When I produced the daily talk show, Kaleidoscope, at KAKE TV in Wichita, Kansas, I learned you could discuss just about any issue but abortion. It was too polarizing. People would talk until they were blue in the face, raise their voices and get angry but neither side would budge from their position. No matter how compelling the arguments for or against, those who were pro-life and pro-choice just dug their heels in deeper. It was an argument that couldn’t be won. That was nearly 20 years ago.
Unfortunately we’re still not talking about abortion. Instead radicals like Scott Roeder pick up guns and shoot people like Dr. George Tiller of Wichita, Kansas in church. I am shocked by the hypocrisy of those who say they are pro-life but will kill someone and feel they are doing God’s work. No matter how you feel about abortion or the work Dr. Tiller did, there is never any excuse for violence or vigilantes. It is terrorism. Even pro-life groups are ashamed and outraged by today’s violence.
President Obama has his work cut out for him as he tries to bring some civility to this divisive issue. During his recent speech during commencement at Notre Dame University he said “the question, then, is how do we work through these conflicts? Is it possible for us to join hands in common effort? As citizens of a vibrant and varied democracy, how do we engage in vigorous debate? How does each of us remain firm in our principles, and fight for what we consider right, without demonizing those with just as strongly held convictions on the other side?” Can we get there by talking? I’m not sure but at least Notre Dame had the courage to take on a controversial subject. We need to dialogue. Terrorists forcing the abortion debate is the wrong answer.
William Gray, Phillip Klotzbach and their forecasters at Colorado State University have come out with their predictions for the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season which runs from June 1 to November 30. It’s expected to be active with three hurricanes becoming major Category 3 storms. In the press release they remark, “NOAA’s National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center says there is a 70 percent chance of having nine to 14 named storms, four to seven of which could become hurricanes, and one to three major hurricanes (winds 115mph or greater). If this comes to pass, these numbers would reflect an average number and intensity of tropical cyclones.”
Over the last years there have been extremely powerful hurricanes that have made landfall in the United States including Rita, Wilma and the apocalyptic Katrina which struck New Orleans during the deadly season of 2005. Hurricane Ivan was the strongest hurricane of the season in 2004. It wreaked havoc in the Caribbean and at one point was a Category 5 storm the size of Texas.
Hurricane Ivan approaches Key West
Correspondent Martin Savidge, the crew and I were dispatched to Key West, Florida to cover the storm for NBC News. Driving 100 miles out into the Gulf of Mexico there was great tension as the storm approached, even more so than in other storms I have chased. Traveling out to Key West that day I realized we were there to stay. Once the winds started howling and the water started rising there would be absolutely no way to get off the remote key. At one point forecasters predicted a direct hit on the low lying island. A bullseye would put Key West under water. When we checked into the hotel we had to sign a form saying we understood the risks and knew we were taking our lives in our own hands. Even for seasoned hurricane chasers there was a feeling of approaching danger. It rained like hell but at the end of the day Ivan skirted the island and saved its wrath for Gulf Shores, Alabama where it hit as a Category 3. Once the storm passed by Key West there was a palpable sense of relief on the island. Those who didn’t evacuate and hunkered down came out into the light and crowded into the bars. Key West, which was all boarded up, returned to its merry ways. I took this picture of a man who told me his name was Ca$h. To me he epitomized the care free ebullience that returned to Key West, Florida after it was spared by Hurricane Ivan. I have received more comments on this photo than any other I have taken. I smile whenever I think of Ca$h.
Ca$h in Key West, Florida
I am in shock! Not that Kris Allen isn’t incredibly talented because he is, but who could fill the Pepsi Center and Madison Square Garden and the Staples Center? Who would appeal to women across the board and a whole lot of men too. Adam Lambert is one of the most unique, out of the box contestants American Idol has ever seen. He is a superstar. He is sexy (even if he is gay or androgynous) and so incredibly versatile. Maybe the judges beat us over the head with him and dismissed Kris after his performance of Kara DioGuardia’s vapid ”No Boundaries” but they had it right. Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul got it. Randy Jackson got it. Adam Lambert is the most exciting performer I’ve seen in a long time. I would buy tickets to see him. I’m so sorry America played it safe again. I love an underdog but this time America got it wrong. You could see it in the judges faces. Too bad we can’t pick an edgy idol.
P.S. For what it’s worth, my 15 year old son thinks coming in second on American Idol is the best thing that could happen to Adam Lambert. Think Daughtry and Jennifer Hudson. Look how far they’ve come and they didn’t have to sing that song.
For more information on Vicky Collins visit http://teletrendstv.com
The plight of homeless children was the focus of two articles in the 5/18 edition of USA Today. One is about 11 year old Zach Bonner who is walking from Atlanta, Georgia to Washington, D.C. to raise money and awareness for homeless youngsters. He hopes to meet with President Obama when he arrives in July.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-05-17-wagon-boy_N.htm?csp=34
The other is by CBS anchor, Katie Couric, who draws attention to the rapidly growing “collateral damage” from the economic downturn, children, whose families have lost jobs to layoffs and homes to foreclosure as the recession has worsened.
http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2009/05/the-recessions-tiniest-victims-need-help-too.html
While working on a story about the impact of the economy on public hospitals I had a chance to see for myself the world that children, some formerly middle class, live in when they lose their homes. Besides being on the move many try to keep their shame a secret from friends. Attending school, receiving medical care, transportation, everything is difficult. Thanks to Zach and Katie for telling the story.
