Rachel Port
I live in Tucson AZ, formerly in New York, Mass., and Chicago. I have a Master s degree from the University of Chicago Division of Social Sciences. I have worked as a psychotherapist, musician, teacher of violin and viola. I blog at several political sites as ramara.
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Brandeis Univ, New England Conservatory, University of Chicago MA (Social Sciences)Motto
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Displaying Results 1 - 189 (of 189) for All Content
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What's Funny? A Look at My Favorite ComediesA look at three of my favorite comedy movies and what they have in common. Hint: Romance and Wit. -
The Inaugural Address I Would like to SeeWorld peace? A non-breakable safety net? Tackling global warming? What would you like to hear in Obama's Second Inaugural? Here is what I would like. -
Election Day View From Catalina, Ariz.I went to vote this morning. I will be making phone calls this afternoon as I have been since Thursday. What have I been seeing and hearing? Here's some of it.
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Affordable Care Act: Health Insurance Must Now Provide Women the Healthcare They NeedThe Affordable Care Act today begins requiring employees' insurance plans to provide preventive care without co-pays, and this will include birth control for almost all employees. -
Keeping Mentally Fit: Food for ThoughtI am 64 years old, and keeping mentally fit is now something to consider. This is how I live so my mind still works for me. -
My Journey Into and Through DepressionI have written about my depression before. Here I go inside and look at the actual feelings associated with depression in a more descriptive and personal way, and also at my way out of it. -
Thoughts About Freedom for Passover 2012Every year Jews retell the story of Passover in the first person. We must think about freedom from our own narrow places into freedom. -
Another Reason Rush Limbaugh Got it WrongThe story of Rush Limbaugh and Sandra Fluke is still in the news, but Limbaugh was not only insulting, he was also wrong.
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Kriegh Park Dog Park in Oro Valley, Arizona - My Dog's Favorite ParkKriegh Park Dog Park in Oro Valley AZ is a dog-friendly park where dogs can be themselves, and where the people are relaxed. -
What Does it Mean to Be a Cancer Survivor?I have had cancer twice, but never had chemo or radiation therapy. So why do I blush when I say I am a cancer survivor?
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Giffords Resigns -- Reflections of a Tucson DemocratA personal response to the news that Gabrielle Giffords is resigning her seat in Congress.
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Tucson, a Year After the Giffords ShootingOne year after the January 8 shooting that killed 6 people and injured Gabby Giffords seriously with a bullet to her brain, the shock is gone, and the public memorials. But we all remember, mourn, and celebrate.
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Winter Solstice: A HaikuA haiku for the season. -
Arizona's Sierra Vista Symphony Successfully Starts Its 17th SeasonThe Sierra Vista Symphony's ambitious opening concert stretches musicians and delights audience. -
What If We Kill an Innocent Man?Troy Davis is going to be killed by the state of Georgia on September 21, unless there is a last minute reprieve. Yet there is a good chance he did not commit the crime he will be executed for.
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On Being ObeseYou know the old saying "Everyone talks about the weather, but no one does anything about it?" Well, with us the reverse is true: everyone wants to do something about obesity, but nobody wants to talk about it.
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Mi Familia Vota Holds First Citizenship Workshop in Tucson, ArizonaOn Saturday August 13, Tucson had it's first workshop for immigrants applying for citizenship. The Apollo Middle School cafeteria saw immigrants, volunteers and immigration lawyers brought together by Mi Familia Vota.
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Netroots Nation 2011: the World Comes to MinneapolisThe sixth annual Netroots Nation convention was held in Minneapolis last month. For the first time, there was a strong international presence and a more diverse community of US liberal bloggers as well. -
The Debt Ceiling Deal? a Raw DealAfter creating a crisis that did not exist, since the President is able to make sure the country meets its obligations, Congress has passed a bill that is bad for the economy as well as for the people.
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My Favorite Novel: Middlemarch, by George Eliot, a Novel for Grown Up PeopleVirginia Woolf called Middlemarch by George Eliot one of the few English novels written for grown up people. It studies the marriages of its two main characters from courtship through a few years, looking at the effects of character upon events.
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Homework: a VillanelleA villanelle about...writing a villanelle...or not.
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Sestina: Ode to MusicAn ode to music, written in sestina form.
