2011 - September back through July - Upcoming Events Archive

Wednesday, September 28th from 7 PM to 9 PM
Hosts: Beth & Roy B.

Living Ethics Discussion

the topic is:
"What would motivate you to take to the streets?"

Many of our members have protested and rallied for causes in the past. What’s happening right now in our country or the world that you would be willing to stand up and fight for (or against)? We will watch a segment from the Rachel Maddow show that summarizes some of the possible nominees for issues that would motivate us to take to the streets, and then we’ll watch a segment from Lawrence O’Donnell about the "Occupying Wall Street" protests. Afterward, we will discuss the topic.

Invitation open to members of the Society and their guests.
If you wish, you may RSVP Mr. Bob Greenwell by email.

Friday, September 23th from 4 PM to 11 PM
Saturday, September 24th from 10 AM to 11 PM
Sunday, September 25th, from 10 AM to 5 PM
Frontier Park off Riverside Drive in Old St. Charles

Special Event - Oktoberfest

... From the Oktoberfest web site:
Willkommen ("Welcome!"),

"Whether you come for shopping, food or fun...
...you will find something to enjoy."

ESMR will have two adjoining booths - one for the ESMR Crafts, & one for food & beverages.

We're cooking up the most delicious knackwursts (mit der 'Kraut)
und hamburgers und chips und chocolate chip cookies und ice-cold soda pop!

Invitation open to EVERYBODY!!!
See you there!

Sunday, September 25th from 11:00 AM 'til Noon
University of Missouri Extension Center
260 Brown Road in Saint Peters. (roadmap)

Sunday Program

"The People Speak"

Less than two months before his death in January of 2010, author of "A People’s History of the United States" Howard Zinn sat down for an interview wi "The People Speak".

"The People Speak" features a cast of astounding actors, poets, writers, and musicians coming together to reflect the experiences of Americans who made a difference by speaking up and eventually effecting change in our country. The interview includes clips of some of these moving narratives, delivered by such notable actors as Viggo Mortensen, Marisa Tomei, and Kerry Washington.

Zinn, known as the historian of the everyday man and woman, said, "They’re willing to let people think about mild reforms and little changes, but they don’t want people to think that we could actually transform this country".

The general public is invited.
Questions? Comments? Contact Mr. Bob Greenwell by email.

Wednesday, September 21st from 7 PM to 9 PM
Hosts: Jill & Bill A.

Living Ethics Discussion

the topic is:
"Depressing and Angering Environmental Inaction"

Sunday we saw an updated presentation of aspects of Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth. Humanity is on a collision course, a collision with reality. Humanity, especially in industrialized parts of the world like ours, is refusing to stop. This refusal is upsetting. And angering.

First, there's ignorance. A major report came out last week from Europe (www.clamer.eu). A survey of 10,000 Europeans included this item: "Some 86% of respondents said climate change is caused entirely, mainly, or in part by human activities. Only 8% thought it was mainly or entirely caused by natural processes; in the United States, around 32-36% hold this view." One-third of Americans are denying reality.

Second, something is causing the ignorance in the U.S. How much has the public been "taught" by the giant corporations that seek short-term benefit from a misinformed public pressuring politicians?

Invitation open to members of the Society and their guests.
If you wish, you may RSVP Mr. Bob Greenwell by email.

Sunday, September 18th from 11:00 AM 'til Noon
University of Missouri Extension Center
260 Brown Road in Saint Peters. (roadmap)

Sunday Lecture Series

"How climate change is changing reality"

Our speaker is Brian Bozek, Associate Professor of Mathematics at Saint Louis Community College at Florissant Valley.

From severe droughts to stronger hurricanes, earth is experiencing dramatic changes due to rising temperatures. Come and learn about the basic science behind global warming, the affects it is having on our planet and what you can do to meet this challenge. This slide show presentation is based on the academy award winning movie "An Inconvenient Truth"

Bio: Brian Bozek is currently an Associate Professor of Mathematics at Saint Louis Community College at Florissant Valley. Originally from Massachusetts, Brian came to the Midwest to obtain a graduate degree in mathematics from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.

