One of our esteemed members of Congress was quoted today as saying, "There's no education from the second kick of a mule." Oh, sir, you may have something there. We have had multiple kicks from the Republican-led House of Representatives and multiple repetitions of the Republican Big Lie that the stimulus didn't work. And the second kick didn't add to our learning.
But wait a minute. Are we sure of that? What if we go back a bit?
I realize that reviewing history is not something the Republicans in the current Congress favor, but hang in there faithful reader, there may be something here...
Congress prevented the full stimulus that President Obama wanted, but it's his fault that the stimulus didn't work.
First kick from the mule. Well, it was the elephant, actually, but still...
What did we learn? Well, the stimulus did work, even as watered-down as it was. How are your roads compared to before the stimulus? How many of your acquaintances working in construction are back to work now as compared to before the stimulus? Any bridges near you repaired or rebuilt lately? Any new construction at all in your town? In your state?
Resist the Republican disincentive and think back. How many of those new jobs and how much of that new construction happened after the housing bubble burst and after the stimulus? How much new employment and new home purchases happened since the Republican-led, national-debt-related cuts in government funding? Anybody laid off find a job in that time-frame?
The stimulus may have kept us from a world-wide depression.
But wait. The national debt increased because of the stimulus.
Second kick. Still from the elephant in the room, but...
The short-term debt has increased, but the Federal Reserve is buying up the debt so we are paying essentially no interest. None. Read my lips. None. This means that there is no larger long-term debt. This means that if we can just improve employment and slow down mortgage foreclosures, taxes from us middle class folks will eliminate the debt in fairly short order. If we can force Congress to tax the top one percent of wage earners into paying their fair share, there will be no national debt problem even sooner.
Sure enough, no additional learning. The stimulus did work and it's unrelated to the national debt problem. Well, I'll be...
So now, President Obama wants an additional stimulus, which the Republicans resist on the strength of the assertion that the first stimulus didn't work.
By golly, kick number three and still no additional learning.
By golly, esteemed Congressperson, you are right. No additional learning from the second kick from the mule. Or elephant. Or third kick. Whatever.
Thanks ever so.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
In Memoriam - Barbara Starfield
There is a memorial today for Dr. Barbara Starfield, esteemed primary care and public health advocate, teacher, physician, and much more. Those of us who are unable to attend share in the admiration and sense of loss for this exemplary human being. Fortunately, the example remains in her research, opinions, and in the memories of those who knew her. Those links are just a few examples. Click on links to Surf Canyon or wikipedia link to learn more. Adieu Dr. Barbara Starfield.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Matt's Post
Here's the promised post from Matt Phillips:
Older homes can be quaint and charming, and sometimes are located far enough from cities that residents can avoid unpleasant, unhealthy fumes and pollutants. But despite the benefits, living in older homes can be extremely dangerous.
Asbestos is a natural mineral found in older homes and buildings. Asbestos was primarily used because of its fire-resistant qualities. It was a building a material in some dry wall, insulation, fireproofing, tiles, and heating appliances. It can also be found in textiles and some car parts.
Asbestos removal can be extremely hazardous and must be handled with care to ensure the long-term health of those with the mineral in their homes. Here are some asbestos removal guidelines:
1. If asbestos material is discovered and undamaged, it’s often best to leave it intact. If asbestos is disturbed, the fibers are released into the air. When inhaled, these fibers can cause a serious lung cancer called mesothelioma.
2. If asbestos is discovered and already disturbed or damaged, do not touch it. Instead, call in a professional asbestos abatement contractor. They are trained and certified to remove asbestos without causing harm to residents or to themselves.
3. Refrain from sanding, ripping, or cutting asbestos materials. If you do speak with a contractor, discuss the possibilities of sealing up the asbestos rather than removing it. In some cases this option could reduce the risk of mesothelioma.
4. If residents of your home have been exposed to disturbed asbestos, it is vital that they seek a doctor and ask for both a mesothelioma and asbestosis screening. Asbestosis is the scarring of the lungs due to asbestos inhalation. Mesothelioma is a lung cancer. Mesothelioma symptoms are subtle and are usually latent for 20-50 years after exposure. If exposed, because of this latency, mesothelioma life expectancy can be extremely short.
