Cabaret of Light
It was amazing to have the opportunity to read your recent interview with Ann Hampton Callaway ( in Windy City Times' July 18 issue ) online. Of particular interest were her comments about Liza Minnelli.
The comments lead to the question of when will these talents be appearing in San Francisco. It can't be too soon—and how great it was to read of their projects as chronicled from Chicago. You go!!
Allen White
San Francisco
Sicko No More
For everyone disgusted by the nation's entrenched and worsening healthcare crisis, there's actually a glimmer of hope in Illinois.
Despite a political stalemate paralyzing work in Springfield, Governor Rod Blagojevich and Senate leaders have advanced a new scaled-back proposal to vastly extend affordable healthcare to thousands of Illinois residents. The new plan offers a more modest business tax to finance healthcare expansion for low- and moderate-income Illinoisans. Even small businesses would receive relief for the spiraling costs of providing health insurance for their employees.
Members of the GLBT community should recognize this effort as a singular moment to improve the lives of the tens of thousands of our friends, family members, and loved ones—and likely ourselves. People who are self employed, unemployed, low-wage workers, or simply working without coverage or adequate coverage stand to benefit.
As many as 10,000 Illinoisans living with HIV/AIDS—a majority of whom are people of color—could receive comprehensive healthcare insurance, including prescription drug coverage. With an estimated 1 in 4 gay and bisexual men living with HIV ( higher among Black and Latino men ) , it's easy to see how significant such a plan would be. Beyond HIV, the plan would allow for regular screening for cancer; cover prenatal care; and provide preventative services, lifesaving prescription drugs, and assistance affording other health services.
This critical opportunity will only be realized if Illinois voters demand that lawmakers make it happen. The time to say NO to 'sicko' healthcare, which benefits the few and puts all our lives in peril, is now. Don't let this chance for meaningful healthcare reform pass us by: Call your legislator today!
Sincerely,
David Ernesto Munar
Vice President, Policy & Communications
AIDS Foundation of Chicago
411 S. Wells Street, Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60607
( 312 ) 334-0933
( 773 ) 814-5606 cell
( 312 ) 922-2916 fax
www.aidschicago.org
No More War
There is a revelatory lesson in all this urban warfare and jihadist violence: From Baghdad to Beirut and from Gaza to Kabul, these recruits to the ultimate in reactionary cults threaten the existing states in the Muslim world far more than America or its Western allies. They are one side in a conflict centered within the Muslim world. Contrary to President George W. Bush's notion, this is not America's long war against terrorism but the Islamic world's conflict with itself.
The recent world events point to what most of the intelligence agencies refuse to share with the American people. Just like we were lied about the weapons of mass destruction and the connection between Saddam Hussein with Al-Qaeda, we are now being lied to, perhaps because they are unable to tell the truth, but most likely because of the stubbornness of the commander-in-chief ( who talks to God the Almighty ) that we are at war with the terrorists. After all, it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the opponents of the war for lack of patriotism—exposing the country to greater danger.
Let's suppose that we bring all the troops home from Iraq tomorrow. Would the retaliatory strike against Sunni Arabs be any different? Just like Hamas on Gaza, the two factions—Sunni and Shiite—will fight their civil war until one side wins. It is a crime against our brave American troops to place them in the crossfire of a civil war that will not be resolved through military intervention by an outside party. The only way to avoid further bloodbath in Iraq requires a political solution. The problem is that just liked Hamas and Fatah, these conflicts have persisted for centuries. America, just like the British before, should remember the history of the region. It is not like a civil war is something we don't comprehend. If my memory serves me right, we fought one from 1861 to 1865. What would you think would have happened if the British or the French would have tried to mediate it?
The only difference is that America's incompetent leaders initiated Iraq's civil war. Instead of sacrificing our young armed forces, I would put on trial the people responsible for crimes against humanity and get our soldiers out of harm's way.
Carlos T Mock, M.D.
Chicago
NOTE: Letters may be edited for clarity, length or consistency.
