James Stabile Informational Newsletter November 2004

Discussion of the Month

November, sweet November. The holiday season is fast approaching. The Christmas merchandize is starting to appear on the shelves at the discount stores - K-Mart, Target. I don't know about the malls. I haven't been to a mall in quite sometime. I feel a trip to Aventura Mall is fast approaching. You see, I need some cologne. If you see Eternity by Calvin Klein pick me up a spray cologne, I'll reimburse you the second Tuesday of next week.

The last time I was at a mall was summertime, I believe. I remember when I went to the mall every weekend or so. In the 1980's I would spend a weekend afternoon perusing the merchandize at the area malls. I never bought that much, but I did like to look. I would go into almost every store. I would window shop, so to speak. I would see things that I would want to buy, someday. I planned to have a contemporary house with all of the modern conveniences. I planned to have the most stylish furniture and accessories in that house. Electronics and appliances were on my list, too. I planned to purchase these things when I made it big, when I had the money to spare, so to speak. Yea, that's right, I was going to make it big on a teacher's salary. Get in the real world.

I guess we all need dreams. It seems like my dreams were made in the sand and a swift wind came along and blew them away. It was probably in the 90's that I realized that I was never going to reach that desired point in my life. I realized that I was never going to be the kind of person who was financially secure. I realized that I had pipe dreams. I would never have a contemporary, fashionable home.

I started to tone down my taste in clothes and accessories. Again in the 1980's I went through a period where I loved the designer clothes. Ralph Loren - Polo, Calvin Klein and Claiborne were my buddies. One time I even bought a Gucci watch. It wasn't all that expensive, but it was a Gucci. To tell you the truth I still wear some of those clothes now. Designer clothes are expensive, true, but did you know that they last a life time. They just don't wear out. They were good investments.

During the 1990's I guess I changed my perspective about "worldly" things. Towards the end of the 90's I started fantasizing about retirement and I got serious about this financial thing. Now I hardly buy a thing and when I do, it's still Polo, etc., but it's at Marshalls, Ross or TJ Maxx - the so-called "outlet" stores. In truth, the quality of the merchandize of those outlet stores is not the same as the quality of the merchandize at Macy's, Kaufman's etc. It's just different. But when you don't want to spend top dollar for your shirt those outlet stores are fine.

Now in 2004, 2005 fast approaching, how do I feel about such things. I am perfectly content with my plight in life. Over the years circumstances have made me the person that I am today. I regret nothing. By the way, you may be asking yourself, "what circumstances is he talking about?" These circumstances are the kinds of thing peculiar to each person's unique life. Suffice it to say, sometimes we have misconceptions about other people. Sometimes we don't see the real person, only the person we perceive. Sometimes we don't really know a person due to our own circumstances. Life is a mys-te-ry.

How did I ever get on this subject? I must be feeling a little sentimental tonight. November will do that to you.

I've always liked November. It's the time before Christmas, but not too much before that big day. It's the month that we feel that we still have the time to do the things to ready for the holidays and the new year. So as you praise the Saints in heaven, remember the poor souls in purgatory, cast your political votes, pay tribute to our veterans, give thanks, prepare for the Christmas season and celebrate Chris' birthday enjoy the month of November. It's not such a bad month Tommy, my brother.

Some of my "holiday" web sites to reminisce about:
http://www.jds2.com/halloween/hallo2001.html
http://www.jamesstabile.com/thanks/HappyThanksgiving.html
http://www.jamesstabile.com/christmas/dark.html

