The NATO summit in Chicago

[Karen]

How odd that nurses would choose that to protest about - if you are a union member, can you write them and let them know?

[Catty1]

Perhaps part of the thinking is that the money, or a good part of it, could go to health care and good nutrition for those not having access to it?

[cassiesmom]

How odd that nurses would choose that to protest about - if you are a union member, can you write them and let them know?

I'm not. National Nurses United is affiliated with the California Nurses Association, so what they do strikes me as a little more outspoken than things usually are around here. When I was temping, I worked in an organization that was represented by the Illinois Nurses Association, although as a temp I wasn't included in their representation. It seemed to me as an outsider that the union added another (sometimes unnecessary) layer between the nurses and the management team because issues with assignments, staffing, schedules and overtime had to go to the union steward before they could go to management. But I can still write and let them know. They come from out west, stage a rally and leave town -- and we are left to explain it to our patients next week! Grrrr!

[cassiesmom]

There were big restrictions announced last week as to what items would not be allowed on commuter trains during the summit. Things like backpacks, food and drinks, boxes, bicycles, and other items that are generally no problem. I moved only the essentials into a smaller bag, so I wouldn't have trouble getting on the train. But the rules were very loosely enforced. I did see people with bottles of water and I heard that on other lines there were people with cups of coffee and backpacks. What's the point of announcing the rules if they aren't going to be enforced? I have even more respect now for cities that have hosted the Olympics, where the road closures, security requirements and traffic changes last for 2-3 weeks. We're used to some of that when the Obama family comes home, but this is on a much larger scale.

I saw a Homeland Security Police officer this morning with his canine co-worker, a GSD. I asked if I might pet the GSD, but no petting permitted. The officer was very nice about it, he said that every dog person who had come by wanted to pet his dog and if he allowed it, they wouldn't get any work done! But the dog would like to receive all that petting and attention. I asked him to please pet his dog "extra" for me when they went off duty and he said he certainly would, both for me and for a lot of others!