tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57918262511804845942024-03-13T10:03:35.186-07:00The Pointing FingerDr. Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17216324237859202563noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791826251180484594.post-29656918940999547452022-10-04T20:11:00.001-07:002022-10-04T20:11:20.574-07:00Pourquoi Ukraine?<p> <span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p>
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<div class="yiv7012102734userEdit" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Russia/Ukraine war began when Russia wanted assurances that Ukraine would not allow NATO to build a military base in Ukraine, i.e. on the Russian border, and Ukraine refused. But was that a completely unreasonable request?</span></div>
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<div class="yiv7012102734userEdit" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">During World War !!, the Russians lost over 20,000,000 of their citizens. NATO was planned to be a nuclear facility and was built to combat Russia. What would be so terrible for Ukraine to have said we're not joining, we don't want to kill you. Let's ear. (Remember the president of Ukraine is Jewish.)</span></div>
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<div class="yiv7012102734userEdit" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And the ironic part if all this is that when the situation was reversed, i.e. when the United States was in a similar situation, we made the same request without a second thought. You don't think so? Well, think again.</span></div>
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<div class="yiv7012102734userEdit" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Remember the Cuban missile crisis of 1962? The one that almost started WWIII? The Russians installed missiles in Cuba, which they were allowed to do. The Cubans accepted the Russian base, which they were allowed to do. And Kennedy threatened a naval blockade which could easily have become nuclear.. And we waited, and waited, and waited....</span></div>
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<div class="yiv7012102734userEdit" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Russian missiles in Cuba. NATO missiles in Ukraine.You have a problem with all that? Me neither. D</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">oes it ever seem like the bottom line in all these fun times is really just whose samovar is being gored? Hmmm.</span></div>Dr. Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17216324237859202563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791826251180484594.post-57542890685582049052021-12-12T09:09:00.001-08:002021-12-12T09:53:24.202-08:00Here Today, Somewhere Else Tomorrow<p> <span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<div class="userEdit" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "Mommy, what does 'transient' mean?"</span></div>
<div class="userEdit" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "What a big word, Johnny. Where did you learn a word like that?"</span></div>
<div class="userEdit" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "We were learning about money in school today and I said how angry Daddy gets because everything costs so much more than it used to. Teacher said it was because of Inflation and everything would go back to normal soon."<br /></span></div>
<div class="userEdit" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "Is your teacher a Democrat?"</span></div>
<div class="userEdit" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "I think so."<br /></span></div>
<div class="userEdit" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "Anyway, some people want to help poor people live better so they get the government to print up lots and lots of money and then they give it out to the poor people."</span></div>
<div class="userEdit" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "But mommy, if you print up lots of money and just give it out, won't that make the money worth less so everything costs more and daddy's everywhere get angry. Mommy's too."</span></div>
<div class="userEdit" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "How did you know that?"</span></div>
<div class="userEdit" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "Elementary my dear mother."<br /></span></div>
<div class="userEdit" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "Not to everyone."</span></div>
<div class="userEdit" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "Anyway, what does that have to do with 'transient?"</span></div>
<div class="userEdit" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "Well, some</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> people think that even if this causes inflation, it will only be temporary and will go away soon. That's what 'transient" means. Temporary. It's another word for 'magic.;"</span></div>
<div class="userEdit" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "Who would believe silly stuff like that?"</span></div>
<div class="userEdit" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "A lot of people who should know better."</span></div>Dr. Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17216324237859202563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791826251180484594.post-396871171154868332021-06-26T13:17:00.000-07:002021-06-26T13:17:23.549-07:00Who Was That Binary I Saw You With Last Nite?<p> </p><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> When my grandparents came to America, they spoke only Yiddish. </span></span></div>
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<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "Hallo. Ich denkt os mir vilt hobben tzvey bageluch und a bisselah crim cheese." ["Hello. I think that I would like to have two bagels and a little cream cheese."]</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> To which the response from the grocery clerk was generally, "Hey Grandpa. This is America. Speak English."</span></span></div>
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<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Since Jews dislike going hungry only slightly less than they like changing flat tires, my grandparents, and everyone else's grandparents, eventually learnt English and got all the bagels and cream cheese they could eat, which is...quite a lot. Interestingly, no one ever suggested that the rest of America had an obligation to learn Yiddish.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Of course, the times they are, as they say, a-changing. If my grandparents were around today, they might have to hold the cream cheese or, at least, skip the bagels.</span></span></div>
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<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "Hello. I would like you to give me two bagels and a little cream cheese."</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "What?!"</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "What? What. You don't have cream cheese? The bagels are stale?"</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "You called me 'you.' My pronoun is 'they' or 'them' or 'zeit' or maybe 'zisssel.' But you didn't even care enough to ask. N-o-o-o-o, not you. Not Mr. Who Cares What's a Person's Pronoun. You're much too important for that.You, you, you....you racist you!"</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "Moma! Moma! Vos is doos? Vos is da mahr mit im?" [Moma! Moma! What is this? What is the matter with him?"]</span></span></div>
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<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Now, if only the world would just learn to speak Yiddish. Life would be so much simpler....and probably funnier too.</span></span></div>Dr. Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17216324237859202563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791826251180484594.post-46863323542416193092020-07-04T11:27:00.004-07:002020-08-23T20:08:41.053-07:00Taxes Without a Taxpayer<span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
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Sound ridiculous? A tax that no one has to pay? Well, don't laugh just yet. It's been proposed and is being seriously considered by people who should know better. </div>
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Apparently, the idea is that carbon taxes will be collected on everything made with carbon, which is pretty much everything, but everyone hates taxes and so these taxes will be refunded to taxpayers at the end of the year. In other words, we will have a carbon tax which will control climate change but it won't cost anything. </div>
