I Dunno About This One...

The names of the two participants are not important, so I will not publicly repeat them here. The press has already been responsible for outing the initial story and the names of the two involved. It's probably not the first or last time an event like this has or will occur, nor will it likely be the last that the press will pick something like this to report as noteworthy news. And the fact that I am writing about it only demonstrates that some things are just too good to pass up.

The Metrodome in Minneapolis became the focus of attention this past week, when a couple of Iowa fans, during last weekend's Iowa-Minnesota game, were discovered in a men's handicapped restroom stall engaged in a rite of passion.

Minneapolis is my second home, and my first thought when I read the headlines, was that it was another one of those incidents involving a Larry Craig scenario. So at first glance, it wasn't a story that I was interested in reading. Then today, I saw that there was a followup story in the Des Moines Register, with the headline that included the words "scandal", and "ruined my life." Okay...I was curious now.

It turns out that the two people involved in what happened at the Metrodome were indeed Iowa fans, and they were both Iowa residents as well. At this point, the rest of the story starts down a path that departs far from the norm, and the story actually becomes quite bizarre.

The two were of the opposite gender. The man involved was 26 years old, and was from Linden, Iowa. The woman was 38 years old, and from Carrol, Iowa. 60 miles separate the two towns where they lived, and the claim is that the two had never met each other prior to the incident in the men's room. That much seems plausable.

The incident, as it was occurring, caught the attention of about a dozen others who had meandered into the restroom, and a session of laughs and cheers ensued. Getting back to watching the game took a second seat to what was obviously a more enjoyable form of live action to witness. The entertainment was forcibly broken up when a security guard called in the University of Minnesota police after he made his own observation to what the ruckus was all about. The two were cited for a misdemeanor offense of indecent conduct.

You have to imagine that a certain amount of embarrassment comes with having to face an officer of the law under such circumstances, and a person's state of mind is very important. Keep in mind that when asked by the officer, the woman attempted to give him a false name. The officer also described both of them as being "upset, drunk, and uncooperative." Other University officers were asked to track down the woman's husband, still in the stands. He identified her as his wife and gave them her correct name. She was released to his custody. The man involved in the tryst was attending the game with his girlfriend, but was not involved at the scene. Neither of the two cited individuals were subjected to any measure of their alcohol levels, but the officer was quoted as saying in response to the woman's claim of being too drunk to remember the incident, that it was "probably an accurate statement."

In the Des Moines Register news item published today, the woman was quoted as saying that "she'd had so much wine before kickoff, that she doesn't remember walking into the restroom, the man she had sex with in a stall, or when the police opened the door." She does however, claim to remember the humiliation she was subjected to afterward. One minute she remembers being in the stands, and the next, "being slammed around by a cop and screaming."

She claims to remember "running away" from her husband while still at the Metrodome, but did not explain where she was for the three and a half hours after being cited, then took up another woman's offer to give her a ride home. She gave that woman her husband's cell phone number, who then gave the kind woman driving directions to the hotel where the couple had been staying while in town.

An Attorney has been hired by the woman involved in the incident, and is encouraging her to fight the ticket. "He feels I was taken advantage of in my state of mind," she is quoted as saying. "This is not me. We are a very good family. This should not happen." In response to the plan to contest the citation, the officer who cited the two was quoted as saying that, "it's clear in the law in Minnesota that intoxication is not a defense to any crime."

Again, I'm not going to mention names on my page, because it serves no purpose to do so, but the story going public has resulted in this woman being targeted with internet jokes, prank phone calls, and even having been fired from her job as an administrator of an assisted living center. "It’s ruined my life," she's been quoted as saying. "Not just the incident but the press."

I don't like stomping on people when they are obviously down and out. I also don't like people who do. But there are nagging details in all of this that pester me. It's hard for me to swallow that a woman claiming to be too drunk to remember the more relevant set of events leading up to what happened, would somehow meet a perfect stranger on the way to the restroom while on her own two feet, be led by that perfect stranger into a restroom stall for a moment of passion, and yet would have the presence of mind to attempt to shield her identity, be verbally combative towards an officer and make no claim of not understanding at all what happened and why she was there at the moment, and then purposely and again while on her own two feet, avoid her husbands inquiries by running away from him.

She would have to have been falling down drunk, and at the point of being passed out. Then that would have lead to inquiries of the male participant to explain his actions a bit more clearly. And the problem with her claim is that there was no hint anywhere in all of this, that she was anything other than a willing participant.

I'm sure that we have not heard the last of this case. It has potential to become too interesting to not desire to keep up with the outcome. Then again, the two parties participants have already faced having to explain what happened to more important people in their lives than those of the public, or any judge for that matter. An officer offered what was probably the most honest and prophetic statement ever uttered.

"I'm sure that it was a very long ride back to Iowa for both of them."

Indeed it was.

They're Betting Against A United States Of America

Meet Igor Panarin, 60 years young. He's a leading political analyst in Russia, a Professor at the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and he apparently is a betting man to boot. He's not likely to step into a casino, nor is he likely to bet on the ponies online.

No...the Professor likes to bet on something that has much higher stakes involved if what he's betting on comes to pass. He's betting that the United States is on the verge of a total collapse, and that it would not be so 'united' any longer. He's predicting that the United States would be divided into as many as six new countries. It's not the first time that he's anted up to play a hand of world poker. He first made the prediction in 1998 at a time when the US economy was very strong.

During an interview published Monday in it's daily edition of INVESTIA, a Russian newspaper largely suspected to be at least highly influenced by the Russian Government, Igor Panarin was quoted as saying that "the dollar is not secured by anything. The country's foreign debt has grown like an avalanche, even though in the early 1980's there was no debt. By 1988, when I first made my prediction, it had exceeded $2 trillion. Now it is more than $11 trillion. This is a pyramid that can only collapse."

In response to a question during the interview as to whether the U.S. economy would collapse, he responded that "it is already collapsing. Due to the financial crisis, three of the largest and oldest five banks on Wall Street have already ceased to exist, and two are barely surviving. Their losses are the biggest in history. Now what we will see is a change in the regulatory system on a global financial scale. America will no longer be the world's financial regulator."