So, if you or someone you know lives or spends time in an older building, remember not to panic and not to ignore the possibilities and dangers of asbestos, asbestosis, and mesothelioma.
Thanks, Matt, for this great post.
Dear readers and net surfers, if you like several sources of information, check out these websites, too:
• More information: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Medline Plus has info on Mesothelioma and Asbestos with links to more information.
• Correct diagnosis: To help us follow Matt's advice not to panic the Medline Plus page on Mesothelioma reminds us that there's also a non-malignant Mesothelioma.
• Asbestos removal: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) makes training and accreditation available for asbestos removal professionals. A page on the EPA website shows who has had that training in your state.
• Cost of removal: If you can't afford the removal of disturbed asbestos or sealing up of undisturbed asbestos, go to this page and scroll down to find your State Health Agency. Contact the State Agency and ask if your local public health department will help you make your location safe for everyone in your community. In these days of reduced spending on public health, these programs may have been cut back, but it never hurts to ask.
Wishing you the best of good health,
Sherry
Older homes can be quaint and charming, and sometimes are located far enough from cities that residents can avoid unpleasant, unhealthy fumes and pollutants. But despite the benefits, living in older homes can be extremely dangerous.
Asbestos is a natural mineral found in older homes and buildings. Asbestos was primarily used because of its fire-resistant qualities. It was a building a material in some dry wall, insulation, fireproofing, tiles, and heating appliances. It can also be found in textiles and some car parts.
Asbestos removal can be extremely hazardous and must be handled with care to ensure the long-term health of those with the mineral in their homes. Here are some asbestos removal guidelines:
1. If asbestos material is discovered and undamaged, it’s often best to leave it intact. If asbestos is disturbed, the fibers are released into the air. When inhaled, these fibers can cause a serious lung cancer called mesothelioma.
2. If asbestos is discovered and already disturbed or damaged, do not touch it. Instead, call in a professional asbestos abatement contractor. They are trained and certified to remove asbestos without causing harm to residents or to themselves.
3. Refrain from sanding, ripping, or cutting asbestos materials. If you do speak with a contractor, discuss the possibilities of sealing up the asbestos rather than removing it. In some cases this option could reduce the risk of mesothelioma.
4. If residents of your home have been exposed to disturbed asbestos, it is vital that they seek a doctor and ask for both a mesothelioma and asbestosis screening. Asbestosis is the scarring of the lungs due to asbestos inhalation. Mesothelioma is a lung cancer. Mesothelioma symptoms are subtle and are usually latent for 20-50 years after exposure. If exposed, because of this latency, mesothelioma life expectancy can be extremely short.
So, if you or someone you know lives or spends time in an older building, remember not to panic and not to ignore the possibilities and dangers of asbestos, asbestosis, and mesothelioma.
Thanks, Matt, for this great post.
Dear readers and net surfers, if you like several sources of information, check out these websites, too:
• More information: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Medline Plus has info on Mesothelioma and Asbestos with links to more information.
• Correct diagnosis: To help us follow Matt's advice not to panic the Medline Plus page on Mesothelioma reminds us that there's also a non-malignant Mesothelioma.
• Asbestos removal: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) makes training and accreditation available for asbestos removal professionals. A page on the EPA website shows who has had that training in your state.
• Cost of removal: If you can't afford the removal of disturbed asbestos or sealing up of undisturbed asbestos, go to this page and scroll down to find your State Health Agency. Contact the State Agency and ask if your local public health department will help you make your location safe for everyone in your community. In these days of reduced spending on public health, these programs may have been cut back, but it never hurts to ask.
Wishing you the best of good health,
Sherry
More Frequently Avoided Questions...or Not
Well, friends, I apologize for neglecting you these many days since our last one-sided chat.
It turns out that my head really wasn't screwed on straight. And as you might expect, it was causing all manner of problems beyond those you've observed over the years.
