http://www.newsweek.com/id/214254?GT1=43002
Read the article and remember the facts... then vote out the liars!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
There Is a Health Care Bill Ted Kennedy Worked on With Chris Dodd
I just learned that there is a health care bill that Senator Kennedy worked on with Chris Dodd and others. It's called the Kennedy HELP Bill or something like that. Here's a link to it:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/09/kennedy-health-care-refor_n_213509.html
It's a "mere" 600 pages long (half the length of the behemoth I read last month) and if Senator Kennedy was behind it, it's the one I will support. I know he was out to help all Americans -- not just some.
The Republicans who said they "would have been with Kennedy" had he been in the mix are misrepresenting themselves and their intentions: they voted AGAINST this bill. So don't for a moment think they intend to back anything that will actually benefit anyone if it impacts the powers that be in health care (insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, etc. -- their lobbyists are paying more than $1.5 million a day to defeat any health care reform bill) in any way.
Let's get behind this bill and get it done for Senator Kennedy and for our own health care future. I don't think he'll rest peacefully until we do!
One thing I know for sure: the Kennedy brothers transformed our nation in so many positive ways that I totally believe that anything they put their names or their political energies to was intended for our benefit. They had it all -- they coulda sat back on their haunches and sailed their lives away -- but they were raised to give back and contribute to the country.
Whether you believed in their policies or not, their hearts were in the right place: with those less fortunate whose fortunes were hobbled and/or denied by the powers that existed (still exist) in this country, all those are mighty comfortable with the status quo.
And this is my 1000th post. It's on a very, very important matter. How fitting!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/09/kennedy-health-care-refor_n_213509.html
It's a "mere" 600 pages long (half the length of the behemoth I read last month) and if Senator Kennedy was behind it, it's the one I will support. I know he was out to help all Americans -- not just some.
The Republicans who said they "would have been with Kennedy" had he been in the mix are misrepresenting themselves and their intentions: they voted AGAINST this bill. So don't for a moment think they intend to back anything that will actually benefit anyone if it impacts the powers that be in health care (insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, etc. -- their lobbyists are paying more than $1.5 million a day to defeat any health care reform bill) in any way.
Let's get behind this bill and get it done for Senator Kennedy and for our own health care future. I don't think he'll rest peacefully until we do!
One thing I know for sure: the Kennedy brothers transformed our nation in so many positive ways that I totally believe that anything they put their names or their political energies to was intended for our benefit. They had it all -- they coulda sat back on their haunches and sailed their lives away -- but they were raised to give back and contribute to the country.
Whether you believed in their policies or not, their hearts were in the right place: with those less fortunate whose fortunes were hobbled and/or denied by the powers that existed (still exist) in this country, all those are mighty comfortable with the status quo.
And this is my 1000th post. It's on a very, very important matter. How fitting!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
My Next Post Will Be #1000! WOO HOO!
I've been riding my bike five miles a day and walking two miles and a little bit more for five days as well. I've lost five pounds and am going to keep it up as long as I continue to see results like this. It takes me forever to lose 5-10 just walking even with weights on. Yeah, I eat too much, but too much for my metabolism is anything over 750 calories a day, so it's kind of hard to toe the line when my metabolism is in the toilet the way it is. (Even on a reduction diet, people with normal metabolisms should consume 1200 calories a day.)
Tomorrow I'm going bike riding with Mary Jo and then to lunch with Mary Jo and Pastor Pat Leksen in Orting. I'm really looking forward to it. It's gonna be a lot of fun.
I have a short project (website for a commercial real estate agency in Costa Rica) and an editing job to do this weekend, and after that I'll be working on the two books again -- the ones I told you about earlier -- for two clients. I'll also be house-horse-and-dog sitting on Monday and Tuesday in Eatonville. The property owners have a PC I can use, so I can do that any keep on working.
It occurs to me that as long as I have an Internet connection, I can work from anywhere in the world, so if I ever get to Australia, Africa, Costa Rica, or anywhere else, I can stay for a while and enjoy the ambiance -- I won't have to rush home! That's pretty cool! I've been giving that some serious thought lately...
