The day after it began

Rain woke me up early.

It was still dark out, and one of those times when I couldn't quite decide if I was really awake for good. I finally stepped into my slippers and moved towards caffeine and my computer, even though it was only about 4:30.

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Coffee in hand, a new day in the land of the free begins with a pale wash of light through my office window. Other than exclamations from a few noisy birds, my neighborhood is quiet and peaceful.

One of many things now buzzing through my head-- so many issues to choose from!-- as I get my premature start on today is the post-election situation unfolding in Iran.

First, I hope nobody concludes I'm a Mousavi fan, because I'm not. Even from my inexpert perspective I know he's not a friend, and Iran's leadership is now-- and will probably still be in the foreseeable future-- a threat to the free world. It's sad, but they have a long way to go, and I think we'd all do well to remember that.

It's possible the ruthlessness of that country's longstanding power base would merely have a better outward appearance.

Media producer and journalist Roger L. Simon, a self-described agnostic Jew, was surprised to find that Ahmadinejad in person emanated a palpable, overpowering, unforgettable evil, an evil with theological implications. Simon was left quite shaken by the experience. (text of Simon's article about the Durban II Conference is here). Unlike Simon, I didn't have a personal encounter with the diminutive dictator (and for that matter, I'm not Jewish); still, I must say Ahmadinejad's agenda and persona have always frightened me and filled me with dread.

In some ways Iran would be going from one bad situation to another in changing leaders, but I'm grateful to see people's outrage against a tyrant and an apparently rigged election. The Iranian people aren't all suddenly going to be our best friends, but something in me is always encouraged, on some gut level, by social expressions of the desire for justice and freedom; most Americans are eager to share this concept with the world and cheer it on. It's movement in the right direction and in that sense, exhilarating to see. Still, it's appalling and heartbreaking to see a government hunting down its own people in cold blood.

Another reminder that freedom isn't free.

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http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/ June 16 post
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Iran election protests unfold online in real time

Health care stretched thin... and then you die

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National health care.

Health care for everyone sounds wonderful, right? Most people in this country have access to good medical care, arguably the best in the world, but a portion are without it. Some of these uninsured folks are here illegally, some legally.

Some people automatically think socializing medicine is a good idea because then everyone can access medical care. And we all live happily ever after.

Maybe it sounds good if you don't look at it too closely. Setting aside for the moment the basic philosophy of what and how much of any endeavor should be run by a federal bureaucracy, and who on our soil should receive such care and who pays for it, I suggest we remove our rose-colored glasses and take a look.

What will socialized medicine really mean? Universal health care isn't an untested concept; we have only to take an unblinking look at Canada or the UK.

The subject is a very complex one, and this blog post doesn't pretend to address all the practical, legal, political, and ethical aspects of this issue. I'm not an expert by any means, but rather am a concerned citizen-- as you should be-- gathering pertinent information. Concerned probably isn't strong enough of a word; more accurately, I am alarmed. And I don't alarm too easily.

Let's start with some basic facts. The bottom line is, there are a finite number of doctors and nurses out there. Extending health care to everyone means stretching this finite resource. As Thomas Sowell so often reminds us in another context, it's all about choices. Everything has a price.

We can't wave a magic wand and create a medical professional work force overnight.

And to compound the problem, are your doctor and his/her associates going to quit their practices in disgust when, under such a system, they can no longer provide the quality of care their conscience allows? Some doctors have already made this very promise.

And what happens to medical research?

Remember, when costs are cut, this means income is cut for health care professionals-- hardly an enticement to enter the field.

Do you really want to allow our federal government to deliver health care coverage? The claim is it won't replace private care, but this is the deadly lie. Simply put, private health care will be run out of business. But don't take my word for it:

http://gregmankiw.blogspot.com/ (scroll down to June 5 blog post)

These choices carry a predictable end result that no amount of wishful thinking can mitigate.

I'm sorry, sir. We can't do anything about your wife's colon cancer.

Here's something else I've found on the subject. The video quality is a bit imperfect, but this gentleman brings up several valid points, including the irreversible nature of this entitlement:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qp8JdeSHlk

Just something to think about, but don't take too long. Like the colon cancer that kills far more people in Canada than it does here in the US-- for reasons seemingly related only to health care services-- the clock is ticking.

I know we're all worried about a dozen other serious issues right now, but this one is coming right at us in the upcoming weeks.

If we allow this utopian fantasy to unfold, health care will ultimately become a matter of bureaucrats deciding who lives and dies. Is this how our great country will end up? There are already serious discussions in the UK about which people will need to be taken off of medical support.

And our own postmodern civil servants mull it over too.

This is an actual interview with direct quotes:

http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2009/04/obama-endorses-government-mandated.html

Is this really happening here?

Respectfully submitted,

b. giguere

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Update: I just found a highly detailed and well-written discussion of this subject by someone with a humbling direct knowledge and experience, published on June 1 at a site called The Liberty Tree Lantern. Well worth reading.

http://tinyurl.com/mgyhem

And finally, the Wall Street Journal:

http://tinyurl.com/m2f8gt

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Homegrown Jihad: Murder in Little Rock

Rest in peace, William Long.

