Baseball Great Tiant Discusses Castro's Passing

By JIM PURCELL

In the mid- and late-1970s, baseball was the king of American sports and the biggest show on the stage was the rivalry between the "Bronx Bombing" New York Yankees and the Red Sox in the American League East. On that stage, no one cared that side-armed pitching phenom Luis Tiant was a Cuban refugee. What they cared about most was his killer curve balls and exploding sliders. Today, though, one of Cuba's most notable exiles remembers the life of the late Fidel Castro, who died a few days ago at 90 years old.

Luis Tiant today

In an article posted today by the Washington Post, by Des Bieler, Tiant discussed his thoughts about Castro.

Tiant said Cuba produced a great deal of Latin American players in Major League Baseball until the Castro regime "set everything back." He noted that there were generations of ball players who never had the chance to succeed at their sport. Though he was a famed starting pitcher, Tiant said that, at the time he left Cuba as a young man, there were 50 or 60 players better than him.

Luis Tiant in the 1970s

What Tiant reflected upon was the loss of opportunity for the Cuban people, not just baseball players but certainly them. At the time Castro came to absolute, untethered power in 1961, Tiant was playing professional baseball in Mexico and did not return home.

One of the consequences to his decision was that Tiant would not be reunited with his parents, who were Cuban residents, until 1975. And, it wasn't until 2007 that the cigar-smoking former big league pitcher was able to return to his homeland without the threat of imprisonment.

Somberly, Tiant said that the exact number of people who lost their lives trying to make the passage between Cuba and Florida, often in rickety boats and rafts, would never be known. Was it 20,000? 100,000? A million? Tiant said the world may never know exactly how many people perished reaching for freedom, but for him it was 40. "They all died. All of them. Just gone," he said.

Castro was an avid lover of the sport of baseball and there are unsubstantiated reports the former dictator came close to being signed by a professional team in the United States during his youth.

With Castro gone now, Tiant warned it was not yet time to celebrate the end of totalitarianism in Cuba yet. He explained the Castro regime is still in place, albeit without their inspirational leader.

Tiant likened the passing of the Cuban despot to a "little door cracking open" for the future. He concluded with his hope that, one day, Cuba would be open again -- for its people to travel as they like and for its exiles to finally return home.

Danish PM Brings Conservatives Into Gov't

THIS JUST IN...

By JIM PURCELL

Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen

In a report posted today by Reuters, Jacob Gronholt-Pederson has reported that Denmark's prime minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, has consented to form a new government that includes the Liberal Alliance and the Conservative Party. Rasmussen's party is in the minority in Denmark and bringing new voices into the government could be essential in negotiations involving a 10-year financial reform plan he is working on. The prime minister, who is in the Liberal Party, holds just 34 seats of Denmark's 179 seats in Parliament.

Lokke Rasmussen, 52, has served as prime minister of the Danish state since June, 2015. Previously, he was prime minister from 2009-2011. However, he has been a member of the Danish Parliament since 1994, when he was just 21 years old.

In May, 2010, Rasmussen's government made the unpopular move of announcing major spending cuts to unemployment insurance, from four years to two. He also enacted measures designed to increase state revenues and has cut foreign aid from .83 percent of GDP to .76 percent of GDP. In addition, he authorized cuts to child support. The intention of the cuts were, reportedly, to save the government 24 billion DKK.

A Tour of the Louvre, the Pride of France

By JIM PURCELL

The Louvre is the largest museum in the world, which is located in Paris, France. It resides on the Right Bank of the Seine River. About 35,000 objects from prehistory to the 21st century are exhibited over an area of 782,910 square feet. And, it is the world's second-most visited museum.

The Louvre was originally built as a fortress by French King Philip II during the 12th century. In 1546, the fortress was converted into a royal palace by French King Francis I. From that time, the site served as the primary residence for French royalty. The building was added to many times during its royal tenure. However, in 1682, King Louis XIV broke from tradition and chose his Palace at Versailles for his household. After he left, Louis XIV used the palace as a place where he would keep his collection of art.

The Louvres' future mission began to take shape in 1692, when the building became occupied by the Academie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture, which held the first series of exhibits there in 1699. Finally, during the French Revolution, the Louvre was announced by the National Assembly to be used as a museum to display the nation's masterpieces.

The museum opened on August 10, 1793 with a showcase that included 537 paintings, most of which were paintings that were previously confiscated either by the former French government or the Catholic Church there.