I wonder what I'll come up with for Blog #1000? Should be interesting -- or not!
Stay Tuned!
Hey, if anyone local has some free or low cost firewood, Jackie and I could sure use some! Thanks!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Edward Kennedy Passes...
I'm immensely saddened to hear of Ted Kennedy's passing. In his almost 50 years in the Senate he was responsible for much of the most progressive, pro-citizen legislation passed during his long tenure, including bills to provide health insurance for children of the working poor, the landmark 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, Meals on Wheels for the elderly, abortion clinic access, family leave, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Words fail me. While I have always and most-famously adored his brother Bobby, I can't even imagine the pressures on Ted to help raise multiple families (JFK's two and RFK's eleven, plus his own children) and go to work as diligently as he did for other Americans whose precariousness in life bothered him and motivated him.
I hope we'll pass a health care bill that bears his name and that he would wholeheartedly support and vote for. I know what's out there now is "not it," yet, but perhaps Senator Kennedy's passing will encourage all the people who loved him, of all political persuasions and leanings, to set aside their differences and find common ground so that many health care issues can be corrected and every American can feel secure that illness or disability will not bankrupt them.
I know Kennedy had his vitriolic enemies, but I hope it comforted him to know that people without enemies do nothing to either gain or lose approval. It takes guts to stake a claim on an ideal and course of action and make enemies for doing so.
I'm sure he'll be welcomed into heaven with the comment, "Well done!" Like all of us, he wasn't perfect -- far from it -- but he didn't let it stop him from making a huge difference in people's lives for the better.
I have a note that he and his wife Vicki sent me last year in response to an encouraging note I sent to them when I first heard of his diagnosis (identical to Mom's). It has been hanging here near my PC ever since, to remind me to pray daily for the family. Now I'll redouble my efforts, because although we have lost an effective, influential, legendary Senator, they have lost even more.
My heart goes out to all of Ted's survivors and friends.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/32563797#32563797
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/32565583#32565583
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/32565583#32566522
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/32565583#32567265
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/32565583#32567389
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/32565583#32567535
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
from President Obama:
Kristine --
Michelle and I were heartbroken to learn this morning of the death of our dear friend, Senator Ted Kennedy. For nearly five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation to advance the civil rights, health and economic well-being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts. His ideas and ideals are stamped on scores of laws and reflected in millions of lives -- in seniors who know new dignity; in families that know new opportunity; in children who know education's promise; and in all who can pursue their dream in an America that is more equal and more just, including me. In the United States Senate, I can think of no one who engendered greater respect or affection from members of both sides of the aisle. His seriousness of purpose was perpetually matched by humility, warmth and good cheer. He battled passionately on the Senate floor for the causes that he held dear, and yet still maintained warm friendships across party lines. And that's one reason he became not only one of the greatest senators of our time, but one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy. I personally valued his wise counsel in the Senate, where, regardless of the swirl of events, he always had time for a new colleague. I cherished his confidence and momentous support in my race for the Presidency. And even as he waged a valiant struggle with a mortal illness, I've benefited as President from his encouragement and wisdom. His fight gave us the opportunity we were denied when his brothers John and Robert were taken from us: the blessing of time to say thank you and goodbye. The outpouring of love, gratitude and fond memories to which we've all borne witness is a testament to the way this singular figure in American history touched so many lives. For America, he was a defender of a dream. For his family, he was a guardian. Our hearts and prayers go out to them today -- to his wonderful wife, Vicki, his children Ted Jr., Patrick and Kara, his grandchildren and his extended family. Today, our country mourns. We say goodbye to a friend and a true leader who challenged us all to live out our noblest values. And we give thanks for his memory, which inspires us still.
Sincerely,
President Barack Obama
Words fail me. While I have always and most-famously adored his brother Bobby, I can't even imagine the pressures on Ted to help raise multiple families (JFK's two and RFK's eleven, plus his own children) and go to work as diligently as he did for other Americans whose precariousness in life bothered him and motivated him.
