Woman Escorted Off Bus For Reading Bible Aloud ?!?!??

I find it hard to believe this actually happened in the great state of Texas, but there's a reason Madalyn Murray O'Hair based her American Atheist Society in Austin. If the lady in the story was reading at the volume level the news clip describes, this must be one thin-skinned bus driver! From the website of CBS-11 in Fort Worth:

Woman Escorted Off Bus For Reading Bible Aloud

Carol Cavazos; FORT WORTH (CBS 11 News) ― A passenger on a Fort Worth bus says the T. Bus Service discriminated against her religion. Christine Lutz says she was reading her Bible to her children when the bus driver asked her to stop or get off the bus.

Lutz, a Seventh Day Adventist, and her children were on their way to church. "She then said, 'Well I don't think this is the place or the time to do so.' And I said, 'Oh, but it's the perfect time and the perfect place since it is our Sabbath and it is the time with the Lord and therefore I'm going to continue.' And I continued," she explained.

Then, a TRE supervisor came on board. Lutz also told him that she would not stop reading. She and her family were escorted off the bus. "This was definitely a clear cut case of persecution," she said. "Anyone who is loud will be asked to be quiet," said representative Joan Hunter. "That is a standard policy across country in the transit industry." It doesn't matter what is said, the T has a policy of no loud or abusive behavior.

"It's only if the other passengers will complain, or it's obviously so loud it's distracting the operator, that we will ask them to stop," Hunter explained.

Of course, it's just a personal observation of my own that most atheists are incredibly thin-skinned and overly sensitive.

Whiners.

~~JD~~

Friday's Feast!

Appetizer: Name 2 things you would like to accomplish in 2008.

We're going to buy a house. I'm going to finish RN school, with any luck at all.

Soup: With which cartoon character do you share personality traits?

One of the undesirable side-effects of being raised by the boob tube as a babysitter is that you tend to emulate the characters you see on the TV. I can not only quote Bugs Bunny extensively, I've even pulled more than a few of his pranks from time to time. Since the current generation doesn't know Bugs Bunny, they find this hilarious; and for the older generations it's a great conversation starter about Cartoons and their vaudeville derivatives.

Salad: What time of day (or night) were you born?

I think it was 1:38 am, but i don't remember very well. I was very young then. (See previous answer about quoting Bugs Bunny.)

Main Course: Tell us something special about your hometown.

Valparaiso Indiana, where I was born, is a medium-sized Midwestern town 15 miles directly south of the tip of Lake Michigan. It's also the hometown of Patricia Ireland of the N.O.W.; Beulah Bondi (who played Jimmy Stewart's mother in "It's A Wonderful Life" as well as "Mister Smith Goes To Washington"; and Orville Redenbacher, the King of Popcorn. They have a "Popcorn Festival" the first weekend of every September in honor of Orville.

San Antonio Texas, where I currently live and never want to leave, has a median year-round temperature of about 68 degrees, is the 2nd largest city in Texas, and the fastest growing city. It's the third largest tourist destination in the USA, and is home to the Alamo, as well as the Riverwalk, probably the most beautiful tourist attraction anywhere. Plus it has 15% of the population employed in health care, with 18 major hospitals (most with more than two campuses; which means more than enough work for little old nurse me.)

Dessert: If you could receive a letter from anyone in the world, who would you want to get one from?

Funny you should mention that. When we were going through our storage unit last week I found a bunch of letters written to me during Desert Storm. A couple were from my grandmother ("Nana") who died in 2000. It was like getting letters from her all over again.

So I guess there ARE benefits to my wife being a Packrat.

~~JD~~

A Note for my San Antonio Readers

You need to go to Sears -- right now.

San Antonians remember that in the 60's and 70's the Central Park Mall was the big place to hang out or cruise if you were a teenager. When the mall fell on harder times in the 90's, the property was sold and a new series of shops were built. However, the old Sears store was retained and is still open for business on the property.

Unfortunately, with the new construction of the shops, plus the rebuilding of the I-410 /San Pedro interchange, as well as the rebuilding of the street behind the store, it's now almost impossible to get to the old Sears. Plus a lot of Folks think it went defunct along with the old mall, so business is down.

Way, 'waaaayyyyy down.

The good news is that they've had huge sales at the Sears store for the last couple of months to drum up business. I went down there last week to buy my traditional New Year's pair of work shoes, which usually run about a hundred bucks or so. I walked out with TWO new pairs of Nikes, a pair of dress shoes, and a pair of Lands End all-weather moccasins for less than $150.00.

Four pair of shoes. I haven't owned that many pair of shoes since I was in the service!

You need to go to this Sears. Nice staff you'll never meet; and they'll let you walk away with the store.

Get movin'!

~~JD~~

I'm Baaaaaack! Miss Me?

Heh. Like I actually Went somewhere or something . . .

That "thing" I was dying to tell you about two weeks ago . . . will not be happening. We found a fantastic little house that we were bidding on but couldn't make the financing happen. We tried VHA as well as conventional financing, but one thing or another conspired to make it not happen. That was a shame, because we're really really ready to get out of the apartment scene. Fortunately, it was also a good learning experience, because we learned all the paperwork we needed (and which I have safely ensconced away for future applications) and we're already pre-approved for our next loan, which should be in the early summer when we've saved up a better down payment.

So we didn't get the cute little house; but we're ahead of the game for next time.

~~JD~~

Christmas at Casa Largo 2007

We had a pretty good Christmas at Casa Largo. We all ate until we were stuffed, which was (for me) much less this year. My doctor has been shuffling my medications and my appetite has decreased dramatically since October -- as has my weight. Usually I can eat a dozen or more hot wings in a sitting -- this year it was a struggle to eat only six.

We opened out presents, and my pick of the litter was this postcard Ariane and I found at an antiques shop:




How a postcard from the 1960's Bozo's Circus got to San Antonio I don't know -- but there it was for sale for a few bucks. The damned thing is probably priceless.

After we woke up and had lunch we went and saw two movies. Will Smith in "I Am Legend" was magnificent, but the whole storyline was so depressing that we came out of the movie decidedly mixed. However, we perked right up with watching Tom Hanks' "Charlie Wilson's War," which was alternately touching and hilarious. Phillip Seymour Hoffman shows why he won an Oscar, and should probably be nominagted for this movie, too. The movie gives a straightforward, no-holds barred look at how deals are made in Congress and names names. Well worth your time, and you come out smiling.

Going to bed now -- gotta work in the morning.

~~JD~~

Merry Christmas!

This house is now officially the "Most Over-Decorated home" -- EVER.



I'm sitting here at Casa Largo with a tall, cool strawberry daquiri with 'waaaayyyy too much Rum in it, as the lovely and gracious Ariane and I watch "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Miracle On 34th Street" in rapid succession. Appetizers of chicken wings and cheese abound, with Beef Bouginon for midnight dinner. Right now the even money has it we'll eat before then, with presents at the stroke of midnight. (Ariane worked today and got up at 2am, so she's pretty wiped.)

The kittens are nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of catnip mice dance in their heads.

