Nordic Film Series to offer Finnish film Apr. 8

HANCOCK -- The Finnish film Letters to Father Jacob will be shown at 2 p.m. and at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 8, at the Finlandia University Finnish American Heritage Center, Hancock.

Letters to Father Jacob is a redemptive story about a blind, elderly pastor and a hardened life-sentence prisoner who has just been pardoned.

The film is directed by Klaus Härö, who also directed the films Mother of Mine and Elina, previous Nordic Film Series selections. The 72-minute film is in the Finnish language with English language subtitles.

There is no charge to attend the film, but donations are accepted. For information, call 487-7549.

International Night to offer "Treasure" theme Apr. 9

HOUGHTON -- "International Treasure" is the theme of this year's International Night at Michigan Tech, scheduled for Friday, April 9. Sponsored by the Michigan Tech International Club, International Night features a dinner cooked by international student chefs from around the world, followed by a performance by student organizations.

This lovely Chinese "Umbrella Dance" was a highlight of last year's International Night. Don't miss the entertainment at Michigan Tech's 2010 International Night this Friday, April 9!

The dinner will be at 6 p.m. in the Memorial Union Commons. The performance is at 8 p.m. in the Rozsa Center. Tickets are on sale this week at the Memorial Union, Fisher Hall and the Rozsa Center. Dinner and performance costs $15 for adults, $12 for students with ID. Children age 5 or younger are admitted free. Tickets for the performance only are $8.

For more information, please contact Nicole Kirch, International Club secretary, nlkirch@mtu.edu, or Sahil Thakkar, I-Club publicity chair, spthakka@mtu.edu.

Local soldier describes humanitarian mission in Afghanistan

By Michele Bourdieu, with photos and captions by Erik Campbell

Editor's Update, Dec. 9, 2010: Keweenaw Now was asked to remove several photos from the original version of this article for security reasons.

CALUMET -- U.S. Army 1st Lt. Erik Campbell of Calumet, who recently returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan, is a different kind of soldier.

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Erik Campbell spent some vacation time in Calumet with his parents, Anita and Paul Campbell, after his recent return from a humanitarian assignment in Afghanistan. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

In 2008, shortly after graduating from Northern Michigan University with a major in International Studies (including overseas study in Morocco) and ROTC, Campbell spent a year in the Army's Infantry Officers Basic Course at Fort Benning, Georgia. He spent three months of that year in Army Ranger School specialized leadership training before being sent to a remote area of Afghanistan, in the Shaunkrai Valley, about 100 miles from Kabul.

Since Campbell's unit (the 10th Mountain Division) was already in Afghanistan when he returned to Ft. Drum, New York, after his training course, he flew to his Afghanistan assignment alone. On arrival at Bagram Airfield, he actually ran into his former National Guard unit from Calumet (1431st Engineering Co.), who were about to return home.

"I saw some friendly faces," he said.

The area of Campbell's assignment included a number of villages the Army wanted to influence through communication and humanitarian aid, with the help of USAID (United States Agency for International Development). The Army's hope is to establish trusting relationships with local leaders so that the villagers won't be allied with the Taliban.

"We figured they were on the fence," Campbell said. "We didn't know if the Taliban was communicating with them, because they were so close to the Pakistan border."

One idea was to build a road in the area and have the villagers work on the road. It would provide employment for people from eight villages.

Campbell noted an important part of his assignment was to develop relationships with local police departments, the Afghan National Army and the Afghan border police.

"We worked with those three bodies, and we tried to partner up with them as much as we could and to give these guys a mission," he said.

Some types of aid would be given to the people through the local police, in order to give them a better image.

It was essential to develop a relationship with the village elders, who usually trusted the Afghan military more than they did the American soldiers, Campbell noted.

"Once you got into these villages you'd try to summon the elders," he said.

This was important, he explained, because without elder support people wouldn't come out of their houses and speak to you.

Campbell's team worked closely with a group of American anthropologists working in the area.

"These guys knew all about the culture. They knew the language, and they would just help us get to know the people and what's going on in these villages."

One anthropologist working with Campbell's team was making a reference guide for the area. Like the Army team, he was working with a USAID developer.

Campbell soon realized how valuable the Ranger training was for his job of bringing humanitarian aid to Afghan villages. He first had to communicate with Afghan village leaders through an interpreter in order to find out what sort of projects were needed. These could range from books for a school to bridges, wells, roads, etc.

Campbell said he made his own reference guide of names and phone numbers of the elders. Most of the elders had cell phones or access to them.

