A Modest Proposal to Begin Health Care Reform

No, I will no advocate eating the children of the poor, as the original A Modest Proposal did. But I think we have the seeds of a good health care system in the US right now, and yet I hear of no one proposing to grow and use it. I speak of course of the Public Health Service. I believe that we should expand this service a thousand-fold, and have it work in cooperation with all other public health services and clinics around the country, whether state or county-based. Ultimately, we need a health clinic in every village or neighborhood.

We're running into a shortage of nurses and doctors, so why not offer worthy students a free ride through school in teaching hospitals, paid back by a few years of service in the PHS? NPR did a series about health care in Europe, and while I didn't hear all of it, some of the countries had a system reminiscent of this.

Also, we could easily fold volunteer service into this, because good nutrition and regular exercise are the foundation of good health. So we need community-based centers for health, where doctors and nurses can be based, as well as space for classes and activities.

See, the problem as I see it, is that so far the debate has not been about health CARE, but about medical insurance. While decent insurance is a good idea, what the insurance companies have been doing is rationing care, and scooping profits out of the system. Instead, we need to focus on HEALTH and CARE. Not money, not drugs, although those are a necessary part of the equation. But the focus should be on health care for all, using best practices at every level.

It's about time the debate was about the best way to achieve that goal.


There are risks and costs to a program of action. But they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction. - John F. Kennedy

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Best Spinoff Book Series, EVAH!

Diana Gabaldon's Lord John books are wonderful in every way! Of course, it helps if you are a fan of the Outlander series, but even if you are not, the historical mystery/romance/suspense mix involving the Lord John Grey will delight you. They take place mostly in mid-1700s London, although Germany is the setting for two of the war stories, which take place during the 7 Years War.

Lord John is homosexual (not gay, not yet) when that could mean disgrace or even execution. It is a delight to see him finding love and some pleasure, while solving mysteries and doing good.

These stories were created and published somewhat out of order, so ideally one would read the story "Lord John and the Hellfire Club" first, then Lord John and the Private Matter (novel), "Lord John and the Succubus" (novella), Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade (novel), and finally "Lord John and the Haunted Soldier" (short story). There will be a third novel, Lord John and the Scottish Prisoner, and I can hardly wait for it! The short story and novellas are now available in one volume, called "Lord John and the Hand of Devils."

Unlike DG's Outlander books, these are about 300 pages each. :-)

Foreign Film bouquet

Last night, from England, The Killing of Sister George (1968), at the time of US release, so shocking that it was given an X rating! On one viewing, I found it disquieting, since all the women were so hard and manipulative, with the exception of the small part of the neighbor, a whore, who was .... friendly, in the best sense. Since I'm still thinking this film over, and it has such high marks from so many people on IMDb, I guess I should see the DVD version before I give an equivocal rating. Props to Robert Aldritch, the director, for making a landmark lesbian film in the Sixties -- before Stonewall! And to Beryl Reid (June 'George' Buckridge), Susannah York (Alice 'Childie' McNaught) and Coral Browne (Mercy Croft) who gambled their careers on these roles, and did such a superb job. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063185/

Another shocker, this one from Germany and Hungary - Mephisto (1981). What doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lost his soul? This is the bargain made by Mephisto, which is a slightly fictionalized story of German actor Gustaf Gründgens who gave up his ideals to remain an actor once the Nazis took power. Completely excellent. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082736/

From France, charming Ma Vie en Rose (My Life in Pink) (1997), about a little boy who must express himself as a girl to be happy and himself. I loved the depiction of French family life, especially the neighborhood parties. And young Georges Du Fresne (Ludovic Fabre) is completely charming. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119590/

Finally, from France and Italy, the hilarious comedy La Cage aux folles (1978) which is based on the musical play of the same name, and most Americans know by The Birdcage based on the same play. Superior in many ways to the remake, it left me wishing yet again that I knew French! I was sad to read on the IMDb message board that Michel Serrault, who played Albin Mougeotte /'Zaza Napoli' so magnificently, with such dignity, hysteria and love, has died. Also, Rémi Laurent who played the son, died of AIDS in 1989. RIP. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077288

Madame Butterfly

Madame Butterfly (1995) is the Puccini opera presented as a film, directed by Frédéric Mitterrand. It was a bit difficult to sink into the film, with all the dialog in song. The acting was a bit stiff and artificial in the opening of the well-known story. Richard Troxell sings and acts the villain Pinkerton wonderfully, and I loved to HATE him, and felt a bit of understanding, if not pity for him at the tragic end of Butterfly. Ying Huang sang Butterfly beautifully, but her acting at first was quite stiff. Fortunately, she became her character fully by the moving end of the film/opera. Richard Cowan as Sharpless and Ning Liang as Suzuki were both wonderful in their supporting roles.