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Entertainment

The Forgotten The synopsis of the movie appearing in the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel used the following words in it's description of the movie: "adult situations, language and violence". It did contain adult situations, although minimal. The language wasn't that bad, the main female character, Julianne Moore said the "F" word only once. It was indeed violent, mostly at the end. The movie starts with the main character reminiscing about her young son, Sam, who was supposedly killed in a plane crash, but to the rest of the world it appeared that Sam never existed. All evidence that her son had even existed was wiped away, including her husband's, Anthony Edwards, from ER, recollection of Sam. She found one other person, Dominic West, father of a girl who had perished in the same plane wreck, who finally remembered that the children and the plan accident did in fact occurred. The plot of the movie involved the two adults trying to figure out what had happened. The violence came when they started to put the pieces together. I won't give away the movie. Just let me say that during the last 20 minutes or so of the movie, the suspense and violence were at their all time high. At one point as a female police officer was being swept into the thin air in a most Roswell manner, I inadvertently let out one of my notorious screams. As soon as I and the other 11 people in the cinema gained our composure we all started laughing. Up to that point the movie was interesting, but not very suspenseful. I did enjoy the movie and would heartily recommend it, but without the scream. A 54 year old man screaming, even at a very unexpected and suspenseful moment in a movie is not a pleasant sight.

Are you enjoying the new TV season? I think the best TV newcomer is The Clubhouse. Clubhouse is on CBS, Tuesday, 9:00 - 10:00. It's a show for the entire family. The main character Jeremy Sumpter is a great role model for young people. He played Peter Pan in the movie out a few months ago. In Clubhouse he portrays a well-rounded, well-grounded and well-liked teenager. The show is contemporary and tackles a variety of current teen situations. It's not a "goody-goody" show, if you know what I mean, it's a real show. It deals realistically and in good taste with teen situations. Last week it dealt with hazing. All families should watch this show for it's moral family values and because it is interesting and worth your time.

Update: I just read in the newspaper this morning at breakfast (10.24.04) that CBS was moving Clubhouse to Saturday night. I guess not so many people like the show as much as I do. When a TV show goes to Saturday night, you know it's on the way out. Oh well, I'll enjoy it until it ends.

As far as Joey forget it.

I think my favorite drama is CSI Miami, which debuted last TV season. I know that it is rated very high for violence, but that particular violence doesn't bother me. I think I am not bothered by the violent scenes because they are appropriate and legitimate crime scenes. I like the characterization and the plot development. Also, I think I like the setting, Miami due to it's proximity to my location.

I still like the situational comedy Still Standing, 8:00 Monday night on CBS, and the newcomer immediately after it, Listen up. Dramas Cold Case and Without a Trace are favorites of mine, too.

As far as Friday night, ABC is my station. I really enjoy, 8 Simple Rules and Hope and Faith.

TV magazines (20/20, etc.), I'm kind of over them this year. I still enjoy CNN and MSNBC.

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Health & Fitness

What about the flu serum shortage this year? There always seems to be something happening with the flu shot. Last year there was an issue about the lateness of it's arrival, if I remember correctly. Also, the serum produced was for a strain of flu that wasn't necessarily going to be prevalent in the United States. I believed everything worked out OK last year.

This year, contaminated serum creating a shortage this early in the season? Here in South Florida people, especially older people are standing in line waiting for their turn for the flu shot. I read in the paper that a senior citizen had died while waiting in line for the flu shot. I believe it was somewhere in South Florida, not sure. I'm schedule to receive my immunization at my regular doctor's appointment on Tuesday (10/19). I'll let you know if I get it.

Update: No flu vaccine. My doctor's group's flu vaccine was ordered from the company with the contamination problem. The company went bankrupt. Come on, one year they advise "the working public" to get the vaccine because it will cut down on absenteeism, the next year when the supply is low they say, "If you are healthy and under 65 you don't need it". They seem to change the rules to fit their case.

During the third Presidential Debate the candidates were asked about the shortage of the flu serum. President Bush simply said, "If you are younger and in good health, don't get it." That was good advise, but what he also said struck a nerve with me. He alluded to the fact that the shortage came about because of the contamination of a batch coming from England, which had to be destroyed. He said that the United States was in negotiations with Canada to try to secure a batch of serum. I thought, why does the United States of America rely on foreign countries for our flu vaccine. Senator Kerry went further in his response saying that the health care crisis in the United States was in part responsible for the shortage. US Drug Companies are apprehensive about producing the flu vaccine because of liability. Bottom line: the health care crisis and the frivolous litigations are the reasons for the flu vaccine problem. We must solve the health care problem and put an end to the frivolous law suits. The health of Americans must be our number one priority.