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"Hi. I was interested in buying a car. Actually I had my eye on that red one over there but when I was in last month the price was only $15,000. I see that now you're asking $25,000. I don't think I can afford that. Looks like no new car for me."</div>
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"Just a minute, sir. Not a problem. The extra $10,000 is the refundable carbon tax. You just have to lay out $15,000. We'll lend you the extra $10.000 with no interest. You get the money from the gov't at the end of the year and just give it to us. It's a loan guaranteed by the gov't so we're not worried and you get the car for what you wanted to pay in the first place. We do this for lots of our customers."</div>
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"Okay, sounds good. I'll take it."</div>
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Of course the refund is supposed to only go to the poorest taxpayers. The whole tax is paid by the rich who get back...nothing. Maybe keep in mind that the income tax was originally only supposed to apply to the top 2% of income earners. Hey, good news. You might be richer than you thought.</div>
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[Psst, want a good buy on a slightly used bridge or maybe a constitutional income tax amendment?]</div>
Dr. Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17216324237859202563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791826251180484594.post-51525199236502694962019-09-16T20:31:00.003-07:002019-10-13T19:38:40.726-07:00"Well, But It Was Their Money"<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> In 2015, President Obama and the other permanent members of the UN Security Council </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">negotiated the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, commonly known as the Iran nuclear agreement, which, in a "triumph of diplomacy", gave Iran approximately 150 billion dollars to spend as it wished.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> In return, Iran agreed to limitations on its nuclear facilities for 10 to 15 years after which time it would be free to conduct unrestricted nuclear research and development <span style="text-decoration-line: underline;">including manufacture of nuclear bombs.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> During the 15 years that the deal is in effect, Iran is still allowed to engage in missile research and development and continue terrorist activities as before. This is a <span style="text-decoration-line: underline;">nuclear</span><span style="text-decoration-line: underline;"> </span> deal. It does not apply to non nuclear activities.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> The point has been raised that Iran is really just getting its own money back, that the funds in question consist of assets belonging to Iran but frozen in foreign banks as part of a program of economic sanctions to pressure Iran into giving up its nuclear ambitions.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Well, yes but suppose you had a neighbor who wanted to kill you and that he is always telling you that if he ever gets a gun, he is going to kill you. And suppose one day he gets a gun and suppose that somehow you get his gun. Maybe your wives are still friends and she brings it over to crack some walnuts and forgets to take it home. Or maybe his kid brings it over and leaves it in your back yard. Whatever. Anyway, do you give it back? It's his gun. He paid for it with his own money.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "Oh, what lovely hors doevres. Death to the Jews! Kill all the Americans! I think I'll have one of those little ones with the avocado on top."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> In Iran, 'white noise' is planning for everyone you're going to kill. When that changes, we should think about giving them back their billions, and their guns and....their walnuts. Until then, maybe stick with, "No soup for you"...no matter who paid for what.</span></span></div>
Dr. Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17216324237859202563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791826251180484594.post-44193380799621841322018-09-10T20:51:00.001-07:002018-09-11T04:14:48.226-07:00Stormy Weather<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"> Suppose the President of the United States was alleged to have slept with two ladies, neither being his wife, paid them for their silence and then lied about the whole thing, denying that it had ever taken place. Who's the bad guy (gal) here?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"> Well, if you generally divide your day between watching CNN and MSNBC, the answer is obvious, i.e. ' President Trump, of course,' as it would be the answer to most any other question you might have, i.e., Who is responsible for the extinction of the dinosaurs? Who caused the Ice Age? Who stole Captain Queeg's strawberries from the captain's locker on the</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> USS Caine? etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"> But even if the whole story is true, why is the President the fall guy here, the one who deserves to be condemned while the women have almost become folk heroes? After all, who went public with this whole story and caused Melania Trump such untold humiliation?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> Aren't women supposed to stick together and watch out for each other? Isn't that what all those women's marches and demonstrations right after Trump's election were supposed to be about? Well, what happened this time?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"> Oh, right, they were just doing it for the good of the country, to save the Republic. This was just friendly fire, collateral damage. And that guy in the corner over there, 'Mr. Skin?' just call me 'Shark.' He's running for president in 2020 for the same reason. People are so good sometimes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"> And let's not forget, there was another person involved here too, a smaller and somewhat younger person. You think he doesn't know what happened,</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> thanks to these two folk heroes? And you think his friends, classmates and anyone who can recognize him isn't doing a number on his head? Kids, as anyone who has had or has ever encountered one will tell you, can be cruel, sometimes very cruel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"> But, oh well,</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> if things don't work out, just to follow the advice or our millenial philosopher kings, "Not to worry." </span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Time to head for Central Park, light a few candles, do the wave, sing some songs about poverty and what have you and go get a graduate degree in bullying so you can go out and really, "Make a difference."</span>Dr. Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17216324237859202563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791826251180484594.post-83343341242394795712018-08-25T12:21:00.000-07:002018-08-25T12:21:37.750-07:00To Keep and Bear...What?<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> The Second Amendment says that the people shall have the right to keep and bear arms. It doesn't say that the people can only keep and bear arms if they're in a militia.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Nevertheless, there are those who make exactly this claim, i.e. that because we no longer need to raise a militia, the right to keep and bear arms is really outdated and should be abolished. How come nobody ever makes this sort of argument about all our other freedoms? [Not yet, anyway.]</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Freedom of the Press is guaranteed by the First Amendment. Clearly the reason for this amendment was the Founders' belief that a free and open press would be the best way to assure the existence of a well informed citizenry. But since the media is now overwhelmingly the captive of one point of view,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "I'd punch that guy right in his nose." Yeah, Yeah. "You know I'd like to go right out and burn the White House right down to the ground." Yeah. Yeah. "Don't let them have a moment's peace in the restaurants, in the stores, in their homes, when they go to buy gas." Yeah, yeah. and since the opposing views have almost no chance of any meaningful exposure anyway, what's the point?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Might as well let the press and the rest of the media give up once and for all the pretense of educating the masses and go back to spending all of their time doing what they do best, selling advertising.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Freedom of Speech? If you can say it, it's probably been said already and, if it hasn't, who really wants to hear it anyway</span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Freedom of Religion? The opiate of the masses. So...so...so...deplorable?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Remember when freedom was a good thing just because it was...freedom? A person could build a whole country on an idea like that.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"> "</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Wasn't that a time, wasn't that a time? ' </span></span></div>
