Friday, November 30, 2012

Song Supporting Same Sex Marriage Prompts Middle School Teacher's Suspension

By Georgianna Reilly, LMSW SJS Staff Writer Recently, a middle school teacher in the Detroit, Susan Johnson, area played a the song “Same Love” in her performing arts class at the suggestion of a student. The song’s lyrics support and promote diversity,  by supporting same...
Song Supporting Same Sex Marriage Prompts Middle School Teacher"s Suspension

For Non-Profits, Innovation or Caution?

by Michelle Sicignano, LMSW, Staff Writer, Social Justice Solutions An interesting piece from Seth’s Blog   Non-profits have a charter to be innovators, made me wonder. Seth Godin says, “The biggest, best-funded non profits have an obligation to be leaders in innovation, but...
For Non-Profits, Innovation or Caution?

Palestine Granted Non-Member Observer State Status in the United Nations

By Georgianna Reilly, LMSW SJS Staff Writer In a historic, although mostly symbolic, move the United Nations Assembly has granted Palestine “Non-Member Observer State” status in the UN Body in a 138 for and 9 against vote (with 41 absentees). This approval came on the day in which...
Palestine Granted Non-Member Observer State Status in the United Nations

New Dementia Study in Montreal, Canada at McGill University

by Vikki Brewster, MSW – SJS Staff Writer in Montreal, Canada The benefit to living in a city that has good universities is the research they conduct. Here in Montreal we have McGill, Concordia, University de Montreal and a few others, but McGill is the one that many know. A university...
New Dementia Study in Montreal, Canada at McGill University

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice; An Interview with Jeremy Kohomban, Ph.D., President and CEO of Children’s Village

By Michelle Sicignano, LMSW SJS Staff Writer I had an opportunity to interview The President and CEO of Children’s Village, Dr. Jeremy Kohomban, a noted expert in child welfare. He “most recently received the 2011 Samuel Gerson Nordlinger Child Welfare Leadership Award presented by the...
Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice; An Interview with Jeremy Kohomban, Ph.D., President and CEO of Children’s Village

A Color-coded Glimpse into the Globe's Emotionality

By Georgianna Reilly, LMSW SJS Staff Writer Infographics, graphs, pie charts; we all love a good graphic representation of information. It helps many process details in these times of information overload. The Washington Post, thanks to the Gallup polling firm, has posted a color-coded map of...
A Color-coded Glimpse into the Globe"s Emotionality

Experimenting with Social Norms

When browsing through my newsfeed on Facebook, I came across a very inspiring and heart wrenching story posted on Have A Gay Day’s Facebook fan page. The page is “Founded on the thought of Equality and N0 H8. Supporting Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Straight and anything else...
Experimenting with Social Norms

Professional vs. Employer Values on Grief/Grieving and Death/Dying

by Vikki Brewster, MSW – SJS Staff Writer I am currently reading a book titled, “Comfort’ by Ann Hood. Yes, I read a lot and as this is an area of interest for me….. this book is about a mother who loses her daughter to a virulent version of strep at age 5. The little...
Professional vs. Employer Values on Grief/Grieving and Death/Dying

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Wisdom to be Gained from Morrie......

by Victoria Brewster, MSW – SJS Staff Writer I am reading yet another wonderful book. Morrie Schwartz sheds some wisdom on what it is like to be diagnosed with an incurable degenerative disease, (ALS) amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease. Imagine a disease that robs you...
Wisdom to be Gained from Morrie......

What is the meaning of "privacy" in the 21st Century?

Recently, I came across an article written by Geoffrey A. Fowler, a writer from The Wall Street Journal, named “When the most personal secrets get outed on Facebook.” It describes the story of two college students from the University of Texas,  Boddi Duncan and Taylor McCormick,...
What is the meaning of "privacy" in the 21st Century?

Magnets as Safer More Effective Treatment to Severe, Persistent Depression?

Can magnets offer a promising depression treatment without potential adverse reactions of ECT? “There is a very close interrelationship between magnetism and electricity…the brain essentially is an electrical organ,” said Ken Melman, MD, a neuropsychiatrist at Swedish Neuroscience...
Magnets as Safer More Effective Treatment to Severe, Persistent Depression?

