GOOD. VERY, VERY GOOD.

...He and I had wandered conversationally into the realm of discussion which haunts the days of humankind everywhere: the destruction or survival of the human race.

"Why," he said to me, "are you so sure the human race should go on? You do not believe in a prior arrangement of life on this planet? You know perfectly well that the reason for survival does not exist in nature!"

I answered him the only way that I could: that man is unique in the universe, the only creature who has in fact the power to transform the universe. Therefore, it did not seem unthinkable to me that man might just do what the apes never will--- impose the reason for life on life. This is what I said to my friend. I wish to live because life has within it that which is good, that which is beautiful, and that which is love.

...I have, like all of you, on a thousand occasions seen indescribable displays of man's very real inhumanity to man; and I have come to maturity, as we all must, knowing that greed and malice, indifference to human misery and, perhaps above all else, ignorance---abound in this world. I say all of this to say that one cannot live with sighted eyes and feeling heart and not know and react to the miseries which afflict this world.

I have given you this account so that you know that what I write is not based on the assumption of idyllic possibilities or innocent assessments of the true nature of life---but, rather, my own personal view that, posing one against the other, I think that the human race does command its own destiny and that destiny cann eventually embrace the stars.... Lorraine Hansberry, speaking at a Negro Writers Conference


I had something else I wanted to post today but upon hearing the morning news I couldn't help but succumb to the overwhelming sense of warmth and hope for humanity that seemingly flooded my body.

Together, the University of Ottowa (Canada) and the University of Havana (Cuba) have successfully developed a synthetic form of the vaccine that protects against meningitis -- a brilliant discovery. As a person involved and committed to public health, I am very excited about the possibility of eliminating the traditional form of vaccination in favor of something much safer and, in the minds of many I'm sure, eliminating the fear people have of receiving an injected bacteria which still holds the possibilty of contracting that which you're trying to ward off in the first place. (The likelihood of developing the flu after flu vaccine is slim to none, but you'd be hard pressed to convince the masses of that which all by itself creates a tremendous public health problem).

But through my kaleidoscope, as I twist and turn these facts, I see two countries with significantly less financial ability than ours, one of which has been forced to the very hem of life, struggling to find its way up to the main portion of the fabric (that being Cuba) .... two countries truly, and in a very real way, committed to public health, universal healthcare and access to medicinals and, more importantly, preventative medicine.

How and why have we (America) not stumbled upon this long ago? Aha, we all know the answer to that. Greed. Corruption. Money. Have I not already called my pediatrician to set up appointments for both the children and Spouse and myself? Have I not been told that the children will both have to be immunized twice (a CDC recommendation for everyone under 9)? Have I not been told that the immunization costs $20 a pop and insurance is NOT covering it? Have I not tallied the cost and come up with $120? Aha, do we not understand the math?

I have known for a long time that I will travel to Cuba. It is not a question of "if" but a question of when. I have every reason to go and the ability to support it. The rules right now are such that you have to be either a journalist of some sort and/or involved in some kind of missionary work. A wonderful organization called madre sends delegations regularly and since I am a health care worker it would not be difficult to go. What I would love, though, is to be able to meet the great Assata Shakur while I am there and meet with some of the healthcare workers there. In time. I have also toyed with, for a long time, living in some part of Canada but Spouse says it's much too cold and favors either Mexico or some part of the Carribean. But that does not preclude me (should I be fortunate enough to ever earn enough money) from having a little casa there in Toronto or Montreal for myself. Hee, hee, hee.

And perhaps this is all, in some very real way, tied to my absolute love and passion for things both Spanish and French and my renewed commitment to fluency in both languages. Just last week I found a Spanish speaking young woman who is going to help us out with caring for the kids from time to time and I'm excited about the possibility of us all learning Spanish straight from the source.

But I digress.

The real goodness and the real joy comes from the hope for humanity. That someone, somewhere outside of these very greedy borders, is truly trying to do what is right. U.S. officials still claim that the socialist nation is running a secret germ-warfare program and are not ready to give them their props. So you know what's up with that, don't you? And just like their Weapons of Mass Destruction, their investigations and delegations sent to Cuba have turned up nothing but the lint in their pockets that they flew over there with. Maybe one day .... maybe, just maybe one day, Cuba will be recognized for its great contributions. I, at least for today, remain hopeful.

Be Good,

ANGEL