When asked who would replace the United States in regulating the world markets, he replied "two countries could assume this role. China, with it's vast reserves, and Russia, which could play the role of a regulator in Eurasia."

As to his prediction that the United States would be divided in to separate parts, he offered that there were "a whole range of reasons [why this will happen]. Firstly, the financial problems in the U.S. will get worse. Millions of citizens there have lost their savings. Prices and unemployment are on the rise. General Motors and Ford are on the verge of collapse, and this means that whole cities will be left without work. Governors are already insistently demanding money from the federal center. Dissatisfaction is growing, and at the moment it is only being held back by the elections and the hope that Obama can work miracles. But by spring, it will be clear that there are no miracles. The United States has a vulnerable political setup, a lack of unified national laws, and divisions among the elite, which have become clear in these crisis conditions."

He claims that our country will be split into six parts. The pacific coast, will consist of mostly Asians. The south will go to the Hispanics, who are already making historical claim to much of the south as having been taken from them many years ago. The Atlantic coastal states will become haven for those with a distinctly separatist mentality. The central states will be returned to the Native Americans, and the northern states that border Canada will be incorporated into that nation.

And last but not least, he predicts that Alaska will become part of Russia. "It was only granted on lease, after all."

It might be worth noting that the Professor has authored more than a few books on information warfare.

I doubt that most people inside the border of this country would give a hoot what someone from Russia might be thinking, much less predicting, but this does raise my hackles just a wee bit. It makes me want to jump up, salute the flag, and sing the Star Spangled Banner.

Without question, we are facing some tough times ahead. Many people will suffer in the coming months ahead. We may well not have reached the bottom yet, in terms of the financial crisis, but I am not about to give what this man says the time of day...yet.

This country suffered far worse after the collapse of the markets in 1929. Unemployment was 25% at it's peak, and yes...more than 10 other developed nations suffered right along with the United States when our markets collapsed. We haven't began to rival the amount of suffering yet, to even make a notable comparison.

The national debt is a factor that does need serious attention. How long it will take, and how deep the cuts will have to be, in order to bring the debt down, remains to be seen. The nation is awaiting Obama's inauguration with baited breath, because someone is going to have to do something to stop the out-of-control spending...and now.

But I, and I am sure most all but the Professor are not betting against us just yet. We've been through a great deal throughout history as a nation, and we will get through this too, unless people become totally pessimistic and give up.

I'm betting that will not happen.

Who Do We Thank Today For The Holiday Tomorrow?

Most of us remember how Thanksgiving came to be, as related in the story that we were taught in grade school. The Massachusetts Bay Colonists, or "Pilgrims" as they are more affectionately referred to, in 1621 on behalf of Plymouth governor William Bradford, invited local Indians to join them in a three-day festival in part at Plymouth Rock, to celebrate a bountiful harvest, in part due to the assistance of the Indians in showing the newcomers how to work the rock filled and hardened land.

The Colonists already held a holiday on a Thursday in church , following the fall harvest, called "Lecture Day", where various leaders offered topical sermons.

A localized custom from that day, expanded throughout New England. In 1777, the Continental Congress declared the first national Thanksgiving, following the Patriot victory at Saratoga. In 1789, President George Washington was the first in high office to sign legislation sent to him by Congress, to establish a national holiday called "Thanksgiving." At that time, November 26th of each year was set aside to observe it as a national holiday, but in celebration of the U.S. Constitution.

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln changed things a bit and declared that Thanksgiving obervances would occur twice each year, one would occur in August, and another on the last Thursday of November. The August celebration faded out over time, but the November tradition lived on, and it was more widely established in celebration throughout the nation at his declaration, which prior to then was mainly confined to the northeast region of the country. Then in 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt departed from tradition and declared that the holiday would revert to a set date, November 23, which happened to occur on a Thursday of that year, the third Thursday in 1939.

Believe it or not, many people were upset at the change, and over the next two years, Roosevelt toyed with the holiday, changing it twice more, which upset more and more people, but held to his desire to set a date, rather than a day of the week in celebration, but eventually bowed to public pressure and signed a bill into law that established it be observed on the fourth Thursday in November of each year. And for 67 years today, it has remained so.

While we may have the Pilgrims in the back of our minds tomorrow, there are other claims to the origins of the holiday. Texans claim the first Thanksgiving in America actually took place in little known place near El Paso, named San Elizario. In 1598, twenty-three years before the Pilgrims' festival, the arrival of Spanish explorer Juan de Onate on the banks of the Rio Grande, and his leading of settlers across a 350 miles trek across the Mexican desert, ended with a thanksgiving feast.

Another claim that did get a high nod of recognition, started on the banks of the James River in Virginia. We remember the ship called the Mayflower that brought the Pilgrims to America, but the ship named Margaret, brought 38 English settlers to the Berkley Plantation in 1619. According to legend, the London company that paid to resettle those they sent to America, requested of them to commemorate their arrival, and thereafter with an annual day of Thanksgiving. In 1963, President Kennedy officially recognized the plantation's claim.

It appears that the "Pilgrim" version of the holiday celebration did not enter into the history books until sometime during the 19th century. It's funny how some things stick and are repeated, while others are rarely mentioned at all.

The meal most of us will eat tomorrow will include such things as turkey, potatoes, corn, fruit, and cranberries. We will likely set a table with our finest eating dishes, fancy drinking glasses, and utensils. Unfortunately, back in the 17th century, those who feasted had neither. No one can say with any certainty what the meal consisted of, but we can thank the Victorians for the manner in which we dine today. They started the dining trends and devised the modern day menu fare.

The holiday today for most of us, and it's meanings are most likely not rooted in history. Most people take the day off from work, and gather around the table family and friends, and give thanks for the wonderful gift of life, and for a day we all forget our troubles, laugh and enjoy each other's company, and then eat until we just can't take another bite. We may watch football in the afternoon. Some of us will doze off for a nap.

