Obama, thats yo momma! said...
Obama 'Frightens Me'. The Bible has warned us that 'A man will come from the East that will be charismatic in nature and have proposed solutions for all our problems and his rhetoric will attract many supporters!'
When will our pathetic Nation quit turning their back on God and understand that this man is 'A Muslim'....First, Last and always....and we are AT WAR with the Muslim Nation, whether our bleeding-heart, secular, Liberal friends believe it or not.
This man fits every description from the Bible of the 'Anti-Christ'! I'm just glad to know that there are others that are frightened by this man!Who is Barack Obama? Very interesting and something that should be considered in your choice. If you do not ever forward anything else, please forward this to all your contacts...this is very scary to think of what lies ahead of us here in our own United States...better heed this and pray about it and share it.
snopes.com ..' confirms this is factual.
Check for yourself.
Who is Barack Obama? Probable U. S. presidential candidate, Barack Hussein Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Barack Hussein Obama, Sr., a black MUSLIM from Nyangoma-Kogel, Kenya and Ann Dunham, a white ATHEIST from Wichita , Kansas.
Obama's parents met at the University of Hawaii.When Obama was two years old, his parents divorced. His father returned to Kenya. His mother then married Lolo Soetoro, a RADICAL Muslim from Indonesia.When Obama was 6 years old, the family relocated to Indonesia. Obama attended a MUSLIM school in Jakarta. He also spent two years in a Catholic school.
Obama takes great care to conceal the fact that he is a Muslim. He is quick to point out that, 'He was once a Muslim, but that he also attended Catholic school.' Obama's political handlers are attempting to make it appear that that he is not a radical. Obama's introduction to Islam came via his father, and that this influence was temporary at best. In reality, the senior Obama returned to Kenya soon after the divorce, and never again had any direct influence over his son'seducation.
Lolo Soetoro, the second husband of Obama's mother, Ann Dunham, introduced his stepson to Islam. Obama was enrolled in a Wahabi school in Jakarta.Wahabism is the RADICAL teaching that is followed by the Muslim terrorists who are now waging Jihad against the western world. Since it is politically expedient to be a CHRISTIAN when seeking major public office in the United States, Barack Hussein Obama has joined the United Church of Christ in an attempt to downplay his Muslim background.
ALSO, keep in mind that when he was sworn into office he DID NOT use the Holy Bible, but instead the Koran. Barack Hussein Obama will NOT recite the Pledge of Allegiance nor will he show any reverence for our flag. While others place their hands over their hearts, Obama turns his back to the flag and slouches.
Do you want someone like this as your PRESIDENT?
Let us all remain alert concerning Obama's expected presidential candidacy.The Muslims have said they plan on destroying the US from the inside out, what better way to start than at the highest level - through the President of the United States, one of their own!
Interesting information; although the author's "pen-name" is a bit racially insensitive.
Whether any or all of this information is fact is for us to decide. Remember, getting your ideas published on the Internet is not that difficult these days... "we" do it almost every day in the form of email, blogs, surveys, etc.
If the statements above are fact, some are quite disturbing. It is true that Americans are easily swayed by eloquent speakers such as FDR, JFK and MLK. We trust that anyone who strives to become the leader of our free nation has our best interests at heart. Prior to 911, we were a very trusting nation, almost smug to the rest of the world.
Today, we have been humbled and are more cautious, as we should be. The greatest empires of our history have tumbled by internal treachery, corruption and deceit. The historical lesson of the "Trojan Horse" is not one we should easily forget.
Forthright
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
You Have to Look Back...
"Put up" says:
Okay, let's be fair, Greenville has been sinking for years, ever since we lost our towboat industry! At that time it was all white everywhere. Today's Black (and white) officials have no control over where we have come from, only what our future can be, with everyone's help!
It is a total cop out to blame it on a race of today for what began in the late 70's during the Carter administration. It was then that our delta was hit hard and we have never recovered. Once we lost the towboats, we lost the subsidary industries, the businesses that supplied them and so on and so on. THAT is why so many have left...NO JOBS!!!!!!! It is not a race issue, it is an economy issue and has been for years and years!
Until we can find and attract more industries to replace the lost, we are in limbo and sinking further into oblivion. First thing that has to happen is to stop the blame game! We have to work together to turn it around, finger pointing and blaming has gotten us no where so far...duh? Let's try something new, let's think of what can be done and get it done!
In order for new business/industry to even consider Greenville, we have to have something to offer. A clean city, great schools and safe neighborhood communities. We need attractive shopping and variety dining, activities for everyone, young and old, culturally, physically and spiritually.
WE ARE NOT DEAD YET! Don't make it worse by sucking what little oxygen we have left out of the city with negative and non-productive complaining...take actions, let's turn it around!
Put up or shut up!
The author makes a good point. The current conditions that plague the Delta are the results of a "perfect storm". The '70's and '80's brought about many changes in our economy, schools and local industry. Agriculture gave way to "aquaculture"; the tow-boat industry fell victim to spiraling fuel prices and various manufacturing industries, such as Fruit-of-the-Loom; Mebane, and Uncle Ben's came and went.
Admittedly, we have very little control over fuel prices; however, the primary factors that attract today's industry are a stable and qualified work force, fair wages and a high quality of life for its workers. Here's where Greenville falls short.
In speaking with previous industry leaders, I was told that what had initially attracted them to Greenville was our relatively low cost of living, lack of unions and a seemingly viable and plentiful workforce. Upon their departure several years later, I inquired of these same industry leaders as to their reasons. Most pointed to two key factors.
First was the general lack of work ethic... people took no pride in their jobs, failed to show up for work, were lazy and did not seem interested in learning how to improve their skills. Many workers would habitually come to work late, often impaired and take excessive "breaks".
The second predominant factor was employee theft. I was told by one regional manager that their Greenville plant had the highest cost of employee theft out of its 72 locations, including Mexico and India. As this manager stated to me, "We would come out better fighting labor unions, than losing a third of our inventory to dishonest employees."
All of these issues go back to education, values and self-esteem. Until we can fix these problems locally, we can not expect others to bring us jobs.
Forthright
Okay, let's be fair, Greenville has been sinking for years, ever since we lost our towboat industry! At that time it was all white everywhere. Today's Black (and white) officials have no control over where we have come from, only what our future can be, with everyone's help!
It is a total cop out to blame it on a race of today for what began in the late 70's during the Carter administration. It was then that our delta was hit hard and we have never recovered. Once we lost the towboats, we lost the subsidary industries, the businesses that supplied them and so on and so on. THAT is why so many have left...NO JOBS!!!!!!! It is not a race issue, it is an economy issue and has been for years and years!
Until we can find and attract more industries to replace the lost, we are in limbo and sinking further into oblivion. First thing that has to happen is to stop the blame game! We have to work together to turn it around, finger pointing and blaming has gotten us no where so far...duh? Let's try something new, let's think of what can be done and get it done!
In order for new business/industry to even consider Greenville, we have to have something to offer. A clean city, great schools and safe neighborhood communities. We need attractive shopping and variety dining, activities for everyone, young and old, culturally, physically and spiritually.
WE ARE NOT DEAD YET! Don't make it worse by sucking what little oxygen we have left out of the city with negative and non-productive complaining...take actions, let's turn it around!
Put up or shut up!