A Little Self Love Goes a Long Way

By Georgianna Reilly, LMSW SJS Staff Writer Some not-so surprising research points to the importance of choosing Self-Compassion over Self-Criticism, and refocussing our attention away from competition with others, in this article posted in Psychology Today: “Where self-criticism leaves...
A Little Self Love Goes a Long Way

Politics and Social Work - Why Social Workers Need to Focus More on Policy

It occurred to me recently that it might not be obvious why SJS focuses more on politics rather than social work content. SJS is not against social work content, we think it is important and try to work it in as much as possible. I come from a point of view that ask what isn’t social...
Politics and Social Work - Why Social Workers Need to Focus More on Policy

Needed Services for Older Adults

  by Victoria Brewster, MSW – SJS Staff Writer I would love to get a discussion going regarding the needed services for older adults/seniors. No matter what country or community you live in, there are services lacking. Baby-Boomers will enter the 65+age bracket at an alarming rate...
Needed Services for Older Adults

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Tax Bubbles and Fiscal Cliffs

NY Times blogger Nate Silver is brilliant, his blog FiveThirtyEight should be required reading for voters. I learn more from this column than I did in my 4 years of pursuing a Political Science minor in college. The fiscal cliff continue to loom tall over the country. Mr. Silver explains a...
Tax Bubbles and Fiscal Cliffs

Give Back this #GivingTuesday

By Georgianna Reilly, LMSW SJS Staff Writer The giving season is upon us, and #GivingTuesday wants to change the way we think about the holiday season. Here is what their Mission Statement has to say about the initiative: “#GivingTuesday™ is a campaign to create a national day of...
Give Back this #GivingTuesday

We Can't Save Everyone, But What Can We Do?

Long after we lose count of our good deeds, what remains with us is often a list of those we couldn’t save.  Our “failings” can haunt us, a reminder of our fallible nature.  We don’t  give ourselves the benefit of the doubt, about the care taken to try, simply try to save it. Surely...
We Can"t Save Everyone, But What Can We Do?

Poetry in Social Work

by Victoria Brewster, MSW – SJS Staff Writer Poetry—- a form of creativity, but it serves another purpose as well. Poetry, like music, is an outlet for feelings and emotions. It is a way to get a point across in a very creative way. I would like to share some poetry that has had an...
Poetry in Social Work

We All Need a Little Something To De-Stress

By Georgianna Reilly, LMSW SJS Staff Writer Let’s get personal. As an engaged American in my late 20s I stress a lot about my upcoming wedding, job situation and well, basically, everything. I often find that many of the techniques people I know suggest for de-stressing now a days revolve...
We All Need a Little Something To De-Stress

Monday, November 26, 2012

The Storm - A Poem

Thought this might be nice to share for people who are having a rough time of things. The Storm By Crystal Hill A Storm Barrels through, the seas swell. The whole world has become rage. Everything is unfamiliar. No land, no light, no harbor. It is not always easy to keep composure. So many...
The Storm - A Poem

New Alzheimer's Treatment Could Slow Decline

The progress of Alzheimer’s can be slowed with a regimen of immunosuppressants.  By utilizing this treatment, the tell-tale decline in cognitive functioning may be able to hold off a while longer by suppressing compounds associated with the disease.  For those who hear the word...
New Alzheimer"s Treatment Could Slow Decline

Electroshock Therapy

Through the years, this topic has received much bad press. Research seems mixed.  From a conglomerate of what I have read, I might be inclined to go with this type of intervention under certain conditions.  Supposedly, with well-defined parameters< in severe cases of depression it...
Electroshock Therapy

National Geographic's Life In A Day

Last night I had the opportunity to watch National Geographic’s documentary Life In A Day and it was a great way to finish the Thanksgiving weekend. In 2010, National Geographic put out a request for individuals to film their lives on the day of July 24th 2010. As a part of this request,...
National Geographic"s Life In A Day

Why Social Work?

by Victoria Brewster, MSW – SJS Staff Writer If you are reading this, I am making the assumption that you are already a BSW/MSW or you are a student to become one. Why have you chosen the field of social work? What is the draw besides the obvious connection to people, to want to help, to...
Why Social Work?

