Broken Pipes

In recent years alarm bells have been sounding off all across the nation about the rising levels of lead coming into homes, businesses, daycare's and schools through the water lines.  Without a doubt and with medical research and doctors backing up the findings, lead in the water system is a danger to the general public and especially for young children.  This has been an issue in the making for decades, impacting several generations and now has become critical.  We have all become aware that the consumption of lead at any level has a long term impact upon little children and their cognitive development.  This is unquestionable a serious problem. 

It’s always has been a problem and the more we have learned about the long term effects of lead, the more we have grown skeptical about how it is used in business, industry, construction and for storage.  For years lead has been a key component in paints, pipes, manufacturing and construction.  Trying to find alternatives and replacing lead piping in aging infrastructure projects and communities continues to be a tall order and expensive.  Regardless of what the financial cost are to replace or upgrade, it pales in terms to the long term physical and mental health of residents. 

The water crisis in Flint, MI helped to raise the issue and gave voice to other cities and states struggling with the same issue.  Additionally, the Flint situation helped us all to understand how serious a problem can grow if not addressed in time.  It also helped us to review processes, policies, adjusting budgets and to take a serious look at what we should be doing now before matters get worst.  In addition, the Flint water crisis became a flash point that stirred a national outcry for change in governmental accountability, water management and environmental stewardship. 

Perhaps the more interesting aspect of any national crisis is not just what happen, but what has been the response to the crisis.  In some cases we witness broken pipes in terms of communications, follow through and clean-up.  And now as we moved on to the next national crisis, we must become aware of the importance of not only dealing with the situation at hand, but also to make sure that our lines of communication are also not broken.  

Treading Water

Don’t you just love it when summer officially comes in Wisconsin, I certainly do.  Although short lived, it does make us feel good to enjoy the warmer weather, if only for a few months.  It’s a time to take advantage of doing a number of outdoor activities including going to the beach, listening to a summer concert in the park, boating on the lake, running in a distance race, family reunion, gardening or just going on a meaningful day trip or vacation.  Without question, it is a time we all look forward to each year.    

On one hand, we see people who are making more than a livable wage or higher incomes.  For them these are great times.  It’s a time to invest in stocks, bonds, housing, and a business startup, become an adventure capitalist or just sit back and enjoy the fruits of one’s labor.  There seems to be no limit on what can be done, the sky is the limit, for these are some of the “best” days of their lives.  It is certainly a time of personal enrichment, renewal, expansion and to “ride the waves until they stop.”       

On the other hand and regardless of what each season brings, a lot of people living in urban America see little to no change at all in terms of their socioeconomic status or living condition.  Today, there are many more people who lives only consist of a daily grind to ink out a simple living and nothing more.  Without a break, each day they find it quite difficult to see any potential opportunity in the midst of just getting by.  Even when working a second or third part time job, they can only do the basic bare medium and yet feel trapped by the reality of real life experiences. 

The one sure thing about treading water in life is the fact that you have to be able to stay afloat, all the while trying to keep your head above water.  It is much harder than you think and to accomplish.  And when you do not have a certain level of education, training skills nor the opportunity, the next incoming wave can take you under.  It is one thing to keep your hands moving and legs kicking, it’s another to see your way forward when all around you looks and feels the same.  

Boots On The Ground

For a lot of people Memorial Day is often confused with Veterans Day in terms of importance and meaning.  As a grateful nation we take out considerable time each year to honor those who have served or are currently serving in one of the five branches of the military.  Memorial Day (last Monday in May) is a time to honor those lost during wars and combat, while Veterans Day (November 11) celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans.   Regardless of how one feels about these two special days, we should not forget that many of the liberties we enjoy today are because of those who defended and serve to protect those freedoms.

These times are not just about honoring those who so bravely served to defend the rights of us all, but these are also times to refocus on what is so important in life...freedom, family and faith.  Without a doubt these times help us to gain some insights into what real sacrifices look like and that each day there are military service-members in harm’s way around the world.  And in the words of Colonel Nathan Jessup (played by Jack Nicholson) in the movie ‘A Few Men’... “You want me on that wall and you need me on that wall.”  Nothing says it so clearly about the ongoing commitments of so many during these times of shifting politics, conflicts and terrorism.    

Too often we do not treasure what we have until it is gone, challenged or becomes questioned.  It takes a lot to keep a strong military going, to keep things safe and to maintain peace.  The one thing that has been the backbone of our great nation has been the ability to advance US values, interests and objectives.  In addition, our military defends the values of human rights, restore peace and to guard against tyranny.  It’s a tall order and the mission is ongoing... “to defend the Constitution of the United State against all enemies, foreign and domestic...” 

Now that is the hard part, where the rubber meets the road.  Not only do we need boots on the ground to defend our freedoms globally, we also need social and economic boots on the ground to turn around many of our most challenging communities.   We are in dire need of support from a new wave of community foot soldiers who will help take on restorative justice, economic empowerment, and holistic healing.   So, I say... It’s time to strap them up!  

The Twilight Zone!

They say that there is nothing new under the sun and if you live long enough you will see things from the past reemerging.  Well…the past just showed up.   For those of us who have seen it before this new “old stuff” just has a new set of clothes on, a haircut or designer nails.  But at the end of the day…it’s the same old stuff that projects prejudice, injustice and discrimination.  To a younger generation this “old stuff” is new and has them on edge and asking…“what gives?” 

It reminds me of a television show series from the late 1950’s to 1964 called the ‘Twilight Zone,’ created by Rod Serling.  This series achieved popularity and critical success while introducing us all to science fiction and to new ways of envisioning things.  Each episode focused on a particular genre, including horror, fantasy, science fiction, suspense or a psychological thriller; and often concluded with an unexpected twist and moral lesson.  What made this weekly series so interesting to me were the unique introductions, including…“You are about to enter another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land of imagination.  Next stop, the Twilight Zone!” 

