SEIU District 1199 New Connections Network

I am personally interested in expanding my reading list and receiving regular political or Union fixes.  I have acquired an incurrable interest in these matters and as any good info. junkie, need regular doses to maintain satisfaction!  Fortunately or unfortunately, I was recently introduced to Gore Vidal's "United States" and have finished the rather lengthy volume.  I say unfortunately because I have a feeling it will be hard to beat.  Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in politics.  Now,  however, I am in need of a new fix.  If there are any like minded Unionists out there that have recommendations for excellent reading material,  I would appreciate some help. 

If anyone has had the pleasure of reading and finishing the above mentioned "United States" by Gore Vidal, and would like to discuss it here, contact me.  Whoa.  Blew my mind!

Hey Kendra
If you are not familiar with Howard Zinn, you should read his book Voices Of The People's History of the United States, or can visit him at www.howardzinn.org

For more light reading with a pretty sophisticated race and emotional message, I would definitely read Walter Mosley and his Easy Rawlins series which started with Devil in a Blue Dress. It is very working class philosophy but very relevant and deeply emotional. www.waltermosley.com

Hi, Kendra, for your next lengthy read may I recommend "American Theocracy" by Kevin Phillips, discussing the peril and politics of radical religion, oil and borrowed money in the 21st century. My son the expatriate political junkie living abroad in Japan sent it to me and it has a well-researched point of view.  I am still reading it.  I also recomment the Washington Monthly magazine, which is partly available online.  And of course I can't keep up with John Stewart's excellent book reviews on the Daily Show, of which I am a great fan. I haven't read Vidal's book yet, but as it is payday weekend and I love his work, perhaps I'll get it today and get back to you.  Peace and union love, Jamie Beatty 

Hi Jamie:  Thanks for the recommendations.  I will order the Phillip's reading.  I will be receiving copies of a book Jason recommended above, Voices of the people... by Howard Zinn, very soon.  I also ran across something that looked interesting as well when ordering the Zinn stuff .  The title is "The Great Awakening" by David Loy.  Can't wait for both to arrive!  I will also take you up on the Washington Monthly online.  Since you seem to be more up on political readings ( I am a novice) maybe your socks won't be as knocked off as mine were reading the Vidal book but I will really look forward to hearing from you once you complete it!       In Solidarity Sister,  Kendra

Hey, Kendra!  You know, I haven't read Vidal's US in awhile.  I might just have to grab a copy and brush up so we can talk about it! 
   Another great read on worker's issues and the state of things in America is "Nickel and Dimed: on (not) getting by in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich. 
    Come visit us at the library and pick up a copy ;-)   ---Debbie.

Yeeehaw and giddyup!  My next two books arrived today in the mail.  I will be delving into Voices of a People's History, by Zinn and The Great Awakening by Loy.  My highlighter is already hard at work.  I think we're cookin' now folks.  I feel the love and my fix being satisfied (at least for a short time).  Keep those suggestions rolling in. 

As far as the Vidal reading, "United States", can't wait to get some conversation happening.  I'll tell ya what -   I'm still looking for my socks!!  Thanks Deb for the suggestion.  I might just show up at the library with my hair all stuck up in the air and my purple shirt on!         Kendra

Hey Debbie and Kendra
Is it possible to start a book club at one of the libraries and get a room like once a month? May be something to think about and we can do what we can to promote it on-line to get members involved (maybe even send an email out to all those we have emails for in the Cleveland area). Just let me know and maybe we can get one rolling in Cleveland and then spread it around the District?

