Ageism an issue in the criticism of Obama's choice for Ambassador to China

[caption id="attachment_21990" align="alignleft" width="214"] Senator Max Baucus[/caption]

President Barack Obama's choice of Ambassador to China, Montana Senator Max Baucus, has received criticism from some of the public and the media that Senator Baucus is too old for the job.  He is 72 years old.  But is that age a serious barrier to his ability to serve in the capacity of Ambassador to China, even in the face of the smog conditions that exist in the country?


Age is one of the barriers not just in politics but in the arts and business too.  Age 65 has been the usual and customary retirement age for individuals in the United States, with some of the European countries having even earlier periods for retirement.  Yet age continues to be one the principal barriers to gaining positions in politics, the arts, business and even in social arenas.

Nelson Mandela was  75 when he was elected President of South Africa.  Ronald Reagan was just two weeks short of his 70th birthday when he was elected President of the United States.     Colonel Sanders was 65+ when he started the Kentucky Fried Chicken business with only his secret chicken recipe and Social Security check to support him at the outset.  Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor was appointed to the Court at age 51 and served a quarter of a century to age 75, when she left her position on the Court to be available for her husband's care.

There are many more examples of people in their 60's, 70's and 80's working or volunteering around the world, even under difficult conditions.  Yet age remains a barrier in many arenas, leaving seniors with limited choices when they reach a certain age.  In music, most of the reality shows focus on youth.  American Idol has a restriction for those who wish to appear on that show.  Other reality shows, such as The Voice, seldom, if ever, have a performer over the age of 50.  Business places people on retirement status at that certain age of 65, while those same businesses will advertise for senior volunteers they don't have to pay. Ageism remains a concern to those healthy and able seniors.  In the case of the appointment of Senator Max Baucus, other criteria, such as whether he has relevant experience in Asian affairs remains reasonable; but the fact of his age as a barrier reveals the misconceptions about the elderly that continues to drive much of the culture around the world.

The best advice for good health: Lose yourself in the service of others

[caption id="attachment_21704" align="alignleft" width="300"] PT Rehab kitchen[/caption]

 

 

Carol Forsloff---“You can't help everyone.” How many times have we heard someone say that as someone struggles to assist another individual. But is that a virtually true statement or a general statement that allows people simply to absolve themselves of responsibility by a verbal shield of sorts? And are there personal benefits in helping others?

Literally the statement is true. It would be virtually impossible for a single person to help everyone else with anything. On the other hand, inventors develop products that can help nearly everyone. The Gutenberg Press  was an example of that, for it facilitated the development of reading. And the Internet allows for the transference of information that includes life-saving ideas across the world that can aid millions.

Recently the Journal received a notice from an individual that simply said that humanitarian articles are a bother and asked to be excluded from any notices, as the individual “is happy” and wants to remain that way, being unable to help anyone else. Surely the human response to a massive undertaking, “You can't help everyone,” makes sense when an individual needs emotional distance. Is it, however, an emotional or physically healthy belief?

Science tells us that humanitarian work and volunteering not only provide a level of necessary activity and community involvement but also physical health benefits. Studies have found that those who volunteer receive physical, mental and social support in return for their service. By staying in contact with others, they avoid the isolation that can facilitate and prolong depression. Mentally volunteering and doing humanitarian service also supports thinking and communication skills. It has also been found that those who volunteer live longer than others.

Psychologists also tell us that helping others serves to prevent or alleviate depression. When our minds are on something other than our problems and ourselves, there is a tendency for that cloud over our heads to dissipate.

And with the passing of Nelson Mandela, the great humanitarian servant of South Africa, it is clear that service brings gratitude and change, sometimes a change that affects the whole world, when the character of a man is revealed as being one reflected by service.

As Mahatma Gandhi once said: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

Statesman, activist, humanitarian leader Nelson Mandela dies at age 95

[caption id="attachment_12081" align="alignleft" width="146"] Nelson Mandela - wikimedia commons[/caption]

Editor----Following a series of illnesses and hospitalizations in recent months, Nelson Mandela died today at the age of 95.  He will surely be mourned in South Africa, but his reputation as a world leader and a man of humanitarian principles has been admired by people across the world

Mandela was a young activist in South Africa, working towards the end of apartheid, the forced segregation of black Africans into ghetto-type communities, requiring identity cards to work or to travel.    He was accused of trying to overthrow the government by violence and was imprisoned for 27 years.

Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990 and shortly after became South Africa's leader, ushering in the hopes that his declaration of amnesty for those who had perpetrated and continued the system of apartheid would allow the country to heal.

He will be missed by his countrymen and the people who admired him across the world.

Nelson Mandela's memory sullied by failures of reconciliation

 

[caption id="attachment_12081" align="alignleft" width="146" caption="Nelson Mandela - wikimedia commons"][/caption]

Carol Forsloff - "On behalf of the United States, I wish Nelson Mandela a very happy 92nd birthday. We are grateful to continue to be blessed with his extraordinary vision, leadership, and spirit. 

So begins a letter from President Barack Obama on the birthday of Nelson Mandela about a man known to the world as the person who wanted reconciliation and a new future for South Africa.

But that future remains sullied by racial strife and injustice.  Whereas apartheid brought its round of troubles, the end of it brought problems as well.  It was an almost-sudden happening, like desegregation in America, lifting the gates but without the underlying preparation of education and social supports to make an effective transition, according to people like Ophelia Dumars, whom Green Heritage News spoke with more than a year ago.

She said, "Integration actually put our children back.  White teachers punished our children, and black people didn't like that.  In the meantime black teachers were in short supply, and those around who disciplined white children were also looked at with suspicion.  There was not a lot of preparation or time for this to take place, and not much help afterward either.

In South Africa, the problem of the Afrikaners are often brought up by the Afrikaners as very serious, especially for farmers in the rural areas.  It is an ongoing problem, they say, the world ignores.

In the meantime, the world does recognize the efforts of good men to bring the best to the world, even if some members of that "rest of the world" does not follow through with the pronouncements.

As Obama continued with his declaration today, " And we strive to build upon his example of tolerance, compassion and reconciliation. I also join the American people, the South African people, the United Nations, and the world in celebrating the first annual Nelson Mandela International Day. I encourage us all to heed the call to engage in some form of service to others, in honor of the 67 years of sacrifice and service Madiba gave to us.  We strive to follow his example of what it means to truly give back to our communities, our nations, and our world."