A new take on Obamacare

Have to either laugh or cry about lots in the new lately. Let's try laughing ------

The American Medical Association has weighed in on Obama's new health care package. The Allergists were in favor of scratching it, but the Dermatologists advised not to make any rash moves. The Gastroenterologists had sort of a gut feeling about it, but the Neurologists thou...ght the Administration had a lot of nerve. Meanwhile, Obstetricians felt certain everyone was laboring under a misconception, while the Ophthalmologists considered the idea shortsighted. Pathologists yelled, "Over my dead body!" while the Pediatricians said, "Oh, grow up!" The Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness, while the Radiologists could see right through it. Surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing and the Internists claimed it would indeed be a bitter pill to swallow. The Plastic Surgeons opined that this proposal would "put a whole new face on the matter". The Podiatrists thought it was a step forward, but the Urologists were pissed off at the whole idea. Anesthesiologists thought the whole idea was a gas, and those lofty Cardiologists didn't have the heart to say no. In the end, the Proctologists won out, leaving the entire decision up to the assholes in Washington.

Stole this from a friend on facebook who stole it from a friend's relative's friend (or something like that)

In the Dark Street Shineth by David McCullough

Missed club, the special guest appearances by sons Ian and Jonathan, and the Roosevelt talk.  This book was about Churchill and the Roosevelts on  Christmas Eve 1941.  I especially loved Churchill's speech - - -

Shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, Churchill went to Washington with his chiefs of staff to meet President Roosevelt and the American military leaders and coordinate plans for the defeat of the common enemy.  On Christmas Eve Churchill broadcast to the world from the White House on the 20th annual observation of the lighting of the community Christmas tree.

I spend this anniversary and festival far from my country, far from my family, yet I cannot truthfully say that I feel far from home.  Whether it be the ties of blood on my mother's side, or the friendships I have developed here over many years of active life, or the commanding sentiment of comradeship in the common cause of great peoples who speak the same language, who kneel at the same altars and, to a very large extent, pursue the same ideals, I cannot feel myself a stranger here in the centre and at the summit of the United States.  I feel a sense of unity and fraternal association which, added to the kindliness of your welcome,  convinces me that I have a right to sit at your fireside and share your Christmas joys.

This is a strange Christmas Eve.  Almost the whole world is locked in deadly struggle, and, with the most terrible weapons which science can devise, the nations advance upon each other.  Ill would it be for us this Christmastide if we were not sure that no greed for the land or wealth of any other people, no vulgar ambition, no morbid lust for material gain at the expense of others, had led us to the field.  Here, in the midst of war, raging and roaring over all the lands and seas, creeping nearer to our hearts and homes, here, amid all the tumult, we have tonight the peace of the spirit in each cottage home and in every generous heart.  Therefore we may cast aside for this night at least the cares and dangers which beset us, and make for the children an evening of happiness in a world of storm.  Here, then, for one night only, each home throughout the English-speaking world should be a brightly-lighted island of happiness and peace.

Let the children have their night of fun and laughter.  Let the gifts of Father Christmas delight their play.  Let us grown-ups share to the full in their unstinted pleasures before we turn again to the stern task and the formidable years that lie before us, resolved that, by our sacrifice and daring, these same children shall not be robbed of their inheritance or denied their right to live in a free and decent world.

And so, in God's mercy, a happy Christmas to you all.

Dad art

Now our new place is more like a home.  Dad's lighthouse picture and 3 pictures of New Orleans scenes are above our fireplace. 

Folks  and Brother John's family are all in New Orleans again for the filming of new Will Smith movie called Focus.

Eleanor Roosevelt quote

Reading Eleanor and Franklin books for book club.  This quote is from the book by her young "radical" friend Joseph Lash.  He attributes it to her but I couldn't find the speech it came from.

The basis of world peace is the teaching which runs through almost all the great religions of the world "Love thy neighbor as thyself"  Christ, some of the other great Jewish teachers, Buddha, all preached it. Their follower forgot it.  What is the trouble between capital and labor, what is the trouble in many of our communities, but rather a universal forgetting that this teaching is one of our first obligations. . When we center on our own home, our own family, our own business we are neglecting this fundamental obligation of every human being and until it is acknowledged and fulfilled we cannot have world peace.

Victoria

What a fun week-end.  Wonderful people, beautiful city and silver medal. Even the 10 hour trip up by car, shuttle, ferry, and taxi was fun with teammates Luise and Mike.

Lak had the bagpiper escort us to the boats during marshaling of heat 3.  Last year, he had the bagpiper serenade Cyndi on her birthday.

Captain Bill's boat Sick Day was in it's normal spot in Victoria Harbor right at the finish line.  As usual it was party central and race watching central.

Here's a link to a video of heat 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y03QpjQjZkY

Graduation Season

And nephew Rome is graduating from preschool.  Love it!

This is why I love Patrick Stewart

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=y15pkRzWVbY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=TqFaiVNuy1k

Patrick Stewart talking about domestic violence, PTSD and the link between the two.

He talks about his personal experience (his Father had PTSD or shell shock) and his mother was abused. 

He also talks about his work on both issues through various organizations.  Talk about taking a traumatic event and making a positive impact on this world.

I tried to imbed the video but no luck.  You can also search youtube to find more videos including one at a comicon where he opened up to a fan who apparently had been abused herself.  Very moving!