Sometimes it’s difficult to get people to even try to understand what it’s like to be deaf. Lots of times, kids learn a little bit in school, when they are introduced to headphones that mask sound, or have a deaf person visit their class. Sometimes people will do experiments at home, plugging up their ears for a short time. The same is true for blindness– wearing masks, or blindfolds, or similar types of hooding materials that render them temporarily “blind.”

So often people who think they understand deafness and deaf people will be sympathetic, but very few can ever be empathetic. The same is true for those among us who live in poverty, or are homeless. Still, anyone who tries to understand, even with ulterior motives, should be applauded.

This week, in Nashville, Tennessee, some of the mayoral candidates were “homeless” for one night. While one night, or even a fraction thereof, does not change views and perspectives overnight, at least these men have a somewhat better understanding of what it’s like. I have no pretensions that these politicians will suddenly throw as much money and support as they can to homeless shelters , anti-poverty programs, and services for the disadvantaged, but even if it changes how they view such assistance and prompts them to think better of their fellow man, then it’s worth it.

It’s not the first time politicians have done this; even in Berkeley, California, long considered a haven for liberals and progressives, the mayor did the “homeless for a night” stint back in 2003. I’m not sure just how much the experience changed how he handled things after that, but it’s something I think *every* politician should do, at least once.

Some have opted to try another challenge many impoverished people face: living on food stamps. In April, Oregon’s governor Ted Kulongski tried to make it for a week on food stamps. Last month, four Congressional Representatives took the challenge, and I suspect, learned something in the process.

These representatives

…have pledged to live for one week on $21 worth of food, the amount the average food stamp recipient receives in federal assistance. That’s $3 a day or $1 a meal. They started yesterday.

The participants actually kept blogs, and posted entries about their experiences. You can see Congressman Tim Ryan’s (D- Ohio) blog here, and the musings of the other three here. It’s pretty sobering to realize that while these four could go back to their normal habits after a week that tens of thousands of Americans have a weekly food budget of $21. For those of us who have experienced being on food stamps or suffered poverty in any form, it’s not too surprising. For others, it may be a depressing new fact.

I’m not sure requiring every member of Congress to go homeless for one night would work, but I think everyone in Congress should definitely try living on a food-stamp budget. Everyone goes food shopping or has gone food shopping, and I think it’d really hit home for many of them if they tried living on $21 a week. It might not create a sense of empathy, but it just might increase the sympathy, as politicians come to a better understanding about how some members of our society live.

It’s a shame that we can “afford” to spend millions of dollars patrolling, bombing, and occupying a country halfway around the world, but we “can’t afford” to take care of the least among us. Just like individuals, nations are judged by their priorities. What does this say about us?

Well, I know I get a lot of visitors from time to time, but I never thought the Vatican read the Sandbox. Nearly a year ago, after the umpteenth time of being narrowly mowed down in what passes for traffic around here, I posted my version of Commandments for Drivers. Nothing’s changed around this area, unfortunately, and I still stand by my pronunciation and its ten distinct elements.

Now it seems the Vatican has seen fit to follow suit. I wonder if the Pope’s been traveling incognito in L.A. recently? Perhaps a visit to this humble blog? Maybe a Sunday jaunt on the Autobahn?

I have yet to make any of my cars *ahem* “occasions of sin,” and even if I did, I doubt I’d confess to any such acts publicly, here or elsewhere. I know I’ve occasionally had to resort to prayer, an act which I’m sure many driving instructors nationwide have committed many times. I’m curious as to testimonials from any such teachers as to the power of prayer, or lack of power thereof.

Although this particular set of commandments came from Cardinal Renato Martino, who holds quite a number of views I disagree with, in all seriousness, I must commend him for at least recognizing that people do commit aggressive acts and behave recklessly on the road. If this decree helps change anyone’s behavior (especially when it comes to road rage), then all the better.

As for me, I’m just wondering if I should toss a rosary in the car. Perhaps drivers everywhere could adopt a new universal sign for apologizing to others after committing errors in traffic– simply beating our chests: “Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.”

Works for me.

Faithful readers of this blog know I have Not Been Pleased the last few years with Smirk and Scowl’s behavior (not to mention their henchmen, such as Rove, Rice, Rumsfailed, and Gonzales). Quite a few people have come over here from parts known and unknown to share their political views, or to try to convince me I’m wrong, or poke holes in my arguments. Usually I don’t have a problem with it, as I believe everyone has the freedom to speak out about their views, as long as they’re respectful of me and others. Some people share some of my beliefs/views; others have very little in common with me politically. One or two are the extreme opposite of me, and we’ll probably never agree on anything.

