Gale Cady (Williams)

Chuck, 

Thanks! That was really interesting. This feeds into my relatively newfound interest in Alexander Hamilton ( (What's my name? 🎶🎶)

I frequently wonder about how people in the future will look back on our healthcare in America, and I am hopeful that they will be horrified that only the people who could afford it received adequate healthcare in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. Food for thought  

Gale Cady Williams :)

Charles Price

Gayle,

Part of my early training was in cultural anthropology and psychology. Thus I sometimes see things through this lense, thus the following:

In my opinion, our healthcare or rather disease care system reflects our collective consciousness. In many countries the focus is on community trumping the individual. This was brought home to me when I was lecturing on Psychiatry in China. We were curious how the Chinese delt with certain psychiatric issues. When asking the about involuntary committment issues for people with mental illness that were unable to care for themselves (mostly schizophrenia and bipolar disorder) they seemed quite baffled. We thought it was the lack of clarity on the part of our translator. It turned out that was ot the case. In China if a person is told by authority or family to do something, thy just do it. So they did not have a need for laws requiring compliance. Thus the good of the community trumps individual rights. In Europe where community has been so important as banding together was necessary for survival in wars and othe disasters for many hundreds of years, a greater sense of community psychologically and in society exists. With our American roots in Rugged Individualism it is harder to transplant systems that work in Europe into the American consciousness. It is also harder to get the buy-in from people to increse their taxes to pay for social services. 

Having said this, there has been a lot of movement toward community during our lifetime. Looking at the policies of a very libeal Democrat JFK in the early 60s, by today's stadards would be considered ultra conservative. 

Complex issues with no easy answers, but hopefully as a nation we will continue to inch forward. There is reason for optimism mixed with a lot of frustration.

It will be interesting to see of this pandemic tilts the balance one way or the other.

Gale Cady (Williams)

Chuck,

A very insightful perspective on the roots of why we do, what we do. My 11 years of interacting with Muslim Somali women students, as well as students from many other countries, has really opened my eyes to the differences in our cultures. As a writing tutor in our college tutoring center, the vast majority of students I helped were not native English speakers, and in order to help them better, I often asked them the stories of how and why they came to America, and their goals in getting a college degree. 
Twin boys who were originally from Bhutan, then force-marched with their family to Nepal to the world's largest refugee camp, had stories that literally made me weep. Their goal in becoming nurses is to earn enough money to buy a very large home in Reynoldsburg, where they live together, in order to be able to take care of their parents, "so they never have to work again." This is common in Nepali and all Indian families, but to us, in Central Ohio, the uncommoness of it was stunning to me. There is little collective consciousness, just a "do it yourself or screw you" attitude, which you kindly attribute to the Rugged American philosophy, but which I attriubte to a culture based on complete self-indulgence and selfishness. I think as a nation we are at the very beginning of coming out of that,  but (and I know you don't live in Newark anymore), there are far too many homes flying enormous Trump flags and proudly streaming huge pro-slavery Confederate flags from the backs of their trucks, and openly carrying gun belts in stores. We have not gone forward; we have gone backwards, to the point I am literally afraid to go out in public. BUT, when I do, I am wearing my women's rights, RGB, Obama, Biden, or LGBTQ T-shirts. 
My biggest fear is that it does not take another Civil War to teach unwilling Americans that tolerance and acceptance for all people is a necessity, because right now, I see us at the brink of that. 
Thank you for the stimulating and interesting dialogue. I am pretty much in the house alone most of the time these days and appreciate the opportunity for discussion with a person whose education and intelligence I admire. I lost my job at the college along with my entire department on April 22 and this is a thing that I miss very much. 
Wishing you well, 
Gale 
PS here's a link to my WordPress blog https://galecady.wordpress.com/2018/08/ - 
this story was also published in an online magazine, Between Coasts, here: https://betweencoasts.org/manas-american-dream/

Thse is another in my series of Immigrant Stories here: https://galecady.wordpress.com/2019/04/25/reaching-for-the-american-dream-yami/

I have not written the one on the twins yet because it feels so important to me that my attempts so far, I feel, do not do them justice. When I finish it, I'll share it. These three stories are the beginnings of a book of my collectied experiences with immigrant students and how knowing them has changed my life. It is constantly surprising to me that the college campus is insulated from the community the way it is, with students from 26 different countries, while it sits at the far end of the whitest end of Newark. The campus and the town exist in separate and totally different worlds, which is really kind of bizarre. 

Sharon Courson (Croyle)

Gayle and Charles -  Such an interesting discussion.  Working for several nonprofits over the years, I too became keenly aware of the cultural differences.  Especially where the care for family is concerned.  I am always amazed when people are surprised that I've cared for so many family members.  I cannot imagine doing less.  We do seem eager to "park" our responsibilities and problems on someone else or another entity.  Other cultures would not even consider such an option.

I am frustrated by our health system as well.  As the Director of a nonprofit vision charity I was dismayed to learn that if you have hip or heart surgery insurance pays for rehab, but lose your vision or hearing and there is no insurance resource for you.  You are expected to go on welfare or SS even if you are a fully capable person otherwise.  Also frustrating is that there are so many preventative and early actions that would stop or prevent vision loss, but our health system does not promote those things.  

In GA we are experiencing much the same political polarization as the rest of the nation.  It saddens me greatly.  

My brother and I have been limiting our activities.  It chafs but is necessary.  My granddaughter had COVID - now recovered - and lives with us since her campus closed.  I feel for you, Gayle, in your isolation.  

Be Well!  Be Safe!