This brings us until today, where the Louvre continues in its ages-old mission of being a hub of art and beauty, which has become known throughout the world for its remarkable collections. Truly, the Louvre is one of the great places to be seen by artists, art lovers, and for people from all nations and walks of life.

Former Cuban President Fidel Castro Dies at 90

By JIM PURCELL

According to a Reuters report filed today, Nov. 26, 2016, from Havana, Cuba, it was reported that Fidel Castro, the former long-time prime minister of Cuba, has died at the age of 90.

Fidel Castro

Castro, whose birth name was Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz was born on August 13, 1926 and died November 25, 2016. The Cuban leader's passing was reported on Cuban state television just after midnight today by his brother, Cuban President Raul Castro. The cause of his death has not yet been announced.

Castro governed as prime minister of Cuba from 1959-1976, then as president from 1976-2008.

Castro's political rise in Cuba came after the Biran-born son of a wealthy farmer adopted communist sympathies as he was studying law at the University of Havana. In 1953, Castro began his path to power with a failed attack against the Moncada Barracks, during the presidency of then-Cuban President Fulgencio Batista. Castro was imprisoned for his role in the attack and, after a year's confinement, he was released and traveled to Mexico, where he formed the "26th of July Movement." Castro and his followers then returned to Cuba and fought a guerilla war against the Batista regime. By 1959, the war was over and Castro and his movement had toppled Batista and the former law student was made leader of the Cuban people.

Castro then went on to create a one-party communist state wherein he was installed as its life-long leader.

Some of the milestones involving the tenure of Castro as Cuba's leader includes: the abortive "Bay of Pigs" Invasion by CIA-backed anti-communist Cuban forces, in 1961; the infamous Cuban Missile Crisis, in 1962; Castro's partnership with Russia and other communist nations, resulting in Cuba exporting terrorism to Central America and the world; and economic stagnation for the Cuban people.

Jonas Salk: The Man Who Saved the Children

By JIM PURCELL

There are few things that everyone can feel universally grateful for the world over. Whether it is a religion (not everyone has the same religion), a war having a successful ending (or an unsuccessful ending for some) or even the rise of a great company (as great companies tend to put other companies out of business). Yet, there is one marvel that all the world can agree was a milestone we can all be thankful for, and that is the creation of the polio vaccine by Dr. Jonas Salk (1914-1995), in 1952.

Dr. Jonas Salk

Poliomyelitis, known also as infantile paralysis or simply polio, is an infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. Poliovirus is usually spread from person to person through infected fecal matter entering the mouth, and it can be spread through both food and water. Usually, polio struck the legs. However, there have been cases historically where weakness occurs in the muscles of the head, neck and diaphragm. Up to five percent of children and 30 percent of adults who acquired the disease died.

Cases of polio were first recorded in Ancient Egypt. It struck every corner of the world. During 1950 in the United States, 58,000 people a year acquired polio and, of that number, more than 3,000 people died, while a far greater number were left disabled for the rest of their lives.

Then came Dr. Jonas Salk.

In 1947, Dr. Salk took a polio and infantile paralysis research position at the University of Pittsburgh. By 1951, Dr. Salk identified three distinct types of polio virus and, in 1951, he used polio samples from his laboratory to create a "killer virus" that destroyed virulent forms of the disease. He answered a riddle that had been plaguing mankind for tens of thousands of years.

Preliminary testing for the polio vaccine began in 1952. By 1955, the vaccine was approved by general use. Today, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, there are about 100 cases of polio worldwide. However, it took many years for some countries to permit doctors there to use the vaccine, which was why, in 1988, there were more than 350,000 cases worldwide. Unfortunately, though the polio vaccine does prevent polio in healthy people, once someone has acquired some strains of the disease there is no specific protocol for a cure.

After Dr. Salk's revolutionary discovery, he opened the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, in La Jolla, California, and that center continues today, dedicated to medical research.

Dr. Salk was a graduate of City Colleges of New York, New York University and the University of Michigan.

"Pennywise" Takes Center Stage in New "It" Movie

The classic horror story "It," penned by Stephen King in 1986, is coming to the big screen in 2017. The film tells the story of seven children being terrorized by a supernatural creature that exploits their fears and phobias.

The film is being by Andres Muscietti and "Pennywise the Dancing Clown" is played by actor Bill Skargard. Principal photography began in Toronto, Canada on June 27, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. Meanwhile, actor Jaeden Lieberher stars as "Bill Denbrough," leader of the band of children that oppose Pennywise.