And it may just be the rum; but Donna Reed was pretty hot in her day.

Merry Christmas.

~~JD~~

Another One For Santa's "Naughty" List . . .

An old Christmas tradition at most Holiday gatherings are the old grudges that re-appear and boil over into the festivities. These grudges are triggered by the most insignificant actions. Sometimes it's not about the actions; it's about the issues. It just takes a small thing to pick open the scab and all the old things come boiling out.

So it's not really about opening the Christmas present. From yesterday's Associated Press (via Breitbart.com)

Woman Allegedly Stabs Husband Over Gift
Dec 21 11:07 PM US/Eastern

ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. (AP) - A woman stabbed her husband with a kitchen knife following an argument that began when she accused him of opening a Christmas present early, authorities said Friday. Misty Johnson, 34, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and battery, a felony, and misdemeanor domestic battery. Her husband, Shawn Fay Johnson, 34, was treated at a hospital for a wound to the chest, police said.

Authorities said Shawn Johnson called 911 just before 1 a.m. Wednesday to report that his wife had stabbed him. He told police that his wife started arguing with him over his opening a Christmas present, according to court records. As the argument escalated, Misty Johnson accused her husband of having an affair, authorities said. Police Detective David Thompson said he didn't know what the present was, or if it was intended for the husband.

Not that the present had anything to do with the fight, officer.

~~JD~~

Archbishop Believes In the Bible; Mainstream Media Completely Miss The Point

The Headline on THE DRUDGE REPORT read "Archbishop of Canterbury says nativity 'a legend'...", which was enough to grab my attention quickly. The Archbishop of Canterbury doesn't believe in the Christmas Story? What The . . . ????

Clicking through to the Linked page brought me to the British newspaper THE TELEGRAPH, where the headline read similarly " Archbishop says nativity 'a legend'." The story that followed, however, read very differently, and showed just how little the reporter knew about their Bible:

Archbishop Says Nativity 'a Legend'

By Sophie Borland: 1:25pm GMT 20/12/2007

The Archbishop of Canterbury said yesterday that the Christmas story of the Three Wise Men was nothing but a 'legend'. Dr Rowan Williams has claimed there was little evidence that the Magi even existed and there was certainly nothing to prove there were three of them or that they were kings.

(John's Note: That is certainly supported by the 2nd chapter of Matthew:

2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, in the time of King Herod, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem 2:2 saying, “Where is the one who is born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

2:11 As they came into the house and saw the child with Mary his mother, they bowed down and worshiped him. They opened their treasure boxes and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

So there were an unspecified number of wise men, who gave three types of gifts. Not necessarily three wise men -- the text is not specific.)

Dr Williams argued that the traditional Christmas story was nothing but a 'legend'. He said the only reference to the wise men from the East was in Matthew's gospel and the details were very vague. Dr Williams said: "Matthew's gospel says they are astrologers, wise men, priests from somewhere outside the Roman Empire, that's all we're really told. It works quite well as legend."

(John's Note: well, it only says "wise men" -- which could mean anything. But I'm still with the Archbishop so far.)

The Archbishop went on to dispel other details of the Christmas story, adding that there were probably no asses or oxen in the stable. He argued that Christmas cards which showed the Virgin Mary cradling the baby Jesus, flanked by shepherds and wise men, were misleading.

(Okay; here we part ways a bit. In Biblical times it was common to have an "upper room" area to the stable for the stable staff to bed down in for the night. It was elevated above the livestock to take advantage of the heat generated by the animals - so there may have been animals present -- just not in the face of the baby Jesus. And nowhere in Matthew of Luke does it mention the shepherds met the Wise Men. So we're still in general agreement here.)

As for the scenes that depicted snow falling in Bethlehem, the Archbishop said the chance of this was "very unlikely".

(Agreed. Whens the last time you saw snow in the near-desert of the the Holy Lands?)

In a final blow to the traditional nativity story, Dr Williams concluded that Jesus was probably not born in December at all. He said: "Christmas was when it was because it fitted well with the winter festival."

(This is probably true, as Luke notes:

2:8 Now there were shepherds nearby living out in the field, keeping guard over their flock at night.

The footnote to NetBIBLE says:

Some argue that shepherds were among the culturally despised, but the evidence for this view of shepherds is late, coming from 5th century Jewish materials. December 25 as the celebrated date of Jesus’ birth arose around the time of Constantine (ca. a.d. 306-337), though it is mentioned in material from Hippolytus (a.d. 165-235). Some think that the reason for celebration on this date was that it coincided with the pagan Roman festival of Saturnalia, and Christians could celebrate their own festival at this time without fear of persecution. On the basis of the statement that the shepherds were living out in the field, keeping guard over their flock at night it is often suggested that Jesus’ birth took place in early spring, since it was only at lambing time that shepherds stood guard over their flocks in the field.)

now, for the despicable part. He was debating a comedian on the BBC. Whose brainless idea was that?

His comments came during an interview on BBC Radio 5 Live with Simon Mayo yesterday. Later on in the show, the Archbishop was challenged by fellow guest Ricky Gervais, the comedian, about the credibility of the Christmas story. Gervais told Dr Williams he was concerned about "brainwashing" of children who are sent to faith schools at an early age, comparing teaching that God exists to belief in Father Christmas. Dr Williams said faith schools expose children to the full range of human experience and values and he did not believe they indoctrinated people.

"Brainwashing???" Wotta maroon! Sounds more to me like the BBC set up the Archbishop, and the Telegraph ran around spreading the story that 'the Archbishop doesn't believe?'

Typical. Why doesn't this surprise me? No, No -- no media left-wing bias here -- nothing to see, Move along, Move along . . .

~~JD~~

John's Christmas List, Part V

I honestly don't expect to get this for Christmas; although I'd **LOVE** to. But I expect to order this soon thereafter.

Handheld Birds® Software. Software supported by following PDAs; Tungsten E, E2, T2,T3,T5, T/X; Zire 72; LifeDrive; Treo 650 Smartphone. Requires Windows 2000 or XP and HotSync Manager 4.0 or greater to link PC and PDA.

Item 73786 ................... $199.95
Limited Inventory: Order Soon to Ensure Availability.

Man! Talk about turning your Palm Pilot® into a Star Trek Tricorder! And the "Play the Song" feature would drive the cats Nuts!

~~JD~~

John's Christmas List, Part IV

This is something I have to have!!! I have a TON of old cassette tapes that need converting to MP3s, and this is just the little gem to do it. From the HAMMACHER SCHLEMMER Christmas Catalog:

The Cassette-To-MP3 Converter.

This dual cassette player allows you to convert your out-of-print cassette tapes to MP3 format for preservation without the need for a conversion service. The device plugs into a computer (PC or Mac) with the included USB cable, and with the included software, your cassette recordings are converted into MP3 files and stored on your computer for playback on an iPod® or other MP3 player. The software allows you to break songs into individual tracks, and the player has metal/CrO2 and noise-reduction settings. High-speed dubbing allows you to speed up conversion times. Plugs into AC. 5 1/4" H x 16 1/2" W x 8 3/4" D. (5 lbs.)