"You have to have a tool kit," Campbell said. "You can't be one-dimensional. You can't just have the ability to pull a trigger. You must be able to communicate, inspire and provide guidance."

Campbell said his job involved leading a fire team of about five soldiers from his platoon of 35 into a village to find out what sort of aid the people needed. Each time he takes a team into a village, a 360-degree perimeter of vehicles surrounds it for protection.

"The main mission was humanitarian over there," he said. "It wasn't an active war where I was."

Nevertheless, the danger of a Taliban attack -- especially the possibility of being hit by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) -- was still present.

"That's the number-one killer," Campbell said.

One of these, with 75 lb. of explosives, did hit a vehicle in his convoy; but, thanks to the protective technology of the vehicle, no one was killed, although the gunner, positioned on top, had a concussion. The vehicle is called an MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protector). Campbell described it as being like a Brinks armored car. These large, bullet-proof vehicles also protect against IEDs.

Here our mission was to bring a U.S. State Department representative to a meeting regarding the district government. Communication and cooperation with these local officials was just as important as getting along with the village elders. Here you see the MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protector) vehicles we used for daily patrols parked as we waited for the meeting to finish.*

Campbell said the Infantry Officer Training he received was conventional, but the Ranger leadership training taught him to adapt -- to be flexible as well as decisive.

"It's not a conventional war anymore, so it takes leaders that know how to communicate," Campbell said. "You need to be able to turn off this conventional way of thinking 'He's the enemy.' It's not black and white. He might be with the Taliban, but at this time he's what we have so we have to work with him."

Campbell spent three months in Afghanistan and said he would like to return to work there again.

"That's my job," he said. "I think the Army needs good people to be in these leadership positions -- people that understand you need to communicate. It's not always going to be a fight."

Editor's Notes:

*The Afghanistan photos in this article, and captions by Erik Campbell, are printed with permission. Please note that photos by visiting photographers are copyrighted and you must seek their permission for re-use. For Keweenaw Now photos, please see our policy under Creative Commons.

President Obama visited some of the American troops and Coalition partners at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan Sunday, March 28, during an unannounced visit for a discussion with Afghan President Hamid Karzai. See the New York Times article. See also the video of President Obama's speech: "My job here today is to say 'thank you' on behalf of the entire American people," Obama said to the troops.

Keweenaw Now says "thank you" to Erik Campbell for his humanitarian work and for the interview, photos and captions.

What Health Care Reform Means for You

By Senator Carl Levin*

WASHINGTON, D. C. -- The long debate over health care reform has concluded. What we have achieved will make a real and lasting positive difference for Michigan families, those who now have insurance and those who lack it.

Despite claims that the reforms we have passed are some sort of radical, government takeover of our health care system, the legislation we have approved makes careful changes designed to make our health care system work better for all of us. Instead of scrapping the current system, in which most Americans get their insurance through their employer, we have made it more secure. Most of the 176 million Americans who get their insurance through their job will see few changes, and those they do see will mean more affordable and effective coverage.

Some changes will happen soon. Some small businesses will receive a tax cut to make it more affordable to provide insurance to their employees. Within six months, insurers will be required to allow women to see an ob-gyn without prior approval, and to let parents keep coverage for their children until age 26. Insurers will be prohibited in most cases from denying coverage to children based on pre-existing conditions. By October, the federal government will begin helping states set up agencies to help consumers shop for the best coverage and to file complaints against unfair decisions by their current insurance company.

The new law means immediate improvements for seniors receiving Medicare. This year, we will begin closing the gap in prescription drug coverage known as the "doughnut hole" by providing a $250 credit to seniors who fall into it. Also, seniors on Medicare will be entitled to preventive care without facing co-payments or deductibles.

Because health care is so complex, other changes will take time to implement. Eventually, insurers will be barred from denying coverage to people of all ages based on pre-existing conditions, eliminating a key source of the uncertainty many Americans feel about the dependability of their insurance. Insurers will be prohibited from denying coverage based on annual or lifetime limits and for charging exorbitant out-of-pocket costs. They will no longer be allowed to charge higher premiums for women based simply on gender.

We also take a host of steps to reduce another source of insecurity: the rising cost of health care, cost that threatens to put insurance out of reach for many Americans and to bankrupt our nation. Reform will bring more transparency and accountability to the insurance market, giving consumers a chance to see what they’re buying and get more bang for their buck. We will end wasteful subsidies to insurance companies that provide Medicare coverage. We will establish a panel of experts to recommend ways to provide better health care to Medicare beneficiaries at lower cost.