Sunday, November 25, 2012

New Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi's Statements spark Renewed Conflicts

By Georgianna Reilly, LMSW SJS Staff Writer President Mohammed Mursi, new president of Egypt and past leading member of the Muslim Brotherhood, has declared that the courts he has helped reestablish after the Arab Spring Egyptian protests cannot overturn any presidential decrees he has...
New Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi"s Statements spark Renewed Conflicts

The Benefits to Memories

  by Victoria Brewster, MSW – SJS Staff Writer Every once in a while we read a book that has an impact on us. The book I just finished reading, ‘The Gift of Rain’ by Tan Twan Eng was such a book. A boy of mixed European and Chinese heritage is trained by a sensei of Japanese...
The Benefits to Memories

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Can ADHD Medication decrease Recidivism and Crime Rates?

A recent Swedish study suggests that affordable and easy access to ADHD medications can decrease not only  recidivism of individuals diagnosed with ADHD or similar conditions, but also potentially crime rates. Based on symptoms of impulsiveness, hyperactivity, and difficulty concentrating...
Can ADHD Medication decrease Recidivism and Crime Rates?

'Mindsight' and Personal Transformation

by Victoria Brewster, MSW – SJS Staff Writer I am currently reading the book ‘Mindsight’ by Daniel J. Siegel, MD who is a clinical professor of psychiatry at UCLA School of Medicine and co-director of the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center. The book focuses on the...
"Mindsight" and Personal Transformation

Social Work Should Be The Bridge That Connects Humanity

The Social Work profession extends beyond national borders; the more we learn about social workers from other nations, the more it will become  clear that we are all fighting the same battle. How do we help those who cannot rise above the system in which they were born? Zimbabwe is having a...
Social Work Should Be The Bridge That Connects Humanity

Friday, November 23, 2012

$7 Million In Debt Eliminated By Occupy Movement

Occupy Wall Street took on a new role to the surprise of many who thought the movement had all but fizzled out.  “The People’s Bailout” was a festive benefit party put on to raise money in order to buy back debt.  “A bailout of the 99% by the 99%.”  Their plan was to raise money and...
$7 Million In Debt Eliminated By Occupy Movement

OxyContin and Canada

By Victoria Brewster, MSW – SJS Staff Writer OxyContin seems to be the medication causing dilemmas here in Canada. The drug or medication has been authorized to be a generic and this has some people uncertain, scared, cautious. OxyContin is a painkiller and painkillers are...
OxyContin and Canada

United States Considers increasing Military Presence in the Mediterranean

Amid conflicts in Israel, Gaza, Syria, Libya, and Egypt the US Military is considering increasing Navy and Ship presence in the Mediterranean. This increase will extend the stay of several ships recently deployed to the area, as well as station four ships in Spain and four off the coast of...
United States Considers increasing Military Presence in the Mediterranean

Paralyzed Dogs Walk Again After Nose Cell Transplant

Pawaplegic pups now have a shot at running again as scientists successfully use nose cell transplants to reverse spinal cord injuries in our four legged friends. Nose cells in dogs continue to regenerate through their lives, so by injecting the refined cells into the site of injury, dogs will...
Paralyzed Dogs Walk Again After Nose Cell Transplant

South Africa: Bulldozers and Evictions In Lenasia

Gillian Shute shared the following story on SJS’s Facebook page. Please let us know what is going on in the world and we will be glad to post it! Being more informed of world events is the corner stone of social justice! People in Lenasia have been buying homes that were built illegally on...
South Africa: Bulldozers and Evictions In Lenasia

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Thanksgiving and Native Americans

We want to take a second to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving, even those who might not celebrate this most American of holidays. We do so keeping in mind the terrible costs payed by Native American’s. There is not a story of a people more tragic and deserving of acknowledgement. The...
Thanksgiving and Native Americans

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Bus Bombing Brings Israel & Palestinians To Brink

By Courtney Kidd, LMSW SJS Staff Writer A bus bombing has brought the 8 day escalating conflict in the Middle East between Palestine and Israel to a tipping point.  Quelling what was hopeful truce talks and tentative peaceful relations from 2009, this bomb may prolong the deadly battles before...
Bus Bombing Brings Israel & Palestinians To Brink