"It" begins with the murder of Bill Denbrough's brother, "George," in a small town's local storm drain, in the fall of 1988. One year later, George's older brother and his group of friends begin the search for the boy's murderer and discover it was not a 'who' that killed him, but a 'what.'

There was a television movie made of the book in 1990, which starred Tim Curry in the role of the nefarious "Pennywise."

History of The US Marines

By JIM PURCELL

The United States Marine Corps celebrated its 241st birthday on November 10, 2016. At its beginning, the Continental Marines formed two battalions beginning November 10, 1775. The first recruitment of Marines was at Tun Tavern, Philadelphia and the corps' first commandant was Major Samuel Nichols.

The Marines were founded to serve as infantry upon naval ships. The Marines have been a component of the U.S. Navy since June 30, 1834. Currently, the Marine Corps commandant is Gen. Robert Neller, while the Sergeants Major of the Marine Corps is Ronald L. Green.

From the Halls of Montezuma, to the Shores of Tripoli, around the world, the men and women of the U.S. Marine Corps do and always have held a special place in the hearts of Americans throughout the long march of years. Happy Birthday, Marines!

Former Atty Gen'l Janet Reno Dies at 78 Years Old

Janet Reno

THIS JUST IN...

By JIM PURCELL

According to the Associated Press, reporting from Miami less than two hours ago, former U.S. Attorney General Janet Wood Reno,78, died during the early morning hours today, Monday, November 7. Reportedly, she died from complications that arose as a result of Parkinson's disease.

Ms. Reno served as the attorney general between 1993-2000, after being nominated by then-President Bill Clinton. Notably, Ms. Reno was the first woman ever to serve in that position within the U.S. Government.

Ms. Reno was born in Miami, to parents who were both reporters for the Miami Herald. She attended public school in Miami-Dade County, Florida, and was a valedictorian and a debating champion at Coral Gables High School.

Ms. Reno then enrolled in Cornell University, in 1956, in Ithica, New York. There she became president of the Women's Self-Government Association and majored in chemistry. After her bachelor's degree was completed, Ms. Reno entered Harvard Law School, in 1963, where she earned her law degree.

In 1978, Ms. Reno was appointed as state attorney for Dade County and was then elected to the Office of State Attorney in 1978. At the time she was nominated for the post of U.S. attorney general, she was actually President Clinton's third choice. Previously, two of his nominee's, Zoe Baird and Kimba Woods, failed to be approved because both had employed undocumented immigrants as nannies.

During Ms. Reno's tenure as U.S. attorney, there were several high-profile situations that have since become pages in the nation's history. These include: the 51-day siege in Waco, Texas with Branch Davidians; bringing suit against Microsoft for violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act; prosecution of 21 persons of the Montana Freemen after an 81-day armed standoff; the capture and conviction of Theodore Kaczynski, also known as the "Unabomber"; and the capture and conviction of Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols in the wake of the Oklahoma City bombing, among others.

NASA Readies for Martian Manned Mission

By JIM PURCELL

Does NASA plan on answering the question: 'Are we alone?' Well, it seems they might, as the space agency begins to practice for a possible manned mission to Mars in Hawaii.

According to the Associated Press, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the site of training for NASA as it prepares for eventual manned missions to Mars. Reportedly, researchers will practice searching for rock samples near Mauna Ulu, just as if they would on Mars.

NASA officials reportedly said the reason for the Hawaii training is to develop protocols that will be used on a real Mars mission in the future.

One of the concerns NASA has with future Mars missions is that rocks on the Red Planet may be home to living bacteria. "Really, the whole reason of going to Mars is to see if there's life there," said John Hamilton, an astoronomy faculty member at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

The NASA project involving possible Martian life is called BASALT, or "Biologic Analog Science Associated with Lava Terrains."

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/article112792883.html#storylink=cpy

A Law is in Place to Expand Help for Substance Abusers

{President Obama Visited Integrity House One Year Ago Today.

http://player.pbs.org/partnerplayer/MyhBxk1iLbPPDIFZ13Z_xw====/?autoplay=false}

By David H. Kerr                  

“Governor Chris Christie has signed legislation into law that will expand drug addiction treatment programs throughout the state.