The author makes a good point. The current conditions that plague the Delta are the results of a "perfect storm". The '70's and '80's brought about many changes in our economy, schools and local industry. Agriculture gave way to "aquaculture"; the tow-boat industry fell victim to spiraling fuel prices and various manufacturing industries, such as Fruit-of-the-Loom; Mebane, and Uncle Ben's came and went.
Admittedly, we have very little control over fuel prices; however, the primary factors that attract today's industry are a stable and qualified work force, fair wages and a high quality of life for its workers. Here's where Greenville falls short.
In speaking with previous industry leaders, I was told that what had initially attracted them to Greenville was our relatively low cost of living, lack of unions and a seemingly viable and plentiful workforce. Upon their departure several years later, I inquired of these same industry leaders as to their reasons. Most pointed to two key factors.
First was the general lack of work ethic... people took no pride in their jobs, failed to show up for work, were lazy and did not seem interested in learning how to improve their skills. Many workers would habitually come to work late, often impaired and take excessive "breaks".
The second predominant factor was employee theft. I was told by one regional manager that their Greenville plant had the highest cost of employee theft out of its 72 locations, including Mexico and India. As this manager stated to me, "We would come out better fighting labor unions, than losing a third of our inventory to dishonest employees."
All of these issues go back to education, values and self-esteem. Until we can fix these problems locally, we can not expect others to bring us jobs.
Forthright
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Eyes Wide Open...
Anonymous educates:
Do you not understand that there is a difference between whites using the N word and blacks using the N word? Black people use the N word as a term of brotherhood or camaraderie. Whites use it as a term of hatred and ignorance. Blacks have taken an ugly word that was used against them and reclaimed it as a term of affection.
Chris Rock makes fun of black people. He can do this because he is black. Jerry Seinfeld makes fun of Jews. He can do this because he is Jewish. Jeff Foxworthy makes fun of rednecks. He can do this because he is a redneck. Being from a certain group allows you to say things that people from outside your group cannot.
Finally, do you not think that there is racism in Greenville? Look at the myriad of racist comments in this blog over the last few days. People arguing that the creation of the white academies didn't have anything to do with race, that Obama is not worthy to be president because his church celebrates its African roots, that the school integration of the 70's was peaceful.
It was peaceful for the whites of Greenville. But how many blacks were harassed, how many families received threats, how much anger and fear was directed towards the black community?
You don't have to open both eyes, but at least open one.
Wow! Now that I have both eyes open, I can see the problem. We aren't teaching our children that there are "black" and "white" definitions to the words in our "shared" language. I feel cheated that my Miriam Webster only defined the word, part of speech and offered pronunciation guides. A modern dictionary should also include cultural meanings of the words depending on what race uses the word and to whom it is spoken.
Why not? The Latin language assigns a specific gender to each word, so why can't we assign a race? That way our children could clearly understand whether the "N" word was being used as a "term of brotherhood and camaraderie" or a "term of hatred and ignorance". Once again, our educational system has failed us, but my eyes are wide open now.
In my next life, I want to come back as a black, Jewish redneck. I could pretty much slam everyone!
(Okay, a little "tongue-in-cheek", but I have to agree with a previous comment that we need to lighten up a bit. Racsim wasn't born in this country and it won't be abolished in our lifetime. Why don't we just bury the "N" word for both races. It seems less complex than revamping our dictionaries.)
Forthright
Do you not understand that there is a difference between whites using the N word and blacks using the N word? Black people use the N word as a term of brotherhood or camaraderie. Whites use it as a term of hatred and ignorance. Blacks have taken an ugly word that was used against them and reclaimed it as a term of affection.
Chris Rock makes fun of black people. He can do this because he is black. Jerry Seinfeld makes fun of Jews. He can do this because he is Jewish. Jeff Foxworthy makes fun of rednecks. He can do this because he is a redneck. Being from a certain group allows you to say things that people from outside your group cannot.
Finally, do you not think that there is racism in Greenville? Look at the myriad of racist comments in this blog over the last few days. People arguing that the creation of the white academies didn't have anything to do with race, that Obama is not worthy to be president because his church celebrates its African roots, that the school integration of the 70's was peaceful.
It was peaceful for the whites of Greenville. But how many blacks were harassed, how many families received threats, how much anger and fear was directed towards the black community?
You don't have to open both eyes, but at least open one.
Wow! Now that I have both eyes open, I can see the problem. We aren't teaching our children that there are "black" and "white" definitions to the words in our "shared" language. I feel cheated that my Miriam Webster only defined the word, part of speech and offered pronunciation guides. A modern dictionary should also include cultural meanings of the words depending on what race uses the word and to whom it is spoken.
Why not? The Latin language assigns a specific gender to each word, so why can't we assign a race? That way our children could clearly understand whether the "N" word was being used as a "term of brotherhood and camaraderie" or a "term of hatred and ignorance". Once again, our educational system has failed us, but my eyes are wide open now.
In my next life, I want to come back as a black, Jewish redneck. I could pretty much slam everyone!
(Okay, a little "tongue-in-cheek", but I have to agree with a previous comment that we need to lighten up a bit. Racsim wasn't born in this country and it won't be abolished in our lifetime. Why don't we just bury the "N" word for both races. It seems less complex than revamping our dictionaries.)
Forthright
Monday, February 18, 2008
Double Standard?
Anonymous observation...
Does anyone else find it ironic that a bunch of white people on this blog are talking about how people in Greenville are not racist? And that the school integration of the 70's was peaceful? I'm sure an African-American from Greenville would have a different picture of school integration.
As a white person I can't tell you the number of times another white person has used the N word in front of me, usually in the context of: "Well, you got your blacks and you got your N_____."
To argue that racism does not exist in Greenville, or that it is not a problem, is to argue that the world is flat; all you are doing is illuminating your own ignorance.
Anonymous reply...
Perhaps you should court a different group of friends if your acquaintances are in the habit of using offensive terms. My friends don't speak that way.
And I think I can speak for the white children who remained at Solomon Junior High and Greenville High in the 70's. There was no violence in our school, although resentment was present on both sides, as has been previously mentioned. Those who were not there may assume that it was not that way, but they'd be wrong---wouldn't they?
I was there. My children attended the private school, which by that time had long since shed its former past. Enrollment was and is open to everyone, and my children received a top-notch education. They have excelled in every area, and I wouldn't have trusted their education to a system that has deteriorated to the degree that the GPSD has.
And as for the quality of the environment there, I'd take the security of Washington School over parent-volunteers-policing-the-halls at GHS any day. My kids never had to worry for their physical safety when they were in school.
I think that we can all agree that the use of the "N" word is quite offensive to most people. I would also have to "rethink"my group of friends who routinely use this word as a racial slur. However, the last time I heard the "N" word being repeatedly used was from the blaring car stereo of a vehicle parked at a convenience store... and yes, the occupants were black.
It seems odd that a word that is so repulsive to the black race is tossed about so freely in rap music, black comedy and films. It appears quite acceptable for a black person to use the "N" word in describing other black people, just not themselves.
The truth is that the "N" word is offensive to both blacks and whites, but as long as we "support" its use in music, comedy and films, it will never go away. Chris Rock has made millions of dollars denigrating his race on stage and a great majority of his fans are black. Rap music is filled with violence and racial slurs against many races including blacks. If the "N" word truly offends you, don't support artists in music, comedy or films who make millions by using it to entertain you.
Forthright
Does anyone else find it ironic that a bunch of white people on this blog are talking about how people in Greenville are not racist? And that the school integration of the 70's was peaceful? I'm sure an African-American from Greenville would have a different picture of school integration.
