A New "Ribbon" For The Back Of Your Car!

There seems to be a magnetic car "ribbon" for every possible cause. Autism, Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Support Our Troops, and so many others.

Well...it hit me while driving home from my mom's yesterday that we need one that says, "Support Our Health." Yeah...that's right, out health.

After being behind a "Support Our Troops" ribbon for about a mile I realized that people have no problem supporting the troops our government sends overseas to fight distant wars. We let a government agency use our taxes (trillions of dollars) to administer conflicts in countries that they deem to be a threat. And, we all know what war does. People get killed and injured (both physically and mentally). And the government spends our tax dollars to put together the "machine" to keep it going. As President Eisenhower said, "Beware of the Military-Industrial Complex."

Ok...it's there. And - seems to be deeply imbedded in our society.

So, how come people have such a hard time with a government agency promoting and administering health?! Shouldn't we want our government putting the same effort, and tax dollars, towards the U.S. population's health as it does towards the pursuit of war (not to mention the re-building of foreign countries, including the infrastruction we destroy). Geez...all we'd have to do is end one of those wars and we'd have more than enough money to make our population feel better taken care of (with less of a financial burden on individuals and families).

I know people talk about additional taxes (which I just illustrated how NOT to have). But...think about your health insurance bills, aren't they just privatized taxes. How come no on mentions that?

Well, now it's time for a new "Ribbon." "Support Our Health." I think Red, White, and Blue would be a good combination. After all, what could possibly be more patriotic than a healthy America!

A Vicktory for the Philadelphia Eagles

Well...the Eagles have signed Michael Vick and I've listened to all the critics and those who applaud the decision.

I must admit, I'm happy that the Eagles signed Vick and frankly don't understand those who still harbor ill will towards the man. Did he do a terrible, horrible thing? Absolutely. Did he pay the price by going to Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary (not your country club variety white collar prison) - yes. Has this whole sad situation caused him to go bankrupt - yes. Does everyone deserve a second chance...positively.

Michael Vick now works with the Humane Society speaking out on their behalf. He's learned a very expensive lesson. If he proves that he's not worthy, then he will have failed no one more than himself. But from all the feedback on him, including interviews with his mentor, Tony Dungy, the NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell and others...it seems like this young man has turned his life around.

And...the Eagles have added clauses to his contract that stipulate his off-the-field behavior as well as his on-the-field performance.

So, here's to everyone who has ever made a mistake (big or small), and...let's hear it for Michael Vick and wish him the best of luck!

A must watch video that impacts everyone

Here's a video about our healthcare system. It's Bill Moyers interviewing Wendell Potter, a former Vice President of Cigna. Wendell really spells things out about our for-profit system and why health insurance companies will do just about anything to prevent a government option from becoming a reality. Oh...the thirst for profit over people. How devious it is.

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/07102009/watch2.html

Is this what love is?

A church in South Carolina has posted a sign on its lawn stating "Islam is of the Devil." Huh? Wait a second...aren't churches supposed to preach love and tolerance!? What the heck is the place thinkin'? What's next?? Who's the next group to be a target of the wrath of this preacher and his flock?

Ahh...religion. What a wonderful, loving, embracing, institution - as long as you agree with that particular doctrine or dogma you're fine. But if you believe in another one...watch out, hate is on the way!

Crazy, isn't it?!

The King of Pop and The Supreme Leader

The last week has seen its share of death and drama. Way too many people have died in Iran and here in the states (including local and international celebraties and others in my circle of "family.").

But it's curious how the media can brush aside what they have been covering in depth - the election in Iran and its aftermath and go into hours upon hours on the subject of Michael Jackson's passing.

I was and continue to be a fan of the "gloved one" and yet am quite aware, as my friend Alan posted on my facebook page a few days ago, "Michael Jackson's grotesque weirdnesses far overshadow his talent." Perhaps a bit harsh (as another post noted), but not far off. Jackson was immensely talented...probably one of the best at his craft. However, somewhere deep inside of him was an abounding insecurity that lead him to do some strange things.

Which enables me to move into the subject of the strangeness of our media. Last evening I channel surfed for quite some time to find out the latest news on Iran. From BBC America to CNN to MSNBC to (yes even) FOX and none of them even mentioned the story that they had been covering so intensely for the past week or so. None could tell me what's happening to the Persian people...none.

We are fixated on celebrity in this country to the point where it seems to overshadow things that can and do really affect our lives. I know that Micheal Jackson was an enormous figure in the world of music and that Farah Fawcett had a large and admiring fan base.

But, to not be able to hear what is happening in an area that can impact the world at large, because the television news media keeps repeating the same things over and over and over again about "The King of Pop" while "The Supreme Leader of Iran" talks execution of the protest leaders (read that on the internet) is indicative of how our society has evolved.

Celebrity over substance tends to numb the mind and retard substantive knowledge.

May their souls rest in peace while we try to create it here on earth.

My solution for the Phillies

Here's how I see the Phillies home woes turning around.

From now on, they should where their away uniforms and bat first at every Citizens Bank Park game. All those in attendance should show up for the games in the opposing teams colors, or without any Phillies garb. If we pretend that it's an away game then...voila - the chances of a victory should be WAY better!!

Facebooking and tweeting Iran

It's amazing how social networking sites have impacted the situation in Iran. People "broadcast" pictures, videos, and meeting sites to their fellow citizens and the world. Who would have thought the a tweet here, a "what are you doing now" there, and a post everywhere, could change the face of the way a country and the world view an election.

CNN uses iReposters, and youtube gets videos from inside Iran. Does this mean we, as a political and social world, are changed forever? How could these things have affected the 2000 U.S. elections. Could it be possible that exit polls can now be twittered (or tweeted) so that we can actually have voters telling the networks (both in the media and socially) how they've voted; enabling us to get more accurate results?

How the political and social stage is changed from here on out will be incredible to watch. Post me, tweet me, blog me, facebook me, text me...geez, things sure have changed since the days of "gimme a call!"