For more information on Vicky Collins visit http://teletrendstv.com.
Who would you show up for? Who are the people in your life that you would be present for rain or shine? Who would you jump on a plane to see? My friend, Genevieve, and I were driving back from Beaver Creek after an overnight celebrating Nancy’s birthday with the ladies. We were talking about how your dearest friends were those you could count on one hand. The ones you would show up for. She is one of my handful.
Recently I had a photo exhibit in a gallery in Denver. It was the first time I had done anything like this. My best friend, Heather, who has been my closest companion since we were teenagers felt it was an important enough occasion to warrant a trip. She brought her entire family and celebrated the event and even endured a wicked spring blizzard that wrecked the reception anyway, but she showed up for me. I felt blessed.
As I write this, I am sitting in a home overlooking the water in Bellvue, Washington. I have come to show up for my friend, Brenda, who lives in Sydney, and has made it all the way to the states for a visit. When I spent three months in China last summer she was my dearest friend. I had the trip of a lifetime in large part because I had this special relationship out of the gate. There was never a question that I would show up for Brenda. If she could make it to Seattle, I could make it to Seattle. So I jumped on a plane.
In his new book, “Showing Up for Life,” Bill Gates, Sr. writes about the importance of showing up for family, showing up for your community, showing up in every aspect to live a productive and memorable life. I especially liked his chapter on friendship and what it means to have friends who you can count on and who can count on you. He wrote affectionately about his bridge group and his friends who took care of him when his wife, Mary, died. He also wrote about being able to accept friends for who they are.
It isn’t always easy. I struggle with one friend in particular who won’t show up for me and won’t let me show up for him. Many people would probably say he isn’t much of a friend at all but he is someone dear from my past so I’m trying hard to accept who he is. I’m reminded of something wise Helene said at that same party at Beaver Creek. She talked about not only showing up for friends but learning to accept them. It seemed there was a back story of disappointment somewhere behind the comment but I thought it was a profound realization. Sometimes we show up for our friends by just letting go.
Malcolm Gladwell, author of “The Tipping Point,” “Outliers” and “Blink” has an article out this month in The New Yorker. It’s called “How David Beats Goliath” and with his deft storytelling and character development Gladwell makes the case for effort over ability. He tells about Vivek Ranadive and his basketball team of 12 year old girls in Redwood City, California. To overcome a lack of talent they mastered the full court press. It wasn’t pretty, with flailing arms and lots of jumping around, but the the relentless defense kept the other team from organizing and they would get crushed every time. Lawrence of Arabia did the same thing against the Turks. Instead of playing the game their way and attacking them in Medina where they were fierce, his shabby group of Bedouins, came in from the hostile desert in the east and acted like a bunch of insurgents, hitting the Turks and their railway every day. The Redwood City girls and Lawrence of Arabia both used unconventional strategies and won the war.
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/05/11/090511fa_fact_gladwell
I care about this story because I am the mother of a talented high school basketball player who is having to step up his game as the opportunities to make a team narrow and the competition gets tougher. Despite his strengths on the court, and there are many, he still needs to focus on fundamentals like shooting and dribbling. I’m trying to impress upon him how important attitude is and the willingness to work harder than everyone else if you really want something. I’ve reminded him that those who are making moves aren’t doing so because they are better than him but because they are hungrier and are working harder. The lesson doesn’t only hold true on the basketball court but in school and the workplace and everywhere that people need to play smart to stay competitive. Underdogs lose when they try to play by the giant’s rules. But when they reinvent the game in unexpected ways they often triumph. I loved this article because of its simplicity. Attitude over talent. Effort over ability. David over Goliath.
For more information on Vicky Collins visit http://teletrendstv.com.
Thanks so much to my friend, Kerry Sanders, who recognized a good story when he saw one and featured BeadforLife on NBC’s Today Show. Thanks also to Maryann Zoellner, Jim Bell, DeeDee Thomas and Meredith Vieira for their support. Phones are ringing off the hook in Boulder today as more women join the bead circle and get involved in the fight against global poverty in Africa. The women in Uganda send blessings. OYE!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/30597963#30597963
For more information about Vicky Collins visit http://teletrendstv.com.
I wrote a blog on Christmas Day 2008 (after seeing the movie “Slumdog Millionaire”) about how conflicted I was while in Delhi, India over what to do when children begged for handouts. Apparently I’m not the only person who has struggled with how to respond. Check out Sunday’s New York Times column, The Ethicist, by Randy Cohen.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/magazine/03wwln-ethicist-t.html
For more information on Vicky Collins visit http://teletrendstv.com