In 2007, Brian was accepted into Al Gore’s "Climate Training Project". This initiative trained over 1000 individuals from around the country to give the slide show presentation that was developed by Al Gore and highlighted in his movie “An Inconvenient Truth”.

Since then, Brian has given over 35 presentations on this subject to groups ranging in diversity from church youth groups to college faculty members.

The general public is invited.
Questions? Comments? Contact Mr. Bob Greenwell by email.

Saturday, September 17th
Contact Kathy R. for meeting place and other arrangements
to get to Ronald McDonald House by 5 PM to begin cooking
at 4381 West Pine Blvd, STL, MO, 63108

Ronald McDonald House

"Nothin' Beats Home-Cookin'!"
...especially when family must be with hospitalized loved-ones.

On the third Saturday of each month (this month being a rare exception), a crew from Ethical Society Mid Rivers prepares dinner at the West Pine location of Ronald McDonald House in St. Louis. We have been doing this for more than three years, and we have committed to continue through 2011.

Contact Kathy R. to participate in this worthwhile project and/or if you have questions.

Mark your calendar for these coming Saturdays:
15 Oct, 19 Nov, & 17 Dec

Check out the NEW, 300th Ronald McDonald House!
For more information about the Ronald McDonald House Charity, click here.

Sunday, September 11th from 11:00 AM 'til Noon
University of Missouri Extension Center
260 Brown Road in Saint Peters. (roadmap)

Sunday Lecture Series

"The Alabamafication of America"

Our speaker is Pamela Sumners, Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri.

Recent attacks on women's reproductive rights by Republican governors in numerous states have caused widespread concern and alarm. Pamela Sumners will discuss these developments and explain how we can help to push back this tide of onerous and dangerous legislation.

Pamela Sumners is a constitutional and civil rights lawyer whose practice has included nine Supreme Court cases. She is also the author of an employment-discrimination textbook.
Pamela attended the University of Virginia School of Law where she served on the editorial board of the Virginia Law Review and was a research fellow for the Thomas Jefferson Center for Free Expression. She received her M.A. in political science from Syracuse University as a Maxwell fellow and Harry S Truman Scholar and her B.A. from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri with dual majors in political science and English literature/creative writing.

Pamela, a native of Alabama, was a staff attorney for Morris Dees’ Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery and a cooperating attorney for the ACLU of Alabama on its internationally noted religion cases. Pamela litigated a school-prayer case that went to the Supreme Court three times, in which the governor claimed the Bill of Rights did not apply to Alabama, a case involving the religious rights of the only four Jewish children in a rural Alabama school district, and the first two cases challenging Judge Roy Moore’s hanging of a sectarian Ten Commandments plaque behind the judicial bench and his practice of compelling jurors under subpoena to join in sectarian prayer. In the course of her private practice, Pamela litigated hundreds of sexual and racial harassment and discrimination cases.

Pamela served as staff counsel and director of the ACLU AIDS and Civil Liberties Project in Chicago before coming to NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri in July 2005 to serve as its executive director. During Pamela’s tenure, NARAL’s board and budget have tripled and NARAL has focused on grooming young pro-choice men and women for leadership of the organization and in the pro-choice movement.

The general public is invited.
Questions? Comments? Contact Mr. Bob Greenwell by email.

Sunday, September 11th from 10:00 AM 'til 10:30 AM
University of Missouri Extension Center
260 Brown Road in Saint Peters. (roadmap)

Delicious Pancake & Sausage Breakfast

"A Fun-Raiser Extraordinaire"

This Sunday we will be having another yummy all-you-can-eat pancake & sausage breakfast. Volunteers who are helping to cook need to be at the Brown Road building at 9:00. We will serve at 10:00 and stop serving at 10:30 so we can get ready for the Platform Presentation at 11:00.

$5 for adults, $1 for kids under 12.

Thanks so much for supporting our last breakfast, and we look forward to seeing you at this one!

The general public is invited.

Wednesday, September 7th from 7 PM to 9 PM
Host: Hannah Z.

