Starting the Season.

Tomorrow we start the month of December. A month in which the U.S. will spend more than in any other month of the year. The debt increases and we sit on what Edward R. Murows referred to as "our fat surpluses."

Stay chipper, everyone. It's the most wonderful time of the year, right? Try this: give to someone other than yourself or a loved one. Just one person you don't really know or like very much... try giving them something for which they will remember you fondly.

A smile. A kind greeting. A card with more than just a pithy catchphrase writen in it. Forgiveness. Compassion. Sit with someone you disagree with and ask them what would have to be done to understand each other.

I'm not a man of religious faith, and that should not exclude me from the teachings of any one practice. This is espescially true when the doctrines are as welcoming as they are for empathy and benevolence.

Sincerely Yours,

Though today's posting is long, bare with it because this could be the message proving to become the forbearer to those matters for our Nation's future in diplomacy.

This is an open letter sent to the White House:

"Mr. George Bush, president of the United States of America

For some time now, I have been thinking, how one can justify the undeniable contradictions that exist in the international arena -- which are being constantly debated, especially in political forums and amongst university students. Many questions remain unanswered. Those have prompted me to discuss some of the contradictions and questions, in the hopes that it might bring about an opportunity to redress them.

Can one be a follower of Jesus Christ (Peace Be Upon Him), the great Messenger of God,

Feel obliged to respect human rights,

Present liberalism as a civilization model,

Announce one's opposition to the proliferation of nuclear weapons and WMDs,

Make "War on Terror" his slogan,

And finally,

work towards the establishment of an unified international community -- a community which Christ and the virtuous of the Earth will one day govern,

But at the same time,

Have countries attacked. The lives, reputations and possessions of people destroyed and on the slight chance of the presence of a few criminals in a village, city, or convoy for example, the entire village, city or convoy set ablaze.

Or because of the possibility of the existence of WMDs in one country, it is occupied, around 100,000 people killed, its water sources, agriculture and industry destroyed, close to 180,000 foreign troops put on the ground, sanctity of private homes of citizens broken, and the country pushed back perhaps 50 years. At what price? Hundreds of billions of dollars spent from the treasury of one country and certain other countries and tens of thousands of young men and women -- as occupation troops -- put in harms way, taken away from family and loved ones, their hands stained with the blood of others, subjected to so much psychological pressure that everyday some commit suicide and those returning home suffer depression, become sickly and grapple with all sorts of ailments; while some are killed and their bodies handed to their families.

On the pretext of the existence of WMDs, this great tragedy came to engulf both the peoples of the occupied and the occupying country. Later it was revealed that no WMDs existed to begin with.

Of course, Saddam was a murderous dictator. But the war was not waged to topple him, the announced goal of the war was to find and destroy weapons of mass destruction. He was toppled along the way towards another goal; nevertheless the people of the region are happy about it. I point out that throughout the many years of the imposed war on Iran Saddam was supported by the West.

Mr. President,

You might know that I am a teacher. My students ask me how can these actions be reconciled with the values outlined at the beginning of this letter and duty to the tradition of Jesus Christ (Peace Be Upon Him), the Messenger of peace and forgiveness?

There are prisoners in Guantanamo Bay that have not been tried, have no legal representation, their families cannot see them and are obviously kept in a strange land outside their own country. There is no international monitoring of their conditions and fate. No one knows whether they are prisoners, POWs, accused or criminals.

European investigators have confirmed the existence of secret prisons in Europe too. I could not correlate the abduction of a person, and him or her being kept in secret prisons, with the provisions of any judicial system. For that matter, I fail to understand how such actions correspond to the values outlined in the beginning of this letter, i.e. the teachings of Jesus Christ (Peace Be Upon Him), human rights and liberal values.

Young people, university students, and ordinary people have many questions about the phenomenon of Israel. I am sure you are familiar with some of them.

Throughout history, many countries have been occupied, but I think the establishment of a new country with a new people, is a new phenomenon that is exclusive to our times.

Students are saying that 60 years ago such a country did not exist. They show old documents and globes and say try as we have, we have not been able to find a country named Israel.

I tell them to study the history of WWI and II. One of my students told me that during WWII, which more than tens of millions of people perished in, news about the war, was quickly disseminated by the warring parties. Each touted their victories and the most recent battlefront defeat of the other party. After the war they claimed that six million Jews had been killed. Six million people that were surely related to at least two million families. Again let us assume that these events are true. Does that logically translate into the establishment of the state of Israel in the Middle East or support for such a state? How can this phenomenon be rationalized or explained?

Mr. President,

I am sure you know how -- and at what cost -- Israel was established:

-- Many thousands were killed in the process.

-- Millions of indigenous people were made refugees.

-- Hundreds of thousands of hectares of farmland, olive plantations, towns and villages were destroyed.

This tragedy is not exclusive to the time of establishment; unfortunately it has been ongoing for 60 years now.

A regime has been established which does not show mercy even to kids, destroys houses while the occupants are still in them, announces beforehand its list and plans to assassinate Palestinian figures, and keeps thousands of Palestinians in prison. Such a phenomenon is unique -- or at the very least extremely rare -- in recent memory.

Another big question asked by the people is "why is this regime being supported?"

Is support for this regime in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ (Peace Be Upon Him) or Moses (Peace Be Upon Him) or liberal values?