In my home, my wife will get out of bed early in the morning, and will begin cooking. It is one day out of the year that she actually looks forward to cooking. The turkey will be prepared and will go into the oven. She will then find the Macy's Parade on the television, and catch glimpses of it's progression as she cooks all the other goodies we will eat later in the day. She always looks forward to the aroma combined with the parade. It goes back to her childhood, and it's one of her fondest memories.

This year, we are going to get together with her side of the family. We'll load up the car, drive for a half hour, and there will be about fifteen people or so around the table. Naturally, grace will be said before we dig in, and my silent prayer will be for our world, and the hope that everyone in it will find the appreciation for at least one day, to take time out from life to find appreciation for the lives we are given, although I understand that the day of recognition is not held worldwide.

I will pray for those affected in direct ways in our economic crises, and that they will find a speedy way to overcome adversity. I will pray for all those less fortunate than I am, and that they too will rebound in a big way someday. But most of all, I will pray that we as a nation, will set aside our petty grievances, and find a way to be thankful to live in a nation where we live in freedom and prosperity, most of the time anyway.

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.

As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life.

She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship.

A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well. Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.

(Source Unknown, but too good to pass up.)

If She Only Knew...

Cathy Cox, the former Georgia Secretary of State, and current Georgia Schools Superintendent, appeared on Jeff Foxworthy's, "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?", and to date, was the only grand prize winner of a million dollars. Upon winning the money, she vowed to give it all to three institutions located in Georgia for disabled children.

This past week, Cathy Cox and her husband were forced to file for bankruptcy. Her husband operated a construction company that specialized in building homes, and as many similar businesses are at the moment, it apparently fell victim to the housing crunch, which is worse around the Atlanta metro area than in other areas in the state. The company listed 3.5 million in debt, and had only $649,728 in assets.

While it's doubtful that the prize money would have saved the business, it might have bought them time to recover, if the housing market revived at some point in the future. They made a bet that things would get better, and decided to donate the money for a more important purpose.

Cathy Cox made the vow, and despite their own personal financial woes, she intends to honor the awarding of the charitable donations, which is a feather in her cap. Not many people would be so selfless, especially at a time when they are in debt for such a high amount, and betting that they will triumph over financial adversity. Since months have passed since winning the money, it's doubtful that there would be any repercussions in bankruptcy court for having given away the money, when it could have been used to pay down debt.

It's a sad thing when businesses fail. It's sadder when one might have used money won in such a manner to prolong the agony, given the current economic climate. I'm saddened to read such a case, and that it happened to two very good people, who apparently have no regrets for having given away a million dollars. I for one, hope that Mrs. Cox and her husband find solvency in their future, and that they rebound in style in the years to come.

If anyone deserves it, they most certainly do.

Live Suicide In Front Of An Audience?

Abraham Biggs, a 19 year old student who attended Broward College, near Miami, Florida, made a conscience decision to end his life on Wednesday November,19, 2008. While that may not be noteworthy in and of itself, it was still a tragedy that should have and could have been avoided. Had Abraham been screaming for help in an empty room, with no one within miles to hear his screams, one might understand that no one could have saved him. But the room was not empty. There were people nearby, listening, watching, and who should have called for help...long before someone did.

What makes this case remarkable is the fact that he ended his life, live and while online. He wrote of his intent to take his life, then linked to another site that hosted live webcam content. There his webcam feed was live for 12 hours. Many of those who viewed his cam not only watched him take his life, but also decided to chat with each other and offer commentary while Abraham's life slowly ended.

Jokes were exchanged. There were words typed to encourage him to do it. Others tried to talk him out of it. When he took some pills, the conversations included discussion as to whether he had taken enough pills to do the job. People who were familiar with Abraham offered that he had threatened suicide at least one other time prior to Wednesday.

Finally, someone notified the moderator of the hosting site of the possibility that Abraham Biggs may be committing suicide, the site traced Abraham's location, and the police were called. Even as the police entered the room, the jokes were still ongoing, and the commentary was still as bizarre as it had been while Abraham was lying on the bed after taking opiates and benzodiazepine. Tragically, it was too late. He had died hours before someone took the threat seriously.

In this day and age, it's hard to read something that shocks me, but this one did. It's not the ending of a life that is shocking, but the fact that people have become so insensitive, that they would band together to observe something like this, as if they were watching a television show, and offer play by play commentary.

This was a kid that had his entire life in front of him. He was attending college. He obviously had a loving family environment. Yet he stated that he hated himself. Why? It's a question that always bears repeating itself when something like this happens.

But there are a number of people, with a conscience of their own, I hope, that may well discover the fact that this boy did indeed take his life, and they watched it, were complacent in what happened, and they were in a position to do something about it, but failed to do so.

I often wonder just how low people can actually sink, in terms of human behavior. And the sad thing is that I'm equally sure that something will evolve to trump this ace, sooner or later.

Some people have no shame, but shame on them just the same.

An American Idol Tragedy

The well used gold Toyota Camry seemed a little out of place parked on the street of the upscale Sherman Oaks, California neighborhood. It had been seen parked there before, so no one called the police. Hanging from the rear view mirror were a pink air freshener and a plastic encased picture of her favorite celebrity. The personalized California license plate on the rear of the car, "ABL LV", might not have made much sense to anyone who read it at first glance, but the car was parked just a few hundred yards from Paula Abdul's home.

This past Tuesday evening, after a call placed to the police by a concerned family member of the young woman, Paula Goodspeed was discovered, apparently the victim of a self-induced, drug overdose. Some may remember the woman as a contestant who appeared on the 2006 season of the show, but was not invited to go on to Hollywood. Her performance was not star quality, and her disappointment in the judges decisions was documented and aired.

I'm a fan of the show, and while I enjoy watching the talented performers, I often find myself amused and entertained when watching the clips of those who are lacking talent as well. It's all part of the vetting process that keeps the show entertaining, and everyone who shows up, does so of their own free will. I've laughed at times at those who are so obviously lacking the right stuff, and found myself, like many others I'm sure, amazed at some of the reactions that some of the contestants have when they are declined advancement. Some are crushed. Others are peeved. And some lose all sense of decency. Paula Goodspeed's reaction was among the latter.