Come to think of it: If Canadian flu vaccine is safe enough for our importing it for Americans in this flu crisis, then why is the safety of other foreign drugs perceived by the government as not safe for Americans?

Health concerns from those nasty cellular phones made the front page in my local newspaper. A front page article on the risks of cellular phones said that people who have used cellular phones for a 10 year period are more at risk for brain tumors, cancer. This study was conducted in Sweden. The end of the article said that the findings are still inconclusive. I think the occasional use of cell phones produce minimal brain tumor risks. Using a headset would be much more safer than not using a headset. To me, the only reason for a cellular phone is in emergency situations. And by all means I can not understand why anyone would converse on a cell phone for pleasure while driving. That is beyond my comprehension. Of course this is my opinion, you are perfectly free to have your own opinion. I probably do things that are "at risk" for one reason or another that you do not do. That's life.

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Politics

Politics...I think we have had our share. I'm sure you are well aware of my views. Remember it is important to have a political view. Know the candidates, know the issues and by all means know the candidates' stand on the issues. Vote according to your heart and mind. The most important part of being an American is the ability to vote in a free, open and democratic election. Do it.

I hope November 2, 2004 will go down in history as the day that America got the election process right. I'm not talking about the candidates. I am referring to the election process. I pray that all Americans vote in the most cordial, non-threatening, free and democratic manner. Lets get it right. Let's make sure all eligible Americans are given the opportunity to cast their vote. Above all else, let us count all of the votes this time.

Florida started early voting on Monday, October 18, continuing through Monday, November 1. There have already been reports of election problems in Florida and other battleground states. Get it right. Let's have a successful election. Let the United States proudly continue to be the model for the world for free, democratic elections.

There have been reports that some Floridians may be planning to vote more than once in the general election. I believe the an Orlando newspaper did an extensive study of registered voters in Florida and Georgia. The study found that there were a substantial number of registered voters in both states with the same name and birth date. I just do not want to believe that Americans would try to discredit the election process by allowing such practices to take place. Not in the United States of America. Maybe the United States needs to have a "watch dog" panel of election overseers. President Jimmy Carter has already agreed to serve on that panel. Maybe we need to sanction such election watch dog panels to prove to the world that America conducts free, democratic elections.

Do not loose faith, the vast majority of Americans, political or otherwise, are upstanding people. They are honest, proud and loyal to the constitution of the United States. However, as in any organization, there are those few who are quite frankly, criminals. They must be sought out and prosecuted, Democrat or Republican.

Let us work together to create the most honest, fairest and most open American election process that is humanly possible.

Predictions: Here are my predictions for the General Election, Tuesday, November 2, 2004: I feel that the presidential contest will be a close contest, but not razor close. I think that President George W. Bush will be re-elected. I think that President Bush will receive 51% to 52% of the popular vote. As far as the electoral vote, I predict that the President will receive 300 to 310 electoral votes. The president will receive the electoral votes in Florida and Ohio. Ralph Nader will prove not to be a major player in the election. Some states will have recounts, but the recount process will not interfere with the declaration of the President-elect late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning, November 3. By the way, some of the best political minds disagree with my predictions. We will see on election night.

You know that I pray with all my heart that the results will not be as I have described. However, if the president is re-elected, then so be it. We, Americans will rally around President George W. Bush as he prepares for a second term. But for now, we are still in the campaign mode. We need to examine the candidates and there stand on the issues.

An e-mail response from a person from Michigan asking me the following questions:
"Is it okay to be a Roman Catholic and vote for some one who is pro-abortion?" and "Who would the terrorists rather have as the president the French looking candidate or the one from Texas?"

