but please check out their albums, with loads of shake your booty music on there.


Then, of course who can forget Paul Lekakis? Yes, he's very forward with what he wants. He represented the sexual freedom that was making it's way head strong, and this was the alternative song to answer Madonna. Here is "Boom Boom"


On a much tamer note, here is Baltimora with "Tarzan Boy". This song is more representative of self expression.


The Cure is another with the classic sound of 80's alternative, and while I'm posting the song "Just Like Heaven", I'm not sure which song is better. "Love Song" and so many of their others is equally good, it was difficult to come up with a 'best song'. Please take a look at others by The Cure.


Erasure, a bold band, with lots of creativity, I think actually did bridge to the next level, my favorite song from them is "Little Respect", it's kind of a fun song, with some innuendos and has rebellious written all over it. I just love what this song is, all the way around. Another song, which is more romantic, representing Japanese folk lore and love, called "Always", about an all sacrificing love across the cultural borders. But, of course, the romance is up to Euro, I'm the rebel. lol.


Here is your recipes for the blog, and now mind you, since we're here with alternative music, I'm here to present alternative foods, and here are some good ones that are meatless and delicious. I also promised Martha Magenta with some of these recipes, and I finally am keeping The Promise, another great song by the group When in Rome. Okay, okay, recipes.

Tofu:
Unwrap, drain water. Chill in ice water. Cut in desired size (I like to quarter the large squares). Serve with fish flavored flakes (or a sesame paste) and soy sauce.

Spinach:
Cook until just done, and drain water. Place in refrigerator as a log. Chill until cool, cut, and serve with a tablespoon of stock (In Japan they use fish stock, but a hearty veggie stock will work just fine). Top with fish flakes soy sauce.

OR, here is this other awesome dressing for your spinach instead.
Toast 4Tbsp white sesame seeds, and put hot seeds in large suribachi (wooden bowl) and crush with the pestle. Add 1 tsp sugar. Stir with pestle. Add 2 tsp dark soy and 3 Tbsp dashi (fish stock or veggie stock). Mix with relatively great speed and strength, almost a whipping action to blend well. Taste and add more sugar if necessary.

The tofu has protein, and spinach has iron. Have another type of salad with raw greens, tomato, cucumber, red onions, croutons or what have you, and here is a miso dressing to put on.

1/4 cup miso paste. 2 TBSP each soy sauce, sesame oil & rice vinegar. 1/2 tsp freshly minced ginger OR 1 tsp ginger powder.

This is very delicious and you have a well rounded meal. If you really miss your starch, have a baked potato (skin included) on the side, and skip the croutons on the salad.


Saturday, April 16, 2011

FINALLY!!!! An April's Law Update!

WOOT! Okay, sorry to have a party here w/o inviting people sooner, but, this is huge news, and I think it's exciting.

Representative Mason is putting the final touches on April's Law Wisconsin, to ensure that kidnapping for intent to molest children gets added into the current draft, and will hopefully be introducing it to the Assembly later this month. This is VERY exciting to begin with.

And now, even MORE on the good news, up and up, Senator Wangaard's office FINALLY contacted me about April's Law Wisconsin, and wants to set up a meeting in the first part of May.

I'd sent him a message through one of these other sites, and got this automated message back from him:

Thank you for contacting my office. I appreciate that you wrote to me to express your concerns. Please be assured that my staff and I are reading every email we receive. We are still working through a backlog of emails from the budget repair bill, but we will review your email as soon as possible.

Regards,

Van Wanggaard
Wisconsin State Senator
Senate District 21—Serving Racine County

My response back was:

In reading every email, please ensure that you get back to me ASAP as for the April's Law draft that I've emailed to you several times. My home phone is 262-xxx-xxxx - we ought to do a meeting to talk about protecting our children from sex predators on and off line.

