TMC Administration Notes - April/May 2006

Letter from the Chair

In Greek mythology, Tantalos had to push a large stone that teetered on the brink of falling on him. Often when you are attempting to make changes in your life, it feels almost like pushing a boulder up a hill.

Webster’s American Dictionary defines persistence as steady and determined.

You could also say that persistence is a demonstration of hope put into action.

While we can not always control events in our life, we can choose how we respond to them. As we gain more skills and knowledge through learning new ways to respond, we have more choices in our responses to events in our life; we can build the strength to push our ‘boulders’. The awareness of choices is empowering.

Like many members of the Men’s Center- -myself included, we are learning how to respond to events in our lives. Making changes about ourselves takes effort, and sometimes it can seem cumbersome. When we make changes in our surroundings, in our behavior, in our thinking of how to respond, it is empowering. Change is something that is inevitable. However, when you are persistent, you’ll find that you are able to make movements forwards, and you are able to move your ‘boulder’.

Live long and prosper,
L. Dudley, Board Chair
Library Corner

–– Don Jensen, Librarian

One of our most important resources is the Men's Center Library that is available to all members as a free privilege of a current membership. We have more than 1000 books on nearly every subject of interest to men. A moment spent browsing our library may bring into your hands a tool that can yield rich dividends for improving your life, your health, or healing your pain. Wherever you stand on the journey of life, there is a book here that can speak to the problems or challenges you are facing. Be sure to check it out on your next visit to the Men's Center! You won't be disappointed.

And while you are enjoying our many book resources, consider browsing our large and growing selection of periodicals.

  • Men’s Health
  • Voice Male
  • Lavender
  • Men’s Journal
  • Transitions
  • Rainbow Families
  • Bi All Means
  • Essential Wellness
  • Edge Life
  • Everyman
  • D.A.D.S #1
  • G.R.I.P.

Some of these books and periodicals have become so important in some of our member's lives that they seem to have been out a very long time. Please return them to make them available to others.

Thanks!

Letter to the Editor

Dear Men’s Center,

Men, as Bobby Dylan wrote, “the times they are a changing.” Thanks to a recent United States Supreme Court ruling, the next election of judges will undergo dramatic chages. Candidates for judge will have a free speech right to discuss their views on issues, the right to associate with political parties, and the right to raise money to campaign. It is likely there will be more contested elections for judgeships.

These contested elections will give Men's Rights Organizations the opportunity to decide which judge candidates to endorse, and to help candidates financially with contributions to the election. Appellate judge elections will be especially important.

The United States Supreme Court has ruled that sex discrimination violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. In the past, Minnesota judges have often given women “special protection,” or acted as women’s guardians at times of divorce. No man can understand the pain the Minnesota judges are putting men through at times of divorce, unless the man has been through a divorce himself. Men need to get organized to support judicial candidates who respect the concept that men and women come before the courts as equals, and that women should not be favored.

For further discussion, go to Men’s Advisory: The Truth About the Division of Property at Divorce and The Enforcement of Antenuptial Agreements at www.menprenuptialanddivorce.com

Very truly yours,

John P Mazzitelli, Attorney at Law