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Sonnet to SpringA Shakespearean sonnet for the season -
Some Thoughts About Shared Sacrifice and the Budget Compromise: A Letter to the PresidentOur leaders have reached a compromise to avoid a government shutdown. We hear about the need for shared sacrifice, while large cuts have been made to programs that help those in need. Who is really making the sacrifices? -
Potassium Iodide for Radiation Exposure: to Take or Not to TakeSince the nuclear disaster in Japan, many in this country have been stocking up on iodine pills in case of radiation exposure. What is potassium iodide? Who should take it and who shouldn't? -
Mind and Body: The ACE StudyWe know that traumatic events of childhood influence emotional and mental health in adulthood. A long-term epidemiologic study in California finds that they also affect physical health in adults, and even life-expectancy. -
Digging Out from Under: a Living Metaphor for Depression and RecoveryWhen is a house not a house? My neglected house became a living metaphor for my depression, but when I began to feel better, it was still there. It took very good friends to literally dig me out from under.
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Common Causes of Tooth DiscolorationTooth discoloration may be caused by something as simple as smoking or drinking coffee, or by age, or by more complex diseases or medications. Here are some of the common causes of tooth discoloration. -
Tucson's Eighth Annual Muslim-Jewish Peace WalkIn a time when hatred is rampant, Tucson Arizona has a strong interfaith community. The Peace Walk grew out of the September 11 attacks. It is a chance for us to meet people unlike us, and get to know them in a spiritual atmosphere.
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My First Concert: Mischa Elman's Farewell Tour, Carnegie HallThe first concert I attended was at Carnegie Hall. It was a recital by Mischa Elman, part of his farewell tour. But what I remember most had nothing to do with the music itself.
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Margaret Sanger and Planned Parenthood: Some History and Discussion (Part II)This is the second part of two, and focuses on Planned Parenthood. The series is a response to the defunding of Planned Parenthood and of all federal birth control spending by the House of Representatives.
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Margaret Sanger and Planned Parenthood: Some History and Discussion (Part I)When the House of Representatives defunded Planned Parenthood, a campaign to defame the group and its founder Margaret Sanger met success. But what is the history, and what does it mean?
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Congress and the War Against Reproductive HealthSince the Republicans took the majority of the House, there has been one bill restricting women's access to reproductive health care after another. What's going on?
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Some Thoughts About the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act and School FundingThe Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act was signed on December 13, 2010. It includes provisions to enhance nutrition for at risk children. But our ideas about child nutrition have long been related to our ideas about school funding.
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On Not Treating the Mentally IllIn the wake of the Tucson shootings, Jared Loughner's mental illness has been a way to skip political issues. But the way we treat the mentally ill is a political issue, and is very relevant to our times. Some personal experiences follow.
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The Relationship Between Income Inequality and Health InequalityThe recent Women's Health Report Card showed not only that the US as a whole rates a score of Unsatisfactory, but wide health disparities in health and health outcomes based on income. Research shows that income inequality itself affects our health.
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A City Mourns: Tucson After the ShootingOutside Gabrielle Giffords' Tucson office, a shrine has grown. Similar displays have sprung up at other places associated with the living and the dead. But in another sense, the whole city has become a place of remembrance.
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A Tusconan's View of the Gabrielle Giffords ShootingI worked on the Giffords campaign. I once attended another Congress on Your Corner event at the same location. Here are some observations.
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Arizona's Cuts to Medicaid: An AnalysisArizona, like other states, has a large deficit to deal with. In response, it has eliminated SCHIP, the children's insurance program, and made serious cuts to AHCCCS, its Medicaid program, including the controversial cuts in transplant funding.
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What Happened Since I Wrote It: Graham V Florida, Gay Youth Suicides, St. Joseph's Hospital, PhoenixI have written several articles having to do with health issues in the news. In this article, I look at what has happened since in three of those stories that deal with adolescent psychology, and medical ethics and abortion.
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Women's Health 2010 Report Card: UnsatisfactoryThe National Women's Law Center and Oregon Health and Science University 2010 report card for women's health shows an overall grade of unsatisfactory. How did your state do?
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Drinking Water for Weight Loss: Research Bears it OutDieters have known it, and now research is confirming it: drinking plenty of water helps you to lose weight. Read what the research says.
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Strange Bedfellows on Plaintiff's Side in Chamber of Commerce v. WhitingChamber of Commerce v Whiting tests the legality of an Arizona Law sanctioning employers who hire undocumented workers. Oddly, opposing the law are business organizations, labor unions, civil rights groups, and me.