My response:

All Roman Catholics are not Pro-Life, some are Pro-Choice. I do not feel that this should be a political question. I think it is a private matter. It may be a religious question, but definitely not a political one. Personally, as I discussed in the September 2004 newsletter, I am against abortion, but I am pro-choice. I think the woman must have the right to make the choice concerning her body. I see the paradox in both cases. I believe that abortion is taking a life. I do not believe abortion is OK in any case including rape, incest or health of the mother. If abortion is murder, then abortion can never be right. However, I think the woman needs to make that decision.

When does life begin? It has not been proven conclusively. My faith dictates to me that life begins at conception. This is a religious, private matter for me and should not be in the political arena. In the end, as with so many of life's dilemmas, our personal decision will be between our God and ourselves. Another man or woman, no matter their "status" can not answer such questions for another person. These types of situations are private and will be handled by the Almighty at the time of our last judgment.

Another point in the Catholics vs. Kerry debate, and this concerns being a single issue voter. A well informed, insightful and truly sincere voter will look at all the issues and where the candidates stand on those issues before making a voting decision. By the way, the Roman Catholic Church, not necessarily Roman Catholics, is opposed to the war in Iraq. The church is oppose to war in general, unless of course it has been deem a so called "just" war by the religious powers that be. The church is also strongly against capital punishment. It seems to me that there are so many "fuzzy" perceptions on the issues, why should one issue dictate the way one votes. Catholic, Protestant, Islamic and the full array of other religious groups that exist must have the faith in people to make their own right choices. Yes, they, the clergy, can and should give insight and direction to their faithful, but in the end the members of the clergy are not the absolute rule, God Almighty is the absolute rule. Each person must meet his or her God alone. God speaks to all people, we must listen in our own unique manner.

In the end, "Give to Caesar what is Cesar's and give to God what is God's". Now, these words were spoken by Jesus Christ Himself. They suggest to me that we must abide by the strict separation of Church and State. By the way, didn't Jesus say that we should go to our closets and pray alone? It seems to me that we need to get back to basics in regards to salvation. I know that this is not the religion part of the newsletter and forgive me for digressing, but I believe that matters of politics should not be confused with matters of religion. Please, all you fundamentalist, don't take this as an invitation to e-mail me your particular Bible quotes. The Bible is kind of like statistics, both can be used to prove many different sides of an issue. The bottom line is that our country was established on the principal of religious freedom, among other freedoms and the pursuit of happiness of all Americans. Why now are we using religion as a divisive instrument in our governing process?

As far as the second question: I don't think the terrorists care who is elected president. Their goal is to destroy all Americans. Something has gone very wrong in the world's perception of America and Americans. I feel that America should be a world player, not a world dictator. We must become a global player - enthusiastic, cooperative and respectful of the rights and opinions of others. Walter Cronkite has said that the world's problems must be settled by diplomacy. Remember the words of President John F. Kennedy, "We must never negotiate out of fear, but we must never fear to negotiate." I think that says it all.

President William Jefferson Clinton is back and eager to go.

Click on image for a bigger picture.

During the last week of the 2004 presidential campaign, the reinforcements have arrived. President Clinton, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and Vice President Gore joined in a last ditch effort to help Senator John Kerry win the election. Turnout will be the determining factor in the presidential election. It's good to see and hear from old Democratic friends.

Let me make something perfectly clear, no matter who wins the election on November 2, 2004, I will rally around the people's choice for president. No matter who is elected president, I will support the winner as my president. I am confident that the American people will support the elected president. Why, because we are Americans and this is America.

Today's news reports and the newspaper all say that Kerry seems to have picked up incredible momentum during these last hours before the election. Maybe my prediction will be wrong. I hope so. We will see on Tuesday or sometime before January 20, after the recounts and court cases, if any.

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Religion & Spiritualism

There is so much to talk about this month in regards to religion and spiritualism. I think the most striking thing for me to discuss is my idea concerning the process of dying. As I witness Dad make that journey from life to death, I experience a change in perspective.

