Madigan: They didn’t flatter you with that lighting.

David Oaks: You’re looking so handsome! I had no idea. Your eyebrows are very sexy. (I’m completely sincere.)

“But critics worry …” That’s journalism-speak for “We don’t have any specific sources who say this, but we’ll generalize it so we have reason to focus on …”

… violence. That’s what they’re focusing on. Why am I not surprised?

So of all the things they could talk about related to Mad Pride — and related to mental health — this is what they’ve come up with: criminals and violent crime. Ugh. TV is so predictable and depressing.

Okay, so now we’re telling the story of a kid with hallucinations and delusions (the CIA, yadda yadda) who KILLS HIS MOTHER? Does the average American viewer understand how fucking rare this kind of thing is? That it’s not the necessary result of deciding not to take meds?

On to the withdrawal story: Clearly, the program wasn’t looking for a success story. This poor woman who decided to do the show so they could feed off her misery — I knew that’s what they wanted. Is she doing the withdrawal in conjunction with a doctor? Who the hell knows? The show doesn’t tell you. It hardly tells you her name. And …

Oh! There it is again: “Critics worry … ” (that she’s going to be “a time bomb” without her meds). Who are these critics worrying about this girl? Frank Rich? David Denby? I’d love to know.

“Violence is unpredictable with or without drugs.” Brilliant script.

Blurry homeless images. Madigan cello-ing. … This show is so bad, it’s like a joke. I guess it all goes back to what producer Ia Robinson told me, when we discussed my being on the show: She doesn’t have any friends or family who have mental problems, so the whole topic was like “walking on the moon.” Yes, that’s the phrase she used. The show should’ve been blasted out to Mars.

Except Joey P. He’s delightful and a voice of reason.

Shrinking municipal workforce by 13 percent, or 3,000 jobs, including:

* 1,000 positions in the Police Department, which has 6,600 officers, and 200 positions in the Fire Department, which has 2,200 firefighters.

Also:

* The closing of all city recreation centers and two city health centers.
* A shutdown of all branch and regional libraries.
* The deactivation of six fire engine companies, three ladder companies, and five medic units.
* A reduction in citywide trash pickup from weekly to twice a month.
* An end to operations at Fairmount Park and the elimination of the City Planning Commission and Commerce Department.

I’m calling bullshit on Plan C. I think this is Nutter’s way of riling people up so Harrisburg will have to do something to break the budget impasse. I really hope I’m right.

Nutter’s Plan C could cost Phila. 3,000 jobs

Unfortunately for Mumford Morgan, this unit was not called when police shot and killed him last Friday in Dilworth Plaza. Morgan, 59, who was homeless and apparently mentally ill, made 40 calls in just over two hours from an emergency call box in the concourse under the Municipal Services Building. When two police officers arrived, he raised a utility knife and was shot to death.

Mental-health advocates are rightly asking why the CIT was not called to the scene and why police did not use Tasers instead of guns to subdue Mumford. We urge the Police Department to review the case and renew its commitment to CIT.

The editorial goes on to endorse the new court by explaining its roots and purpose. Please, naysayers, read this carefully:

The court and the CIT are responses to a complex problem that began decades ago when the closing of state hospitals released mentally ill people into the community without adequate support or services.

Decades later, the high numbers of mentally ill people occupying prisons – some reports put the number at 30 percent of the inmate population – suggests that in too many cases, prisons have replaced state hospitals.

This has huge impacts on both management and budgets. Consider: The Philadelphia prison system is the largest provider of mental-health services in the state of Pennsylvania, according to a report from former city prisons chief Leon King.

The mental health court is a small step, but the right one. The new court will begin with 15 carefully screened inmates who are about to be released, who will get supervision and treatment. Funded by a state grant, the court will handle only non-violent offenders. If that works, presumably more ex-inmates will be added to the court’s supervision.

There’s no shortage of prisoners who could benefit. It’s a component of many arrests for public disturbances, theft, drugs, aggressive panhandling and – in less common instances – violent crimes. Add in addiction, homelessness, and an insufficient health-care system and it’s no surprise that more mentally ill people are receiving more treatment in jail than in hospitals.

But hospital stays are short compared to prison sentences, and mentally ill prisoners tend to be incarcerated longer than average due in part to their conditions: In jail, they might be taken off medications abruptly, which can lead to acute episodes, behavioral infractions, and more time tacked on. A similar cycle traps recently-released prisoners as they return to the community, leading to high rates of recidivism.