Living Ethics Discussion

the topic is:
"Drawing the Line on Open Mindedness"

As Ethical Humanists, we pride ourselves in being open minded. However, there comes a point where we have to make judgments, and at that point we may seem closed minded. When this happens are we really closed minded?

Can we justify this ethically, even though our minds are no longer technically open on a particular subject? How does open mindedness relate to tolerance?

Invitation open to members of the Society and their guests.
If you wish, you may RSVP Mr. Bob Greenwell by email.

Wednesday, August 31st from 7 PM to 9 PM
Host: Liz S.

Living Ethics Discussion

the topic is:
"Living with Animals".

Let's watch a 2007 video of Jane Goodall, 23 minutes in length, about helping humans and animals live together. Here's the link: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/jane_goodall_at_tedglobal_07.html

Is there some difference between human animals and other animals which justifies humans eating the others? [We're superior?]

Is there some sameness between us and them which justifies us eating them? [Hey, we're just animals!]

That's one aspect of living together. There are many others. Let Jane Goodall stimulate your mind and heart, and then we'll talk as our group imagination leads us.

If you'd like a short 5-minute prep with Jane Goodall, you might try this on YouTube, produced by National Geographic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKyrLFyOi04

Invitation open to members of the Society and their guests.
If you wish, you may RSVP Mr. Bob Greenwell by email.

Sunday, August 28th from noontime 'til about 1:00 PM
University of Missouri Extension Center
260 Brown Road in Saint Peters. (roadmap)

Potluck Dinner

It's Potluck Sunday! After the lecture, please join us for lunch.

First-time visitors are invited to attend and bring no food item for the table. Others: bring a dish, any dish, from soup to salad to sandwich to entrée to side dish to dessert.

The oven is available to keep things warm, and a large 'fridge to keep things cool, and there are lots of outlets for crockpots, etc.; and the microwave is available right after the lecture ends. (Please avoid any item that requires your attention from 11 to noon, since any sound in the kitchen is amplified into the room where our 11:00 a.m. program is in progress.)

Even if you don't bring a dish or beverage, at least bring your appetite! See you then!

The general public is invited.

Sunday, August 28th from 11:00 AM 'til Noon
University of Missouri Extension Center
260 Brown Road in Saint Peters. (roadmap)

Sunday Lecture Series

"What Separates Us From the Apes"

This week’s program will be a video presentation by Jane Goodall called "What Separates Us From the Apes". In this talk, Jane Goodall presents a powerful environmental message based on her 45 years of experience working with chimps in Tanzania.

Following the video presentation, Program Committee member Liz Smith will lead us in a brief discussion/Q&A session.

The general public is invited.
Questions? Comments? Contact Mr. Bob Greenwell by email.

Wednesday, August 24th from 7 PM to 9 PM
Hosts: John H. & Lionel

Living Ethics Discussion

the topic is:
"Men Marrying Men, Women Women"

We had a truly great presentation from Ed Reggi and Scott Emanuel on Sunday. They were legally married in Iowa, and they organize bus trips for gay couples to Iowa City to get married. We will watch a wonderful, straightforward 7-minute documentary of the very first "Love Bus" trip, and then allow ourselves to talk freely.

We know that being attracted to the same sex is basically a genetic thing. But what do the genes do? What kind of psychology and emotionality do the genes generate? What can straight men learn from gay men about appreciating other men? What can straight women learn from gay women about appreciating other women? Is the truth more that we straights are repressing something inside rather than that gays are expressing something weird?

Imagine this as a Star Trek episode that goes as follows. A planet is discovered where there's a general Love Drive. But this Love Drive gets severely whittled down, by the force of the merciless equation that those sexual species that reproduce more than they die are the only species that live on.

The Love Drive is cramped in men to the point that men cannot feel the Love Drive toward other men (half the population!), and women cannot feel the Love Drive toward other women. It is in most every person, but repressed.

Fortunately for the culture of the species, there are a minority of individuals who escape the restriction, and are able to more fully experience the general Love Drive. What will naturally happen? A man whose Love Drive is wide open--let's call him an "Open Man" and feels attracted to a man whose Love Drive is constricted will not have a very fulfilling relationship. So he will naturally gravitate toward men whose Love Drive is also open to loving men.