Dr. Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17216324237859202563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791826251180484594.post-43223026846978015592018-07-26T10:55:00.001-07:002018-07-26T10:56:16.111-07:00Give Me a 'C'<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "C"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "Give me an 'I'."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "I"</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "Give me an 'A'.."</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "A"</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "Now, what have you got?"</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "Eh, well, I'm not exactly sure. Hmm, a C and an I and an A. Sounds familiar... Wait a minute! I think I remember. That sounds like the group that told Kennedy that if he got a bunch of guys together and landed in Cuba, Bay of Porcupines, I think they called it..."</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "Bay of Pigs."</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "Right, Bay of Pigs. Anyway they told him if he landed a small army there,</span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> the whole population of the country would rise up and they'd be rid of Castro once and for all.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "And weren't those the same guys who were always telling us how we had to stop the Commies in Vietnam or next thing they'd be landing in San Francisco?"</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "Who knew they'd be coming from Beverly Hills and Bel Air and Malibu and...?"</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "Hey, you get bored making 40 million bucks for six month's work. Got to think of something to do with your time."</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "And then they figured out that Sadam Hussein was making all those WMD's so we better get busy destroying all those power plants and water treatment plants and hospitals and..."</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "Well, now wait a minute. That's not fair. Everybody in the world thought he was making those things and that we better get busy wiping them, and him, out."</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "Now you wait a minute, wait a minute.It's their job to figure out all the things the rest of the world thinks is going on. Otherwise, what do we need those guys for?"</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "By the way, who are we talking about here anyway?"</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "I'll give you a hint, 'Too many cooks spoil the broth.'"</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "The Culinary Institute of America?"</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">*Note: A second opinion is pretty much always a good idea, whether it's from your chef or your doctor or even your intelligence service. Getting one doesn't make you a 'traitor.' Not ever.</span></span></div>
Dr. Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17216324237859202563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791826251180484594.post-58782804093918334122018-07-08T21:30:00.001-07:002018-07-14T19:12:39.607-07:00Is Torture Unconstitutional?<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"> </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<div>
<div>
<div style="font-size: 13.3333px;">
</div>
<div>
<div style="font-size: 13.3333px;">
<div style="font-size: 13.3333px;">
<div style="font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> The only mention the Constitution actually makes of behavior resembling torture </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">is found in the 8th Amendment which prohibits "cruel and unusual punishment." That's it, cruel and unusual <span style="text-decoration-line: underline;">punishment</span>. It's the only form of torture that the Constitution specifically prohibits.</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: 16px;"> And 'punishment' has a specific meaning. It means retribution or penalty for some act that's already been committed,</span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"> In other words, the Constitution prohibits torture when it's used as a form of punishment bu</span><span style="font-size: 16px;">t, if you know where that bomb is hidden or where those kidnappers are hanging out, or we think you might know, trying to get some information from you is not 'punishment' and the Constitution is silent on what we can do to you.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"> Severe pain, electric shocks, waterboarding, whatever. Think it's immoral or unethical to do that kind of stuff? Well, ok. Think what you like but the Constitution doesn't prohibit it no matter what you've been told. It's almost as though the Constitution was written by folks who were thinking about what they would do if their own kids were taken or there was evidence that a bomb was going to be planted in <span style="text-decoration-line: underline;">their</span> behinds.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"> And finally, while it is nevertheless true that virtually all international treaties continue to prohibit all forms of torture, it is also true that we can withdraw from these treaties a lot more easily than we can amend the Constitution. Maybe something to sit down...and think about some time..</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Dr. Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17216324237859202563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791826251180484594.post-26782664041401046582017-10-21T15:52:00.000-07:002017-10-21T15:52:22.117-07:00A pirogi for me. A pirogi for you.<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<b> From time to time or, occasionally, at random, someone, or some
group of someones decides that it's time to find out if the Europeans really
like us and so they do a survey. Maybe the new American president is a rocker,
and the Europeans usually like that. Or maybe he's a 'blondes have more fun kind
of a guy' and the Europeans, don't, well, seem to like that, not so much. </b></div>
<div>
<b> Anyway, after the survey is finished, a lot of people get very
happy or maybe very not so happy about the results, but why? Why should any
American care whether Europeans like us or not?</b></div>
<div>
<b> ***</b></div>
<div>
<b> "Vladimir, the Latvians are releasing the reindeer. We have to
cancel the missiles we were going to drop on New York or we'll all be gored to
death."</b></div>
<div>
<b> ***</b></div>
<div>
<b> Makes sense, right? According to the NATO charter it's one for all
and all for one. America gets attacked by the Russians and we'll be saved by the
Latvians, the Lithuanians, the Slovenians, the...No, it doesn't make any sense,
no sense at all. The only country that can provide an existential threat to
America is Russia, although it makes no sense to think they would want to do
such a thing, and all the rest of Europe combined can not counter a threat like
that. </b></div>
<div>
<b> Europe is of no real military value to the United States whether
they like us or not. The only thing they can do if we're ever attacked is sew on
one of those snappy NATO arm patches, slip into one of those super cool NATO
caps, grab a few escargots and ....run.</b></div>
<div>
<b> The only country that can provide real military security to the
United States is...the United States. No country in Europe, or anywhere else for
that matter, can even come close to countering the Russian nuclear forces.