From J the legislative assistant:

Hello Ms. S,
I'd be happy to set up a meeting in Madison with Senator Wanggaard. We are currently scheduling for the first and second week of May on our calendar--you can give our office a call at (608) xxx-xxxx to set up a meeting or email me with some dates that work for you. The Senator is typically at the Capitol Tuesday-Thursday every week.
Thank you!
J
Legislative Aide
Office of Senator Wanggaard

So, I'm shooting for Monday, May 2, for an afternoon coffee/tea. I'm looking forward to it, and well, lets hope all goes well to get April's Law Wisconsin into the law books! Thanks for all supporters of April's Law, even if in concept only. For now, I'm happier than pie. WOOT!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Tribute to those who lost the battle with American Health Care.

In a recent article talking about what happened the Budget meeting that was held locally, it was mentioned that Racine Residents share state budget concerns and told some personal stories.

Previously, conservatives have stated how even if the health system isn't perfect, that it's still a pretty good system, and that people don't die from it. Well, I've told the story about my friend, who had died from complications from diabetes. The damage that it did to his health made him unemployable. Yet he was still "too capable" to be disabled, and without a qualifying situation, such as being disabled or raising a minor child, he couldn't apply for medicaid. He was basically at the mercy of being able to get anything free, though even getting a primary care physician was impossible, because they want $100 up front. Without a job, he didn't have that for groceries, much less for 1 doctors visit. There's only so much that the health care clinic can do, and they're even at the mercy of receiving donations. Too bad places like these don't have what it takes to have the medical supplies and meds come in from the manufacturer. And no, he couldn't just log online to google it. With no steady income, because he could only get odd cash jobs, it's not like he could get a computer, much less pay a monthly fee to go online. Plus how is he going to be able to pay for internet services if he can't buy insulin needles to save his life?


In the article, a man describes how he lost two different friends to lack of health insurance, and is afraid of what it will do to others who can't get on it. Remember, if you don't have insurance, it costs you $100 up front to even see the doctor.


These cuts could also end up meaning that anyone with special needs would have to wait to be put on hold indefinitely, even if they qualify, because they can't get on the program in the first place. We never know when we will have a disabled child, so there is no way to pre-plan for that. Depending on the need, costs can be sky high out of pocket. Without the help of state or federally funded health insurance to defer some of the costs, the financial output can literally cost one their home. This really shows what a broken system we have.


Even with help with medicaid, or even regular insurance, too often, it's still too broken of a system. Each insurance company has it's way of deciding what is covered or what is not covered. Then, the medical providers are considered "participants". So rather than just signing a contract, doctors often have to pay, to be a so called member to participate in collecting reimbursements from that insurance. That, in conjunction with the fact that medicare and medicaid don't pay asking price, those providers who are at a small clinic or at an independent office can't afford to accept a lower reimbursement AND have to pay into the insurance program to participate.


While I'm not blaming doctors, what does perturb me is the fact that here it is health care, and the health care system, yet the bottom line is the dollar. So money is really more important?


All too often, I hear about how the referrals and prescriptions are just messed up. One time, an uncle of mine was prescribed an antibiotic called ciprofloxacin (cipro). Because the two most normal antibiotics are either penicillin based or tetracycline based, the insurance refused to cover it. Even though the doctor had a reason for prescribing that one for the purpose of what my uncle had. Thing is, he had regular insurance through a reputable company, since he worked in the factories when they were still flourishing here in Racine. My aunt was working in the same company in the office department.


I don't know whether to blame insurance or clinic policy, but, here is a snafu. Here is a perfect example of the fragmented health care system in this country. My primary physician is this really nice doctor who will spend as much time as the patient needs to get the job done thoroughly. But because he's in high demand, it's not always easy to get into an appointment with him. Because I'm diabetic, though, he's still in charge of my overall health, but, I go to the nurse practitioner, his associate, for my diabetic issues. She is also the one who takes the over flow for the doctor, and is a bit easier to go see.


