Online Covenant cont'd

I put my personal experiences here, related to the Online Covenant, which is here, prepared and made pretty by a guy named Ryan, apparently, at the Earlham School of Religion, at the direction of Matt Hisrich, Dean, who liked this project and decided to give it some space. I must say, it's very impressive in its attractive layout.

The movies themselves are easily watched and interesting. I'm not so sure about the quality. The first one I did back in my bedroom; the wireless connection is somewhat indirect, and about halfway through (~5 30 MT) I started getting signals that the internet connection was weak. What happens, I believe, is that zoom has to bundle eight movies together to make the image you see; if one person even blinks, you should theoretically be able to see it. I started getting images that weren't current, that were frozen for fractions of a second, and I knew I was in trouble. I'd been in the bedroom most of the half hour, so as to avoid the usual puppy-barking, kid-squeaking kind of way things are. But now, back in the bedroom, I realized I'd have to go back.

I got up, walked back into the living room, plugged the computer in, and pressed "record" again; I'd lost about 1-3 minutes. I'm not sure why I had to turn it off in order to move; maybe that happened accidentally, but the first movie bundled itself naturally and I started in on the second.

As a Quaker I'm delighted to get in any room with six or seven other Quakers and discuss our experience with the Light, the spirit. It reminds me of one time I was living in southeast Kansas and decided to go down to the Arky-Okie Quarterly campout in the forest outside of Fayetteville Arkansas. Upon arrival I knew immediately I was with a group of Quakers and I took a deep breath. Being isolated is hard, because there are things one needs to discuss when one is trying to live a spiritual life. And it's good to be in the company of people who are united, basically, by trying to live a spiritual life.

So there are two movies: one is from about 5-5 30, and the other from about 5 33 - 6 03. I am not sure what the consequences of having two would be. I look forward to listening to them, perhaps several times, maybe even transcribing. Transcribing I figure would take either 6-10 hours, or perhaps $60, but both of those are impossible for me at this moment.

In the range from Millenial to Elder, I fall somewhere in between. I think I'm younger than some of the poeple Maurine has identified as elder; but I am the father of one of the millenials. It was an interesting crowd, and I am still reflecting on it. And, I look forward to the next one.

Quakers on Zoom - Maurine's Online Covenant

Hello and welcome to my site, and thank you for participating in Maurine's online covenant, which I think will be fantastic. I am the technical coordinator, which means I am here to 1) make sure you can get on Zoom; 2) give you clear directions for getting on it in the coming days, and 3) managing the session itself, so that the recording will accurately reflect the people and what they say. First warning: Everything you say will be recorded, and may be studied by a number of people, from linguists to divinity scholars. Second warning: Although Zoom is very cool and way better than Skype for a number of reasons, it's not nothing, and so we appreciate you putting time into it before we start.

First, Zoom is much like Skype. It's an app and it tells you to put it in "applications" where it will be happy and access your computer video program. It takes you about five minutes to download it on your computer, and to do that you have your computer passwords ready and have rights to download apps onto the computer in the first place (this is an issue for me, working as I do in places where I don't always have those rights). So, take a few minutes, go to zoom.us, and download it. It's easy. Why is it better than Skype? The main reason is that for large video gatherings you can see everyone, and the recording is good. A secondary reason is that since Skype was taken over by Microsoft, for some reason it's less user-friendly, or it may be that people like me can simply never remember their Microsoft passwords or use them in a byzantine Microsoft system. For some people this is not an issue. But zoom doesn't even have a password, or rather, you store the number in your e-mail (which I will give you), then you use the password (which I will give you), and it'll be the same every time. It's quite easy. Recordings are also easy, and I believe you will have access to them if you want (if not write me @ leverett@siu.edu).

It reminds me - I ought to introduce myself to you, just so we can work together more easily, and I would like to say that you should feel free to introduce yourselves as well, and write me by email any time (). I have been a Quaker for about twenty-five years, and have raised ten children to be as Quakerly as I could. I met Maurine in the Southern Illinois Friends Meeting, and we have been close friends since. I have written many Quaker plays, most of which are on this very site. And finally, I'm not really the technical whiz Maurine might infer, but I'm the best she's got, and I've agreed to help her with this.

