Alabama’s Own Regina Benjamin, Advocate For Nick’s Crusade, Named Surgeon General Of US

Posted on by nickdupree

Congratulations, Regina Benjamin!! I couldn’t think of a better candidate for Surgeon General than Dr. Benjamin, and I was surprised and pleased that someone from my old hometown that I am familiar with hit the big-time! Dr. Benjamin works in a clinic in Bayou La Batre just south of Mobile, Alabama (where I’m from). As … Continue reading “Alabama’s Own Regina Benjamin, Advocate For Nick’s Crusade, Named Surgeon General Of US”

Democrats Ignoring Long-Term Care, Activists Respond. LET MY PEOPLE GO!

Posted on by nickdupree

44 years ago, Congress passed several historic amendments to the Social Security Act, the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Back then, there were no home ventilators, there were few medications for managing disease, there were no home Hoyer lifts, and Congress couldn’t imagine the elderly and disabled living at home successfully and independently. The technology and … Continue reading “Democrats Ignoring Long-Term Care, Activists Respond. LET MY PEOPLE GO!”

The ADA Turns 19. Are Businesses Listening?

Posted on by nickdupree

There is, deservedly, much talk this ADA anniversary of the broken promise that the ADA guarantees people can live in “the most integrated setting” and how Obama just signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) while continuing to ignore long-term care (and the CRPD’s article on community choice). But what … Continue reading “The ADA Turns 19. Are Businesses Listening?”

Michael Jackson Dance Tribute, Herald Sq. Subway Station

Posted on by nickdupree

In NYC’s Herald Sq. Subway Station, a group of subway performers in “King of Pop” t-shirts dance to “Can You Feel It” and “Billie Jean” in tribute to the late Michael Jackson. Feat. The Fabulous Dancing Baby and a Random Eastern European kid. For those of us who were kids in the 80s, Michael Jackson … Continue reading “Michael Jackson Dance Tribute, Herald Sq. Subway Station”

Opioid-Acetaminophen Combination Painkillers. Easier to Get, Also Easier to Destroy Your Liver

Posted on by nickdupree

I’m on Tylenol 3 with codeine. I’ve used it daily since the horrifyingly botched L-rods surgery in 1991 left me in serious pain. I try not to complain, and keep taking the codeine on my schedule to keep the persistent metal-on-bone pain under control. I’ve been reluctant to go to heavier narcotics, and when they … Continue reading “Opioid-Acetaminophen Combination Painkillers. Easier to Get, Also Easier to Destroy Your Liver”

Beware of “Evergreening”: The Pharmaceutical Scam That Could Cost Your Family Thousands

Posted on by nickdupree

Last Friday, I was on the Medicare Part D(rugs) web site (which itself is possibly a conspiracy to break the spirit of the elderly and disabled, and make us give up on life) tabulating my medications and their costs. While crunching the numbers, I found that (as Mom had faced when I was living at … Continue reading “Beware of “Evergreening”: The Pharmaceutical Scam That Could Cost Your Family Thousands”

In-Depth Nick Analysis: Who Are The Basij? The Group That Stopped A New Iranian Revolution

Posted on by nickdupree

If you’re like me, you’ve been closely following reports of the attempts at “soft overthrow” by “Green Revolution” protesters clogging the streets in Iran (properly pronounced E-ron, though I admit even I mangle it frequently). Twitter, bloggers (Nico Pitney blogging at HuffPo, Andrew Sullivan at The Atlantic) and various print news web sites (TIME, Reuters) … Continue reading “In-Depth Nick Analysis: Who Are The Basij? The Group That Stopped A New Iranian Revolution”

The First Video Blog Series From Inside An Institution In History

Posted on by nickdupree

A thank you for watching the video blogs I’ve made, as far as we can tell the first vlogs recorded within the walls of an institution (against hospital policy, obviously). Ninth “Nick’s Crusade” Video Blog: Too Many Setbacks To Count My videos keep getting more elaborate. This one, about all the setbacks I’ve had, features … Continue reading “The First Video Blog Series From Inside An Institution In History”

Ode To Governor Mark Sanford

Posted on by nickdupree

This song fits Gov. Sanford so well: “you keep on tellin’ me ‘baby I love ya,’ but MARRIAGE just ain’t your game You tell me I can have anything I want but whhhyy can’t I have your name? LYIN’ BACKSLIDIN’ callin’ each other brother with your hand in his pocket hypocrisy! yeah“ –Millie Jackson, singing … Continue reading “Ode To Governor Mark Sanford”

News Media Decides Life of Fly More Important Than Slain Latinos

Posted on by nickdupree

So, the Minuteman Movement has gone completely insane, and they are now crossing over into murder and theft to meet their political goals of a Southwest free of Hispanics. ter·ror·ism n.  The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of … Continue reading “News Media Decides Life of Fly More Important Than Slain Latinos”