Or are we to understand that allowing the original inhabitants of these lands -- inside and outside Palestine -- whether they are Christian, Muslim or Jew, to determine their fate, runs contrary to principles of democracy, human rights and the teachings of prophets? If not, why is there so much opposition to a referendum?

The newly elected Palestinian administration recently took office. All independent observers have confirmed that this government represents the electorate. Unbelievingly, they have put the elected government under pressure and have advised it to recognize the Israeli regime, abandon the struggle and follow the programs of the previous government.

If the current Palestinian government had run on the above platform, would the Palestinian people have voted for it? Again, can such position taken in opposition to the Palestinian government be reconciled with the values outlined earlier? The people are, also asking "why are all UNSC resolutions in condemnation of Israel vetoed?"

Mr. President,

As you are well aware, I live amongst the people and am in constant contact with them -- many people from around the Middle East manage to contact me as well. They do not have faith in there dubious policies either. There is evidence that the people of the region are becoming increasingly angry with such policies.

It is not my intention to pose too many questions, but I need to refer to other points as well.

Why is it that any technological and scientific achievement reached in the Middle East region is translated into and portrayed as a threat to the Zionist regime? Is not scientific R&D one of the basic rights of nations?

You are familiar with history. Aside from the Middle Ages, in what other point in history has scientific and technical progress been a crime? Can the possibility of scientific achievements being utilized for military purposes be reason enough to oppose science and technology altogether? If such a supposition is true, then all scientific disciplines, including physics, chemistry, mathematics, medicine, engineering, etc, must be opposed.

Lies were told in the Iraqi matter. What was the result? I have no doubt that telling lies is reprehensible in any culture, and you do not like to be lied to.

Mr. President,

Don't Latin Americans have the right to ask why their elected government are being opposed and coup leaders supported? Or, Why must they constantly be threatened and live in fear?

The people of Africa are hard-working, creative and talented. They can play an important and valuable role in providing for the needs of humanity and contribute to its material and spiritual progress. Poverty and hardship in large parts of Africa are preventing this from happening. Don't they have the right to ask why their enormous wealth -- including minerals -- is being looted, despite the fact that they need it more than others?

Again, do such actions correspond to the teachings of Christ and the tenets of human rights?

The brave and faithful people of Iran too have many questions and grievances, including: the coup d'etat of 1953 and the subsequent toppling of the legal government of the day, opposition to the Islamic revolution, transformation of an Embassy into a headquarters supporting the activities of those opposing the Islamic Republic (many thousands of pages of documents corroborate this claim), support for Saddam in the war waged against Iran, the shooting down of the Iranian passenger plane, freezing the assets of the Iranian nation, increasing threats, anger and displeasure vis-a-vis the scientific and nuclear progress of the Iranian nation (just when all Iranians are jubilant and celebrating their country's progress), and many other grievances that I will not refer to in this letter.

Mr. President,

September Eleven was a horrendous incident. The killing of innocents is deplorable and appalling in any part of the world. Our government immediately declared its disgust with the perpetrators and offered its condolences to the bereaved and expressed its sympathies.

All governments have a duty to protect the lives, property and good standing of their citizens. Reportedly your government employs extensive security, protection and intelligence systems -- and even hunts its opponents abroad. September eleven was not a simple operation. Could it be planned and executed without coordination with intelligence and security services -- or their extensive infiltration? Of course this is just an educated guess. Why have the various aspects of the attacks been kept secret? Why are we not told who botched their responsibilities? And, why aren't those responsible and the guilty parties identified and put on trial?

All governments have a duty to provide security and peace of mind for their citizens. For some years now, the people of your country and neighbors of world trouble spots do not have peace of mind. After 9.11, instead of healing and tending to the emotional wounds of the survivors and the American people -- who had been immensely traumatized by the attacks -- some Western media only intensified the climate of fear and insecurity -- some constantly talked about the possibility of new terror attacks and kept the people in fear. Is that service to the American people? Is it possible to calculate the damages incurred from fear and panic?

American citizens lived in constant fear of fresh attacks that could come at any moment and in any place. They felt insecure in the street, in their place of work and at home. Who would be happy with this situation? Why was the media, instead of conveying a feeling of security and providing peace of mind, giving rise to a feeling of insecurity?

Some believe that the hype paved the way -- and was the justification -- for an attack on Afghanistan. Again I need to refer to the role of media. In media charters, correct dissemination of information and honest reporting of a story are established tenets. I express my deep regret about the disregard shown by certain Western media for these principles. The main pretext for an attack on Iraq was the existence of WMDs. This was repeated incessantly -- for the public to finally believe -- and the ground set for an attack on Iraq.

Will the truth not be lost in a contrived and deceptive climate? Again, if the truth is allowed to be lost, how can that be reconciled with the earlier mentioned values?

Is the truth known to the Almighty lost as well?

Mr. President,

In countries around the world, citizens provide for the expenses of governments so that their governments in turn are able to serve them.

The question here is "what has the hundreds of billions of dollars, spent every year to pay for the Iraqi campaign, produced for the citizens?"

As Your Excellency is aware, in some states of your country, people are living in poverty. Many thousands are homeless and unemployment is a huge problem. Of course these problems exist -- to a larger or lesser extent -- in other countries as well. With these conditions in mind, can the gargantuan expenses of the campaign -- paid from the public treasury -- be explained and be consistent with the aforementioned principles?

