Saturday, August 29, 2009

Ted Kennedy: "a lasting impact on the lives of other human beings"

Today was the funeral for Senator Ted Kennedy. Various news stories in the few days since his death relayed the details of his family history, his personal and political story, and the many accolades from people of all persuasions. As just one example of the news coverage, here is the compiled coverage from the Washington Post.

As part of the funeral service, President Obama delivered a eulogy of Kennedy; here is an excerpt from the Post's account:

"We can use each day to show those who are closest to us how much we care about them, and treat others with the kindness and respect that we wish for ourselves," Obama said. "We can learn from our mistakes and grow from our failures. And we can strive at all costs to make a better world, so that someday, if we are blessed with the chance to look back on our time here, we can know that we spent it well; that we made a difference; that our fleeting presence had a lasting impact on the lives of other human beings. . . . This is how Ted Kennedy lived. This is his legacy."

Monday, August 24, 2009

New cemetery marker--thanks but no thanks

A former student and admirer of Frank Lloyd Wright placed a marker on the grave of Wright's famous love interest, without approval of the cemetery board. Ultimately the board decided to return the unauthorized marker. The news story from the Wisconsin State Journal begins this way:
A gravestone for Frank Lloyd Wright’s professional inspiration and personal sorrow, murder victim Mamah Borthwick, placed without permission in a family cemetery at Taliesin outside of Spring Green one late night in May, will be returned to a well-intentioned admirer.

Hawaii's Fiftieth Anniversary of Statehood

The fiftieth anniversary of Hawaii's statehood last week was noted in this New York Times op-ed piece. The author, who is a transplant to the islands, comments on the beauties and quirks of our 50th states. He concludes with this observation and compliment:

And since people’s faults are often their virtues when looked at a different way, the aversion to self-promotion is often a welcome humility; the lack of confrontation or hustle is a rare thing in a hyperactive world. Islanders are instinctively territorial, but bound by rules, so privacy matters and so does politeness and good will.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

A beautiful example of a life for others

Eunice Kennedy Shriver died this week; here's the New York Times obituary for her. Most notable in all the tributes was her founding of the Special Olympics (the site is now transformed into a wonderful tribute to her).

In pleasant contrast to the current health care reform fervor, which seems to be motivated by fear and self-interest (frequently exaggeratedly so), Shriver's concern for others, especially those who historically were marginalized because of disability, is a bright example.

We typically think of the Kennedy family as politicians, often with some ideal of public service. Shriver reminded us that we can all undertake public service for the common good.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Health care reform explained

In all the swirl of comments and controversy, the New York Times offered this primer on the health care proposals in Washington. It highlights that there are still several bills under consideration, that the outrageous claims of some are unfounded, and various interests will need to compromise (meaning, the President, Congress, doctors, insurers, your grandmother will not get all they had hoped for).

Obviously, this topic is still a moving target, so stay engaged in the news for how healthcare reform will unfold.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Wisconsin domestic partnership law...

became effective August 3, 2009. Here is how the day unfolded in Madison, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. According to Fair Wisconsin's summary (pdf), registered domestic partners have 43 of the over 200 rights of married couples. Still, that has not stopped a conservative group from suing the governor, alleging that domestic partnership provisions violate the 2006 state constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman and prohibiting anything "substantially similar" to marriage. Here's the latest from the Wisconsin State Journal on that suit.