SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
April 13, 2017
Sullivan’s
Salvos 4/18/17
In this edition:
*Frank and Desmond
*George W. Bush Museum
*NAMI Walk
*Did You Know?
*Frank and Desmond
There
are many benefits to living in a UNESCO City of Literature. This was painfully
evident on Tuesday, April 4th, when two great writers gave talks at
basically the same time about two miles apart.
I
attended the Thomas Frank event. Frank is well known for his writings on
economics and politics, including the books “Pity the Billionaire” and “What’s
the Matter with Kansas?” He was reading from his most recent book, “Listen
Liberal”.
A
Democrat listening to Frank is like an alcoholic at an AA meeting. You are in a
supportive environment, but expect to hear some very hard truths.
In
this case, Frank takes the Democratic Party to task for completely ignoring
its’ traditional base – unions and low wage workers. Frank points out that the
Democratic Party has drifted toward highly educated, upper middle class
professionals, while ignoring the base. Frank’s prescription? It sounds a lot
like Bernie Sanders: Higher union density. Higher minimum wages. Universal
healthcare. More affordable housing. Free college. Things that most of the
world have already embraced.
Just
across town, author Matthew Desmond spoke from his book “Evicted”, which looks
at the housing crisis faced by low income Americans. His is a case study based
on several people he spent time with in Milwaukee, but it could just as easily
have been written about Johnson County.
I
just finished Evicted about a week before Desmond’s talk, and I have to tell
you, it rang very true. It really took me back to my days as a young social
worker, visiting clients in dilapidated Max Yocum rentals. The book also spends
a lot of time on the lives of people living in run down apartments and mobile
home courts; again, it was all too familiar.
I
think many of us are oblivious to the housing crisis we face, and how it traps
people into lives of poverty. I STRONGLY recommend this book!
Desmond
is more interested in telling these poignant stories, and does not get into
solutions in the same manner as Frank. But I would guess that the solutions
would sound pretty similar: Higher union density. Higher minimum wages.
Universal healthcare. More affordable housing. Free college. Things that most
of the world have already embraced.
*George W. Bush Museum
You
may have noticed that I was away for a few days – we were in Dallas, where I
was given the honor of officiating the marriage of our nephew. While in Dallas,
Melissa and I took the opportunity to visit the George W. Bush Presidential
Library and Museum on the campus of Southern Methodist University.
I
know – some of you are thinking, “But he was against almost everything the Bush
Administration did!” That is true. But I hope Salvos readers learn some other
things about me: for one, I love history! I love the fact that America honors
our Presidents in this way. I have been to the Lincoln, Hoover, Truman,
Eisenhower, Johnson, Reagan, Clinton, and George W. Bush Museums. I have yet to
visit Roosevelt, Kennedy, Nixon, Carter, and George H.W. Bush Museums. So I am
at just over half. I really want to improve upon that!
Additionally, I honor and respect the office of the President. I
actually got to meet and speak with President Bush (43) during the ’08 floods.
I remember standing with Linn County Supervisor Linda Langston as we awaited
the President’s arrival. I was going to ask him some tough questions on
Katrina. Linda was going to ask him some tough questions on Iraq. In fact, once
we were face to face, we explained the flooding situation and asked for his
help. The toughest thing I said to him was when I was shaking his hand, and
said, “Thanks so much for coming Mr. President. It was an honor to meet you and
we appreciate your support.” So yeah, we wimped out! But it is important to
respect the Office.
Now, for the museum: the building is gorgeous, as is the whole
campus at SMU. It is a VERY nice area of Dallas! The museum itself is actually
not very large in comparison to some of the other newer facilities. We got
through the whole thing much more quickly than I anticipated.
The first thing I found interesting is that there is almost
nothing about W’s childhood. I suppose this makes some sense, since almost
every person on earth knows his parents. But it was a striking contrast to the
Reagan and Clinton museums, which spend a lot of time with the “any little boy
can grow up to be President” meme. (Yes, I said “any little boy.” Yes, I wish
that was otherwise.) On the other hand, the museum acknowledges his alcoholism
in a much more direct way than I would have guessed.
While his childhood is glossed over, his marriage is not! Laura
Bush is more visible in this library than any other First Lady in any of the
libraries I have visited. (Nancy Reagan famously orchestrated many aspects of
her husband’s museum, but she is not as ubiquitous a presence.) This library is
clearly a team effort!
It was interesting how little time they dedicated to the 2000
election. I suppose it is because I was Chair of the Johnson County Democratic
Party at the time, but the 2000 election was unlike anything we had experienced
in over 100 years! I was a bit surprised how quickly they moved on from that
pivotal event. I suppose they did not want to do anything to place his
legitimacy in question.
As you might imagine, much of the museum is dedicated to 9/11 and
the aftermath. The 9/11 images still bring back deep emotions. I noticed a
number of patrons who turned away from certain scenes. There is also much about
the Iraq War. And as you might imagine, it is spun in a way with which I
disagree.
I think every Presidential Museum I have ever visited had a
replica of the Oval Office. But the W Museum was the first that offered
visitors to come inside. You could even sit as his desk! I enjoyed getting that
perspective.
There is an interactive area where you get to make the tough
decisions faced by President Bush. Unfortunately, the whole thing is full of
false choices.
Finally, there is a large exhibit of his artwork, primarily
paintings of disabled veterans. I couldn’t help but think as I looked at some
of these veterans: If Bush does not send our troops to war, this guy keeps his
leg. This next guy keeps his arm. And so it goes.
My overall impression? George W. Bush is, in fact, a guy I’d like
to have a beer with. I think he surrounded himself with some very bad people,
which led to some real disasters during his Presidency. Frankly, I don’t think
historians will view his Administration kindly.
Now I am looking forward to the opening of the Barack Obama Museum
in Chicago in 2020!
*NAMI Walk
The
2017 NAMI Walk is Saturday, May 6 at the Terry Trueblood Recreation Area in
Iowa City. Registration begins at 8:30, with the walk commencing at 10.
This
is an important event for an important cause. The National Alliance on Mental
Illness (NAMI) is the top advocacy group for people with mental illness and
their families. The local NAMI group is strong, and has been for decades. I am
always amazed by the determination they bring despite state and federal
governments that actively work against their needs.
Johnson
County has been a partner in serving people with mental illnesses and their
families since the County was founded in the 1830s. That has not changed. I
serve as the Johnson County representative to the Mental Health Region (and
have since its’ inception.) While we certainly have work to do, the commitment
to serving people remains strong!
As always, I am walking with the Johnson County team. If you would
like to contribute, you can visit namiwalks.org, type in my name, and make a
donation. It is that easy!
*DID YOU KNOW?
George H.W. and George W. Bush were not the first father and son to
serve as President of the United States. They were preceded by John and John
Quincy Adams.
Anyone
interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the
County website-
"Sullivan’s
Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a
brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.
These messages
come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the
whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise
mentioned.
If you do NOT
want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type
"unsubscribe" in the subject line.
If you know
anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail
me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.
As always,
feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to
serving you!
---Rod
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 7:53 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home