What has been said, are some of the grievances of the people around the world, in our region and in your country. But my main contention -- which I am hoping you will agree to some of it -- is:

Those in power have a specific time in office and do not rule indefinitely, but their names will be recorded in history and will be consistently judged in the immediate and distant futures.

The people will scrutinize our presidencies. Did we manage to bring peace, security and prosperity for the people or insecurity and unemployment?

Did we intend to establish justice or just supported special interest groups, and by forcing many people to live in poverty and hardship made a few people rich and powerful -- thus trading the approval of the people and the Almighty with theirs?

Did we defend the rights of the underprivileged or ignore them?

Did we defend the rights of all people around the world or imposed wars on them, interfered illegally in their affairs, established hellish prisons and incarcerated some of them?

Did we bring the world peace and security or raised the specter of intimidation and threats?

Did we tell the truth to our nation and others around the world or presented an inverted version of it?

Were we on the side of people or the occupiers and oppressors?

Did our administrations set out to promote rational behavior, logic, ethics, peace, fulfilling obligations, justice, service to the people, prosperity, progress and respect for human dignity or the force of guns, Intimidation, insecurity, disregard for the people, delaying the progress and excellence of other nations, and trample on people's rights?

And finally, they will judge us on whether we remained true to our oath of office -- to serve the people, which is our main task, and the traditions of the prophets -- or not?

Mr. President,

How much longer can the world tolerate this situation?

Where will this trend lead the world to?

How long must the people of the world pay for the incorrect decisions of some rulers?

How much longer will the specter of insecurity -- raised from the stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction -- hunt the people of the world?

How much longer will the blood of the innocent men, women and children be spilled on the streets, and people's houses destroyed over their heads?

Are you pleased with the current condition of the world?

Do you think present policies can continue?

If billions of dollars spent on security, military campaigns and troop movement were instead spent on investment and assistance for poor countries, promotion of health, combating different diseases, education and improvement of mental and physical fitness, assistance to the victims of natural disasters, creation of employment opportunities and production, development projects and poverty alleviation, establishment of peace, mediation between disputing states, and extinguishing the flames of racial, ethnic and other conflicts, were would the world be today? Would not your government and people be justifiably proud?

Would not your administration's political and economic standing have been stronger?

And I am most sorry to say, would there have been an ever increasing global hatred of the American government?

Mr. President, it is not my intention to distress anyone.

If Prophet Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Ishmael, Joseph, or Jesus Christ (Peace Be Upon Him) were with us today, how would they have judged such behavior? Will we be given a role to play in the promised world, where justice will become universal and Jesus Christ (Peace Be Upon Him) will be present? Will they even accept us?

My basic question is this: Is there no better way to interact with the rest of the world? Today there are hundreds of millions of Christians, hundreds of millions of Muslims and millions of people who follow the teachings of Moses (Peace Be Upon Him). All divine religions share and respect one word and that is "monotheism" or belief in a single God and no other in the world.

The Holy Koran stresses this common word and calls on all followers of divine religions and says: (3.64) Say: O followers of the Book! come to an equitable proposition between us and you that we shall not serve any but Allah and (that) we shall not associate aught with Him, and (that) some of us shall not take others for lords besides Allah; but if they turn back, then say: Bear witness that we are Muslims. (The Family of Imran)

Mr. President,

According to divine verses, we have all been called upon to worship one God and follow the teachings of divine Prophets.

"To worship a God which is above all powers in the world and can do all He pleases." "the Lord which knows that which is hidden and visible, the past and the future, knows what goes on in the Hearts of His servants and records their deeds."

"The Lord who is the possessor of the heavens and the earth and all universe is His court" "planning for the universe is done by His hands, and gives His servants the glad tidings of mercy and forgiveness of sins" "He is the companion of the oppressed and the enemy of oppressors" "He is the Compassionate, the Merciful" "He is the recourse of the faithful and guides them towards the light from darkness" "He is witness to the actions of His servants" "He calls on servants to be faithful and do good deeds, and asks them to stay on the path of righteousness and remain steadfast" "Calls on servants to heed His prophets and He is a witness to their deeds" "A bad ending belongs only to those who have chosen the life of this world and disobey Him and oppress His servants" and "A good land and eternal paradise belong to those servants who fear His majesty and do not follow their lascivious selves."

We believe a return to the teachings of the divine prophets is the only road leading to salvation and have been told that Your Excellency follows the teachings of Jesus (Peace Be Upon Him) and believes in the divine promise of the rule of the righteous on Earth.

We also believe that Jesus Christ (Peace Be Upon Him) was one of the great prophets of the Almighty. He has been repeatedly praised in the Koran. Jesus (Peace Be Upon Him) has been quoted in Koran as well: (19.36) And surely Allah is my Lord and your Lord, therefore serve Him; this is the right path.

Service to and obedience of the Almighty is the credo of all divine messengers.

The God of all people in Europe, Asia, Africa, America, the Pacific and the rest of the world is one. He is the Almighty who wants to guide and give dignity to all His servants. He has given greatness to Humans.

We again read in the Holy Book: "The Almighty God sent His prophets with miracles and clear signs to guide the people and show them divine signs and purify them from sins and pollutions. And He sent the Book and the balance so that the people display justice and avoid the rebellious."