One other thing I should mention is that you will need a computer with a videocam; almost all computers have one, but some of the older ones don't, and, unlike Skype, you can't jack in to Zoom as a phone call, sound only, from a land line. You have to have internet and be able to download Zoom onto your computer. Another thing you'll need is to make sure your computer is fully charged during the meeting, or near a charger where you can simply plug it in. We forget how much bandwidth it takes to basically send a live-stream video of six to eight people, at the same time sending part from yours to zoom central, and then sending basically eight more (or however many) live-stream movies back to you. You may think that if you don't move around much, or say anything, it will be easier on Zoom; no, it's an entire movie, of eight people, every time, being live-streamed in real-time, and taking in everything including lack of movement. It takes a lot of bandwidth, and you can't do it if your computer is dying, or your internet is too slow to handle it. Most internet, even in the remotest parts of New Mexico or New Hampshire, is fine. If you have internet, and a computer, you'll be fine. If not, go to a cafe or a library (though those places may be unwilling or unable to download zoom - in any case, if you can use their wifi, you're in). These are the olden days of wifi connection and sometime soon we'll be dumbfounded that this was an issue for anyone (as we do now, if you can't type something on Word) - but, sorry if this is an issue for you. Do the legwork now and figure out where you will be on Sunday Nov. 18, 5:00 MT, 6:00 Central time, 7:00 Eastern time, 4:00 Pacific. Anyone in Alaska or Europe? I think we're covered.

OK let's say you've downloaded zoom, and have now been invited to a meeting, which would mean that within your e-mail you have a number that looks like a phone number, and another one that looks like a password. Make sure your times are right: Mountain time (me) is an hour before Central; Central is an hour before Eastern; California and the west coast are an hour behind us in the mountains. Don't forget! Do the time conversions before the whole thing starts, so that you will be sure to be there at the same time we are.

Zoom lets you in right away and lets you control whether we hear your voice or don't, and whether we see you or don't. Please choose yes on both counts. No matter how embarrassing it is for you, we on our end feel better if we have some concept of what you look like, even if it's fuzzy or there are pajamas in the picture. You can turn it on "No video" if you are running to the bathroom, or "no sound" if some jackhammer starts outside, but in general, be conscious of the video, the sound, and the volume. We will want to hear you when you speak. Needless to say, it will help us to see you too.

Thank you one more time for your help in this extraordinary project. I think that the biggest issue facing Quakers today is that so many of us are isolated, which is due partly to our low numbers, so we don't get active involvement with other Quakers regularly. This project addresses that problem, and, if it works, obviously there can and will be more like it. It may cost you an hour on some precious first-days, but will be every bit as useful as we can make it. -Tom Leverett, PO Box 707 Cloudcroft NM 88317, ph. 618 319 2426

Online Covenant - Quakers hit Zoom

My old friend Maurine has the idea of getting Quakers far and wide together, online, and has entrusted me as the tech guy who will somehow make these meetings possible, record them, bundle and send them, and make them available on the Earlham School of Religion's site.

This is a tall order, since I'm not really very technologically savvy. She considers me to be young, and more capable of this kind of stuff, but that's kind of an illusion; actually I'm the kind of guy who would leave my VCR on "12:00" for months at a time. But, for this project, I've chosen Zoom, and I've decided that the key is getting everyone to 1) have Zoom, 2) be comfortable with it, and 3) open up to the situation.

Zoom is like Skype, only it's much easier to use. When I get involved in Skype, I have to figure out my Microsoft password, or establish one, and then guess how to set up a conference call, or anything that would involve more than two people. Zoom is made so that anyone can use it, and use it with others. It's also set up to be a classroom; you can call up things online, use a whiteboard, etc. I'm a big Zoom fan. But it's mostly because I'm familiar with it.

First online session is Sunday. Time to get going here, and figure this out. I'll keep you posted.

Tide of Employment

A play about Herbert Hoover

Tide of Employment

The Tide of Employment

REPORTER:

HERBERT HOOVER:
FRANCES PERKINS:

PAUL CALDWELL WILSON:

LOU HENRY HOOVER:

ANNIE:

FRED:
(OTHER CAMPERS)

SCENE ONE: White House

                                    Setting is at the White House. There are fancy chairs and couches around. At first the Reporter stands at front, alone, but then goes to join Hoover, front center.

REPORTER:    The great crash of Wall Street was barely eight months ago, and President Hoover so far has done nothing about the unemployment situation. Groups of people are collecting in places they’ve come to call “Hoovervilles,” such as Anacostia, here in Washington DC. Meanwhile I’ve come to the White House to talk to Mr. Hoover about what exactly he plans.

                                    Reporter sits with Hoover and puts microphone in front of him as appropriate.

REPORTER:    Mr. Hoover, what can you tell us about the employment situation, and what you’re doing about it?