I hope we'll pass a health care bill that bears his name and that he would wholeheartedly support and vote for. I know what's out there now is "not it," yet, but perhaps Senator Kennedy's passing will encourage all the people who loved him, of all political persuasions and leanings, to set aside their differences and find common ground so that many health care issues can be corrected and every American can feel secure that illness or disability will not bankrupt them.
I know Kennedy had his vitriolic enemies, but I hope it comforted him to know that people without enemies do nothing to either gain or lose approval. It takes guts to stake a claim on an ideal and course of action and make enemies for doing so.
I'm sure he'll be welcomed into heaven with the comment, "Well done!" Like all of us, he wasn't perfect -- far from it -- but he didn't let it stop him from making a huge difference in people's lives for the better.
I have a note that he and his wife Vicki sent me last year in response to an encouraging note I sent to them when I first heard of his diagnosis (identical to Mom's). It has been hanging here near my PC ever since, to remind me to pray daily for the family. Now I'll redouble my efforts, because although we have lost an effective, influential, legendary Senator, they have lost even more.
My heart goes out to all of Ted's survivors and friends.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/32563797#32563797
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/32565583#32565583
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/32565583#32566522
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/32565583#32567265
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/32565583#32567389
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/32565583#32567535
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
from President Obama:
Kristine --
Michelle and I were heartbroken to learn this morning of the death of our dear friend, Senator Ted Kennedy. For nearly five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation to advance the civil rights, health and economic well-being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts. His ideas and ideals are stamped on scores of laws and reflected in millions of lives -- in seniors who know new dignity; in families that know new opportunity; in children who know education's promise; and in all who can pursue their dream in an America that is more equal and more just, including me. In the United States Senate, I can think of no one who engendered greater respect or affection from members of both sides of the aisle. His seriousness of purpose was perpetually matched by humility, warmth and good cheer. He battled passionately on the Senate floor for the causes that he held dear, and yet still maintained warm friendships across party lines. And that's one reason he became not only one of the greatest senators of our time, but one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy. I personally valued his wise counsel in the Senate, where, regardless of the swirl of events, he always had time for a new colleague. I cherished his confidence and momentous support in my race for the Presidency. And even as he waged a valiant struggle with a mortal illness, I've benefited as President from his encouragement and wisdom. His fight gave us the opportunity we were denied when his brothers John and Robert were taken from us: the blessing of time to say thank you and goodbye. The outpouring of love, gratitude and fond memories to which we've all borne witness is a testament to the way this singular figure in American history touched so many lives. For America, he was a defender of a dream. For his family, he was a guardian. Our hearts and prayers go out to them today -- to his wonderful wife, Vicki, his children Ted Jr., Patrick and Kara, his grandchildren and his extended family. Today, our country mourns. We say goodbye to a friend and a true leader who challenged us all to live out our noblest values. And we give thanks for his memory, which inspires us still.
Sincerely,
President Barack Obama
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Update On My Doings...
Yesterday afternoon I attended a dual birthday cook-out for two friends that my sister and I have known, literally, since we were just out of diapers. Although Jackie is cruising in Alaska, I drove over to Enchanted Island (Spanaway, WA) and had a great time with Mary Jane Cooper (the mom of the two ladies who were celebrating their birthdays and my coach when I was a kid playing baseball on a team called The Ponytails) and another older lady who's related by marriage to the birthday girls Penny and Judi (nee Cooper).
Penny is a teacher and Judi is an x-ray or MRI technician. Judi told me she recently uncovered old photos of Jackie and me attending Judi's and Penny's birthday parties as kids. She had them digitized and is going to send them to me soon, so I'll post some of them here. I have very few photos of myself as a kid; I was usually the one taking the photos! (I'm the family historian, turns out, since I have always been the writer in the family and have taken lots of pictures!)