All of the above verses can be seen, one way or the other, in the Good Book as well.

Divine prophets have promised:

The day will come when all humans will congregate before the court of the Almighty, so that their deeds are examined, The good will be directed towards Haven and evildoers will meet divine retribution. I trust both of us believe in such a day, but it will not be easy to calculate the actions of rulers, because we must be answerable to our nation and all others whose lives have been directly or indirectly affected by our actions.

All prophets, speak of peace and tranquillity for man -- based on monotheism, justice and respect for human dignity.

Do you not think that if all of us come to believe in and abide by these principles, that is, monotheism, worship of God, justice, respect for the dignity of man, belief in the Last Day, we can overcome the present problems of the world -- that are the result of disobedience to the Almighty and the teachings of prophets -- and improve our performance?

Do you not think that belief in these principles promotes and guarantees peace, friendship and justice?

Do you not think that the aforementioned written or unwritten principles are universally represented?

Will you not accept this invitation? That is, a genuine return to the teachings of prophets, to monotheism and justice, to preserve human dignity and obedience to the Almighty and His prophets?

Mr. President,

History tells us that repressive and cruel governments do not survive. God has entrusted the fate of men to them. The Almighty has not left the universe and humanity to their own devices. Many things have happened contrary to the wishes and plans of governments. These tell us that there is a higher power at work and all events are determined by Him.

Can one deny the signs of change in the world today?

Is the situation of the world today comparable to that of 10 years ago? Changes happen fast and come at a furious pace.

The people of the world are not happy with the status quo and pay little heed to the promises and comments made by a number of influential world leaders. Many people around the world feel insecure and oppose the spreading of insecurity and war and do not approve of and accept dubious policies.

The people are protesting the increasing gap between the haves and the have-nots and the rich and poor countries.

The people are disgusted with increasing corruption.

The people of many countries are angry about the attacks on their cultural foundations and the disintegration of families. They are equally dismayed with the fading of care and compassion. The people of the world have no faith in international organizations, because their rights are not advocated by these organizations.

Liberalism and Western-style democracy have not been able to help realize the ideals of humanity. Today these two concepts have failed. Those with insight can already hear the sounds of the shattering and fall of the ideology and thoughts of the Liberal democratic systems.

We increasingly see that people around the world are flocking towards a main focal point -- that is the Almighty God. Undoubtedly through faith in God and the teachings of the prophets, the people will conquer their problems. My question for you is: "Do you not want to join them?"

Mr. President,

Whether we like it or not, the world is gravitating towards faith in the Almighty and justice and the will of God will prevail over all things."

This is an unoffical Reuters translation from Farsi of a letter sent to President Bush written by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and published in the Washigton Post at 14:40 on 9 May 2006. Almost seven months ago.

Compare this letter to the wording President Ahmadinejad uses in today's letter addressed to the people of the United States.

One week before the elections, President Bush held a well-covered news conference on the Rose Garden lawn. There he effectively stated that he would be willing change course in Iraq. This was despite the dozens of statements since the March 2003 invasion that he would not give in to "cut & run" options but "stay the course." As of yesterday, he and Secretary of State Rice said returned to the former belief that changing the course is the wrong move. This, despite the memo leaked to The New York Times yesterday written by U.S. National Security Advisor, Stephen J. Hadley, which effectively relates a vote of no-confidence in Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki.

Who's waffling now? Has this efectively become a matter of who wants peace more?

Iranians? Americans? Iraqis? Kurds? Sunnis? Shiites? Isralies? Afghanis? Palestinians?

When is everyone going to stop the pissing match and realize that the people they represent tire from endless martyrdom, starvation, interloping, bickering and strife? Food, warmth, laughter and comfort should not be matters to be delegated for over the barrel of a gun. Nor should they suffer pointlessly because of misunderstanding, ego or selfishness.

Represent us, Mr. Presidents.

Teacher's Tenth Day.

Today I upset the balance between my boss and I. Surprise.

Rather than focus on the knowledge related to the second year students of the surgical technology program at MHCC, the program director decided to throw a fit over the shortness of the day's quiz I had prepared for the students. Mind you, before this day, she has had no trouble at all over any of the previous eight quizzes she'd received every Tuesday morning under her office door. "Quizzes are supposed to be worth 15 to 20 points, not ten," she chastises me. "Can't you add some more to this? Some matching, catheters or naming?"

I'd already made photocopies of the quiz, related some fairly straightforward information in my lecture and informed her that I'd really grabbed the most important information off the lecture last week and placed them into the quiz. Last week was also Thanksgiving, I told her. I anticipated this by lecturing on a subject that a surgical technologist needed to understand, but really held little in the way of vital information as far as surgical care was concerned. Because of this, I anticipated a rather low-level focus of study from the students this weekend.

"They need to be prepared at all times and you're paid to give the lectures and prepare them completely." I didn't argue this with her then. It was clear that nothing I would have said would reassure her of my focus and professional desire to prepare the students to the best of my ability; but the truth is, I cannot prepare them completely. Because I know this, from working in the field currently and such, no one who goes through school is ever prepared for everything, and they shouldn't be either. This was likely the most blatant clue as to why her demeanor is so confrontational when it comes teaching.

