Everyday Citizen

An Interview With Author Robert Balmanno

2012-02-08T21:41:19Z

Robert Balmanno is one of the most interesting people I know. The author of the science fiction novels September Snow and Runes of Iona, Balmanno uses his books to comment on the issues of class and environmental degradation. His use of science fiction as a vehicle for social commentary is in the tradition of H.G. Wells and Kurt Vonnegut. Bob Balmanno and I have been coworkers for over 17 years. During the late 1990s, I was the secretary of the local SEIU part-timers union and witnessed the hard work that Bob did in defending the part-time workers' rights. Balmanno earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science from UC Santa Barbara and did his post graduate work at the University of Edinburgh, in Scotland, and the University of London. He was also a Peace Corps volunteer in West Africa. Bob, you have deep connections in Santa Clara Valley. You watched as this valley transformed from a center of agriculture to the hub of high technology. How has this affected your perspective on things? I was born in San Jose, California, in 1951, and I grew up in Sunnyvale, California. During some of my teenage years, during the summer, I picked fruit- cherries and apricots, and worked in one of the largest fruit canneries in the area. My life has been lived sort of counter-intuitively to the thrust of the evolution of "Silicon Valley". The high technology is- so to speak- in the air we breathe and in the water drink. But I have kept myself largely separate from it. Many of my friends call me a "semi-Luddite" because I often do not embrace the newest changes in technology, and that's putting it mildly. I write on a computer but I use it only for word processing. I have never owned a cell phone and I avoid e-mail. I walk 6 to 9 miles daily, avoiding driving whenever I can walk. Much of technology has made our lives easier, some of it has enhanced the freedom of the individual, but some of it has resulted in the curtailment of freedom. Some technology in the hands of corporations has limited our sense of privacy and has shrunk the space of the public domain.

Poor? Who?

2012-02-06T16:36:34Z

Mitt Romney says he's not concerned about the poor? Who would have thought that? What has he ever done to make you think he did? Neither is he worried about the wealthy. That's not surprising, either. The modern Republican's programs have always been more favorable to the perpetuation of wealth and its power. Both major political parties receive a major portion of their campaign finances from the wealthy. But, statistical analysis show the Democrats have a higher percentage of contributions from grass roots supporters. Both parties have some very wealthy members. Both parties have some scoundrels and both parties have some very good leaders. Bottom line — — Vote for the individual. But, if you're not sure about individuals, my opinion is to take a chance on the Democrat. I'm a conservative liberal Democrat. Now you figure out what that means. Please log into Kansas Free Press for the rest of this article. While there, if you are not familiar with Kansas Free Press, take the time to browse through the other writers articles. We welcome comments and would invite you to check in to becoming a contributing writer to both KFP and Everyday Citizen.

Conversation During the Holidays

2012-02-02T04:56:26Z

Nation Building or Imperialism ??

2012-01-28T04:17:35Z

What is your opinion of the promise to rush into Cuba, as soon as Castro 'kicks the bucket', and establish a democracy? I guess the leading Republican contenders for the presidency don't realize the failure of establishing democracy, U.S. style, in Viet Nam and Iraq. I'm not an expert on the state of the Cuban people, but it seems to me they are better off under Castro's rule than they were under the U.S. backed dictator that Castro overthrew. This, in spite of the embargo and isolationism imposed on Cuba by the U.S. Perhaps we should let the Cuban people decide their own political system. It appears that some Eastern European countries were fairly successful in establishing themselves, after the fall of the U.S.S.R., without direct interference or aid from the U.S.

I'm Gonna Marry a Millionaire

2012-01-16T15:31:42Z

With the second anniversary of the Citizens United decision approaching, this song written by Barbara Joye and performed by Atlanta singer Anita Paycheck is right on.

