Summertime Rocks – The Anthem

From the Indian group SMOKE’s album Smoke Signals comes my new favorite summertime anthem.  You can buy their album in India, on ebay and very soon online at Bluefrog

Enjoy.

He’s Not Heavy, He’s An Illegal: farm worker safety debate

Summer marches on and in July’s triple digit heat 3 more farmworkers have died.

46-year-old Ramiro Carrillo passed away at his Selma, CA home after picking nectarines for about four hours in 112-degree heat at Sun Valley Packing. Two weeks ago 42-year-old Abdon Felix died after working in the fields at Sunview Vineyards near Delano, California. His body temperature was 108 degrees when he arrived at the hospital. Last month Jose Macarena, 64, collapsed in a field in Santa Barbara County and later died during a 110-degree day. How Many More Workers Will We Let Die in the Fields This Summer? ,Adriana Maestas, AlterNet, July 22, 2008.

In the debate that followed Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez’s death and the UFW’s attempt the persuade Trader Joe’s to use their leverage to promote increased safety for field workers, an ugly truth was revealed. Some Americans feel that death from heat exhaustion is just punishment for entering this county illegally to work for less than minimum wage.

It is the hatefulness of the debate, Trader Joe’s failure to speak out and rising death toll that moves me to revisit this issue – again.

On my Two Buck Death Chuck post Bailey Hankins wrote:

You mean Two Buck Chuck kills people who break into my country as well as tasting great? I’m going to go buy a whole case!

For Hankins the mere fact that an worker is undocumented means that they deserve to die, and he, or she, has no compunction about pronouncing the death sentence. I quote Hankins so that Trader Joe’s understands the larger implication of their failure to take a stand. Saying nothing sends a message to people like Hankins that the death of an undocumented laborer is an acceptable by product of cheap goods.

Leisa Williams commented on the same post, offering support for Trader Joe’s and condemnation masked as sympathy for Maria.

LHW

Why didn’t Maria’s co-workers keep an eye on her? Why didn’t she take water with her? People who work these outdoor jobs need to hydrate the night before and the morning of. She had to know this, so why didn’t she? It is very sad but all the blame cannot be pinned onto TJ’s or the wineries/vineyards.

Was she here and working legally?

Leisa’s remarks are representative of the great majority of the “it’s their own fault” comments placing blame on the workers while absolving those with the real power – the companies who control working conditions. Leisa thinks that that Maria “had to know” that outdoor workers need to “hydrate the night before and morning of.”

It is a good thing Leisa doesn’t work for CAL OHSA.

Leisa, hydrating the night before and the morning of does not protect you when you are laboring in in the sun in 90+ temperatures.

Just in case you ever have to work under such harsh conditions let me break down the scenario for you. You are picked up by a bus to be taken to a farm to work for the day. Since California law requires employers to provide water, you do not take water with you. Even if you could bring your own water, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to carry the approximately two plus gallons necessary to get you through the day, with you as you worked. And even if you had water, you also need shade to stay safe. Again carrying your two plus gallons of water and an umbrella is just not feasible given the speed with which you must work.

You get to the field at 6:00AM. You are not given a water break until 10:30 AM. The water is a ten minute walk away and the foreman won’t give you enough time to get there and back without yelling at you. According to CAL OSHA regs you should have been given a gallon of water* by this time.

You are already hot; everyone is hot. Your body temperature starts to rise maybe from 98.6 degrees to 100.6 degrees. Since no one has been given the required water, maybe everyone’s temperatures are rising just that little bit. Maybe, just maybe, everyone at this point is miserable and reduced to just trying to get through the day. Maybe they are afraid, of getting docked in pay, of the foreman’s anger or being kicked off the job.

The company and the foreman know what’s going on – they have to know by law the risk and symptoms of heat exhaustion. They’ve been cited before. They know that they are breaking the law putting you and all the other workers at risk when they don’t provide shade and water.

They know and don’t care.