I can only guess what she's doing to the first year students. New homework every week, pop quizzes, preparing lectures on the fly. This field involves new technologies, standardizing of protocols, and a well-established system of procedures and rules that are followed to give the best care to everyone who seeks it.

A quiz, worth five to ten points less than any I've given or had been expected to give before this one, will make little difference as to whether or not they know how to prepare a room for ESWL or stone removal or not. This was simply a matter of who's in charge, and I already knew that clearly when I was sought out to teach this class by her over seven months ago. She knew whom she was getting back then. Why's it so surprising to find out that I am who I am now? The pressure, it would seem, is on her.

Lazy Sunday: Part 18

I highly recommend everyone to start looking at Reuters photos on occasion. They and Time seem to get some of the best shots of event around the world. I'll be utilizing them for my Lazy Sundays for a while until my new camera arrives after the holidays. Enjoy one that got my attention.

A protester walks in front of a burning car during rioting at the end of a demonstration in

Oaxaca on 25 November 2006 to demand the federal police leave the city.

Photo by Reuters.

Making the Move.

Few things that seem easy tend to remain so. My lateral shift in jobs will likely come at a cost to my comfort level in the workforce as I have a streak of the iconoclast in me. In the main operating room, I will be subject to the actions and ideologues of the many others who work there in more tightly knit cliques than I have experienced before or ever will be close to again. This is not new as I've made this transition in the past when I went from the S.O.R. to Labor & Delivery four years ago. Being male was my most significant tip-off, but in this case, being a new face is good enough. Top this off with working the day shift for a few weeks and I can be assured of a good razzing for some time.

Keep my head. Know that I'm there to learn. Be humble. Answer questions when asked. Ask questions when I need to know. Learn in advance.

The teacher is now the student once again.

Phases.

On this day, in 1963, Jack Ruby shot and mortally wounded Lee Harvey Oswald, the accused assassin of President Kennedy.

Do you ever get the feeling that this is a repeating pattern? If the investigation into the activities of this administration concerning Abu Grahib and Guantanomo Bay turn up war-crime-level infractions, well ladies and gentlemen, the fat will certainly be in the fire won't it?

Thanks & Giving.

Lisa and I are off to enjoy the buffet and night at the McMenamins Edgefield. We'll return tomorrow. Hope you and yours have a Thanksgiving as pleasureable as the President's.

Teacher's Ninth Day.

Despite completing my lecture an hour early today, I had plenty to talk to the students about regarding the job of surgical technologist and such. Lecturing on the specificities in ureteroscopy, reanastomosis and stent placement is one thing. They will need to know these things for continued maintenance of their jobs long from now. What I lectured on after the class ended on the G.U. system seemed so much more important.

When asked if the surgical technologists whom I knew where angry, spiteful, despondent, disenchanted or disgruntled with their positions or careers, I told them, “Yes.” This was not done to discourage or appease the students, nor was the intension of such an answer meant to cause resentment or placate to the positions of those whom I used as the model answer for their question. This answer I presented was by its own nature a characterization of the sort of person whom undertakes a livelihood enveloped in the care and management of instrumentation and techniques of surgery, neither in charge of nor subject to the outcome of a patient’s survivability. What I told my students this day was candid of a narrative as I could relate, based solely from the many impressions I have experienced in my four years of working as a surgical tech. They reacted as anyone placing their innocuous trust and meager finances would, flabbergasted.

“Why would anyone stay in such a job if that’s true?” they asked. “Who would think so lowly of their own career?” they insisted. My reply? “Those that let this job come before their lives, their families, their hopes and goals, or those that immerse themselves on the notion that no one else will ever do this job as well as they shall, are those whom allow the position of ST to become something of a lesser designation than human being. For that distinction is the greatest than any individual could ever hope to attain or distinguish upon another entity.”

May this be so for all positions and persons the world over.

No Juice.

It's old news but here's a new spin on it. OJ Simpson's sales and Fox TV Interviews with the reprehensible Judith Regan of ReganBooks are canceled. His new book If I Did It, Here's How it Happened is purported to be a tell-all of how he would have committed the 1994 murders of which he was aquitted. Now a lot of people are properly disgusted at the idea that Simpson would write a possible confessional on murdering his wife and her friend for financial benefit, but I have come up with a way to make this work out for nearly everyone... even OJ.

Try this:

1) Meth labs and drug dealers are constantly losing drug money in police raids. Ask for this money to be put into circulation for our purposes here. Say, around $50,000 USD.

2) Buy one or two copies of the book and get together with some friends to type out the entire thing onto a web page while also making a complete .pdf file of the book cover to cover.

3) The Internet. Post it for free so anyone can access it at no cost.

4) Retain a lawyer and pay the copyright infringements for the book (both with the drug money)

Outcome: Everyone gets to read OJ's confessional for free, Nichole Brown's and Ron Goldman's families receive some level of closure despite the poisonous words OJ likely uses in both the interview and book, and he gets paid a small amount of money... in drug money. He'll also get our ire and inspire many a law student in this country who will begin a new campaign to see him convicted for double homicide despite the double jeopardy statute. After all, there's no statute of limitations on murder and the killer's still out there, right?

Don't buy the book, people. Don't watch the show. It should be free and we should hear what the bastard did.

----------------

Later:

This just in, the whole thing's been canned and now the world will have to wonder what was written.