Skills of Helping Professionals

by Victoria Brewster, MSW – SJS Staff Writer How were you educated at school whether undergraduate or graduate? Was it a ‘just the facts’ orientation or an empathic, client-centered model? Is there room for both? Sometimes we have to be stoic, impassive helping professionals,...
Skills of Helping Professionals

The Antidote to your Holiday Stress

Tomorrow marks the ‘official start’ of the holiday season in the United States with the celebration of Thanksgiving, despite the decorations having been on sale in stores since before Halloween. Tomorrow we will likely gather with friends and family to start off the month and a half...
The Antidote to your Holiday Stress

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

India Arrests 2 Woman For "Like" On Facebook

Oppression of woman is the oldest story in the world. Before we go condemning India for this ridiculous act, let’s not forget that GOP has also been waging it’s little war against woman right here. America is also not that far removed from a time when the size of a man’s...
India Arrests 2 Woman For "Like" On Facebook

Criticism: Something We Can Learn From

by Victoria Brewster, MSW – SJS Staff Writer I read an article in my local paper today on the topic of criticism and times we cannot deal with it.  Well, it could be our own fault. (The Montreal Gazette, QC, Canada) The paper gives the quote: “Criticism like rain, should be gentle...
Criticism: Something We Can Learn From

Social Work Training Program to Target Top UK Grauduates

By Georgianna Reilly, LMSW SJS Staff Writer Michael Grove, the UK’s Secretary of State for Education, has his eye on improving the field of social work in the United Kingdom. In an effort to encourage new graduates to join the profession, improve its status and the profession as a whole,...
Social Work Training Program to Target Top UK Grauduates

Constancy In The Face Of War

Constancy is my favorite word. If things go well, constancy; if thing go poorly constancy. The word is the cool lemonade of wisdom to the hot summer days of youth. Humanity is in its youth. The follies of war and hatred are youthful practices, only useful to those who think shadows lurk in the...
Constancy In The Face Of War

Monday, November 19, 2012

Submit Your Ideas To SJS

A reminder that SJS gladly accepts your blogs, news, and opinions for posting. The top navigation bar has a “submit” button for just that purpose. Nothing excites us more then the opinions of our readers and members. You can also register for your own user name using the...
Submit Your Ideas To SJS

Fiscal Cliff Optimist Translates Into Stock Gains

By Matthew Cohen SJS Staff Writer There continues to be optimism that Democrats and Republicans can do their jobs before the New Year. I say “do their jobs”, because making sure that the country is stable is their job. It a public trust that they will take the good fortune of all...
Fiscal Cliff Optimist Translates Into Stock Gains

Canadian Healthcare: Cancer Treatment

by Victoria Brewster, MSW - SJS Staff Writer One only has to follow the Canadian news, read the local paper or talk to health professionals, who will say Socialized Medicine or Medicare needs an overhaul. While there are many benefits to socialized medicine, basic coverage  check-ups, exams,...
Canadian Healthcare: Cancer Treatment

Britain Experiencing Food Recession

By Georgianna Reilly, LMSW SJS Staff Writer This BBC article is a prime example of the impacts that the economy has on food consumption, and as a result health. Austerity in Britain is altering the eating habits of thousands, causing a decrease in consumption of food in general as well as...
Britain Experiencing Food Recession

An Exemplary Leader, of the People by the People

By Michelle Sicignano, LMSW, SJS Staff Writer Choosing an austere lifestyle, much like the majority of the population he presides over, the President of Uruguay, Jose Mujica, is the “world’s poorest president.” Shunning a lifestyle of consumption, in favor of what he sees as real...
An Exemplary Leader, of the People by the People

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Dems and GOP Working Together On Fiscal Cliff and Other Fairy Tales

With the holiday season drawing near, our wonderful elected officials sound almost optimistic at the prospect of bi-partisan support for legislation that would prevent the fiscal cliff from crippling the economy. This is certainly the time of year to believe in magic and fairy tales, so why...
Dems and GOP Working Together On Fiscal Cliff and Other Fairy Tales

Recap of a Workshop on NLP

By Victoria Brewster, MSW SJS Staff Writer I attended an all day workshop on NLP-Neurolinguistic Programming yesterday here in Montreal.  NLP at its most basic, is a form of Behavior Modification. It has been around since the 1970′s- think Fritz Perls, Milton H. Erickson, Virginia...
Recap of a Workshop on NLP

