Obscura Day 2010 From Washington DC: The National Museum of Health & Medicine

In the middle of everything else happening for Sum of Change and America this weekend (you know, like the passage of health care reform bill, a giant march on Washington in favor of immigration reform, and a conference we covered for feminist campus to name a few), I made a quick stop at an event that was specifically off the beat and path, the 1st Annual Obscura Day, hosted by Atlas Obscura (atlasobscura.com),‘a compendium of this age's wonders, curiosities, and esoterica’ or a guide the unusual and hard to find treasures across the world.

I, (obviously) went to the DC event at the National Museum of Health and Medicine on the Campus of Walter Reid Army Medical Hospital (more on that in a bit) but Obscura Day was celebrated in over 80 cities around the world. The event kicked off in Australia with a tour of a bio-luminescent glow worm filled tunnel in Australia, and featured such diverse events, such as a trip the world’s largest tree house, an underground tour of the Atlantic avenue tunnels in NYC, a time travel buss tour of 1050s LA, and our event at the Museum of Health and Medicine in DC.

Though few artifacts at the museum were unusually obscure, the museum collects very important items to the survival of our society that many of us take for granted, such as the largest collection of microscopes and brains for research. It is one of the only museums dedicated not only to the overall history of health, but also to the study of military medicine. So it features areas on the development of human beings, from pre-birth to death, in addition to more military specific sections, such as a room about the identification of human remains.

The museum however is quite large and diverse and has over 25 million items in its collection. The most unique artifacts are probably the bullet that killed Abraham Lincoln and a fragment of his skull. This is a true rarity, not only for the historical significance of the artifacts themselves but because this is one of the few displays of the actual ‘mortal remains’ of one of our country’s most historic figures, as Tim Clark, the Museum’s communications director describes it.

From all accounts Obscura day was quite a success around the world and I know everyone in DC had a great time. To see videos, pictures, blogs and tweets from all the Obscura Day events, go to obscuraday.com.

For more info on the museum, please go to their website (http://nmhm.washingtondc.museum) and visit them on the campus of the Walter Reid Army Medical Hospital (while it still exists) in Washington DC.

Music Monday: Futureman and His Syntax Drumitar

One of the more interesting and creative musicians I have seen in my life is Futureman, the 'drummer' in Bela Fleck and the Flecktones and one of the superiorly gifted Wooten Brothers (Bassist Victor probably being the most famous but they're all pretty amazing). However, Futureman is much more than a 'drummer' due in large part to his Syntax Drumitar, an invention of his own creation. Essentially, it is shaped somewhat like a bass guitar, but instead of have strings, it has a ton of small pads that each play a different sound when touched or tapped. This gives him the ability to play individual percussive instruments, and a wide variety of non-percussive sounds, with just the touch of a finger.

Since it only takes a single finger to make a sound instead of a whole hand, the Drumitar gives him the ability to individually play the role of three drummers simultaneously.
Furthermore, since he records his own sounds and has more buttons on the instrument than he has fingers, he can easily play a large number of different sounds. This allows him to integrate diverse percussion styles in a way that a single musician could never do. It's an amazing instrument that really separates him from other drummers (some may say unfairly so, but it's cool with me).

I've found a few videos of Futureman explaining his unique instrument. The first is a very short and overly simplified explanation of the instrument, but the next two are from an 'interview/jam session' hosted and posted by James Ross where Futureman explains and demonstrates the amazing abilities of the drumitar. The last video is of the 'Zendrum', a commercialized drumitar that isn't as cool as Futureman's but available for you to purchase and try out on your own (for >$1k). Enjoy.

For more Music Monday articles, please go to www.SumofChange.com/musicmonday

Grassroots Response To Health Care Passage

Tonight we are doing something new here, something I have wanted to start doing for a while, reaching out to grassroots folks to respond to major happenings. On this historic night, as we pass substantive health care reform, we are bringing you a grassroots response from David Hart, the founder of Grow the Hope. The response will start very shortly after the vote is done.

Throughout this fight we at Sum of Change spent a lot of time filming and writing about the work being done by grassroots activists engaging the community to work for reform. We hope to reach out to a variety of grassroots activists on any number of issues, and welcome your insight on future grassroots responses.

Text as prepared by David Hart:

This bill is not everything many of us had hoped for but we celebrate its passage. We must recognize that this bill is a significant reform to private health insurance. In fact, it is a good fix for many horrific abuses that now impact many Americans. When this bill is signed into law people with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied coverage. Insurance companies can not drop customers who have developed catastrophic illness. And young people can remain on their parents policies until they are 26 years old. These are just a few key provisions that make this bill worthy of our support.

Sadly, the debate on this legislation has been dangerously debased by fear mongering and ridiculous charges that have nothing to do with the facts. After this bill is signed into law the American people will see that there are no death panels. They will wake up and see that our society does not, in fact, look like Nazi Germany. Instead, the sun will rise as it did before this debate began and somehow we will not experience the expected Armageddon.

The rhetoric of mass distortion has not served us well during this important national debate. In the last few days, we have seen members of the US House of Representatives attacked in the halls of Congress. A civil rights icon was called the n-word. Another Representative was spat on and a third was insulted because of his sexuality.

Let this be a wake up call. Those who spew hate must shift their course. This angry rhetoric leads to dehumanizing opponents and can lead to violence.

Now that this bill has passed, let’s celebrate it for what it actually does and allow the rhetoric to cool. Now let us move forward together to address the many pressing challenges facing this great country.

We want to know what you think about this historic debate. Sum of Change has provided a great way to do just that. Please tell us your story. Join the conversation by visiting sumofchange.com/yourstory

And, please check out Growthehope.org for more on our important work. Thank you and good night.