The bill, A-3744/S-2330, provides for the establishment of law enforcement-assisted addiction and recovery programs in law enforcement departments throughout the state.”

http://patch.com/new-jersey/tomsriver/gov-christie-signs-drug-treatment-expansion-law

This legislation appears to have excellent potential and maybe long overdue.  There's no "middle man" required as I read this proposal.  Police can take direct action and help can be immediately available.  No extensive calling around for a bed or getting in line with a two month waiting list in order to get help.  Naturally I would expect that if police found a street addict needing help, any other connected legal jurisdiction such as probation, parole or drug court would be notified as to what would be done for the addict, beginning at that time.  Instead of waiting in jail for a treatment bed to become available, help can start immediately and when a bed does become available, the referral can be made.  While it is an expedient solution, it is far better than incarceration with no help.

Why for many, law enforcement should be the first step to help, followed by Sister Mary L., Father Pete and I.

I have met many savvy and understanding law enforcement officers in my 50+ years of work with addicts beginning in 1965 as a state parole officer in Newark.  For the most part, those with whom I have worked have had a positive influence on the law breaking addicts they had found on the streets.  In the 60’s we developed first name communication where help for an addict was just a phone call away.  Unfortunately, there were only a handful of residential treatment programs or referral sources in the mid to late 60’s but the Mt. Carmel Guild, Sister Mary L., Father Pete, and I were in daily contact with addicts coming to us for help.  We often sent them to a farm type facility in Garrison NY for detox and treatment.  The three of us did the critical follow up and support when they returned.  The police, prosecutor and probation departments were all part of our team as well.  Through our continued close communications we became an effective team, caring enough about our recovering addict referrals to know their names and even some of their family members.

With this new law, police will be allowed and encouraged to take addicts right from the "streets," offer them help and advice and see that they enter treatment.  Police officers now have little option but to place an addict in jail for crimes related to the disease of addiction while awaiting an open treatment bed.  Adding police to the network of addiction help is not a new concept and in fact, it has been practiced informally for decades.  With this new law however, the essential but informal liaison between police and the treatment networks can be formalized offering more opportunity for help for those on long waiting lists.  Linking law enforcement with treatment programs is also not new, but giving front line police officers a more direct connection with treatment is an idea that can now become a reality.

The consequences of this law working effectively could ultimately place an even greater demand on drug treatment and our Governor and legislators must prepare for this reality now.  Here is a summary of the proposed legislation:

“This new law allows police officers —often the first people to discover nonviolent drug offenders in their worst state — to become a point of access for help and recovery," Christie said. "This law improves upon access and assistance for those suffering from addiction, helping them to obtain treatment and re-enter society as productive members.”

The law also provides for:

·    Supporting and facilitating the linkage of law enforcement-assisted addiction and recovery programs to facilities and programs that provide appropriate substance abuse recovery services and health care services

·    Coordinating with law enforcement officials and program volunteers to ensure that individuals seeking to participate in the program are treated with respect, care and compassion, and are reassured that assistance will be provided

·    Establishing requirements for an individual to be eligible for participation in the program, and develop and implement procedures for determining eligibility requirements for the program.

The legislation is sponsored by Sen. Richard J. Codey and Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee chairman Joseph F. Vitale.

Law enforcement will also help a treatment completer to maintain contacts with his/her treatment coach and mentor for the essential five years after treatment completion.

*********************************************************

Governor Christie Signs Legislation Strengthening State’s Fight Against Addiction

For Immediate Release                        Contact:  Brian Murray

Wednesday, October 26, 2016                        609-777-2600

Trenton, NJ – Governor Chris Christie today signed legislation to enhance and expand addiction treatment opportunities and improve relationships between law enforcement officers and those suffering from addiction.

“All too often people afflicted with the disease of addiction have negative, counterproductive and repeated interactions with the criminal justice system,” Governor Christie said. “This new law allows police officers —often the first people to discover nonviolent drug offenders in their worst state — to become a point of access for help and recovery. This law improves upon access and assistance for those suffering from addiction, helping them to obtain treatment and re-enter society as productive members.”

Drug overdose death rates in New Jersey have been reported this year as multiple times higher than increasing national rates.

A-3744/S-2330 (McKeon, Vainieri Huttle, Caputo, Jasey, Downey/Codey, Vitale), with the governor’s recommendations from an August conditional veto, provides for the establishment of these law enforcement-assisted addiction and recovery programs in law enforcement departments throughout the State. Under this new law, the Director of Mental Health and Addiction Services, in consultation with the Attorney General, will prescribe by regulation requirements for county and municipal law enforcement departments to establish a program within their departments; develop and implement guidelines for the recruitment and training of law enforcement officers, volunteers, and treatment providers to participate in the program; support and facilitate the linkage of law enforcement assisted addiction and recovery programs to facilities and programs that provide appropriate substance abuse recovery services and health care services; coordinate with law enforcement officials and program volunteers to ensure that individuals seeking to participate in the program are treated with respect, care, and compassion, and are reassured that assistance will be provided; establish requirements for an individual to be eligible for participation in the program; and develop and implement procedures for determining eligibility requirements for the program.

