"...under President Bush, the independence of the surgeon general has been placed below industry lobbying and the demands of the religious right. The Bush White House banned Dr. Richard Carmona from speaking or issuing reports on stem cells, emergency contraception, sex education, prisons, mental health and international health issues, he has revealed. For years, the White House also tried to "water down" a key report on the dangers of second-hand smoke, he said. When it was published last year, the report stated that even brief exposure to cigarette smoke can cause immediate harm."
When I read this story, I was nearly incandescent with rage. My poem for Poetry Thursday was inspired by the shameful inhumanity of this story, as well as yet another assault on freedom of speech:
Hubris and lies and a chief doctor too long silenced
by an administration with no regard
for facts or reality, much less the nation's health.
Don't talk about this or that subject
it might upset someone;
never mind if it might kill them.
We wouldn't want to discuss such things
in polite society.
Better to let them get sick or die
if they don't have health insurance
than present the truth in black and white
and find solutions.
Not enough to sacrifice a great city to incompetence
or thousands of young soldiers to war;
careless disregard for health of the nation's citizens
goes beyond the bounds of human decency.
It is criminal behaviour
endorsed by the government:
Blood on their hands.
Inhabitants by Ramon Rodriguez, acrylic on canvas. Photo courtesy of the Blue Rain Gallery, Santa Fe and Taos, New Mexico.
I admire people who can write their anger in ways that will provoke people, hopefully for the better towards more positive change. How can someone with this much blood on his hands look at himself in the mirror?
Posted by: marie | 14 July 2007 at 20:05
We are being RULED by this administration - it is no longer a government 'of the people, by the people' - Bush is SO out of touch with the world - he 'joked' once about being a dictator - only I think the joke was on us!
Posted by: ~jolenemarie | 14 July 2007 at 07:08
First of all, it's interesting to read American poetry about the American government. For an outsider it is rather fascinating. Your poem is well written and very powerful. I'll never understand why the US doesn't have free National Health Care for all, given its vast wealth.
Secondly, the picture by Rodriguez is absolutely amazing. Wonderful colours.
Posted by: Beaman | 13 July 2007 at 10:57
truly outrageous! but this is not the only depressing subject. i agree with constance (rochambeau); why do you (americans) put up with this man and adminsitration? why did he get elected a second time around? i wonder...
Posted by: marita | 13 July 2007 at 10:00
People who care must keep speaking out .. as you do. Bravo!
Posted by: chiefbiscuit | 13 July 2007 at 09:33
More of the same awful.
Posted by: A.E. Roman | 13 July 2007 at 08:08
Wow...not being American I feel it wrong to critize your government, however....on CNN last night I watched Anderson Cooper interview the newest Surgeon General, and they made us laugh by refering to former Surgeons General as the former Surgeon Generals.
Oh well.
I agree. Blood on their hands, if my opinion counts.
xo
Blue
Posted by: Blue | 13 July 2007 at 04:43
Powerful poem! It is outrageous what this administration does! I had heard about it earlier and was so mad. MAKES me ILL !! arrrghhh! I CANNOT WAIT TIL IT'S END..which thankfully is coming soon.
Posted by: pam aries | 13 July 2007 at 00:20
Bravo, bravo, bravo!!! What a very dangerous man he is...
Did you listen to his "spin' in his press conference this morning? He once again confirmed that he does not concern himself with, nor does he have any interest in heading the will of the people of the country he "serves" -- but rather only of those aligned with his malevolent agenda.
What a sad and unsettling time in American history Bush represents. I only hope the damage is not irreversible!
Posted by: Rob Kistner | 12 July 2007 at 22:11
Amen to that Tara! That last line was a perfect way to end this poem. Travesty!
XXOO
Posted by: Tammy | 12 July 2007 at 21:35
No matter what our particular position may be on any of these hot button topics, there is one thing that must be left alone - our guaranteed right to freedom of speech. Didn't anyone ever tell Bush that not talking about something doesn't make it go away?
Posted by: AnnieElf | 12 July 2007 at 19:52
The painting is the perfect partner to your well-written poetry. It amazes me that so many of us know what's going on and seem incapable of changing it.
Posted by: Tumblewords | 12 July 2007 at 19:21
I love how perfectly you put that rage into words!! I agree with every word of it! Thank you.
Posted by: Clare | 12 July 2007 at 17:41
Tara,
an irascible poem that is right on target.
Your passion is to be admired. I wish powerful people shared your humanity.
It disappoints me that throughout history great regimes born of great ideas of great people always comes to this dispicable place.
rel
Posted by: rel | 12 July 2007 at 17:22
so much for "freedom". This administration has turned the word into a colossal joke. The only "freedom" apparently is for one man and his clique to do whatever they please, while taking away the freedoms of the citizens.
Posted by: Colette | 12 July 2007 at 17:13
Tara, when I read that I felt the similar rage, you describe in here. Your poetry portrays that very well.
Posted by: gautami | 12 July 2007 at 16:49
it truly boggles the mind.
Posted by: AscenderRisesAbove | 12 July 2007 at 15:29
Tara, when I read this article yesterday I thought about forwarding it on to you because I knew you could express the disgust I feel more eloquently than I would. I, too, felt such rage I could hardly contain myself. I work with families of children with special health care needs and hear daily of how hard it is to get services or even to be part of any decision making process around services. This is so outrageous, so unbelievably arrogant and so over the top!! Why we put up with this and why he was elected AGAIN is way beyond me. That comment, "Forever, blood on his hands. The kind that can't be washed out." from Rochambeau is exactly right, but I wonder, does he even see it? (heart) leau
Posted by: Leau | 12 July 2007 at 15:21
Forever, blood on his hands. The kind that can't be washed out.
Posted by: rochambeau | 12 July 2007 at 15:05
Hello Tara,
I was reading back through this weeks posts. ((((((hugs))))) Fear is what drives politics in this country and right now, people are sick and tired of politics. Apathy rules and as long as the shelves are stocked and the power is on, very little will change. Divide and conquer has worked for centuries and will continue to do so.
Keep writing Tara, yours is an important voice; even if the clerk pretends not to hear you.
Posted by: Brian | 12 July 2007 at 14:22