Yesterday Siddhartha informed us all of the first Indian American governor to ever hold office in the U.S. (even if it will only be for a few days). It is a proud step forward. I mean, the only powerful desi politician right now is Bobby Jindal, and we all know there are mixed emotions regarding him. The situation in New Jersey got me thinking as to whether or not there is any other back door action to be taken advantage of out there. Can us desis (who often face an electability hurdle because of the pronunciation of our names and our brown faces) get our hands on the levers of power by “non-traditional” means instead?
As most of you are aware, South Dakota’s senior senator, Tim Johnson, fell ill a couple of weeks ago:
In Washington, D.C., on December 13, 2006, during the broadcast of a live radio interview with WNAX radio in Yankton, South Dakota, Johnson suffered bleeding in the brain caused by cerebral arteriovenous malformation, a congenital problem that causes enlarged and tangled blood vessels. He underwent surgery at George Washington University Hospital to drain the blood and stop further bleeding. Johnson’s condition was critical after the surgery. Johnson’s physician, Admiral John Eisold, said that day that “[i]t is premature to determine whether further surgery will be required or to assess any long-term prognosis.”
As of December 28, 2006, Johnson remained hospitalized in George Washington University Hospital. According to a neurosurgeon on the hospital’s staff, Johnson was being weaned from the medication used to keep him sedated, and he was opening his eyes and responding to his wife. [Link]
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p>Johnson’s health is critical to the balance of power in our country. The Senate has 49 Republicans, 49 Democrats, and two Independents that caucus with the Democrats. This equates to a 51-49 majority for the Dems. If Johnson is permanently incapacitated then the Republican governor of South Dakota can appoint someone to fill the vacancy. He will most definitely appoint a Republican. Thus, we will be at 50-50 again and Vice President Cheney (a.k.a. Lord of the Sith) would become the tie-breaking vote. The Republicans would then control the Senate as before the recent election. Enter Dr. Vivek Deshmukh:
The surgery on Johnson was performed by Dr. Vivek Deshmukh, a neurosurgeon with special expertise and subspecialty training in cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgery, the statement said. The surgical team included Caputy and Dr. Anthony Venbrux, director of cardiovascular and interventional radiology. The surgery was a success, the statement said. [Link]“Senator Johnson is sedated to allow his systems to rest and recover from the hemorrhage, and we anticipate no further tests or procedures in the near future,” neurosurgeon Vivek Deshmukh said in a statement issued by Johnson’s office.
“This is expected to continue through the holidays,” Vivek added. [Link]
Here is what I am slowly leading to. Rather than trying in futility to get desis to win political office, maybe we should try a more circuitous approach to the problem. Can anyone contest that Dr. Deshmukh is currently the most powerful man in America? What I am advocating is that we encourage young desis to perhaps go into non-traditional fields like medicine. We might be able to make more of a political impact that way.
Hahahahaha! Yeah, I tried the whole Seven-Eleven worker thing, but I couldn’t get anywhere with the lobbyists. My most powerful moment was when I sold Condi a Strawberry Slurpee and gave her a brain freeze. Take that, Rice!
…
Mmm. Rice.
ROFLOL!
I know this was meant to be humorous post (dying of laughter here, quick, get me a desi surgeon! And make sure he/she is a Republican), but is anyone else tired of the relentless policitization of everything? And spare me the, ‘you -fillintheblank- started if first’ crud which I know will inevitably follow…..
*Why, the reason for the relentless politization of everything is the damned Whigs, what with your radical Whig-ist policies. Thanks to the Whigs, what with their whig-wing radion and blogs, the US is almost exactly like Nazi Germany. What? I said almost, so don’t get your shorts in a bunch, you whiganists!
** apropos of nothing and said before, but is Wonkette really that funny? Me no get.
***Okay, I take it back. Abhi really does make me laugh. Laughing with, laughing with, not at, obviously.
****Wouldn’t it be great if this surgeon was totally apolitical and hated everyone and everything with equal vehemence (except his patients, of course)? I am not projecting.
Ugh. Can our political future really be McCain, Hillary, Edwards, etc? Damn. Maybe I’ll move to Canada…..