Item 74084 ................... $149.95
Available for Immediate Shipment. (Hint, Hint!)

~~JD~~

John's Christmas List, Part III

I want this movie -- badly! Unfortunately, it hasn't been released yet, but if you consider yourself and kind of conservative thinker, This is the Trailer you NEED to see: HILLARY, The Movie.

~~JD~~

Christmas Card Arrives 93 Years Late

Under the perrennial "The Post Office Sucks!" category, we have this today from Yahoo News:

Christmas Card Arrives 93 Years Late

Fri Dec 14, 4:13 PM ET: OBERLIN, Kan. - A postcard featuring a color drawing of Santa Claus and a young girl was mailed in 1914, but its journey was slower than Christmas. It just arrived in northwest Kansas. The Christmas card was dated Dec. 23, 1914, and mailed to Ethel Martin of Oberlin, apparently from her cousins in Alma, Neb.

It's a mystery where it spent most of the last century, Oberlin Postmaster Steve Schultz said. "It's surprising that it never got thrown away," he said. "How someone found it, I don't know."

Ethel Martin is deceased, but Schultz said the post office wanted to get the card to a relative. That's how the 93-year-old relic ended up with Bernice Martin, Ethel's sister-in-law. She said she believed the card had been found somewhere in Illinois. "That's all we know," she said. "But it is kind of curious. We'd like to know how it got down there."

The card was placed inside another envelope with modern postage for the trip to Oberlin — the one-cent postage of the early 20th century wouldn't have covered it, Martin said. "We don't know much about it," she said. "But wherever they kept it, it was in perfect shape."

For some reason the mainstream media just loves to go ga-ga when misdirected and lost mail is found. The truth is that as older, smaller post offices are phased out and their equipment removed, finds like this are rare, but do happen. A postcard/letter that fell behind a scale or postage meter ages ago is discovered and sent on to it's intended recipient.

I think it's kind of commendable that the Post Office didn't just throw it away, but went to all the trouble and expense to locate the letter's next-of-kin.

Good for them!

~~JD~~

Friday's Feast!

Appetizer: Make up a word and give us its definition.

BURGLEFARTZ (Burr'-gull-fahrtz) (n) An unintended bodily function noise made when one is trying to be exceptionally quiet. (Example: As I snuck into the house late one Saturday night, my burglefartz woke up the dog, who began to bark.)

Soup: What is currently your favorite song?

Anything from the Vince Guaraldi Trio's soundtrack of "A Charlie Brown Christmas."

Salad: What’s at the top of your Christmas wish list this year?

Countdown Creations Apollo 11 Spacesuit Replica mentioned previously, there's always an Electric Lawnmower

I had one of these when we lived in Indiana, and they are GREAT! No pollution; no gasoline or oil, no fumes, and very quiet.

Main Course: Name a scent that reminds you of someone special in your life.

Baking bread always reminds me of my grandmother Isobel Shurr. She always made the very best dinner rolls for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.

Dessert: Who is someone on television that you feel probably shouldn’t be, and why?

Jerry Springer. He has no redeeming social or moral qualities. There's a very hot corner of hell reserved for him for the lives he's destroyed.

~~JD~~

Winter Creeps In On Little Wet Feet

The storm that's slamming New England currently with snow and freezing rain brushed by San Antonio Monday night. Brushing by gracefully like an old lover, she bumped lightly past the greater South Texas area and left everything cold, wet, and dripping with possibilities. Traffic slowed to a standstill Tuesday morning as if in awe of the might storm tiptoeing past; and pedestrians fell to sidewalks as if bowing to the storm's might.

Although they should try not to land on their butts when they bow. Painful.

We've had a couple of days in the 40's and one night in the 30's -- but not really unseasonal weather. I've worn my coat one day so far, and a sweatshirt the rest of the time, which is more than sufficient. I laugh quietly at the south Texas natives who shiver and make such a fuss about the 50 degree weather, like they're enduring Ice Station Zebra conditions. Most of them are the same ones that complained the air conditioning wasn't cool enough in the summer -- no they complain it's too cold. (It's been set at 69 degrees the entire time without change.)

**********************************************************************

I have the radio station on to the "Official San Antonio Christmas Music Station", playing constant Christmas music. It's been a hard year, and I feel the need for a little boost to my merry-making this time around. Christmas comes but once a year, and resistance is futile -- it'll come whether we brick up the chimney or not. Might as well get in the spirit and enjoy it. I could certainly use the Cheer.

I think that's the reason so many Grinches appear about this festive time of year. They're overworked, overstressed, short on time, short on money, and short of temper. They feel like they just don't have time for the holidays and try to postpone them mentally, and end up missing them entirely.

Don't resist. Eat a candy cane for me today.

~~JD~~

JD's Christmas List, Part 1

Just in case anyone was wondering what to get me for Christmas, here's something I've been admiring all year from the Countdown Creations at THE SPACE STORE website:

Apollo 11 Spacesuit Replica

Step into the boots of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin — literally — as you donn this museum-quality replica of their iconic spacesuit, the same they wore to make mankind's first small steps and giant leaps across the Moon's Tranquility Base!

The design and molds for this spacesuit replica were taken from an authentic NASA Apollo-era A7L garments. They are built to our exact specifications with the highest attention paid to every detail.

Made from a heavy weight Nylon Cordura, this suit was built for wear and tear. It can be worn or placed on display. Truly fantastic for the collector or museum. Features:

* Apollo 11 Space Suit Aluminum Cuffs
* Aluminuml Neck Ring
* Aluminum Hose Fittings
* Nylon Cordura Fabric

Apollo 11 Helmet
* Two (2) Side Sun Shields
* Outer Gold Sun Visor
* Aluminum Neck Ring

Snoopy Cap
* Stretchable Material
* Foam Ear Covers
* Elastic Chin Strap

Front / Back Pack
* Snapping Aluminum Hose Couplings
* Air Hoses
* Metal Front Pack (attaches to suit)

Space Gloves
* Heavy Canvas Material
* Rubber Finger Tips

Space Boots
* Fit Over Your Shoes
* Canvas and Rubber
* Straps


Availability: Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery. As this item is custom-made, no discount codes will be accepted and all sales are final.

Item SSUITAP11REPL Price $9,500.00

I have no idea what I'd do with this. Be fun to have one, though.

~~JD~~

Friday's Feast

Appetizer: What was the last game you purchased?

For me, I bought the Solitaire program for my Palm Pilot. That was in 2001.

Soup: Name something in which you don’t believe.

I don't believe in stupidity. Ignorance is curable; stupidity is forever.

Salad: If you could choose a celebrity to be your boss, who would you pick?

Wayne Rogers. After he left M*A*S*H playing "Trapper John", he took his salary and parlayed it into a multimillion dollar fortune. He's a very astute businessman and knows what he's doing.

Main Course: What was a lesson you had to learn the hard way?

If you're in the mood to get really, Really drunk, first of all you shouldn't be drinking at all. Second, you should not involve any type of whiskey -- particulary Jim Beam. And Third, avoid calling out your ex-girlfriend's name at the top of your lungs.

