La Justa Pulp

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Friday, February 17, 2006

The Importance of Sound and Sight

In November of 2005, MoveOn.org launched their "Face America" Photo Petition, an ingenious way of putting a face to the names and messages garnered by the Anti-Bush/Anti-Iraq war grassroots movement.

I took the time to look at many of the pictures posted, and I was truly moved. So many people, young and old, all fighting for the same things (I would, however, like to see a bit more minority participation). But it was the pictures of families with mentally and physically handicapped children that were the most poignant.

I have to admit that when I think about the people who are being severely affected by Bush's policies, I think about minorities, the poor, the elderly, but I never thought about the handicapped. I suppose that has a lot to do with the fact that in many ways, the handicapped are not considered "whole" or important members of American society. In fact, I've come to realize that they are not only silent members of American society, but also practically invisible.

Since getting to Spain I have become very aware of how much more visible and independent handicapped people and the elderly are here. This could be due in part to the fact that Spanish society in general is much more social than American society, but I think there's something more. There's a sort of sense that everyone, regardless of their challenges, has the right to participate in society and everyday life. The elderly and handicapped are not hidden away. They're out and about, accompanied or alone, strolling or wheeling through the parks and down the boulevards, on the buses, in restaurants and even in bars. Maybe America and Americans would fight more for those who need the most help if they weren't tucked away in ghettos and slums or locked away in private homes and institutions.

These pictures are but a small contribution to what I hope will develop into a movement of giving the handicapped a voice and visibility within American society.









To submit your own photographs attach your photo (or photos) to an email, and send it to: faces@moveon.org

To see more photographs click here.

Caught on Film...Again


Hey all,
In case your still not sick of hearing and watching George W. Bush repeatedly lie on film, here's a short film you're gonna love. It was put together by the helpful folks at TrueMajority.org.

Check out a video rebutting Bush's Veterans Day speech "facts."

And is it me, or are the people in the audience being prompted when to clap?