I had a medical problem that I'd gone into the nurse practitioner for. Upon visual, had diagnosed it with one thing, and did testing on it to verify and sent me out with a script. Fine. The script didn't work. I called and the next appointment was about 2 weeks away, and the problem was getting so bad I ended up going to prompt care, which was absolutely no help. So I ended up asking for another appointment, and got one with this one's associate. She never looked, never did testing, nothing. Just said it was a diabetic problem and I should follow up with my "regular" nurse practitioner and sent me out the door. I was getting frustrated, because the problem was making me want to crawl out of my skin.


I'd been doing my best to go OTC with what I could do for relief. No avail. I see my "regular" nurse practitioner, and she gives me a different script, and says if this doesn't work, I'd have to go to a specialist. It didn't work. So I'd had to call the specialist myself, and that was another 2.5 weeks away. It was VERY frustrating. So in the mean time, I went into a different walk in clinic, and that doctor was very good, and did testing, I got a diagnosis and a couple scripts, and guess what? They worked! He was insistent that I get this taken care of ASAP, because to him, if my situation were any worse, he was going to put me into the hospital. Too bad he is walk in only, and NOT a primary care person.


The specialist actually agreed, and well, she was stern about ensuring I followed up as well. Then agreed that I need more of a specialist than her, and both the walk in and this one had said to go to an endocrinologist for my diabetes, and that treatment would help me with all of these other problems.


I was frustrated to my limits, because I'd not had much luck with this particular nurse practitioner before. She'd already misdiagnosed an eczema problem before, and then now, I just felt as if she were ignoring the problem. Too often, I felt as if I were rushed out, and I'd already seen her twice for this same problem, yet, rather than visit the diabetes, she's ignoring that too. There was another time that I'd felt if she really wasn't hearing me out, either.


So, I'd made the appointment, and had to bring my mom, whose a registered nurse with me, to help push the fact that we can't sit on this and just see. My mom had buttered her up and did some name dropping, and then rather than send me to an endocrinologist, she actually was going to try to be more proactive about the situation.


So finally, 6 appointments with 4 different medical professionals, over 7 weeks, it took a walk in physician and a gynecologist to push the medical testing, and my mother to come babysit during the appointment to ensure that the next course of action got taken.


I'm not shy to speak up, as most people know. I don't just sit back meekly, and this is how I was treated, or shall we say UNtreated. So, if this is the case, how many people are out there that can't get their medical problems to a point, especially if they're putting 100% faith in their care giver, and they're just sitting back passively?


I shouldn't need a babysitter. My mom has had problems with a doctor treating my grandfather, and this was way BEFORE the national Obama care was put in force, so no, these are NOT new problems.


The medical system is VERY fragmented. I've also heard from clients and more, about how just to get necessary home care supplies, that they have to go through hoops just to get them. There's the state medicaid. Federal medicare, if you qualify. Then there's the county social worker, then the local Human Services, and if you have a home care agency, you have a nurse and possibly a social worker through there. The way I see it? There is 1 Indian (the patient) and about 10 chiefs who don't necessarily communicate to each other in the process. The primary ought to be the one out there ensuring that all is taken care of all the way, he should be the head chief, and the other staff should be sub-chiefs underneath, all cooperating to take care of the Indian.


Here are possible solutions, such as going to a free market program, to which our current system is NOT. There are business men and attorneys making the rules at the top of the insurance and health care clinics & hospitals. Thing is, if I want business or financial advice, I'll seek the business man. If I need legal advice, I'll seek an attorney. When I need medical advice, please leave that to my doctor.


I could go on, but I think most of you get the picture. Leave a comment, and civility or stay out.


Saturday, April 2, 2011

A Wisconsin Balanced Budget - What's Really Necessary?

As we all know, about 3 weeks ago, Governor Walker signed the so called "Collective Bargaining" bill which got separated from the actual Budget Repair Bill. This, was in part due to the fact that Unions supposedly had too much power, and that in this day and age, they're just costing the public way too much money.


Which we're all entitled our opinion. Of course some people want to talk about how public school teachers make too much money, and how they shouldn't get so much because it's taken out of taxes, and it's not fair because public workers make so much more than private workers. When I asked about the teachers, I was told she doesn't care how much the private teachers are paid because she doesn't pay them. Fair enough, but then don't go complaining about how public teachers make so much more, when you don't know how much private teachers make. Yet when asked for proof, she complains about why she has to do all the work... she's doing the complaining. Then don't talk about how private teachers are so under paid.


