Respect

Narragansett story teller and author Paula Dove Jennings spoke to a group of students this afternoon at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Paula who is also a member of the Economic Development Committee for the Narragansett is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to her tribe's great history. She openly shared through an uplifting style of story telling her family's history as well as the tight bond she shares amongst members and the traditions of her federally recognized tribe. (FYI: Federal Recognition is a big deal amongst Northeast Native Americans like the Nipmuc Tribe. Today, according to Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs and tribe member Troy Phillips, the Nipmuc are looking elsewhere in order to become a recognized tribe after attempting the tumultuous Federal Acknowledgement process twice, spending $4 million of their tribe's funds and still being denied by the United States Government.)

Today, Paula advised students and staff to speak out, "If you don't they'll come for you," she said. "And then there's no one left to speak out. It can and will happen." Paula directed similar commentary relating to the recent occurrences of racism on the UMass campus. Check out the following video footage below and learn more.

"Things Aren't Going Well, Blame The Media"

"The Race Is On": One of this afternoon's hot political topics on CNN was the news media's speculative treatment of Senator Hillary Clinton's Presidential campaign.

Following last night's final Democratic debate before the March 4 primaries, questions arose amongst pundits regarding television's possible bias towards Senator Barack Obama and against Clinton. Maybe Clinton's very own commentary during the debate regarding a recent skit on last week's Saturday Night Live could have potentially created more conversation on the topic, but what do you think? Is the main stream media publicly choosing sides?

The Sleuth Blog of WashingtonPost.com posted recently "just because it's funny...." Unlike the parties above, here are some kiddos who have publicly denounced Clinton.

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A Recent Letter To The Editor

The Salem News
February 13, 2008

Spring Break Or Bust!

Spring Break is right around the corner for most colleges and universities in the United States. The question then is, where are you going?

Some students may choose sunny tropical destinations with all inclusive benefits (a.k.a. all you can eat and drink) for one flat rate-not including airfare, with out ever having to leave the touristy confines of their palapa. Others take a more financially saavy route and head north to a family friend's camp to ski and sleep the days away. Even simply staying at school or traveling with a school sponsored organization can be fun as well as taking a road trip (follow this link to read post-Spring Break 2007 entry about two UMass students' road trip turned hitchhiking experience and its Eco-friendly benefits). No matter the destination, sunny or snowy, expensive or cost-cutting, college kids are going to have fun.

College students and even those that do not identify themselves as such, tell us about your plans for Spring Break 2008! Please comment below and share with those still planning their itineraries what's hot and what's not this travel season.

Visit often and check out new and updated ideas for Spring Break travel.










Get in touch with the University of Massachusetts Career Services Director Jeff Silver: jis@acad.umass.edu today to learn more about the NYC day trip and other internship opportunities.

Hate Crimes Target Politics And Schools

WashingtonPost.com's blog The Sleuth reported last week on antisemitism and racism erupting in Tennessee's Democratic Representative Steve Cohen's campaign for reelection.

"If you thought race was an uncomfortable issue in the Democratic presidential primary, wait 'til you get a load of what's going on in the Democratic primary in the Memphis area's 9th District of Tennessee, where a shockingly worded flier paints Jewish Rep. Steven Cohen (D-Tenn.) as a Jesus hater.

"Memphis Congressman Steve Cohen and the JEWS HATE Jesus," blares the flier, which Cohen himself received in the mail --inducing gasps -- last week."

Reports filed by Massachusetts' newspapers and television conglomerates have also recently covered cases of antisemitism occurring in suburban communities north of Boston. One particular hate crime reported February 12, 2008 by The Swampscott Reporter details the findings of antisemitic slogans in a Middle School/Junior High School bathroom.

Swampscott Middle School administrators are investigating an incident of
anti-Semitic graffiti, specifically drawings of swastikas, found last Friday in
a school bathroom.

A letter was sent home to the entire school community on Monday, notifying
people of the incident and the steps the school is taking to
investigate.

“We are pleased with the initial response by the school as it sends a
message that behavior like this will not be tolerated,” said Robert O. Trestan,
Eastern state civil rights counsel for the ADL.

Trestan also said he has been in contact with both school and police
officials to discuss the incident in greater detail and “a possible role for
ADL’s anti-bias education program in the Swampscott public schools.”

Like the hate fliers that were spread throughout Representative Cohen's District, this hate crime was done annonymously, and as of press time suspects had not been named.

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Letter to the Editor

With the latest school shootings and suicide at Northern Illinois University this week, the following Letter to the Editor struck me unlike any others that I have recently been following in large and small newspaper publications up and down the East Coast.

Although the Letter in no way directily mentions the school shootings it does discuss suicide, which alone doubled in number among combat-experienced United States Marines from 9 in 2006 to eighteen in 2007, according to figures compiled by the service.

The Letter was published in today's Salem Evening News, located in Beverly, Massachusetts which services readers up and down the North Shore--from Cape Ann to the Lynn Way.

Letter: Think of what you'll be missing

To the editor:

My twin brother picked a lousy time to kill himself.
He died three months before the Red Sox won the World Series. He didn't see the Patriots go 18-0 and almost win another Super Bowl.

This year's Celtics are having their best start in team history. Even the Bruins are playing solid hockey at both ends of the ice. And last week, he missed seeing Boston College, his alma mater, beat my alma mater, Boston University, in overtime at the Beanpot. He would've loved that.

In his obituary notice, mourners were encouraged "in lieu of flowers" to make a donation to Barack Obama's presidential campaign. Unfortunately, because my brother jumped off a cliff five months before the Iowa caucuses began, he didn't see his candidate collect almost 1,000 Democratic delegates by Super Tuesday.