</b></div>
<div>
<b> And it's the same thing with 'economic security.' </b></div>
<div>
<b> Any company in any country that can make a buck by selling or
buying something here will keep doing it, whether they like us or our president
or not. And if they can't, they won't. And if you don't believe that, well, you
should. </b></div>
<div>
<b> So, next time you read that only 28% of Germans or Frenchmen or
women, or residents of the Duchy of Grand Fenwick or wherever still respect
America or its president maybe keep in mind that it may not be 'fake news' but
it's definitely inconsequential news. Doesn't affect us at all. Have another
pirogi and Fuggedaboutit. </b></div>
Dr. Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17216324237859202563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791826251180484594.post-57145468626544326802017-07-13T11:34:00.002-07:002017-07-13T11:35:34.148-07:00You Can Have Your Medicare and Eat it Too<div>
<span style="font-family: "franklin gothic medium"; font-size: small;"><b> "Doctor, I can't hear so
good. Please send me for an MRI and a C-T scan."</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "franklin gothic medium"; font-size: small;"><b> "Well, Mrs. Schwartz, why
don't you let me clean the wax out of your ears first and see it that takes care
of the problem."</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "franklin gothic medium"; font-size: small;"><b> "Doctor, it could be a
brain tumor. Don't worry 'The Medicare' will pay for everything. And also, maybe
I should have a PSA just in case."</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "franklin gothic medium"; font-size: small;"><b> "But you're a woman. You
don't have a prostate. Why do you want a PSA test?"</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "franklin gothic medium"; font-size: small;"><b> "You never know. And
besides, 'The Medicare' will pay, right?"</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "franklin gothic medium"; font-size: small;"><b>
***</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "franklin gothic medium"; font-size: small;"><b> The bottom line is that
there are only two ways to control medical costs. The first is to have a system
with patients paying part of the costs so that they have an incentive to control
them (called having 'skin in the game') and the second is the dreaded 'R' word,
rationing. </b></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: "franklin gothic medium"; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">
Let doctors set their fees and let patients choose the ones they want to
use.</span> </span><span style="font-family: "franklin gothic medium";">Then, some doctors will
accept Medicare as payment in full. Some will charge a little more. Some will
charge a lot more. And the system will not go bankrupt</span></span><span style="font-family: "franklin gothic medium"; font-size: small;"> because
government will pay whatever it will pay and then GET OUT OF THE
WAY.</span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "franklin gothic medium";"><b> No, doctors will not be able to
charge anything they want. There are too many doctors around to choose from.
It's called competition. If your doctor charges a ridiculous fee, you'll pick
another. And you'll be able to buy whatever kind of supplemental insurance you
want. Works the same way with food, clothing,
housing...everything. </b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "franklin gothic medium"; font-size: small;"><b>
***</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "franklin gothic medium"; font-size: small;"><b> "Doctor, I can't hear so
good. Please send me for an MRI and a C-T scan."</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "franklin gothic medium"; font-size: small;"><b> "Ok, Mrs. Schwartz, if
that's what you want. But it will probably cost you over $1,000."</b></span></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "franklin gothic medium"; font-size: small;">
</span>
</b><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "franklin gothic medium"; font-size: small;"><b> "Hmm, on second thought,
doctor, maybe you could just clean out the wax and, if I still have the problem,
I'll call your office tomorrow for a referral."</b></span></div>
Dr. Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17216324237859202563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791826251180484594.post-31012934541696945302017-05-22T03:21:00.001-07:002017-05-22T03:21:16.919-07:00How The World Works<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: small;"><b> The world is made up of
two different kinds of countries, countries that are Great Powers and countries
that are so-so powers.