But what about an Open Man and a Constricted (Straight) Woman? Even though the man is attracted to the woman and the woman is attracted to the man, there can be hidden tensions. The woman may be suspicious or worried about the man's apparent indifference to culturally defined “manly” things. So, again, the tendency will be for Open Men to find and commit to Open Men, and for Open Women to find Open Women, and we will call them gays or lesbians.

But again, what about an Open Man and an Open Woman? To us, it will look like these two people are Straight. But in their hearts and attitudes, they are different, they are fully free. If we could see their insides, we could see the difference, and we might call them bisexuals. But our name for them would be misleading, because sex isn't the issue at all.

Star Trek themes are almost always worth musing about!

Invitation open to members of the Society and their guests.
If you wish, you may RSVP Mr. Bob Greenwell by email.

Sunday, August 21st from 11:00 AM 'til Noon
University of Missouri Extension Center
260 Brown Road in Saint Peters. (roadmap)

Sunday Lecture Series

"The Marriage Equality Bus"

Our speakers are Ed Reggi and Scott Emmanuel.

Ed and Scott are local activists (married to one another) who sponsor chartered buses to travel to Iowa to allow other same-sex couples to obtain legal marriages. Both St. Louis Ethical Society Leader Kate Lovelady and our leader, Bob Greenwell, have accompanied the participants to Iowa and performed weddings.

Ed is also an active protestor of Fred Phelps’ Westboro Baptist Church protests.

The Society endorses this project, and we will take a special collection this Sunday to help finance the next “Love Bus” trip.

The general public is invited.
Questions? Comments? Contact Mr. Bob Greenwell by email.

Saturday, August 20th
Contact Kathy R. for meeting place and other arrangements
to get to Ronald McDonald House by 5 PM to begin cooking
at 4381 West Pine Blvd, STL, MO, 63108

Ronald McDonald House

"Nothin' Beats Home-Cookin'!"
...especially when family must be with hospitalized loved-ones.

Mark your calendar for these coming Saturdays:
17 Sep, 15 Oct, 19 Nov, & 17 Dec

Check out the NEW, 300th Ronald McDonald House!
For more information about the Ronald McDonald House Charity, click here.

Wednesday, August 17th from 7 PM to 9 PM
Host: Craig S.

Living Ethics Discussion

the topic is:
"Ethical Deception"

Last Sunday we watched some video clips of an expert on when and why humans lie. Then we discussed it among ourselves. The clips (of Mark Knapp) and our discussions were very thought-provoking.

He said that humans have a "truth bias" that inclines us to believe that people are telling us the truth more often than they really are. What do you think about this?

He said that if we perceived the actual degree of lying around us, we'd probably have less pleasant lives. What do you think? Would this apply to self-deception as well?

He argued, and we made our own similar points in discussion, that we cannot simply say that all lying is wrong. What about protecting the innocent by deceiving people who are molesting them or are out to kill them? And what about whistleblowers? And what about not blowing the whistle in order to protect one's own job? In the Worth Service, my main moral for the kids (and sideways for the adults too!) was that when we say something to another person, the most important thing is not whether what we say is "true" or "false" but whether it helps to bring out that person's best.

If every person's "reality" is different, what does lying even mean?

When you ask someone, "How are you?" do you want them to tell you the truth, or maybe want them to lie a little?

These are just some starter-questions for us this week.

Invitation open to members of the Society and their guests.
If you wish, you may RSVP Mr. Bob Greenwell by email.

Sunday, August 14th from 11:00 AM 'til Noon
University of Missouri Extension Center
260 Brown Road in Saint Peters. (roadmap)

Sunday Colloquy

"Ethical Deception?"

Even though most ethical people believe that honesty is an important value, there are times when our commitment to honesty collides with our commitment to other values.

What happens when being honest conflicts with compassion, for instance? What happens when elling the truth could result in physical harm to someone?

We will watch a few video clips from renowned communication scholar Mark Knapp on the subject, and then we will break into small groups for discussion.