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The Uninsured and Underinsured: Not Fixed YetRecent reports from the Commonwealth Fund and the Centers for Disease Control show that millions of Americans are still uninsured, or unable to afford the cost sharing required by their health plan. What have we improved?
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Celebrate the Year of the Family CaregiverNovember 17, 2010 was the beginning of the Year of the Family Caregiver, to honor some of the most stressed among us and to recognize the tenth anniversary of the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) .
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Hanukkah Traditions: Celebrating with a Newly Jewish Adopted ChildMy son was not born Jewish. He was seven when he came home, after several years in foster care, most with Catholic families. Introducing Hanukkah took some thought. Together we made new traditions.Also published on:
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The 112th Congress and Women's Health: What to Watch ForWith more conservatives in Congress, and a majority in the House of Representatives, women's health issues could be in jeopardy. Here are some issues to consider.
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Post Election Concerns: Health Care, Fear and Hate in Politics, and Idea of Justice for the Highest BidderAs a liberal and ACLU member, I have many concerns following the Republican surge in the 2010 election. My worries include threatened repeal of the health care law, the political use of fear and hate, and politicization of justice.
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Diagnostic Issues: Age, Expectations, and ADHDTwo recent articles report on studies that show children at the lower end of the age range admitted to kindergarten are more likely than their older classmates to be diagnosed and/or treated for ADHD. Some thoughts follow.
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Reflections on Three Years Being Cancer-FreeEarlier this month I passed the third anniversary of the surgery that removed my cancerous kidney. Within days, I met with my urologist and learned that my CT scan was clear. Here are some thoughts about cancer and survival.
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First Court Ruling: Affordable Care Act ConstitutionalA federal court judge has ruled that the provision in the Affordable Care Act requiring people to purchase health insurance is constitutional under the Commerce Clause. Read more.
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Preventing Teen Pregnancy: Government Grants for Evidence-based ProgramsHHS has just announced $155 million grants for evidence based programs to prevent teen pregnancy. This is a departure from the abstinence-only-until-marriage programs that received funding over the past decade.
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Election 2010: the (Democratic) View from Catalina, AZI volunteer for the Arizona Democratic Party in the Northwest Tucson office. This area has seen many of the same trends as the rest of the country over the past four years. Here's what it looks like now.
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Dr. William F. Harrison Dies at 75: a Good Man and the Question of AbortionDr. William F. Harrison, gynecologist and abortion provider in Fayetteville Arkansas, died of leukemia on September 24, 2010. He felt he needed to advocate for abortion rights as they were being whittled away. Read more.
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First Aid for a Severed Finger or ToeEmergency rooms commonly deal with people whose fingers or toes have been severed. This is a serious injury, but with the proper quick response, the digit might even be reattached. Here's what to do.
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Don't Swim After Eating: Fact or Myth?Many of us were told as children not to swim until an hour after eating. And many of us wait an hour even now and make sure our children wait as well. Do we really need to wait?
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Hunger in America: Feeding America's 2010 ReportFeeding America is the largest anti-hunger organization in the country. Their 2010 report on the state of hunger in the United States shows a large increase in hunger since the first report in 2006. Here are the facts.
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Bullying, Gay Teens, and Suicide: the Anoka-Hennepin DilemmaSuicide is the third leading cause of death among young people in this country, and one of the leading causes worldwide. Risk is higher among homosexual and lesbian teens, who are often the victims of intense harassment in school and out.
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Medical Ethics in the News: Embryonic Stem Cell ResearchEmbryonic stem cell research has been in the news recently. A judge has suspended research pending an upcoming trial, and the FDA has approved the first clinical trial ever. Here is the story.
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Believing Lies: Why the Truth May Not Set You FreeSeveral stories in the news recently expose the startling fact that when people who believe demonstrable lies are shown accurate facts, their belief not only remains, but grows stronger. This article looks at the psychological processes behind this.
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FDA Approves New Emergency Contraceptive - Facts and Fallacies About EllaThe FDA recently approved a new emergency contraceptive, which can prevent pregnancy for up to five days after sex, which will be marketed as "Ella." Read what is known about it, and what supporters and opponents are saying.
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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and Criminal Justice: Canada Seeking Alternatives to IncarcerationDo offenders who have fetal alcohol spectrum disorders belong in jail? The Canadian Bar Assn. passed a resolution recommending that alternatives be developed since jail cannot work with FASD population. This could mean important progress.