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: small;"> If you live in a country
that's a Great Power, you get up in the morning, shower, shave, get dressed,
have breakfast, go to work, come home, read the paper, eat supper, put on your
pajamas and maybe watch a little television.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: small;"> Sometimes, right in the
middle of your favorite show, you might get a call from the President telling
you that a guy on the next block started a business in a foreign
country somewhere, that somebody is trying to take it away from him, and
that you have to go get it back for him. He explains about how Great Powers have
'interests' and now you finally understand what 'having interests' really
means.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: small;"> So you get dressed, get
your gun from the closet, drive to the airport, fly to the country where the
guy has his business, shoot whoever took if from him and, if you didn't also get
shot, drive back to the airport, fly home, maybe catch the end of your favorite
show, and, go to sleep.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: small;"> If you live in a country
that's a so-so power, everything is pretty much the same, except that you get to
watch all your favorite shows and you hardly ever have to shoot anybody unless
they try to shoot you first.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: small;"> And that's how the world
works. Now you know
too. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: small;">THE END </span></div>
</b></span></div>
Dr. Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17216324237859202563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791826251180484594.post-78499600657781293252017-05-21T08:08:00.003-07:002017-05-21T08:09:38.894-07:00Hooray for Hollywood?<div>
<b> Since 1996, film production days in Los Angeles are down by 50% and
what's worse is that nobody in the whole state is blaming global warming,</b></div>
<div>
<b> Anyway, the problem seems to be that states from Texas to New York
are offering tax credits to the movie industry that are way more generous than
those offered by the state of California and now the folks in the
industry can't get to those states fast enough. And they're taking the work with
them.</b></div>
<div>
<b> But, wait a minute. Aren't these the same warm, fuzzy wuzzy,
'socially conscious' A-listers, who are always going on about how unfair the tax
system is and here they are, zipping all over the country as fast as their
stretch Priuses will carry them, trying to save on their...taxes?</b></div>
<div>
<b> How many kids could be put into decent schools and how many new
hospitals and clinics could be built if they would just...stay put and pay
up? </b></div>
<div>
<b>
***</b></div>
<div>
<b> "Yea, hooray, yea." (<em>clap, clap, clap</em>) "That guy's heart
sure is in the right place, isn't it?"</b></div>
<b> "Sure is. Too bad his wallet is somewhere else."</b>Dr. Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17216324237859202563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791826251180484594.post-68856778417783856612017-05-20T20:51:00.001-07:002017-05-20T20:51:08.606-07:00The Deniers<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: medium;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: medium;"><b> "Orville, Wilbur, what am
I holding in my hand?"</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: medium;"><b> "A butter knife,
Ma."</b></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: medium;"> "Right. </span><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: medium;">Now, watch what happens when I drop
it....<em>Clang!...</em></span><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: medium;">Did
you see what happened when I dropped the butter knife, the heavier-than-air
butter knife? </span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: medium;"><b> Did it fly? Did it
go flying around the room singing, 'Fly Me To The Moon?' </b></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: medium;"> No! </span><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: medium;">It didn't fly because it's heavier than air. And
if something is heavier than air it can't fly. Everybody knows that, everybody
except you two. Couple of damn...deniers!"</span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: medium;"><b>
***</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: medium;"><b> And, before the Wright
brothers, there was the 'denier' Copernicus who knew that it was the Earth that
revolved around the sun.</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: medium;"><b> And Lister showed that
the almost 50% surgical mortality of the day was due to preventable infections
while the surgeons kept sharpening their scalpels on their boots because they
weren't going to listen to that upstart 'denier,' Lister.</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: medium;"><b> And schizophrenia is
caused by 'poor parenting.' (It isn't.)</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: medium;"><b> And stomach ulcers are
caused by 'stress.' (Uh-uh, a bacteria, H. Pylori.)</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: medium;"><b> And, until 1973,
homosexuality was a 'mental illness' caused by a domineering
mother,</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: medium;"><b> "Oh, doctor, my poor
little Ru Paul. And it's all my fault."</b></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: medium;"> "Yes it is, Mrs. Cohen.
But cheer up. At least you'll have someone</span><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: medium;"> to give your old clothes to. You know what your
husband's things look like by the time he's ready to get rid of them.
Men!"</span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: medium;"> And now it's climate
change...or is that global warming or global cooling or global drying or global
wetting? Whatever...</span><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: medium;">It's bad
and it's our fault. All the experts agree. So don't be</span><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: medium;"> a damn...'denier.' Please, just shut
up!!!</span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: medium;"> Well, science doesn't
advance by getting the 'deniers' to 'just shut up'. </span><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: medium;"> </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: medium;">Science advances by asking
questions. Questions, questions, and more questions. And it's the 'deniers' who
</span><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: medium;">are the ones
asking</span><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: medium;"> the questions....and
making the butter knives fly.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: medium;"><b> <em>"The case is never
closed." - </em>Albert Einstein</b></span></div>
Dr. Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17216324237859202563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791826251180484594.post-32415638763107623222017-05-20T07:32:00.003-07:002017-07-03T20:05:05.060-07:00The Rich Won't Make You Poor...Really<div>
<b> Why all the fuss about 'income inequality?' Is that really the
'biggest problem we're facing today?' Is it, in fact, really a 'problem' at
all?</b></div>
<div>
<b> Microsoft, Google, Facebook... Speaking of 'income
inequality,' suppose they had never come along and created all their stuff,
would one poor person be the slightest bit more prosperous and happy? </b></div>
<div>
<b> Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Andrew Carnegie,
the Wright brothers....same thing. Would the 'poor' have been better off
without electric lights and cars and railroads and steel and airplanes?