Lazy Sunday: Part 17

Back in February I met former Oregon Governor Dr. John Kizhaber, M.D. while being one of the elected panelists to ask him questions regarding his Achimedes Movement for health care reform in Oregon. It made me think about the ideas as to how we can all benefit from a little forward thinking. Today, I plan to do just that.

The Eighteenth.

This day is rather dull. So to take up my day of writing, I'm going to read comics.

You should too: like this.

Airless America.

Following the dismall ratings of Al Franken is about to leave the show and has said he will not be doing radio any more. This is hardly a shock given the bankrupt station and low listenership. Minnesota incumbant, Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) He is better known as the guy that lost to "I an't got time to bleed" Jesse Ventura in the 1998 Minnesota Gubernatorial election Franken's chances to take the Senate are met with reasonable skeptesism given his comedic history.

However, pundits are attributing his charm and superficial knowledge of political dealings to his benefit and are seeing his chances as somewhere between good and equal. Al's outspoken anti-war-Bush-Republican books and statements seem to go hand-inhand with Senator Coleman's past feelings on the Vietnam war and Nixon administration. The Senator is known to have actively participated in peaceful protests and to have displayed an anti-war flag at one rally in particular.

So I say to the man, whether your intention is to escape the sinking boat of Air America, printing more of your books through Barnes & Nobel, or to seek State office in The North Star State: Run Al, Run!

Movin' On Down.

On Tuesday I tendered my resignation to Labor & Delivery and accepted a full-time position in the main operating room at OHSU. My employer for the past 50 months took the news well. Below are my resignation letter and my, now former, manager's reply email:

To: Molly Blaser, MN, NP Tuesday, 14 November 2006

From: "Patch" Adam B. Perryman, CST, CNA

RE: Resignation

Dear Molly,

It is with no ease that, with this letter, I tender my resignation as the 0.9 FTE Night shift OB Technician for 12C Labor & Delivery. After 50 months of continued employment on your unit I am making the lateral move to return to the department of my origins at OHSU, the South Operating Room.

After speaking to my family and the department managers of the SOR, I have been offered a 1.0 FTE position that meets my needs in regards to my continued professional development, educational goals and personal interests. This decision was thought over for some months now. Though it may seem at first that there were mitigating circumstances lending to my desire in seeking a change in employ, I can say without contest that my primary motivation stems not from a lack of any one thing, but an interest in seeking out new challenges I feel better prepared for thanks to working on Labor & Delivery.

I will work through the next three weekends before starting my day shift orientation the second week of December. This places my final night shift on 12C for Sunday 3 December 2006 ending the morning of the fourth. You are a fine leader, Molly, and your team of educators and charge nurses are the cream of the crop in any hospital. I know that I am leaving a close-knit group of professionals and friends with whom I have grown very close. Working and talking with the residents and attending physicians has helped me to better appreciate every aspect of health care more deeply than I had in the past. This is simply the right time for me to make this change in my career as opportunity rears its head.

Thank you for everything and best of fortune in the future.

Respectfully,

“Patch” Adam B. Perryman, CST, CNA

------------- Reply -------------

Adam,

Congratulations on this exciting new time for you. I am excited for your new growth and I wish you all the best. You are an excellent OB tech and you will be greatly missed. May I forward your letter to the rest of the OB staff?

Molly

I wrote a card out to the floor informing them of my specific reasons for leaving and have to say that it's a bittersweet feeling to realize that I'm making this change. It's all for the best. There is nothing more for me on that unit and so much awaiting me everywhere else.

Water & Heater.

Today I want to write about a matter that modern American society takes for granted: internal heating systems. The fact of the matter is that without this utility, our health, society and standards of living would be on par with our Neandethal ancestors.

Today our house's heater ended it's run of glory. Upon calling for a technician to look at the problem we have discovered the large filter meant to remove irritants from the air was clogged with about a 2" thick matt of dog hair. The air simply couldn't get through to be heated. Ergo, dog was brished and a new filter was purchased.

To top it off, the thermotat was from 1976 and had long ago given up it's goat to regulate the heat in out home. A new model, digital touch-screen, programable for the week and such, was installed by myself and works just wonderfully.

Posit: Without facing the eventual problem of what can go wrong with a system, like the heater & thermostat in this instance, domestics can further ourselves far beyond the ability to contribute to society. It's one thing to have a great job with little work outside of tacking away on a computer and lounging all day, but unless we all take the time to maintain some base skills of mechanics, engineering and maintence, we will return to the days of the cave-dweller before becoming aware that it would even be possible to do so.

Teacher's Eighth Day: Interior Discussion.

Class today was quite enjoyable, despite the awful news that the division director is on indefinate leave of absence following pleural effision and fluid draws that led to a diagnosis of pneumonia secondary to ovarian cancer. To Chris, her husband and family: all out suport.

It's amazing to me that since the election last Tuesday, what I read in the paper, hear on my podcasts, discuss breifly with the many people I just run into in shops or on the street, nearly everything is relating to the outcome of those elections. I get the sense nthat everyone's come out of their shells a little. Discussions are being to get robust about politics, policy, the effects of Iraq on everything, getting the troops home from there and Afghanistan, helping in Darfur, improving education... people are starting to talk about politics.