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Sports Injuries in ChildrenMore than one half of all sports injuries in the U. S. occur to those between the ages of 5 and 24, more than 40% occurring before age 14. What precautions can we take to protect our children from potentially serious injury?
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Community and Healing: the Daily Kos Community Quilt ProjectWhen is a political blog not a political blog? When it comes together to help members who are ill or in crisis. The Daily Kos community quilt project has had a powerful impact on those who receive the quilts. Read more.
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Netroots Nation 2010 in Las Vegas - a Rousing and Inspiring Gathering of the Liberal BlogosphereThe fifth annual Netroots Nation convention was held in Las Vegas, NV from July 22-25. More than 2200 bloggers and activists were treated to rousing keynote sessions, campaign trainings, and panels on a variety of topics.
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Meet Don Berwick, the New Director of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Systems (CMS)President Obama has appointed Don Berwick to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in a rare recess appointment. This article will intoduce you to Berwick in his own words, looking at Republican criticisms that have held up his nomination.
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The Child Protection Act: Female Genital Mutilation in the U. SFemale genital mutilation has been illegal in this country since 1996, yet the law is seldom enforced, and the practice is reported to be rising. A bill in Congress, the Girls Protection Act, aims to close a loophole in the original law.
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Video Games and Your Child's Attention SpanMany studies have linked the amount of time children spend playing video games and watching television to problems with attention. I believe so, and that the problem is in the brain. Here's why.
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More Grammatical Errors: Words of Measure, Words of NumberHow to choose the right word when writing about the size or quantity of something? Here are some guidelines that will improve your writing.
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Study Links Erectile Dysfunction Medications with Higher Risk of Sexually Transmitted DiseasesA recent study conducted by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of Southern California shows a higher risk for STDs among men over 40 who took ED medication. Here's more.
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The Medicaid DilemmaMedicaid is our federal health insurance program for the poor. It is administered by the states, and funding is shared by the state and federal governments. But what happens when revenues are down and need is up?
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Medical Ethics: When Standards of Care and Conscience Clauses ConflictThe right of medical care providers to refuse treatment based on personal moral or religious beliefs has been codified in more and more places. But what if this compromises the health outcomes for patients who expect basic standards of care to be met?
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Purple - a Summer HaikuA haiku in a purple mood.
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Domestic Violence Linked to Early Childhood ObesityWe know that maternal abuse by a partner can cause emotional problems in children. A recent study also shows a link to early childhood obesity, and therefore to physical health problems, as well.
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When Israelis Shoot Americans, Where is the Media?On Memorial Day, Israeli authorities shot two young Americans, killing one and causing the other to lose an eye. Have you been reading or hearing news reports about them? Do you know their names?
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Medical Ethics: Torture, Human Experimentation, and GuantanamoPhysicians for Human Rights has published a report stating that medical personnel were participating in human experimentation at Guantanamo Bay, not for purposes of safety or efficacy, but for legal cover.
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Does the Internet Change the Way We Think?Some people have noticed a change in their concentration and reading ability after years of Internet use. What does this mean? Have we come to the point where I Google, therefore I am?
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Laparoscopic Surgery - Some History, Description, and ThoughtsLaparoscopic surgery is performed using several small incisions for the introduction of light, camera, and other instruments into the abdominal cavity through ports in these incisions. This article explores aspects of this surgery.
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Medical Ethics in the News: Pregnancy, Motherhood, and ReligionA Catholic nun excommunicated for allowing an abortion to save a mother's life, and orthodox rabbis redefine motherhood for the purposes of religious identity - questions of medical ethics are in the news this week.
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The Pill Turns 50: Reproductive Health in 2010The announcement of approval for the first birth control pill came May 9, 1960. This article looks at some facts about family planning and reproductive health in the present, the good, the bad, and the ugly.
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Democratic Senate Primary in Arizona Has John McCain Trying to Defend SeatThis year Arizona Democrats see some hope of winning John McCain's Senate seat. Republican support is split between two candidates, and Democrats are so hopeful that several are applying for the privilege. Some background follows.
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What is Mental Illness? A Philosophical DebateWhat is mental illness? Who defines it? Discussions of the DSM-V draft revisions have brought these questions to the fore. Let's look at some of the arguments on the different sides of the modern nature vs. nurture debate.