Pre-industrial America was rough. </b></div>
<b> </b><br />
<b> You can't raise the floor by lowering the ceiling. It's an
illusion. The only thing you get that way is a country full of people who've
forgotten how to stand up straight.</b>Dr. Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17216324237859202563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791826251180484594.post-70313310696192116792017-05-19T15:53:00.004-07:002017-05-19T15:54:26.519-07:00What Did He Say?!<div>
<b>"I have a dream that someday all men can live as brothers."</b></div>
<div>
<b> "Yeah! G-d bless you, Dr. King."</b></div>
<div>
<b> "Martin's the man!"</b></div>
<div>
<b>"And be judged by the content of their character, not by the color of their
skin."</b></div>
<div>
<b> "Yes, Reverend King. Say it like it is."</b></div>
<div>
<b> "Beautiful! 'Content of their character.' Right on,
brother!"</b></div>
<div>
<b>"And that someday all people can live together like neighbors, white and
black, black and white. Right next door to each other."</b></div>
<div>
<b> "Yeah, G-d bles...Huh? What did he say?"</b></div>
<div>
<b> "I think he said we should all live together."</b></div>
<div>
<b>"I have a dream that someday little black boys and girls will sit in the
same classrooms as little white boys and girls."</b></div>
<div>
<b> "Wait a minute! How's that going to work out? My kid starts Poly in
the fall. Isn't</b></div>
<div>
<b> yours going to St. Ann's?"</b></div>
<div>
<b> "Damn right she is."</b></div>
<div>
<b>"And that someday white folks will give up promotions on their jobs so
that black folks can get those promotions to make up for past wrongs."</b></div>
<div>
<b> "What? Did you hear that? This guy's nothing but a
damn...Commie!"</b></div>
<div>
<b> "Damn!"</b></div>
<div>
<b>"But, in the meantime, I have a dream that it's okay if white folk just
wear Trayvon Martin souvenir tee shirts and hoodies and go to Central Park to do
the wave and sing about social injustice and watch MSNBC."</b></div>
<div>
<b> "Whew! That's more like it. Making me a little nervous there for
a minute."</b></div>
<b> "Yeah, me too." </b>Dr. Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17216324237859202563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791826251180484594.post-60839844988094037332017-05-17T17:20:00.000-07:002017-07-03T20:42:18.127-07:00If A Philosopher Falls In The Forest...<div>
<b> The humanities division at Harvard University is attracting fewer
undergraduate students these days. The kids, it seems, have finally figured out
that it's tough to get a job after graduation if pretty much all you've been
preparing for is listening for the sound of a tree falling in the forest. ("If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it</b><b>, does it make a sound?")</b><br />
<b> That's
okay if you've got a family business to go into but, if you don't...</b></div>
<div>
<b> The University, for its part, has responded by preparing a report
suggesting the humanities division aggressively market itself to freshmen and
sophomores, convince them of how useful spending four years studying history and
gender studies and philosophy can be ["Harriet, the toilet is overflowing.
Quick, call an existentialist!"] </b></div>
<b> </b><br />
<b> In other words, they're trying to snooker your kids! Is it any
wonder that the late William F. Buckley once said that he would rather be
governed by the first 300 names in the Boston phone directory than by the
faculty of Harvard University?</b>Dr. Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17216324237859202563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791826251180484594.post-32352394159391222762017-05-17T08:20:00.001-07:002017-05-17T08:20:38.829-07:00The Golden Years<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium;"><b> Getting old is rough. Or, rather,
being old is rough. Getting old is easy. All you have to do to get old is
be born and then stand in one spot for 75 years and you'll get old. Couldn't be
easier. BEING old though, that's another story. </b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium;"><b> Being old means you become
invisible. People look right thru you, like a potted plant. Nobody notices you
anymore. You just stand there waiting to be...watered. </b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium;"><b> Could anything be worse? Well,
being old and needing long term care could be worse. Sneeze in front of the kids
some time and it's,</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium;"><b> "You think he needs a nursing
home?"</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium;"><b> "I don't know. He doesn't sound
so good."</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium;"><b> And then it's off to the lawyer
you go. That's right, the lawyer. There's a special branch of the law that
handles the problem that you didn't know you had. It's called,
Get-pop-on-Medicaid-before-he-has-to-go-to-a-nursing-home-and-pisses-away-our-whole-inheritance
Law or simply, Elder Law. </b></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium;">
***</span> </b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium;"> </span><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium;"> Long term care is way too expensive. It
eventually bankrupts most of the people who need it. Then they go on Medicaid
which is bankrupting most of the states and the federal governmen. There's a
better way,</span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium;"><b> 'He who forgets the repast...',
Everyone in a facility should be assured nourishing meals, clean sheets, and the
right to be treated with dignity and respect. That's it. Forget measuring the
height of the soap dispensers, the size of the the sinks and the endless
paperwork and 'staff training' that costs a fortune and
accomplishes...nothing..</b></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium;"> And then p</span><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium;">rovide a voucher for basic care to anyone who
asks, regardless of ability to pay. Keep it simple and it'll cost less than the
system we have now that costs millions to make sure that no one, anywhere, gets
a free hamburger when they can really afford to pay for one.</span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium;"><b> Want a more luxurious old age?
Combine the voucher with personal savings. If you've lived an industrious and
frugal life, you get to live a little better in your potted plant years, or
maybe leave a few bucks to the kids. </b></span></div>
<br />
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium;"> </span><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium;"><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium;"><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium;">And, best of all, you'll never need a lawyer, even
if you sneeze..</span></span></span></b></div>
Dr. Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17216324237859202563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791826251180484594.post-16528365411797450362017-05-14T11:32:00.001-07:002017-05-14T11:32:10.177-07:00Where's the U.N.?<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: small;"><b> The Yazidis are a
centuries-old religious group living in Northern Iraq, They are presently being
exterminated by the Islamic State or ISIS. Tens of thousands of Yazidis are
trapped on Mount Sinjar without food or water. The women and young girls are
being sold into sexual slavery, i.e. raped. Why is the U.N. not involved in
their rescue?</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: small;"><b> Isn't that what the U.N.
is supposed to do? prevent genocide? </b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: small;"><b> And if the U.N. is not
getting involved, why isn't it? No time? Too busy? Plenty of folks find the time
to show up whenever they have one of their shindigs in New York,</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium;"><b>
***</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: small;"><b> "Ah, your majesty. What
an honor."</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: small;"><b> "Delighted to see you
again, Mr. Prime Minister. You know you must try one of the chef's special hors
d'oeuvres. He makes them with a little piece of lobster meat, a baby shrimp and
a small scallop. Take it all in one bite. The taste is like nothing you've ever
experienced before. 'Waiter. Waiter.' "</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: small;"><b> Or when they have one of
those conferences on the plight of women, except for the ones trapped on a
mountaintop somewhere,</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: small;"><b> Or one of those
conferences on how it's not lukewarm all year round anymore so the rich
countries have to compensate the poor ones for the lousy weather they're having.