This reform is the latest lifesaving action taken by Governor Christie’s administration, to go along with drug court expansion; statewide Narcan and recovery coach program implementation; new legal protections for those helping drug overdose victims; criminal justice reform to put nonviolent offenders on a path to recovery and productivity; the conversion of a correctional facility into a drug treatment center for inmates with addictions; and increased participation in the multistate Prescription Monitoring Program to prevent doctor shopping.

NFL TV Ratings Are Down 10% This Season. Why?

By JIM PURCELL

Why are NFL Football television ratings down this season? Yes, almost unbelievably, NFL Football viewership, during regular season games, is down 10 percent. But, the news gets even worse for one of America's top brands.

According to Felix Gillette, a staffer at Bloomberg Businessweek, Monday Night Football ratings are down 20 percent this year over this time last year. Sunday Night Football has also fallen 18.5 percent in viewership. Meanwhile, Thursday night viewership of games is down 21.8 percent.

Has the NFL become just another product on the metaphorical television shelves this year? Was it interest over election coverage this year that brought down viewership? Were Americans fed up with 49er QB Colin Kaepernick's regular injections of politics into the sport? Has the NFL Commissioner's Office involved itself too much with the game? Has the game become too legislated in the board room, at the expense of entertaining crowds on the field?

Colin Kapernick and teammate 'protest' their politics. 

For years in the communications industry in the United States, NFL Football has been the engine that made television 'work' for advertisers who pushed everything from beer to razor blades on TV. Now, there is a blowback.

Has the game suffered from over-saturation. Has the NFL finally reached its tipping point the way that anything else that has become over-watched and over-seen has?

In offering my own take on the NFL ratings, I see a few logs to toss onto the fire. First, who is an American is changing. With influxes of new populations into the United States, the American game of football may not be all that interesting to some of our newer Americans -- who may have more of an interest in European football, known as soccer in the U.S.? In addition, the times of games have become increasingly later and later.

Goodell: Too much a part of the sport?

I am an NFL Football fan and why don't I watch my Jets get bludgeoned every week on television? Because I have to work and I don't want to stay up half the night and go without sleep the next day just to do it.

The NFL has also changed in that, as well as protecting players more due to head traumas, it has actively frowned at football players as entertainers. Excessive celebrations have become a sure-fire way to draw penalties. Crowd-pleasing antics have become forbidden.

It is good that head trauma is being examined. The health of players is and should be of paramount importance. Maybe America is just growing a conscience about watching grown men become debilitated.

Whatever the reason, the result is clear: Fewer people are watching NFL Football today than ever before. This is a sea-change in the industry of advertising the world over, not just in the United States. Is there anything that can 'fix it' and bring NFL viewership back to its recent heyday? Good questions going forward.

Cubs vs Indians | World Series Game 6 Highlights

What's all the noise going on about this year's World Series? Well, it's 'big doings' for baseball fans of every stripe, not just fans of the two teams contending for a World Series victory.

Well, it's not just about one curse, but two. It has been 1908 since the Cubs last hoisted World Series honors above their stadium. Meanwhile, the long-suffering Indian fans have not tasted World Series victory since 1948. Truly, which ever team takes top honors in this epic series it will be a gratifying story for Major League Baseball fans.

The Cubs, called the "North Siders" in their native Chicago, since the American League's White Sox play in South Chicago, were organized in 1876. Originally, the club was known as the Chicago White Stockings, but through the march of time the name has evolved.

In this year's Series, for those uninitiated in things MLB, the Cubs are contending as the National League rival of the American League Indians, another stories franchise originally organized in the 19th century.

The Cleveland Indians were organized in 1894 and have played in the American League since 1901. Believe it or not, the team originally called Michigan home and moved to Cleveland in 1900.

Scary clown trend leads to police warnings worldwide

By JIM PURCELL

Stephen King fans the world over may think of the author's signature "It" prankster when they think about scary clowns. However, there is a disturbing trend circulating throughout the country that takes scary clowns out of the pages of books and is putting them on our streets. This is especially concerning as Halloween, Oct. 31, is tomorrow.