No, really.

Dessert: Describe your idea of the perfect relaxation room.

Wide-screen TV with surround sound. La-Z-boy recliner with massage and heat. Laptop with broadband Internet hookup. And a mini-fridge with mint chocolate chip icre cream.

~~JD!!

Stuff Your "Happy Holidays"!

Chicago Sun-Times columnist Richard Roeper offered this Christmas Column from 2003. It bears repeating as the Scrooges come out of the woodwork this season:

Time To Take a Stand Against Christmas-Phobia

December 23, 2003; BY RICHARD ROEPER SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST

Pop quiz! Which of the following holiday stories are for real, and which ones are phonier than Billy Bob Thornton's beard in "Bad Santa"?

1. The town of Mosgiel, New Zealand, has banned the tradition of children sitting on Santa's knee because of concerns about liability should there be allegations of seedy actions. Instead of perching on Santa's knees, children have been sitting on little "elf chairs" situated next to the big guy.

2. On school calendars in Hillsborough County, Fla., the phrase "Christmas break" has been replaced by "Winter Holidays." The word "Christmas" has also been removed from the school calendar in Covington, Ga.

3. At South Orange, N.J., Middle School, sixth-graders were scheduled to go on a field trip to see "A Christmas Carol," but officials canceled and sent the kids to see a play called "The Great Railroad Race" instead. Said the school's principal: "There is a great sensitivity to putting students in awkward positions."

True or False?

4. Red poinsettias were banned from the county courthouse in St. Paul, Minn., lest they be interpreted as symbols of Christmas.

5. A professor at Indiana University's School of Law in Indianapolis complained that an undecorated, 12-foot tree was a symbol of Christianity on public property, and the dean of students said other faculty members and some students agreed that the tree "was too starkly religious." A new display consists of two smaller trees -- one with lights -- and a sleigh filled with red and green poinsettias, but no overt references to Christmas or Jesus. The debate is now centering on whether THAT exhibit crosses the line.

6. In early December, the McHenry County Board voted to rescind a measure that had renamed the official county holidays of Christmas Eve and Good Friday as "Winter Break" and "Spring Break," respectively. But according to the Daily Herald, some board members opposed the change, with one saying: "We had best use Winter Break and Spring Break. It's not only politically correct, it's legally correct," and another saying, "If we're going to [go back to using Christmas Eve and Good Friday], then we should honor Jewish holidays as well."

Of course and unfortunately, every one of those items is true, as this has been one of the most politically correct, super-sensitive Christmas seasons in recent memory. Protests are staged if someone even hints at celebrating Christmas in a public forum, and some folks avoid saying the word "Christmas" in any context if they can go with "Happy Holidays!" or "Wonderful Winter Break to Ya!" or some other inoffensive phrase. God forbid we step on anyone's toes as we celebrate Christmas, and I'm sure I just offended some people by saying "God forbid."

Who am I to be bringing this so-called God into a discussion that's appearing in a newspaper intended for people of all faiths, not to mention atheists, as long as they have 35 cents? Good Lord -- I mean, golly gee -- what the hell (I mean HECK) was I thinking?

It's beginning to look a lot like ... you know, THAT day

In June 1870, President Ulysses S. Grant declared Christmas a federal national holiday. As of this writing, that's still the official designation for Dec. 25 -- but it's only a matter of time before some group campaigns to rename the holiday "Everyday" or "New Year's Eve Eve Eve Eve Eve Eve Eve," or how about Frank Costanza's "Festivus," the holiday for the rest of us?

Or here's an idea: Why don't we continue to call it Christmas, and you can celebrate or not celebrate it any way you see fit, and if you're really so offended by a national holiday tied to the birth of Jesus, why don't you go to work or school on the 25th and wait for someone to open the building?

Nobody should be forced to observe any kind of religious holiday or custom, and I'm all for logical, sensible separation of church and state. But half of the Christmas customs eliciting cries of outrage have nothing to with authentic Christianity anyway. We're talking about customs and decorations that were created for commercial purposes. You can search the New Testament far and wide and I'm fairly certain you won't find any references to Santa Claus and chimneys, a reindeer with a red nose or anyone named Scrooge.

It's also perfectly acceptable for people of all faiths to get into the Christmas spirit -- if they so choose. Regardless of your faith, go ahead and sing "White Christmas," "O Holy Night," "Christmas Song," "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow," and "Silver Bells." They're appropriate choices, given that all were written by Jews.

Lately I've been saying a generic "Happy Holidays" to friends and acquaintances. Stuff that. As we hit the home stretch of the season, it's all "Merry Christmas," all the time, and if that offends your sensibilities, it's your problem, not mine.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

Me, too.

~~JD~~

Friday's Feast!

Appetizer: What is your favorite carnival/amusement park ride?

Ferris Wheel; no question. Merry-Go-Round is a close second. Third would be that thing that spins really fast and drops the bottom out, pinning you to the sides by centrifugal force. My son still remembers vividly the time I took him on THAT one. (Heh.)

Soup: How do you react in uncomfortable social situations?

In the words of Louie Anderson, "Hand me that gun."

Actually, I start watching the other people in that situation. Their body language will tell you a lot about what's going on.

Salad: On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy discussing deep, philosophical topics?

Does anyone enjoy discussing deep, philosophical questions unless you're a philosophy professor and paid to do it? The only deep, philosophical question that really means anything is the state of your salvation with God; everything else is pseudo-intellectual nonsense and wastes time.

Main Course: Did you get a flu shot this year? If not, do you plan to?

The last time I got a flu shot was 1987, and I spent a week in the hospital with pneumonia. They damn near intubated me and put me on the respirator. Since I stopped taking the flu shots, I haven't had the flu.

Dessert: Approximately how many hours per week do you spend watching television?

About 4+, but it's things like News Channels, Weather Channel, Discovery, A&E, or the NASA channel. Plus if there's an old rerun of Star Trek on somewhere, I'm there. I haven't watched network TV regularly since the early 90's.

`~JD~~

A Personal Update

I've been working my ass off. Literally.

One of the nurses at the Dialysis Clinic I part-time at had to go home for a funeral last week, so I worked five 12-hour days last week, including Thanksgiving. This should effectively double my paycheck next week, which is a good thing, of course. In addition, my taking the bus is having a positive effect as well. Besides extending my gas tank refill time from 6 days to 9, I have to walk about 1.3 miles from the bus stop. I've lost five pounds in the last two weeks. Plus my diabetes doctor has added a new medication which has not only stabilized my wild blood sugars, but has contributed to the weight loss, I'm sure.

So that's all good.

Julian is off participating in the San Antonio Model United Nations (MUNSA) this week. He's gone from 8am to 11pm three nights this week. It's got me frankly wondering about the wisdom of educators who would keep kids out until almost midnight; but Julian seems to enjoy it, so what do I know? He's continuing his independent study of the violin and doing well with both Chinese and Japanese in school, which always astonishes me. He's a great kid, but he needs a haircut.

