As American as Apple Pie:  Domestic Violence and The Abuse of Power to Tarnish Victims' Credibility
-Susan Cook-

The other day on a radio call-in program, Susan Collins, Maine's Senator, justified her vote for Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court because (she said this) even though she thought something awful happened to PhD Holder and Academic Scholar Christine Blasey-Ford, Susan Collins didn't think it was Brett Kavanaugh who did it. In other words, Susan Collins just can't bring herself to grant Dr Ford credibility. Playing both ends against the middle, this time with Dr Ford's credibility, like she has in the US Senate. At the same time, Susan Collins said that to believe Dr. Ford threatens the entire judicial standard of innocent until proven guilty. What she didn't say is that by automatically granting credibility to a Job Applicant over his accusing victim, she replicates an abuse of power that keeps victims silent.

Two of the most agonizing moments for assault victims are when it happens and when the victim discloses. For women, credibility is immediately questioned- with or without professional accomplishment, with or without the scrutiny of a large audience.

On men's side, and on the side of Susan Collins who has gained longevity by playing the middle against both ends, is Power and the fact that men require less Proof to back up their statements than women do. We have seen the backwash from men finally held accountable for their abuse of power in the #Me too movement. Many of those men remain "miffed" or staunch in their refusal to take responsibility for the abuse of that discrepancy - financially, culturally, physically, in professional hierarchies ( 80.7 cents for women for every dollar men make). Indeed, many fall back on their reverence for "Power" to justify the reluctance to continue to fight #Me too.

The Public Radio host whose host public radio organization distanced themselves rapidly finally published his NOT "Mea Culpa" column, advising the reader to "look what happened to me" over a "harmless flirtation". Discrepancy of power places whoever was on the receiving end of the "harmless flirtation", in a subjugated position. Power interferes with saying "No", further undermined when, as the Pubic Radio host said, "she worked for me but it never happened in the office." He called upon his concern for the powerlessness of children in the NOT "Mea Culpa" piece to explain how he has managed to water down his anger toward #Me too which remember "Look what it did" to him. A negligent out not unlike Susan Collins claiming herself the better judge of what happened to Christine Blasey Ford. The magnitude of the discrepancy in physical power of adolescent boys and adolescent girls is not that hard to fathom.

This call-in program preceded the opening of an exhibit called "Finding Our Voices: Breaking the Silence of Domestic Abuse" at the Holocaust and Human Rights Center in Maine, encouraged by Patrisha Mclean, the ex-wife of the singer Don McLean of "Bye, bye, Miss American Pie". He was convicted 3 years ago of domestic violence criminal threatening, criminal mischief and criminal restraint.

One of the women in the exhibit, the wife of a man named "Charlie" who took out a gun and threatened to shoot her after she told him she had almost suicided, did not speak for years of the domestic abuse in her marriage. She left, still not disclosing until two years after she left, at 65, 43 years into the marriage. Had she disclosed before, her credibility would be on the line.

Many years ago, I was a colleague of the man who physically assaulted his wife for those 43 years. With 3 other Professors, we flew to a northern Maine University to teach graduate students. I taught life span development, always including sections on childhood sexual abuse, abusive relationships and abusive parenting. Those were topics that I had a deep commitment to, and still do. In one of the videos I always showed in the class, the victim said "Sexual abuse is about power. The abuse of power." Thirty three years ago, the reality of incest was not broadly acknowledged. Nor was wife battering or domestic violence. Or child abuse. Or parents who gave themselves license to terrorize or abuse. The college where I taught was sexist. I complained about the job inequities of assigning me to teach 4 courses I had never taught before and The "Dean" clearly made a mental checkmark against me for speaking out about that.

No one would have guessed that this quiet man had his own private target when his power was challenged. His wife. And to this day, abuse of power to keep victims quiet persists. The Edna St Vincent Millay Poetry and Arts Festival began a day or so after Susan Collins' radio appearance. It included a Poetry Slam and reading held at night at a local bar. The organizers felt compelled to include a Caveat to poets and artists taking part.

"Please be advised. As participants will include people of all ages, please be sensitive to content and language that might be of concern, scare children or trigger trauma."

No one wants to scare children or trigger trauma. The accusatory nature of the statement was inflated and not necessary in this context. Even when that was pointed out, the organizer still would not take it off the website.

And with it, the perpetrating "Charlies" and the adolescent "Kavanaughs" go about exercising their power. Yet, one more time, those who have experienced trauma will question if they have the power to speak about it or will say it "right" or won't "upset" anyone. Even at a Poetry and Arts Festival. The contributions to the power that diminishes women's credibility are many and varied. From the US Senate, to the dimly lit bar at night, credibility of the victim takes second place to the protective tidings of the powerful. I noticed that a person featured in that video many years ago had signed up for the poetry slam. I made the decision not to take part. I don't know if the person who appeared in the video 33 years ago did.

Navigating the medical system can be daunting, but even more so for parents caring for the well-being of their children.  On this episode, Dr. Jacqueline Jones discussed the issues of medical parenting.

CurrentCast is a daily, 60-second radio feature that educates the public about water issues, promotes an appreciation for aquatic environments, and encourages an educated discussion about this critical resource. This 4-week round includes the following pieces:

Air Date - Title

Mon., 12/9 - Just Add Water: Once drained to make room for agriculture, Hennepin and Hopper Lakes have undergone a dramatic transformation.