Full article here.

I’ve had near enough double the number of texts and phone calls about Steven Wells than I have Michael Jackson. One from a school friend I haven’t spoken to in almost 10 years. She remembered me going on and on about how bloody sexy his writing was and that despite my general dislike of NME I’d buy it regardless and read no only read his stuff.

Always controversial, always passionate and incredibly funny.

The world will be a duller place without him.

Isn’t that the truth. Not only that, but I’d love to hear what Steven would have to say about the Michael Jackson stuff — and especially about the BBC comparing his death to Princess Di’s. The fact that I have no idea what he’d say — except that it would be incredibly funny — is exactly what made him so special.

We’ll all miss Steven so much, and I’ll say more about that later. For now, I’m wishing the best to all family and friends who are hurting. That’s what Steven really cared about in the end, though he was very passionately annoyed by knitting, as well.

Steven was often told he was anti-American. I loved his passion, and he cracked us the fuck up every day. This video was part of a series he did for PW called Steven Wells’ America, in which he took sacred cows and basically grilled them for dinner. Below, he reflects on the religiosity of an America that voted for Bush a second time (Steven was a staunch atheist). Toward the end he smiles a bit, so you know that he knows he’s being ridiculous. And that’s part of what was so cute about Steven — he’d rant, but then laugh at himself.

1. Check out photos from the Centennial Conference at www.flickr.com/photos/menta…!

2. Check in during the Conference (June 10-13) to see what George Stephanopoulos, Dr. Sanjay Gupta and more had to share with us!

3. Mental Health America’s Centennial Conference is 2 Days away!

Pretty scintillating stuff. That’s the problem with Twitter. It brings out the boring in everyone.

Everyone, that is, except for the guy who’s listening the classic rock station WMGK and has a Twitter feed called mgkadnauseum. As ‘MGK is one of my guilty pleasures, I find gems like this — “WMGK is giving away free J. Geils Band tickets. Do you think they will play Centerfold?” — endlessly entertaining. (Thanks to Philebrity for the find.)

Location: Memorial Hall
Date: May 30, 2009
Distance: 5 K
Check-in: 7:30 am
Start Time: 9:00 am

For more information about this event, please contact:

Neen Davis
neendave@aol.com
Phone: 215.886-0350

You may also contact:
Greater Philadelphia NAMIWalk | CCaruso@NAMI.org
Phone: 215.886-0350 | Fax: 215.886-6974

Family Team Chair: Neen Davis
610.584-8464 | neendave@aol.com

Honorary Chair: Joseph A. Rogers, Chief Advocacy Officer, Mental Health Assn of SEPA
215.751-1800 | jrogers@mhasp.org

Business Team Chair: Bob Waters

A few years ago I wrote for PW on the experience of going to a nudist camp. At first, I thought I wouldn’t take off my clothes. But being there made me realize that clothing is actually quite artificial. I turned into Brooke Shields in The Blue Lagoon in about five minutes, and visited other nudist retreats thereafter. In fact, I would go again—I think it’s especially freeing for women, who aren’t even afforded the possibility of throwing off our tops in the puritanical U.S.

So though I’m not a nudist, or naturist, I sympathize with the cause. That’s why I was intrigued to see a “Naked Party” invitation in my mailbox at work. There were, however, problems that quicklys surfaced. First of all, the event was being held in Old City. If you’re from Philly, you’ll understand why that’s problematic: Nothing creative or culturally unconventional happens in an Old City club. Second, the advertisements for it featured women who looked like Victoria’s Secret models in exquisite lingerie. What, now? That’s not naked. That’s just a level of hotness most Philadelphians could never hope to achieve. And what about men? Do men not get naked?

The photos of the event taken by Irina Zhorov are here. They have confirmed my suspicions. You’ll see that people are not naked, though the women are dressed scantily. The guys? Clearly just there to ogle. Depressing.

Oh, James, sweet boy. When we met at Oberlin you were just a curly-headed, pink-cheeked virginal boy who still wore a signet ring with a cross on it. We briefly shared the stage together in a Noel Coward play, in which you excelled and I … spoke. You introduced me to Pet Sounds, for which I’m forever grateful. Your muscial The Sea was — and I’m being only mildly hyperbolic here — just as stunning. And now, after years of sound design, composing, acting, musicifying and otherwise distinguishing yourself in every way across the globe, you’ve won an OBIE Award!

HOLY SHIT!!!!