As a white person I can't tell you the number of times another white person has used the N word in front of me, usually in the context of: "Well, you got your blacks and you got your N_____."
To argue that racism does not exist in Greenville, or that it is not a problem, is to argue that the world is flat; all you are doing is illuminating your own ignorance.
Anonymous reply...
Perhaps you should court a different group of friends if your acquaintances are in the habit of using offensive terms. My friends don't speak that way.
And I think I can speak for the white children who remained at Solomon Junior High and Greenville High in the 70's. There was no violence in our school, although resentment was present on both sides, as has been previously mentioned. Those who were not there may assume that it was not that way, but they'd be wrong---wouldn't they?
I was there. My children attended the private school, which by that time had long since shed its former past. Enrollment was and is open to everyone, and my children received a top-notch education. They have excelled in every area, and I wouldn't have trusted their education to a system that has deteriorated to the degree that the GPSD has.
And as for the quality of the environment there, I'd take the security of Washington School over parent-volunteers-policing-the-halls at GHS any day. My kids never had to worry for their physical safety when they were in school.
I think that we can all agree that the use of the "N" word is quite offensive to most people. I would also have to "rethink"my group of friends who routinely use this word as a racial slur. However, the last time I heard the "N" word being repeatedly used was from the blaring car stereo of a vehicle parked at a convenience store... and yes, the occupants were black.
It seems odd that a word that is so repulsive to the black race is tossed about so freely in rap music, black comedy and films. It appears quite acceptable for a black person to use the "N" word in describing other black people, just not themselves.
The truth is that the "N" word is offensive to both blacks and whites, but as long as we "support" its use in music, comedy and films, it will never go away. Chris Rock has made millions of dollars denigrating his race on stage and a great majority of his fans are black. Rap music is filled with violence and racial slurs against many races including blacks. If the "N" word truly offends you, don't support artists in music, comedy or films who make millions by using it to entertain you.
Forthright
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Education in the Delta
Whatever the original reasons for the creation of private schools in the Delta, the fact is that they remain today. In 1970, there may have been a knee-jerk reaction to the unknown as well as the Federal Government's mandating forced integration. It was a major change for both black and white citizens and neither group fully understood why it was being done.
The fact is that they remain today because they serve a purpose. Had forced integration of the public schools proved that there was no need for private and parochial schools, they would have died on the vine. Why would anyone want to spend thousands of dollars on their childrens education when they could get the same quality education via their tax dollars?
Public education has had 30+ years to prove their "equality". They have more federal and state funding, their teachers are paid significantly higher salaries than their counterparts in the private schools and yet they continue to miss the mark in ratings of quality.
Sure, "white-flight" created the private schools, but what sustains them today? Quality education... even at a higher price. Look at the enrollment of Washington School. It is comprised of numerous races, ethnicities, religions and lifestyles. The one thing these parents share in common is that they do not want to sacrifice their childrens' future with a substandard education... and are willing to pay "twice" for that security.
Public education in the Delta is in the mess that it is because we do not demand better. We have allowed our public schools to become "day care" and "free lunch programs" by those parents who do not value true education. At the end of the day, parents are responsible for their childrens education. Private schools will always thrive as long as public education continues to fail to meet our educational needs.
Our children's education is far too important for us to risk being "politically correct". The reality is that our public school system has failed us all, reagardless of race or relgion. The cost of a quality education is now the same for all. When will privte schools diminish... when we demand quality from our public educational systems.
Forthright
PS: Great political debate! Thanks to all of you who have commented. Keep it up... we have many months to decide on our future!
The fact is that they remain today because they serve a purpose. Had forced integration of the public schools proved that there was no need for private and parochial schools, they would have died on the vine. Why would anyone want to spend thousands of dollars on their childrens education when they could get the same quality education via their tax dollars?
Public education has had 30+ years to prove their "equality". They have more federal and state funding, their teachers are paid significantly higher salaries than their counterparts in the private schools and yet they continue to miss the mark in ratings of quality.
Sure, "white-flight" created the private schools, but what sustains them today? Quality education... even at a higher price. Look at the enrollment of Washington School. It is comprised of numerous races, ethnicities, religions and lifestyles. The one thing these parents share in common is that they do not want to sacrifice their childrens' future with a substandard education... and are willing to pay "twice" for that security.
Public education in the Delta is in the mess that it is because we do not demand better. We have allowed our public schools to become "day care" and "free lunch programs" by those parents who do not value true education. At the end of the day, parents are responsible for their childrens education. Private schools will always thrive as long as public education continues to fail to meet our educational needs.
Our children's education is far too important for us to risk being "politically correct". The reality is that our public school system has failed us all, reagardless of race or relgion. The cost of a quality education is now the same for all. When will privte schools diminish... when we demand quality from our public educational systems.
Forthright
PS: Great political debate! Thanks to all of you who have commented. Keep it up... we have many months to decide on our future!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
From Punctuation to Pragmatism
Here are some more of the great comments that have been submitted. I urge Scoop readers to review all of the comments at the end of each section. It seems that our "grammarians" have made peace, but still differ on many points. This is a great topic for debate! Please share your views... and we all promise not to judge you on grammar and punctuation.
Forthright
Readers offer the following:
"Now that we have been over that point repeatedly (at nauseum), can you please highlight the positive points from Obama's campaign which may sway votes to his side?" It's AD nauseum, not AT.
And you can visit www.barackobama.com to read about his stand on many issues. The clincher for me was a commercial that I heard (I was standing in another room, and raced to see who the commercial was for) in support of some changes and improvements in our system of educating our children.
Excerpts are below:
Reform No Child Left Behind: Obama will reform NCLB, which starts by funding the law. Obama believes teachers should not be forced to spend the academic year preparing students to fill in bubbles on standardized tests. He will improve the assessments used to track student progress to measure readiness for college and the workplace and improve student learning in a timely, individualized manner. Obama will also improve NCLB's accountability system so that we are supporting schools that need improvement, rather than punishing them.
Make Math and Science Education a National Priority: Obama will recruit math and science degree graduates to the teaching profession and will support efforts to help these teachers learn from professionals in the field. He will also work to ensure that all children have access to a strong science curriculum at all grade levels.
Address the Dropout Crisis: Obama will address the dropout crisis by passing his legislation to provide funding to school districts to invest in intervention strategies in middle school - strategies such as personal academic plans, teaching teams, parent involvement, mentoring, intensive reading and math instruction, and extended learning time.
Expand High-Quality Afterschool Opportunities: Obama will double funding for the main federal support for afterschool programs, the 21st Century Learning Centers program, to serve one million more children. Expand Summer Learning Opportunities: Obama's "STEP UP" plan addresses the achievement gap by supporting summer learning opportunities for disadvantaged children through partnerships between local schools and community organizations. Support College Outreach Programs: Obama supports outreach programs like GEAR UP, TRIO and Upward Bound to encourage more young people from low-income families to consider and prepare for college.
Support English Language Learners: Obama supports transitional bilingual education and will help Limited English Proficient students get ahead by holding schools accountable for making sure these students complete school. Recruit, Prepare, Retain, and Reward America's TeachersRecruit Teachers: Obama will create new Teacher Service Scholarships that will cover four years of undergraduate or two years of graduate teacher education, including high-quality alternative programs for mid-career recruits in exchange for teaching for at least four years in a high-need field or location.