Relearning from Teddy Roosevelt

2012-01-16T00:36:01Z

In his speech last December at Osawatomie KS High School, President Obama cited Theodore Roosevelt's remarks there a century earlier. . Republican President Theodore Roosevelt served from 1901 to 1909. In 1912, representing the Bull Moose Party, he lost to Woodrow Wilson--the only time a 3rd Party candidate has finished as high as second. Every place I looked, Theodore Roosevelt ranks in the top 10 US Presidents, and in none lower than 6th. In 2010, 238 participating presidential scholars at Siena College Research Institute concluded: "Teddy Roosevelt had, more than any other president, the 'right stuff,' and tops the collective ranking of a cluster of personal qualities including imagination, integrity, intelligence, luck, background and being willing to take risks." He is one of the four U.S. Presidents honored on Mt. Rushmore. Roosevelt was an environmentalist. He led in establishing 5 national parks, 18 national monuments, and 150 National Forests. I have little doubt as President today he would work with climate scientists to deal with the reality of global warming. As governor of Kansas, he would demand something beyond pious rhetoric to end mining of the Ogallala. But...

Loving Lizbeth

2012-01-15T20:37:17Z

My history as a peace activist started in the late ‘60s when I took part in a five-mile march against the Vietnam War. My history with Stieg Larsson’s character, Lizbeth Salander, dates from January 2010, when my daughter-in-law sent me The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, the first book in the Girl series. I devoured that book. I mourned when I heard that Larsson had died of a heart attack at the too-young age of 49. He left behind a fourth manuscript, which is now tied up in litigation between his partner of many years and his birth family. Since my first encounter with Lizbeth Salander, I’ve read the second and third books in the series, The Girl Who Played with Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest. The plot of each book carries forward the story of Swedish magazine editor Mikael Blomkvist and Salander. The mystery of Lizbeth’s life unfolds with the plot twists and turns of the books.

Ignored With Shame: The Epidemic Of Untreated Mental Health Conditions

2012-01-14T12:44:06Z

There is an issue that is greatly neglected in America. It only receives mention in the press once something tragic has happened, and even then it fades from discussion quickly. According to estimates by the World Health Organization, the total number of years lost to illness, disability, or premature death within the United States and Canada are caused more by Neuropsychiatric Disorders than any other group. More than likely, every one of you either has a Mental Health Condition or knows someone who does.

Are we better than our enemy? Only if we choose to be...

2012-01-14T09:42:25Z

I keep seeing and hearing people argue about those Marines who desecrated the dead bodies of Taliban fighters and whether they are subject to the judgment and standards of those who do not or have not served. People argue as if their service some how excuses them from responsibility for committing an atrocity. I think there is a clear need for us all to step back from this issue and look at it objectively. Certainly, we are proud of our men and women in uniform. Certainly, we know that war is a terrible and ugly thing that brings out both the best and the worst in people. Certainly, war distorts one's world view when that is what they are surrounded with for a long period of time. Certainly, these few do not represent the U.S. Armed Services as a whole. However, if we are going to bestow upon these men and women the honors of being leaders, of being some of the best that our nation has to offer, of carrying out the will of this nation in the missions of defense and humanity then we must also hold them to those standards. Those of us who have volunteered to wear the uniforms of our nation have done far more than just sign a contract. We have stood and swore oaths to our God and to our Country.

Frank Capra and the American Ideals

2012-01-12T04:14:04Z

A few weeks ago I wrote a blog about It's A Wonderful Life and it got me thinking about Frank Capra. Capra is one of my favorite filmmakers. His films are full of energy and fun, with appealing characters and good humor. When I watch these films, I feel proud of being an American. This was one of the intentions of Frank Capra. Capra made his best films during the Great Depression, during a time of great suffering for many Americans. He wanted his films to show empathy for these common Americans, and he wanted to give these Americans a sense of pride in themselves and their community. Capra and his screenwriters collaborated in films that explored the American Dream at a time when the American Dream had collapsed for many Americans. His movies became a social commentary on those economic and political forces that threatened our American ideals and told his audience to hold together as a community and to help each other.