The sets and setting were gorgeous, but I longed to see the ship sail into the bay, and felt cheated by the bit of old film shown instead. I suppose it was a matter of the budget, but it added to the artificiality of an opera on film, and not in the good way! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113731/

True Blood, and the Sookie Stackhouse mysteries

True Blood is the TV series of the year for me (HBO). I'm enjoying it so much I just had to buy the books it is based on, written by Charlaine Harris. "Goofy charm....humour and occasional terror" just about sum them up. Set in Louisiana near Shreveport, the village of Bon Temps is full of characters, but there is a murderer killing women who have been with vampires! As Sookie tries to solve the mystery, she gets more and more involved in the life of the supernatural beings she seems to find everywhere, and along the way encounters romance and lots of danger.

The series has some wonderful music, and some side-plots and characters that differ from the books. It will be interesting to see how they diverge as time goes on -- I surely hope that this series runs for YEARS. The HBO site lists 12 episodes in the first season. http://www.hbo.com/trueblood/

So far, there are eight books, and I'm into the sixth. Dead Until Dark, Living Dead in Dallas, Club Dead, Dead to the World, Dead as a Doornail, Definitely Dead, Altogether Dead (ordered), From Dead to Worse (pre-ordered). All great fun! Charlaine Harris' site lists some books with short stories set in Sookie's world too. http://charlaineharris.com/bibliography/bibliog-sookie.html

Flip side of the 1890s, and more Stephen Fry

Tipping the Velvet (2002) is the BBC adaptation of Sarah Waters' novel. I've only seen the first of three episodes, and I'm loving it so far. I'm especially happy to be seeing it in the same week as Wilde since that is also set primarily in 1890s London. However, Wilde is a biography, whereas this is a coming of age tale. Oscar Wilde was upper middle class, and this takes place around the theatre world, which is working class; in fact Nan begins as an oyster girl. Some would call this a lesbian film, because the main characters are "tipping the velvet," a British term in the time for women's oral sex. The women play male impersonators on the stage, and are lesbians, so obviously this is one essential element of the story. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0324264

Now I want very much to read the novel. :-)

In another connection, also saw Stephen Fry in Peter's Friends by Kenneth Branagh, which also features Emma Thompson, Hugh Laurie, and Rita Rudner, to name those I knew. Imelda Stanton, who was Vera Drake in the film of the same name, was great as the over-protective, grieving mother. Branagh gives himself a juicy little role as the self-loathing fellow in the group of old friends who meet to celebrate New Year's 1992. The collage which opens the film is *wonderful*, if the story is a bit predictable. A quiet delight anyway. Yes, I did notice similarities to The Big Chill. However, there is room for more than one reunion movie on Earth. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105130

Genius! Oscar Wilde, Samuel R. Delany, and Stephen Fry

Two great films about geniuses, who were gay! Wilde (1997) is an eloquent re-telling of the life of Oscar Wilde, who died at the turn of the century, after falling from perhaps the most celebrated person in all of England, to becoming the most scorned and accursed. Stephen Fry is perfect as Wilde, while Jude Law seems to personify the spoiled, selfish but beautiful Bosie. A small delight is seeing Orlando Bloom's face for a minute or two as part of a gang of rent boys who catches Wilde's eye and seems to set some unsettling knowledge free inside of Wilde. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120514/

Lou picked out The Polymath, or the Life and Opinions of Samuel R. Delany, Gentleman (2007) to see at the Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival this year, and it was DELIGHTFUL. And the film-maker Fred Barney Taylor was there for comments and questions at the end. Now I need to read more of Sam Delany's books!

The contrast between his life as a gay man could not be in greater contrast to that of Oscar Wilde, who seemed to focus on intellect and the ideal, while Delany definitely focused on the body, and having lots of sexual encounters—100 per week for many years, he says. They were both married to women, too. Sylistically, the films were worlds apart, also. Wilde is a BBC biopic, rather stately and beautiful. Polymath is about an science-fiction author from New York, and it features very abstract images and gritty New York. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1014771/

So Much Art!

October has been bursting with art, both film and literature. I finally read The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. Perhaps because I've been depressed and sad, missing those who are gone, but reading about this child's rape and murder, and how she (in Heaven) and her family on Earth learned to come to terms with their grief and finally, with one another, was just what I needed.