Paula Goodspeed was apparently a troubled soul. She apparently has held some fascination with Paula Abdul for most of her life, part of which was attested to by herself on her MySpace page, and during the airing of her interview on American Idol. In her mid-teens, she changed her first name from "Sandra" to "Paula", but her family in Maine has offered that they do not think that it was done due to any fascination she had with Paula Abdul. About a year ago, parked in about the same spot where she was found on Tuesday, she attempted another overdose, but was found in time. MySpace posted a page that stated that the woman had sent flowers with a misleading note with her cell phone number to Abdul a week ago. It doesn't paint a pretty picture, and the media has had a field day with the details. Her family has appeared in a couple of interviews, and they are totally devastated by her death.

It's a terrible thing when someone makes a conscious decision to end their life prematurely. Those close in some way to those who wind up committing suicide spend the rest of their lives wishing they could have prevented it. I know this all too well, because I have had personal experience with such an event. Three and a half years ago, my Grandfather took the life of my Grandmother, and then took his own life a few moments later. We will never know why he did it. Unlike many instances of suicide, there were no clues, no set of events that led up to the moment, and right up to a half hour before it all happened, the man was his usual self.

And let's not forget that there is another deeply affected person in this tragedy. Paula Abdul has to be dealing with conflicting emotions of her own. Celebrities are constantly reminded that the line between a simple over-exuberant fan and someone with a personality disorder that may cause harm to them, is a fine line indeed.

We all seek to be liked, loved, and even worshipped to a degree, because it is the ultimate compliment that one can receive, but how does anyone deal with the fact that a person ended their life within yards of where they live and sleep, due to an instance of unrequited friendship or affection, as the case may be? Fame does come with a price, and celebrities pay that price on a daily basis.

Will Paula Abdul be able to offer critical adivce or comment to contestants of the show in the future, for fear that any rejection will eventually push someone over the edge, and allow them to feel as if there is no reason to continue to live? I hope not. She's obviously a nice person, and that shows in the way she addresses people, and sometimes you have to tell it like it is. No one can really know what causes people to lose their sense of reality. For myself, I don't think that I will be laughing very much at those who are obviously not quite as talented as others in the future.

My heart goes out to everyone directly affected by this tragedy. The pain felt by those left to pick up the pieces and to go on with life is immeasurable. Healing will come with time, and eventually I think we will get the answers to questions that we have about life differences, when we pass on after leaving this life. I have to believe that, because otherwise...I'd go nuts.

The facts surrounding what led Paula Goodpseed to take her own life are not important. No analysis of them is necessary. The only fact worth noting is that she did achieve fame, albeit not quite that which she was seeking, and one byproduct of that fame caused her to lose all will to go on with her life, and that is without any doubt...a tragedy.

I pray that she will rest in peace.

The Health Care Crisis

I think it's safe to say that most people, regardless of their life situation, have pondered the subject of health care at some point in the past few months. It's a subject that affects us all. We all find ourselves in need of medical care. And as we age, the attention we pay to it, and our concerns in regard to the subject, will likely intensify.

I am constantly appalled by those who sit in judgment of others, especially when they do it from a position, at the present moment of course, where they are least likely to have personal concerns about a certain issue. When it comes to the issue of health care, I am quite often horrified at the lack of concern people have for others who are more negatively affected by this issue.

We can debate all day long why people find themselves lacking the resources to pay for their health care. Everyone who often weighs in on the debate will have a good point. We are a people, in general terms of course, who pay little attention to our health, until it becomes a crisis. We have a great deal of people who have adopted unhealthy lifestyles. Still, others who need catastrophic medical needs sometimes defies explanation. But the undeniable fact is that when health care is needed, it is now something that the cost thereof, has become a burden to all.

Our society is comprised of people who come from all walks of life. Some never worry about what anything costs. Others worry about the price of everything. Many do well in life through the making of wise decisions that places them there. Others make poor decisions, and they pay for it by living on the edge every day. It's very easy those on one side or the other to point fingers of blame or shame, but that behavior solves nothing. Just because one may be in a favorable position in life today, it does not mean that they will be there tomorrow. It's happened to too many people throughout history. Life has a way of reversing anything and everything, and that is what I try to keep in my mind at all times.

So now that we have that out of the way, why not move on to what the issue is all about? Most of us do manage to obtain the health care we need. Most of us have employer provided health care coverage, with many of us moving towards having to shoulder a share of the ever-increasing premiums, by paying higher deductibles and co-pays, and taking on more of the out-of-pocket expenses ourselves. In short, we insure for the catastrophic events that may come at us. For most of us, that works. We manage. We deal with it.

For most of us, our concerns focus on the charges denied by our insurance companies, and the frustration in trying to resolve the outrageous amounts of those charges, the justification in those charges, and negotiating settlements of those charges. The two burning questions I have are, why we do this, and why do we put up with this? Consumers will not tolerate attempts of being ripped-off when they purchase practically anything else, yet we are bombarded with medical bills that are more often than not obscure, undocumented, undisclosed prior to seeking care, and attempts to clarify them are met with doublespeak and demands for payment.

The medical industry, a term that sounds funny to read, but that's what they have become, has evolved into one where the providers of services are allowed to bill a patient practically any amount they desire, without any disclosure forthcoming, and they are becoming very belligerent with those who question medical billings.

For example, last year, my wife had day surgery to remove her gall bladder. The Surgeon's staff was very thorough to inquire into what charges our insurance provider would pay, and we paid our portion up-front to them prior to her surgery. Two days after her surgery, she had some complications. The Surgeon had nicked a bile duct, and she wound up in the hospital and had to undergo several hours of very intense surgery to repair the mistake. Fortunately, the costs associated with the repair were covered 100%, or so I thought.