I dont think these people can do any worse than Bush, Kerry, Cheney and co.
Then you have a failure of imagination, my friend, a serious failure of imagination…..it can always get worse.
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blockquote>What I am advocating is that we encourage young desis to perhaps go into non-traditional fields like medicine. We might be able to make more of a political impact that way.blockquote>
although it is more of a traditional occupation for the brownies to be a part of, this statement does ring true in some ways… sanjay gupta (neurosurgeon) was a white house fellow under clinton before he got his cnn/time magazine gig… bill frist (surgeon) was a senator and the former majority leader from TN..and most of the indian docs that i grew up with were politically active whether supporting causes back home in india to bringing awareness to the community in which they lived in amrika…
Abhi, I think you’re a great guy. I think you are very funny and I love reading your writing. But my goodness, man, that line is funnier than all your other posts put together. That was seriously hilarious. Good work, dawg.
I’m gonna steal it.
That’s the funniest line that’s ever been written in this place. All aspiring comedians note the perfect delivery of a deadpan funny.
Damn I peed a little after I laughed so loud!!
Go Marathi power!!!!
It’s not just what you said, but how you said it. Brilliant.
Unfortunately (ahem, for me) all those desi docs turn into Republicans (OK OK not all but lots, and I don’t swing that way).
Brilliant!
Every year the senior class at UT Southwestern produces a senior film that is usually a series of humorous sketches about life in medical school, wards, and the other perils of becoming a doctor.
A few years back they produced a film called “For all the Wrong Reasons” and it was a very appropriate but dark view of medical school. The film centered on a medical student who was basically unsuccessful at all his rotations but felt compelled to go to medical school because doctors were so respected, happy, drove great cars, and married smoking hot women. In the end he drops out, marries one of the female doctors, and stays home to take care of the kids. (I’m getting to my point eventually, stay with me…)
Well there is the obligatory desi scene featuring two attendings acting as parents “encouraging” their daughter to go into medicine.
“But dad I don’t want to be a doctor.”
“Ok that’s fine an engineer then.”
“I don’t want to be an engineer either”
“So it’s settled then. Doctor or engineer. Very good then.”
My whole take on this it as a physician I do enjoy my job, but know that I do envy those of you with artistic ability in literature, photography, or acting as well as those bleeding hearts in the non-profit organizations trying to make this world a better place. Your writing, this blog in particular, saves lives in a sense by helping people like me stay informed and bringing a bit of humor. So Abhi, ANNA, Siddhartha, Amardeep, and the rest of you. Thanks. I may not be Cheney or an aphasic senator from South Dakota, but your work is appreciated.
Asha’s Dad that was funny…my mother’s a physician and my father’s an engineer (yeah imagine that!!) and honestly when I told them I didn’t want to be either (neither is my brother) they were both fine with it, my mother more than my dad. Of course fast forward 10 years and any apprehension they had about their kids choices in careers has completely disappeared.
I’m going to be the kind of parent that forces my kid to get on Wall Street, that’s where the money’s at! 🙂
the two primary docs taking care of Sen. Johnson are desi as well, in fact… (oops, knocking on my door)
Link to the film “All the Wrong Reasons” and the movie poster
Isn’t Google wonderful?
Hmmm, the coercian aspect (doctor coercian seems pretty common in non-desi families, in my anecdotal experience) explains the attitude of some of the residents/fellows/students I’ve worked with in the past toward, well, just plain old hard work in general……ah, is there any more meritorious and just place than academia? Where one is rewarded exclusively for the quality of the work produced. Huzzah.
You can actually download the video (MPEG format – plays on iTunes) on their website
Greatest one liner of 2006
Abhi, If I may improvise.
What I am advocating is that we encourage young desis to perhaps go into fields like non-traditional medicine.
“What I am advocating is that we encourage young desis to perhaps go into non-traditional fields like medicine.” Couldn’t help but laugh!
I agree with Asha’s Dad…I envy those with an artistic streak, those who can sing, act, photograph, paint, and most of all write brilliantly…sigh…I chose teaching in an elementary school. I’m THE ONLY desi in this huge school district. Talk about non-traditional. What was I thinking?!
I hear you sister!