Ariane has taken a sabbatical at work for university Hospital. Some of the latent jealousy that her holding down two full-time jobs and doing school has caused problems with co-workers, and some of them have actually been pretty ugly about it. She's still part-timing at another clinic, and doing well after the surgery scare.

And . . . we're going to put in a bid for a house next week. Three bedrooms, three baths, 1700 square feet, and a garage. Needs only a little bit of fixing, but it's a gorgeous floor plan. I'll let you know if it works out.

~~JD~~

In The Spirit Of The Season

My mother's fruitcake recipe. I swear to God; I first found this recipe from my mother.

Fruit Cake Recipe

1 cup water
1 cup sugar
4 large eggs
2 cups dried fruit
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup brown sugar
lemon juice (to taste)
1/2 pound walnuts
1 bottle whiskey

Sample the whiskey to check for quality. Take a large bowl. Check the whiskey again. To be sure it is the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink. Repeat. Turn on the electric mixer; beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add one teaspoon of sugar and beat again.

Make sure the whiskey is still okay. Cry another tup. Turn off the mixer. Who the hell left the mixer on? Break two leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit. Mix on the turner. If the dried frewt gets stuck in the beaterers pry it loose with a drewscriver.

Sample the whiskey for tonisticity. Next, sift two cups of salt. Or somethin'. Who Cares? Check the whiskey. Now sift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table. Spoon! Of sugar, or somethin'. Whatever you can find.

Grease the oven. Turn the cake tin to 350 degrees. Don’t forgit to beat off the turner. Throw the bowl out the window. Check the whiskey again and go to bed.

Oooh, I'm gonna be sick.

In Response to my Buddy Raven

Whose note can be foundHERE:



"Since you have chosen to elect a man with a timber toe to succeed me, you may all go to hell and I will go to Texas." -- Davy Crockett

What's Wrong With This Picture?

One of the most aggravating thing about living in South Texas is the incredibly banal attitude exhibited sometimes by it's residents, as well as it's public officials. I've heard this referred to as the "manana mindset" -- sort of a "who cares" attitude that's prevalent among some (but by no means all) hispanics.

From today's San Antonio Express-News:

4 Kids Home Alone During House Fire

Sun Nov 25, 11:16 AM ET

Four kids were home alone when fire ripped through their South Side home Saturday. Firefighters at the scene said it appears the family was using the stove to heat up their home in the 200 block of Pleasanton Street when something went wrong.

Four children between the ages of 9 and 14 were home at the time of the fire, but all of them made it out OK, and for the most part, uninjured. However, a 9-year-old boy was taken to a hospital for observation.

San Antonio District Fire Chief Neal Giles said said the fire could have been prevented. "It always seems like (there's) a trend every year that when it starts cooling off, people (with) open-flame heaters forget about them, put something too close to it or on top of it," he said. "Just be real cautions. We don't want anymore problems. People being burned out of their house right before the holidays."

The fire caused about $20,000 in damage to the house itself and another $5,000 in losses to the contents inside, firefighters said.

Okay, here are my question:

1.) Where were the parents of these kids?

2.) Why wasn't CPS called to take custody of these kids?

3.) Why weren't the parents arrested for endangering their kids like this?

4.) And all the SAFD can say is, "Just be real cautions. We don't want anymore problems."?????

So who had the bigger manana mindset -- the cops, the firefighters, or the parents?

~~JD~~

Happy Thanksgiving

I heard the announcer on the radio refer to today, the day before Thanksgiving, as "Thanksgiving Eve." When did we get to this place, where we've accorded an almost religious significance to an American cultural holiday?

When I was a child in school, we got Thanksgiving and the Friday thereafter off. Today my son gets the entire week off, while my wife gets only the two days off from University of Texas. Obviously it's not a commonplace phenomena; but it's taking hold in some places. And, of course, in my chosen profession of nursing, it's almost an irrelevancy for most health care workers. I'm working tomorrow, but Ariane isn't because it's her regular day off. I'm covering for someone attending a funeral. The motivation for me to work is time-and-a-half pay, which is a very powerful motivator. I've worked probably half of the Thanksgivings my professional career -- and most of the Christmases.

This is not a complaint. I'm actually Thankful for the work, and for having a steady job. The first Thanksgiving was all about being Thankful to God that they'd made it across the ocean and survived the horrific winter of 1620, as well as rickets, scurvy, and god knows what other diseases.

So, what are you Thankful for?

I'm thankful I have two good-paying jobs, and more work than I can handle. I'm thankful I'm continuing to lose weight, and that my diabetes is under control. I'm thankful for a far better wife than I could ever hope to fall in love with, and a son who is even now cooking Thanksgiving Dinner in the kitchen -- in between studying Chinese, Japanese, or violin. I'm thankful for our new kittens, the dog, and for the Grace of God. I'm thankful for the house we're going to bid on next week when the legalities are taken care of. I'm thankful for two working cars in good condition with good mileage.

I'm thankful I live in beautiful south Texas where it's 65 degrees right now and balmy. Every view is scenic; every person is friendly; and there is work out the ying-yang for somebody not afraid to get tired.

And I'm thankful you're reading this. Leave a comment what you're thankful for.

~~JD~~

Vignettes From The Bus

I rode the bus home from work yesterday. I loved it.

In San Antonio we have the VIA Bus System which is reliable, clean, and goes everywhere for a buck. The first transfer is free; the second is 15 cents. I catch the Red Route (which is a touristy little streetcar-looking line for the tourists, mostly) to the Blanco line, which drops me literally at my own doorstep. Forty-five minutes start to finish, and I'm home. On days Ariane and I work together she takes the car home at 2pm for her Nursing classes, and I catch the bus. She always offers to pick me up, but it would cost $5.00 in gas (if not more) to make that round trip to the clinic downtown to get me, and an hour for the round trip.

Why bother? I'm saving her an hour and four dollars in the process. It's sure to get even more economical as gas prices go up.

* * * * * * * *

And while the wheels on the bus go round and round, the people on the bus go up and down the aisles, finding seats, changing seats, entering and exiting the bus. The bus fills up downtown and we ride in an artificial silence; these strangers brought together by the wonders of modern mass transit. There are some regulars who recognize and nod to each other, and one pair of old friends who greet each other warmly. But mostly we run the gamut from elderly retirees to punk-hairdoed teens to Mexican Mafia enforcers to strange schizophrenics living in their own worlds that have briefly decided to visit ours to use the bus.

Many of the strangers eye each other uneasily, afraid to make eye contact. One father with an armful of gang tattoos cradles his little girl to his chest tenderly and shepherds his toddlers onto and off the bus like a mother hen. A waitress in a uniform from a restaurant on the other side of town plunks wearily in the seat in front of me and dozes off, but wakes just in time to make her stop, as if on cue from an unseen alarm clock. A mentally disturbed woman wraps a shawl around her face, Muslim-like, peering at the other passengers with deer eyes. We have secrets she cannot fathom, and they terrify her. She scrutinizes the bus schedules to learn their coded secrets, and takes one of each with her for further study. When she left the bus she walked down the steps half-turned-sideways, watching to see if anyone followed her. No one did.