And we have done what Congress has all too often failed to do: pay for these changes responsibly. The wealthiest Americans -- families with more than $250,000 in annual income -- will pay slightly higher Medicare taxes. We will crack down on complex financial schemes that serve no economic purpose except to dodge taxes. And we will impose fees on the medical device makers, drug companies and insurers that will gain new customers because of our reforms. Thanks to these steps, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates health care reform will reduce the budget deficit by more than $140 billion over the first 10 years after enactment and by more than $1 trillion over the second decade.

While doing all this, we will give more than 30 million Americans who are now without insurance the ability to purchase affordable coverage that meets basic quality standards. For too long, too many of our fellow citizens have been without this basic necessity.

While the debate over reform has been heated and all too often marked by distortions and untruths, the insurance reforms I’ve described are broadly popular, from what I hear from so many Michiganians. For Michigan and for the nation, health care reform is a historic victory, one I’m proud Congress has been able to accomplish.

* Carl Levin is the senior U.S. senator from Michigan.

Editor's Note: This editorial is courtesy Sen. Carl Levin's office. It is reprinted here with permission.

Calumet Art Center to offer Twining classes Apr. 5, 12, 26

CALUMET -- On three Mondays in April, the Calumet Art Center will offer a series of three classes in Twining and Twined Rag Rugs from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The classes will meet April 5, 12 and 26. Fiber artist Lynn Anderson will be the instructor.

Sample of a rug made with twining technique. (Photo courtesy Calumet Art Center)

There is a worldwide rediscovery and revival of traditional handwork of our ancestors. Twining, a traditional weaving technique of creating colorful, durable, heirloom woven rag rugs is an easily learned and relaxing skill using simple tools, equipment and scrap fabric.

Aida Ibraeva, a visitor from Kyrgystan, checks out one of the looms in the Calumet Art Center during the March 5 First Friday event. These looms are now available for classes in the Center, including the Twining class that begins Monday, April 5. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

The cost is $50 plus the material fee ($45 for wool). You may bring your own wool and not pay the material fee if you prefer. The Art Center provides looms. Pre-registration and payment are a must, since student space is limited. Some space is still available for these classes. Pre-register now!

The Calumet Art Center is at 57055 Fifth Street, Calumet (in the remodeled church, near the Keweenaw Heritage Center).

Check out the Calumet Art Center Web site, call 906-281-3494 or email info@calumetartcenter for more information.

Stupak: Setting the record straight on Health Care Reform

By U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee)

WASHINGTON, DC -- I am writing this op-ed to set the record straight, answer questions, and clarify the significant role I was able to play in the historic health care legislation passed by Congress.

During my 18 years as a member of Congress, I have cast some very difficult votes. These include issues such as declaring war in Iraq and Afghanistan, military action in Bosnia and Kosovo, the impeachment of President Clinton and my vote in favor of the Clinton Deficit Reduction Package in 1993. My recent vote on health care reform was the most difficult yet.

My staff and I spent many hours reading the legislation, conducting research and talking with constituents in northern Michigan and throughout the country. In the final analysis, I was proud to vote for this historic legislation that will provide 32 million more Americans with access to affordable, quality health insurance. This legislation will provide important consumer protections and will keep families who require medical care from declaring bankruptcy.

H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, is good for America and it is good for northern Michigan. Under this legislation 44,000 uninsured residents in Michigan’s First Congressional District will have access to affordable health care.

Small businesses immediately receive tax credits to assist owners in providing health care coverage for employees. Consumer protections prohibit insurance companies from discriminating against individuals with pre-existing conditions, extend insurance coverage for dependent children up to age 26, prevent health plans from dropping insurance coverage when people become sick, and eliminate lifetime caps so insurance coverage doesn’t run out before treatment is complete.

For seniors, health care reform includes key improvements to Medicare. H.R. 3590 will immediately begin to close the Medicare prescription drug donut hole by providing a $250 rebate to Medicare beneficiaries who hit the donut hole in 2010. Ultimately the donut hole will be closed completely to ensure that seniors pay less out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs. The bill will also eliminate Medicare co-payments for annual physical exams and preventative screenings beginning January 1, 2011.

Last November with the Stupak amendment, I was successful in making sure the health care reform bill in the U.S. House of Representatives maintained current law as stated in the Hyde language of no public funding for abortions. I was disappointed the Senate could not uphold my language and only mustered 45 pro-life votes, far short of the 60 votes needed to keep the amendment intact.

Many of my Democratic pro-life colleagues and I worked tirelessly leading up to the final vote on health care to strengthen the abortion funding restrictions. We proposed numerous procedural and legislative options to strengthen the language, but ultimately all of our efforts required the 60 votes which we could not secure in the Senate.