But you don’t know you’re in danger – the symptoms of heat exhaustion are painless. You know what painless means don’t you Leisa? It means you can be getting sick and not even realize it until it is too late.

Heat stress is a buildup of body heat generated either internally by muscle use or externally by the environment. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke result when the body is overwhelmed by heat. As the heat increases, body temperature and the heart rate rise painlessly. An increase in body temperature of two degrees Fahrenheit can affect mental functioning. A five degree Fahrenheit increase can result in serious illness or death. Emphasis added. National Ag Safety Database, Heat

By now all the workers are affected to some degree by the heat. Maybe they’re not thinking as clearly as they should be as they are try to keep up with the crew. Meanwhile your temperature is rising, maybe because you are more vulnerable because of age or health conditions. You’re confused but you keep working, soon your body temperature reaches 103.6.

You collapse.

At this point the foreman puts you in a hot van where your temperature continues to rise. It has been 9 hours since you, and your co-workers, have been in the heat without adequate water and shade. Your co-workers don’t have cars; they, just like you, are totally at the mercy of the company.

After an hour, the end of the work day, the foreman gets you to a clinic. By this time you are unresponsive and your temperature is 108 degrees. Your heart stops 6 times. You never wake up.

Now you tell me Leisa, does it matter whether you are an undocumented worker? Do we judge whether you deserve water and shade and basic human kindness based your immigration status?

I think not.

The hard reality is that undocumented laborers are here in this country to meet a need. Without undocumented workers crops would rot in the fields. The Department of Agriculture estimates that over 50% of field workers are undocumented – it has been this way for a long time. We must deal with the issue in a way that respects our shared humanity.

By the way Leisa, the straw company that hired Maria has been shut down for breaking the law. They knew that Lisa was underage, they knew they weren’t providing water and shade as required, and even after Maria died they kept on doing it.

No one is suggesting that Trader Joe’s is at fault – what the UFW and people of conscience are asking is that Trader Joe’s use its leverage to push for safer working conditions.

As for the company and vineyards – in my view they are at fault. They may try to hide behind labor contractors but they must know what is going on in their fields.

*California law heat regulations require that employers provide:

1. SHADE for workers during rest breaks who are trying to prevent heat illness or recover from it:

2. PAID RECOVERY PERIODS: Workers feeling the effect of heat must have access to a shaded area for no less than five minutes (and as long as they need) as many times in the day as they need it. If the worker is unable to
work because of the heat, the employer can send the worker home for care.

3. DRINKING WATER: One quart per employee per hour for the entire work shift.

4. TRAINING: For supervisors and workers. Must include symptoms of heat illness, how to evaluate and control them, the importance of drinking water, and procedures for providing emergency medical services.

More information:

The Immigration Debate NPR

Mexican-Origin Population in California: Health Fact Sheet

UFW – California Heat Regulations

Sticky Note Tuesday

Inspiration from the ubiquitous sticky note, or to be more exact, from 2300 hand drawn sticky notes.

Taser v. Tomato

I get a sick feeling whenever there is a spike in the stats for my taser posts because I know, somewhere in North America, someone has died after being tasered.

The past few weeks were no exception; I knew something was up – I just didn’t have the heart to write another post on this issue so soon. Yesterday I updated the death march and the statistics are sobering indeed. Twenty people have died in North America since Ohioan Kevin Piskura’s death.

Surprisingly, or perhaps not, there has been no media call to arms urging investigation into why we are experiencing, on average, a death a week from the use of this deadly device.

If 20 people had died from eating beef, tomatoes or taking over the counter medication the media would be all over the story, even though the ratio of use to fatality would be astronomically greater. Google news stories on “tomato recall” and you will find over 5,600 articles analyzing the issue in minute detail, including tips on how to protect yourself.

Google news “Taser recall” and you will get 13 articles. Google news “Taser investigation” and you will get the basic story of where and when victims were tasered, but no hard investigative journalism. No hue and cry about safety.

Taser deaths merit little attention outside the communities where they occur.