Actually I am finding more and more desi teachers. Teachers are the new doctors, if you know what I mean.
I want my kid to be a poet. I will not tolerate another brown doctor. Famous line delivered by my mother,
C-Rani – My friend has a shirt that says “Be the doctor your mother wanted you to marry.” It’s for her med school’s women’s association.
Dr. Deshmukh is powerful because he is a good neurosurgeon who puts his patient’s health first. You and I are powerful when we work at what are best at with all our hearts for the benefit of others. Some of us are surgeons, others teach, others care, others write.
Thank you for the opportunity to be of service!
“Actually I am finding more and more desi teachers. Teachers are the new doctors, if you know what I mean.”
Word. Though I’m not sure teachers are the new doctors — I still don’t hear of anyone’s parents initially embracing their child’s choice to be an educator, aka supposedly poor and underappreciated. When I entered my M.Ed. program, a family “friend” called the day before I started and asked me why I was throwing my life away and squandering the opportunities my parents had provided me with. Needless to say, that was the last time I ever spoke to that uncle ever again. It definitely took my parents awhile to accept that I was not going to be able to buy them the retirement home of their dreams.
Three years ago, I went to a conference for educators of color and there were, hmmm, maybe 3 South Asians in the Asian affinity group out of perhaps ~100 people in the room. This year, there were a good 12-15 of us and still more that chose not to attend the affinity group meetings. It was kind of exciting 🙂 Most exciting, actually were the teachers who were in their 40s; very nice to have these pioneers to lean on for moral support.
I belong to a listserv for API educators; since S. Asians now have a critical mass, someone from the API listserv is thinking of creating a S. Asian specific group. If anyone is interested in getting on either list, let me know!
I recall a similar discussion on a previous post, but I can’t seem to find it. I don’t think anyone should be in a position where they have to defend the choices they make. If you can live the lifestyle you want to lead and are happy that’s all that matters. Also, in my mind, there’s no such thing as a traditional occupation or traditional people for that matter. There are plenty of doctors and engineers doing very interesting things. Likewise, there are plenty of writers, musicians, and artists that aren’t producing anything of value.
Miha and all the other brilliant teachers on this board I admire. You are instrumental in shaping the future of this country. Nothing can be more powerful than that. Teaching especially school children is nothing short of brave and incredibly admirable. Not until I grew up have I learnt to realize the value of my teachers thru school and how much energy effort and passion they put into their children. Thank you.
Yes, I agree with others. Just think how much more power and influence we’d currently have if say…Dick Cheney’s elementary school teacher was desi. We have to lay down the groundwork now with soldiers like Milli and Tamasha.
before Dr.Deshmukh came along, I thought the “most important desi” was Siddharth, the desi cameraman who managed to piss off ex-Sen George Allen of Virginia and hence, the whole M-word incident. It seemed like the Virginia election was considered a formality for the Republicans until that incident.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that teachers are doing fairly well. There is a combination of factors: stable careers, stable marriages, prudent lifestyles, moonlighting as realtors in the summers, marrying spouses who are not teachers, … Do mutineers agree?
liberal, I think: you’re referring to S.R. Sidarth, I believe. Yeah, TIME magazine, Wonkette, The Washington Post, and Salon all appear to agree with you. I personally think they should have given the award to his camera.
I have a friend in the Chicago school system who’s desi, who has a lot to say about this, I bet. I’ll send her the link.
PG Wodehouse: I agree, but not really for any of the reasons you mentioned. My salary is more than enough to sustain my lifestyle in SF, one of the more expensive cities in the country. I don’t want for much — perhaps if I wanted a luxury car, giant flat screen tv, or first class plane tickets, I’d have to reconsider my choice. But I spend boatloads of money on overpriced clothing, trips around the world, and excellent food, and I’m doing just fine. Interestingly, my school has one of the lowest salaries in the district; I know middle school teachers who are probably making $20K more than me. If I moved back to Chicago and taught in certain public school districts, I’d easily be making more money that some of my pediatrician friends based on my degrees and experience. None of my coworkers take summer jobs to supplement their incomes, many aren’t married, and the ones who are are actually married to people with less stable/lucrative careers (visual artists, musicians, other teachers, etc.)