Mark Knapp is Professor Emeritus at the University of Texas at Austin and author of numerous books, including Lying and Deception in Human Interaction.

The general public is invited.
Questions? Comments? Contact Mr. Bob Greenwell by email.

Sunday, August 14th from 10:00 AM 'til 10:30 AM
University of Missouri Extension Center
260 Brown Road in Saint Peters. (roadmap)

Delicious Pancake & Sausage Breakfast

"A Fun-Raiser Extraordinaire"

$5 for adults, $1 for kids under 12.

Thanks so much for supporting our last breakfast, and we look forward to seeing you at this one!

The general public is invited.

Wednesday, August 10th from 6:45 PM to 8:45 PM
Host: Chuck F.
St. Charles County Library - Deer Run Branch, Mtg Room A
1300 North Main Street
O' Fallon, MO 63366
(636) 978-3251

Living Ethics Discussion

the topic is:
"Liberals and Conservatives -
Should we love or restrain each other?"

From Leader Bob Greenwell, "Those of you who heard my talk Sunday seemed to really like the idea that liberals and conservatives have different brains. So here's one link to an article about that (though you can find many more): cbsnews.com

Today I Googled ["liberal virtues" "conservative virtues" ] and came up with a second, brief and surprisingly good article.

Let's go through it together and talk about its ideas of what some conservative virtues are and liberal virtues are. Let's see if we notice a liberal or conservative slant in the author's approach. And in the process see if we can come up with some good answers to the question given in the topic.

Here's the link to that second article: Definitions-Liberal-Conservative"

Invitation open to members of the Society and their guests.
If you wish, you may RSVP Mr. Bob Greenwell by email.

Sunday, August 8th from 11:00 AM 'til Noon
University of Missouri Extension Center
260 Brown Road in Saint Peters. (roadmap)

Sunday Lecture Series

"Conservatives and Liberals: The Ethical Difference"

Our speaker this week will be leader, Bob Greenwell.

Sometimes conservatives are such a puzzle to liberals. And vice versa! How can either feel warmly or friendly or just tolerantly toward the other when the other seems so, well, perverse! Bob has been studying this and thinking about this for years, and will attempt to shine some light. Issues and examples that will come up include: The Tea Party, the conservative suspicion of "equality", the liberal tendency toward laxity, and the questions "What are liberals good for?" and "What are conservatives good for?"

The general public is invited.
Questions? Comments? Contact Mr. Bob Greenwell by email.

Wednesday, August 3rd from 7 PM to 9 PM
Hosts: Sarah V. & Craig B.

Living Ethics Discussion

the topic is:
"Kids Can't Learn? Teachers Can't Teach?"

Carl Peterson was our speaker Sunday, and he gave an excellent presentation. He analyzed the data behind the apparent failings of our schools. There are some surprising factors behind the appearances. Let's look at these factors one by one and talk about ethics, learning, intelligence, and determination.

Here's an excellent article Carl wrote last month for the Journals:
Click here for article

(In case you have trouble with this link, just Google "Carl Peterson" St. Charles and the Opinion Shaper article by him should be the first thing to come up.)

Invitation open to members of the Society and their guests.
If you wish, you may RSVP Mr. Bob Greenwell by email.

Sunday, July 31st from noontime 'til about 1:00 PM
University of Missouri Extension Center
260 Brown Road in Saint Peters. (roadmap)

Potluck Dinner

It's Potluck Sunday! After the lecture, please join us for lunch.

The general public is invited.

Sunday, July 31st from 11:00 AM 'til Noon
University of Missouri Extension Center
260 Brown Road in Saint Peters. (roadmap)

Sunday Lecture Series

"Is American education really that bad?"

Our speaker this week will be Carl Peterson.

Carl will discuss what the critics of our education system are saying about it and why. He will relate those criticisms based on test scores on the state, national, and international level. He will review the data from those tests, and then conclude by talking about what other countries do and what we can do to improve education.