A Haunted Neighborhood

2012-01-05T17:41:37Z

A family in our neighborhood is facing the New Year without the home they’ve lived in and paid the mortgage on for the past eleven years. This is the fifth family in the past three years to meet such a fate. The people in this neighborhood who lost their houses have jobs and are upstanding citizens just trying to get by. We live in older neighborhood in Midtown Wichita. Our immediate area comprises a mix of houses, two-story four squares, bungalows, and mansions. In the last few years, five of our close neighbors have lost their houses to foreclosure. The first to go was a single woman who lived next door to us with her two dogs. She had a good job at a nursing home, but when she had to undergo heart surgery, she could no longer do the heavy work her job required. Not old enough for Social Security, she applied for Social Security disability benefits. I tried to find agencies in Wichita that would give her some aid so she could stay in her house. In the end, however, nothing worked out for her and she ended up moving in with her daughter.

Welfare, Serfdom, or ??

2012-01-03T05:19:38Z

We are ‘hell bent for election’. We don’t like welfare, so let’s go for serfdom? Are there no other choices? The cries and pleading by the wealthy for tax relief is resounding across the political agenda of the Republican party. We must balance the budget, but in no way can it be shared by the wealthy. It must all come from the ‘government welfare’ being doled out to the lazy, inept, poor people. My goodness, some of those people aren’t paying any income tax at all! Never mind that they are not paying for medical attention, shelter, or food. Why not? Because they don’t have any money, that’s why! Oh yes, there are a few who just plain won’t work, regardless of the wages. Some are disabled. But the vast majority of those on welfare are, in fact, employed.. But, the wages are so low they can’t make ends meet. Why are the wages so low? It couldn’t possibly be because the employers want higher profits? But, they don’t want to pay any taxes to subsidize those lazy bums who are not willing to work for less than living wages. The truth is, right now, the middle class are paying a higher percent of their net incomes than the wealthy folks, and thus they are subsidizing the big companies and corporations. The big boys get high profits and the middle sized boys pay taxes to make up for the inadequate wages of the poor folks. So, who then should be paying more taxes? Well, I guess it must be the middle income folks, whoever they are. They can take care of themselves and maybe if they have a little compassion, they’ll help their less fortunate neighbors. But, let’s not narrow the chasm between the top 1% and the 99% below them.

"It's A Wonderful Life" and Occupy Wall Street

2012-01-02T18:00:59Z

Christmas is not Christmas for me until I watch "It's A Wonderful Life" at least once during the holiday season. "It's A Wonderful Life" is one of the great heartwarming films that film director Frank Capra made during the 1930s and 1940s. This film, as is most of Frank Capra's films, is a paen to the spirit of altruism and community that Capra felt was at the heart of the American spirit. Capra though is not blind to the dark side of this American vision, as he also shows the cost of this altruistic philosophy on the main character of "It's A Wonderful Life", George Baily, on his unfulfilled personal dreams and the burdens and personal sacrifices of serving the community and fighting for the greater good. "It's A Wonderful Life" was made in 1946, when the United States went through a decade and a half period of economic depression and a world war. This period of economic suffering and world conflict has special relevance to the Occupy Wall Street movement, as these protests also reflect the worries of a country going through economic uncertainty at home and hostile forces abroad. "It's A Wonderful Life" is the last of Frank Capra's meditations on the American myth, and it has lessons that are relevant to the Occupy Wall Street movement today.

Do We Have Problems?

2011-12-31T04:36:33Z

Whether you believe in the Biblical creation story, as absolutely literal in time and sequence, or the theory of evolution, which has many varied time lines and sequences, WE HAVE A PROBLEM! Recorded history indicates man was entirely at the mercy of nature, until he began developing tools and learning to alter his environment. Evidence clearly shows that the 'human species' has been far superior to the other species of life in the ability to advance. History also records evidence of man making terrible mistakes along the way. Environmental destruction of natural plant and animal life has made some areas that once were lush and flourishing into desolate deserts and wasteland. Conflict within families, between tribes or communities, and nations has resulted in annihilation or enslavement of people. We have a significant number of people who, seemingly today, believe that man can not alter his environment. Are they ignoring evidence to the contrary? Man was very limited in his ability, in pre-historic time, to make any big impacts beyond his local environs. But, as he began building on previous discoveries and man made changes and developed new and more powerful tools, he was able to progress further and faster.

Jasper and the Cop

2011-12-27T18:24:53Z