Yes, they have the hors d'oeuvres there too. But don't plan on getting a limo.
They're usually booked months in advance. </b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium;"><b>
***</b></span></div>
<br />
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: small;"> Maybe the secret to
getting the UN involved here is to have someone climb Mt. Sinjar and teach the
Yazidis how to make hors d'oeuvres, especially the ones with a little piece of
lobster meat, a baby shrimp, and a small scallop. If you take it all in one
bite, the taste is supposed to be like nothing you've ever experienced
before. Hmm.....'</span><span style="font-family: Franklin Gothic Medium; font-size: small;">Waiter.
Waiter.'</span></b></div>
Dr. Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17216324237859202563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791826251180484594.post-51311645989170659142017-05-14T10:36:00.003-07:002017-07-04T16:05:35.247-07:00Austerity Yesterday, Austerity Tomorrow, but... <div>
<b> Watching all those Greek students marching thru the streets of Athens,
waving the Greek flag, wrapped in the Greek flag, laughing, singing,
cheering...could remind a person of the French students in 'Les Mis' and the
Paris uprising of 1832. Different flags but, students are students. Young is
young. </b></div>
<div>
<b> Live free or die. Live FOR free or die. What's the difference? It's
only one word. Oh, those Greeks. </b></div>
<div>
<b> Death or food stamps. Don't take it all so seriously. Life is way
too short. Don't be so...austere.</b></div>
<div>
<b> ***</b></div>
<div>
<b>Dear Greek Friends,</b></div>
<div>
<b> Your political leaders want you to like them and will
sometimes tell you what they know you want to hear. </b></div>
<div>
<b> 'Austerity' is not a choice. It's not jelly beans or soup or
austerity or ice cream or...(pick one). You don't get to decide which one you
want. 'Austerity' is paying back what you owe and then living within your means.
That's the one you have to pick, sooner or later, or it will be picked for you
and you'll never get any jelly beans or soup and definitely no ice
cream...ever...no matter what anyone tells you. </b></div>
<div>
<b> And don't wait until the music stops or it could be too late. You
may have forgotten how to dance.</b></div>
<br />
<div>
<b> Good luck from your friends in Detroit and Chicago and Baltimore
and....a few other places.</b><br />
<b> "We could have danced all night. We could have danced all night. And still have asked for...oh, you know."</b></div>
Dr. Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17216324237859202563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791826251180484594.post-53088846600495122822017-05-12T19:28:00.001-07:002017-05-12T19:28:46.747-07:00Ukraine for Dummies<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b> Crimea, Sevastopol, Russian Black Sea Fleet...all very
important....to Russia. But why to us? the United States? We have no treaty with
Ukraine, no vital interests there. Why are we getting involved?</b></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"> Did the Russians get involved when we were busy
reservationizing (Is that a word?) Sitting Bull,</span><span style="font-size: small;"> Geronimo,
Elizabeth Warren, and all the rest? </span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b> "Harumph, harumph, we cannot abide such imperialism,"
said the British after finally being thrown out of every country in the world.
'The sun never sets on the British Empire.' Oh, sorry, that was last
week.</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b> "Sacre Bleu, mon ami," said the French after Dien
Bien Phu finally ended 'French' Indo China. "Thees Russians, we
cannot allow this imperialism expansion. Who do they think they are? Us? Non,
Non. Non."</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b> "Anyone want a waffle?" said the Belgian ambassador
after the last Belgian soldier left the Belgian Congo leaving it The just
plain Congo, the absolutely poorest country on the planet.</b></span></div>
<div>
<b> ***</b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><em>from the samovar</em><u>, </u></b></span></div>
<b> Continuing to pursue a <u>'NATO Creep'</u> policy
that tries to get all the countries that border Russia to become part of NATO
will eventually get someone hurt, maybe killed. Maybe better to stay home
and...have another waffle. </b>Dr. Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17216324237859202563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791826251180484594.post-74155260847369343642017-05-11T21:26:00.001-07:002017-05-11T21:27:33.938-07:00Planned Parenthood in the News...Again<div>
<b> Every year or two, someone from Planned Parenthood manages to
get him or herself recorded saying something so vile and stupid that it even
offends an occasional Democrat. </b></div>
<div>
<b> "You mean that if I say something here today, somebody somewhere
else can hear it tomorrow or even the next day? Get away!"</b></div>
<div>
<b> What do they put in the arugula over there ('Arugalistas of the
World Unite!)? or is it the Merlot?</b></div>
<div>
<b> Anyway, here's a suggestion,</b></div>
<div>
<b> In 1911, Standard Oil was broken up and everything worked out
fine.</b></div>
<div>
<b> In 1985, it was the phone company's turn. (Remember the 'baby
bells?') And again, no problem.</b></div>
<div>
<b> Why can't Planned Parenthood follow in their footsteps and spin
off its abortion division? Apparently abortions only make up 3% of the care they
give anyway. </b></div>
<div>
<b> They could still continue providing contraceptive services, cancer
screening, treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, etc. How difficult would
that be?</b></div>
<br />
<div>
<b> Then, if someone calls asking for abortion info, just have to say
that we don't do that anymore but we can give you the phone number of a very
reliable group that does. ("Yeah, you're right, they do look a lot like
us.")</b></div>
Dr. Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17216324237859202563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791826251180484594.post-74418348062487692482017-05-11T03:32:00.003-07:002017-05-11T03:59:30.306-07:00Cairo Banana<span style="font-family: "franklin gothic medium";"><b>
</b></span>
<br />
<div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "franklin gothic medium"; font-size: small;"><b> When the late economist
Alfred Kahn worked in the Carter administration, he was rebuked for using terms
like 'recession' or 'depression' to describe the then-current economic downturn
because it was felt that these terms would frighten the public. </b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "franklin gothic medium"; font-size: small;"><b> So he started speaking
about the economy as being in a 'banana' which had a calming effect on people
("So we have no money and no job but it's alright because we're only in a
banana. We'll be okay."),,,until he was rebuked by the United Fruit
Company.</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "franklin gothic medium"; font-size: small;"><b> Hmm, has possibilities.