According to a printed report by AFP today, written by Rhona Wise, it's better for everyone to leave the creepy clown costumes at home this Halloween, as there is 'clown hysteria' gripping the nation. This report is not a prank: far from it, as unusal sightings in South Carolina were noted this past summer of people dressed as clowns with them trying to lure children into the woods.

Sightings of people wearing bizarre clown costumes has since spread to more than 20 states, along with associated incidents reported by police. The craze has jumped the U.S. border and there have even been sightings of such bizarrely dressed people exhibiting themselves in Europe, South America and Australia.

According to Miami police spokeswoman Yelitza Cedano Hernandez, in a report issued by the AFP, people can dress as clowns but if a prank is performed and someone is hurt, the responsible party (and their parents if they are minors) will be brought to court.

Meanwhile, in Kemper County, Missouri, an outright ban of clown gear has been instituted whereby, if someone is found in violation of the sanction, they will be charged a $150 fine. There are clown incidents, bans and concerns also circulating throughout the nation.

This hysteria comes at a particularly bad time with Halloween a day away and, as it has been since time immemorial, clown costumes have been historically popular.

Maybe the recent 'clown craze' is mostly an innocent symptom of popular culture. Maybe, some part of those interested in this craze are taking it too far or are, in fact, criminals seeking to hide their identity. One thing is for sure, there is a condition known as coulrophobia, which is a specific fear of clowns.

According to researchers from California State University, young children can be especially reactive to people dressed as clowns. However, coulrophobia strikes a large number of adults, as well. Yet, whether it is Cambridge, Massachusetts or Cambridge, United Kingdom, police are saying the same thing with one voice this year: Don't dress as clowns this Halloween and don't perform any pranks because there are people who have already taken this practice too far. Playing on people's fears isn't funny, whether it is Halloween or any other day of the year.

It's Time to Take Duterte Seriously

Is Philippine Prez a New U.S. Threat?
Does Duterte Serve the Bests Interests of the Philippines?

Rodrigo Duterte

Feature Commentary

By JIM PURCELL

In recent weeks, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has changed or threatened to change longtime understandings about geopolitics and Asia alliances insofar as the U.S. and the Philippines are concerned.

President Duterte has made it plain that he, as a leader of the Philippines, no longer regards Asia -- or the world for that matter -- through the lens of any Philippines-U.S. alliance. Further, the Philippine president has made very public statements that, at least ideologically, he and his nation are now more aligned with Red China and the Russian Federation than with the West.

In his Beijing press conference earlier this week, Duterte pressed the point that his government is seriously considering canceling all military cooperation between the U.S. and the Philippines, including the abandonment of long-standing Philippine defense pacts with the U.S.

President Duterte has made this much clear: It is time for the U.S. Government, as a whole, to responsibly re-evaluate vulnerabilities that currently exist between the U.S. and Duterte's regime. The U.S. cannot count on an ally that is not an ally. In a post-9/11 world, can Americans afford to not take seriously the clear, loud anti-American statements and actions of a  supposed ally? I think not.

The relationship between the American people and the people of the Philippines is not at issue, in my opinion. Americans and Filipinos have been peoples with the same destiny for many decades now. The friendship of these two great peoples is written clearly in the pages of history, and often in American and Filipino blood. The U.S. does not, I believe, need to defend itself against the Filipino people. However, this nation does need to assess the clear danger that President Duterte presents to the American people at home and abroad, its trade agreements in Asia and the Pacific Rim, as well as its potential for military harm against the United States, its allies, or interests in the Pacific or around the world.

It was Duterte, in China, who issued the call that it would be "China, the Philippines and Russia against the world." I believe that clearly requires some consideration by the U.S. Government, its leaders, diplomats and military, to sharply weigh this nation's posture with regards to the Duterte regime. While all of this is going on, American diplomats have said a grand total of nothing of substance. And, can the U.S. afford uncomfortable silences where this danger may or may not exist because it is inconvenient to begin assessing the harm this regime poses or could pose against the United States.

The U.S. Government should not cut off its ties in empathy to the Filipino people, though it must begin to take seriously the rantings of an anti-American leader who is fast making a mark as much more than an American critic. He has crossed that meridian, in my opinion, and is en route to becoming an enemy of this nation.

What is at stake?

