This is an open letter to all those attending next month's inauguration.
In just over a month, millions of Americans will be flocking to Washington, DC to celebrate this historic Presidential Inauguration. As an early and enthusiastic supporter of President –Elect Obama, I welcome my fellow celebrants to the party. As a DC resident, I’m thrilled that so many of my friends from all over this great nation will be joining in the fun.
However, as a DC resident, I am deeply concerned about my city council’s decision to keep Washington bars open 24 hours during the days preceding the inauguration.
Since I can’t do anything to stop the decision, I am writing this letter as a concerned mother and fellow Obama supporter.
Please do not come to my town and get so drunk that you litter my streets or drive drunk on my roads. The roads you use to return home from the bars are the same ones that take my kids to school.
Please do not engage in crass behavior that will embarrass me in front of my children. Don’t make me explain explicit adult behaviors to my five year old son and his three year old brother.
Please do not get into fights or start screaming matches with McCain supporters. While these people may be your political adversaries, they are my neighbors.
You see, for many, Washington is just host to the Party of the Century. For me, it’s the city where my kids go to school, the home where I rest, the roads I drive and the parks where my children play.
Please remember that there will be families working, going to school and living at this party venue. We deserve the kind of dignity and consideration our President-Elect has modeled during the two years of his campaign.
Thank you.
Laura Owen
Washington, DC
This week, while covering the Bruce Ivans anthrax investigation, Keith Olbermann of Countdown (MSNBC) repeatedly referred to the counselor who treated Mr. Ivans as a social worker. She was not a social worker. This is an important error, as it casts a level of discredit on the profession.
This morning, I sent the following letter to the show. I ask that all social workers, as well as our friends in complimentary professions, do the same. Hopefully, we can protect our reputation and get an on-air correction.
You can send your letter to countdown@msnbc.com
Dear Keith,
I am a loyal viewer of your show as well as a licensed clinical social worker.
On one of your segments this week, while discussing the Bruce Ivans anthrax investigation, you described Dr. Ivans' counselor as a "social worker" when in fact Jean Duley, the counselor who treated Mr. Ivans, was NOT a social worker as defined by Maryland State regulations, where she practiced. Her only qualifications for providing treatment were that she was a certified drug and alcohol (addictions) counselor.
Although Ms. Duley did have a bachelor's degree in social work, by Marayland law, "social work" is a protected title reserved for those who have earned a Masters Degree in Social Work from a university accredited by the National Association of Social Workers, as well as satisfying the following licensing criteria: clinically supervised hours (usually somewhere around 5000 hours within 2 years post graduate), passing the national licensing exam and providing character references supporting the applicant's professional and personal integrity, ethical fitness and knowledge of social work theory and practice.
As Ms. Duley did not fit these criteria, by law, she cannot hold the title "social worker".
In referring to Ms. Duley as a social worker, you minimized the outstanding work social workers perform in counseling settings all across America. You linked her poor professional performance to a profession of which she was not a member. I believe this is an error that deserves correction.
Sincerely,
Laura Owen, MSW, LICSW (DC and Texas)
