The wife and I made a train trip yesterday, from Washington, DC to Cary, NC We like to ride trains. Son-in-law could not understand why we were willing to spend 6 1/2 hours on a trip when he could drive it in a little over 4 hours. Of course, when I ride with him, I am a total nervous wreck at the end. That boy thinks he is running a NASCAR race.
This was a short but fun trip. Daughter, who is at the Library of congress, had driven down to Chapel Hill to give a presentation at a conference. We drove back with her on Saturday. That son-in-law, who is on the Council of Economic Advisors, has an apartment on 15th st, very near the White House. While daughter took him to their townhouse in Columbia, MD for the weekend, we stayed in the apartment and roamed around doing some of the tourist things.
Tuesday morning we came into Union Station on her commuter train, arriving about 8:20. Our train didn't leave until 3:00, so we had lots of time for a leisurely breakfast, and then some roaming around. We visited the new capital visitors' center, which is impressive but rather crowded, with lots of school groups milling around, awaiting a tour.
More enjoyable were the Botanic Gardens, which are just in front of the capital. This is a WOW! well worth a second or even third visit.
We returned to Union Station about 1:00 for a late lunch in the Center Cafe, right in the middle of the great rotunda. Food was good, although not gourmet quality. But, the people watching made up for it. I like Union Station. It is a kaleidoscope of sizes, colors, costumes and languages. There are lots of weirdos in this world, and many come through Union Station.
I saw more men (and a few women) wearing suits and ties than I had seen in a long time. Around here, the only time one sees a suit is either a wedding, at church or in court. I decided that all the suits I was seeing had to be either lawyers, lobbyists or other such low-lifes. One thing about suits. They all carry a big briefcase. This must be a part of the uniform. As soon as they sit down, they immediately pull out a lap-top or a cell phone, or both. There must be something in the rules governing suits that requires they look busy and important at all times.
But I digress. Our train left, on time, at 3:00. The trip was delightful! We had lots of legroom to stretch out, doze, read, work crosswords, observe the scenery or watch people. One thing about train tracks--they don't go down Main Street. No, they go down the back alleys, so you get to see a lot of things you would never see otherwise. It may not be scenic, but it is very interesting. We saw areas of southern Virginia and northern North Carolina not before seen, and visited a couple of new cities (at least the stations)
We had reservations for 7:30 in the dining car. The wife and I searched our memories for the last time we had eaten in a dining car. We finally decided that it was either 1971 or 72, aboard the Super Tourist Train heading south from Taipei.
Anyway, the food was good, and reasonable in price; the wine was excellent and the coffee was hot and strong. Couldn't ask for more.
We stopped in Rocky Mount, Wilson, Selma, Raleigh and finally Cary, about 15 minutes late. We had left a vehicle at the station, so we only had some 23 miles to home. All in all, a most enjoyable trip which we hope to repeat soon.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Stupid sign
As I watch the debate? over Health Care Reform, I often think I have seen the ultimate in stupidity. I realize I had not seen it until now.This may well be the ultimate!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Health Care Reform
It is said that if you tell a lie often enough and loud enough, people will believe it. Such is the case now with Health Reform. Certain persons, Limbaugh, Palin et al have been telling a monstrous lie. What is really sickening is that these cretins know it is a lie, but have been persistent in repeating it.
Why? To get revenge. First: The American voters threw the Republicans out of office, realizing governing by their old-boy network had brought the country to the brink of disaster; and Second, because they can’t stand the fact that the elected President is black.
Therefore, their approach is to oppose anything and everything. Who cares if this hurts the nation? Who cares if it hurts Americans? By God, they will have their revenge!
The current debate on Health Care Reform is a perfect example of this mendacity. These idiots are screaming “death squads” and euthanasia and “ do in Grandma!” This is all pure Bull Shit!
Look at the facts: HR 3200, introduced July 14, 2009 is the proposed legislation in question. Section 1233 of that bill is titled ADVANCE CARE PLANNING CONSULTATION.
What this section says is that every 5 years, an individual may have a consultation with a practitioner (defined in the section as a MD, NP or PA) regarding advanced care planning. Medicare will pay for this consultation. Notice the key word “MAY.” It doesn’t say the death squad will come by to check on Grandma, or that Grandpa must undergo an examination every 5 years to see if he will be allowed to live. That is what the liars are trying to tell the American public.
Probably the most inflammatory rhetoric concerns creating an “order regarding life sustaining treatment.” In short, this allows an individual to state his/her preferences regarding life sustaining treatment. IF executed by the individual, it allows him/her to state whether they want full treatment, or to limit some or all or specified interventions.
For example, a person could specify that if they were in a comatose state, they did not want artificial nutrition and hydration. This is nothing new. Such preferences have been incorporated in living wills for years. It relieves the family of the burden of making such decisions. The key point is that it is the individual’s desire.