Prepare Teachers: Obama will require all schools of education to be accredited. He will also create a voluntary national performance assessment so we can be sure that every new educator is trained and ready to walk into the classroom and start teaching effectively. Obama will also create Teacher Residency Programs that will supply 30,000 exceptionally well-prepared recruits to high-need schools.
Retain Teachers: To support our teachers, Obama's plan will expand mentoring programs that pair experienced teachers with new recruits. He will also provide incentives to give teachers paid common planning time so they can collaborate to share best practices.
Reward Teachers: Obama will promote new and innovative ways to increase teacher pay that are developed with teachers, not imposed on them. Districts will be able to design programs that reward accomplished educators who serve as a mentor to new teachers with a salary increase. Districts can reward teachers who work in underserved places like rural areas and inner cities. And if teachers consistently excel in the classroom, that work can be valued and rewarded as well. Higher Education Create the American Opportunity
Tax Credit: Obama will make college affordable for all Americans by creating a new American Opportunity Tax Credit. This universal and fully refundable credit will ensure that the first $4,000 of a college education is completely free for most Americans, and will cover two-thirds the cost of tuition at the average public college or university and make community college tuition completely free for most students. Obama will also ensure that the tax credit is available to families at the time of enrollment by using prior year's tax data to deliver the credit when tuition is due.
Simplify the Application Process for Financial Aid: Obama will streamline the financial aid process by eliminating the current federal financial aid application and enabling families to apply simply by checking a box on their tax form, authorizing their tax information to be used, and eliminating the need for a separate application.
The Obama campagin points outlined above are very interesting, especially to educators. I am in healthcare and I wonder how he will provide universal healthcare? If anyone has heard, let me know. I did search for it, but only found that he was in favor of the initiative.
And, by the way, to those of you who attempt to intimidate others by pointing out their spelling or grammatical shortcomings, shame on you. This is an avenue where everyone (no matter how well they spell or type) can express their opinions. So, come on folks, be a grown up. Why make such a huge ordeal out of something so trivial? There is a lot more to discuss here than a lesson in grading an English assignment.
Thanks to all. Let's hear what you think!
Forthright
Readers offer the following:
I apologize that you think I was insinuating anything about your intelligence. I just really thought that the apostrophe thing was a sly dig at Mr. Obama's heritage. I apologize that I was incorrect about that.
For the record, the second comment about Bill O'Reilly was not mine. Why am I voting for Obama, other than the simple fact that I have democratic leaning anyway and I don't care for Mrs. Clinton? If you're historically Republican, I don't guess I can sway your vote on issues that are important to me such as abortion rights, gay marriage, or the war in Iraq. You ask for the positive points of his campaign which might sway your votes. It IS the positivity of his campaign that makes me want to vote for him. Green? Yes. I think that is part of his appeal.
I think all of the other candidates have been tainted by their politics over the years. I have been ashamed of our leadership for the last eight years. Obama is someone who excites me and inspires me. Do I have a point by point presentation of his policies to sway you? Sure don't. I think politics in recent years have been very divisive, and I look to him as someone who can unite our country. I'm sure you think that is a superficial and fluff answer, but that's it for me. Again, I do apologize for the brouhaha over the apostrophe.
****************************
Thanks for your take on the positives of Obama's campaign. We do disagree on basic issues such as gay rights and abortion. I know it may sound old-fashioned, but I believe God intended for there to be a man and a woman in a love relationship. I would never outwardly cause dissention or hate to anyone, even if they are gay. But at the same time, in my heart, I cannot believe it is all ok. And abortion -- I believe there are only a select few instances where abortion could be a viable option. However, I do believe it is time to pull out of Iraq, we have wasted enough American money and lives there.
The most important thing about all of this is we are so very fortunate to live in a country where we can all have our own ideas and beliefs, voice them, and then make our own decisions. I guess that out of all the candidates Huckabee appeals most to my personal convictions and religious beliefs. Maybe I'm wrong and living in the ancient ages, but it's how I feel.
*************************
sister38701 said..."Now that we have been over that point repeatedly (at nauseum), can you please highlight the positive points from Obama's campaign which may sway votes to his side?" It's AD nauseum, not AT.
And you can visit www.barackobama.com to read about his stand on many issues. The clincher for me was a commercial that I heard (I was standing in another room, and raced to see who the commercial was for) in support of some changes and improvements in our system of educating our children.
Excerpts are below:
Reform No Child Left Behind: Obama will reform NCLB, which starts by funding the law. Obama believes teachers should not be forced to spend the academic year preparing students to fill in bubbles on standardized tests. He will improve the assessments used to track student progress to measure readiness for college and the workplace and improve student learning in a timely, individualized manner. Obama will also improve NCLB's accountability system so that we are supporting schools that need improvement, rather than punishing them.
Make Math and Science Education a National Priority: Obama will recruit math and science degree graduates to the teaching profession and will support efforts to help these teachers learn from professionals in the field. He will also work to ensure that all children have access to a strong science curriculum at all grade levels.
Address the Dropout Crisis: Obama will address the dropout crisis by passing his legislation to provide funding to school districts to invest in intervention strategies in middle school - strategies such as personal academic plans, teaching teams, parent involvement, mentoring, intensive reading and math instruction, and extended learning time.
Expand High-Quality Afterschool Opportunities: Obama will double funding for the main federal support for afterschool programs, the 21st Century Learning Centers program, to serve one million more children. Expand Summer Learning Opportunities: Obama's "STEP UP" plan addresses the achievement gap by supporting summer learning opportunities for disadvantaged children through partnerships between local schools and community organizations. Support College Outreach Programs: Obama supports outreach programs like GEAR UP, TRIO and Upward Bound to encourage more young people from low-income families to consider and prepare for college.
Support English Language Learners: Obama supports transitional bilingual education and will help Limited English Proficient students get ahead by holding schools accountable for making sure these students complete school. Recruit, Prepare, Retain, and Reward America's TeachersRecruit Teachers: Obama will create new Teacher Service Scholarships that will cover four years of undergraduate or two years of graduate teacher education, including high-quality alternative programs for mid-career recruits in exchange for teaching for at least four years in a high-need field or location.
Prepare Teachers: Obama will require all schools of education to be accredited. He will also create a voluntary national performance assessment so we can be sure that every new educator is trained and ready to walk into the classroom and start teaching effectively. Obama will also create Teacher Residency Programs that will supply 30,000 exceptionally well-prepared recruits to high-need schools.
Retain Teachers: To support our teachers, Obama's plan will expand mentoring programs that pair experienced teachers with new recruits. He will also provide incentives to give teachers paid common planning time so they can collaborate to share best practices.
Reward Teachers: Obama will promote new and innovative ways to increase teacher pay that are developed with teachers, not imposed on them. Districts will be able to design programs that reward accomplished educators who serve as a mentor to new teachers with a salary increase. Districts can reward teachers who work in underserved places like rural areas and inner cities. And if teachers consistently excel in the classroom, that work can be valued and rewarded as well. Higher Education Create the American Opportunity
Tax Credit: Obama will make college affordable for all Americans by creating a new American Opportunity Tax Credit. This universal and fully refundable credit will ensure that the first $4,000 of a college education is completely free for most Americans, and will cover two-thirds the cost of tuition at the average public college or university and make community college tuition completely free for most students. Obama will also ensure that the tax credit is available to families at the time of enrollment by using prior year's tax data to deliver the credit when tuition is due.