Jason

Hey, Jason!  At pretty much any library, community groups can use meeting rooms for free.  It shouldn't be a problem to set up a "live" get-together in one or more places.  Of course, speaking for myself, I'd be just as happy to meet at a coffee-shop or bookstore since I spend ALL day at the library ;-) 
      Seriously, though, what I've seen happen in many areas is a combination of online and live book discussions:  several groups meet in various locations and have a discussion.  (I've even heard of book discussion groups that were actually worldwide). 
         Then, groups report back online and get the online discussion going, comparing group reactions, reporting insights, sharing comments, etc.  Sometimes the online portion is done in a chat-room format so it's "real-time" as well (everybody logs on Tuesday at 9:00 p.m., for example). 
     So, what do you think....Kendra? Others?  Want to start a combo live/online meet-up?  I'm never without something to read and rarely short of things to say!  I'm game if you are!  Jason, you'll have to join us in the online chat portion ;-)   ---Deb.
    

Jason and Deb:

I am all for an on-line discussion group.  I would like to test the waters and see the interest for actual meetings .  If there is enough interest, then I am game.  I really love talking face to face with folks.  I do believe a coffee house is a most excellent environment for discussions.  You can take care of your intellectual fix and caffine fix all at the same time !!  Or, maybe a library that is not yet organized (hee,hee). 

A really cool online virtual library room where we can talk (whisper) would also be great .  What I do really like about this site is that it gives me a chance to talk with other Unionists I would not have the ability to talk with due to geographic limitations.  Wahoooo this is fun.         Kendra

Kendra and Jason (and anyone else interested)

     I like Kendra's idea to start online and move into face-to-face meets as we grow.  It's great that the online meet-ups can open the door for live breakout groups.  
   I'm always game for a coffe fix (my drug of choice!) but can certainly brew my own cup and log into the virtual chat.  As you say, Kendra, it's nice to "visit" across the district without worrying about geography. 
   So, let's go for it!  Shall we put up the call for interested parties? 
   How about "Nickel and Dimed" as a start?  Or, we can take a suggestion from Hugo Chavez and read "Hegemony or Survival" by Noam Chomsky!   I know there's a few out there who share Hugo's opinion of George W.    
   Other suggestions, anyone???    ---Deb.

Hi everyone!

I guess you can tell how long it has taken me to visit the MC web site!  And how great is it that the first thing I see is Kendra's smilng face and a place to talk about books?  I think Nickel and Dimed would be a great one to start with; I read it several years ago and recently Dayton (and surrounding areas) used it for our Big Read.  I'd enjoy an online discussion.  As the old bumper sticker said "Readers are leaders"  Your bibliophile in Beavercreek, Judy

Welcome aboard Judy in Beavercreek!

Giddya, the books are stacking up on my reading table.  Someone will have to choose a book for the first discussion.  I am like a kid in a candy shop right now and  everything is important to me.  I know for sure that at some point I would really like to talk about the Vidal selection "United States".  My face is currently in "Peoples History...", Zinn.  Interestingly enough is that I have Noam Chomsky's "Hegemony or Survival" in my pile as well.  Another suggestion that came my way was "Don't think of an Elephant" by Lakoff. 

The following is inspired by the "Readers are Leaders" tag.  Beautiful.  Just think.  SEIU District 1199 is filled with Service Employees who guard the general well-being (health) and minds (mental health and Libraries) of our communities.  If you keep an entire people unwell and under-educated, well then, what chance is there of change.  The old status quo will be able to continue it's devestations. 

Just "Imagine" 100,000 informed and active Members ! ! !  GIDDYAAA.   Kendra in N. Ridgeville

Some delicious food for thought.  I am currently reading "Voices of a People's history".  My highlighter is unstoppable.  In the intro. Zinn makes many inspiring statements and one I would like to share here as it really talks to me.  Zinn talks about people's voices throughout history, the voices that did not make the popular texts and typical homework assignments!  He states, " I want to point out that people who seem to have no power, whether working people, people of color, or women--once they organize and protest and create movements---have a voice no government can supress". 

 I would like to thank Jason for suggesting such an interesting reading.  Without this connection, I might have missed this book entirely!!  Stuff they do NOT bother with in our hallowed halls of propaganda , I mean, education.  I am looking forward to getting an online circle of reading leaders for more discussion.  Kendra

Maybe we should try to get a group together at the next eboard at reflection time or some other time for a roundtable book discussion?