James’ performance in Chekhov Lizardbrain was incredible. He acted so tortured, it was like he and I were one. I think it was the best play about mental health that wasn’t about mental health that I’ve ever seen.

One thing to keep in mind, Fran says: “a voter in the hospital will need assistance from a friend to complete an Emergency Absentee Ballot. The process can be complicated to use for someone who is ill, since the completed ballot has to be hand delivered to the County Election Board….not to your local polling place.”

She also says, “In Philadelphia Remember to Vote the 2 Questions First…..so easy to forget them after choosing candidates. But important YOU be heard on these changes to the City Charter !” This is especially good advice to us with cognitive difficulties.

The below is from Paul O’Hanlon, Esq., of the Disability Rights Network:

Election Day Survival Kit for Voters with Disabilities

Pennsylvania registered a record numbers of new voters last year. If the poll worker cannot find your name on the list of registered voters, ask them to look at the list of “inactive voters.” Voters who have not voted for a few elections, or who did not receive or respond to official election mailings have been placed on a list of “inactive voters.” The act of voting will be sufficient to transfer your name from the ”inactive” to the “active” list. If your name cannot be found on either list, and if you are sure you are at the correct polling place – ask for a provisional ballot. Federal law requires that you be provided with a provisional ballot in such a case. Do not leave the polls without casting a vote!

How do I verify that I am registered to vote?
Go here.

How do I locate my correct polling place?
Go here.

Will I be required to show I.D. to vote?
All first-time voters, and all voters who are voting for the first time in a precinct, can be required to show an acceptable form of I.D. You can find a list of acceptable forms of I.D. here.

If you do not have I.D. when you go to vote, and if returning later with proper I.D. is not an option, you have a right to vote by a Provisional Ballot. Provisional Ballots receive greater scrutiny than other ballots. However, if you are registered to vote, and if your signature matches the signature on your voter’s signature card, then your Provisional Ballot should get counted. If necessary, casting a Provisional Ballot is much better than not voting at all.

Can I get assistance in the voting booth if I need it?

Voters with disabilities have the right to have the person of their choice provide assistance in the voting booth. The person providing assistance can be almost anyone — a friend, a family member, or even a poll worker. However, the assistant cannot be: (1) the voter’s employer; (2) the voter’s union representative; or (3) the Judge of Elections.

When a voter with a disability requests assistance in the voting booth, the poll worker should look up your registration card to see if it has a notation indicating that you require assistance. If there is no notation on the card, you will be required to complete a written statement explaining the nature of your disability. Some voters may be offended at intrusive questions like asking for the name, phone # and address of their doctor. But the poll workers are required to enter all this information, along with the name of the individual who provided assistance, into the “Record of Assisted Voters.” The voting process is a very formal process with many safeguards.

What if I find my polling place is not accessible on Election Day? How can I vote?

Voters with disabilities, as well as seniors 65 and older — who are assigned to inaccessible polling places — are eligible to cast an Alternative Ballot. It is called an “Alternative” ballot because it is a method of voting provided to the voter as an alternative to having an accessible location. (Some deal!)

An Alternative Ballot looks exactly like an Absentee Ballot, but a different colored envelope is used to distinguish it from an Absentee Ballot. The normal deadline to file an application for an Alternative Ballot is the Tuesday before Election Day. However, if you did not know that your polling place is inaccessible, or if you had some good cause for not being able to file by that deadline – you can still vote! The Pennsylvania Department of State created procedures for an Emergency Application for an Alternative Ballot, which may be filed as late as Election Day at 8:00 p.m. A voter with a disability who discovers on Election Day that their polling place is not accessible can file an Emergency Application for an Alternative Ballot. This Emergency Application must be filed on Election Day, before 8:00 p.m., at your County Elections Office.

What if you can’t get to your County Elections Office on Election Day?

If you are unable to travel to the County Elections Office on Election Day, you can get a friend or relative to act as your agent to travel back and forth to the County Elections Office.

You will need to prepare three forms: (1) the Emergency Application for Alternative Ballot; (2) the Designated Agent Form; and (3) the Certification of Designated Agent Form.

What if my right to vote is challenged on Election Day? What if someone says I’m not competent to vote?

In Pennsylvania, we have only 3 qualifications for a person to register and to vote. The individual must be:

• A citizen of the United States for at least one month before the election;

• A resident of Pennsylvania and the election district for at least 30 days before the election;

• At least 18 years of age on or before the day of the election.