HERBERT:      The tide of employment has changed in the right direction! People will be employed soon, I’m sure! It’s all a matter of confidence. When the employers become more confident about our future, they will hire more people.

REPORTER:    How can you assure us of that?

HERBERT:      I base my analysis on the US Employment Service. Look, I am just the President. I do not employ people, the businesses employ them. The businesses have to have confidence, before they take someone on, but I assure you, they have every reason to be confident. The US Employment Service assures us, the tide of employment is going in the right direction!

SCENE TWO: Perkins’ residence

                                    Similar to Scene One; it’s a private, well-to-do residence. There is a kitchen table. Francis sits at the kitchen table, writing in her diary.

FRANCES: (reading aloud to audience)         

            Dear Diary, These are the worst of times. Our president does not see the pain that people are in. There are no jobs, and nobody is doing anything about it. I fear the jobless will feel there’s something wrong with them personally. A great despair will enter their hearts. Young people will read the stories of our times and say, “Why doesn’t Papa work?”  He says it’s a matter of confidence. If people are not confident, whose fault is that? If nobody wants to be the first to start hiring people, whose fault is that?

(PAUL enters)

PAUL:              What are you doing, darling?
FRANCES:       Writing in my diary.

PAUL:              You look quite agitated.

FRANCES:       I am. Hoover has just made a speech. He said he felt that the (mocking his voice, making it obvious she doesn’t agree) “tide of employment has changed in the right direction!”

PAUL:              It doesn’t look like it has, based on the lines at the employment center!

FRANCES:       That’s exactly my point! He based his information on the US Employment Service. But the US Employment Service is notoriously inaccurate! The Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is more current, and more accurate, says that people are being laid off. People are losing their jobs. His Secretary of Labor says we’re “well on the way to recovery.” But I can see that we’re not!

PAUL:              You know, we could be in for a long depression.

FRANCES:       Yes, and you know what? This isn’t a problem that solves itself.

PAUL:              And you know, the problem with that buzzard is, it could be that government involvement is the only way to get the country back on track. You know, printing money, employing people, setting up some kind of safety net. You can’t just sit around and watch people starve!

FRANCES:       Yes, but that’s what he’ll do! You watch! 

                               (they exit.)

SCENE THREE: White House

                                (LOU HENRY and HERBERT enter. LOU HENRY is bringing HERBERT a cup of tea).

LOU HENRY: So, you said the tide of employment has changed in the right direction?

HERBERT:      Yes, dear, I said that. I said it because it has!

LOU HENRY: And what did you base that idea on?

HERBERT:      On statistics from the US Employment Service. Do you have a problem with that?

LOU HENRY: I just don’t quite believe them, is all. I think maybe you’re seeing what you want to see, instead of seeing what’s out there.

HERBERT:      It’s all confidence, dear. These businesses will hire people, if they think things are turning up. We have to keep our heads up, look at the good side! We have to keep looking forward!

LOU HENRY:  But that doesn’t mean looking at the wrong statistics!

HERBERT:      Statistics are statistics; numbers don’t lie! I’ve been using the same statistics all my life, and they never really failed me. I realize, maybe I’m looking at the good statistics, not the bad ones. But if these guys say the tide is turning, I’ll take it! I’ll not question it, and then go out there and tell everyone to starve!

LOU HENRY: I see your point. But in the end, they may starve anyway.

HERBERT:      So what am I supposed to do about it?

LOU HENRY: I don’t know, Herbert. But you are the President. You can think of something, can’t you? People are starving!  They’re making tent camps, like that one in Anacostia. They are cursing you under their breath!

HERBERT:      Listen, Lou Henry. As you know, I was an orphan. I was hungry once.  It’s not that I don’t know what it’s like to be hungry; I do. I just don’t feel like it’s the President’s job to make sure everyone gets fed. These businesses will start hiring, I know they will. They just need the confidence to get going. They need to feel like everyone else is doing it, and like it will turn out ok.

LOU HENRY: By the way, you know that place down near here, called Anacostia? The one people are beginning to call “Hooverville?” Anyway it’s where the poor people are. I was thinking, I could at least take some of our extra food down there. We have so much, we have extra.

HERBERT:      No, I won’t have it. We are the first family; we must show confidence that it will all get better. We can’t go mixing in with people down there.

SCENE FOUR: Campfire

SETTING is HOOVERVILLE, ANACOSTIA. Tired, dirty, poorly dressed people are around a fire. There can be as many as you like, or just two. The first is ANNIE, and the second is FRED, but there can be many singers. The tune is from We’d like to thank you Herbert Hoover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqvYNoiPDKw. But it can be chanted, or sung without the tune.

