Aristus
Aristus's Journal
Anyone ever seen THX-1138?
I saw it years ago on late night local TV. I thought it was a terrific film. I've been reading a biography of George Lucas, and have become interested in his early films, including his student films from USC film school (all of which are available on YouTube).
I won't go into a long dissertation of the themes of the film. I'm just interested in what you think.
One of the finest touches in the film is the voices of android cops. They are dressed in Nazi-esque uniforms with jackboots. But their voices aren't threatening. One would logically expect them to have cliched metallic 'intruder-alert! intruder-alert!' robot voices. Instead, they speak in soft, mellifluous, reassuring tones. I found that an interesting departure from science fiction robot stereotypes.
What comes around: The homeless clinic where I used to work is closing.
They're already referring their patients (who used to be my patients) over to our new homeless clinic.
First they refused to renew our contract to provide medical care for their clients. Then they had trouble keeping a medical provider of their own on hire. Every time I called over to catch up, someone had left, and they were frantically trying to find a replacement. Then they decided to expand their patient base beyond the homeless community. That's all right, I suppose; everyone needs medical care. But the whole point of the clinic was to offer a place specifically for homeless patients. A place where they could come and know they would be treated with respect and compassion. So that didn't work out, either.
While things are a little slow here right now, I expect them to pick up soon. In a few months, we will be opening a second clinic for the homeless a little closer to the downtown area. That facility will have showers and laundry service, too, which this one doesn't.
Now, if the municiple organization that ran the facility had just renewed our contract two years ago, none of that might have happened. But it all works out for the best, I suppose.
Could I please get some links to info on Inauguration Day protests?
Seattle, Olympia, wherever. I already requested the day off from work. I'm going to show up to help make our voices heard. Any info you have would be appreciated. Thank you.
Friday night vodka buzz. Ask me anything.
No red wine tonight. I'm saving what I have for dinner tomorrow night: home-made lasagna! 
Anti-government conservatives may finally be getting their wish. Only not in the manner they sought.
It's a long-understood trope that conservative Republicans hate government, and want to abolish it at the Federal level, and proceed with only state governments.
It looks like many people across the country are starting to support this idea. Just not for the reasons anti-everybody right-wingers planned.
With Trump fomenting every sort of legislation aimed at attacking the civil rights of women, minorities, Muslims, LGBTQ, etc. cities and states across the nation are starting to draft laws, or at least resolutions, refuting the aims of the Trump Presidency. San Francisco and other municipalities are declaring themselves sanctuary cities for undocumented immigrants, LGBTQ, etc. Pittsburgh looks like it is going to join other cities and states in banning 'gay-conversion therapy'.
If Trump or his motley collection of cronies protest this at all, one would be wise to mention 'states-rights' and watch them sputter helplessly when confronted with their own tactics.
I'm starting back at Healthcare For The Homeless today!
Long-time DU-ers know that for the first four years I was in practice, I worked at a clinic that serves our homeless community. It's the most rewarding work I've ever done. But we were providing care under contract to the civic organization that operated the facility we worked in.
In December, 2014, they refused to renew our contract, and instead hired their own medical provider. I went to work at our mainstream clinic instead. I had the opportunity to serve some wonderful patients, and work with some extraordinary, dedicated medical professionals. But it just wasn't the same as working with the homeless. The sense of mission, the feeling of making a difference, it just wasn't there.
Well, we took matters into our own hands, and have opened a brand new clinic reserved solely for the homeless, and the doors just officially opened three minutes ago.
It will probably be slow for the first few days. But I'm so happy to be back where I belong, and I wanted to share this with you.
I love you all...
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Gender: MaleHometown: Puyallup, Washington
Member since: 2001
Number of posts: 66,327
