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Archive: August 2009

August 2009 - Back Issue

Book Reviews
“Dear Husband,” by Joyce Carol Oates
by James Patrick

Nothing left undone

Essays
SECOND THOUGHTS FROM AN UNQUIET MIND
by Jack Lindeman

Sometimes I suspect that writing in this notebook is nothing more than a compromise. Yet theoretically at least I would like to think of it as a kind of bridge which enables me to pass from the prosaic to the sublime, from the dutifully mundane to the poetic.

Film
American Gangsters
by Lynn M. Petrovich

A Movie Review

Health Care: News & Notes
West Reading Leads the Way
by Ron Stouffer and Rosie Skomitz

Here’s to Mike Morrill and the West Reading Borough Council, heroes in the single-payer health care reform movement!

Poetry
Patient
by Jack Lindeman

“That crucial battle not even his medals can help him recall.”

Kanagawa 1946
by Jack Romig

A new poem by the poetry editor of CommonSense 2.

Politics: General
Independence Day
by Stefan Kosikowski
6 Comments

The 4th of July marks the 233rd anniversary of our Declaration of Independence, a call for an end of corporate colonial rule and for a more representative government of the people.

Politics: Local
How to Stay Healthy in July and Why It Matters
by Karen Feridun
1 Comment

If we don’t hear from you by the 3rd, you won’t be able to eat at the picnic, and you know what happens if you don’t eat. That’s right! You get sick!

Politics: National
Clean Energy?
by CommonSense2 Editor
1 Comment

The American Clean Energy and Security Act passed by a narrow margin recently. While it is historic, many environmentalists think that the bill was weakened too much to be truly effective.

Tarnished Shields:
by Walter Brasch

The hypocrisy and moral turpitude of the leaders is just one reason why only 21 percent of Americans identify themselves as Republicans.

Short Story
Adoration of the Fabulous Beasts
by Lora Williams

Sometimes when it is still at night, not a sound anywhere, you might think of the racket at the Adoration of the Fabulous Beasts. Or if you are somewhere where you have to be awfully quiet and behave yourself, it helps to think of that rowdy gang and all the rumpus they’re making. Yes, when you were born they did this for you. But maybe it would be fun, if it’s all right with your Mother, to make a lot of noise, and that does happen now and then — you might join in right now.

August 2009 - Back Issue Columns

Editorials
Opinions, rants, confessions and predictions appear in this monthly commentary.
An Unpopular War: The Unethical Menu Which We Are Fed

John's wife, Yvette, had signed up the family, which includes a four year-old son, for health insurance with Anthem a month before the accident. She said Anthem had cashed their premium check and twice assured Yvette that John was covered. But [then] the company said the policy hadn't been in force at the time of the accident. ‘When they denied me, I was still in a coma.' said John ‘The medical bills came to $65,000.' [The Ellis' sued] ‘They have so much money they wear you down.' said Yvette ‘They bank on the fact that you are going to break.'

An Unpopular War: PUPPY Love

PMDD, which en espanol is El muchacho los norteamericanos jode crédulo, is characterized by irritability, moodiness, and totally irrational behavior (obviously unique to females and non-elected White House occupants).

Twelve Angry White People

In the Pennsylvania anthracite coal region, the bigotry of the descendants of immigrants who themselves fought discrimination may have fueled the violence that led to the death of a Mexican immigrant.

You Get What You Show
2 Comments

Call me crazy, but with the exception of Barack Obama, the election here in Berks County, PA was a disaster. When you consider that the national Republican Party dowsed itself in gasoline and then lit a match, our results were appalling.

To Your Health
Ron Stouffer and Rosie Skomitz have been waging battles in the health care wars for 15 years. Check back every month for views, opinions and information vital to you and To Your Health
Battle for Health Care Is Not a Spectator Sport
7 Comments

When we are a powerful fist with one punch screaming 'single-payer health care', only then will we break through the doors of power and break the chain of traditional failure on this issue so critical to our well-being.

The Keystone Scorecard
Sylvia Baylor chronicles the absurdities of Harrisburg and our State Legislature. Occasionally The Keystone Scorecard will feature guest authors.
Pennsylvania's Long Hot Summer

Safari, an affair, or even running away to join the circus, we don't care. It is about time that Pennsylvania had a budget in place by the beginning of the fiscal year.

The Dark Visions of Sheldon Kaplan
Sheldon Kaplan explores and brings a world into focus that is unseen to most of us
THE HAUNT OF FIAT!
5 Comments

If you think what has happened to your 401K has been bad, how would you feel if the dollars contained within would only buy 1/4th or 1/10th of what they did prior to the collapse! What if the loss of value was even worse by the time you decided that all the financial flim-flam men and women have been selling you a bag full of hooey!!

PAST HISTORY

We will never change until the pain is beyond unbearable. We never seem to learn from history. Instead, history is a ball and chain. We have become unmovable, even with our children's future on the line, and we continue playing the games that we have always played.