Carl Peterson is an engineer and small business man living in St. Charles. His wife is a teacher in the Ferguson-Florissant school district. He became involved in the schools as PTO president of Halls Ferry School in Florissant. In 1975, the federal court ordered Ferguson-Florissant merged with the Berkeley and the Kinloch school districts. Half of Halls Ferry’s children were bused in from an apartment complex in Kinloch.

When the infamous Pruitt Igoe housing project was demolished, this apartment complex in Kinloch was built to house the displaced residents of Pruitt Igoe. These were children of tremendous needs, and Carl ran for the school board to give voice to these children. He served two terms and was president of the board. His wife is now a teacher for gifted education.

Carl got re-involved in education after his wife had a class of 2nd graders in which 24 of 28 could not read at the 2nd grade level. He became incensed at the constant criticism of public education and wrote so many letters to the editor that he was invited to meet their editorial staff. Carl currently writes about 5 columns a year, many on education, for the Opinion Shaper part of the St. Charles Suburban Journal.

The general public is invited.
Questions? Comments? Contact Mr. Bob Greenwell by email.

Wednesday, July 27th from 7 PM to 9 PM
Hosts: Beth & Roy B.

Living Ethics Discussion

the topic is:
"Bees, Humans, Social Life, and Ethics"

&Let's have some fun imagining and exploring the possibilities of learning from the honeybees. The value of the individual and the value of the social group. Here are five resources for your optional review.

Invitation open to members of the Society and their guests.
If you wish, you may RSVP Mr. Bob Greenwell by email.

Sunday, July 24th from 11:00 AM 'til Noon
University of Missouri Extension Center
260 Brown Road in Saint Peters. (roadmap)

Sunday Lecture Series

John Timmons of Three Rivers Beekeepers

John will bring bees and talk about the fascinating world of beekeeping and the danger of Colony Collapse Disorder, which threatens the very existence of a number of world crops that depend on pollination.

The general public is invited.
Questions? Comments? Contact Mr. Bob Greenwell by email.

Wednesday, July 20th from 7 PM to 9 PM
Host: Sara S.

Living Ethics Discussion

the topic is:
to be announced...

On Sunday our guest speaker Raymond Castile told us that once he gave a talk on the homeless in St. Charles County to a group of businessmen, and during the Q&A one of them said in an indignant and loud voice, "Where's their family! Where's their parents, their grown children! That's who's supposed to take care of people when they get into trouble!"

What's this all about?

This will be our topic: "Getting Personal Balance When Facing All the World's Needs"

Was there a defensiveness in that businessman's remark? A justifiable defense?

Ethically, we do want to open our minds and our hearts to the suffering of others. How far do we go in this opening, and in our responsiveness?

Invitation open to members of the Society and their guests.
If you wish, you may RSVP Mr. Bob Greenwell by email.

Sunday, July 17th from 11:00 AM 'til Noon
University of Missouri Extension Center
260 Brown Road in Saint Peters. (roadmap)

Sunday Lecture Series

"The Hidden Homeless: Uncovering an Epidemic"

Raymond Castile is a reporter for the Suburban Journals in St. Charles County. He began his journalism career 14 years ago, freelancing for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He joined the Journals in 1998. Raymond specializes in covering the problems facing the poor and homeless.

Last year, Raymond collaborated with members of the Vision Leadership program to create a public awareness program about homelessness in St. Charles County. Raymond and Vision member Nancy Cope spent months speaking to civic, church and governmental groups around the county, trying to spur action.

Raymond is a member of a task force formed by former St. Charles Mayor Patti York that is working to create a seasonal shelter for homeless men in St. Charles. He is still trying to gather support for creating a year-round men's shelter in St. Charles County.

The general public is invited.
Questions? Comments? Contact Mr. Bob Greenwell by email.

Sunday, July 17th from 10:00 AM 'til 10:30 AM
University of Missouri Extension Center
260 Brown Road in Saint Peters. (roadmap)

Delicious Pancake & Sausage Breakfast

"A Fun-Raiser Extraordinaire"

$5 for adults, $1 for kids under 12.

Thanks so much for supporting our last breakfast, and we look forward to seeing you at this one!

The general public is invited.