Mary Jane and I are going to go out in a couple of weeks and do some bird-watching while the prime bird-watching habitat is still so nearby (until a six lane highway goes through in the near future). She has been battling the powers that be for fifty years to try and get them to bypass a particularly wonderful bird and mammal habitat area near Spanaway, but the growing population and their elected officials have decided that access trumps wetlands, so the highway will be going through at some point, sadly...
After dinner, Mary Jane's youngest, Greg (side note: Greg's sisters and I taught him how to hit the center of the toilet bowl as a young boy by "sinking the boat" with pee! How hysterical is that?! Please Note: I didn't bring this up last night in front of his four children -- aren't you proud of me?) took me out on Spanaway Lake for a cruise around its perimeter. His young daughter drove -- she's probably 12 or 13 -- and did a great job.
There are many, many multi-million dollar homes dotting the Lake these days. I'll be visiting one of them soon when I attend a birthday party for a friend named Carol Beitz (pronounced "bites") who's turning 70 real soon. Nancy LeMay (LeMay is a huge transportation company here in Tacoma) has offered her lake house as the gathering place for the party, and Jackie and I are going. I'll try to remember to take my camera and take some pictures... I saw the place from the lake last night and just about swooned. It's fabulous.
Tonight I'm planning to attend a Town Hall meeting on health care in Lakewood. Rep. Adam Smith will be there and the Obama folks encouraged me to print out a sign and attend to show support for health care insurance reform because they're pretty sure the opposition will be there in force and they want our side to show up, too. I'll try to take a camera and will report the evening (if I actually go) to the Huffington Post. I've printed out a sign already. Dr. Mary Jo Robinson would have gone along, too, but she's in Yakima until 5 pm today and can't make it back in time...
Friday Mary Jo and I are going biking on the Orting Trail and then we're linking up with Pastor Pat Leksen to go have lunch somewhere. I'm really looking forward to Friday!
Today I dug around in the garden and harvested some cukes, squash and zucchini. I also rode my bike 5 miles (did that yesterday, too, but went 7 miles then) and am about to take off for another walk until some more work comes in here for me. I'm now working on TWO books with clients (rewriting/editing/copy enhancing) and both clients have several more books after these ones to get out, so it looks like I'll be busy for quite some time with just these two clients. WOO HOO! I'm LOVING IT!
Guess that's about it for this time...
Monday, August 24, 2009
Michael Jackson's Death Ruled a Homicide
Good. Now perhaps justice will be served -- not that it will do Michael or his family any good.
Tragic.
Tragic.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Nine Posts Away from 1000 Posts!
I worked on ten articles today for one client; twenty more remain. It's rewriting health and wellness news reports (50 of them total). I'm about to lose my ever-lovin' mind. I much prefer writing original articles, but hey... this is only one small part of a much larger commitment that I really enjoy and into each life some rain must fall! And it's stringing words together, so I won't complain (more than I just did, that is!)...
Tomorrow Jackie and three of her friends leave on a cruise to Alaska for a week. I envy them. I went five years ago and will go again sometime -- just not this year (even though it's dirt cheap to go). I'm driving them to the ship in Seattle and picking them up next Saturday.
Next Friday Mary Jo Robinson and I are going bike riding on the Orting Trail, weather permitting. I love doing that, and MJ has never been there. She'll flip!
I had to take Archie (one of my 13 year old cats) to the vet today for an allergy shot and another 3 months worth of pills. A couple years ago he developed some kind of allergic dermatitis, and he licks himself almost bald (itching) if I don't keep him on pills and occasional shots. Oatmeal baths and hydrocortisone spray don't alleviate the itching. He feels so much better tonight! (I have to give him a month or so break in between pills and the next shot because constant coverage can cause liver damage on the meds he's on... and we don't want that. It's some kind of steroid he's on, I think. So I have to watch him itch and lick for almost a month every three months. That's when I use the oatmeal baths and hydrocortisone spray to help as much as I can until he can get the shot again.
I've finished the first round of the book editing I was doing and the manuscript is back with the author so she can make a few more nips and tucks and reorganize it a bit more; then it'll come back to me (I think) for a final look-see and run through. It's gonna be great -- I know that much!