Three weeks after her latter surgery, which she made a remarkable recovery from, we were billed for more than $6500 for fees and consultations (by two other Surgeons), which the insurance company immediately denied on the basis of being unusual and not customary charges. I have no idea to this date, what any if at all, involvement either of these people had in my wife's case, and their billing office has repeatedly refused to provide any information to either myself or my insurer to any justification that exists for this bill. It was billed through the hospital.

I have refused to pay this bill, and they have repeatedly threatened to place it as a negative on my credit report. I have responded with a threat of my own, informing them that I would sue the minute that it shows up on any credit report. So we are currently at a stalemate, with no end in sight to resolve this dispute. And of course, at any point and time that my wife or I enter one of their associated facilities for medical service, we are solicited for payment of those charges, often loudly in front of other patients. This past month, my insurer informed me that they no longer consider them an approved medical provider, and that unless we want to pay all charges, we must find other providers associated with another hospital. It's a pain to find new doctors for the both of us, but good riddance as far as I am concerned.

I'd love to own a business where I am allowed to charge any price I see fit for a service, and to be able to exert pressure upon people in the form of blackmail to obtain payment. Whatever happened to the hippocratic oath? I suppose it doesn't pertain to Corporate America, when they wade into medicine.

As frustrating as my own gripe is with medical care, I am even more disturbed by the treatment of our retired, the disabled, and the elderly, who have to depend on Medicare to sustain their health. These are people, for the most part, who contributed to society and worked their entire lives, contributed their fair portion of taxes into a system that now is supposed to be there for their support. What many people are finding out the hard way is that when they are no longer "productive citizens", they are treated like garbage and considered to be a drain on society.

And of course, every time the health care debate rears it's ugly head, these people are bantered about like ping pong balls by those who have nothing better to do than to pass judgment and resent anyone who is in the position of being on the public dole. It sickens me to read some of the comments that can be found across the web. Whatever happened to respect and decency?

I truly think that there are those among us, at the upper end of the echelon of course, who feel that when we all reach a certain age, or are no longer able to support themselves, that a dagger should be thrust in their chests, then they are to be cremated and their ashes are to be scattered to the winds. No muss, no fuss. Out of sight, out of mind...right? How convenient.

I read a great deal by these people about class envy, and how silly it all is, because anyone can get in life where they are, if they work hard enough to get there. Of course, if that were true and we all did it, who would wait on them in their fancy restaurants, or clean their linens and silver and the toilets in their homes, or open the door for them when they desire to enter a building? Let's face it...the theory that the poor are only envious of the wealthy, and want something for nothing, slides down the noses of those who offer it, as they look down at the poor in disgust.

I live my life with the hope that our God is a just God, and that all things will eventually be settled in due time. It is for that reason that I will not die wealthy, nor arrogant. I have always sought to be comfortable, and nothing more.

There are no easy answers to the health care debate, but the fact remains that even though there is no "right" to health care, something has to be done to make it accessible, and affordable to those who need it, regardless of their particular life circumstances.

As I offered in a previous post, when the day comes that those who will violently defend "life" to embrace all those who are alive, from the cradle to the grave, then I will stand along side them. Until then, it will remain and endless debate, just as apparently our system of medical care, and the best way to fix it for all, shall remain as well.

Why Is Anyone Considering Bailing Out The Auto Industry...Yet?

This week, we've been reading and hearing discussion of bailing out the American auto industry. Without question, the American auto industry should be preserved, but I simply cannot jump on the bandwagon to feed them money without other considerations and steps being taken first.

I'd be the last one to want to see more people lose jobs, and the jobs associated with the automotive industry are among the best in the nation, but therein lies the problem. Feeding more money to preserve these jobs is not the answer to the problem...yet.

It's time for tough love. When times are tough, you tighten belts. You learn to live on less. And what I am not reading is that agreements are being negotiated, much less reached, to save jobs. For years, the unions have ruled the roost in the auto industry, and they've done a great job of representing the workers. They have negotiated premium jobs, with premium pay and benefits. But the things is, that these pay packages are in most cases, double the salary of the average American worker who hold similar unskilled factory labor positions, and the benefits paid to American auto workers are also way above earth, in terms of the cost to their respective employers.

Workers who are currently retired from the big three, depend on the sales of automobiles to sustain the cash needed to keep sending them retirement benefits, and that is rather disturbing. Many of these people should be very worried at the moment.

The fact is, that these costs have the be embedded into the price of every automobile sold today. The auto workers have been sailing a gigantic balloon up above us, and now it is time to bring it back down to earth. Before I want to see taxpayer funds given to the auto industry to float them a few more months, I want to see concessions made by the workers and even retirees, proving that they are interested in saving their jobs and income as well.

They should be eager to take at least a 30% pay cut, be willing to pay more of their health care costs, be willing to transfer to a retirement system that is similar to that of the rest of America, and to eliminate pay under any circumstance when they are not working, except for accrued sick days and/or while on paid vacation.

Anyone that thinks that the CEO's and salaried workers are the ones who are draining the resources of the auto industry, is delusional. Anyone that thinks that under the present system of compensating line workers, that any of the big three can compete in a global market, is also delusional.

I absolutely think that the time has come to reel in multi-million dollar salaries for company executives who tank those companies, but in this instance, the workers themselves have to be willing to trim what they earn as well. And until they do, there is no hope whatsoever to save any of the big three. It would merely be trying to plug a gaping hole with bubble gum and expecting the ship to keep floating during a turbulent storm.

I drive American branded automobiles, but the last one that I bought new, was in 2001. And that one was a dealer demonstration unit, and I bought it discounted three thousand dollars. Union workers with the mindset that they can earn at rates that are a third to double that of non-union counterparts, are in complete denial of reality, and that has been the case for years. I simply will not be blackmailed into paying $50,000 for a pickup truck that is worth half that amount the minute I drive it off the lot. I will continue to buy used to slightly used, and I will drive the lug nuts off of them to get MY money's worth out of my purchase. One Ford vehicle we own is coming up on 14 years old, and it still serves us well. If it died tomorrow, I couldn't complain a bit.