In this particular blog, it states how the Wisconsin "Union Law" will likely be on hold for 2 months. This particular bill is being held hostage in the courts, by a judge who is questioning the legalities of how this got passed, and so the Republicans either must wait through the court process; or vote again, this time following what ever standard operating procedure they're supposed to do.


Now mind you, this is talking about the "non-fiscal" end of the Budget bill, to help balance the budget. Yet the bill that got passed has nothing to do with the actual budget, it's about busting some unions but not others. At least the police and fire fighters get to keep their collective bargaining rights. It's just the teachers who are restricted in this portion of budget repair.


Thing is, I don't understand why people are so up in arms about the teachers, but no other group, when it comes to the collective bargaining. If they are asking for too big of sticker price, the answer is no, with a counter offer. Keep bargaining, and the median level will be reached, if one end or the other won't do.


Back to the balanced budget... I've kept wondering HOW, the busting of Unions in the public sector will help balance the budget. You see, I'm pretty good at getting along and/or communicating with people of different cultures, linguistic/ethnic backgrounds, and more... I'm NOT always keen on the specifics of economics, since I understand the basics of micro and macro economics. So I kept asking, and never quite got that question answered...


But then, here is an interesting article about the Wisconsin Budget would balance without union bill. This was my opinion all along, that the union busting measure was only to point the finger at "the bad guy" while not really contributing to the balancing of the Wisconsin state budget. There are other ways that are more efficient to balance this budget, and it can come, when we find an efficient way to cut/spend the state tax money.


I'd also like to see some of the top executives paid for by the tax payers to willingly take a pay cut.


Please feel free to come in and comment, my blog is open wide to the public. While you're here, give honest opinion, and if you tout your opinion as fact, proof, or it's only an opinion.


Your recipe for the blog:


Sarma - an Eastern European cabbage roll delight.


Take a head of cabbage, and place in large pot of water, with 1 cup vinegar (I prefer the apple cider, since it's flavor is more pleasant) and simmer until you have a head of sour kraut. You may drain the juice of a can if you wish, also. Cool to temp you can work with. Take some of the outer leaves and cover bottom of a baking pan.


While you're waiting for the cabbage to sour and cool, get out about 1.5 - 2# ground pork. Add in about 6-8oz rice. Add about 2Tbs onion powder, 1 Tbs garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste, 1/2-1 tsp celery seed, 1 tsp paprika, 1 Tbs parsley, a dash of Worchestershire Sauce and optionally use 1/2 tsp basil. Mix well with your hands.


Wrap some of the meat mix into the cabbage rolls, you don't want them too big or too small. Place over the layer of cabbage in baking pan. Use the small pieces of cabbage to wedge in between the rolls. If you opened the sour kraut, feel free to spread this over the top. You may substitute grape leaves for your cabbage, if you wish.


Bake covered at 350F until fully cooked.




Ibanitza - a side to go with your sarma.


Take a package of fillo dough, and place into the bottom of a well greased round cake pan. Saute a large minced onion, along with some ground pork. Layer into the fillo dough. Layer back and forth until full. Drizzle top with olive oil. Bake @350F until golden brown at the top.


You may use bread dough instead of fillo dough. It's good.




Traditional Ibanitza -


In a bowl, mix up about 6 eggs, 12 oz sour cream, 16 oz cottage cheese, and about 16 oz softened cream cheese. Blend well.



Grease well a 9x11x13 cake pan, layer some fillo dough, about 2 or 3 sheets at a time.


Pour a bit of the cheese mix, layer with another 3 sheets, and every other layer of fillo dough, use oil and butter alternately, ending the top with the fillo dough and oil. Make sure that the corners are well pressed and such, so they don't get too dry and bubble over.


Bake until golden brown.


One or the other of the ibanitza goes well together with the sarma.