Last night was a rare treat, as we all were entertained by the militant foul-mouthed lesbian from Amarillo. At first I mistook her for an obese teenaged boy with her short hair, flannel shirt, and khaki pants. She started dialing the cellphone as soon as she sat down, which apparently had a poor connection as she had to shout everything (although from the rock and roll T-shirt she was wearing, it could have just been hearing damage on her part.)

She regaled us with several stories during three separate phone calls while she tried to get companionship for the night. Nothing was her fault, and she didn't have money to pay these people back, and could she borrow $600.00 from another, and she'd have the $200.00 to pay back the third soon. She wasn't the one who had made those charges on another's credit card (she had been in jail in Amarillo at the time), and it wasn't her fault that Joseph got fired for her showing up at his workplace drunk (she had done 20 days for Public Intoxication in San Antonio that time -- so that canceled it out, right?). Somebody had stolen her social security check from her mailbox while she was in jail a third time, so she honestly couldn't be expected to pay the utilities on her apartment,could she? And when she had been evicted last week, they had her checkbook in the apartment, so how could she pay her back rent?

One of her best features was her colorful vocabulary (mostly blue, with interesting shades of the green-eyed monster as well.) Every third sentences was "f***king this" and "f***king that" and "what an a**hole that guy was." She got off the bus dejectedly after being hung up on by the last person she called, unable to borrow any money or find companionship for the night. I almost felt sorry for her, but the man sitting next to me watched her get off the bus, then turned towards me. "How many times did she say she was in jail?

"I counted seven," I told him.

The lady in front of us barely turned her head to the side, glancing sideways at the two of us behind her. "Eight," she said. The man across the aisle nodded his head in agreement.

We all smiled and chuckled. "You make the bed you lie in," concluded my seat mate.

Brought together by a common shared experience, we were no longer strangers. We nodded to each other as we got off the bus, and smiled all the way home.

~~JD~~

Friday's Feast!

Appetizer: What was your first “real” job?

I was a bag boy at Costas Foods in Valparaiso Indiana my senior Year of high School, but I quit as soon as it started snowing. It was just too hard to get the carts in the ice and snow, and I worked until 11pm.

Soup: Where would you go if you wanted to spark your creativity?



There is much wisdom in these videos, grasshopper . . . listen to the refrain for your answer. Disco grooves, baby.

Salad: Complete this sentence: I am embarrassed when…


I am embarrassed when I find myself naked in church when my pants catch fire.
I am embarrassed when there is no blood in my refrigerator and Dracula comes to visit.
I am embarrassed when my cats attack the mailman.
I am embarrassed when I watch "That 70's Show" -- it's so stupid.
I am embarrassed when communist insurgents eat all the peanut butter in the house.

Main Course: What values did your parents instill in you?

Nothing whatsoever. Mostly everything I learned from my parents were negatives so I wouldn't be like them. Don't whine. Don't procrastinate. Don't sleep around. Don't make excuses. Don't be married nine times. True story.

No, honestly, I can't think of a thing.

Dessert: Name 3 fads from your teenage years.

Just three? Gosh. let's see: Bell bottoms, paisley prints, and Arthur Fonzarelli. You get to guess the decade. But just to make it interesting, all of my answers to the previous questions also answer this question in some way.

As Fonzie says, "Make like Charlie Chan and Be a detective. Woah!"

~~JD~~

Peaceful Pastorale or Pathetic Ploy for Pay?

This article kills me. From today's Gary Post-Tribune comes the sad, tearful tale of folks in peaceful, quiet Chesterton Indiana who are afraid their pastoral, peaceful existence will be shattered by the intrusion of an evil Wal-Mart.

Even though they live between two major interstate highways.

Wal-Mart Has New Foes
November 16, 2007; By Jane Huh Post-Tribune staff writer

A group of Chesterton residents began to form a network to derail a commercial development plan that may be anchored by Wal-Mart.

At Thursday's Advisory Plan Commission meeting, engineer Jeff Ban, of DVG Inc., presented a conceptual plan to develop a 50-acre site on the southeast corner of the Indiana Toll Road and Indiana 49. "We're here not to push a project on you but to listen to you," Ban told the members.

I-80 Partners LLC is proposing to develop a 293,700 square feet space into a "retail office campus," that would be pedestrian-oriented, include greenery and quality architecture, said Ban, who said the planning has been going on for the past 10 months.

Ban said discussions are ongoing with Wal-Mart representatives. At this point, however, the developers intend to begin a traffic study, Ban said.

However, residents who showed attended the meeting began to raise concerns. "We've got a city sprawl ... that's what's going on," a man yelled. Town leaders likely will face pressure from residents when it comes to developing that area. Back in April 2006, the Town Council rejected a developer's efforts to create a retail shopping center that would have been anchored by Target and Kohl's. Duneland First, a group of residents and small business owners, had formed to oppose the proposal.

Pat Seguin, 45, moved to County Road 900N less than two months ago from the Chicago suburbs. He said, "I came here to get away from this stuff." Seguin said. "I would not have bought that house if I had known that a Wal-Mart was going to be two blocks from me."

"Did you realistically think that with the Toll Road and with 94 and 49, that this land was not going to be developed?" commission member Frank Sessa later asked the audience.

Indeed. Prime parcels positioned between an isthmus of land bordered by two major interstates -- and they want "peace and quiet." Then why did you move next to the Interstate, idiot?

I think it's more likely they want prime money for their land.

~~JD~~

Saturday Afternoon Hospital

Across the street from where I work; as the South Texas sun highlights Santa Rose Hospital.

~~JD~~

Friday's Feast!

Appetizer: Which snack do you like to get when you go to the movies?

Raisinets. Popcorn is too much carb for my diabetes, but I love it anyway -- maybe once a year.

Soup: What year did you start using the internet?

1997, as the bookmark for my Drudge Report will proudly attest.

Salad: What is your first name in Pig Latin? (Here’s how to speak it if you don’t already know!)

And "How" would I pronounce my name online -- in a "written method" ???

My name is French is Jean -- in German is Johan -- in Hebrew is Yohannon.

Main Course: Name something you are picky about.

HAH! Just one thing? Fergeddaboudit -- I'm picky about everything.

Dessert: Fill in the blanks: I ____ ____ yesterday and I ____ ____ today.

I danced for my patients yesterday and I fell down today.
I rented an apartment yesterday and I tried to buy a house today.
I worked like a dog 16 hours yesterday and I am doing it again today.
I organized my workspace yesterday and I am bored to tears today.
I slept like a log yesterday and I need more sleep today.

~~JD~~

Friday's Feast!

Appetizer: How much money do you plan to spend this upcoming holiday season?

About $400.00. I'm almost done with my holiday shopping, though.

Soup: What was the last television show you watched, and was it good?

That's easy -- I watch so little TV, it has to be good or I don't watch it. We're buying a house, so I watch Flip This House on A&E all the time. Plus I watch the NASA TV Channel all the time. I just watched a show on Discovery about going to mars; and Finding Nemo is on right now. not a stinker in the bunch.