Our garden is bursting with produce -- I'll pick my first ear of corn from it sometime this week, I think. We've already eaten all the peas and are harvesting squash, zucchini and cucumbers like mad. We're giving a lot of it away to neighbors and Jackie's co-workers because she planted way too many bushes of each! That's okay! In a couple more months we'll have grapes and before that we'll have apples and plums. WOO HOO!
Guess that's all for now!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Obama Health Care Plan EXPOSED!
Don't you just love the dramatic flare of today's blog title?
I figure if I write a scandalous title, someone will search on exactly that string of words and discover the TRUTH for once! How's that for a strategy?!
I "attended" (virtually) President Obama's Organizing For America grassroots meeting today from 11:30 to 1:00. Fabulous. Just fabulous! I don't think anyone who sees it (here's a link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdrXh7wunMM) will have any remaining doubts or worries about the health care plan.
Of course, those who refuse even to watch it after I've posted it because of their particular political viewpoint are doing themselves and everyone else they talk to a disservice, because they won't be armed with the facts and will continue to spout all the false rumors about the plan. (I expect that, people being people and all.)
But for those who really want to know exactly what the health plan is all about, this meeting today was a FABULOUS thing to see. I feel confident now that I can talk about the plan and have all the facts about it, so I can de-fang the worries and offset the lies that are so rampant right now.
I was mighty miffed that Obama seemed (a few days ago) to be backing down on the idea of a public option, but that's not his plan at all. In an attempt, I think, to be a gentleman and appear open-minded and thoughtful, I think he misled the reporters (or they misinterpreted what he meant) into thinking he'd feel fine about dropping the public option. That isn't what he said at all -- he's just leaving the door open to see if anyone can up with something different that would work as well as or better than the public option. So far, it doesn't sound like he's heard anything better.
At any rate, I'm back on board wholeheartedly. Obama is still offering change I can believe in. I don't know anyone who does it better, or who offers more hope to millions of people who have been without it for so long.
A new day is dawning and I want to be a part of "making it so" so I'll have something to brag about when I'm older and greyer! This is a cause we have to win -- for everyone -- even those who are scared spitless right now. They're scared because they've been fed lies by powerful interests who want to keep the status quo because it works best for them.
It has been so many years since Americans have lived under an administration that was truly for their wellbeing that it's hard to believe it's happening now.
Good news! It is happening now! These people are in this fight FOR US! AMAZING BUT TRUE!!!
And I'm smiling again.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Busy Weekend, Busy Day...
Saturday we had a back yard party for Jackie's two bank branches. It was a hoot, a total hoot. We played dodge ball and volleyball (part of the time with a big exercise ball because we couldn't keep the regular ball in the air long enough to count for anything).
I also worked part of Saturday and most of Sunday on an editing project for a client I've written four e-books with. I worked all day today on the same project and will be at it tomorrow and the next day, too... and for days after that, probably.
It's a 250 page book and my name will go on the cover alongside the clinician's/author's. It's going to be a terrific book. I'll tell you more about it when it's ready to announce. If you're a parent -- especially if you're a parent with a difficult child -- you'll want to read it. This parenting method is revolutionary, tried-and-true for over a dozen years with thousands of kids (including kids in challenging classrooms), and very, very effective.
I'm getting irked that the public option may be dropped from the health care bill. The GOP isn't going to support the bill no matter how many concessions are made, so why don't the DEMS just move ahead and do what needs to be done to protect Americans? I don't get it...
It's frustrating as hell to vote people in and then have them bend over backward to reconcile with pols across the aisle whose primary goal is to hand the new Administration its Waterloo. Silly me -- I think we should actually follow the lead of the leaders we elect as long as they're making sense and transparently trying to help us. I'm not afraid of the consequences of passing a formidable health care bill. I would love to see a Medicare-like system in place for everyone who wants to sign on for it, and for those who can't get health coverage any other way. Having the option will get the insurance companies to mend their rapacious ways. We're the only industrialized nation on earth that doesn't take care of all of its citizens when it comes to health care. It's nuts to be so vulnerable. One major illness and a family can lose everything.