Simplify the Application Process for Financial Aid: Obama will streamline the financial aid process by eliminating the current federal financial aid application and enabling families to apply simply by checking a box on their tax form, authorizing their tax information to be used, and eliminating the need for a separate application.
*******************************
To the Huckabee supporter. Thank you for your response. I agree with Eyes Wide Open, I don't agree with you and don't intend to change your mind on basic issues, but I can also see where you are coming from and obviously support your right to vote for whose ideals are closest to yours.
I actually can appreciate Huckabee in this race because I think he still stands for more change than what McCain represents as far as Republicans are concerned. I actually liked McCain several years ago (when "anyone but Bush" was my political mantra) but fear that his leadership would be 4 or 8 more years of the same. No change in Iraq except for the death toll, and no change in healthcare.
Healthcare is a huge issue for me right now, and I don't know what the solution is, as long as the candidate is willing to admit a need for change, that's better than nothing. I don't see it as a big issue for McCain. Unfortunately, he has such a huge lead on the Republican side that I think he will be your candidate.
***************************
The Obama campagin points outlined above are very interesting, especially to educators. I am in healthcare and I wonder how he will provide universal healthcare? If anyone has heard, let me know. I did search for it, but only found that he was in favor of the initiative.
And, by the way, to those of you who attempt to intimidate others by pointing out their spelling or grammatical shortcomings, shame on you. This is an avenue where everyone (no matter how well they spell or type) can express their opinions. So, come on folks, be a grown up. Why make such a huge ordeal out of something so trivial? There is a lot more to discuss here than a lesson in grading an English assignment.
Thanks to all. Let's hear what you think!
Saturday, February 09, 2008
The Delta Speaks Up!
Here are a few of the comments from Scoop readers...
- I can't vote O'bama. Have you visited his church's website? It seems quite discriminatory to me. Their mission is very clear and he is a tithing member. Plus, even though he is not Muslim, he was raised with that influence. So, in my opinion, he is the candidate with baggage - Hilary doesn't have nearly as much. However, I'm not crazy about voting for her either. I do think you're right about McCain - he's older. Romney doesn't impress me either. What's wrong with Huckabee? He seems stable, conservative, and experienced. Please check out his church's website. Be sure to click on the "you tube" arrow to see/hear a short clip about the church's mission. Unbelievable. If the folks who were saying those same statements were white, they'd be in BIG ble. www.tucc.org/about.htm
- What's wrong with Huckabee you ask? He is associated with Kenneth Copeland, one of the biggest crooks in televangelism. He makes Jim Bakker look like a liberal! Face it, McCain is yesterday's news so you need to choose between Clinton and Obama. Neither is a great choice, but you are going to be looking at one of them for the next 4 years. If we leave "religion" out of the equation, as it should be, it comes down to domestic issues such as health care and jobs. Look at the candidates' views on these issues before you vote. If you vote based on race, gender or religion, you only display your ignorance of the real issues.
- Thank you, but I will leave religion in my choices. It embraces the fundamental principles our nation was founded on. One nation UNDER GOD. Remember?Just because one wants to vote for a political leader who doesn't mind voicing his Christian beliefs, does not mean the voter is weak minded or "ignorant". Even though I feel it is important for a leader of a country to hold religious beliefs, I don't think that meams I am voting based on that and only that. It is just one part of the entire picture. Thanks for the info about Huckabee's association with Copeland. I had not heard that and I will definitely check it out. If it's between O'Bama and Clinton, I'll have to vote Hilary. Atleast she's not a member of a church that is racist and proudly promotes AFRICA....notice they didn't say AMERICA. Scary. I have French descendents but I am really not concerned about promoting France. I live in America and that is where my heart and allegiance lie.
- Everyone can base their vote on whatever they choose; it's part of being an American. "As far as Obama's church website, there is not one word that leans toward being Anti-American. " <--- AFRICA IS NOT MY COUNTRY!!!! Their commitment is to AFRICA! They say it clearly and plainly. Get a grip. That website DOES offend me. And, I have the right to feel that way and voice my opinion. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton preach hate and reverse discrimination and that is exactly who O'Bama is associated with.
- From the Trinity United Church of Christ website: *We are a congregation which is Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian... Our roots in the Black religious experience and tradition are deep, lasting and permanent. We are an African people, and remain "true to our native land," the mother continent, the cradle of civilization.* I would agree, says it loudly and clearly, this church is true to their native land Africa, with no mention of USA. I have read and seen photos of O'Bama and the other candidates during the Pledge of Allegiance. All but for him participate with their hand over their heart. He has both hands beside him and no verbalizing....what does that tell the rest of us? RED FLAGS are flying, yet most do not even see the flailing!On the flipside, Hillary is no option either. It seems most have forgotten White watergate, the suspicous deaths in Clinton's cabinet members or staff, the shady stock dealings, the thieving from the White House, valuables and antiques, as they left at the end of Bill Clinton's last term and not a soul said a word....pretty pathetic choices indeed.
The website is a bit disturbing in a political sense... which, we should keep in mind, was not its intended purpose. It is a religious website and should be viewed as just that.
The problem with defining a political candidate by his race, gender or religion is that those are the very attributes that our founding fathers believed should be exempt from the definition of "equality for all". Equality means that we are "Americans", not Catholic Americans, black Americans, female Americans or gay Americans. It's great to be proud of your heritage and past, but as long as we continue to divide ourselves into groups based on race, gender and religion, we will never be "one" people.
At the turn of the last century, NYC was known as the "melting pot" of America because of the great influx of immigrants from other countries. The name implied that many cultures came together to form one that was distinctly "American". One hundred years later, we persist in ignoring the very principles on which our country was founded.
Sure, we all want a President who looks like us, thinks like us, worships like us, etc. The problem is... who is "us"? We are a diverse nation of men and women of various races, religions and lifestyles. The problems that plague us as a nation are health care, crime, drugs, substandard education and unemployment. If one's religion were a disqualifying factor in our history, JFK would never have been elected President. Let's vote for the "person" who can best unite us as a nation, rather than the candidate who will promote our personal agendas.
Forthright
Thursday, February 07, 2008
On a Broader Note...
Contributor suggests:
Yes, DRMC is in trouble. Yes, Ray is Satan Incarnate. Let's look at another issue while we wait for the local healthcare issue to be resolved.
This is an election year, and one that has the potential to open new doors. I'm interested in hearing how the Scoopers feel about the remaining Presidential candidates.
For the record, I'm currently leaning toward Obama. He seems to be a Man of Substance, and serves as an excellent role model for young black men. Any Deltan can see that our young black male population is in need of guidance. Obama is a family man, has an articulate and lovely spouse who would likely bring the required dignity to her role as First Lady, and he has experience in the Senate to qualify him for a national seat of leadership.
Yes, Hillary has experience as a former unpaid President of the United State, but that alone does not earn my vote. Hillary carries too much excess baggage for my liking, although I might be coaxed to support a Obama/Clinton ticket. Would Hillary settle for VP? I won't vote for her as Prez just yet, but a VP slot could be hers, if she plays nice. Just my opinion!
McCain....he's a good guy. No way would I vote for Huckabee or Romney. But at 71, I'd worry about the stress of the job on the guy. And truthfully, I'm tired of the ole "we're gonna kick a$$" attitude in the White House.
I'm neither Republican nor Democrat. I vote for the candidate. But my Delta friends seem to want to peg us as one or the other. I just want a good---no, GREAT---President. What do y'all think?