The U.S.-Philippine relationship is not just one of state dinners and pomp and circumstance. At issue is Duterte's willingness to potentially harbor terrorism, or to sponsor worldwide terrorism against the United States, and how that relates to the U.S. policies of immigration, trade and military support. This must be examined before there is something to regret; not afterward. Duterte has painted himself as an enemy of the U.S., its people and interests worldwide. He cannot be trusted, nor should his regime.

Perhaps the most unfortunate aspect of this global dilemma is not the ongoing drama between the U.S. and China over the South China Sea. Instead, this madman is leading his nation and its people down a road to become a satellite of China, Russia or both. And, it is only his people who will suffer in the end, long after he has left his post and stepped away from the bright lights of public office.

The Challenge of Addiction Treatment Today

 What help really works for hard core drug abusers? 

By DAVID KERR

Maia Szalavitz[1] is a thoughtful, respected and long-time writer in the field of addiction and I support most of her 8 points as listed below and seen in her article in the Huffington Post; “The Rehab Industry Needs to Clean Up Its Act. Here's How.” Here’s the link:
CLICK HERE. 

Though I disagree (in blue below) with some of her points, she presents a concise summary of what she sees needing to change in our field and she knows from her own personal history using heroin and cocaine.  Here is part of what she has to say:

“I have covered addiction as a journalist for nearly three decades, and also have my own history of heroin and cocaine addiction, and of receiving treatment. With the input of longtime leaders in and critics of the field, here are my views on what needs to change.

1. Remove 12-step-related content from treatment — or at least, stop charging for it

2. Ensure access to maintenance treatment for opioid addiction

3. Fight corruption and unethical practices

4. End the reliance on criminal justice system referrals

5. End humiliation and confrontation

6. De-emphasize residential treatment

7. Create truly independent accrediting bodies that are consumer-friendly—and national standards of care

8. Expand harm reduction”

I have a problem with three of her eight points but she missed a major point as described below.  Also I would add to her eighth point: “Expand all treatment.”

I disagree with her points #1, #4 and #6.

 #1.  The AA 12 step approach is a marvelous group process where recovering substance abusers are accepted by their peers, finding a mentor and/or coach who guides the new candidate for years through the process of recovery.  Why would we want to end a process that has clearly helped many addicts for years and years?

#4.  I don’t think that treatment programs in New Jersey, for example, rely on criminal justice referrals.  Rather they see the desperate need of those addicts caught in the criminal justice system who need treatment rather than incarceration.  According to the Human Rights Watchreport, 10-17-16, “ every 25 seconds someone in America is arrested for possessing drugs for personal use.”

To make matters worse, many of those failing to meet bail requirements are incarcerated since treatment beds are usually full with a waiting list.

What’s the alternative?  Recovery help and treatment must be available to all people in all cultures.  Should we just bypass the treatment of addicts whose disease causes illegal drug use and associated crime?  In New Jersey, residential treatment programs have contracts with Corrections and Parole and they are showing positive results over years with the legally supervised treatment and follow up support of hard core criminal addicts.  Many studies have shown that this treatment enhances the likelihood of continued recovery with fewer relapses over time.  It makes no sense to arrest and incarcerate but provide no treatment to some addicts just because of their background and previous record while offering treatment for the same crime to others with little or no criminal record.  Many of these “others” are those who are part of the growing heroin epidemic in the suburbs.  Punish some and help others based on their skin color, criminal background and/or lack of bail money?  Not the right direction.

#6. Residential treatment is part of the continuum of help for many if not most hard core addicts.  Very, few of the thousands of addicts I’ve known could ever begin to put their life back together without removing themselves from the temptations of “the streets” and their neighborhood i.e. “the hood”. 

Here is an alternative model for Treatment and Recovery, call it the

Long Term Continuing Care Recovery Model

Help and caring for hardcore long-term addicts must be long-term (years.)  Also, the life supporting connections between treatment and the community neighborhoods to which recovering addicts re-enter after treatment, must be strengthened. 

The full recovery model of help for hard core criminal addicts often looks like this:  The detoxification phase followed by the residential phase followed by the reentry phase {followed sometimes by the out-patient phase} and then the most critical, the follow up coaching phase.  These are all part of the essential many year recovery continuum of care for hard core addicts.  I emphasize the word “caring” in this continuum. 