In spite of the mounting death toll proving that Tasers are deadly, Taser International continues to succeed in passing the devices off as non-lethal. News outlets accept Taser International’s representations at face value without asking questions. The sole exception to this was award winning Robert Anglen’s 2005 in depth investigative series documenting that

Taser International was deeply involved in a Department of Defense study that company officials touted to police departments and investors as “independent” proof of the stun gun’s safety, according to government documents and e-mails obtained by The Arizona Republic and interviews with military officials.

And Taser International’s marketing folks are working hard to make sure we only see feel good stories about taser use. CNN offered up light hearted videos of party pink tasers and in a segment called Producer Gets Tased, Bro! CNN’s Jim Spellman is tasered a police trade show.

Each video reinforces Taser International’s claim that their devices are safe. And people are buying it – especially, it appears, in Ohio. The Toledo Blade reports:

It’s not really a party until someone fires a Taser.

At least, that’s Ma ggie Tys on’s philosophy. The suburban Columbus woman recently started a company called Columbus Taser Parties that facilitates gatherings where people can learn about, buy, and even fire a personal Taser.

To give Blade reporter Ryan E. Smith his due, he did cite Amnesty International’s objection to Taser use; he even cited statistics. Too bad his numbers were wrong and somehow he completely missed the fact that just a few weeks before his article was published Ohioan Kevin Piskura died.

And taser packin’ Maggie isn’t alone in joining Taser International pushing tasers to Ohioans. The Toledo Blade reports

Very soon, truckers and motorists will be able to buy a jolter with their jolt of java at TravelCenters of America Inc. truck stops, 11 of which dot Ohio’s roadways.

So I can go to a taser party or to any Ohio TravelCenters of America and buy a device that has been associated with a death a week – but I can’t get a tomato on my sandwich because that would be – dangerous.

Wake up people – tasers are not “non-lethal”! Wake up media – people are dying every week – do your job and cover the news.

And note to all you Taser party ladies, especially Mr. Tuttle’s 73-year-old mother who got her very own taser for Christmas, if you are overpowered that device will be used on you. Thirty seconds of 12,000 volts (longer bursts, in fact, than law enforcement models produce) is going to cause you a world of pain. And it might just take your life.

I wonder what Mr. Tuttle would say then?

Lee Stranahan’s Awaken Your Inner Elephant

Film maker Lee Stranahan in a word – brilliant!

Awaken Your Inner Elephant

The real news isn’t nearly as funny …

Support Chef Annie Chiu’s (Sun Luck Garden) Recovery

Chef Annie Chiu, who has delighted Cleveland with her wonderful restaurant Sun Luck Garden, had to undergo emergency heart surgery.  Cleveland’s culinary rock starts have come together to support her recovery and to make it possible for Sun Luck Garden to reopen when Annie is well.

Join the delicious fun of doing good where you live with Friends of Annie on Monday 7/28 at Sarava in Shaker Square.

Participating Chefs:

Karen Small, Flying Fig

Doug Katz, FIRE

Paul Minillo, Baricelli Inn

Heather Haviland, Lucky’s

Jonathan Bennett, Moxie/RED

Sergio Abramof, SARAVA

Ryan Alabaugh, Sergio’s in University Circle

Eric Williams, Momocho

Ruth and Marc Levine, Bistro 185

Matt Harlan, Lolita

Rocco Whalen, Farenheit

Scott and Brenda Kim, SASA

Zach Bruell, Parallax/Table 45

Our local chefs and their restaurants not only feed us, they give us a place to celebrate our special events, often at the expense of their families and their health. Chefs work long and grueling hours in an industry where margins are small and excellence is demanded – please join me in making sure that Annie knows that the community is grateful for her years of dedication.