Ha!
Hot damn! I’m a soldier now?! All the love is much appreciated folks.
As for this:
Stable career: check. Stable marriage: um, no. The need to marry a non-teacher: essential. Prudent lifestyle: not sure what this means, but probably not.
The fact that teachers have to “moonlight” at all is what I find ridiculous. Teachers will not being “doing fairly well” until we are paid more.
clarification: i meant to say “city,” not “district” in my last post. i do not work for satan, aka SF unified school district. i know that CA is an exception where private school teachers tened to earn more on average.
Sometimes Dr Kevorkian’s medical talents may be more appropriate.
I am a special ed teacher in New York, and I have met a few desi special educators..went to school with a few too. But I’m the only desi teacher in my school.
Milli, can you please let me know the name of the organization which had the conference for educators of color? Thanks.
This thread has taken such an interesting turn. 🙂
sk — the conference is only for teachers in independent schools. see the following:
NAIS: People of Color Conference
Oh gosh, so much has happened since I put up my comment! I live in PA, make a decent salary but I teach in a inner city school, drugs, crimes, and loads of low income kids make up my daily routine. Teaching sounds all glorified in theory but seriously people who are not in education don’t know how much work and crazy levels of multitasking are involved in just one day of teaching. Summers off sounds good and its hard earned. Actually, I would love to have a day where I just TEACH. Just one day! Without the phone ringing, emails buzzing, someone hiding under the desk, someone knocking at the door, someone requesting paper work. I manage my class very well, but sometimes the demands of a hectic, underperforming school district is just too much.
blockquote>Stable career: check. Stable marriage: um, no. The need to marry a non-teacher: essential. Prudent lifestyle: not sure what this means, but probably not. The fact that teachers have to “moonlight” at all is what I find ridiculous. Teachers will not being “doing fairly well” until we are paid more.
Stable career: maybe Stable marriage: married to the job The need to marry a non-teacher: Absolutely essential!
I don’t plan on staying on too long. Thanks to Bush and his “No (every) child left behind” act.
I think teaching Internationally is what I want to do. Going to Mumbai is my dream :)! Thanks Milli, Tamasha, and sk for sharing info on colored teachers and just teaching in general. Now I don’t feel alone! yay!
I taught in Delhi for a short time. You can see my kids in one of the rotating banners (#47). 🙂
At first glance the Bangladesh parliament looked like the Gehry designed Walt Disney concert hall in LA!
miha, have you ever thought about doing indicorps?
Haha. That has got to be the funniest and most unsettling news I’ve read this whole week. Even the hanging of Saddam tomorrow isn’t as entertaining as this piece of news.
Milli…unfortunately I’m not of “indian origin” 🙁 and the dead line has passed.
d’oh! miha, it was a thoughtless assumption on my part. i am so sorry!
(also i realize i’ve contributed to the slight derailment of this thread, so i’ll shuttup now)
I think we have the same mother. Since I am not a physician, I am apparently supposed to flip through my HMO’s provider book and pick a single (Hindu and North Indian) one.
To echo much of what has been said… teachers are important to the foundation of our society. Much of our sociological education comes from our teachers and the environment they create. South Asians (and anyone of color) taking this position have the potential to eliminate discrimination on multiple fronts. The ramifications of this may prove to be greater than we can fathom. Of course I have an over-active imagination so I see myself voting for Abhi as President in a few terms… right after he walks on Mars.
It’s rather easy to claim to want to be or aspire to an artistic lifestyle for yourself or your children. But POVERTY is not cool. Either for yourselves, or your li’l ones. So think long and hard before you wish that upon ur kids. If you wish so upon yourself, you know where the money goes.
Hi everyone. First comment here. I love this blog. Helps me understand the lives of Desis in the States way better than watching Apu on Simpsons or watching Dr. Mahesh “Bug” Vijayaraghavensatyanaryanamurthy on Crossing Jordan reruns.
And its amazing to see how a neurosurgeon can wield so much power. Brown is the new White.
Peace.
Shhh! You’re giving the lurking aunties ideas!
Great, so your kid can disappoint you when he/she becomes a doctor, like I did. My dad wanted me to be a writer.