SEIU District 1199 New Connections Network

Hey, John,
    I finally read the Tao of Pooh.  All I can say is WOW!  It would be really easy to pass this book off as a bit of fluff or fairy tale, but if you really get to thinking about it, you REALLY get to thinking!  There are some very deep and very eye-opening currents running through this book.  Like you, I consider myself part of the choir, but I got lots of new insights and new angles on things.   Thanks for the great recommendation!  I've got the Te of Piglet on my list of "must-reads" as well.  But, first I just have to get through some required reading to help us set up anti-bullying policies here at CPL.  Brain enhancement continues!  There's always a stack of books on my bedside table, desk, kitchen table, etc., etc., etc.!    ---Debbie.

We're all still quietly feeding our brains.  I'm still working on "A People's History of the United States" and occasional visits back to Gore Vidal's "United States."      Here's a tidbit that might get you a new list of must-reads:
    Try out his books on the Roosevelt years, especially "The Politics of Upheaval."  Great reads. 
---Debbie.

Arthur Schlesinger, Historian of Power, Dies at 89 by Douglas Martin

Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., the historian whose more than 20 books shaped discussions for two generations about America’s past, and who himself was a provocative, unabashedly liberal partisan, most notably while serving in the Kennedy White House, died Wednesday night in Manhattan. He was 89.     (For the remainder of the article, visit: http://tinyurl.com/2zgw6u )

 

Hmmmmm.  "The Politics of Upheaval" sounds good.  Like it could satisfy.  I think I will add that one to my list.  I also just received the Spring edition of the Nation and it is the 'book' edition for all political junkies.  Keep reading good Unionists.  Keep checking in and posting those reading list suggestions !  Kendra

To all faithful readers and good Unionists.  I will start with an apology for this posting.  It has little to do with reading right now and everything to do with ACTION.  It appears that this site has a lot of traffic and I am being an opportunist!  I have really been using this site to stretch and satisfy my intellectual boundaries as far as political reading is concerned and I am entirely grateful for all of the excellent suggestions.  I find myself falling asleep at night with a book on my chest!!  Here is the pitch right now.  Keep posting and reading but let's put our knowlege and interest to practice use as well.  I am reaching out to to everyone at this time to set aside books temporarily and get into our communities and put our power to work.  For what you might ask.  Well for the "Ohioans for Healthy Families" of course.  I told you I was being opportunistic.  This is a fantastic and awesome way to get all of that cerebral energy to work.  Signatures, signatures and more signatures is what it will take in the coming 6 months to change the lives of working Ohioans by placing our efforts in front of the Ohio legislature.  7 PAID sick days will place our Union solidly on the map.  READERS into ACTION making a huge difference for us all. 

I am being shameless here I know.  But I also know that the folks that frequent this forum are aware and good Unionists, as all of the postings have already given proof.  Download a petition right from the MC site!  If you want to get connected and are unsure of how to do so, just give me a call at the Cleveland office, (216) 566-0117 and I'll get you linked up.  Your forever faithful Union servant and Sister in Solidarity, Kendra

Well, it has been over a year since this posting appeared.  Jason suggested I get a copy of Howard Zinn's, "Voices of a People's History of the United States".  I did get a copy of "Voices.." and enjoyed every page. Like needle tracks up a junkies arm, (please dont' take offense here at my choice of simili, I just happen to enjoy poetic license and as a disclaimer, I worked in Mental Health for 20 years and understand the addiction problem!) the books stack up on my end table.  I continuously scan the internet for new fixes and talk with other Unionists to see what is on their reading list.  I just came across an article in The Nation and wanted to share here.  I hope that this forum has encouraged some to increase their enthusiasm for expanding their political as well as historic knowlege base. 

While this is not a book I am about to give a link to, I thought it appropriate to post here.  Solidarity.

Howard Zinn's "Rebel Voices" Opens in New York

The new play "Rebel Voices" is based on the book, "Voices of a People's History of the United States," by historian Howard Zinn and Anthony Arnove." It features dramatic readings of speeches, letters, poems, songs and petitions of people like Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass, Malcolm X, as well as contemporary voices such as Iraq war resister Camilo Mejía.

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/11/09/1455254

"Rebel Voices" features dramatic readings of speeches, letters, poems, songs and petitions. They are the words of people throughout U.S. history who have struggled against slavery, racism, war and oppression, people like Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass, Malcolm X, as well as contemporary voices such as Iraq war resister Camilo Mejía and Patricia Thompson, a survivor of Hurricane Katrina.

 

Hi Kendra,

First, it does seem the communication has dwindled a bit on this site. I take responsibility for my part in that, but I'm also intent on getting it moving again, especially as I see the MC site as the way to communicate with members in lieu of regular monthly meetings. Seems like the future, only I need some future right now.

Second, on Zinn and "Voices." There are few books--and this is my latest--where I will probably read the whole damn thing, but probably never cover to cover. I love randomly opening a page and reading the reprinted original material on it. If there is something specific I am looking for--such as George Jackson's letters from Soledad Brother or personal accounts of the Hiroshima bombing, the book is in chronological order (oh yeah...and has a table of contents!) and finding something is easy. I treat the book like it's a reference book, but in so doing, I can constantly keep it on my "Currently Reading" list.

Can't wait to see the production of Rebel Voices.

I'll look for you this weekend. It has occured to me that you might not know who I am. I will be particulary interested in trying to steal some time from Debbie H. By the way, the rest of my "Current Reading" list is: The Hobbit (with my 8 year old at bedtime); Guns, Germs, And Steel by Jared Diamond; The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton; Misquoting Jesus by Bart Ehrman; Biblical Literacy by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin. And I just finished Non-Violence: 25 Lessons from a Dangerous Idea by Mark Kurlansky, borrowed to me from another Eboard member.

Much Peace,

John J. Miller