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.

Among all of the self recovery programs, alcoholics anonymous may be the most influential and the foundation for all those that followed.  But, the history of this institution has only recently been explored in scholarly detail.  On this episode, William Schaberg discussed Writing the Big Book: The Creation of A.A.

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., 10/14 - Blazing trails in Michigan: Marked water trails in this state make it easy for people to give paddling a try.

Tue., 10/15 - Algae that is beneficial…until it isn’t:  When a stream’s normal ecosystem is disturbed, the growth of a normally beneficial species can explode and cause problems.

Wed., 10/16 - Trout Stocking: Pennsylvania’s trout stocking program helps support the state’s multi-million-dollar fishing industry.

Thu., 10/17 - Emerald Ash Borer: This tiny green insect is causing major damage to trees, and water quality.

Fri., 10/18 - One solution to Plastic Pollution: One educator says refusing single-use plastic should come before reducing, reusing, and recycling. 

Mon., 10/21 - Cover the Eco-bases with Cover Crops: Farmers can use cover crops to protect their fields from erosion and improve water absorption.
Tue., 10/22 - The Right Time and Right Place: Modern technology can help farmers reduce their use of water and fertilizer.

Wed., 10/23 - Fluctuating Lake Levels: The water levels in the Great Lakes fluctuate naturally throughout the year.

Thu., 10/24 - Climate Woes in Pennsylvania’s Waterways: Climate change is bringing warmer, wetter weather to the Keystone state.

Fri., 10/25 - Hard to Tell the Good Guys from the Bad: There are thousands of different types of blue green algae, and only a few produce harmful toxins.

Mon., 10/28 - A bird lovers’ paradise: Over 250 species of birds are recorded in the western basin of Lake Erie each year.         

Tue., 10/29 - European Frogbit: This attractive water plant is a ruthless invader.

Wed., 10/30 - Reducing Water Use While Traveling: Guests are responsible for a significant portion of a hotel’s total water use.

Thu., 10/31 - Trout in the Classroom: Raising brook trout teaches students about water quality.

Fri., Nov. 1 - Nature’s Engineers: Beavers can provide a lot of benefits to a stream.   

Mon., Nov. 4 - Reducing Water Pollution One Field at a Time: Computer models can help farmers identify which fields would benefit the most from special efforts to reduce pollution.  

Tue., Nov. 5 - A Neighborhood Full of Raingardens: A group of non-profits has started a movement to install raingardens in neighborhoods throughout Detroit.  

Wed., Nov. 6 - Sea-faring Vessels and Invasive Species: Large ocean-going ships pump water into their holds for stability, but this added ballast can carry unwanted guests.  

Thu., Nov. 7 - Invasive Grass Takes Over: An invasive grass called phragmites can grow so dense, turtles can’t get through to lay their eggs.  

Fri., Nov. 8 - Holding the Invaders at Bay: Plants that don’t belong in our waters can interfere with swimming, fishing, and boating.  

November 2019  Pulse of the Planet  CUE SHEET

01      Like a Waking Sleep                         This time of year    04-Nov-19

02      Snoozing Through Birth              It's common           05-Nov-19

03      Tracking Grizzlies                      Really make sure    06-Nov-19

04      Scat, Hair and Other Signs                 Is that scat            07-Nov-19

05      Okefenokee - Sandhill Migration         The migratory birds  08-Nov-19

06      Taking the A Train Underwater    Typically you can     11-Nov-19

07      The Subway Car Reef                What's 9 feet wide 12-Nov-19

08      A New Home for Sea Bass                  We're listening to    13-Nov-19

09      Ecuador's Cloud Forest               Well there's a     14-Nov-19

10      Scorpion Venom                        Scorpions sting       15-Nov-19

11      A Life-Saving Charade                 Listen carefully       18-Nov-19

12      Poison Ivy - Discovery               We certainly           19-Nov-19

13      Best Tasting Water?                          Water               20-Nov-19

14      Coal Ash and Water                          When you          21-Nov-19

15      Arsenic on Tap                          The sounds            22-Nov-19

16      Sinterklaas -  Community Calls   We start                25-Nov-19

17      Sinterklaas - Origins                     That's the             26-Nov-19

18      Inflation Day                                    Inflation Day     27-Nov-19

19      Thanksgiving Parade Balloons    The big stars       28-Nov-19

20      Alarm Calls                              Monkeys              29-Nov-19

Scientists discover that giraffes inherit their spots.

Salman Rushdie’s 19th book and newest novel of contemporary times, "Quichotte," takes readers on a journey across America in a Chevy Cruze. Rushdie’s road traveler, Quichotte, is a simple man who has watched too much television. Perhaps because of that, it’s an anything-can-happen sort of trip sprinkled with cyber-spies, opioids, science fiction, racism of course, all mixed in with heavy doses of family ties real or imagined. Born in India, mostly educated in England and a current resident of New York, Rushdie’s published work includes novels, books of non-fiction, a memoir and children’s books.

Willie Ito tells his son, Vince Ito, about his dreams of becoming an animator.

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

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Artificial grass may eliminate the need for watering, mowing, and pesticides—but could pose risks.

How to keep your cool in a blackout.