Woman’s Right or Employer’s Choice?

I thought the war was over.  For many years I have heard about progress in the women’s movement.   Women demonstrated because of discrimination in hiring, because of lower wages paid women for the same tasks performed by men.   I thought these battles had been won.  “The War on Moms” suggests otherwise.

According to Lerner there are still a huge number of women who bear most of the burden for children and family.  Women may now be paid nearly as well as men, but mostly because men are being paid less.  Furthermore the attitude toward women in the workplace has become more of a problem.   Women needing sick days, time off to take a child to the doctor, or time off to address a child’s problems at school, face altitudinal barriers that threaten their career and livelihood.   In some cases, if a woman becomes pregnant, that fact alone may harm her career.  Some employers assume that with her “right” to abortion, the woman must “fix” the problem or lose her job.

Sharon Lerner presents a mound of data to support her concern for moms.  Lerner interviewed many women from various parts of America and an impressive cross section of occupations, races, and socio-economic groups.  Leaner also gathered  employment statistics from credible sources such as: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Rutgers Center for American Women in Politics; Bureau of Labor Statistics; National Vital Statistics Report, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; U.S. Department of Labor; and even the CIA.

Sharon Lerner bemoans the reality that the USA does not support maternity leave for women in the workplace.  In 1919, at an international conference on labor, thirty three countries recognized protected leave for childbirth, but the United States abstained.  Today 120 developed countries have adopted maternity leave policies, but the USA has yet to act.   Typically, in the USA, women must leave their jobs to have time for childbirth, and those that do not must take only a few “sick days” and quickly return to work.  Sharon Lerner considers this lack of support barbaric.

I recommend “The War on Moms”.  It is an interesting policy paper on an important topic.  I believe the issues presented in this thesis and the portrait drawn of our society is worth pondering.

]]> http://www.easleyedition.com/?feed=rss2&p=144 http://www.easleyedition.com/?p=143 http://www.easleyedition.com/?p=143#comments Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:45:13 +0000 Easley Wayne http://www.easleyedition.com/?p=143
THE LAST POPE by  LUIS MIGUEL ROCHA

Thrilling Tale

When my wife gave me this book to read and said it was as exciting as Dan Brown’s thrillers, I was doubtful. Dan Brown demonstrated imagination in dealing with semi-historical plots, stretching credibility but telling a good story. Could Luis Miguel Rocha do as well? In my judgment the comparison is valid.
The Last Pope is a very fast paced mystery, with rapidly changing scenes and multiple characters. Prepare yourself for a thrilling suspenseful ride, filled with dangerous enemies lurking in shadows and a heroine facing danger without being able to recognize her enemy.
Beginning the novel we are introduced to Albino Luciani, a healthy sixty six year old man who, against his wishes, was elected Pope. Thirty three days later, as John Paul I, he was dead. Within twenty four hours, Albino Luciani’s body was embalmed and his apartment throughly cleaned. Could this Pope have been assassinated?
Although this novel is not a historical, The Last Pope is an exciting novel. Using a few actual events, the story suggests that the Pope was killed to cover-up financial and possible mafia activities inside the Vatican.
Twenty eight years after the death of John Paul I “evidence” was sent to a journalist who suddenly finds herself running to avoid professional secret agents resolved to destroy the information and to do anything to silence anyone with knowledge of Vatican activities before and since John Paul’s papacy.
The death of the Pope occurs near the beginning of the novel, which keeps the reader in suspense during most of the book. Was the Pope actually killed? Who could avoid security and perform the murder undetected? Why accept the assumption that a healthy man died of a massive coronary without warning? What could be a motive?
Since I was able to suspence credulity, I enjoyed The Last Pope. Many of the characters in the church were based upon actual people. Most of the characters involved in the sinister plot were also based upon actual people. The plot is reasonable and the action entertaining. I highly recommend this book to those who love a good thrilling mystery.

In 1916 Morgan Llywelyn provides us with a rousing view of  the Irish uprising of 1916.  Llywelyn’s novel is historical fiction with emphasis upon the fiction.   Morgan’s characters are fresh and real and she relates the events leading to the uprising from multiple perspectives.  I do recommend this novel, but it is not her best.

1916 centers upon the life of Edward Joseph (Ned) Halloran, a poor boy from county Clare, who loses both of his parents on the Titanic.   His relatives enroll him in an Irish school in Dublin, which provides the opportunity for an education and access to numerous Irish revolutionary  leaders.  The fictional character, Ned, becomes the vehicle by which Llywelyn provides a view into the activities of the Irish nationalistic movement.