First, concerning Dad's journey. I feel that Dad's death was a journey. I feel that Dad was a very fortunate man. It seems like a short few weeks ago Dad was a strong, vibrant, life-loving man. In a matter of days he was transformed and guided through a lifetime to meet his inevitable fate. Dad lived life, now he was to live death.

I know that Dad loved and valued life. He did not want to leave us at this time. I think he would have stayed with us indefinitely if it were possible. I remember that Wednesday when the doctor made that fateful call to Midge explaining that Dad was "dying". He said that there was nothing else that he could do for our father. We were all dumbfounded, to an extent. We were in disbelief. Of course there must have been something that the doctors could have done for Dad. Even Dad couldn't believe it.Not only did Dad not believe it, he wasn't going to accept it. On the phone that Wednesday night Dad told me that he wasn't going anywhere. He wasn't ready to leave. He was determined to continue his life. He was ready to resume all of those activities that he loved to do, that he lived to do. He wasn't going to give up, not yet.

On the phone I agreed with Dad. I told him that I wasn't going to rush up to see him because I was sure he would be with us for some time to come. I felt strength and determination in his voice. There was a part of me thinking that as always Dad would bounce back. To tell you the truth, I was cautiously optimistic, but I was realistic at the same time. I knew in my heart that this was it. I felt my father drifting away from me and I knew that there was nothing that I could do about it. That night I faced my Dad's immortality and my own. That night I realize that the man that I thought could do anything and everything was going to leave me. I knew that I had to gain control over my life so I could be there for him to gain control over his death.

During the next ten days I experience a day to day change in my Dad. He became less sure about his time on earth and more open to the realization that he was dying. I realized that death is a process. We all must go through it alone. We may be surrounded by people, but we must go through it alone. Also, I realized (something that I thought was true, but could never definitely feel that it was true) that God provides for each of us the ideal situation with which each of us uniquely needs to make that final journey. God does provide all that we need, if we are open to Him, if we listen.

Also, during those ten days I tried to remember what I had heard many times at church in one of the gospels. I don't know if it was the gospel of the Feast of the Holy Family or another gospel. In that gospel Jesus said "Do not morn you father while he is living". I tried to remember that teaching, which taught me that the process needs to be a positive, optimistic and real one. I felt sad, but I felt good, too. I knew that soon Dad would achieve the goal of his life. But the job at hand was to give him support and help him prepare for his day.

The more I live away from all the people I care about, the more I believe that we all share a spiritual existence. I feel a connection which transcends the physical. The connection is a spiritual one. If we believe that we will be in "heaven" someday, we must have that capability now. When we die we are not going to suddenly be able to feel "it", "it" will be a part of us already and "it" is a part of us now. We just have to listen for it, feel it and share it.

Dad and Mom died differently. By that I mean they died in different manners. Mom had been sick for a few months. She was afflicted by a disease for only months, her illness happened traumatically. Those few months she suffered from the brain tumor, I feel that she was preparing herself to die. That Monday night when she did die, she was ready for it. She didn't need the specific time to make the transformation. Dad on the other hand had his illness for years. It was incorporated into his life. I think he needed those last 10 days to make his transformation.

As far as where they are now? Who knows, but they are somewhere with God and the other faithful departed souls. I feel that when we die we are still present, but in a different form. I don't think we actually go somewhere. I think we are like God, "I am who am". We are just there. I think that many of the teachings of the church concerning death and dying are taught to us in human terms. We understand human terms, but we may not understand the reality of death and life after death in eternity's terms. The importance of all of this is the fact that there is a life after death for all human beings, regardless of "who" we are and regardless of the method in which we seek salvation. It is beyond our comprehension. It is only realized by faith. Personally, I think death is a continuation of life. I do not fear dying. Oh, I fear the unknown, of course. I fear the pain sometimes associated with death. I do not fear the transformation, the journey. I may not understand it, but I believe it.