McGovern on Storytelling at the House Rules Committee

I have written about the power of personal stories on multiple occasions. Personal stories make abstract issues like health care reform real. They paint a picture, like a good author detailing the numerous traits of a single brick in a wall. And storytelling creates empathy amongst neighbors. Last night, we heard plenty of personal stories, from one side of the aisle.

The other side was noticeably absent from that form of debate. Republicans offered vague references of seniors who would be taxed more if the reforms go through, leaving out that they would have to be making over 250k/year for that to happen. Vague stories of the struggle that could be caused by these reforms. Whereas the Democrats offered stories of daughters with preexisting conditions and sisters denied care the same day her family's premiums go up.

Afterward, I asked Congressman McGovern for his thoughts on this. “They don’t have the stories,” he told me. Then the Congressman threw out a few examples of the stories from individuals that Republicans are defending: insurance company executives complaining about smaller profits, big contributors with less to give to the RCCC. Real tearjerkers.

“This is very personal for many of us,” he added. McGovern told me they hear all kinds of stories from constituents then he immediately jumped into one of an individual from his state who suffered to get adequate care because the problems were arguably dental, and not covered.

Storytelling has, undoubtedly, been the staple of the health care movement and will surely go far to reinforce the belief many organizers have that there is nothing more powerful than and individual's personal experience. As Congress prepares to pass this historic health care legislation, I thank all those folks who told their health care stories to us.

Feel free to tell your story, or the story of a loved one in the comments.

Livefeed: National Young Feminist Leadership Conference

Free video streaming by Ustream

9:45 – 11:15
Women’s Rights on the Global Stage (PG)

We are approaching an era where the struggle for gender equity in every facet of society is becoming the fundamental basis for foreign policy for the U.S. and other nations around the world. During this session, speakers will discuss the significance of the United States’ newly revived commitment to empower and improve the quality of life for women globally. They will examine the implications for securing the country’s obligations to pass IVAWA, ratify CEDAW, and fulfill the promises of the U.N.’s Millennium Development Goals and the 1994 Cairo Conference. They will also recommend how young women can get involved in the cause for advancing women’s rights everywhere.

Daphne Jayasinghe, Women’s Human Rights Advocacy Director, Amnesty International
Feroza Yari, Feminist Majority Foundation Afghan Scholar
Tamara Tunie
Anushay Hossain, Global Programs Coordinator, Feminist Majority Foundation

And later on this evening...

3:30 – 5:00 General Assembly
Fired Up? Ready to Go! (VV)

There is tremendous power in the feminist movement today, and it is up to us to harness that energy moving forward. In order to do so, we all must step up as skilled leaders and informed advocates, raising our voices for a better tomorrow. Join us for tips on leadership and advocacy, skills that will serve you well in any field, whether you’ll be joining us tomorrow on Capitol Hill or heading back to campus! This session will also include an opportunity for participants to share their action pledges and ideas for moving forward.

Congresswoman Donna Edwards (MD-4)
Jehmu Greene, President, Women’s Media Center
Jane Campbell, Chief of Staff, Office of U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu (LA)
Alison Friedman, Senior Advisor, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, U.S. Department of State
Shelby Knox, Feminist Organizer
Grace Mulenga, University of the District of Columbia Student Government Association Vice President

Activism Pledge Sharing and Summary
Val Vilott, National Campus Organizer, Feminist Majority Foundation
Emily Kadar, National Campus Organizer, Feminist Majority Foundation

8 Yay, 5 Nay

This will be easy.

Every last one of the proposed amendments went down on party line votes, with four Republicans voting in favor and nine Democrats opposed. Republicans called for a recorded vote on all amendments (folks who consistently criticize bureaucracy as inefficient come across rather comical using bureaucracy for the sole purpose of slowing a process down).

The final vote to move reconciliation forward went down almost the same way but for Congressman Michael Arcuri joining Republicans in voting no. This was not a complete surprise, many progressive groups had called on people to pressure this very Congressman. What consequences Arcuri will face from the left is not hard to predict, many groups have spoken openly about interest in challengers.

This is sure to be an election to keep your eye on. The Working Families Party had a serious hand in helping Arcuri last time around. He defeated his challenger "by just 10,000 votes, while winning 9,500 votes on the Working Families Party line." (Quote from Daily Politics link above).

To sum up, oodles of 4-9 votes on amendments, a 8-5 vote to move reconciliation forward, and one Congressman officially has a problem with the left.

Witness to History

Walking around Capitol Hill still awes me. I have grown somewhat used to being here, but I still find myself in a haze walking along what are arguably the most powerful blocks in the world. Decisions are made on a daily basis here that affect lives all around the world and I would hope I never grow more accustomed to being present for it.

If you have never stood in the center of the Capitol building late at night, when no one else is around, you really should try it. I stood there tonight as I returned from the recess and took a deep breath. I am fortunate enough to have gotten a seat in the Rules Committee meeting as a blogger, a label I wear with pride tonight. I often avoid using the term, simply calling myself a journalist or reporter so as not to raise alarms, but in my soul I am a blogger. So it truly is significant to me that this bastion of main stream society has opened its doors for this blogger on what may be one of the most memorable weekends of my life.

I am thoroughly moved. This weekend, the congress so many worked so hard to elect over the past several years is going to declare that the Government will take action to address the health care crisis. By no means am I satisfied with what will pass. Then again, I am hard to please. I am thrilled with the work our President is doing but will settle for nothing less than universal social justice. That is an oath I took a long time ago.

So I stand, moved by what we are doing, in the center of one of the most powerful buildings in the world, fortunate enough to call myself a blogger, officially witnessing history in the making from the back of the room with a laptop and a blackberry.