While I was more passive and just watching films, I saw:

The amazing Discreet Charm of the Bourgeousie (Le Charme discret de la bourgeoisie) (1972) by Luis Buñuel: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068361/. Is there a plot? I don't know, and I don't care. Six rather despicable people never manage to dine together, no matter how many times they try. Be warned, there is a body count! I wanted so much to know French for this film rather than rely on the sub-titles. My only criticism is that it could have been tightened, somewhat.

The funny The Valet (La Doublure) (2006) by Francis Veber (The Closet, The Dinner Game): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0449851. Again, I want to know the French, not rely on the sub-titles, which seem to miss quite a few of the jokes. Veber likes to call his Fool by the same name each time, François Pignon. This Pignon is ably played by actor/stand-up comic Gad Elmaleh. The ever-great Daniel Atueil plays the evil magnate who winds the plot into action, and Kristin Scott-Thomas (who knew she speaks French with a perfect accent) as the wife who really wields all the power. Alice Taglioni as the supermodel/mistress shows she has heart and brains to match her beauty.

To Be and To Have (Être et avoir) (2002): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0318202. Sensitive, gentle, beautiful documentary. Rather slow, but that is part of the beauty. A one-room schoolroom in the French countryside - sink in and soak it up. The children are wonderful, as is their patient teacher.

French Twist (Gazon maudit) (1995): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113149. Fun little French sex comedy.

Fucking Åmål (1998) -- redistributed in the US as Show Me Love (2000): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0150662. Absolutely satisfying as a Swedish coming-of-age film; wonderful music; the first feature by Lukas Moodysson. I adored both Alexandra Dahlström as the desperate and lonely Elin Olsson, and Rebecka Liljeberg shone as the equally desperate although popular Agnes Ahlberg. All the minor characters were excellent also. Only the conclusion of the film was lacking.

I'll add Tillsammans (Together) (2000) here, Moodyson's follow-up. Rather than focussing on small town teens, this film is a 1970s commune seen through the eyes of two reluctant additions, age 13 and 8 or so. When their parent's marriage falls apart, their uncle Göran brings them into the commune. The comedy is very gentle and humane, and also very familiar. We've met these people, and even when I didn't like them, I was rooting for their success. Very satisfying. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0203166/ . Be warned - nudity and implied sex acts.

Small Favor: a novel of the Dresden Files, by Jim Butcher

Small Favor (2008) was the latest in the Dresden Files series. I thought it was the last one, but evidently Jim Butcher intends to continue, YEAH! With each book, I like Harry more, and the other characters as well.

In this one, he has to juggle the dangerous struggle between the Fairy factions for Winter and Summer, plus deal with his old enemy/compadre Marcone. Another delightful romp around Chicago and surrounds, as Harry gains wisdom -- and power. It will be too long until the next one!

Romance and Cigarettes (2005)

Romance and Cigarettes http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0368222/ isn't for everybody, but I found it delightfully funny, and refreshingly different. John Turturro is a talented writer and director, and isn't afraid to take chances. His talented cast obviously enjoyed the shoot. I almost like James Gandolfini at this point! Susan Sarandon is splendid, and Kate Winslet is on fire! (almost literally). Smaller roles by Steve Buscemi, Bobby Cannavale, Mandy Moore, Mary-Louise Parker, Aida Turturro, Christopher Walken, Elaine Stritch as Nick's Mother, and a couple bits by Eddie Izzard as the church organist/choir director were all FUN.

If you like unusual, check it out! Be aware that Kate Winslet has a very dirty mouth in this one!

Metropolis

Fritz Lang's Metropolis (1927) is regarded by some as one of the best films ever created. I'll withhold judgement until I see a better copy; the VHS from the library was nearly unwatchable. If it is as truly great as some of the scenes seemed they could be, it is well worth a Criterion DVD. I did find it absorbing, even though it appeared to be through fog on a lake. The Moloch scene was truly incredible - humans being sacrificed in lock-step to the insatiable machine. I want to see this one, restored. http://imdb.com/title/tt0017136/

The Battleship Potemkin

or Bronenosets Potyomkin (1925) is a hugely influential silent film, which almost was not produced or distributed because there is no romance, nor movie stars. It is based upon a historical mutiny aboard the Potemkin, which resulted in a massacre in Odessa. It was banned in some countries because it was feared that the film would instigate revolt. According to Roger Ebert, "It was banned at various times in the United States and France, and for a longer time than any other film in British history; even Stalin banned it, at a time when mutiny was against the party line." http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19980719/REVIEWS08/401010302/1023, http://imdb.com/title/tt0015648/