Israel Threatens To Widen Offensive Into Syria

Violence on the Israeli-Syrian border is escalating. Hamas continues to fire rockets into Israel; Israel is bombing Hamas. I could have written that 5,10,15,or 20 years ago it would hold true in some way or another. War always makes me sad. It is the most unreasonable of human responses to...
Israel Threatens To Widen Offensive Into Syria

At Least 70,000 in France Protest Against Gay and Lesbian Rights

By Georgianna Reilly, LMSW SJS Staff Writer The United States isn’t the only country struggling to offer more rights to Gay and Lesbian individuals. The French socialist government has recently approved a bill that would allow gay and lesbian couples to marry and adopt children, a bill...
At Least 70,000 in France Protest Against Gay and Lesbian Rights

Saturday, November 17, 2012

'Pay it Forward' this Holiday Season

I loved the movie and the book, ‘Pay it Forward’, to think it took a child to start something amazing at his school. I also like Kevin Spacey as an actor and he played his role well.  As a continuation of my article on  ‘Compassion during the Holidays‘ , I would like...
"Pay it Forward" this Holiday Season

Hurricane Sandy Resources for Long Island

By Georgianna Reilly, LMSW SJS Staff Writer The storm might be over and the power might be back on, but for many the recovery process will be a long road. United Way and 211 Long Island has developed a resource guide and website dedicated to information on resources for Hurricane Recovery. This...
Hurricane Sandy Resources for Long Island

Friday, November 16, 2012

LBGTQ Voters Support Obama by 3 to 1 Margin

The Republican party is going to find it increasingly difficult to win elections when their policies alienate growing electoral demographics. This is aside from the mess that they made by attacking woman on their reproductive rights. Minority voters are y going to be the majority. Carrying the...
LBGTQ Voters Support Obama by 3 to 1 Margin

The Importance of Compassion During the Holiday Season

Ok, I will be first to bring up the upcoming holiday season which officially kicks of next Friday for ‘Black Friday’. The biggest shopping day of the year or at least that is what I remember when I worked in retail about 20 years ago…..  What I love about the holiday season is...
The Importance of Compassion During the Holiday Season

Gingrich On Super PACS's 'Fundamentally, Profoundly Wrong'

This article from Huffington Post really caught my eye. It’s not often I hear some sense from politicians when it concerns campaign finance and corporations. This is especially true of the GOP; hearing it from Newt Gingrich is a remarkable. There is no way for me to paraphrase this...
Gingrich On Super PACS"s "Fundamentally, Profoundly Wrong"

War Enters the Social Media Age

One need only to read any newspaper or news website to find that Israel and Gaza are at the brink of war after an air strike against Hamas leaders that killed one of the main leaders. Adding to the war in Syria this is not a pretty picture for the Middle East, or the world for that matter. But,...
War Enters the Social Media Age

Thursday, November 15, 2012

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Ethics in Our Personal and Professional Lives

While reading the book, ‘Happiness’ by Matthieu Richard, chapter 22,  I came across some amazing information on Ethics as the’ Science of Happiness’. It discusses Buddhism and that ethics is not just ways of acting, but a way of being.  As humans we have evolved and...
Ethics in Our Personal and Professional Lives

Altruism and The Ego

I was struck by the story of the man who gave the a space heater to hurricane victims without power. The very people he helped had helped him many years before. It illustrates the concept of pay it forward so well, because the time between the help and the return was a large span of years....
Altruism and The Ego

Europeans Protest Austerity Measures and Rising Unemployment

By Georgianna Reilly, L.M.S.W. SJS Staff Writer America has it bad, this was made clear by both parties in the election. But, one needs to only look across the Atlantic Ocean to see that we could in fact be much worse off. According to BBC news the Eurozone (The 17-nation block that makes up...
Europeans Protest Austerity Measures and Rising Unemployment

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Addressing the Public Obligation of a Public Utility

New York’s Attorney General, Eric Schneiderman,  opened an investigation and issued subpoenas to both LIPA, Long Island Power Authority and Con Ed,  Consolidated Edison, over the “utilities’ preparedness and response” to hurricane Sandy. “ New York Gov. Andrew...
Addressing the Public Obligation of a Public Utility

The Importance of Social Workers and other Helping Professionals Updating their 'Tool Kit'.

