Michael Kimmel wrote a July 16, 2013 NYTimes piece regarding lookism where he pointed out that Melissa Nelson's recent legal case rests not on her beauty but on her employer's perception of her beauty. Her dentist boss felt she would injure him by tempting him into cheating on his wife if she remained in his employ. (Writer Timothy Beneke notes the "danger" beautiful women represent is reinforced in the terms people use to describe them—bombshell, knockout, stunning, femme fatale.) Kimmel … [Read more...]
Monte, the Anti-Bullying Warrior
By popular demand, here's a video of Monte, the Anti-Bullying Warrior. One of his favorite playmates is his purple ball. Click on the following link to activate the video P1060621 Visit www.facebook.com/CleftHeartChasingNormal for more pictures of Monte and info about Cleft Heart. … [Read more...]
“Cleft Heart: Chasing Normal” Facebook Page Launched
Anti-Bully warrior, Monte, encouraged me to set up a Facebook page for Cleft Heart and his favorite cause, the elimination of bullying in schools and online. Monte's a rescue dog who's spent four months in shelters of various sorts. He's had a hard life so far, and still gets bullied, though by dogs and not humans now. Since bullying is part of the Cleft Heart story, I encourage you to visit https://www.facebook.com/CleftHeartChasingNormal and give the public page that pops up a Like. … [Read more...]
Leakers Snowden and Manning——-Heroes or Villains, Part 2
Edward Snowden finds himself in a tight spot. US federal prosecutors charged him with espionage a week ago and revoked his passport. Snowden is a man without a country, remaining in Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport's transit zone after leaving Hong Kong for Russia. I wish him well. I've spent time at that airport in an odd glass-enclosed waiting room for 50 people—seemingly laid down on the tarmac without a foundation—and it wasn't pretty: one toilet in a "cabinet" and only vending machines for … [Read more...]
Saying Goodbye to Ira Sandperl, a Hero who was not always a Saint.
Last week, I attended Ira's memorial service in his adopted, long-time home town of Menlo Park, California. A few people flew in from across the country, which may be par for the course in an age when airplanes ply the sky like buses. . . and the deceased often reach the ripe age of 90 allowing them to influence many lives. Ira influenced more people than most, however. But therein lies the "unsaintly" rub. His influence came at the expense of his two children and other loved ones who often … [Read more...]
Responding to Random Acts of Kindness while Hitchhiking ‘Round-the-World
Before getting to my reaction to RAKs on the road, one more example of amazing kindness: Under a Tuscan sun, a young optician gave me a lift. In a second act of random kindness, he invited me to meet his family as we approached his hometown. I soon got to know his mother, who was an M.D., and his brothers and sisters. After a fantastic home-cooked Italian meal, various members of his family played chess with me while we all drank wine and listened to classical music. I almost cried, … [Read more...]
Random Acts of Kindness in France?
When I hitchhiked in Europe, many Americans felt that the French lacked kindness. Even today many feel the French are rude and intolerant, especially toward anyone who fractures their language or disrespects their culture. My experiences in France in the sixties belied these stereotypes. Two illustratory examples:. In central France--in the eastern part--a middle-aged couple picked me up and after only a little conversation invited me to dinner at their home in Anncey. Before dinner, their … [Read more...]