What has happened to the American automotive industry is not due to events that have transpired over the past few months. This disaster has been in the making for years. Saving them will require concessions from every one of their workers, or they should lose their jobs to FORCE them to deal with the reality of the situation.

$25 billion handed to them without reasonable concessions is not going to save the big three. It will only delay the bankruptcy filings by a few months to maybe a year at best. If they can't generate some competitive products at competitive prices, they may never see daylight again.

My How The Tables Have Turned

Remember when the Bush Campaign made a run to the Supreme Court to force Florida to certify the recount, so that Bush could be announced as the President Elect? Of course we do.

Does everyone remember the sentiment expressed by those who voted for George Bush? Yep...we remember that too. In response to the angry Democrats who felt that their vote did not count, we read time and again..."You need to get over it and move on. GWB won...fair and square."

I've had a blast reading the comments left by disgruntled voters, many who were certain that John McCain was going to pull a last minute win, which would then allow them to sing another stanza of the same song that has been sung after the last two elections. Some of their comments are hilarious. Here's a few samples of what can be found;

(Note: I did not attempt to correct any spelling or grammatical errors)

"Another sad day for the men and women who died to give us our freedom. The country elected a 'nobody'."

"All right you lefty wackos your guy won the presidency so why don't you morons go some place else to spout off your great accomplishment. This won't last, four years of him and the republicans will be moving back in so don't think for a minute you dinks are in for good."

"i gues white folks will go into exile now. I hate obama and you should too. I see stupid people every day and its very scary. they're book smart but have no common sense. I just watched last night someone pull the chain in america and now America is beginning to swirl until it will completely stop up the toilet and we can't go any further down but yet it is too slippery to get back up so goodbye America. Lets all head on over to Canada."

"What has Obama done according to his record that makes him the man for the job? The other 49% of Americans would like to know. "

"Now he just has to survive until January 20th. I have a question? Has any president ever been sworn in to the office (the oath of office) by utilizing the Koran? Is that going to go over really big or what?"

"HE GOT ELECTED BY A BUNCH OF FOOLS."

"Say good bye to your wealth America. Because Obama wants to spread the wealth around - that is an Obamaism for take it from the people actually working and give it to the folks sitting on their butts (watching their butts get bigger). A big mistake America."

"you voted for this liberal, socialistic democrat. You are stuck with him. Do not come back to our side after this fool fails. You made your bed.If you truly were a Republican, there is no way you could have sacrificed your values for a deceiving fool."

And of course, there were some with a little more sense;

"The election is over and its time to put the past chaos behind us. I’m a conservative and voted for McCain but the people spoke and I'm ready to back our new President, he's gonna need it. Our country comes first and he is inheriting a mess I have to say the Republicans had a big hand in making."

"Here it is 'day 1' following the election and Barack Obama is already making decisions about his advisors and being briefed on highly classified information. And some of you have the audacity to claim he is not moving fast enough."

"I never left the Republican Party nor did I "sacrifice" my values by making the choice I made. You are in no position to neither lecture me nor determine which side I choose affiliate with. I do not remember having to clear it through you when I signed up as a Republican so I think I will keep my Republican Party card handy. Perhaps picking up a book and learning about independent thought would enlighten you on the topic of being an individual; it is possible to stand out as an individual and still belong to a group."

"Give Obama a chance. We need DIPLOMACY to repair our image in the world. One thing he has proven, he is a GREAT communicator. Because of his multi-ethnic background and experiences, he can be a transformational President bringing a unique perspective."

"Now people are saying the election was rigged? Priceless. The crying never ends."

"What's truly disgusting is the amount of people in here that are praying for this new administration to fail, just so they can feel a sense of gratification 4 years from now. Truly a bunch of losers. Grow up people and support the USA."

And there you have it. Of course, there were far more colorful comments and arguments written by people who apparently were up to discussing politics going all the way back to the civil war. It sure makes me wonder if this country will ever stand a decent chance of healing the divides that split us down the middle.

I conclude this post with a famous quote that most of us remember at a time when there was another divide between some of our citizens. It probably should have been posted today;

“Can't we all... just... get along?”

What Will They Have To Talk About Now?

I'm going to preface this post with the fact that I love talk radio, and for the most part, I like conservative talk radio. Driving out on those roads for 3,000 miles a week involves lots of hours behind the wheel and with that, I am constantly searching for entertainment.

Call me ancient, but I still haven't bought a satellite radio (I'm waiting until they are practically free with a subscription for service), and I catch most of what I listen to on the AM side of my radio. I've even got stations around the country pre-programmed to the buttons. I also catch up on the news that way at night by listening to those clear channels that float out there for hundreds of miles.

Three of my favorite shows through the week are hosted by Neal Boortz, Sean Hannity, and Rush Limbaugh. I should rather say that two of them WERE my favorite shows. I can't seem to stomach Rush and Sean any longer. And the main reason is due to two years of anti-Barack Obama crap. There was nothing else on their minds.

Neal is still at the top of my list, despite his attempt to sway opinion leading up to this election. I can say that the man is fair most of the time, and he will spend time on other subjects. And it can be funny listening to all of his outrageous fears of what President Obama plans to do with his vast wealth. Money does indeed change people. But to listen to Neal, you'd think that a ten percent increase in his tax rate was going to break the bank.

I'm absolutely behind the Fair Tax proposal, but until it comes up for serious debate, we'll all have to deal with our present system of taxation.

As for Rush and Sean, I doubt that I will ever feel the same about them ever again. Sean was relentless in his hatred of Barack Obama, and would stop at nothing to take words out of context, embellish the records of Obama associates, and to do whatever it took to attempt to ruin Barack Obama's reputation. I suspect that he is in mourning tonight, because he was absent at the Fox News election night events, which I found strange. Maybe Fox News had had enough of him too, and gave him the night off for good reason. Or perhaps he really though that John McCain would win, and he is huddled in his Manhatten home, fearing retribution from fellow New Yorkers who were less than displeased with his relentless pounding on the man. Regardless of why he was not on the air last night, I found it refreshing that he was not part of the party. Nope...I didn't miss him a bit.