[ANNIE]
Today we're living in a shanty
Today we're scrounging for a meal

[FRED]
Today I'm stealing coal for fires
Who knew I could steal?

[ANNIE]
I used to winter in the tropics

[FRED]
I spent my summers at the shore

[ANNIE]
I used to throw away the paper—

[ALL]

we don’t anymore!

[ALL]
We'd like to thank you: Herber Hoover
For really showing us the way
We'd like to thank you, Herbert Hoover
You made us what we are today

Prosperity was 'round the corner
The cozy cottage built for two
In this blue heaven
That you
Gave us
Yes! We're turning blue!

They offered us Al Smith and Hoover
We paid attention and we chose
Not only did we pay attention
We paid through the nose.

In ev'ry pot he said "a chicken"
But Herbert Hoover he forgot
Not only don't we have the chicken
We ain't got the pot!
Hey Herbie

[WOMEN]
You left behind a grateful nation

[ALL]
So, Herb, our hats are off to you
We're up to here with admiration

[ANNIE]
Come down and have a little stew

[ALL]
Come down and share some Christmas dinner
Be sure to bring the missus too
We got no turkey for our stuffing

Why don’t we stuff you

We'd like to thank you, Herbert Hoover (Thank you Herbie)
For really showing us the way
You dirty rat, you Bureaucrat, you
Made us what we are today
Come and get it, Herb!

(they exit)

SCENE FIVE: Perkins’ house

(enter FRANCES and PAUL. FRANCES is serving tea.)

FRANCES:       Well, Hoover is turning out to be one of the most unpopular  presidents, ever!

PAUL:              Yes, the main problem is that so many people are starving, eh?

FRANCES:       The unemployment rate has reached 25%. It’s like nobody is working  except the mailman and the public school teachers.

PAUL:              But he’s raised taxes on everyone. What does he think, that the common people can take much more of this?

FRANCES:       Well, as you know, he believes in balancing the budget. And he passed the Smoot-Hawley tariff, so that dried up international trade!

PAUL:              Yes, you make tariffs, they make tariffs, pretty soon there’s less trade,  no jobs, more of the same. He thought he was protecting jobs, but it didn’t work out that way. And the worst thing is that he’s supporting Prohibition! He called it an “experiment,” like he would take it away if  it didn’t work. Well, it didn’t work. But we’re still stuck with it.

FRANCES:       Yes, does he think people shouldn’t be able to drink away their woes?

PAUL:              Well, it’s really more a practical matter. I can see the damage that alcohol does, but is it really possible to make it illegal, and keep it that way? People like this Al Capone, they’re just smuggling it in, making the big money, and that makes the people even more angry I would think.             

FRANCES:       Not to mention, need a drink once in a while.

PAUL:              That reminds me (producing a wine bottle): Would you like a sip? It’s tough times. We need to get through it. (He pours) Listen, Frances. Cheers! (they raise glasses together and clink them). You are the new Commissioner of the New York State Department of Labor. My point is, you are prominent. You are in the public eye. When you say that Hoover is using bogus statistics to make his point, people listen. It’s important what’s going on here. People are starving. Hoover is ignoring it, and pretending everything is going to be ok. What if it’s not ok? Somebody has to do something!

FRANCES:       I’m doing the best I can, Paul! It is not easy, watching these people starve!

                                    (they leave)

SCENE SIX: White House

                                    (HERBERT and LOU HENRY come and occupy the same table).

LOU HENRY: Your heart looks heavy, Herbert. It looks like it’s weighing on you.

HERBERT:      It is. I am well aware that people are starving, and that they blame me.

LOU HENRY: Let me remind you of something, Herbert. You have led an exemplary life. You helped rebuild Europe after World War One. You fed millions of Europeans with the American Relief Administration. That was no small thing. You have showed the world how one person can make a difference.

HERBERT:      But here, I just don’t see what I can do. I started the Hoover Dam; I made projects that employed people. I know how to get things done, make plans, get the money, get projects rolling. But I can’t just make business start hiring! I can’t just go out and feed people, and put them on the dole! That’s not how it works! These businesses have to take the initiative here! It’s just not government’s job!

LOU HENRY: Perhaps you shouldn’t have raised taxes?

HERBERT:      You have to balance the budget! If the government just starts borrowing, borrowing, borrowing, where does that lead us? I can’t see it. We had to have the money to keep government going. I don’t know any way out!