Every person, no matter what profession, needs to update their skills. You can be a social worker, lawyer, accountant for 5, 10, 15 years and things change during that time. We all need to update out ‘Tool Kit’ as I call it. While I received my MSW 15 years ago, I have never stopped...
The Importance of Social Workers and other Helping Professionals Updating their "Tool Kit".

Humans Aren't Getting Any Smarter

Anyone who saw Idiocracy might not be shocked to learn that the human species might be growing dumber, despite living in the most advanced time in history.  Some scientists credit this to a large number of mutations, which are declining cognition.  They propose that if we were to take an...
Humans Aren"t Getting Any Smarter

Aren't There More Pressing Problems Then A Sex Scandal?

Matters of national security are important, but an extramarital affair that “might” have been a matter of national security just doesn’t seem to justify the coverage it is getting. I believe that the national security issue is just an excuse for voyeurism, what gets people...
Aren"t There More Pressing Problems Then A Sex Scandal?

The Spoon Theory: An Explanation of Coping with Invisible Illness

Often as social workers we work with individuals who have invisible illnesses, who suffer from either physical or mental barriers that limit what they can get done on any given day. For many, that symptom of fatigue is a big factor. Whether it be a result of Fibromyalgia, Crohn’s Disease,...
The Spoon Theory: An Explanation of Coping with Invisible Illness

The Spoon Theory: An Explanation of Coping with Invisible Illness

Often as social workers we work with individuals who have invisible illnesses, who suffer from either physical or mental barriers that limit what they can get done on any given day. For many, that symptom of fatigue is a big factor. Whether it be a result of Fibromyalgia, Crohn’s Disease,...
The Spoon Theory: An Explanation of Coping with Invisible Illness

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Post Election Poll Numbers On The Fiscal Cliff

The “fiscal cliff” has embedded itself in the American collective consciousness. So what is the fiscal cliff? About.com says: ‘“Fiscal cliff” is the popular shorthand term used to describe the conundrum that the U.S. government will face at the end of 2012, when the terms...
Post Election Poll Numbers On The Fiscal Cliff

Honouring The Memory Of One Who Has Died

I am curious as to how society in general, and this includes families, friends, colleagues and professionals, honor the memory of one who has died? Every culture, ethnicity and religion have different rituals or traditions to honor the memory of one who has died. In Judaism, on the annual...
Honouring The Memory Of One Who Has Died

Coffee Is The New Endangered Species

I finally know a way to convince everyone on any side of the debate that we, as a society must act on global warming.  A new study shows how climate change could effectively wipe out coffee by 2080.  Where will we get life’s sweet sweet nectar if that happens?  I for one will take a stand,...
Coffee Is The New Endangered Species

Where's Your Funnybone?

Does everyone have a sense of humor? The obvious answer is no, we all know someone who just doesn’t seem to have a humerus bone(get it?) in their body. The odd thing is, if they’re asked, I don’t think any of them would say they don’t enjoy humor.  Yet, half my life is spent feeling the...
Where"s Your Funnybone?

Five Ways to Keep your Piece of Mind, and Mind your Emotions

By Georgianna Reilly, LMSW SJS Staff Writer With the holiday season fast approaching (one week until Thanksgiving? I must have missed something…) tempers and emotions are likely on edge. We have so much to attend to during the holidays while still maintaining our normal schedules, so of...
Five Ways to Keep your Piece of Mind, and Mind your Emotions

Early Life Stress Affects Brain Development and Shows Lasting Impact

“High levels of family stress in infancy are linked to differences in everyday brain function and anxiety in teenage girls, according to new results of a long-running population study by University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists.” Early life stress impacts cortisol levels and affects brain...
Early Life Stress Affects Brain Development and Shows Lasting Impact

High Res Maps Break Down Election

Wired has a great video on the election results.    
High Res Maps Break Down Election