I found it rather amazing to watch those who had ladled criticism of Obama in the past at various time on Fox News segments, suddenly change their tones when Obama was announced to have been elected. It was almost funny to see these same people being decent when referring to the man for a change. I wonder how many had sore lips from biting them.

Rush?...he's a lost cause. If they are Democrat, they are dirt. It's as simple as that. Case closed. Who needs to listen to that day in and day out? The few times that I have tried to tune in over the past couple of months, I almost immediately had to find something else to listen to. He's simply nauseating these days.

I can remember when these people were pleasant. I can remember when they were entertaining to listen to. I can remember when they were at least fair with their callers. And I certainly remember when they had me convinced that liberals were incapable of being calm, rational, and pleasant when discussing politics.

Sean Hannity has become the most vile, hate spewing entity to sit in front of a microphone. The man who used to allow any caller to finish their sentences before responding, now cuts people off and will not allow them to respond, verbally abuses people who are in disagreement with him, and just seems incapable of maintaining a civil conversation. And worse, Sean has exposed himself to be a bigot, an arrogant ass, and suffering from a severe superiority complex. I just don't like him any longer. His show on Fox was so bad lately, that even Alan Colmes seemed to never be included in exchanges, especially within the last few weeks.

Maybe Neal will find something else to concentrate on...maybe not. He's sure upset at the thought that he, as someone who assuredly makes more money than God, may have to cough up some more in taxes that he has been spared having to do so for the past eight years. I really can't wait to tune in tomorrow to see if he has something else on his mind, other than Barack Obama.

I might even tune into Rush at the noon hour to see if he's crying the blues.

Sean?...yeah...I'll see whats on his mind tomorrow night on Fox, just for kicks.

A Win And A Loss

I can't imagine the range of emotions that Barack Obama is experiencing at the moment. Tonight, he is celebrating being elected the 44th President of these United States. At the same time, he is mourning the death of his Grandmother, who tragically died of cancer just a few days shy of the election.

It has to be among the most uncomfortable moments that he has had to endure in his life, and I might be wrong, but it almost appeared to show in his face during his acceptance speech. He looked exhausted and appeared to be sad at the same time. Without question, I'm sure that several days of rest and recuperation are on his plate.

His speech was brilliant. He gave assurances that he was going to be President to all people, even those not on board with him being the President Elect at the moment. He gave assurance that he was going to be a President that would consult others for opinions before he made decisions. He pledged to be honest with the nation at all times. And you know what? I believe him.

He knows that the days ahead are going to be long and hard. He knows that he has to prove himself to everyone, and especially those who fear him for being a liberal. The man will do it too. I have no doubt.

Today is one that will make a mark in history books for decades to come. It is a milestone that was unfathomable just a few years ago.

I pray that he can be given the chance to unite this nation and heal the divisions that plague it. I pray that people will forget the contest that led Barack Obama to be elected, to put aside the negative, and move forward to making this a nation in which we all can be proud of once again.

And most of all, I pray that that the world out there will once again look to this nation as an example of how great things can be, if freedom is extended to it's people, and they are allowed to participate in selecting it's leadership.

Get some rest Mr. President Elect Obama, and may God be with you now that you have the time to grieve the death of your loved one...you've certainly earned it.

A Class Act

I just finished watching Senator John McCain give his concession speech on Fox News, and I have to say that despite a horribly fought campaign, filled with harsh words that caused me to detest the man right up to the end, he absolutely impressed me with his humble bow to Barack Obama.

Maybe I've never paid attention to such speeches in past elections, but I found myself totally blown away by his words, and I even found myself at one point feeling sorry that he was in the position of having to take a graceful bow to his opponent.

Not in any way to attempt to kick a man when he is down...but had I heard and seen this side of the man on the campaign trail, I might have held a different opinion of the man. I am relieved that he immediately conceded when it was apparent that he had not won the election, but saddened for him that he will probably never have the chance to fulfill his dream of leading this nation.

I find myself adopting an attitude similar to one that he displayed mere moments ago. Despite all differences in opinion and politics, I consider what John McCain did to be one of his finest moments since the beginning of this race, and one that will forever be burned in my memory of the man. Bravo!!

Forget the past. Tonight...John McCain is a class act.

It's Actually Happening!!!

As I write this, it appears that Obama is poised to become our next President. After channel flipping for a couple of hours, I settled on Fox News, my favorite news channel, and they have all but projected the win for Barack Obama. This is a monumental occasion, and the impact will be long lasting, without question.

I guess it depends on what side of the fence one sits, as to how one thinks this impact will affect them, but setting all politics aside, there are fundamental facts surrounding this race that just cannot be denied.

First of all, there cannot be one person who would have projected two years ago that a black man would be where Barack Obama is tonight. This man, who came from nowhere, is now going to be the leader of this nation, and I personally support his win, voted for him, and I have every reason to think that if given half a chance, he will go down in history as one of our most effective leaders, once his time is finished.

I can't explain it. When he first announced his candidacy, I was absolutely certain that he had little or no chance to even be a contender. I was as unimpressed as most of America was with him. After all, at the time, I was a die hard Republican.

But one of my stronger traits is that I like to inform myself, from many sources of course, to those things that pique my interest. After a few of his speeches, I began to realize that this was a man I liked listening to. His Philadelphia speech, mainly offered to respond to critics who found his relationship with Jeremiah Wright controversial, absolutely made me take notice of the man. I remember it well, and listened to it while I was driving down the road in Illinois.

When I returned home, I began digging into Barack Obama's biography. I liked what I read. Then I spent many time reading his web site. I was further impressed. This was not a man who was, as was coined by so many, as liberal and socialist as was claimed. His proposals were sensible. As time went by, he convinced me that he was a man from an average background, and not very far removed from such an existence. He may have made his way up the ladder and made a fine living in the past few years, but he was not elite. I like that.