On Balance

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There's a legitimate sense of being on red alert lately. So many things are in disarray, so much is outrageously and dangerously wrong, it's become difficult to carry on in a relaxed fashion with my normal activities.

It's not logical, but the feeling is there: How can I go into my studio and work on something like costume jewelry or doll couture when Washington is spending trillions of our dollars and growing into something unrecognizable? How can I spend a morning planting a fern garden in my side yard if our president-- a man with questionable abilities and loyalties-- is apologizing and appeasing our dangerous enemies? How can I sit and work on my novel when Israel is in such danger, and Jews and Christians are brutally persecuted around the world? How can I repaint my bathroom cabinets when personal liberties are being eroded from one hour to the next? How can I relax in a hot bubblebath when leaders in Pakistan and Iran can't wait to go nuclear, the UK is increasingly accepting of Sharia law, and the free world all but ignores countless ghastly "honor killings"? When an out-of-control party and administration is sending our nation into economic ruin?

We're in this for the long haul.

Worrying, in and of itself, is not constructive, but rather, a call to action. Despite never enjoying civic involvement, and being a peaceful and non-confrontational person, I now force myself to determine what needs my action and involvement, and work on these tasks during a specified time slot each day.

With so much at stake, it's essential that concerned citizens involve themselves in judicious reading, emailing, and appropriate civic action on an ongoing basis. The job of bringing back our country is a serious call to action. But without balance, there's a risk of our becoming overwhelmed. Ultimately, this works against our effectiveness, and invites resignation.

It's not as if we can actually spend all twenty-four hours a day actively making things better. When I'm sleeping, I want to sleep... not grind my teeth.

These are dangerous times, and we must act effectively every single day. But we must also find ways to be healthy, to carry on with our daily lives. When we're working to make things better, we must do so with great resolve... nothing is more important. But when we're with our families, or doing our jobs, making our way through our tasks and hobbies and daily activities, I think it's important to be fully appreciative within those activities.

When I listen to music, I want to do this in a full and complete way. The creek behind my house is home to egrets and herons, and there are hummingbirds at my backyard feeder; should these daily miracles go unappreciated? I need to remain as positive and helpful as I can when interacting with friends and family. And I need to continue to work on those projects large and small that make me who I am.

Life and freedom are precious, and what better ongoing motivation is there for defending those things we love than to deeply appreciate them ?

If not, we've already lost some of what we're fighting for.

respectfully submitted,

b. giguere

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Saint Pelosi

JUST IN CASE YOU MISSED THIS IN YOUR CHURCH BULLETIN... Nancy Pelosi is now a Saint.

On a Saturday afternoon, in Washington, D. C., House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's aide visited the Cardinal of the Catholic cathedral.

He told the Cardinal that Nancy Pelosi would be attending the next day's sermon, and he asked if the Cardinal would kindly point out Pelosi to the congregation and say a few words that would include calling Pelosi a saint.

The Cardinal replied, "No. I don't really like the woman, and there are issues of conflict with the Catholic Church over certain of Pelosi's views."

Pelosi's aide then said, "Look. I'll write a check here and now for a donation of $100,000 to your church if you'll just tell the congregation you see Pelosi as a saint."

The Cardinal thought about it and said, "Well, the church can use the money, so I'll work your request into tomorrow's sermon."

As Pelosi's aide promised, House Speaker Pelosi appeared for the Sunday sermon and seated herself prominently at the edge of the main aisle.

And, during the sermon, as promised, the Cardinal pointed out that House Speaker Pelosi was present.

Then the Cardinal went on to explain to the congregation, "While Speaker Pelosi's presence is probably an honor to some, she is not my favorite person. Some of her views are contrary to those of the church, and she tends to flip-flop on many other views. Nancy Pelosi is a petty, self-absorbed hypocrite, a thumb sucker, and a nit-wit. Nancy Pelosi is also a serial liar, a cheat, and a thief. Nancy Pelosi is the worst example of a Catholic I have ever personally witnessed. She married for money and is using it to lie to the American people. She also has a reputation for shirking her Representative obligations both in Washington, and in California . She simply is not to be trusted."

The Cardinal completed his view of Pelosi with, "But, when compared to Senators Ted Kennedy, Harry Reid, and John Kerry, House Speaker Pelosi is a saint."

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The preceding arrived in my in-box this morning and is my hands-down favorite of today's various email humor pieces. Author unknown. Thank you, whoever you are.

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Does aid to Africa make things worse?

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Fiction writing is taking most of my waking hours of late, but I'd like to get in the habit of sharing interesting and relevant pieces my thoughtful friends might otherwise miss.

To that end: This articulate book review, linked immediately below, asks us to look carefully at the way aid actually affects those we are trying to help:

http://tinyurl.com/adohaq


Regards,
bg

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