Senate, In Capitol Built By Slaves, Passes Resolution Apologizing For Slavery

Posted on by nickdupree

Last Thursday, on the eve of Juneteenth, the celebration of the end of slavery, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution apologizing for slavery and the “Jim Crow” laws that oppressed ex-slaves and their descendants for roughly a century. The resolution (full text), which also has a cowardly disclaimer at the bottom stating the apology can’t … Continue reading “Senate, In Capitol Built By Slaves, Passes Resolution Apologizing For Slavery”

Native Americans Denied Health Care By Grossly Underfunded IHS

Posted on by nickdupree

Instead of PAYING THE RENT to the rightful landowners, the White American government stole all the Indians’ land, and now that we control everything, we deny adequate health care on reservations and let them suffer and die.  According to this AP story, the U.S.  spends more on health care for FELONS in federal prison alone … Continue reading “Native Americans Denied Health Care By Grossly Underfunded IHS”

My Story Taken To The New York City Council

Posted on by nickdupree

The New York City Council heard testimony today regarding the  Proposed Res. No. 1783-A, a resolution urging Congress to pass the Community Choice Act. My partner Alejandra testified, and told my story. For the full text of her testimony, go here: NYC Council Hearing: June 17, 2009

Ninth “Nick’s Crusade” Video Blog: Too Many Setbacks To Count

Posted on by nickdupree

The Ninth “Nick’s Crusade” Video Blog Ninth “Nick’s Crusade” Video Blog: Too Many Setbacks To Count (June 15, 2009) from Alejandra Ospina on Vimeo. Too Many Setbacks To Count Videographer: Alejandra Ospina Writer/Director/Editor: Nick Dupree Music by The Eagles Footage of The Count from this YouTube video Finished video made with Corel VideoStudio by Nick Dupree … Continue reading “Ninth “Nick’s Crusade” Video Blog: Too Many Setbacks To Count”

Eighth “Nick’s Crusade” Video Blog: Have Humidifier, Will Travel

Posted on by nickdupree

Eighth “Nick’s Crusade” Video Blog from Alejandra Ospina on Vimeo. No, You CAN Mount A Humidifier On A Wheelchair. Have humidifier, will travel. Featuring photos with my mom from our 1999 visit to NYC (I was 17) and cameos from the O RLY and YA RLY owls!

“Fighting For The Community Choice Act” music video/photo mashup!!

Posted on by nickdupree

Please help spread the “Fighting For The Community Choice Act” music video/photo mashup I made. of ADAPT protests for housing and the Community Choice Act.   I’m trying for a creative way to get the word out about the CCA. Fighting For The Community Choice Act from Alejandra Ospina on Vimeo. This, the Seventh Nick’s … Continue reading ““Fighting For The Community Choice Act” music video/photo mashup!!”

How Will Gender Imbalance Affect China’s Future?

Posted on by nickdupree

This topic occurred to me after reading Larry Kramer’s long rant in the Huffington Post claiming that because men outnumbered women 6 to 1 in the original Jamestown colony in 17th century America, that lots of gay sex had to be going on, and that historians are erasing gays from history out of homophobic bigotry.   … Continue reading “How Will Gender Imbalance Affect China’s Future?”

The Latest Leaked Info on Obama Administration’s Views About The Community Choice Act

Posted on by nickdupree

Jeff Crowley from the president’s Domestic Policy Council met with the board of the NDRN (National Disability Rights Network, formerly NAPAS1) this week and a summary of how Crowley conveyed the administration’s views on the Community Choice Act was leaked to several listserves online. The disability community deserves to know what the thinking inside their … Continue reading “The Latest Leaked Info on Obama Administration’s Views About The Community Choice Act”

Reality Check: Sotomayor NOT “A Radical”

Posted on by nickdupree

The Reality: Sotomayor is a moderate, who sometimes makes liberal decisions that anger conservatives and sometimes makes conservative decisions that anger liberals, like ruling against abortion clinics in the “global gag rule” case, and the loathsome ruling that public schools can punish a student for free speech written on a blog off campus.  My beef … Continue reading “Reality Check: Sotomayor NOT “A Radical””

Glenn Beck, in Criticizing Sotomayor, Says Empathy Is BAD, and Cites Bad Misunderstanding of Hebrew Bible

Posted on by nickdupree

Several weeks ago, I slapped down an idiotic routine from Beck, and now, he’s at it again. This time, he’s making outrageous comments and going completely off the rails about new Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. The rallying cry of the Republicans against Obama’s nominations has been “EMPATHY IS BAD!!!”   This from the same … Continue reading “Glenn Beck, in Criticizing Sotomayor, Says Empathy Is BAD, and Cites Bad Misunderstanding of Hebrew Bible”