I had neck-adjusting surgical repair in early March, complete with brand new screws to hold the wire staple in place (or something very like it if the x-rays are being honest). So there I was - slooooowly adjusting to my corrected perspective and having celebrated Independence Day with family and friend (hope you're not jealous) - driving my back-comforting, brand new, hardly-ever-been-used, 2002 Lexus and proceeding dutifully to my first post-op, professionally guided neck stretching (also known as physical therapy). And I was caught by surprise between an inattentive driver to the rear and stopped traffic in front.
Talk about irony. Good thing it's my favorite form of humor, n'est-ce pas?
The good news is that the surgical repair held, which is really good news because everything else is going to pot (and not the fun, unencumbered-by-ambition kind). The rest of the backbone is jumbled, collapsed, or otherwise extremely irritated. The muscle systems want to hold tight and scrunch everything up in anticipation of the next attack, which is a natural reaction for them but not really what the backbone needs. And the gut has found a weak spot in the muscle wall and is making a run for it. Who wouldn't?
Health care advisers assure me that the muscles need to firm up and relax, the spinal bones need to distance themselves from each other, and the gut needs to be put in its place. Isn't that just like the establishment, contradicting itself while telling us all to settle down, stop bellyaching, and get back in our places? Only, in this case, all the other body parts do need to stop being so obstreperous so the brain can take that job back. Once again, an uneasy compromise is the order of the day.
In any case, rest assured that some of the kink in the spine is still there and it's likely to be impervious to surgical or therapeutic assault.
And we haven't even gotten to the political won't yet.
Oh well.
I hope you can fend for yourselves for the next little while, and I'll get back to you with Frequently Avoided Questions as soon as I can.
Meanwhile, a guest post was kindly prepared by Matt Phillips, who has been waiting patiently, lo, these many months, to see it posted. So look up there at the top of the screen...
It turns out that my head really wasn't screwed on straight. And as you might expect, it was causing all manner of problems beyond those you've observed over the years.
I had neck-adjusting surgical repair in early March, complete with brand new screws to hold the wire staple in place (or something very like it if the x-rays are being honest). So there I was - slooooowly adjusting to my corrected perspective and having celebrated Independence Day with family and friend (hope you're not jealous) - driving my back-comforting, brand new, hardly-ever-been-used, 2002 Lexus and proceeding dutifully to my first post-op, professionally guided neck stretching (also known as physical therapy). And I was caught by surprise between an inattentive driver to the rear and stopped traffic in front.
Talk about irony. Good thing it's my favorite form of humor, n'est-ce pas?
The good news is that the surgical repair held, which is really good news because everything else is going to pot (and not the fun, unencumbered-by-ambition kind). The rest of the backbone is jumbled, collapsed, or otherwise extremely irritated. The muscle systems want to hold tight and scrunch everything up in anticipation of the next attack, which is a natural reaction for them but not really what the backbone needs. And the gut has found a weak spot in the muscle wall and is making a run for it. Who wouldn't?
Health care advisers assure me that the muscles need to firm up and relax, the spinal bones need to distance themselves from each other, and the gut needs to be put in its place. Isn't that just like the establishment, contradicting itself while telling us all to settle down, stop bellyaching, and get back in our places? Only, in this case, all the other body parts do need to stop being so obstreperous so the brain can take that job back. Once again, an uneasy compromise is the order of the day.
In any case, rest assured that some of the kink in the spine is still there and it's likely to be impervious to surgical or therapeutic assault.
And we haven't even gotten to the political won't yet.
Oh well.
I hope you can fend for yourselves for the next little while, and I'll get back to you with Frequently Avoided Questions as soon as I can.
Meanwhile, a guest post was kindly prepared by Matt Phillips, who has been waiting patiently, lo, these many months, to see it posted. So look up there at the top of the screen...
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Redefining Normal
Hello friends and neighbors back here on this little planet on the left side of nowhere.
Which may be better than being on the right side of nowhere.
As a member of the most predatory, most violent species on this little planet, I wish you well.
I wish you peace, long life, and little violence.
I do not hope for it, because that would be to stretch hope too far.
I do not expect it, for obvious reasons.
I wish it.
I was listening to the public television news today, listening to the principal of the Colombine school talk about redefining "normal." We are always redefining "normal."
Generally we use a definition less violent than the previous one, so this is a good thing.
