Caught Up In A Haze

An interesting article in the Albuquerque Journal North explains the growing prevalence of sexual hazing in high school sports.  According to the article, 45 sexual hazing incidents occur per year, with an estimated 50 percent of all hazing incidents on high school and college campuses involving sodomy.

Hazing in sports has been happening since football players wore leather helmets with no face mask.  However, the growing brutality of these initiations now has parents increasingly concerned about their child's physical and emotional safety playing team sports.  A couple of nights ago, I watched local media coverage of the Las Vegas Robertson team preparing for a game without its coach and 6 players that were suspended from the team for allegedly hazing and sodomizing teammates.  What immediately struck me was the dismissive attitude of parents interviewed saying things like; "I think our team is ready for the game and we are getting past this incident."  My first thought was "what about the victims and their families?    What are the long term implications for them?" 

I also had to ask myself; "what if the perpetrator(s) were gang affiliated?"  The uproar would be out of control!  An initiation into a gang seems like a walk in the park compared to this.  Don't get me wrong, I don't condone violence in any of its manifestations.  However, our society tends to put athletes on a pedestal making them heroic figures in the community.  I don't want to cast a shadow of negativity over our athletes--or those involved in gangs for that matter.  What I am saying is a crime is a crime--period--and should be treated as such.   

Hockey Mom Named McCain Running Mate

Gun toting, maverick Governor Sarah Palin has been named John McCain's running mate leading into the Republican National Convention.  Controversial?  Absolutely.  Ms. Palin has been in office as Governor of Alaska for 2 years.  Hasn't John McCain been attacking Baracka Obama for his lack of experience?  Seems like a contradiction to me.

On a second front, this seems like a strategic move to bring Hillary Clinton supporters over to the GOP.  A risky move at best.  Media outlets, such as CNN have been getting bombarded by emails from women that the move seems patronizing.  I've even heard Gov. Palin using Hillary Clinton's now infamous "glass ceiling reference."  The parallels between the two are minimal:  Hillary is a former First lady and current Senator in one of the most populated states in the U.S. Palin is Governor of Alaska, a state that has about half the people of Coney Island.  Hillary has been on the international stage when it comes to diplomacy and policy.  Palin has played tiny hoops with the townies at the County Fair.  

A bold move to say the least.  Let's see if the GOP's "Change Agent" resonates with independent and undecided voters in November.  

But Can He Lead?---Yes, He Can

Last night, Barack Obama's acceptance speech answered any questions about his readiness to lead this country.  Summoning the ghosts of MLK past, Obama's passionate speech carried the message of change, but also delivered the substance of what change really means in his 4o+ minute speech.  

What struck me was Obama finally took off the gloves and delivered some punches below the beltline.  Remember the line:  "I don't think its because John McCain doesn't care......I think its because he doesn't know."  The conservative right will be quick to call it "ageism", but what he was trying to get across is the disconnect between McCain and common middle class folks---the middle class that is well, below the $5 million dollar per year threshold.  

Another thing that struck me was Mike Murphy, the Republican strategist saying that if he was still advising Republican leadership, he would say:  "Houston, we have a problem!"  This coming from a man that defends Bush and failed policies ad nauseum.  

Let's see how McCain's VP nomination and the Republican National Convention stems this surge of momentum gained by the Democrats last night.  

NMCF Hosts SBHC Dedications This Week

Albuquerque, NM

The New Mexico Community Foundation (NMCF), along with its many partners and supporters gathered this week to celebrate the grand opening of the new School-Based Health Center (SBHC) at Wilson Middle School. School-Based Health Care is a pillar of support in NMCF's New Mexico Integrated Services in Schools Initiative (NMISSI) that serves students in urban, rural and tribal areas across the state.  Other key supports include:  Extended Day Learning (EDL) and Family Supports and Services.

As part of the weeklong celebrations, NMCF also dedicated SBHCs at Grant Middle School and Laguna Middle School--which is the first NMISSI site on tribal land.  

School-Based Health Centers fill a significant void among uninsured youth by providing primary care, mental and behavioral health and dental services in a school setting.  The goal is to promote children's intellectual, emotional and physical growth for success in school and life.

NMISSI is made possible through the generous support of NMCF, The Atlantic Philanthropies and state and local government.  For more information, go to www.nmcf.org.