What's even more amazing to me is that the discussions are not just one-sided. At the Ugly Mug, I discussed the change of the Congress' majority party with a man who admited to putting a red stamp half-way down his ballot. He voted for Saxton, but against State Representative for District 49 Karen Minnis (R)-Wood Village saying that he works in Portland but lives out in ther in her disctrict. "She does a lot, but she's been holding up a lot of legislation that could be helping my kid in school and our property taxes at home," he told me. I asked him if her successful reelction would change anything despite the State Congress' handover to the Democrats (the first time Dems have had the majority in both houses in over 16 years). "Well," he paused and took a sip of his coffee then replied," I don't think that buisness her opponent made about an 11-year-old event she had nothing to do with helped his cause any."

TV For Liberals.

More often times than not I'm not one to laud the marvels of television. In fact, I'm the guy that's had the "Kill Your Television" bumpersticker on every vehicle I've owned since 1994. What is means is that I'm a hard sell on any show from the outset. Welcome Studio 60.

The bad news is that this show is doomed to fail for three reasons:

1) I like it. Shows that I've even thought of as slightly entertaining have a nasty habit of being too smart, not budgeted well enough for retention or simply too eccentric for large audiences. Since when does taste matter in television?

2) Aaron Sorkin's last show had the same problem after week three. What put it over the edge and kept it up for eight seasons? Poor poll ratings and the desire to see a different Administration in the White House. The beauty of having a one-hour show every week that offers an alternative set of policies from those of reality left the country's liberals a lifeline after losing the 2000 election. Harsh? Sure is. Likely? Two words: eight seasons. You bet it helped. "Porno for liberals" a friend of mine in college called The West Wing. Sorkin's take on politics worked great when Bush's rating levels fluctuated between catfish bottom-feeder and the acting abilities of the "hack-lawyer-of-the-week" on Law & Order. Now that we see him on the way out, and the fact that this show focuses on Hollywood not the White House (per say) means he's biting the hand that feeds him. He admitted this himself though a Gershwin-inspired opening "skit" in the second show The Cold Open with lines stating: "Yes, it's hard to be a player when you've always had a hunch; to bite the hand that feeds you is a scary way of doing lunch." Chomp!

Finally,

3) No one's watching, the show's expensive, the actors are great, the look is fresh, and it makes us wish that SNL was half as good or interesting now as it was in the 90s or 70s. Unlike politics, taking shots at everyone through a pseudo-Saturday Night can only offer so much insulation from those in Hollywoodland.

Rumors of cancelation have started gaining strength and a missed week all-but confirmed them. The timeslot doesn't help much: NBC late night Mondays at 10pm. It's main timeslot rival? CSI: Miami on CBS. Yeah, David Caruso has more draw than Matthew Perry, Amanda Peet and social comedy. Not by a little gap either. Ratings three weeks ago showed CSI with over 1M more in the market share with viewers and a retention level above 95%. On top of that... "Are Ya Ready For Some Football?" Why is it that NBC think's that Studio 60 would win out when ESPN has the game late in the fourth quarter or into OT? To NBC: You want audiences to tune in about red-state/blue-state comedy when I could be drinking a Bud Light?

It's ballsy to say it's great and all, but at least Studio 60 will get the chance to finish the first season. After that, well I think we'll take the lunch check now and hope to get at least the DVD set.

Lazy Sunday: Part 16

I took this last autumn as the sun set.

A Stupidly Simple Idea.

Does this seem stupidly simple?

I have been sick as of late, as I wrote earlier in the week; but sometimes those are the times when ideas are best created. I've been a member and foller of former Oregon Governor, John Kitzhaber's, Archimedes Movement to find a way to create Universal Healthcare coverage for the over 600,000 uninsured Oregonians

How can we cover them remains a heated contest of ideas, obligations and implimentation. Somehow, it seemed so stupidly simple for a brief moment. The outline I had is as follows. problems can be worked out, but I think the idea is a good place from which to work:


1. Mandate that if you work in the State of Oregon, you pay a State tax on your paycheck to cover health care in the State of Oregon for that employee. This should based on a percentage of your gross/net earnings (not certain which it should really be) and NOT as a set amount since not everyone makes the same amount of money as everyone else. This removes the question of who pays more or less and keeps things in perspective.

a. If you’re sick or injured and receive treatment outside Oregon, the hospital, clinic or agency where you receive the care should bill the State of Oregon’s Health Plan.

b. Predetermined forms of care can be considered as covered as outlined by the Oregon Division of Health.

2. Covering kids can be done simply as well.

a. Have the State send the dependent’s coverage cost through the schools and work it out through enrollment. This way, parent working or not, coverage for the kids are a given at the State’s cost. The cash is coming in anyway, this just makes certain that until the student is a graduate of H.S., they have coverage. If the student has a part time job, perhaps an allowance to remove the HC tax on their paycheck can be allowed to go to the student-worker. It feels good to see that cash on the paycheck as a young worker. Could involve savings for college or a start on investments for the future.

3. To add dependents (children, spouses, domestic partners, etc.), increase the percentage per dependant accordingly.

4. How to track those covered or not? A State-wide database that almost, already exists can be utilized. Oregon Hospital Association can work with the ODH, and major hospital groups to create the State Database that works with the employers, insurance companies,

5. About those insurance companies… driving them out of biz? They have two options:

a. Help to make this plan work by offering to do the insurance coverage themselves, with cooperation with the State of Oregon. They have the majority of the infrastructure already, and though this would put a big ? on the role of companies vs. increasing the size of government, the voter would have to weigh the benefits of a State-run vs. private-run Universal HC plan. Guess who would win if the State offered quarters to the dollars.