Charles Price

Sharon and Gayle,

What a pleasure to hear of your work with disadvantaged populations. Living in Sweden for a year, I was able to experience the socialized medicine and culture. As with everything there are up sides and down sides. But it is a different side. During college I spent an academic year in India which was yet a third side. There I lived with a family of 3 generations in the same home. Very usual for India. Perhaps bringing things into the light will help at some level rather than having divisions grow in the dark unfettered by contra currents. 

Chuck

Charles Price

Sorry Gale (not Gayle) 8-(

Julie Dillon

Two words that have become more and more important to me everyday. They are Respect and Tolerance.

Although not always easy to remember and put into practice,  they do define us to others.  I am respectful of differing opinions and I tolerate other's words even when I find them hurtful or offensive. 

I hope our Message Forum does not become a vehicle for divisiveness or politically charged.

Stay safe and healthy all!

Sharon Courson (Croyle)

My apologies as well GALE!  

Sharon

Charles Price

Julie,

Well said. 

Charles

Charles Price

I post this as a piece of humor during these trying times. My apologies if it is inadvertently offensive to anyone.

Charles Price

Yoko Ono’s surprisingly difficult instructions: “Try to say nothing negative about anybody for three days, for forty-five days, for three months. Se what happens to your life.” (This may be especially difficult in an election year)

Diana Holmes (Brown)

Sorry, Yoko. You'll have to wait until after January 20, 2021. That is everything goes the way I hope. Otherwise and until then,  I just can't. 

Charles Price

"Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends with them?" - Abraham Lincoln

Charles Price

Some words to live by. Andrew Jackson after a particularly brutal campaign season with vicious attacks on him and his character and the circumstances of his early relationship with his soon to be wife in speaking at The Hermitage just after the interment of his wife and before assuming the  Presidency. “I can forgive all who have wronged me, but will have fervently to pray that I may have grace to enable me to forget or forgive any enemy who has ever maligned that blessed one who is now safe from all suffering and sorrow, whom they tried to put to shame for my sake.”

Gary Berry

Richard MIKE Miller passes away this morning in Newark Ohio RIH fellow friend and brother Marine

Charles Price

Gary,

Thank you for sharing this with us.

Larry Wilson

May Mike rest in peace.  Let me know if you see anything about an obituary.  I will post it on our website.

Larry Wilson

I found the obituary for Mike Miller.  He served in Vietnam and was a Purple Heart recipient.  May Mike rest in peace.

   Newark - Richard "Mike" Miller, age 70, of Newark, passed away Wednesday September 2, 2020 at his home with his loving wife by his side. He was born October 13, 1949 in Newark, Ohio to the late Richard and Wilma (Brookins) Miller.

A graveside service will be held at 2:30 pm Tuesday, September 8, 2020, at Newark Memorial Gardens, with pastor Jerry Boylon officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Licking County Veterans Alliance.

After graduating from Newark High School, Mike joined the Marines and served in Vietnam. He was the recipient of a Purple Heart along with other various service awards. After serving as a Marine he worked at the Newark Air Force Station for 24 years.

Mike had a great love for his family and friends and was always looking to help those that he could. He was a member of the Marine Corps League and loved going to the beach and riding his motorcycle.

Mike is survived by his wife of 44 years, Cheri (Patterson) Miller. He also leaves behind his daughter, Cynthia Martin; grandchildren, Tyler Sullivan, Tritney and Katelyn Brewer. Great grandchildren, Avery and Kennley Sullivan, and Kaiden Brewer; sister, Linda (Miller) Ponser and her spouse, Gene Ponser; niece, Lisa (Humphrey) and her spouse, Denny Wood; nephew, Shawn (Nicole) Humphrey; great grandchildren, Kai, Kami and Kohen Humphrey.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his son, Jason Michael Miller.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Forever Young Veterans (foreveryoungvets.org) and Hospice of Central Ohio, PO Box 430, Newark, Ohio 43058.

To sign an online guestbook, please visit www.brucker-kishlerfuneralhome.com.
 

Charles Price

“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.” - John Burroughs

Charles Price

As this contentious election draws to a close in voting, I thought a ray of sunshine might be helpful. 

As we all know this has been a year with many challenges. My crocus seem to have risen to the challenge to bring a bright spot to the end of October though they were supposed to wait until the Spring. Go figure...

Deborah Gail Smith (Hall)

Chuck, thank you for posting that bright spot; very comforting to see there are still some “norms” out there!  And I see it was getting pollinated!  I enjoy my Spring flowers as well. 

Deb (Smith) Hall

Patti Henderson (Patrick)

Thanks for sharing, we certainly can use a bright spot in this weird 2020 year.

Larry Wilson

Peg just let me know that Dave Wells passed away April 16th.  May Dave rest in peace.

David "Dave" L. Wells

( January 30, 1950 - April 16, 2021 )

David L. “Dave” Wells passed away April 16, 2021 at Licking Memorial Hospital in the Selma Markowitz Hospice unit. He was born to Robert and Carol Wells “who named the child David” on January 30, 1950 in Dayton, OH.

Dave was a 1968 graduate of Newark High School and was a professional mechanic for a large portion of his life. Dave had many joys in life, an excellent sense of humor, and lately, strong political views. He loved jazz, playing the drums, old movies, golf (sometimes), fishing, Cincinnati Reds baseball, and going on motorcycle rides.

He will be missed by his three sisters, Elizabeth and Rosemary Wells and Georgia (Michael) Hartman.

The family would like to thank First Light, Hospice of Central Ohio (especially Larissa) for the kindness, care, and respect they showed to David.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Central Ohio, 2269 Cherry Valley Rd., Newark, OH 43055.

At David’s request, no funeral services will be held.

Nancy Baughman (Fetter)

What a smile Dave has in that picture.  May he rest in peace

John Wise

Dave was a great guy. He was so much fun in school and a good drummer. RIP Dave!