As his campaign evolved, he has proven to me time after time, that he is a man who will not walk into the Oval Office with a pre-determined agenda. He knows that he faces an uphill battle. And what he will do that impresses me the most, is that he intends to surround himself with people from all sides, to advise him while he leads.

Contrast this to the man who will leave the White House in January. GWB has been an effective President, but the man portrays an image that cannot be considered positive. He's arrogant when he speaks. He's cocky. His decisions have for the most part, been totally controversial. Dick Cheney emanates a persona that can only be considered to be ice cold. It's combination of two people that will not be missed. Both will not be called upon in the future to represent our country. Both will fade into the limelight, until it comes time for them to be buried. I know that sounds harsh, but it's the truth.

Again, it's hard to explain, but I predict that the aura coming from a Barack Obama administration will be warm. Those who will spend time in key positions under his watch will speak well of him. They will be loyal to him. I will predict that there will be no scandals forthcoming under Barack Obama. There will be no patsies thrown to the wolves when something goes wrong.

Will the man be perfect? Hardly. He is destined to make mistakes. He will not fulfill all of his promises and proposals. It would be a miracle if he did. It doesn't mean that he will not try. But the difference I project, is that when he does have failure, he will stand behind a podium, and he will own up to them.

That in itself will endear the man to even those who are adamantly opposed to his triumph tonight. It will indeed be a welcome change and a huge departure from past administrations.

God Bless Barack Obama, and may God keep him safe and sound, and allow him the opportunity to prove his desire to do truly change this nation in a positive manner, and of course hopefully bring on board all of those who doubt right now, his ability to lead this nation.

An Never Ending Debate...And Why Is That?

The abortion issue is one that arouses the worst in people whenever it is debated. Emotions always run high. Everyone who takes a stance on it, has little doubt that their position is the correct one. Those opposed to it usually do so on moral or religious grounds. Those who are determined to be pro-choice, may have a wide range of reasons for their stance.

I spent most of my life neutral on the issue, and that is because it was one of those issues that I never sat down long enough to take the time necessary to ponder it, and of course as a man, it never affected me on any personal level.

My wife and I were watching television one night back in September, and were watching Sarah Palin express her views on the issue, which led to an involved conversation between the two of us where I was basically forced to reflect upon the issue. My Republican leanings had me stating that I was anti-abortion, but then the questions were fired at me by my wife.

What about cases where to continue to carry the baby would seriously endanger the life of the mother? What about a woman who is raped? Should she be forced by LAW to carry a child conceived that way? What if a woman is impregnated by a close family member, such as a brother or father? Should a woman be forced to carry to birth a child conceived under such a circumstance? To all three of those, I reluctantly had to answer..."no."

She then said to me, "then you are pro-choice." I replied that my understanding had always been that choosing to terminate a pregnancy for reasons of convenience, as a means of birth control, were more in line with those who were pro-choice. She set me straight rather quickly, in that most pro-choice folks didn't necessarily endorse abortion as a means of birth control, but would not sit still for being forced to carry a child to birth under the criteria she raised. She also informed me that almost all legislative efforts to prohibit abortion, failed to exclude those three circumstances. In other words, pro-life supporters believe that any abortion, regardless of circumstance, is wrong and should be illegal...period.

This has caused me to consider myself opposed to a total ban of abortion if there are no exceptions made to save the life of a mother who's life is seriously in jeopardy, or for any woman who has been raped or the victim of incest.

Religious beliefs seem to be central in the minds of those opposed to abortion, and at the same time, it's hard to overlook the fact that history has given us examples of people who have taken their objections to an extreme that defies explanation. Doctors, nurses, and women who have terminated pregnancies have been murdered by many of those who are opposed to abortion.

77% of those opposed to abortion are men. That's an astounding figure, when you consider that they never have to face the prospect of ever having to deal with a pregnancy, and/or any reason for considering ending a pregnancy.

In doing some thinking in the weeks since I made a decision as to where I stand on the issue, I also began to understand something else. It is a fair assessment that most of those who are opposed to abortions of babies, have little objections to raise when it comes to ending the lives of those convicted of capital crimes. In fact, many of these same people endorse the death penalty.

This leads me to ask a question. Why would they call themselves "pro-life", if they are opposed to ending the life of an unborn child under any circumstance, yet may hold an opinion that floats from being ambivalent to it being a-okay when it comes to terminating the life of an adult human under some circumstances?

And even more perplexing, would be those who have directly and purposely murdered people because they were associated in some manner with ending a pregnancy, and who have claimed to have done it because God is himself opposed to abortion. Is murdering a murderer the correct way to deal with the issue? Not according to any bible I have ever read. Murder is prohibited under God's law, as I understand it. There are no justifications mentioned anywhere in the bible for taking life, except in self-defense.

Just as it takes any story involving the abuse or worse of a puppy to arouse some people from their eternal sleepiness states, there is room to argue that pro-lifers seem to be more concerned with preserving the lives of unborn babies, than they are for life after birth. How many adult pets are destroyed in this nation each year? How many adults are part of our throw away society?

I would never pretend to speak for God, nor would I take it upon myself to enforce in any manner, punishment that may or may not be forthcoming by him upon others. Morality is a personal issue, and up to each of us to determine for ourselves. I am responsible for my soul, and everyone else is responsible for their own soul. Anyone that decides to assist the man upstairs by taking it upon themselves to punish another prematurely, does so on their own and without any justification or encouragement by God.

Vigilantism is not going to win anyone a slot in heaven, nor will it endear themselves to God.

And if the true concern is the preservation of life, there are certainly plenty of adults that need assistance from time to time. Some notable examples include women who find themselves in danger of being exterminated by an abusive spouse. There are children living in poverty who are unloved and uncared for. Our nation is littered with homeless adults in need of a helping hand to become productive and worthy of respect again.

When those who want to argue that they are "pro-life" widen the scope of their concern to include all life, then I say that there is room for debate.

Until that day, I will consider them hypocrites, shallow in any actual resolve to preserve life, and unable to focus their eyes due to a severe case of tunnel vision.