Tue., 12/10 - Protecting the Fruit of One’s Labor: By putting their property in a land trust, fruit farmers can help protect water quality.

Wed., 12/11 - A Bird’s-Eye View of Grassland Restoration: Healthy grasslands help protect water quality and support our feathered friends.

Thu., 12/12 - Helping Fish Survive an Urban Gauntlet: Man-made islands provide a place for young fish to rest and eat as they travel through the Milwaukee Estuary.

Fri., 12/13 - Why Didn’t the Fish Cross the Road? A scientist has mapped the dams and road crossings that inhibit fish movement in the Great Lakes region.

Mon., 12/16 - Baby Beluga in the Deep Blue… River? Beluga whales are found in the Saint Lawrence River, but their population is declining.

Tue., 12/17 - Dams: The Good and the Bad: Dams provide many important benefits to society, but the benefits must be balanced with the impact on river ecosystems.

Wed., 12/18 - Prairie Grasses: Prairie grasses native to the Midwest can improve water quality and help prevent erosion during heavy rains.

Thu., 12/19 - Rain Gardens: Rain gardens are an effective way to capture and slow rainwater, allowing it to seep slowly into the ground.

Fri., 12/20 - Teaching Kids to Save Water: There are fun and simple ways to teach children to save water.

Mon., 12/23 - Stream Restoration: When farmers institute measures to improve the health of streams on their property, it also improves the health of their herd.

Tue., 12/24 - Stormwater Pollution in Winter: Shoveling frequently during storms and using just one entrance into your home can reduce the amount of pollution going into local water each winter. 

Wed., 12/25 - Students Break the Ice: Some students are taking a creative approach to collecting water samples from Saginaw Bay.

Thu., 12/26 - The Rain Barrel Barrels Back: The humble rain barrel can help you conserve water while saving money.

Fri., 12/27 - Checking Your Toilet for Leaks: A leaky toilet could waste hundreds of gallons of water a year.

Mon., 12/30 - Nitrates in Rural Wells: If well water is contaminated by fertilizer runoff, septic discharges, or animal waste, it could put babies at risk.

Tue., 12/31 - Greener Ground, Cleaner Water: Trading grey pipes for green spaces is helping cities control storm-water runoff.

Wed., 1/1 - Caring for the Roads Less Travelled: Over time, dirt roads can get pounded down and worn away, turning into gutters when it rains.

Thu., 1/2 - The Ins and Outs of a Septic System: Proper care and maintenance is key for maintaining private septic systems.

Fri., 1/3 - A Pennsylvania River Reveals its True Colors: Efforts by public and private groups have treated mine drainage and cleared up the water of the Kiski-Conemaugh rivers.

December 2019  Pulse of the Planet  CUE SHEET

01      Chernoybyl                     A while back      02-Dec-19

02      MIT                               Cambridge         03-Dec-19

03      Taiwan                           If you're            04-Dec-19

04      Kids Sci Destinations       If you're        05-Dec-19

05      Early Warning System      Our research      06-Dec-19

06      Alarm Heard Round World The woods      09-Dec-19

07      Volunteer Tourism           A group             10-Dec-19

08      Promotoras                    Volunteer           11-Dec-19

09      Planes, Trains, Trucks     If you want         12-Dec-19

10      Making a Better Box       It's the season      13-Dec-19

11      Reconstructing Jonkonnu This week       16-Dec-19

12      A Social Safety Valve       In New Bern  17-Dec-19

13      From Jamaica to NC        We're in       18-Dec-19

14      Masquerade at Doorstep  We're listening   19-Dec-19

15      Tourists Meet Bees          In Mexico           20-Dec-19

16      Kwanzaa - Traditions        This week       23-Dec-19

17      Christmas Bonfires           This week     24-Dec-19

18      Wassail                          In centuries        25-Dec-19

19      To Freeze or Not             This week          26-Dec-19

20      Recipe for Rain               Whenever          27-Dec-19

21      Rain - the Missing Link    In order             30-Dec-19

22      Year End Fire Watch        In Tokyo      31-Dec-19

23      Mummers Parade            Recognize     01-Jan-20

24      Mums the Word       What could         02-Jan-20

25      Food Fit For Kings           This week in      03-Jan-20

Scientists discover that giraffes inherit their spots.

Pollster Stan Greenberg’s latest title about politics is his tenth book, "R.I.P. G.O.P. How The New America Is Dooming The Republicans." Greenberg argues that the 2016 election hurried the Republican party’s imminent demise, and the 2018 election accelerated the process. Using insights from his focus groups with real people and consistent revelations from his own polls, Greenberg shows why the GOP is losing its defining battle. And if you find his election prediction for 2020 hard to believe, listen in for his advice for you. The author is the CEO of Greenberg Research and co-founder with James Carville of Democracy Corps. Over the years he’s been an adviser to presidents, prime ministers and leaders around the world.

Sandy Baker and her daughter, Ashley Baker, recall the two and a half years without permanent housing and the love that helped them make it through it all.

WFHB's environmental watchdog brings you news and events in the listening area and throughout the world.

NOAA, NASA, and the Navy have warned about new wireless technology.

More than 100 U.S. military bases are at risk of not having enough water.

There's a new fruity solution for icy roads.

A facility storing nuclear waste collapsed into the Detroit River.

Researchers are listening in on frisky frogs.