LOU HENRY:              You know, Herbert, I can’t help but think of our Quaker heritage. We both grew up Quaker, grew up in the same faith. Where are the principles of compassion, and helping the poor? We sit here, with this nice tablecloth, and our fine silver, (she waves her arms at the finery on the table; at this point there are at least a few dishes, and teacups), and out there people are starving. I’d like to help them, maybe take some food down to Anacostia, but you think that’s not becoming of the Presidency. Sometimes it seems to me that the only thing left of our Quakerism is our stubborn refusal to let people drink!

HERBERT:      Actually I wouldn’t mind a little drink, at this point.

LOU HENRY: What, make it illegal for everyone, but indulge ourselves? I’ll not have it! I may have given up on all our other Quaker ideals, but I’ll not give up on doing yourself as you let others do.

HERBERT:      By the way, I’ve received reports that you’ve arranged to take leftover foods from the White House, over to Anacostia at times on weekends.  Is this true?   

LOU HENRY: Yes it is, I arrange for it anyway. You see, I can’t bear to know that people are starving. It is one thing, that they say the President has no thought for the little man, but only trying to save the bloated plutocrat. They can say all the mean and hurtful things they want. But as for myself, if I waste food, while people are starving, I can’t bear that. I will go and help them if I can. It’s my kitchen; it’s my food, and I can have our people take it over there.

HERBERT:      Just be careful, OK? I don’t really want you going over there yourself. Just have the kitchen help do it; they’ll know how to get it over there, and what to do. It’s not safe if you go. I can’t bear to see you in danger.

                                    (they leave)

SCENE SEVEN: Reporter is at tv set

REPORTER:   Good evening. Today the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Labor, Frances Perkins, criticized President Hoover, for using the wrong statistics when he said that the “tide of employment” had turned and that employers were beginning to hire more workers. She said that the US Employment Service had inaccurate statistics, and should not be trusted, and, in addition, correct statistics would show that things were not in fact getting better. (she exits)

 

SCENE EIGHT: Campfire

                                    (Scene returns to Hooverville, a campfire. Everyone is rubbing their hands to stay warm. They are dressed in rags and old clothing. Annie and Fred are among many, as many as can be mustered. Children are welcome at this point too.)

ANNIE:            I hate Herbert Hoover so much! He sits up there in his elegance, his                            finery, and we, down here in Anacostia, we starve!

FRED:              Yeah, back in Europe, he said, “Whatever their politics, they shall be fed!” But look at him now. He’s up there in that White House, with his silver and his china, and do you think he’d feed us? I don’t think so!

ANNIE:            And you can’t even have a drink, or they’ll arrest you!

FRED:              Oh you can bet those rich people have plenty to drink! They’re hiding behind their walls and gates, just drinking away, they are! It’s us who have to go to the poor house, or go to jail for picking up a sip here and there.

ANNIE:            The hypocrisy of it, that’s what I hate! They have their jobs, their salaries, their houses. They can hide. We’re out here, in the cold. In the park. We make one move, the coppers will see us!

FRED:              You think they’re happy up there? You think they’re drunk? ‘Cause I’ll tell you, I don’t know what they’re doing.

ANNIE:            You know, I think about his wife sometimes. What would it be like to                           be married to a skinflint teetotaler like Hoover? A miserable, stubborn, greedy old fool! I think she must be miserable too!

FRED:              Oh miserable, I don’t think so. He had millions before he was even president. He never hurt for money. Sure, he was an orphan once, but he made so many millions, he forgot all about what it was like to be hungry. He made the Hoover Dam, he did this, he did that. I don’t think they’re suffering. I think they’re made in the shade!

                                    (LOU enters from left, stands in front, does not see campers, speaks directly to audience. She is carrying a box. )

LOU HENRY: When I was a kid, we lived out in the country. We made a fire in the stove to keep us warm. But you know, that’s the time I would feel hungry. I could work all day, and not feel it, if we were a little short of food, or if somebody ate all the biscuits. But at night, when it got cold, that’s when I’d feel it. So now, I have this box of food. Some of it needs to be eaten; it might go bad. But I don’t want to throw it out. And the kitchen help, they’re done for the night. They went home. It’s just me, and I’m going to take it down there.

                                    (She takes a wide turn off to the side of the stage, then comes back, in front of the people in the campfire. She shows the audience the box again, before turning back and presenting it to them.)

LOU HENRY: Excuse me? (setting a box in front of them) These are various kinds of food that we won’t be eating. We thought we’d bring you something, you know, just to help tide you over.

FRED:              (standing, removing his hat) Why thank you ma’am. Much obliged. God bless you!

(CURTAIN CALL)

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