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Maternal Mortality: New Study Finds Improvement for First Time in DecadesMaternal mortality, the death of a woman from complications of pregnancy and childbirth, shows significant improvement in a new study, giving hope for the first time in decades.
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Good Carbs, Bad Carbs - a Simple and Complex TaleCarbohydrates are the nutrients that provide us with needed energy, generally consisting of sugars and starches. Nowadays, with carbs called good or bad, finding healthy carbs can be confusing. Here is what you need to know.
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Recurring Major Depression: Beating the Odds of RecurrenceIf you have had one episode of major depression, you are more likely to have a second, and if you have had two or more, this increases to 80 or 90 percent. But there are treatment options and lifestyle changes that can help avert a recurrence.
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A Childhood Bipolar Diagnosis? What You Can ExpectThe past 10 years have seen a 40-fold increase in the diagnosis of bipolar disorder in children. If your child is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, what does that mean for your day-to-day life?
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What Health Care Reform Really MeansAfter working for a year to see health care reform pass, an e-mail about a little girl with leukemia reminds me what it was all about.
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The Game of Death: French Documentary Explores the Dark Side of Human NatureWhat would you do if told to torture someone on TV? A French documentary, The Game of Death, describes an experiment to explore that question. The results are shocking.
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Good-bye Davy Crockett: Fess Parker Dies at 85Certain characters and the actors who played them become associated to the different periods of our lives. For many of us, Davy Crockett as played by Fess Parker is part of childhood. When he died today, a piece of childhood died too.
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Am I Having a Stroke? How to Tell, and What to DoThis article looks at what a stroke is, what the early signs of stroke are, and what to do when you think you or someone near you is having one.
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Sierra Vista Symphony Finishes Season on a High NoteThe Sierra Vista Symphony Orchestra performed a successful final concert of the 2009-2010 season at the Buena Arts Center on March 13. The concert was made up of classical music that has been used in cartoons over the years.
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Dementia: Facts About Alzheimer's Disease and Other DementiasDementia is a group of physical, behavioral, and psychological symptoms caused by changes in the brain that cause loss of brain functions. Alzheimer's is only one cause of dementia. Here is information on Alzheimer's and other causes of dementia.
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Women's History Month: How Far Have We Come?March is Women's History Month. There have been a number of stories in the news recently concerning women's health. This article looks at some of these stories from the perspective of women's health and autonomy.
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The Seventh Annual Jewish-Muslim Peace Walk in Tucson, ArizonaFor seven years now, members of the Jewish and Muslim communities of Tucson have held a peace walk, which includes prayers and activities to foster understanding. These are some thoughts after participating for the first time.
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Virginia Health Fair: an Interview with Kenneth BernsteinHealth care reform is really about people. Too many people do not have access to affordable medical care and too many are uninsured or underinsured. RAM treats many of these people. Kenneth Bernstein discusses his experience with them.
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Health Care's Three R's: Reform, Reconciliation and RepublicansAs we move into the final stages of passing health care reform, we are hearing a good deal about a process called reconciliation. The Republicans say this is almost unprecedented, but is that true?
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Citizens United V. Federal Elections Commission: Protecting Expensive Speech?On January 21 the Supreme Court handed down a decision in Citizens United v. FEC that effectively undoes all efforts at regulating campaign finance, and gives corporations carte blanche. What does this mean for you and me?
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Melanie's March: the Push for Health Reform PassageMelanie Shouse was an activist who recently died from breast cancer. She was unable to afford needed treatments. In her honor, a group is marching from Philadelphia to Washington D.C.
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The DSM V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual): Proposed ChangesA draft of proposed changes in the DSM V is published and open for comment. What are some of these changes, and what effects would they have?
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Health Care Reform: Moving AheadHealth care reform has reached a historic moment - bills have passed both houses. But the election of Scott Brown in Massachusetts has people wondering if that is as far as is will go. I look at a way to procede.
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Sierra Vista Symphony Performs Successful Student and Evening Concerts in Sierra Vista, ArizonaOn January 22, 2010 the Sierra Vista Symphony Orchestra played two concerts for students from nearby schools, and featured the Cochise County Youth Orchestra. In the evening, Amira Young's beautiful voice rang out in several arias and songs.
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Health Care Reform: What Happens Now?It was hard enough getting health reform through the Senate with 60 votes. Now that Scott Brown has won in Massachusetts, what are the possibilities?
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"Hi, I'm Calling on Behalf of Martha Coakley..."The get out the vote effort for the Massachussetts special election has gone national. Here is my experience calling Massachussetts voters - from Arizona.