- or -

b. Watch the public hear about the lower cost of health coverage available from the State that’s portable, flexible, reliable, and universal. A plan like this would attract other States to copy it, and the next thing you know, the country has coverage.

6. Coverage for the unemployed, disabled or otherwise. That’s done by the federal government already. Pay for when you have a job or not. The question becomes: do we work and get coverage or not work and have coverage? Generally speaking, most would prefer to contribute than live on meager hand-outs. The system we’re talking about here involves creating a system for those who have gotten out of, currently contribute to, or are nearing entry into a national-based form of health coverage (i.e.: Medicare, Medicaid, V.A., etc.)

Campaign's End.

It's over. The recounts mean little now, except for the few that hold on to dim hopes that error or last minute ballots will tip the balance. This will not happen. It is simply not in the cards.

The win is in, and now it is time to work.

Welcome back to the big game, President Ortega.

You'll see a different set of Democrats in the American Congress. A different George Bush that sits not in the V.P. Chair, but in the White House's Oval Office. You've made up with those in the Sandinitas who helped to oust you in the '80s. Now they laud your name and hope for governance.

Could your's become the model Presidency for other would-be-democratic nations? Who's next? Lebannon? Lybia? Iraq? Iran? After all, your push to ban abortion, desires for a stronger, free-market economy and the former President, Arnoldo Alemán, was convicted on corruption charges.

It sounds all to familiar.

------------------------

After hearing about the unconfirmed loss of R-Virgina, Senator George Allen, and challenger Jim Webb's win ensuring the Democrat majority in the Senate.

I am reminded of a quote by a great man, who believed in the power and importance of an American speaking their mind, for it is truly the right of all American people, regardless of religion, sex, or credo: Samuel Clemens.

"No party holds the privilege of dictating to me how I shall vote.

If loyalty to party is a form of patriotism, I am no patriot.

"If there is any valuable difference between a monarchist and an American, it lies in the theory that the American can decide for himself what is patriotic and what isn't.

"I claim that difference.

I am the only person in the sixty millions that is privileged to dictate my patriotism.”

- Samuel "Mark Twain" Clemens, A Biography

To those of you who broke with your party, to vote your conscience: heroic.

To those of you who who acted today with humility and piousy: audacious.

To those who would see a majority alone as victory, or consider the gains of the now as the goal entire: myopic.

This day is one of many and the victory of a group represents the contributions of far more than the few who claim it. Today, we all are one party; and we have a great deal of work to begin.

Congratulations.

Mid-term Run.

Today, bloggers aplenty will write about the elections for congressional, senate, gubernatorial and local offices. To them I say this: go watch it happen.

Too often in these recent years bloggers have been chastised correctly for laying out blamantly any information that derives from single-person or questionable internet sources. A lot has been learned from this country's elections of 2000, 2002 and 2004. That there are enough people to write what they think and how they believe in remarkable if not stagering to think about. Consider though if all the bloggers agreed on one candidate, one issue or one goal. Stagerring doesn't even cover the base of such a thought.

So to the blogger-pundits and op-ed-would-bes, to the man in the street or the League of Women Voters I say this: meet up, see how this process works with your own eyes. Report what happens, weather be damned.

Be your own source for today. Tomorrow will quote you all the better.

Awaiting Tomorrow.

There's really only one topic of major interest in the U.S. today, and sadly it's overwhelming many other issues that revolved around it. I could wax deep philosophy or be a critic of how the elections tomorrow will matter so much or little, but that's how the interweb works. Richard Stevens, who writes the webcomic Diesel Sweeties, had a charater of his named Indie Rock Pete state that a blogger's relationship with the internet is essentially quite fickle and that, "People only pay attention when you say something they disagree with." I forgive the ending a sentence with a preposition, but argue that he's more than half right. Should disagreement be the better course of valor for the blogger?

As we've seen from the political campgains this year the majority of bloggers are actually in agreement: that change to the blue is the best course. Tomorrow we will likely see a huge shift in the wind for the HoR and possibly the Senate as well. That's the consensus of bloggers who prefer to be mavericks and the providers of gainsa. As for myself, I've canvased, spoken out, written my letters and posts, spoke with the uncertain and debated the steadfast this year. My ballot is already in since Oregon votes statewide by mail. The count starts at 8:00 a.m. PST.

Lazy Sunday: Part 15

I took this photo over a decade ago, back when I lived in Eugene, Oregon. I have no idea who painted it, but if you ever get the chance to see it in person, it's an amazingly realistic look.

The building, upon which it is painted, can be found facing eastward off of High Street between 12th and 11th Avenues.

Photo by Patch Adam Perryman

Epiphany.

Today marks my 100th posting. a centential of sorts. Today is also the start of the NBA basketball regular season (Go Blazers!)

Back on 1 November 1947, the Spruce Goose flew for the first time (it's kept in McMinnville, Oregon's Evergeen Aviation Museum). Back in 1948, "Dewey Beats Truman" was displayed by President Truman after winning his second term by over two million popular votes.

So many other inetersting things happened on this day, in the past and today... imagine what will happen tomorrow. Happy 100.

By the way, did you know that the Internet is shit?