High Res Maps Break Down Election

Wired has a great breakdown of the geographic dynamics that contributed to election. [brightcove vid=1959331341001&exp3=1813626064&surl=http://c.brightcove.com/services&pubid=1564549380&pk=AQ~~,AAAAAF1BIQQ~,g5cZB_aGkYZXG-DCZXT7a-c4jcGaSdDQ&w=404&h=436]
High Res Maps Break Down Election

Monday, November 12, 2012

Pinocchio and The Ghost

The waves carry us endlessly, each day we crash to the shore, each morning we wake from sleep to find ourselves a drift on the vast ocean. We are always brought home. The traps are intricate. My hat goes off to all human beings, even the worst of us, living in this way is not an easy thing....
Pinocchio and The Ghost

We The People Receives Petitions For Texas and Louisiana To Secede From Union

We The People, the official website for the Obama administration has been the target with petitions for State secession.  Actually there were more States then Texas and Louisiana but there is little doubt that all the states are “red”. None of the petitions mentioned the...
We The People Receives Petitions For Texas and Louisiana To Secede From Union

Prime Minister Will Not Allow Anyone To Fire on Israeli Citizens

It’s a story as old as The Bible. Tensions are mounting again in the Middle East. Syrian violence is spilling into the Syrian-Israeli border. The Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu issued a clear statement on the new border aggression. “Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin...
Prime Minister Will Not Allow Anyone To Fire on Israeli Citizens

Advice For Dealing With The Death of a Client or Patient

It is always hard as a professional to lose a client because of death. While death is a fact of life, part of the life cycle; remember that to be born, one must die, and it is never easy. I work with seniors and older/adults and this is something that I face all the time as do many in the...
Advice For Dealing With The Death of a Client or Patient

For Healthy Social Development, Timing is Crucial

Without appropriate social interaction, myelin production has been shown to decrease. Decreases in myelination may lead to permanent social and cognitive deficits. Timing seems to play a pivotal function.  Recovery at some points has been shown possible, however it has also been shown that...
For Healthy Social Development, Timing is Crucial

Sunday, November 11, 2012

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'The Conversation'

As professionals we are sometimes the ones to lead the conversation with clients, patients and their families. This is not the conversation you would have with your kids about the ‘birds and bees’, but another conversation that is really meant for and between adults. This does not mean that...
"The Conversation"

The Elephant’s Example and Solutions For Peace

I don’t have answers. The solutions to the world’s problems won’t come from a grand vision, but from a plodding commitment to goodness. I remember reading a quote in a Zen Buddhist book that said something along the line of, “Our way is to be like an elephant”....
The Elephant’s Example and Solutions For Peace

The Elephant's Example and Solutions For Peace

I don’t have answers. The solutions to the world’s problems won’t come from a grand vision, but from a plodding commitment to goodness. I remember reading a quote in a Zen Buddhist book that said something along the line of, “Our way is to be like an elephant”....
The Elephant"s Example and Solutions For Peace

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Your Brain on Politics

By Georgianna Reilly, LMSW SJS Staff Writer So the election is over and Obama has another four years in office. Social Media sites are a flutter with happy Democrats and raging Republicans, but what does all of this say about our brains as a nation, as competing political parties, and as...
Your Brain on Politics

Is The U.S. Getting A 51st State?

Puerto Rico has applied to become America’s 51st state which will be the first time since 1959 that the United States might acquire another state to the union. The road to statehood is not guaranteed, needing approval from Congress, and many are wondering what this would mean for the...
Is The U.S. Getting A 51st State?

Where Do We Go From Here

America is a mess. I don’t know how anyone could come away from the election not believing so. I’m having a hard time deciding if this is still one nation united. The country is as far away from a middle ground as heaven and hell. They two dominant political views are complete...
Where Do We Go From Here

Disorganization Slowing Repairs on Long Island

by Michelle Sicignano, LMSW, SJS Staff Writer   I have been informed that out of town work crews all over Long  Island have been housed in public parks, such as Sunken Meadow, and Bethpage, in large open spaces, often near water, where it is preferable for them to sleep in their trucks...
Disorganization Slowing Repairs on Long Island

Military Social Worker KIA: A Veteran’s Day Rememberence

As we enter into this holiday weekend, let’s remember what Veteran’s day is celebrating.  We are honored by the service and sacrifice our nation’s military provide for us.  Those who have served our great nation have the continuing respect and gratitude from our members here. We offer...
Military Social Worker KIA: A Veteran’s Day Rememberence