All Saints Day is coming up and so is All Souls Day. Which day to we remember Dad? Well, I am going to remember him on both days. As you all know, All Saints Day is the day that we honor all the people who have died and are in heaven. All of these people are saints. Anyone in heaven is a saint. So on November 1, I will be honoring Saint James D. Stabile Sr., as well as Saint Betty J. Stabile and all the other saints in our extended family. On the next day, November 2, I'll be praying for all those who have died, as well as for the repose of Dad's soul, just in case there is a purgatory and you do stop by purgatory first.

So, Saint James D. Stabile Sr. pray for us.

I must say that when I see that name, James D. Stabile Sr. in print or when I hear someone say it, the name is so much like mine, differs by one letter, I get a little queasy. I think of the day when it will be mine in that context.

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Business and Technology

By now you should be aware of the new check policy, Check 21. The checks you write will be deducted from your bank account almost instantaneously after received by the merchant or financial institution. Thursday, October 28 the float time between writing a check and the money being debited from your account was shortened dramatically, probably the same day as the check is received by the merchant or payee. Checks are reproduced electronically and images are sent to your bank to be debited from your account as soon as the merchant or the payee receives the check. Don't count on that usually 2 to 4 days of float time any longer. When you write a check please make sure that you have the funds in your account to cover the amount of the check. The only float time is the number if days it takes the United States Postal System, if you mail the check, to deliver your check to the person or institution you are paying.

Example: You go to the grocery store and buy some groceries. You write a check to the store for the groceries. In many cases by the time you arrive home and put away your groceries your check could have cleared the bank and the money for the groceries deducted from your account. Banking experts predict that many people who do not normally bounce checks will be bouncing checks for the first time as this new policy starts. Don't be caught. Be careful. You will be charge the fee from your bank for bouncing a check.

By the way, this new law does not require banks to make deposits available any faster, it may continue to take two to five days for money deposited to your account to actually be credited to your "usable" funds in your account.

Example: You receive your paycheck on Friday. You stop at the band to deposit your paycheck on your way home from work on Friday afternoon. On Saturday you write a check at a local store. The following Monday the cash from your paycheck may not be actually in your account (it may still take 2 to 5 days for the cash to appear in your account); however, that check you write may be deducted from your account on Saturday minutes after you write that check. If you were depending on your paycheck to pay for that item you purchased Saturday, forget it, you just bounced a check.

Be careful with ATM machines. I usually go to the ATM every Friday to withdraw my weekend spending money. If I go to my bank, in my case the credit union, it is deducted immediately, reasonably. If I go to my neighborhood Publix, my grocery store, and use a Publix ATM, the funds were deducted on Monday, the transaction would not show up on my bank record sheet until Monday. A few weeks ago on a Friday night I withdrew my weekend stash at my neighborhood Publix. Later that night I was checking my bank records on the Internet. After logging onto my account, to my surprise the money I had received from the AMT at Publix was already entered on my credit union account and deducted from my account. Now that is fast. Incidentally, I'm not concerned about being overdrawn, at my stage in life I always have buffer money in my account. But I can remember a few years ago, well, maybe like more than a few years ago, I was down to the penny in my accounts like most middle class Americans.

The solution: always have a buffer in your financial accounts or conduct transactions by credit cards or carry cash. They still take cash. Technology, "ain't" it great.

By the way, as I have discussed in other newsletters, it is an extremely wise and prudent practice to check your bank accounts, credit card accounts, insurances, annuities and other financial accounts on a regular basis. For me the Internet is my choice for checking such records. A little time to check, when things seem to be going fine, gives piece of mind that those same things will continue to go fine. As with most health problems, early detection of abnormalities is optimal for good physical health as well as good financial health.

If you do not trust the security of the Internet for checking financial records you may want to use the phone for such automated services. However, how secure is the telephone? Especially a wireless - cell or portable, signals can be intercepted by other phone users. Or you may be overheard by a bystander especially if you are calling from a public place. I don't mean to belabor the point about security, but the Internet is a secure as it gets if you are dealing with you true financial institutions' web site (not a fraud, a site that you were unknowingly directed to) and the security of that institution's web site is not compromised or breached.