Weather the “zone” is real or not, people are feeling out of sort these days.  And with so much going on and taking all the headlines it is no wonder people are on edge, looking for some relief and better times.  People are upset at all the empty rhetoric, broken promises, repeal and replace of Obamacare, filling the swamp, political posturing, fake news stories, false allegations and ongoing investigations.  And just wait; there is more coming that will impact our climate, financial systems, retirements and education. 

What seems to be missing in all of this, overlooked or not talked about during these days is the growing rate of poverty, increased drug use and overdoses, expanding prison incarceration, lack of reentry programs, escalating gun violence, rising mental health challenges and finding affordable housing.  We can all agree that these are interesting times in our American discourse and for a number of us we are just waiting for the next headache, shoe to drop or subplot to appear.  How we move forward and what we expect to happen next is anyone’s guess.  Of course, we do not know the ending of this saga, but it is going to be one for the ages.  Perhaps we have already arrived at our… next stop!    

Under Pressure

With so many bold promises made on campaign trails, a new administration and congress are finding that leading and getting things done is much harder.  As each week rolls by the path forward and the agenda is becoming more dicer.  The end game is becoming more distant, cutting deals, working across party lines and the ability to build winning coalitions only looks good on paper.  Now that this brand of new leadership or “rubber” has hit the road…stuff is getting really ugly. 

             

Talk is certainly cheap when you can blame others for the mess, but now with the power in hand and the numbers to make something happen… well!  What is the problem now?  To make things more interesting and with future elections looming, countless local constituents have become upset during town halls meetings of elected officials and demanding that their health care and social benefits remain unchanged.   These are certainly hot button issues.  And in the words of the rapper known as Nelly…“it’s getting hot in here.” 

It certainly has been some interesting times lately and we have learned a lot to get us where we are today.  This has included learning several new words and concepts… like… walking things back, fake news, Alt-right, demagogue, deplorables, redacted and unmasked…just to name a few.   I am willing to bet that more is on its way.  So, just keep a pencil or pen and paper available…class is now open.   For people do and say some strange things when they are under pressure. 

Throughout our lives we have all come to believe that leadership matters and for those who aspire to a higher office in public service, our prayers go with you.  Leadership helps to get things done, without question.  We all need great leaders to inspire us, to support and to learn from.  It’s one of the foundations of a great nation, community, business or institution.   And   leadership is also at times without easy answers, setbacks and a loss for words.  But that comes with the job description.  As my mother use to say…“if you can’t stand the heat… get out of the kitchen.”    

Time For a Reset

It must be “nice” to have all the time in the world to get involved with the “calls for actions,” protests and political campaigns.  But for a lot of us, it is another story… we are just trying to make ends meet each and every week.  And we certainly don’t have the time, luxury nor the bank account to deal with all the crazy things that are going on and especially what is coming out of Washington these days.  It is getting quite confusing… to say the least.  

And to make matters sound worst is the reality that the lives of people continue to be held in the balance and used as pawns.  For those who live below the poverty line, dealing with a long term illness, disability, unemployment, incarceration, mental health crisis or a drug addiction…life is as real as it can get.  All the big talk or hot air and political posturing is not working for those who are looking forward to improving the quality of their lives.  If you can feel what I am saying! 

It easy to talk when all your bills are paid, enjoying a good paying job with benefits, live in a nice house in a great neighborhood, go on a vacation or two each year, drive a new car and can retire in style.  But talk is cheap when the shoe is on the other foot and things are not going so well.  If fact, the one remaining shoe is on a “bananas peel” and it can go at any time.    

What is so puzzling to me is that the needs and the voices of those who suffer in “silence” are going unheard.  They are being ignored by those who have been elected to serve for them.  And it is ashamed that what we see unfolding is going in a different direction than what we were told.  What ordinary people need who are caught up in an economic freefall is some relief, an opportunity or second chance.  As the old saying goes… “If I only knew than what I know now…I would have made another choice.”   Now where is that button?  

Broken Fences

What a person does is far more powerful than what they say.  Our talk can only take us so far… but when it’s time to back up our words with action…it might be another story all together.  And as we continue to travel down this new reality path of what it means to be an American, let us not lose sight of our heritage, courage and faith.  Let us remember that… we have come a long way and this too shall pass.      

Only Native Americans can truly say that these are our lands and that reality and identity cannot be lost.  For many of us, our coming to America is deeply embedded in the clear understanding that our ancestors came to these shores as immigrants, slaves or indenture servants.  Regardless of how they came to this new world, their journey through the America experience has become a part of our living story.  Their footprints and sacrifices have lay the foundation for what has made America so great…a land of the free and a home of the brave. 

Of course, there are those in each generation who try to divide people and to create confusion.  They take advantage of perceive weaknesses, known fears and limitations.  They focus on creating an illusion that things are bad and others are to blame.  In the words of my elders… they know how to stir the pot.  They also believe that if elected to office that they can make things better and be the different maker.  Recently, former President George W. Bush stated that “power is addictive.”  And that is what so many people seek.

It hard believe that after 240 years of American history, we are still dealing with so many issues from our past.  Building a fence, a wall or a bridge is nothing new.  If fact we still are dealing with a number of fences erected centuries ago and are stilling standing today.  For all fences are not physical barriers, they also include barriers that are psychological, emotional and spiritual.  And these fences are at times more challenging to deal with then a physical barrier.  We must remember that a fence goes up to either to keep something out or to keep some in.