To Make a Difference in the World and In The Helping Professions

I just finished watching a show on Cinemoi titled: ‘Earth From Above’ with Yann Arthus Bertrand. He travels the world to point out the consumption that exist. How products are made, where the material comes from, and the carbon foot print left behind. The world at 6.5 billion people...
To Make a Difference in the World and In The Helping Professions

Recession Cuts Could Cause Epidemic

A new worry in the current economic crisis; epidemic outbreaks.  Due to severe cut backs in state and federal agencies, we might be at risk for a rise in disease and epidemic outbreaks.  Budget cuts have made many agencies drop workers, services that they offer and even limit vaccinations....
Recession Cuts Could Cause Epidemic

People Outside Polling Sites Cannot Ask for I.D. in Pennsylvania

Nothing brings out the ugliness of a person than election day. I never understood the anger, as if ones political beliefs were a part of the body. Voting intimidation is as old as America. A judge today has stopped people from asking voters for I.D. in Pennsylvania,which is one of nine states...
People Outside Polling Sites Cannot Ask for I.D. in Pennsylvania

Life Without Political Parties. What Would Happen?

I have a great idea for the next election.  Abolish the conventional parties and allow candidates to run based on their principles and agenda.  Then see who people would really vote for if they didn’t have a party telling them who has the better ideas.  You see, this would be brilliant...
Life Without Political Parties. What Would Happen?

Fighting Sex Trafficking from the Front Lines: The People Who Inspire Series: Sarah Elizabeth Pahman

By Relando Thompkins Guest Blogger Notes from an Aspiring Humanitarian‘s “The People Who Inspire series” highlights individuals from a variety of backgrounds and occupations who are seeking to impact the lives of others in a positive way. Through Truth-Telling: the honest...
Fighting Sex Trafficking from the Front Lines: The People Who Inspire Series: Sarah Elizabeth Pahman

The Changing Face of Political Officials

This election seemed like a turning point to me, and was the start of many new beginnings. Many have focused on the issues that were up for vote in this past election, and those resolutions which passed such as legalizing marijuana in two states. But what about the faces of politics itself? One...
The Changing Face of Political Officials

NYT Blogger Predicts Every State Outcome For POTUS election

Yes, I was skeptical just as you are! Nate Silver is a blogger for the NYT/FiveThirtyEight section. Apparently he the political world has been critical of  the statistical methods used to predict the election. The criticism was not levied by obscure organizations, they include MSNBC, the...
NYT Blogger Predicts Every State Outcome For POTUS election

A Petition to Hold LIPA Accountable for a Poor Response to Hurricane Sandy

By Georgianna Reilly, LMSW SJS Staff Writer After ten straight days of no power or heat I am back on, and very thankful for that fact. However, many in the tri-state area are still in the dark (literally). Billions of dollars of food have been lost, as well as business hours and schooling hours....
A Petition to Hold LIPA Accountable for a Poor Response to Hurricane Sandy

Mending Rifts With Friends And Family

I just finished watching the Disney movie ‘Brave’ with my kids and I have to say it is one of the better Disney movies. Action, female role models and of course a point behind the story which is of course intended for the adults who watch with their kids. Think ‘Shrek’...
Mending Rifts With Friends And Family

New Hampshire: The First State with an All Female Delegation

By Georgianna Reilly, LMSW SJS Staff Writer In continuation of several of my lastest posts regarding New Hampshire and the election I wanted to share some further news. It seems the New Hampshire is the first state to be entirely represented by female delegates. This is big news for women in...
New Hampshire: The First State with an All Female Delegation

NYT Blogger Predicts Every State Outcome For POTUS election

Yes, I was skeptical just as you are! Nate Silver is a blogger for the NYT/FiveThirtyEight section. Apparently he the political world has been critical of  the statistical methods used to predict the election. The criticism was not levied by obscure organizations, they include MSNBC, the...
NYT Blogger Predicts Every State Outcome For POTUS election

Test Post from Social Justice Solutions - Social Work and Social Justice News and Blogs

Test Post from Social Justice Solutions - Social Work and Social Justice News and Blogs http://www.socialjusticesolutions.org