There is a provision that such an Advanced Care Planning Consultation may be performed more frequently if there is a significant change in the health condition of the individual. I’m sorry but that doesn’t mean that if you are diagnosed with cancer, you have to go before the “Death Review Board.” What it does mean is that in that case, if you don’t have a Living Will, you will be given the opportunity to create one or to change an existing one. This would be in consultation with a practitioner. Medicare will pay for it.
So, you can do what I did: Get a copy of the bill and read it, or you can be really stupid and listen to what the liars are telling you.
Why? To get revenge. First: The American voters threw the Republicans out of office, realizing governing by their old-boy network had brought the country to the brink of disaster; and Second, because they can’t stand the fact that the elected President is black.
Therefore, their approach is to oppose anything and everything. Who cares if this hurts the nation? Who cares if it hurts Americans? By God, they will have their revenge!
The current debate on Health Care Reform is a perfect example of this mendacity. These idiots are screaming “death squads” and euthanasia and “ do in Grandma!” This is all pure Bull Shit!
Look at the facts: HR 3200, introduced July 14, 2009 is the proposed legislation in question. Section 1233 of that bill is titled ADVANCE CARE PLANNING CONSULTATION.
What this section says is that every 5 years, an individual may have a consultation with a practitioner (defined in the section as a MD, NP or PA) regarding advanced care planning. Medicare will pay for this consultation. Notice the key word “MAY.” It doesn’t say the death squad will come by to check on Grandma, or that Grandpa must undergo an examination every 5 years to see if he will be allowed to live. That is what the liars are trying to tell the American public.
Probably the most inflammatory rhetoric concerns creating an “order regarding life sustaining treatment.” In short, this allows an individual to state his/her preferences regarding life sustaining treatment. IF executed by the individual, it allows him/her to state whether they want full treatment, or to limit some or all or specified interventions.
For example, a person could specify that if they were in a comatose state, they did not want artificial nutrition and hydration. This is nothing new. Such preferences have been incorporated in living wills for years. It relieves the family of the burden of making such decisions. The key point is that it is the individual’s desire.
There is a provision that such an Advanced Care Planning Consultation may be performed more frequently if there is a significant change in the health condition of the individual. I’m sorry but that doesn’t mean that if you are diagnosed with cancer, you have to go before the “Death Review Board.” What it does mean is that in that case, if you don’t have a Living Will, you will be given the opportunity to create one or to change an existing one. This would be in consultation with a practitioner. Medicare will pay for it.
So, you can do what I did: Get a copy of the bill and read it, or you can be really stupid and listen to what the liars are telling you.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Health Care Reform-Orwell was right
Do you remember Animal Farm?George Orwell hit it right on the nose. In that story, the pigs had to come up with a simple slogan the sheep and remember and repeat. They settled on "Four legs good--two legs bad" which the sheep bleated over and over. It worked, helping to keep the stupid mass of sheep appeased.
We are seeing a similar process in action now. The FRRI (that's the fundamentalist radical republican idiots) have come up with some equally simple slogans for the masses. Listen, and what do you hear? Death Squads, martial law, government takeover, socialized medicine.
It is really difficult to accept the fact that some Americans are so stupid they actually believe that one innocuous provision of a proposed House bill means that the Death Squad will come to their house and do away with Grandma.
I really find it difficult to believe that some people are actually that dumb! I suspect that such people never read a newspaper, never listen to the national news on radio or television, and are too willing to listen to and believe the outrageous lies of some RFFI.
How low, oh America, will you sink before finding fortitude?
We are seeing a similar process in action now. The FRRI (that's the fundamentalist radical republican idiots) have come up with some equally simple slogans for the masses. Listen, and what do you hear? Death Squads, martial law, government takeover, socialized medicine.
It is really difficult to accept the fact that some Americans are so stupid they actually believe that one innocuous provision of a proposed House bill means that the Death Squad will come to their house and do away with Grandma.
I really find it difficult to believe that some people are actually that dumb! I suspect that such people never read a newspaper, never listen to the national news on radio or television, and are too willing to listen to and believe the outrageous lies of some RFFI.
How low, oh America, will you sink before finding fortitude?
Monday, July 20, 2009
My Grandson Alex
How do I describe my Grandson Alex?
He is jumping and leaping
Crawling and creeping,
Bounding and wriggling
Bouncing and jiggling,
Skipping and hopping
Jumping and bopping,
Smiling and winking and dancing around
Grinning and twisting, both feet off the ground.
Laughing and giggling and yelling and more
Climbing and falling kerbang to the floor.
Rolling and turning and punching and kicking
Throwing and catching and dropping and picking.
Stepping and stomping and running and racing
All the neighborhood pets he is chasing.
Pushing, pinching, bending, bucking, always on the go
Calling, singing, shouting, cheering, joy from head to toe.
My Grandson Alex is living proof, for all the world to see
Perpetual motion does exist, especially when you are three.
He is jumping and leaping
Crawling and creeping,
Bounding and wriggling
Bouncing and jiggling,
Skipping and hopping
Jumping and bopping,
Smiling and winking and dancing around
Grinning and twisting, both feet off the ground.
Laughing and giggling and yelling and more
Climbing and falling kerbang to the floor.