Pennsylvania does not have any laws that restrict the right to vote of people who happen to have developmental, mental health, or physical disabilities. In rare instances, Courts issue orders depriving people of the right to vote. But, so far , “electors” in Pennsylvania cannot be challenged on competence, ability or worthiness to vote.
Persons convicted of felonies (or any other crime) are eligible to vote – only individuals currently incarcerated in penal institutions for felony convictions are denied the right to vote.

Who can I call on Election Day if I’m prevented from exercising my right to vote?

Call the Election Protection hotline at 1-866-OURVOTE (1-866-687-8683)
Voters who speak Spanish can call 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (1-888-839-8682)
or
Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania

1-800-692-7443

1-877-375-7139 (TODD)

Voting is your right. Don’t leave the polls without voting!
Your vote matters — but only if you use it!

The ACLU’s Voting Rights Project webpage details all kinds of cases in which voting rights are compromised, even in the U.S., even in 2009. I vote because I feel privileged to be able to do so. I’m one of the lucky ones, is how I think about it.

For information on Election Day if you live near me, go to the Committee of Seventy’s website.

Don't let me blow away

Bystanders at a Detroit-area flea market were stunned this weekend when high winds from a passing storm picked up a couple’s Chihuahua puppy and blew her out of sight.

After two days of searching and consulting with a pet psychic, Tinkerbell was found almost a mile away in the woods dirty but unharmed. …

“We were shocked when we found her,” Dorothy Utley, 72, told The Detroit News. “You don’t know how happy we were. We love her so much.”

It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s a … Flying Chihuahua?

It’s sad to see the desperation in the media world today, and believe me, I’m not exempting PW from that. It’s like a bunch of cut-rate magicians standing onstage, all waving their handkerchiefs frantically at the audience and producing coins out of each other’s butts. Who do you look at? None of them.

Sigh.

For more great Kalas moments, go here.

There’s an interesting piece over at The Huffington Post today, which talks about waterboarding’s secret history as a “treatment” for the insane in the 1800s. As it turns out, much of what we know about the practice in those days centers around a Philly businessman of the day named Ebenezer Haskell, who worked in Old City and was institutionalized numerous times.

And here’s an excerpt from Dan Agin’s HuffPo entry:

There are many sources that document conditions in 19th century insane asylums, but one passage in Haskell’s little book about a specific treatment is revealing. In 1867, they called it the spread-eagle cure, but these days we call it water-boarding. Ebenezer Haskell tells us the term “spread-eagle cure” was common in his time in “all asylums and prisons.” Note the conflating of asylums and prisons. More than seventy years after Benjamin Rush pushed through reforms to have mental patients kept in more humane conditions, asylums were essentially still prisons for the insane. Recall that Haskell, after each of his escapes from the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane, was “arrested” and returned to the asylum.

The spread-eagle cure, common in 1867, reveals a few things about public attitudes towards madness. The “cure” was no cure at all, simply a procedure applied to terrorize patients–especially when they were disorderly. The patient was stripped naked, thrown on the floor on his back, and then his arms and legs each gripped by one of a team of four men. The patient’s limbs were stretched out to keep him immobilized. A fifth man, a “doctor” (more often an orderly), would then stand on a chair or table at the head of the patient and pour a series of buckets of cold water on the patient’s face until the patient nearly drowned. After the treatment, the patient was returned to his dungeon supposedly “cured” of all disease, including lunacy.

According to Haskell, the shock of the treatment often caused the death of the patient. Haskell points out (five generations before our own current familiarity with this procedure) that if a steady stream of water seven or eight feet in height falls down directly on the face of a patient, the water will have the same effect as if the patient was held under water the same number of feet for the same time, since no one can breathe when water is falling directly on the nose and mouth. “It is a shock to the nervous system,” Haskell says. He knew it, the other patients knew it, and the people who managed the asylum knew it. In 19th century American asylums and prisons, they all knew the spread-eagle cure as essentially a method of terrorizing lunatics.

Proud Moments: Philly Once Led The Charge To Waterboard The Mentally Ill

How It Was: Terror and Water-Boarding the Insane in Philadelphia

Next up: Johnny Doc. I guarantee it.

I love linguistic studies, and always wanted to do one myself. I have a little bit of a Philly accent myself, as confirmed three times in the last year when people knew I was a native before I told them so. Airight, go jump in some wooder wicha.

Check it out here, but also know that Becca wanted to call it “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Nutter,” which I think is completely hilarious.