I don't pretend to understand the desperation my brother must have felt as he stood on that ledge and decided to end his life. I'm not a psychologist or a social worker; although ironically, he was. But I can't help but wonder, in those final terrible moments of torment, did my brother consider what he might miss by checking out so soon? A major sporting event, perhaps; a wedding; one of his sons pitching a shutout or getting a promotion; the birth of a grandchild; the next season of "Entourage" or "American Idol."

My brother's funeral was so crowded they actually ran out of Communion wafers. He would've found that both funny and humbling.

His sons and daughter-in-law delivered eulogies that caused huge tears and giant smiles throughout the church. A thousand heads bobbed in unison at the memory of a wonderful father, colleague, hockey coach, mentor and caregiver.

Because we were identical twins, several mourners I'd never met before felt compelled to come up to me and touch my face and hair, even smell me, just so they could have one final remembrance of their friend and therapist.

Later, a couple of people said they believed the "demons" infesting my brother's patients had somehow transferred to his body like something out of a Stephen King novel. There could be no other explanation why such a great man would be driven to suicide. But, I don't believe that for a minute.

I do believe, now more than ever, in the telepathic connection that twins are reported to have. Months before his death, I sensed that something was troubling my brother. I asked him about it once, but he quickly shot me down. I let it go because, after all, he was the trained professional who would surely be able to self-diagnose his own emotional problems.

I curse myself for not pushing harder. For not being there for him. For not letting him know how much I cared for him.

So, my advice here is neither very original nor earth-shattering. First, if someone is special to you, tell them how you feel. The online testimonials to my brother on legacy.com and mem.com are amazingly beautiful in their praise of his life and deeds. It's a shame he'll never get to read them and know what an impact he had on so many people.

Second, if you think a friend or loved one is troubled, encourage them to talk about it. No, make them talk about it. Don't be afraid of appearing too nosy or pushy. You just might find this person really wants someone to share their feelings with, to listen to their subtle cries for help.

Finally — and this is what I wish I had been able to say to my brother — if suicide seems to be the only answer, think about what you might miss when you're gone. What could happen tomorrow, next week or next year that you'd really like to see for yourself? A prom; an anniversary; a great new movie; the first black or woman president; or the Boston Bruins kissing the Stanley Cup.

Paul would have loved that.

PETE G. MARSH
Topsfield

(Editor's note: Pete Marsh's brother, Paul, died in August 2007. He was a licensed social worker with a private practice in Portland, Maine)

Campaign Surfing

An anonymous group of four registered voters age 24-50 years old all chimed in when asked if they ever thought to surf the pages of a Presidential candidate’s site. All responded simply by saying they would not. One out of the four admitted that it did not even occur to them that such a site Online would exist. Others said that if questions regarding specific issues arose and they were unsure how one candidate versus another felt then would they may be inclined to log online and take a closer look at the issues. Instead, the group in question said they rely on sources such as The Boston Globe, National Public Radio, DemocracyNow.org, evening newscasts and debates to examine and then reexamine candidates’ plans for our future.

But what about the 8,000 plus members that make up the Facebook.com group “Americans For (Hillary) Clinton In ‘08”or Barack Obama’s 283,917 friends on MySpace.com. These groups of people chose to openly reveal themselves and recognize whom they support for a candidate. Their “dedicated” interest in requesting to be a part of these movements only suggests that they must be avid visitors to their Presidential hopeful’s Online Homepage. They are “friends” after all.

Upon entering Obama’s Website, following the darling family photograph of his wife and children, voters, friends and curious visitors alike emerge themselves in 21st century Internet technology. Seeking a “Change for the Good” as Obama’s campaign slogan reads is surprisingly not plastered throughout his site and is only mentioned once upon entry, that I could see. Other slogans he has prided himself on do exist throughout the site by following links to the Issues, reading his daily blog or watching “BarackTV.” This fast paced site in various shades of blue with hints of red and white has a number of opportunities for those interested in the young Illinois Senator’s Presidential bid. And of course you can always donate money.

Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul's "Hope For American" campaign takes a similar approach online at his site, RonPaul2008.com . “There were 11, now there are three” regards the number of Republican candidates currently left "standing" for the Presidential nomination and is one of my favorite features of the Website, which also includes a “2008 Countdown to Win” timer calculating the days, hours, minutes and seconds until the race’s finale. Like his counterparts, even those across the table, Paul initially invites visitors to the site to offer up any donations possible as well as the ability to volunteer to assist the campaign. Like Obama, Paul also uses multimedia technology to help persuade voters, but does not maintain his own television network. Instead he utilizes YouTube.com and the unusual justin.TV as his video networking sites. These networks offer viewers campaign updates and with justin.TV continuous live video and audio of the “Ron Paul Revolution” across the country.

Each candidate, Democrat or Republican, along with their campaign team eagerly develop catchy jingles or mottos that coincide with the big Issues, so that come Decision Day 2008 voters across the country will be able to sing the tune of their favorite candidate, such as,

Ron Paul (R) on...Economy: "Prescription For Prosperity," Immigration: "The talk must stop...," Privacy: "The biggest threat to your privacy is the government."

Barack Obama (D) on...National Security: "Protecting Our Homeland," Energy: "Plan For A Clean Energy Future," Education: "A World Class Education."

John McCain (R) on...Economy: "Pro-Growth Tax Agenda," Iraq: "Bolster Troops On The Ground," Enery: "Stewards Of Our Nation's Rich Natural Heritage."

Hillary Clinton (D) on...Economy: "An Innovation Agenda," Iraq: "Ending The War In Iraq," Veterans: "Fulfilling Our Promises To Veterans."