Excellent question! As of today, Romney is now out, but it will still be a historic election between a very diverse list of candidates. I would love to hear the Delta's views on the remaining candidates. Who will you vote for and why? Are race, gender and religion factors that will influence your choice? This is a great topic for a lively discussion, so speak up. I am sure Ray will welcome the rest!
Forthright
Yes, DRMC is in trouble. Yes, Ray is Satan Incarnate. Let's look at another issue while we wait for the local healthcare issue to be resolved.
This is an election year, and one that has the potential to open new doors. I'm interested in hearing how the Scoopers feel about the remaining Presidential candidates.
For the record, I'm currently leaning toward Obama. He seems to be a Man of Substance, and serves as an excellent role model for young black men. Any Deltan can see that our young black male population is in need of guidance. Obama is a family man, has an articulate and lovely spouse who would likely bring the required dignity to her role as First Lady, and he has experience in the Senate to qualify him for a national seat of leadership.
Yes, Hillary has experience as a former unpaid President of the United State, but that alone does not earn my vote. Hillary carries too much excess baggage for my liking, although I might be coaxed to support a Obama/Clinton ticket. Would Hillary settle for VP? I won't vote for her as Prez just yet, but a VP slot could be hers, if she plays nice. Just my opinion!
McCain....he's a good guy. No way would I vote for Huckabee or Romney. But at 71, I'd worry about the stress of the job on the guy. And truthfully, I'm tired of the ole "we're gonna kick a$$" attitude in the White House.
I'm neither Republican nor Democrat. I vote for the candidate. But my Delta friends seem to want to peg us as one or the other. I just want a good---no, GREAT---President. What do y'all think?
Excellent question! As of today, Romney is now out, but it will still be a historic election between a very diverse list of candidates. I would love to hear the Delta's views on the remaining candidates. Who will you vote for and why? Are race, gender and religion factors that will influence your choice? This is a great topic for a lively discussion, so speak up. I am sure Ray will welcome the rest!
Forthright
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Visiting the "Zoo"
Anonymous writes about DRMC:
That place is a zoo. I went there this morning to visit my neighbor and the hospital is very understaffed. Upon arrival, the first floor was full of bosses dressed in dress suits, coats and ties. But, ride up to the second floor and the scene is very different. I am not a nurse, but I truly felt sorry for them. They were running their behinds off and there were several complaints from other patient's family members in the few minutes I was waiting there.
How sad that this brutal leader is so concerned about new construction while the existing hospital is in such disarray. We must have a horrificly incompetent board of trustees in addition to a board of supervisors who are not doing their job very well. Shameful.
Anonymous said...
Who cares if somebody harasses the CEO in a subtle way. He is supposedly responsible for the hospital. Let him face the music. I'm tired of seeing him in the media proclaimaing how great things are. We all know those are lies. Things are less than great. Dangerous to say the least. So, go ahead, call him.
In terms of paitent care, yes the hospital is grossly understaffed... even though DRMC's census is also at an all time low. It seems that patients are finally getting the word that DRMC is not a safe place to be.
As for calling Ray at home to expidite your ER visit, I am afraid that will have a very limited effect. Even Ray will figure out how to screen calls or simply get an unlisted number. (It's like poking a jackass with a stick. While it may bring you pleasure for a moment, It will merely annoy the jackass and make him more likely to "kick".)
As to notifying the previously mentioned board members and administrative "elite"... that is an excellent idea. Call and/or write these people and let them know that Greenville has had enough of Ray Humphreys and his club. Demand that he and his lot be removed from service immediately. The only hope for DRMC is to get a competent, caring administrative team who will put the money where it belongs... which is by the bedside, rather than the board room!
Forthright
That place is a zoo. I went there this morning to visit my neighbor and the hospital is very understaffed. Upon arrival, the first floor was full of bosses dressed in dress suits, coats and ties. But, ride up to the second floor and the scene is very different. I am not a nurse, but I truly felt sorry for them. They were running their behinds off and there were several complaints from other patient's family members in the few minutes I was waiting there.
How sad that this brutal leader is so concerned about new construction while the existing hospital is in such disarray. We must have a horrificly incompetent board of trustees in addition to a board of supervisors who are not doing their job very well. Shameful.
Anonymous said...
Who cares if somebody harasses the CEO in a subtle way. He is supposedly responsible for the hospital. Let him face the music. I'm tired of seeing him in the media proclaimaing how great things are. We all know those are lies. Things are less than great. Dangerous to say the least. So, go ahead, call him.
In terms of paitent care, yes the hospital is grossly understaffed... even though DRMC's census is also at an all time low. It seems that patients are finally getting the word that DRMC is not a safe place to be.
As for calling Ray at home to expidite your ER visit, I am afraid that will have a very limited effect. Even Ray will figure out how to screen calls or simply get an unlisted number. (It's like poking a jackass with a stick. While it may bring you pleasure for a moment, It will merely annoy the jackass and make him more likely to "kick".)
As to notifying the previously mentioned board members and administrative "elite"... that is an excellent idea. Call and/or write these people and let them know that Greenville has had enough of Ray Humphreys and his club. Demand that he and his lot be removed from service immediately. The only hope for DRMC is to get a competent, caring administrative team who will put the money where it belongs... which is by the bedside, rather than the board room!
Forthright
Saturday, February 02, 2008
The Four Million Dollar Lie
Anonymous writes:
I don't think this administration or any administration will be able to transform DRMC into a premier healthcare facility. Let's face it. It is not easy to run a hospital in an area where a huge percentage of the population is on Medicaid or have no insurance. Many hospitals in border states have closed because of the financial drainage from uninsured illegals.
It is very difficult to recruit and retain qualified people to an area that offers nothing and is infested with racism and dirty politics.In fact, I am thankful just to have doctors in Greenville!!!
Patiently Awaiting Ray's Exit said...
You make a good point. However, in the past, DRMC has always been managed much more effectively than over the last 5-6 yrs. It is a small, hometown hospital that should provide basic services. No one expects to be able to have extremely specialized care in a rural area like ours. Think about it, how many people do you know who would deliver a preemie here and ok it to stay in DRMC's new NICU? Not my newborn! And, same goes for the heart program. The surgeon is a good one, I'm sure. But, he is only doing a mere handful of cases each month...maybe 3 - 5 on average I think?
Call me crazy, but I'm gonna go to Jackson or Memphis where the surgeons do 2 - 3 a day and the nursing staff is comfortable with the post-op care because they do it daily. He closed our burn center that was a needed service because it lost money, he knows right now the heart program has lost money since he got the first surgeon in here, but he is keeping it going because its what HE wants.
DRMC was once a great place to work. Different story now! Mr. Humphreys has this crazy vision that does not fit the demographics of our rural MS Delta. If he would just work on improving the basics and quit trying to be such a big dog, he would see that 90% of the problems would disappear. I, too, am thankful to have doctors in Greenville. However, I'd also like to know if me or my family needed the ER that we could go there for care and not have to wait seven hours to be seen. I know they claimed they had four critical patients. But, come on...four patients turns their world upside down so badly that other patients who have medical needs also are forced to wait seven hours??? Ridiculous.