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Health Care Reform: The Compromise so FarThe funding of reform is one of the major differences between the Senate and House bills, and reportedly a compromise has been reached. What is in it, and what other major issues need to be addressed?
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Secondary Stress Disorder: Facts and ThoughtsAfter the shootings at Fort Hood, the possibility of Secondary Stress being a contributing factor was raised. In spite of cries of terrorism, secondary stress is still possible. What exactly is Secondary Stress Disorder?
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Miep Gies, Who Saved Anne Frank's Diaries, Dies at 100Miep Gies, one of the five friends who helped the Frank family and others hide for two years, died on January 11, 2009, one month before her 101'st birthday.
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Training Afghan Troops: A Mental Health PerspectiveAfghanistan has been at war for more than 30 years. As we encounter problems training the Afghan National Army, we need to remember the effects of war trauma on people who have never known a peaceful world.
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The Written Word: Plurals, Possessives, and Those Pesky ApostrophesA guide to the spelling of plural words, possessives, contractions, and the correct placement of apostrophes.
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The 5 Most Important Health Stories of 2009This article is my take on what the five most important health stories have been this year.
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Cancer Research: A Breakthrough and Help to Understand ItA group in the U.K. has mapped the mutations in the genetic sequences of two patients, opening new possibilities for prevention and treatment. In this article, I outline this study, and link to a site where you can learn more about genetics.
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Health Care Reform: Insurance Vs. CareHealth care reform, health insurance reform - what is the difference? And which is the final bill going to provide?
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The Ten Most Influential People, 2000-2009Who are the people who have had the greatest impact on the world during this decade? Here is my list.
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Health Care Reform: The Senate, the Public Option and Individual MandatesThough we don't know exactly what is in the Senate health care reform bill, we know enough to know that without a public option, mandates will not work. Here's why.
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Holiday Haiku - a Jewish Child's ViewMy holiday haiku contest entry is what Christmas looks like to a Jewish child.
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Health Care Reform and the Abortion AmendmentsMuch has been made of the amendments to the health care reform bills concerning abortion. What's the big deal?
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Human Rights and Health CareThe Universal Declaration of Human Rights was ratified December 10, 1948. One of the rights agreed to by representatives from around the world was health care.
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Five Things Sarah Palin Should Do Before Running for PresidentSarah Palin is visiting the mountain states as part of her book tour. She has maintained a high profile since the election. But if she seriously wants to be President, here are some suggestions for her.
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Health Care Vigils for Those Who Can't WaitMove On is sponsoring nationwide vigils on Tuesday, December 8, 2009, to draw attention to the millions of Americans who need health care coverage now.
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On Afghanistan, What President Obama Did and Did Not SayPresident Obama, in his December 1 speech at West Point, outlined his policy for the Afghan War. He left two major questions unanswered.
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The War in Afghanistan: An Analysis of Where We Are Before Obama's SpeechThe President is expected to ask for an increase of some 34,000 troops in Afghanistan. What does this say for the future of our involvement?
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Five Ways to Prepare for a ColonoscopyThe official preparation for a colonoscopy can be daunting and unpleasant. Here are five ways to prepare for the prep to make it easier.
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Health Care Reform Moves to the SenateWith the Senate version of a health care reform bill about to come up for debate, here are some highlights and lowlights you may expect.
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Where I was November 22, 1963A memoir of the day John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
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Haiku - Thanksgiving MenuA haiku for Thanksgiving
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Punishment, Rehabilitation, and the Adolescent Brain: The Supreme Court Hears Two CasesThe Supreme Court heard two related cases recently in which adolescents were sentenced to life without parole for non-homicidal crimes. This is considered in light of adolescent brain development and ability to change.
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The House Passes Health Care Reform: What This Means for YouAnalysis of the House bill that passes on November 7, the good, the bad, and the ugly.
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Sierra Vista Symphony Orchestra Plays Ghostly Music for the Season OpenerSierra Vista AZ Symphony Orchestra played its season opener Saturday October 24. Much of the program was music with a seasonal, ghostly theme.
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Halloween HaikuA haiku for halloween
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Simchat Torah: A Celebration of TorahEvery year Jews around the world celebrate the rewinding of the Torah scroll with singing and dancing with the scrolls, and with great joy. In fact the Simchat in Simchat Torah means joy.