A Boy and His Dog

Yikes. I still can't like A Boy and His Dog (1975) although it's called a black comedy. The violence against women killed any humor I might have found in it otherwise. Don Johnson did hold his own against a talking dog, who seemed to be the only HUMAN in the entire film. The dog was the woman-hunter, however, and didn't seem to regard women as humans. Their only function in the film was as something to rape. Horrifying. http://imdb.com/title/tt0072730/

Start the Revolution Without Me

Blah. I must have been in the wrong mood for Start the Revolution Without Me (1970) because reading the IMDb quotes page brings a smile to my face, that wasn't there watching it. Perhaps Bud Yorkin, the director, is just not Mel Brooksian enough to give it that necessary oomph.

It really was most dreadfully silly, and funny. Donald Sutherland and Gene Wilder playing double roles, as the mis-matched sets of twins who raised as nobles, and peasants. They are so wonderfully young, energetic, funny and silly! http://imdb.com/title/tt0066402

Random Harvest

Finally, a movie Bob and I could both love! Random Harvest (1942) is a perfect Hollywood film, although it is set in England. Ronald Colman, although old for the role of Smithy, is perfectly paired with Greer Garson, who plays the most patient, loving wife EVER. Of course Paula gets her beloved Smithy in the end, thank GOODNESS!!!!!! They just don't make 'em like this, any more! Adapted from a novel by James Hilton. I think the title is awful, but other than that, it's perfect! http://imdb.com/title/tt0035238/

Apartment Zero

Continuing my viewing of films set or filmed in Argentina, Apartment Zero (Conviviendo con la muerte)(1989) is set and filmed in Buenos Aires, with a sub-plot of the mercenaries who killed so many in Argentina. Another theme which I loved was movie trivia and film stars. Colin Firth as the emotionally crippled Adrian LeDuc is masterful, while his opposite Hart Bochner as the mysterious Jack Carney is stunning, charming, completely frightening. Every smaller role is so well done -- what a great film this was. I'm amazed that it is not better known. I found both commentary tracks interesting also -- especially the writer/director Martin Donovan. http://imdb.com/title/tt0094667/

Practical Magic

Rory brought one of his favorite movies, Practical Magic (1998) for us to watch. Adapted from an Alice Hoffman novel, it has a cast of wonderful women actors: Sandra Bullock as Sally Owens, Nicole Kidman as her sister, party-girl Gillian Owens, Stockard Channing as Aunt Frances 'Fran' Owens and Dianne Wiest as Aunt Bridget 'Jet' Owens. Goran Visnjic (E.R.) has a juicy part as the sexy but evil Jimmy Angelov, while Aidan Quinn gets to be the good guy Officer Gary Hallet. Quite good fun, especially when the phone tree is turned into a circle for a good old fashioned exorcism. http://imdb.com/title/tt0120791/

The Bicycle Thief

Ladri di biciclette (1948) AKA Bicycle Thieves, is a wonderful and depressing look at post-War Italy. A family so poor that the sheets must be hocked to get the bicycle back -- which was pawned to buy food. And then on the first day of the job that bicycle was required to do, the bicycle is stolen. The rest of the film is the futile and exhausting efforts of father and son to find and reclaim the bicycle. Neo-Realism is powerful, but oh, so sad. Vittorio De Sica deserved the special Oscar awarded him the year after he refused to allow censors to cut his masterpiece. http://imdb.com/title/tt0040522

Cinema Paradiso

Nuovo cinema Paradiso (1988) might be the finest film I've ever seen. And wonderfully, the director's cut is almost a different film, and also very fine. Another film about the movies and love of movies, Cinema Paradiso follows the life of an impoverished Sicilian boy as he grows up and becomes a successful film-maker. His own father gone, he befriends Alfredo, the projectionist at Cinema Paradiso. So wonderfully satisfying in every way, this is one film I'll want to watch over and over again. I don't know how autobiographical this film is, but Giusseppe Tornatore is a genius. http://imdb.com/title/tt0095765/

Can't Stop the Music

It's the Village People, so hold your hats! Over the top, strangely "de-gayed", but fun. It got the very first RAZZIE (worst movie of the year), but some people still class it as their favorite! So if you like a movie so bad it's good, with more cheese than a Big Mac, pop some corn and enjoy the movie! http://imdb.com/title/tt0080492/