Salad: If you had to paint the walls of your living room tomorrow, what color would you choose?

If we get this house, I will have to paint the walls of my living room tomorrow. We're thinking about a soft beige or khaki -- maybe a robin's egge blue, depending on the furniture.

Main Course: Name something clever or practical you have thought of that should be invented, but hasn’t yet.

Actually, I've already blogged about this HERE about four months ago. Why in the world Wal-Mart doesn't sell E-85 gasoline/alcohol mix and then also sell conversions to use the fuel in their auto sections is beyond me. They'd have a ready-made customer base and be able to say they're saving their customers money while decreasing oil usage 85%.

Shame they don't do it.

Dessert: List 3 things you would like to receive as gifts this upcoming holiday season.

Soloflex.

Stationary biciycle.

Motorcycle. Not too big; a 500 cc or so would be fine.

~~JD~~

Time Out

I'm having a very difficult time lately, as I've blogged about before. To say it's been a bad year would be a massive understatement. Plus I'm working 8-1/2 to 14 hour days six days a week.

So I took a few days off to re-think things -- toalk to some people, re-imagine how things should be; what I want to do; what goals I should be aiming for . . . that sort of thing. Get pro-active instead of reactive.

So, I'm back, and it may be a while before I get fully back up to speed, but I'll post what I can when I can. I appreciate your patience.

~~JD~~

Man, That's SOME Pitcher's Mound!

After 100+ years, the Chicago Cubs decide to get with the 20th Century and are installing a new field at Wrigley.

Thankfully, though, it's still natural sod -- no Astroturf, Thank You.




At upper right you can see the old sod piled for disposal as the old dirt is loaded into dump trucks. A new drainage system and all-new dirt and sod will be laid down in the next few weeks to give the surface maximum growing time over the fall rains and spring. Note also the "Hey Hey" Banner (reversed) at left -- a tribute to former announcer Jack Brickhouse.

Makes me wanna go see a ball game at Wrigley again. Might have to do that next year.

~~JD~~

Friday's Feast!

Appetizer: Name a great website you would recommend to others.

Hmmm . . . let's see.

For news, The Drudge Report is the original and still the best.

For Space Geekiness, it's Space.Com -- lots of good space flight and astronomy stuff.

For ComicBooks, it's Comic Book Resources, an excellent series of columns and references.

For Commentary, Captain's Quarters is informed, thoughtful commentary. For a bit of caterwauling and the occasional bomb-throwing, And Rightly So! is a hoot!

And for sheer fun, Atom Smasher's Road Sign Generator is a lot of fun. make your own road signs for your blog or e-mails.

Soup: On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 as highest), how often do you dream at night?

"1" -- Rarely, if ever. Since I figured out how to interactively dream and change the outcome of my dreams while I'm still asleep, I don't remember any of them lately.

Salad: Did you have a pet as a child? If so, what kind and what was its name?

My family had cats and dogs as long as I can remember. My first dog was a beagle, "Lucky Lou." My favorite cat was named 'Chipper" because of his chipmunk like markings.

Main Course: If you had the chance to star in a commercial, what would you choose to advertise?

Actually, I've had the chance to star in commercials for my business (when I had a limousine company.) It was radio, but you'd be surprised how many people listen to radio and recognize your voice.

Dessert What is your favorite kind of hard candy?


Starlight Mints are the ONLY kind of hard candy I'll eat. They hold a lot of fond memories of Christmases Past for me.

Friday's Feast!

Appetizer: If you were a dog, what breed would you be, and why?

Well. let's see -- I'm 6'3", and 300 pounds, and tend to dominate any room I walk into -- I'd probably be a Great Dane.

Soup: What does the color purple make you think of?

Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover -- I didn't care for the movie, though.

Salad: Approximately how long does it take you to get ready each morning?

This morning was pretty typical. I have to test my blood sugar, make the bed, shave my head, shower, and get dressed -- 25 minutes not counting toilet time.

Main Course: How many cousins do you have, and are you close to them?


For First Cousins, let's see; four Gertsmeier cousins, two Shurrs, and two Miller cousins -- that's eight. Second Cousins -- I've lost count -- roughly fifteen. Neices and nephews -- seven. I'd say about half of these I'm closer to than my own sisters, and the other half about as close as my sisters.

Dessert: Take your initials (first, middle, last) and come up with something else those letters could stand for. (Example: SFO = Sweet Funny Otter)

I've never understood the amusement of making fun of someone's name. I suppose that comes from growing up the funny looking kid that always got teased.

How depressing!

~~JD~~

Nursings's "Dirty" Little Secret, Part II

From today's Vidette Times, although I've seen this tory literally EVERYWHERE the last two days as well:

Deadly infection is real, but is it a cause for panic?
Thursday, October 18, 2007 2:10 AM CDT

BY HEATHER AUGUSTYN: Times Correspondent

In 2005, nearly 19,000 Americans died of invasive infections caused by a drug-resistant bacteria, according to a study released in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Even more alarming is that this bacterial infection, known as methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), caused more deaths than AIDS.

But local doctors and public health officials say that this study may be misleading. MRSA infection rates may be on the rise, but deaths are not. "I do not find an epidemic of death," said Dr. Daniel Smith, director of infection prevention for the Munster Community Hospitals. "MRSA is usually never the cause of death. It's misleading. Death could be from diabetes or anything else. Can MRSA cause death? Yes. Have I seen it in the 25 years I've been here? Not in the last three, four, five years. People have died who have also had MRSA."

Smith says the difference in this strain is the way in which it spreads. "We've had MRSA here for a while and I don't think it's any more resistant than it has been. It's been this way for 15 years, but this strain releases a toxin that causes more skin abscesses. We have seen MRSA cases double or quadruple over the past three years in the community, and so we're seeing an increase in MRSA patients," Smith said.

As a result, Smith says his staff has implemented methods to decrease the spread of MRSA and all infectious diseases. "We place the patient in isolation so the infection is not spread from one person to another, and we emphasize hand washing -- not just with soap and water but with an alcohol gel that kills 99.99 percent of all germs, including MRSA," Smith said.

If this sounds the least bit familiar, it's because I blogged about this six weeks ago HERE. The decrease of hand washing in Nursing is spreading this little bug everywhere in hospitals. The decline in kids showering after gym class is spreading the bug likewise in gym classes and subsequently through schools.

An interesting point I've noticed in this story; I've heard this reported variously that either MRSA "kills more people every year than AIDS" as reported above, but several more liberal news organs (like the San Antonio Express-News) report that MRSA is only "approaching the levels of deaths by AIDS."

Hmmmmmm. Protecting a constituency, are we?

Anyway, the bottom line: Soap - And - Freakin' - Water. Kills the bugs every time -- no bacteria is immune to them, or virus, for that matter. Just wash your hands, nurses -- and for God's Sake, take a shower, kids!