I also worked part of Saturday and most of Sunday on an editing project for a client I've written four e-books with. I worked all day today on the same project and will be at it tomorrow and the next day, too... and for days after that, probably.
It's a 250 page book and my name will go on the cover alongside the clinician's/author's. It's going to be a terrific book. I'll tell you more about it when it's ready to announce. If you're a parent -- especially if you're a parent with a difficult child -- you'll want to read it. This parenting method is revolutionary, tried-and-true for over a dozen years with thousands of kids (including kids in challenging classrooms), and very, very effective.
I'm getting irked that the public option may be dropped from the health care bill. The GOP isn't going to support the bill no matter how many concessions are made, so why don't the DEMS just move ahead and do what needs to be done to protect Americans? I don't get it...
It's frustrating as hell to vote people in and then have them bend over backward to reconcile with pols across the aisle whose primary goal is to hand the new Administration its Waterloo. Silly me -- I think we should actually follow the lead of the leaders we elect as long as they're making sense and transparently trying to help us. I'm not afraid of the consequences of passing a formidable health care bill. I would love to see a Medicare-like system in place for everyone who wants to sign on for it, and for those who can't get health coverage any other way. Having the option will get the insurance companies to mend their rapacious ways. We're the only industrialized nation on earth that doesn't take care of all of its citizens when it comes to health care. It's nuts to be so vulnerable. One major illness and a family can lose everything.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Take 25 Minutes, Refresh, Recoup and Think
This is a wonderful little documentary that takes less than 25 minutes to watch.
http://www.globalonenessproject.org/videos/whatwoulditlooklike
What does transformation look like? How important is it in the world we now live in? How can we survive without it?
Thought-provoking...
I'd love to hear your thoughts after you see and hear it.
http://www.globalonenessproject.org/videos/whatwoulditlooklike
What does transformation look like? How important is it in the world we now live in? How can we survive without it?
Thought-provoking...
I'd love to hear your thoughts after you see and hear it.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Amen to This!
People will soon forget what you said.
People will forget what you did.
But people will NEVER forget how you made them feel.
People will forget what you did.
But people will NEVER forget how you made them feel.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Hear Big, Bad Obama on His ObamaCare Plan!
I think -- and reiterate- he's awesome!
LISTEN!!!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp=32376078�
What part of what he's proposing DON'T you like?
LISTEN!!!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp=32376078�
What part of what he's proposing DON'T you like?
Lisa Hamner's LAS VEGAS TREK CONVENTION Report
Lisa emailed the following to me:
I was at the Star Trek convention and there are a few 'De' lightful, De-related things to mention:
One of the theatres at this year's convention was called the "DeForest Kelley Theatre." It sported a beautiful banner.
I asked a question of actor Lawrence Luckinbill (Sybok) what he could share with us about his memories of working on the very intense patricide/euthanasia scene with De. He hesitated for a few moments and got very emotional (we both were) and said that De was one of the most wonderful gentlemen actors that he ever had the pleasure of knowing/working with.
He went on to say that De was very ill around the time of the shooting of that scene and he looked at Larry and asked,"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" and Larry said "I sure am" So De said "Let's just do this."
There were quite a few tears in the audience when he answered my question about De.
Where To Find Full Text of Health Care Reform Bill Online...
Here's an URL that will take you to the full text of the Health Care Reform Bill, for those who are interested in reading it. Remember, changes will be made to it, and if you see anything you think should be changed, bring it to the attention of your Senators and Congresspeople. They want our help, insights, and input!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/15/house-health-care-bill-fu_n_234372.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/15/house-health-care-bill-fu_n_234372.html
The Only Kennedy I Ever Met Has Died -- Eunice Kennedy Shriver
I'm very saddened to hear of the passing of Eunice Kennedy Shriver. She is the only Kennedy I ever met and I cherish the memory.