Once it was clear that House leadership would eventually secure the necessary 216 votes to pass health care reform, I was left with a choice: vote against the legislation with inadequate protections for life or reach an agreement that prevents federal funding for abortions.

Therefore, I and other pro-life Democrats negotiated an agreement with President Obama to issue an Executive Order that would ensure that Hyde language protections of no public funding for abortions would apply to the health care reform bill. The president himself has said this Executive Order is "iron clad." Throughout history, Executive Orders have carried the full force and effect of law and have served as an important means of implementing public policy.*

To further protect against federal funding for abortion, during floor debate on the health care reform bill I engaged in a colloquy with Chairman Henry Waxman to make clear Congressional intent that the provisions in the health care reform legislation, combined with the Executive Order, will ensure no federal funding of abortions.

I have said from the start that my goal was to see health care reform for all Americans while maintaining the longstanding principle of the sanctity of life. The president’s Executive Order upholds this principle and current law that no federal funds will be used for abortion. I am pleased I was able to hold true to my principles and vote for a health care bill that is pro-life at every stage of life and provides 32 million more Americans with access to quality, affordable health care.

Editor's Notes: Keweenaw Now is publishing this op-ed piece in its entirety. Congressman Stupak's office sent it to us with a request that we share it with our readers.

* See the March 25, 2010, article, "Stupak attends Executive Order signing."

See also our Jan. 9, 2010, article, "Stupak attracts large crowd at town hall meeting in Houghton."

Calumet galleries to hold First Friday art receptions Apr. 2

CALUMET -- First Friday, April 2, in Calumet will include several exhibit openings and art activities -- free and open to the public.

Copper Country Associated Artists offer creative art session

The Copper Country Associated Artists (CCAA) studio gallery will host a creative First Friday session on Artist Trading Cards.

CCAA members, from left, Ginny Douglas, Dolly Luoma and Fredi Taddeucci stir the creative mind to produce mini Trading Cards at the CCAA Studio/Gallery. (Photos courtesy Miriam Pickens)

You’re not going to find Artist Trading Cards packaged with bubble gum. Each one is completely unique. They have the same size and shape as baseball cards, but they are hand created pieces of art. The back is reserved for the details: title, date, name of artist and other information so they become a memory for yourself or a piece to trade with a friend or another artist you might meet or other friends or relations.

Join CCAA members, Ginny Douglas, Dolly Luoma, Fredi Taddeucci and Edith Wiard and together create these wonderful little works of your Art presented in a very small space. They are expressions of your own personality. They’re prettier than baseball cards and are wonderful objects to bring along when you travel. You can display them on a shelf, or store them in a binder…regardless…they’re fun to create and great to collect and trade.

The Copper Country Associated Artists invite you to create these cards using materials we love to share and to show and trade ones you may already have. Come join us anytime from 6:30 p.m. until about 8:30 p.m. on Friday, April 2, and express your creative self.

First Friday CCAA demonstrations are an opportunity to introduce visitors to a variety of arts and fine craft techniques by some of the area’s most talented practitioners.

The CCAA Gallery is located at 112 Fifth Street in Calumet. Winter Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. First Fridays, the Gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information about the CCAA call 906-337-1252 or visit our web site at ccaartists.org. More than 50 years supporting artists and the arts.

Vertin Gallery to host reception for Paul Osmak Exhibit

An opening reception for "What You See Is What You Get," an exhibit of works by Paul Osmak, will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, April 2, at the Vertin Gallery, 220 6th Street, Calumet. The exhibit will continue through April 28.

"Evening Concert," by Paul Osmak. Acrylic 1990-2010. (Photo courtesy Vertin Gallery)

Paul Osmak is an acrylic artist who depicts an array of local scenes, from downtown Calumet to a winter view of the Quincy mine hoist. His unique vision is immediately recognizable by his use of light, color and content. His works have become very collectable.

Osmak says this about himself: "I’m 80 years old. I’ve been painting (off and on -- now and then) since I was 21 years old.I paint more in the winter time than during the summer. I have had many different kinds of jobs: everything from lumberjack, barber, factory worker, underground copper mine worker, dish washer, to working in the engine room of Great Lakes freighters."

The reception is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Miskwabik Ed Gray Gallery all-media show to open April 2

First Friday at the Miskwabik Ed Gray Gallery will feature the opening of "Games from the Artists," an open, juried, all-media show on exhibit from April 2 to May 4, 2010.

The opening reception will be from 6:30 p.m.– 9 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

The Miskwabik Ed Gray Gallery is at 109 Fifth Street, Calumet. For more information call 337-5970.