One of the most effective ways to measure quality in a program is to notice the level of concern and caring shown by all staff, not just counselors.  Assuring a caring staff must be the first step to assuring a quality staff and a quality program.  The best measure of a caring staff often comes from comments by the residents.[2]

The reentry phase of this continuum can be very challenging and it is not always the recovering person’s fault.  If we think of the cause of addiction as much from an addiction seeking culture as from a disease, we can begin to understand how difficult it can be to help people who must return after treatment to their home environment that is loaded with temptation.  Yes I know and believe the studies supported by Nora Volkow, NIDA, demonstrating that addiction is a brain disease.[3]  However, I attribute the present day growing problem of heroin addiction in the suburbs more from copy-cat and cultural behavior rather than so many people suddenly developing a “disease.”  AA talks about changing “people, places and things,” to stay clean and sober but this is often not possible in a drug seeking culture and as a result, addiction spreads.  Today, if you want to help and coach an addict towards recovery sometimes your most formidable enemy is our present day growing feeling that “heroin is ok.”  Some are saying under their breath; “yeah right, now that white people are using heroin, it’s ok;” and this has a ring of truth to it.

Peer support is often critical for hardcore criminal addict recovery

I founded a TC in Newark in 1968 called Integrity House. I retired from this work in March, 2012.  The TC concept has come a long way since the early 1960's.  We recognize the impact of the recovering peer, clean and sober for years, as a role model for change in our residential and out-patient programs.  We recognize the need for changing our system of care from long-term residential help to long-term support and coaching so that self-realization and the new drug free lifestyle has a chance to become internalized and practiced over years.  I have not found much long-term recovery success for hard core criminal "lifestyle addicts" without years of interaction with positive peers, and without support and coaching[4].

That said, most hardcore criminal addicts that I have worked with need to start and become part of a culture of safe, clean and sober living in a residential setting.  Each participant has a role in helping him/herself and others while learning, practicing and finally internalizing a new positive and ethical lifestyle. In my experience, the Therapeutic Community is the most effective tool, demonstrating a positive culture of right living for many months in treatment and for years thereafter following the long-term recovery continuum model.  

I have found that they must give help to others to get the full measure of help for themselves. 

A properly functioning TC must be sensitive to others needs and wants and what will help and what will hurt.  I've found that those addicts I have worked with over the years need a combination of understanding, love and straight honest talk and finally the role modeling of others like them, clean and sober for many years.  What I didn't expect to find, as I began to know them in the mid-1960’s, was a deep understanding of their own motives and behavior to help themselves as well as their strong need for help and guidance from others in long-term recovery. Finally I have found that they must give help to others to get the full measure of help for themselves.  Addicts in recovery for years make some of the best counselors I’ve ever met and this is with or without a degree! 

Let’s not mandate a degree since the bi-product may be to eliminate the recovering peer from our system of treatment.[5]

My experience supports the idea that a durable recovery is best insured by a counselor and/or peer who can feel a deep understanding and sincere sense of love and caring for others.  I have seen that recovering addicts who attain a degree are seen as role models to others in recovery!  On the other hand, I have found that the most effective people to inspire change are often former addict role models with a strong history of recovery, with or without a degree.

Growing addiction in the mainstream society is setting a bad example for our children

It is difficult today to help someone in a residential or outpatient treatment program to pursue a lasting recovery, when they leave treatment to return to our present drug consuming culture.  Addiction today is part of our culture whether it be from middle class in more affluent suburbs or ghetto pockets in the inner-city. If we want to make a serious impact on this personal and cultural malaise, we have to look at our own addictive behaviors and negative role modeling!  It's what we as parents do that is having a noticeable impact on the behavior of our children.  Growing addiction in mainstream society is setting a bad example for our children.  As a result, many have fallen into the deep hole that takes “adolescent recreational use and abuse” down the path of lifetime addiction.

Let's work together and with the media to develop more effective prevention plans that will be part of our culture and that will help our children grow up healthy.  These plans must start with changing our own habits and negative role modeling and personal substance abuse that will be mimicked by our children!

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 [1] Maia Szalavitz is a columnist for The Influence. She has written for Time, The New York Times, Scientific American Mind, the Washington Post and many other publications.

[2] Be careful though not to base staff evaluations on resident comments!

[3]  http://www.memoirsofanaddictedbrain.com/connect/nora-volkow-the-disease-model-and-moi/

 [4] While I never used drugs, I lived with active addicts in Newark while starting Integrity House and learned much from what they said and how they lived.

[5] Most addicts in recovery owe fines and are just beginning a stable life in the workforce.  They will not be able to afford to pay for a degree for years if not decades!