Sixth “Nick’s Crusade” Video Blog: What Life In An Institution Is Really Like, And Why This Entire Model Should Be Replaced

Posted on by nickdupree

Sixth “Nick’s Crusade” Video Blog from Alejandra Ospina on Vimeo. What Life In An Institution Is Really Like, And Why This Entire Model Should Be Replaced Writer/Director: Nick Dupree Cinematographer: Alejandra Ospina Video put together in Corel VideoStudio by Nick Dupree Full transcript of the video, with links and footnotes This is Nick Dupree for … Continue reading “Sixth “Nick’s Crusade” Video Blog: What Life In An Institution Is Really Like, And Why This Entire Model Should Be Replaced”

Abuse People, Get Rewarded With More Money??

Posted on by nickdupree

It sounds absurd, right?  But that’s what’s been happening with institutions that abuse people with disabilities. First, an example of abuse from my local area: NEW CITY – Frank Zanghi says his blind, deaf son, who uses a wheelchair, was abused when he lived in a facility for the developmentally disabled in New Jersey years … Continue reading “Abuse People, Get Rewarded With More Money??”

Fifth Nick’s Crusade Video Blog: “A Seat At The Table” Determining Health Reform, Doesn’t Include People With Disabilities

Posted on by nickdupree

Fifth Nick’s Crusade Video Blog: “A Seat At The Table” Determining Health Reform, Doesn’t Include People With Disabilities from Alejandra Ospina on Vimeo. In my fifth video blog, I go after the administration’s health reform deliberations for their lack of inclusiveness. Full transcript of the video, with supporting links and footnotes Hello, this is Nick … Continue reading “Fifth Nick’s Crusade Video Blog: “A Seat At The Table” Determining Health Reform, Doesn’t Include People With Disabilities”

They Tried To Kill My Brother. Insurance Companies Will Always Put Profits Before Human Life

Posted on by nickdupree

So this is basically how I feel about the insurance industry. “…You tried to kill my brother.  Prepare to die.” Years ago, an insurance company did indeed try to kill my younger brother Jamie. The story is basically this: my brother was born with the same disease I have. As soon as he was born, … Continue reading “They Tried To Kill My Brother. Insurance Companies Will Always Put Profits Before Human Life”

A Worthy Cause: Helping LGBT Iraqis Who Are Being Chased Down And Executed

Posted on by nickdupree

As I posted before, Iraq is now killing homosexuals at a startling rate, and since many can’t blend in, are forced into hiding.  And three safe houses have now closed for want of funding. PaulCanning forwards an urgent request from IRAQI LGBT: IRAQI LGBT started to establish a network of safe houses inside Iraq in … Continue reading “A Worthy Cause: Helping LGBT Iraqis Who Are Being Chased Down And Executed”

Nick’s Crusade Statement of Inalienable Rights

Posted on by nickdupree

I’ve permanently added the “Nick’s Crusade Statement of Inalienable Rights” to the site, because human rights are the backbone, the underlying premise of everything I post here. It’s a work in progress, so please comment and suggest changes or additions. Nick’s Crusade Statement of Inalienable Rights

Africans: Why The Prevalence Of Anti-Gay Hate?

Posted on by nickdupree

Last week, I read about Washington DC’s City Council agreeing to recognize out-of-state gay marriages by a vote 12-1.  The Washington Post reported that numerous black churches rallied against the bill, and when it passed, demonstrations turned so loud and angry (near rioting) that the police had to forcibly clear the hallway. Marion Barry, who … Continue reading “Africans: Why The Prevalence Of Anti-Gay Hate?”

The “Effect or Affect?” Conundrum

Posted on by nickdupree

When should the word “affect” be used rather than “effect?”  Despite my English-Majorness, I’ve never mastered this rule. I understand affect as noun that are refers to someone’s countenance (e.g. “he has a flat affect”) or as a transitive verb meaning “to make a false display of” (e.g. “he began to affect a British accent”) … Continue reading “The “Effect or Affect?” Conundrum”

Fourth “Nick’s Crusade” Video Blog: ObamaFail! Administration Refuses To Lead On Disability Desegregation

Posted on by nickdupree

 Transcription (as captioned in the video): Hello, this is Nick Dupree for the for the Nick’s Crusade blog. This is my fourth video blog, and today is the 252nd day that I’ve been in an institution because I can’t get access to community services. And it seems that the Obama administration is not going … Continue reading “Fourth “Nick’s Crusade” Video Blog: ObamaFail! Administration Refuses To Lead On Disability Desegregation”