Rolling and turning and punching and kicking
Throwing and catching and dropping and picking.
Stepping and stomping and running and racing
All the neighborhood pets he is chasing.
Pushing, pinching, bending, bucking, always on the go
Calling, singing, shouting, cheering, joy from head to toe.
My Grandson Alex is living proof, for all the world to see
Perpetual motion does exist, especially when you are three.
Monday, July 13, 2009
The confirmation circus
It has started! The Big Top Tent is up, and the performers are in place. For a short while (too damn long) it appeared the confirmation circus would be over shadowed by the MJ Circus, a pure media event. But that one has ridden off into the sunset, clearing the stage for the Washington opening.
Featured in this circus are 19 Senators, none of whom have ever met a microphone or TV camera they didn't love. Each of these performers have an uncanny ability--they can hide a question inside a 10 minute speech. It is amusing to watch the confirmee struggle to ascertain exactly what is the question hidden among all that verbige. Good luck to her-she'll need fortitude to listen to all this without becoming totally bored out of her skull.
Someone please explain to me why we need a network "color commentator" during this hearing? We have such animals at football, basketball, baseball, tennis and other such media events. They are supposed to dazzle us with their inside knowledge of what really is going on, as the networks consider viewers as too stupid to understand otherwise. But, we need this at a confirmation hearing?
I think the "lame stream media" has gone too far. Their attitude seems to be that everything exists for the sole purpose of allowing them to sell ad space.
And mark my words, when Satomayor is confirmed, the first question the media will ask is "How did you feel.....?" I wish to hell they would find another question. I'm tired of hearing quasi-literate personalities being asked to describe something they don't even understand.
How low have we fallen? We take a washed-up drug addict freak who happens to be a ex-pop star, and allow the media to turn his funeral into a week long extravaganza of greed and mercenary interests.
Featured in this circus are 19 Senators, none of whom have ever met a microphone or TV camera they didn't love. Each of these performers have an uncanny ability--they can hide a question inside a 10 minute speech. It is amusing to watch the confirmee struggle to ascertain exactly what is the question hidden among all that verbige. Good luck to her-she'll need fortitude to listen to all this without becoming totally bored out of her skull.
Someone please explain to me why we need a network "color commentator" during this hearing? We have such animals at football, basketball, baseball, tennis and other such media events. They are supposed to dazzle us with their inside knowledge of what really is going on, as the networks consider viewers as too stupid to understand otherwise. But, we need this at a confirmation hearing?
I think the "lame stream media" has gone too far. Their attitude seems to be that everything exists for the sole purpose of allowing them to sell ad space.
And mark my words, when Satomayor is confirmed, the first question the media will ask is "How did you feel.....?" I wish to hell they would find another question. I'm tired of hearing quasi-literate personalities being asked to describe something they don't even understand.
How low have we fallen? We take a washed-up drug addict freak who happens to be a ex-pop star, and allow the media to turn his funeral into a week long extravaganza of greed and mercenary interests.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Ambalance chasers
I recently got a speeding ticket. It was a bit of a shock as the last traffic citation I received was in 1975. This one was a real cheap bust, as it was at a place where the speed limit suddenly changed from 55 to 35, on a down hill stretch where speed drops off slowly. But, that's not the story.
Within the next 2 weeks, I received 13 letters from law firms in the area, earnestly soliciting my business, and forecasting dire consequences if I didn't immediately contract for their services. They all guaranteed (more or less) that for a fee of from $70-100 they would be able to get this reduced from speeding to a non-moving violation. Ha! I had already accomplished that by means of a courtesy visit to the DA's office.
Two of these firms were at least 50 miles away. Times must be tough in the legal profession if they are willing to drive that far, and take up that much time for a rather small fee.
I suppose that for someone with a full schedule, not having to spend two hours in traffic court might be worth the fee.
I have lots of time, so I didn't begrudge the imposition. Actually, the entire process was a Chinese fire-drill. Anyone with just a tiny bit of common sense could streamline the operation, save much time and lots of expense. Even though all the information is on a computer system, apparently the traffic court people just haven't mastered such new concepts. For them, it is still a pencil and paper process.
Within the next 2 weeks, I received 13 letters from law firms in the area, earnestly soliciting my business, and forecasting dire consequences if I didn't immediately contract for their services. They all guaranteed (more or less) that for a fee of from $70-100 they would be able to get this reduced from speeding to a non-moving violation. Ha! I had already accomplished that by means of a courtesy visit to the DA's office.
Two of these firms were at least 50 miles away. Times must be tough in the legal profession if they are willing to drive that far, and take up that much time for a rather small fee.
I suppose that for someone with a full schedule, not having to spend two hours in traffic court might be worth the fee.
I have lots of time, so I didn't begrudge the imposition. Actually, the entire process was a Chinese fire-drill. Anyone with just a tiny bit of common sense could streamline the operation, save much time and lots of expense. Even though all the information is on a computer system, apparently the traffic court people just haven't mastered such new concepts. For them, it is still a pencil and paper process.
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