She founded the Special Olympics. A Special Olympics was scheduled for almost my back yard in the early 80's, at Fort Lewis, and I knew I had to be there to support and celebrate it.
As luck would have it, I was seated in a row immediately in front of Eunice. Because of this, I took the opportunity to briefly thank her for the service of her entire family to our country and noted that I had recently read her mother's book, TIMES TO REMEMBER -- twice. She lit up when I said that and smiled broadly, "I'll have to be sure and let my mother know that you've read it twice!"
I told her I especially loved Bobby. My voice cracked a little bit when I said it. She nodded, smiled, and said, "Oh, yes... Bobby was very special," in that distinctive Boston accent.
It was hard to believe that I was sitting within arm's length of a Kennedy. For all I know, Maria may have been along, too. Eunice had several close friends or relatives with her, some of them young, but I wasn't looking at anyone beyond Eunice. I remember feeling almost "anointed" to be sitting so close to her... not in a fannish way, but in a sacred way.
The rest of the day is lost to memory except for the faces of the guards who were allowing cars into Fort Lewis for the event. They had their jobs to do, but the one who looked me over and permitted me to drive in smiled when I told him what I was at the Fort for, and said, "Thank you."
It's time for me to say "Thank you" again to a lady who worked tirelessly on behalf of disadvantaged children to give them hope, love, and better lives. The country is a better place because she dedicated her life in such a way.
God bless you, Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
I have zero doubt He is...
"Enter into your rest, good and faithful servant."
She founded the Special Olympics. A Special Olympics was scheduled for almost my back yard in the early 80's, at Fort Lewis, and I knew I had to be there to support and celebrate it.
As luck would have it, I was seated in a row immediately in front of Eunice. Because of this, I took the opportunity to briefly thank her for the service of her entire family to our country and noted that I had recently read her mother's book, TIMES TO REMEMBER -- twice. She lit up when I said that and smiled broadly, "I'll have to be sure and let my mother know that you've read it twice!"
I told her I especially loved Bobby. My voice cracked a little bit when I said it. She nodded, smiled, and said, "Oh, yes... Bobby was very special," in that distinctive Boston accent.
It was hard to believe that I was sitting within arm's length of a Kennedy. For all I know, Maria may have been along, too. Eunice had several close friends or relatives with her, some of them young, but I wasn't looking at anyone beyond Eunice. I remember feeling almost "anointed" to be sitting so close to her... not in a fannish way, but in a sacred way.
The rest of the day is lost to memory except for the faces of the guards who were allowing cars into Fort Lewis for the event. They had their jobs to do, but the one who looked me over and permitted me to drive in smiled when I told him what I was at the Fort for, and said, "Thank you."
It's time for me to say "Thank you" again to a lady who worked tirelessly on behalf of disadvantaged children to give them hope, love, and better lives. The country is a better place because she dedicated her life in such a way.
God bless you, Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
I have zero doubt He is...
"Enter into your rest, good and faithful servant."
Monday, August 10, 2009
Dr. Mary Jo Robinson Weighs In on the Health Care Bill
Kris,
My view is that they are doing a good job of trying to inform the populace, while the Republicans, insurance companies and other interests are doing their best to steamroll it under, which is what happened with Hillary Clinton's attempt back in the late 80's.
Yes, we need health care reform...but it won't all be addressed at once...
A major stumbling block is how will reimbursement of care provided by physicians be handled? In countries with socialized medicine (Great Britain, Germany, Sweden, etc.) primary care physicians cannot make a living wage; some have to work at other jobs in order to make a living.
Of course this is already an issue in our country where a family practice doctor may not be able to pull in enough money to pay his/her staff, pay rent on the office, pay himself and also pay off his/her medical school debt. I see some of my students having to declare bankruptcy after only a few years in practice.
That is the major issue I see as a physician in practice. I have posted this question onto the WhiteHouse.gov gov website. The question has been asked by other physicians in sessions with Obama, and has yet to be properly addressed.
MJ
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