So, since we can't staff a department like the emergency room that is a necessity - why are we spending money we don't have on building a NICU and heart hospital??? The thing that I found most ironic about that whole 7 hour ER wait fiasco was that I'm preparing to watch the ten pm news and just before it airs the DRMC commercial starts up. The nurse says, "We'll make sure you see a doctor in minutes upon your arrival to the emergency room" followed by "We're Delta Regional Medical Center and we're building MS's next great hospital". Ten seconds later, you hear the anchor announce, "Just ahead, hear how one pregnant woman who was bleeding had to wait 7 hours at Delta Regional emergency room to see a doctor."
Sounds like Ray may have wasted that four million bucks. You can make promises all day long, but as long as you continue to treat nurses, other employees, patients, families, and even physicians the way he does, none of it is gonna matter.
So, anonymous, you are right to a certain extent. There is probably no one who can "fix" DRMC after this administration has dug the hole so deep (I'm sure the only way out of debt will be a sell out to a private facility, and many folks have sworn for years thats why Ray brought on his old crew of cronies..who knows??), but if we could get him out of here and cut high dollar specialty services that are losing money hand over fist, we may start to see the good ole basic services be brought back a little stronger.
Also, I think the general public and the board of trustees would be shocked to see how many faithful, dedicated, and experienced health care professionals would consider DRMC again. We have all sat back for nearly six years now and let Ray run the show. It's not working. Look at the place - a total mess. Come on board of sups, do your jobs.
I can only applaud "Patiently Awaiting's" assessment of the DRMC mess. He or she does an excellent job of describing why DRMC has fallen from a respected medical facility to the horrific place it has become. Why is Ray trying to develop a NICU or a heart center when he can't even provide patients with competent first aid in the ER?
No one wants to work at DRMC because of its horrendous reputation, both clinically and administrtively. DRMC is doomed with its current administation and if "board memebers" continue to turn a deaf ear to the public, so are their careers!
Excellent comment, "PA"
Forthright
I don't think this administration or any administration will be able to transform DRMC into a premier healthcare facility. Let's face it. It is not easy to run a hospital in an area where a huge percentage of the population is on Medicaid or have no insurance. Many hospitals in border states have closed because of the financial drainage from uninsured illegals.
It is very difficult to recruit and retain qualified people to an area that offers nothing and is infested with racism and dirty politics.In fact, I am thankful just to have doctors in Greenville!!!
Patiently Awaiting Ray's Exit said...
You make a good point. However, in the past, DRMC has always been managed much more effectively than over the last 5-6 yrs. It is a small, hometown hospital that should provide basic services. No one expects to be able to have extremely specialized care in a rural area like ours. Think about it, how many people do you know who would deliver a preemie here and ok it to stay in DRMC's new NICU? Not my newborn! And, same goes for the heart program. The surgeon is a good one, I'm sure. But, he is only doing a mere handful of cases each month...maybe 3 - 5 on average I think?
Call me crazy, but I'm gonna go to Jackson or Memphis where the surgeons do 2 - 3 a day and the nursing staff is comfortable with the post-op care because they do it daily. He closed our burn center that was a needed service because it lost money, he knows right now the heart program has lost money since he got the first surgeon in here, but he is keeping it going because its what HE wants.
DRMC was once a great place to work. Different story now! Mr. Humphreys has this crazy vision that does not fit the demographics of our rural MS Delta. If he would just work on improving the basics and quit trying to be such a big dog, he would see that 90% of the problems would disappear. I, too, am thankful to have doctors in Greenville. However, I'd also like to know if me or my family needed the ER that we could go there for care and not have to wait seven hours to be seen. I know they claimed they had four critical patients. But, come on...four patients turns their world upside down so badly that other patients who have medical needs also are forced to wait seven hours??? Ridiculous.
So, since we can't staff a department like the emergency room that is a necessity - why are we spending money we don't have on building a NICU and heart hospital??? The thing that I found most ironic about that whole 7 hour ER wait fiasco was that I'm preparing to watch the ten pm news and just before it airs the DRMC commercial starts up. The nurse says, "We'll make sure you see a doctor in minutes upon your arrival to the emergency room" followed by "We're Delta Regional Medical Center and we're building MS's next great hospital". Ten seconds later, you hear the anchor announce, "Just ahead, hear how one pregnant woman who was bleeding had to wait 7 hours at Delta Regional emergency room to see a doctor."
Sounds like Ray may have wasted that four million bucks. You can make promises all day long, but as long as you continue to treat nurses, other employees, patients, families, and even physicians the way he does, none of it is gonna matter.
So, anonymous, you are right to a certain extent. There is probably no one who can "fix" DRMC after this administration has dug the hole so deep (I'm sure the only way out of debt will be a sell out to a private facility, and many folks have sworn for years thats why Ray brought on his old crew of cronies..who knows??), but if we could get him out of here and cut high dollar specialty services that are losing money hand over fist, we may start to see the good ole basic services be brought back a little stronger.
Also, I think the general public and the board of trustees would be shocked to see how many faithful, dedicated, and experienced health care professionals would consider DRMC again. We have all sat back for nearly six years now and let Ray run the show. It's not working. Look at the place - a total mess. Come on board of sups, do your jobs.
I can only applaud "Patiently Awaiting's" assessment of the DRMC mess. He or she does an excellent job of describing why DRMC has fallen from a respected medical facility to the horrific place it has become. Why is Ray trying to develop a NICU or a heart center when he can't even provide patients with competent first aid in the ER?
No one wants to work at DRMC because of its horrendous reputation, both clinically and administrtively. DRMC is doomed with its current administation and if "board memebers" continue to turn a deaf ear to the public, so are their careers!
Excellent comment, "PA"
Forthright
Friday, February 01, 2008
The Heart Hospital...with a Heart!
"Watching Eyes" offers:
Some one said the other day, that the board gave him a "reprimand" for the way he handled the situation with Dr. Frothingham. I don't know if that is true or not. That's too little too late. (Dr. Frothingham's last day was yesterday.) :(
They also said that they then renewed his contract for another 2 years?! (Is that true?)
From what I have seen over the last years, Ray is known for 'forging' ahead. He really stretches out there. Bought all those clinics, doctors, labs, property and the KDH. This looks really great for him when others look at it on the surface. What they don't see, is that with every purchase, he started cinching the noose tighter around our necks at the hospital to cover those expendutures. Cheaper supplies were acceptable, even lack of supplies at times. Lack of staff was expected. Cutbacks HAD to be made to allow for progress out in the community.
As long as we complained, it was just nurses "B**ching". It gets written off very quickly as bashing 'the Man'. Even patients complaints are written off if we are the one's reporting them or if we take care of them without letting them get to upper management. I started some time ago offering the house Supervisors phone number and telling the patient and family, that unless they personally called and reported the problem, nothing would be done or changed to prevent it in the future because they would not listen to the nurse reporting it. This is how they run the business now. The patients or families who actually follow that advice and call the right person then will get 'compensated'.... Free meal tickets, an apology, several other things.
That really sounds nice for the lucky one who gets it, but really burns my bun for the many who should of gotten it and didnt because their complaints weren't public enough or were dealt with by us by understanding patients that liked us and were afraid that if they complained about the 'situation' that we would get in trouble.They say it's never acceptable to tell the patient that there isn't enouth staff. What else do you tell them? "Im sorry it took so long to get here, there is only 2 or 3 of us here and were were tied up in another room" This the patient understands. Doesn't like, but can understand especially from a caring and otherwise attentive nurse.
