Election Violence

The U.S. is not the only nation where heated elections took place in the past year. I know we've still got more to endure, but even with all the negativity surrounding the primaries, we can be thankful that we are not as unfortunate as the following countries:

Zimbabwe - The government is blocking humantarian aid until the end of the election because of perceived political ties.
Kenya - Violence escalated after disputed election reults.
Sri Lanka - Violent attacks follow accusations of vote tampering.

There are probably more, not covered by international media.

HIV/AIDS and Migration

Migrants, who tend to be poor, alone and already stigmatized run a higher risk for HIV infection, rarely have access to regular health care, and experience the greatest human rights violations.Fees for testing, criminalization, and deportation of people with HIV/AIDS is common place in many countries.

"The implications of these policies is that they are growing the stigmatisation of the disease and driving these issues underground, which is exacerbating the problem," Bolivian activist Gracia Violeta Ross Quirogo

As Johal states near the end of the article, clearly we are not moving toward universal access to care for people with HIV/AIDS if we are not focusing attention on these populations of people. It doesn't appear that WHO has taken into consideration these populations and the struggles they face, at least not in the strategic directions outlined in the program.

Same Sex Marriages in California

Hooray California! Same-sex couples can now be married. Good decision.

And an additional kudos to Gov. Paterson, for enforcing recognition of these marriages in NY. At least some good came from this office after the whole Spitzer scandal.

What the...?

Insanity abounds in the news recently (as opposed to the rest of the time?), so I've decided to post links to my favorites articles about people that just make me scratch my head.

1. Disenfranchised Clinton supporters saying they'll support McCain. You're upset that a woman isn't going to be president, so you'll vote for this guy? Really? I find that unlikely. I like this Op-Ed because while it does reference the women who have been in the media expressing the above mentioned view, it also illustrates the stereotype of who Clinton supporters are (suburban white women) and the political/media exploitation of this stereotype.

2. Psychiatrist accused of plagarism, many times over. If there is ONE thing you learn in college, it is not to plagarize. It seemed that every professor I had the first few years, and even in to grad school, vocalized this. A psychiatrist has many years of college, but for some it just doesn't soak in.

3. Investment Banker vs. Stockbroker: Spinning Class showdown. Enough with the pissing contest! Now we are allowing New Yorkers to assault people they find annoying? I wonder how the verdict would have turned out had the assailant been a person of color?

4. AC/DC selling their lastest CD only at Walmart. Yeah, the two go hand-in-hand. Okay, I get the whole revolution of record sales and radio play counting for nothing these days. But AC/DC - Walmart? Really? They couldn't get a song played in a tv ad somewhere?

Update on my soda addiction

I feel that I should continue to examine my soda addiction, as it is still something that I notice and since it's been getting worse lately. I hit a low today, when I took $1.25 in dimes and nickels to the cafeteria in our building. I shamefully apologized to the cashier, whose only response was a giggle, and to the guy behind me made some comment about needing to get rid of change. The whole thing was amusing really, but also a chance for some investigation into what's really going on when I crave soda.

For this investigation, I am using a technique taught to me by a zen teacher in my study of the Buddhist Precepts. It involves an an acronym, R.A.I.N and it's meant to increase awareness of what we do. Each letter signifies a step in that awareness.

R - Recognize the present moment and what you are feeling
Today's soda purchase was harder to ignore that most of my cravings, because it was such a to-do. As I was sorting my change, taking the elevator down to the lobby and then another elevator up to the 16th floor, slowly counting out my nickels and dimes for the cashier, making my way back up and down the elevators, and back to my desk, I was aware of the craving.

This craving, and most of my cravings really, come at a time when I am feeling inadequate or useless. Today, for instance, I was bored at my job. A lack of work, and consequently a lack of self-worth lead to me seek fulfillment. Not to mention that the job I have does not untilize my skills and abilities, nor is it mentally stimulating. This is another way in which I reaffirm my worthlessness with myself. There must be something wrong with me if I cannot get a job in my field.

A - Accept what you are feeling
Upon the realization of the craving and it's underlying emotions, I did not try to push the feeling away or ignore it. I let it be what it was and tried to be mindful of the craving.

I - Investigate
Once I recognized the craving and the feeling behind it, I could look closer at what happened at this time. I did not have any work to do and therefore was lollygagging on the internet. Even though my coworkers had no work for me to do, I felt ashamed, as if I was not doing enough. When someone walked by the door I would feel a jolt to get to work, so that people wouldn't think I was wasting time away.

Physically, I was slouching. I felt an emptiness in my abdomen, something that tea could not fulfill. Upon drinking the soda, there was a tingling that commenced down my esophagus and into my abdomen. Even now, I still feel a tightness in my shoulders and feel a bit exhausted overall. Like I had just cried intensely.

N - Non-Identification
These feelings of shame and worthlessness are thoughts, some of many, that I have. They do not define me. I am so much more than these thoughts.

People with HIV/AIDS will travel...or not

Apparently, many countries will deny you a visa if you are HIV+ or have AIDS - including the US. What is the rationale for this? That this will prevent people from entering a country and infecting all the innocent people there? Or is it really about securing resources for wealthier countries? I'm sure that it is a bit of the latter, but also fear of the former. It's interesting that, as the article points out, conferences about the global AIDS crisis cannot be attended by people with HIV/AIDS.

Apparently the US does grant waivers for people with HIV. However,

If your name is entered and flagged in CLASS and/or TECS as being HIV positive you may be barred from future entries into the United States - and - You may apply for an HIV waiver for another future visit/event. However, obtaining the waiver may be difficult.

And, of course the individuals who get the waiver will have better access to resources and knowledge of this. Which means that this particular policy prevents people of lower socioeconomic status from entering the country. And these are most likely the ones who have the greatest need for medications and could contribute greatly to conferences on the global AIDS crisis.

Standing on the Shoulders of...

After a hiatus, I am back paying respects to those who have given of themselves freely to help others. This week I am standing on the shoulders of Maung Thura, a comedian in Burma, who has resisted the SPDC in order to provide humantarian aide to victims of the cyclone. In doing so, he has been detained indefinitely. Maung Thura has a history of helping the Burmese in need, regardless of the penalties from the military-minded government. How many of us would be willing to do the same?

Peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of creative alternatives for responding to conflict -- alternatives to passive or aggressive responses, alternatives to violence.
Dorothy Thompson