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The Olympics and the PoorWhen cities host the Olympic Games or other mega-events, the poor become a problem to sweep under the carpet. Poverty becomes a crime.
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Carnegie Hall History: Personal and OtherwiseThis is a history of New York's landmark Carnegie Hall, from its conception on a trans-Atlantic voyage, and including some personal memories.
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A Town Hall Meeting with John McCainJohn McCain held a town hall meeting at an Oro Valley church, the purpose of which was to discuss healthcare reform.
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In Favor of a Strong Public Option for Healthcare ReformSeparating fact from fiction about the health care public option, this article explains why I support it and why I think you should, too.
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Rosh Hashanah, Torah, and Spiritual HealingHow participating in a creative writing group producing work to be read during High Holiday services helped me heal spiritually.
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Halloween and Your Special Needs ChildYour child with special needs will enjoy Halloween more if you adjust your Halloween activities to your child's capacities.
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Tucson, Arizona Healthcare Vigil for Those Who Cannot WaitMore than 100 people gathered in Tucson, AZ for a candlelight vigil calling for health care reform with a public plan, on September 2, 2009.
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Labor Day History: a RemembranceWith sales and barbeques it is easy to forget that Labor Day originated in the throes of the labor movement, and was meant to honor the working man's rights.
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September is Hunger Action MonthFeeding America, formerly Second Harvest, is focusing awareness this month on child hunger.
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Ted Kennedy: a Life of TeshuvaAs Jews prepare themselves for the High Holidays with inward searching, we can look at Ted Kennedy as an example of a life of repentance and reconciliation.
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At Netroots Nation '09 in Pittsburgh, the Liberal Blogosphere ConvenesFrom August 13th to 16th, the fourth annual Netroots Nation convention was held in Pittsburgh. Two thousand liberal bloggers and activists participated at the Pittsburgh Convention Center
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Great Sports Moments: Boston Celtics Championships, 1981 and 1984How I happenned to be at the Boston Garden when the Boston Celtics won their second Larry Bird era championship
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How to Build Healthy Brown Bag Lunches for Your KidsIdeas for nutritious brown bag lunches your kids will actually eat.
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Healthcare Reform and Your Ability to Choose the Care You WantThe healthcare reform plans now making their way through Congress would deny Americans covered by their employers the right to choose the public option if they would prefer it.
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Happy Interdependence DayToday is the 4th of July, when we celebrate our declaration of independence from Great Britain. Yet from the very beginning we have depended upon others to make our way in this land.
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Healthcare National Day of Service Event in Catalina: June 27, 2009President Obama has called for a national day of service focused on healthcare on June 27, 2009. Volunteers in Catalina, AZ, near Tucson, have organized an event at the Golder Ranch Fire Station.
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Anne Frank Would Have Turned 80 on June 12, 2009Some reflections about Anne Frank's diary and its impact on people around the world, on the occasion of what would have been her 80th birthday.
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Health Care Reform and Local Planning in Catalina, Ariz.For the first time since Harry Truman there is a real chance for serious health care reform to be passed. The insurance and drug interests are fighting hard, and in communities around the country people are organizing events to fight back.
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Obama's Cairo Speech and ColonialismPresident Obama's speech in Cairo not only heralded a change in the rhetoric and policy of the United States, but from his own life story was uniquely qualified to do so.
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The Voyage of the S.S. St. Louis in May, 1939The SS St Louis left Germany May 13, 1939, a ship full of Jewish refugees heading for Cuba. Cuban and US politics, German spies, all conspired to return all the refugees to Europe.
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The Murder of Dr. George Tiller and the Language of HateWhen Dr. George Tiller was murdered at his church Sunday morning by an anti-choice activist, it was the second time he was shot, and the religious right has responded with strong language.
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Empathy and the Supreme CourtPresident Obama has said that he is looking for empathy in a Supreme Court Justice. Critics question whether that quality is compatible with objective interpretation of the law, and whether he is seeking an "activist" Justice.
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The Art of Re-ReadingThe world is divided into two kinds of people: those who read books over and over again, and those who don't. I am a re-reader.
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The Five Questions Health Care Reform Must AnswerAs the Senate considers various models for health care reform, we and they must not lose sight of what reform should achieve, whatever it looks like.
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Netanyahu Visits Washington: What to ExpectWhen Benjamin Netanyahu visits the United States on May 18, he will be greeted by a president who will not be distracted by promises from what has to be done for peace.