Saturday, July 16th
Contact Kathy R. for meeting place and other arrangements
to get to Ronald McDonald House by 5 PM to begin cooking
at 4381 West Pine Blvd, STL, MO, 63108

Ronald McDonald House

"Nothin' Beats Home-Cookin'!"
...especially when family must be with hospitalized loved-ones.

Mark your calendar for these coming Saturdays:
20 Aug, 17 Sep, 15 Oct, 19 Nov, & 17 Dec

Check out the NEW, 300th Ronald McDonald House!
For more information about the Ronald McDonald House Charity, click here.

Wednesday, July 13th from 7 PM to 9 PM
Hosts: Jen & Roger M.

Living Ethics Discussion

the topic is:
"Cuba: Is That What It Means to be Liberal?"

Our speaker last Sunday, Don Fitz, talked about Cuba's Medical School and Cuba's health care system. His daughter has actually graduated from the school and is currently studying to pass the U.S. Boards in order to practice in the U.S.

If you missed his highly enlightening talk, here are two links to a great article he wrote which gives most of the same points: http://links.org.au/node/2082 or http://www.zcommunications.org/health-care-in-the-us-and-cuba-by-don-fitz

In the past two weeks at LED, we've discussed what it means to be liberal or conservative or something else from several perspectives. Here's another perspective: Cuba's way.

I've argued that there are genuine liberal and conservative ethical values. Yet the Ethical Movement is certainly liberal. Why wouldn't it be equally liberal and conservative, aiming for some synthesis of the two? I'd like to hear your thoughts.

Invitation open to members of the Society and their guests.
If you wish, you may RSVP Mr. Bob Greenwell by email.

Sunday, July 10th from 11:00 AM 'til Noon
University of Missouri Extension Center
260 Brown Road in Saint Peters. (roadmap)

Sunday Lecture Series

"What Does Medical School in Cuba Mean for the U.S.?"

Every year that goes by, Cuba becomes better known for its medical care. Its Latin American School of Medicine trains over 20,000 students from Latin American and Africa. They will return home to practice medicine in distressed communities. Cuba provides their education free along with their books, dorm room, meals and health care. They become doctors with no school loans to pay off. Cuba’s unique medical training aims to produce doctors who listen to their patients and learn from them.

Bio: Don Fitz is editor of Synthesis/Regeneration: A Magazine of Green Social Thought, which is sent to members of The Greens/Green Party USA. He is Co-coordinator of the Green Party of St. Louis, produces the show Green Time in conjunction with KNLC-TV, and has hosted several labor and environmental gatherings in St. Louis, most recently the 2008 conference, "Surviving Climate Change". While teaching psychology at Washington University and St. Louis Community College Forest Park he has written several articles exploring how to improve the quality of life while reducing the total mass of production.

Don Fitz has taught a variety of psychology courses at the University of Texas at Austin, Austin Community College, Valparaiso University, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, the University of Missouri at St. Louis, Maryville College, Harris-Stowe State University, St. Louis Community College at Meramec and Forest Park, Fontbonne University and Washington University.

The general public is invited.
Questions? Comments? Contact Mr. Bob Greenwell by email.

Saturday, July 9th from 9:15 AM 'til ???
Meet at Arby's Roast Beef Restaurant
909 Robert Raymond Drive, Lake Saint Louis, 63367
Map

Ethical Action

Adopt-A-Highway

ESMR has adopted a stretch of highway (county road N) for roadside clean-up in O'Fallon.

To volunteer to help with this project, you can sign-up at our Meetup page.

ESMR members & their guests are invited.

Wednesday, July 6th from 7 PM to 9 PM
Host: Dee M.

Living Ethics Discussion

the topic is:
"Patriotism and Liberalism"

A lot of grand music and patriotic declarations over the weekend!

What is patriotism in an ethical life? Is it a liberal or a conservative value?

In what ways are you liberal? In what ways are you conservative?

The Ethical Movement is liberal in the general sense of being open-minded and anti-authoritarian, yet Adler himself had a number of conservative traits. What is your personal unique, complex blend?

Invitation open to members of the Society and their guests.
If you wish, you may RSVP Mr. Bob Greenwell by email.