When the Egyptian military overthrew the democratically elected government a few
years ago, would we have to stop giving them aid the way the law
says?</b></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: "franklin gothic medium"; font-size: small;"> Well, maybe the Egyptian
military didn't really stage a coup. That's it! They didn't stage a coup. They
staged a 'banana.' And, since there's no law against giving aid to a country
whose military stages a 'banana'...</span><span style="font-family: "franklin gothic medium"; font-size: small;"> </span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "franklin gothic medium"; font-size: small;"><b> Then there's the IRS
'banana,' the Benghazi 'banana,' the Holder-knew 'banana', the You've got to
pass it to see what's in it 'banana,' Scandals? What Scandals? Anyone see
a scandal? Me neither.</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "franklin gothic medium"; font-size: small;"><b> Sometimes it seems
like it's just all in how you say it. Have to be a little careful though
because too many 'bananas' and, before you know it, it starts looking
like you're becoming a.....banana republic.</b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Dr. Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17216324237859202563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791826251180484594.post-57090013955448306952017-05-11T03:20:00.001-07:002017-05-11T03:20:49.985-07:00"Please, Sir, I want some more...:<div>
<b> If Charles Dickens were writing today, maybe, instead of more
porridge, Oliver Twist would have known what he really needed,</b></div>
<div>
<b> "Please, Sir, I'm cold and I'm hungry. I want some more...carbon
dioxide."</b></div>
<div>
<b> "What?! You little denier! Don't you know that carbon dioxide is a
terrible pollutant and, if we don't get rid of it right away, we'll all
die."</b></div>
<div>
<b> "No, Mr. ex-Vice President, Sir. Carbon dioxide is not a pollutant.
Carbon dioxide up there in the atmosphere is a greenhouse gas and keeps us all
warm and toasty. And, down here, plants use carbon dioxide to make food and
animals eat the plants and we eat the animals and the plants. Without carbon
dioxide, we'd all starve....and freeze."</b></div>
<div>
<b> "What are you talking about, you little twerp?"</b></div>
<div>
<b> "Twist, sir. Oliver Twist."</b></div>
<div>
<b> "Whatever, anyway...Ow!"</b></div>
<div>
<b> "What is it, sir?"</b></div>
<div>
<b> "You got me so upset, I lost a filling."</b></div>
<div>
<b> "An inconvenient tooth?"</b></div>
<div>
<b> ***</b></div>
<div>
<b> <em>Several other inconvenient teeth,</em></b></div>
<div>
<em><b> - Carbon is not a pollutant. Protein is made up of chains of
carbon atoms along with other stuff. No carbon, no protein. No protein, no...us,
And don't forget CARBON dioxide. </b></em></div>
<div>
<em><b> - Earth was formed 4.5 billion years ago and its climate has
been changing ever since.</b></em></div>
<b><em> - 97% of climate scientists agree that we are now in a warming
phase since the Little Ice Age ended in 1850, which is normal after cold periods
end, and that human activity has contributed somewhat to it</em><em>. 97% of
editorial writers for the New York Times believe, well, all the
rest...</em></b>Dr. Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17216324237859202563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791826251180484594.post-25828791600469311542017-05-10T21:16:00.003-07:002017-05-10T21:19:49.550-07:00How Americans Learn Science<div>
<b> "Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere hasn't been this high for over
800,000 years. Now do you see why we have to stop burning fossil fuels and go to
renewables?"</b></div>
<div>
<b> "It hasn't been this high for over 800,000 years? Wow! That's a
pretty long time."</b></div>
<div>
<b> "You bet it is."</b></div>
<div>
<b> "And that's all because of burning fossil fuels?"</b></div>
<div>
<b> "Absolutely."</b></div>
<div>
<b> "So, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was this high 800,000 years
ago and it's happening again now?"</b></div>
<div>
<b> "How many times are you going to ask me the same question?"</b></div>
<div>
<b> "But there's only one thing I don't understand."</b></div>
<div>
<b> "What's that?"</b></div>
<div>
<b> "Well, if the carbon dioxide was this high 800,000 years ago and
it's this high now, how do you know it's because of burning fossil fuels? I
mean, 800,000 years ago there was no industry, no cars, no nothing. Nobody was
burning fossil fuels and the carbon dioxide </b></div>
<div>
<b>was just as high as it is now. </b><b>So, how can it all be because of fossil
fuels?"</b></div>
<br />
<div>
<b> "Hmm, well actually I saw this movie..."</b></div>
Dr. Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17216324237859202563noreply@blogger.com0