Taser Death March Continues – 20 more since Kevin Piskura’s death

Since Ohioan Kevin Piskura’s tasering and death on April 25th, in North America alone, 6 9 10 11 14 20 (updated July 16th), more people have died after being tasered:

340. April 24, 2008: Dewayne Chatt, 39, Memphis, Tennessee
341. April 27, 2008: Paul Thompson, 24, Greensboro, North Carolina
342. April 28, 2008: Jermaine Ward, 28, Jackson, Tennessee
343. May 4, 2008: Joe Kubat, 21, St. Paul, Minnesota
344. May 6, 2008: James S. Wilson, 22, Alton, Missouri
345. May 28, 2008: Ricardo Manuel Abrahams, 44, Woodland, California
346. May 31, 2008: Robert Ingram, 27, Raceland, Louisiana
347. June 5, 2008: Willie Maye, 43, Birmingham, Alabama
348. June 6, 2008: Donovan Graham, 39, Meriden, Connecticut
349. June 8, 2008: Quintrell T. Brannon, 25, Vincennes, Indiana
350. June 9, 2008: Tony Curtis Bradway, 26, Brooklyn, New York
351. June 23, 2008: Jeffrey Marreel, 36, Norfolk, Ontario
352. June 24, 2008: Ernest Graves, 26, Rockford, Illinois
353. June 27, 2008: Nicholas Cody, 27, Dothan, Alabama

354. July 2, 2008: Isaac Bass, 34, Louisville, Kentucky
355. July 4, 2008: Othello Pierre, 23, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
356. July 8, 2008: Samuel DeBoise, 29, St. Louis, Missouri
357. July 8, 2008: Carlos Vargas, 42, San Bernardino, California
358. July 14, 2008: Marion Wilson Jr., 52, Houston, Texas
359. July 14, 2008: Deshoun Keyon Torrence, 18, Long Beach, California

via Truth Not Tasers

Where to start Wednesdays: it’s hot outside

July is like December only without the twinkly lights and music. It is 31 days long, hot, humid and, adding to the weather stress, July offers a major holiday with the attendant expectation of family fun and togetherness.

If you survive the 4th’s food and fireworks and venture out the next day to shop – bam – the holiday displays are gone. If you’re still in school you are faced with the early advertisement of back to school supplies (already!) while you are trying to enjoy yourself. If you are a working stiff, you sweat through your commute and wonder what happened to hot fun in the summertime?.

The answer – it is still there – you just have kick back whenever you can and enjoy the slower pace.

At the pool

Ride to Schul.

Mommywantsvodka Birthday Lollapalooza!!!

Today is Aunt Becky’s Birthday and we are all putting on our Sunday best to throw her a fabulous celebration!

Join the party!

Happy Birthday!

Son No. 2 sends his birthday shout out to Aunt Becky!

Weird Freeway Sightings

Ohio’s freeways are pretty boring. Sure you get the occasional big rig decked out in twinkle lights at Christmas but for the most part it is mini-vans, sensible sedans and the occasional motorcycle. Today I did 3 round trips up and down 271/I90 to my son’s home and back to help him haul party planning goodies for his best friend’s bachelor party. BORING!

I ALWAYS whine about my karma – if I snark or shirk I usually have to pay up immediately but good payback usually takes time – until today. And let me tell you it was swell.

Picture this – my son asks me to make a 3rd 40 mile round trip to his house because someone forgot to pack the x-box controllers for the bachelor party (what happened to strippers?) – I am driving on remote, paying attention but allowing my mind to wander (is that a stray hair I feel on my chin and can anyone see it?) when all of a sudden I notice a huge white apparition in the lane in front of me.

What in the world? I speed up and direct my daughter in law to take pictures because NO ONE will believe me if I tell them about this.

An eagle, a llama, a pony and a mammoth white horse.

I couldn’t believe my eyes.

I must of have done something GREAT today and the Universe was saying I love you Five Husbands!

And the wonderfulness didn’t stop there – a few minutes after the stone animal flatbed I saw a convoy of three semis – all identical except for coloring, all with a flaming bengal tiger logo with SIKH underneath – and the drivers were turbaned and bearded Sikh truckers.

How lucky can one girl get?