Beginning with his schooling, Ned encounters most of the vital characters of the Irish independence.  He becomes close friends of many of the key persons.   So we meet, and come to know major figures in Irish history such as: Padraic Pearse, Thomas Clarke, Thomas MacDonagh, and Joseph Plunkett.  We gain an acquaintanceship with James Connolly, Eamonn Ceannt, Eamon de Valera, and Constance Markievicz.  After reading 1916,  these heroes of Irish history are now friends.

This is a detailed historical approach.  1916 has vivid battle scenes, reveals intimate relationships of friends, and pictures the grief and oppression of poverty.  Llywelyn presents many significant details of daily living so that we may understand the society of Dublin and Ireland.  Through Ned’s activities we learn the Irish culture and the seeds of resistance to Great Britain.  With Ned’s help we come to dislike the English military, and the political domination of Ireland.  With Ned we begin to understand the deprivation of imperialism upon the people.

Unfortunately, the great emphasis upon Ned, his sister, and his girlfriend, detract from the novel.  The sinking of the Titanic, an affair between a fictional priest and a fictional lady, and Ned’s growing love for a prostitute , were unnecessary distractions.  At 521 pages this is a lengthy book.  I believe the story would be better told through the eyes of an impartial observer, like a newspaper reporter.  To me this would put the emphasis upon the historical characters and events, which need no enhancement.

I have read two other books by Morgan Llywelyn (Bard, Red Branch), this is not her best.  I recommend this novel for its excellent portrayal of history.

I believe a book should be judged by its design.  The Last Word by Kathy Herman is designed for Christians who are proud of their faith and also enjoy well written thrillers.

I highly recommend The Last Word to two audiences:  Christians  who believe in the Bible and accept Christ as Savior; and people who love suspense novels.

Kathy Herman’s latest novel is a Christian Thriller with multiple sub-plots.   The Last Word details the struggle of Brill Jessup, Chief of Police of Sophie Trace, Tennessee to control a murder spree and threat to her own life.  The author shares with us the strategy of both the manhunt and the scheme to protect potential victims.

I count three main plots:  Chief Jessup’s efforts to catch a vengeful ex convict before he slays any more public officials;  Vanessa Jessup’s struggle to regain the faith she had abandoned at college; and the attempts of Ty Nicholson and Merrick Fountain to establish their purpose in life.

In The Last Word, characters wonder about people who have been victimized by crime, and ask if they given themselves to the Lord?  Did they have that chance?  The characters ponder what makes some people evil, and what turns them toward a life of crime and violence?

In the story, characters consider what God calls them to do in violent situations.   Should they forgive  the violent criminals?  How do you comfort the families of victims?  What do you say when they ask why God allowed their loved one to suffer or die?

Kathy Herman’s novel is full of well drawn characters, a fascinating mystery, and a plethora of teachings about Christianity.  This is an excellent book for any Christian.

James Landis’ excellent new novel, the Last Day, is very different in modern literature.  The Last day is two stories in one: an embedded view of combat through the eyes of a soldier, and a one day redemptive journey with Jesus.  Both are excellent narratives with exquisite detail and vivid  events.

First, this is the tale of a combat soldier, Specialist Warren (nicknamed War) Pease.  War, a master sniper, relates, in exacting detail, adventures of his combat missions in Iraq.  Through his eyes, we see the battles, his compatriots, the Iraqi culture and people.  His descriptions are so clear that I felt I was walking by his side.

Second, this is the chronicle of a spiritual journey with Jesus.  War spends one complete day with Jesus.  Jesus walks with him, eats with him, and visits his family and friends with him.  The chronicle is almost mundane in its detail.  While Jesus gently quotes His scripture, we discover the importance of turtles, flowers, grass and rocks,  This exacting detail greatly enhances the experience.  We learn about Jesus and Warren through their relation to the people, creatures and objects of this earth.

The Last Day is a very spiritual book, but not a book of theology.  Some many be offended that Jesus is presented as an ordinary man, but in this presentation of a twenty-first century human Jesus, we begin to see the devine.  This Jesus loves everyone and everything. This Jesus gently and subtly invites each person he encounters to accept Him and themselves.  This Jesus cares about all His creation.   This Jesus is the healing, reconciling, suffering servant of the book of Isaiah.

The Last Day is an outstanding spiritual novel.  I highly recommend this book.