But I think just about everyone can agree that the government’s response during and after Katrina nearly two years ago has been severely lacking. Regardless of whatever else the gummint’s done in other areas (and believe me, they’ve done *plenty*) and what you think of it, I have yet to hear anything particularly positive about Smirk, Brown, Chertoff, FEMA, or anyone else directly involved with federal agencies or support. Mayor Nagin and Governor Blanco shouldn’t escape some blame, either.

What’s really appalling, though, is that despite the criticism leveled at the time and afterwards, no one in our gummint seems to have learned any lessons, or tried to make up (even if belatedly) for shafting New Orleans and the surrounding region. It’s nearly two years later, and the lack of funds has led the city of New Orleans to appeal to the international community. The city government says they are “talking with more than five countries.” Say what? For all the talk about taking care of our own and protecting American citizens, an American city is having to go with hat in hand outside the country.

Our leaders need to have a serious discussion, with immediate reform, about how to arrange for funding and support services in times of crisis. Regardless of whether it’s a hurricane or just bad storms, this isn’t the first time the Mississippi has overflowed its banks, and 2005 won’t be the last. Many of you may remember the 1993 floods, and a few oldtimers among you may recall the devastating 1927 deluge. There were changes made in the wake of 1927, but not enough. There were calls for changes in 1993, but apparently it wasn’t good enough. There were numerous cries for reform after 2005, but here it is, the beginning of a new hurricane season, and we are still lagging behind.

New Orleans and the Gulf Coast were shafted by Katrina, and that’s unfortunate. Sometimes things are out of our control, and we can only hope that Mother Nature is merciful at the end. But to be shafted by the U.S.? That’s something that shouldn’t be happening.

I enjoy doing some memes, especially those that relate to my interests. Seems of late though, that most of the memes I do are from Bev at Funny the World. This one is no exception (although some of the memes that Mountain Mama has done look interesting…).

Anyway… here goes!

Do you like to read?

Only job contracts. No, seriously– as Bev put it, “Is the Pope Catholic?” I’ve been reading since as long as I can remember. There are five overflowing bookshelves in this place, and an additional 20 or so boxes of books in storage. Someday I’ll probably have enough inventory to open my own bookstore without needing to add additional books!

What is your favorite book?

This is a subjective question (but most, if not all, meme questions are subjective!). Some of my favorites include To Kill A Mockingbird, Addie Pray, and Time and Again. I also enjoy graphic novels, and my favorite so far is the Sandman series, by Neil Gaiman. In the genre of historical fiction, I highly recommend Robert Graves’ I, Claudius (if you like soap operas, but feel guilty for reading the latest summer beach book trash, read this book. You’ll look intelligent, yet still get your fill of scandal and intrigue).

Who is your favorite author?

I don’t have a single favorite, though I did read just about everything John Steinbeck has written. I also like Larry McMurtry, and keep meaning to pick up his latest body of work, “The Berrybender Narratives,” of which Sin Killer is the first. I really like Isabel Allende’s work as well. John Irving’s stuff is pretty good too.

Are you the kind of person who peeks at the end of a book to see how it turns out?

NO. I can’t imagine anyone who considers themselves a serious reader doing this.

Do you hate it when they turn a book into a film?

Yes, I do. Partly because they always end up either leaving quite a bit out, or distorting the plot in an attempt to make it more marketable. The other reason is because when I read a book, I get a visual image, a picture, in my head of how the characters look. If a movie is made, and I see the movie, often it destroys that imagery.

Has a book ever changed your life? How?

A work of fiction? No. Nonfiction? Yes. Richard Wydick’s Plain English for Lawyers (a book I need to re-read again soon!) taught me how to write better, and become more conscious of the need to edit. I’ve read many influential books, or books that encouraged me to read more on a certain subject, but nothing that was life-altering.

Do you tend to borrow books from the library or do you prefer to buy them?

I tend to borrow them, for two major reasons: first, I notice I tend to finish a book faster if I know it’s due, and second, I don’t have the budget to run out and buy every book I’d love to have. Plus there’s always the issue of storage space… Five overflowing bookshelves doesn’t help!

Which book are you planning on reading next?

Several. I don’t “plan,” but there are quite a few books on the shelves I’ve been meaning to either start or finish. One is Paddy Ladd’s tome on Deafhood, Understanding Deaf Culture: In Search of Deafhood. Another is my “beach book” for this year, Anne Rice’s Feast of All Saints. I did a similar book meme over a year ago, and I still haven’t gotten around to Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, which tells you just how much I read these days… (to be fair, I read a lot of magazines)

That’s it for this one. See you next meme!