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The Top 10 Protest SongsA representative list of 10 protest songs from labor, civil rights, anti-war movements.
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Why We Pay TaxesA consideration of why we pay taxes, and why this supports freedom, rather than taking it away.
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Film Review: Walt Disney's CinderellaA look at Disney's classic 1950 retelling of the Cinderella story, and how it holds up after almost 60 years.
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Health Care Reform: Why We Need a Public OptionThis week the Senate Finance held a hearing considering different models for health care reform. This article explores why the insurance industry is so desperate to exclude a public option, which is why we need one.
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Book Review: Dreams from My Father by Barack ObamaThis is a review of Obama's first book, published in 1995. He explores his life before attending Harvard Law School and his experience with race and family.
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Perfection and Inclusion in Worship: This Week's Torah Reading, EmorIn this week's Torah reading (Lev. 21-24) priests with physical disabilities are barred from performing the priestly rituals. What is the nature of the perfection required to approach the holy?
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Arlen Specter and the Republican PartyArlen Specter has changed parties after serving as a Republican Senator for almost thirty years. What does this mean for the Republican Party?
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Diversity and the Supreme Court: What America Looks LikeWith the retirement of Justice David Souter at the end of this term, President Obama should consider diversity among the Justices' experience.
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Symptoms of Kidney CancerFacts about renal cell carcinoma, focusing on symptoms and diagnosis, from my experience as a patient.
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National Poetry Month Challenge - a Sonnet for the PresidentA sonnet to the President, in the Shakespearean form.
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Swine Flu and the Health Care DebateAs we face the possibility of a pandemic flu, we still have no Secretary of Health and Human Services, and more and more Americans are without health coverage.
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Grammatical Errors that Make Me CrazyA short list of common grammatical errors and how to avoid them.
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This Week's Torture RevelationsSince the release of the memos detailing the torture techniques approved by our government to be used on those considered "high value" detainees, people who are no longer bound by secrecy have been coming forward with more revelations.
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Poetry in My Kitchen - National Poetry Month ChallengeEvery time I eat, I am reminded of a poetic love story.
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Winter HaikuA puppy and snow - makes a poem
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High NoonA poem about images from the movie High Noon
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April: A Month for Poetry, Cancer Awareness and GardensApril is a month for honoring many things.
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The Facts About Bipolar DisorderBipolar disorder is a psychiatric condition where a person experiences wide swings in mood, energy, and functioning that can disrupt his or her life.
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Spring HaikuA haiku about spring in Arizona
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Mental Health and the Economy - SAMHSA Site Has InformationSAMHSA has a site to help victims of the economic crisis identify risks and symptoms of mental health problems.
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CinquainFive line poem about family.
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The First 100 Days: An OverviewIn just a few months in office, Obama has tackled the economic free-fall, ordered Guantanamo closed, started our withdrawal from Iraq, and begun to restore our place in the world.
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How Government Health Insurance Saved My LifeWhile examining my lungs, cancer was found in my kidney during a test I might not have had done without Medicare.
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Poetry's PowerA sestina about the mind and poetry.
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Being Jewish at EasterA poem about not celebrating Easter.
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The OathA poem about President Obama's inauguration
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The Rights and Responsibilities of GovernmentA rebuttal of the idea that democracy can only function if God is the ultimate authority, with some historical corrections.
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Healthy Recipes for Women and the People They Live WithHealthy recipes for soups, main dishes, and some hints to maximize nutrition in everyday foods.
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My Life Without TelevisionA report after eight months of living without television.
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Favorite Food?Choosing a favorite food can be challenging.
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Earth Day PoemPoem about need to counter the pollution changing our climate.
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Are Children an Endangered Species?Children suffer disproportionately during hard times, which often impairs their functioning in school and social life. Can we save them?
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Arizona's Sierra Vista Symphony Orchestra Concert of Baroque Music Slated for April 3, 2009The Sierra Vista Symphony Orchestra will finish its season with a concert of Baroque music Friday evening April 3, 2009 at the Buena Performing Arts Center.
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Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Spectrum Disorders: FAQFAS and FASD are neurological disorders caused by maternal drinking during pregnancy. This article presents general information and links to sources for further information.
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About Freedom: Passover ReflectionsAt Passover we tell the story of the Exodus from Egypt, and the roundabout way God led the Israelites. One Rabbi compares this to our country's history and President Obama's innauguration.