The definition is generally more violent than many of us would like, and that's a bad thing.
But I, among the many of us, I get far more violent – in speech only, because I'm a pantywaist – than I would like. I don't seem to be alone in that. That is not a good thing, but I'm working on it.
I'll bet you are, too. And that's a good thing.
But my point is, less is more.
Violence is less violent than it used to be. Example: torture is less disfiguring.
Extremism is less extreme than it used to be. Example: the average white person is able to recognize a person of color as a human being. OK. Almost. But still.
Self satisfaction is a little bit less self satisfied.
And that's as it should be, always.
So anyway, how was your Wednesday?
Uneventful, I hope.
Which may be better than being on the right side of nowhere.
As a member of the most predatory, most violent species on this little planet, I wish you well.
I wish you peace, long life, and little violence.
I do not hope for it, because that would be to stretch hope too far.
I do not expect it, for obvious reasons.
I wish it.
I was listening to the public television news today, listening to the principal of the Colombine school talk about redefining "normal." We are always redefining "normal."
Generally we use a definition less violent than the previous one, so this is a good thing.
The definition is generally more violent than many of us would like, and that's a bad thing.
But I, among the many of us, I get far more violent – in speech only, because I'm a pantywaist – than I would like. I don't seem to be alone in that. That is not a good thing, but I'm working on it.
I'll bet you are, too. And that's a good thing.
But my point is, less is more.
Violence is less violent than it used to be. Example: torture is less disfiguring.
Extremism is less extreme than it used to be. Example: the average white person is able to recognize a person of color as a human being. OK. Almost. But still.
Self satisfaction is a little bit less self satisfied.
And that's as it should be, always.
So anyway, how was your Wednesday?
Uneventful, I hope.
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Sunday, Sunday
There are many things to think about on a Sunday morning. But this Sunday, not so very many. This Sunday I will not finish my almost annual, always belated new year's greeting.
This Sunday, I can't think back to last year, only to yesterday. Only to yet another use of firearms to stop beating hearts. Only to this country's separate and separating ideologies that erupt all too often in senseless violence. Only to Judge John M. Roll who was and always will be younger than I am today. Only to Gabrielle Giffords, who is more moderate than most conservatives in Europe, and may she continue to be for may years. Only to those unnamed, grief-stricken families.
This Sunday, I'm thinking about the politicians and reporters who whip up a frenzy of fear, exaggerations, and extremist predictions. And who are probably standing with heads bowed today. And who make me wonder if they feel any guilt at all.
When did we let our disagreements carry us so far? Can we find our way from here to a spirited, sane, honest, non-violent debate of ideas? Devoid of accusatory rhetoric? Silent on the private, personal behavior of others? Mute about the motives of anyone but, for each of us, our own selves?
We can never make this right. Should we try to make ourselves a little more right? This year, I resolve to try -- to be a little more accurate and a little less righteous; to be a little less sure that the opposition has less right to speak than I do; maybe even to consider differences instead of attacking them. I might work up to joking about them. But not today.
This Sunday, I can't think back to last year, only to yesterday. Only to yet another use of firearms to stop beating hearts. Only to this country's separate and separating ideologies that erupt all too often in senseless violence. Only to Judge John M. Roll who was and always will be younger than I am today. Only to Gabrielle Giffords, who is more moderate than most conservatives in Europe, and may she continue to be for may years. Only to those unnamed, grief-stricken families.
This Sunday, I'm thinking about the politicians and reporters who whip up a frenzy of fear, exaggerations, and extremist predictions. And who are probably standing with heads bowed today. And who make me wonder if they feel any guilt at all.
When did we let our disagreements carry us so far? Can we find our way from here to a spirited, sane, honest, non-violent debate of ideas? Devoid of accusatory rhetoric? Silent on the private, personal behavior of others? Mute about the motives of anyone but, for each of us, our own selves?
We can never make this right. Should we try to make ourselves a little more right? This year, I resolve to try -- to be a little more accurate and a little less righteous; to be a little less sure that the opposition has less right to speak than I do; maybe even to consider differences instead of attacking them. I might work up to joking about them. But not today.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