~~JD~~

"The Ratchet Line"

One of the nurses I was working with last week coined this phrase -- and I love it. We were talking about the point where a nurse can give a patient care and the point where a patient can refuse -- even though that action will harm or even kill the patient. Refusing dialysis; being noncompliant with their medications; continuing to drink with cirrhosis of the liver; and other equally dangerous practices are frustrating for nurses as we watch the patient literally kill themselves. Yet when the nurse insists or attempt to "do what's best for the patient," they can face assault charges.

The other nurse called this "crossing the Ratchet Line," which means they've "crossed the line between being a good nurse -- and becoming Nurse Ratchett, the fascist witch from hell.

"The Ratchet Line." I like it.

~~JD~~

Diabetes As Cultural Darwinism?

This article appeared in the Los Angeles Times the end of August, and was reprinted in the San Antonio Express News the next week. The author, Greg Critser, has written two books, "Fat Land: How Americans Became the Fattest People in the World" and the soon to be published "Eternity Soup: Inside the Quest to End Aging."

I've been chewing this over for about a month trying to figure out what to think about this guy's conclusions. I think he has made a very concise and cogent analysis of the threat of Diabetes, but completely misses the mark with his conclusions. To Summarize the article:

(Begin Paraphrase)

"Diabetes -- Darwinism In Our Time"

Cases of Type 2 Diabetes, the "cryptic epidemic," are rising; and now are estimated to affect 7% of California's population (although some put the figure closer to 10%.)
Pre-diabetes -- a risky level of sugar and inflammatory agents in the blood, is approaching 20% of the population. One UCLA professor this summer called these numbers "the tip of the iceberg."

When a condition that leads to disability and premature death affects up to 20% of the population, is it evolution in our own time? Critser relates Darwin's tale of the short-beaked finch, the one that couldn't crack the best nuts on the Galapagos Islands and died out. He believes that Type 2 diabetes marks the genes and challenged pancreas can't keep pace with today's "calorically unbalanced world," where sugary, fatty foods are abundant and our jobs pay us to be sedentary.

In Western Europe during the post-Renaissance period crop yields exploded, personal fortunes grew and famine became less frequent. This time also produced the first literature of public and occupational health, with an emphasis on hygiene, self-control and actual diagnosis by physicians. The growing population began
displaying widespread symptoms we now recognize as diabetic:

** unquenchable thirst
** numbness and pain in the extremities (often mis-diagnosed as gout or arthritis)
** blindness (Johan Sebastian Bach, a diabetic, died after two eye operations)

Critser believes simple steps can help fight the disease. Humans have invented relatively inexpensive tools to mitigate the ravages of diabetes:

** The handheld inexpensive glucose meter, which came into circulation in 1965

** The concept of "diabesity" -- the connection between sugary foods, obesity and diabetes -- which originated at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles through the pioneering work of Dr. Fran Kaufman.

** The pedometer is cheap and easy to understand, and it serves an important psychological role as a prompt toward exercise.

California health officials, who are on the front lines of the diabesity fight, are pressing for a smarter, earlier and more sustained focus on glucose control. Critser suggests teaching every California ninth-grader how to use a glucose meter, and use the state's "vast purchasing power" to make the devices nearly free for every family. Also show every California fifth-grader how and why to use a pedometer -- and then give them one. He also wants to include simple, glucose-control educational information in any application process for immigrants. Finally, he wants to appoint and fund a state diabetes czar.

(End Paraphrase)

Well, it doesn't take long to figure out this guy's a leftist. He bleives in evolution; he embraces the concept; and he thinks government should solve all our problems through it's "vast purchasing power." Right up to that point I was pretty much agreeing with him.

I agree he has a point about the "sugary" (i.e., carbohydrate laden) diet we westerners consume. Asians eat much more fish and vegetables than Westerners do, and have correspondingly lower rates of diabetes, not to mention less heart disease, high blood pressure, and strokes.

Plus the problem with buying everyone a pedometer is that these things cost money -- about $5.00 each. With the population of California nearing 36 million people, that's approximately $180 million just for the pedometers. Now imagine glucometers at about $75.00 each -- that's $2.7 BILLION dollars just for glucometers -- almost $2.9 BILLION with the pedometers, too -- not counting the cost for the glucose-control educational information in any application process for immigrants.

Actually, I like the idea of the glucose-control educational information in any application process for immigrants; but let's take it a step further. I personally didn't know jack about nutrition until I became diabetic, even though I've been a nurse for almost 27 years. I think it's fair to say most people don't, either. So why not just make it mandatory to put Nutrition into the curriculum of all Elementary, Middle, and High Schools?

I don't think giving out the pedometers is a bad idea either; in fact, make it part of the homework for students to bring in their pedometers with greater than 10,000 steps per day -- and more will count as extra credit. Get them in th habit ot walking as exercise -- and give classes on how simple exercise (20 minutes a day, three times a week) can control blood sugar and reduce weight.

And I don't think making diabetes supplies free to diabetics without health insuarnace is a bad idea, either. (Blame my youth as a liberal.)

~~JD~~

Another Reason I Miss Chicago Sometimes . . .

From Today's Chicago Tribune, with video, too!

Reading, Writing, Recruiting?
Debate Rages as Nity's Newest Facility is Dedicated

By Stephanie Banchero and Carlos Sadovi | Tribune staff reporters -- October 15, 2007

Chicago Public Schools, which already has the largest junior military reserve program in the nation, on Monday will commission the country's first public high school run by the U.S. Marines, much to the chagrin of activists who have fought to keep the armed services out of city schools.

The dedication of the Marine Military Academy on the Near West Side comes a few days after Chicago officials announced plans to open an Air Force academy high school in 2009. If that happens, Chicago will become the only public school district in the nation to have academies dedicated to the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines.

District officials say the military-themed schools give students more choices and provide an opportunity to enroll in schools that provide structure, discipline and a focus on leadership. They say the schools emphasize academics, not recruitment. "We have to think outside the box, and what existed before simply did not work for far too many students," said Chicago Public Schools Chief Arne Duncan. "These schools are popular and have waiting lists, so that tells me parents want more of them."

But critics argue the military academies and other district Junior ROTC programs unfairly target poor and minority teenagers for military service. "We're already the most militarized school system in the nation, and the [district] officials just keep opening more programs, as if they have no problem being a recruitment tool for the military," said Brian Roa, a member of the National Network Opposing Militarization of Youth and a science teacher at Senn High School on the North Side. Senn shares a building with Rickover Naval Academy. "Chicago Public Schools should be in the business of educating children, not finding ways to indoctrinate them into the military."

The Chicago Public Schools Website lists 34 Army JROTC programs, 4 navy JROTC programs, 2 Marine, and 1 Air Force JROTC programs -- plus the three (as of today) Military academies. As of next year, there will be military academy public schools for each branch of service (Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines) in the Chicago Public School. The video notes that the Rickover Naval Academy was ranked #5 in the city in Parent Satisfaction; and that includes the Charter Schools and Advanced Prep Schools.

Good for them. Mayor Daley may get a wild hare up his butt ever now and then (like his support for suing gun shop owners), but the man genuinely cares about his city, and thinks outside the box.

~~JD~~