But upper management doesnt want us to indicate to the patients that it's their fault that we dont have adequate staff. I guess we are suppose to just look like we dont care? "I'm sorry it took me so long" only goes so far when it happens again and again, without someother form of explination on WHY it took so long. We also found out yesterday that the rumor about them planning to abolish the KDH name was true. It will be a sad day when I drive by there and no longer see that historic name. All of my children were born there.This is truely a sad time. Saying goodbye to The King's Daughters name and to Dr. Frothingham both in such a short space of time. Both will remain loved, respected and remembered by this Delta girl.
*Watching Eyes*
Fed Up In The Trenches said...
Yep, "service recovery" kits are made available to patients with complaints. My question -- is it really ok to buy their way out of poor service? Delivering plants, flowers, candy or other goodies does not excuse poor care. Now, don't get me wrong; I am a nurse too and I can tell you that if Ray Humphreys or Florence Jones had to function one day in a nurse's role, they would die.
The staffing matrix in place is not realistic at all. We are all worried about priorities such as medication administration, monitoring the patient and carrying out MD orders and when you have 10 patients of your own plus LPN's IVs, this becomes nearly an impossibility. It is very frustrating to see the kind of care our patients are receiving and know that you can only do your part.
Worst of all, our so called leaders of our hospital aren't concerned with patient care. They may speak those lies about quality care on television but take a walk around the place. Watching Eyes is right. Sub-standard supplies (I even heard an orthopedic surgeon a few days ago complaining of the cheap surgical supplies he had been forced to start using), lack of resources (a pillow is precious commodity) and having to read signs posted in the bathroom, med room, etc that state "Please do not clock in early or late as we cannot accrue overtime".
We all hear daily how "broke" the hospital is and how we need to help save money. But, wait a minute, in the public, Ray proclaims that all is great at the DRMC house. I, like you, have started giving out phone numbers to patients who are irate (and rightly so about their poor care); except I give them Florence's, Ray's or Allyson's numbers. I figure that's only right. He is calling all the shots. He needs to understand the entire picture.
And our board?- pitiful. They must all be cowards with no brains for allowing this to continue. And the four million marketing campaign? Just think what the hospital could have done with that. How sad. I sure wish we could have ditched Ray and his mean crew and hung onto Dr. Froth. He will be greatly missed. What a stupid stupid move, Ray.
Some one said the other day, that the board gave him a "reprimand" for the way he handled the situation with Dr. Frothingham. I don't know if that is true or not. That's too little too late. (Dr. Frothingham's last day was yesterday.) :(
They also said that they then renewed his contract for another 2 years?! (Is that true?)
From what I have seen over the last years, Ray is known for 'forging' ahead. He really stretches out there. Bought all those clinics, doctors, labs, property and the KDH. This looks really great for him when others look at it on the surface. What they don't see, is that with every purchase, he started cinching the noose tighter around our necks at the hospital to cover those expendutures. Cheaper supplies were acceptable, even lack of supplies at times. Lack of staff was expected. Cutbacks HAD to be made to allow for progress out in the community.
As long as we complained, it was just nurses "B**ching". It gets written off very quickly as bashing 'the Man'. Even patients complaints are written off if we are the one's reporting them or if we take care of them without letting them get to upper management. I started some time ago offering the house Supervisors phone number and telling the patient and family, that unless they personally called and reported the problem, nothing would be done or changed to prevent it in the future because they would not listen to the nurse reporting it. This is how they run the business now. The patients or families who actually follow that advice and call the right person then will get 'compensated'.... Free meal tickets, an apology, several other things.
That really sounds nice for the lucky one who gets it, but really burns my bun for the many who should of gotten it and didnt because their complaints weren't public enough or were dealt with by us by understanding patients that liked us and were afraid that if they complained about the 'situation' that we would get in trouble.They say it's never acceptable to tell the patient that there isn't enouth staff. What else do you tell them? "Im sorry it took so long to get here, there is only 2 or 3 of us here and were were tied up in another room" This the patient understands. Doesn't like, but can understand especially from a caring and otherwise attentive nurse.
But upper management doesnt want us to indicate to the patients that it's their fault that we dont have adequate staff. I guess we are suppose to just look like we dont care? "I'm sorry it took me so long" only goes so far when it happens again and again, without someother form of explination on WHY it took so long. We also found out yesterday that the rumor about them planning to abolish the KDH name was true. It will be a sad day when I drive by there and no longer see that historic name. All of my children were born there.This is truely a sad time. Saying goodbye to The King's Daughters name and to Dr. Frothingham both in such a short space of time. Both will remain loved, respected and remembered by this Delta girl.
*Watching Eyes*
Fed Up In The Trenches said...
Yep, "service recovery" kits are made available to patients with complaints. My question -- is it really ok to buy their way out of poor service? Delivering plants, flowers, candy or other goodies does not excuse poor care. Now, don't get me wrong; I am a nurse too and I can tell you that if Ray Humphreys or Florence Jones had to function one day in a nurse's role, they would die.
The staffing matrix in place is not realistic at all. We are all worried about priorities such as medication administration, monitoring the patient and carrying out MD orders and when you have 10 patients of your own plus LPN's IVs, this becomes nearly an impossibility. It is very frustrating to see the kind of care our patients are receiving and know that you can only do your part.
Worst of all, our so called leaders of our hospital aren't concerned with patient care. They may speak those lies about quality care on television but take a walk around the place. Watching Eyes is right. Sub-standard supplies (I even heard an orthopedic surgeon a few days ago complaining of the cheap surgical supplies he had been forced to start using), lack of resources (a pillow is precious commodity) and having to read signs posted in the bathroom, med room, etc that state "Please do not clock in early or late as we cannot accrue overtime".
We all hear daily how "broke" the hospital is and how we need to help save money. But, wait a minute, in the public, Ray proclaims that all is great at the DRMC house. I, like you, have started giving out phone numbers to patients who are irate (and rightly so about their poor care); except I give them Florence's, Ray's or Allyson's numbers. I figure that's only right. He is calling all the shots. He needs to understand the entire picture.
And our board?- pitiful. They must all be cowards with no brains for allowing this to continue. And the four million marketing campaign? Just think what the hospital could have done with that. How sad. I sure wish we could have ditched Ray and his mean crew and hung onto Dr. Froth. He will be greatly missed. What a stupid stupid move, Ray.
After reading all of the recent comments, I can safely assume that DRMC employees are equally unimpressed by Ray's new ad campaign. More apparent is the fact that the many excellent employees of DRMC are tired of getting "slammed" for trying to do their jobs in an uncaring, understaffed, ill-equipped environment, while Ray and his cronies police the grounds for frivolous policy violations.
Let's talk about "service recovery". A friend of mine was recently a patient at DRMC. During his stay, he acquired a very serious and potentially deadly infection caused by a violation of sterile technique. Luckily, his family had him flown to Memphis where he remained for seven days to recover from the hosptial acquired infection.
But all was not lost! My friend returned home to find a brightly colored potted plant with a card thanking him for choosing DRMC! (I suppose the plant was multi-functional... it would either cheer his homecoming as a survivor of DRMC... or decorate his grave if not as fortunate.) Needless to say, my friend vowed that he would never return to DRMC for any reason!
"Service recovery" is about implementing swift, remedial actions to make sure that the causal factors have been identified and eliminated. Somehow a free lunch ticket seems to be inadequate to compensate one for a seven hour ER wait or a near death experience.
I have the greatest sympathy for the many fine employees of DRMC who have to endure the deplorable conditions in which they work. It is hard for me to believe that Ray's reign of terror can last much longer.
Forthright
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