Discussion of The Month

Well here it is, October 2005. October is a big month for my family. Birthdays, anniversaries and more birthdays all in October. Happy birthday Michelle, Steven, Tommy and Judy. Happy anniversary Tom and Jackie, their seventh anniversary. One advantage of coming from a big family, you have many reasons to celebrate all through the year. Each month has it's share of birthdays and anniversaries and other special events. Remember those special days for family members, celebrating  those special days make great memories for those lonely times in one's life. I wouldn't trade my memories for any amount of money.

Don't forget Senator Clinton's birthday. She may just be the next United States President. Yes, I am seriously supporting the Senator just like I did a few years ago. Remember, http://www.jds2.com/pres2004/candidates.html and http://www.jds2.com/pres2004/clintonh.html. Some day it's going to happen - Democrats will recapture the White House and the Congress and a woman will be elected president - why not know? 

Halloween, the start of the holiday season. Halloween can be for children of all ages. Don't miss Halloween because you are an older person. With or without children the holidays are grand times and should be celebrated. We must find that child in each of us and celebrate with that childlike innocence and let the magic of the season (whichever season) permeate all aspects of our lives the good and the not so good. 

Another month, another hurricane. In August it was Katrina in September it was Rita, who will be in October. The hurricane season ends November 30, oh goody two more months of hurricanes. Governor Jeb Bush has the hurricane situation well in hand. I do trust the Governor's judgment when in comes to hurricane preparedness. It can't be a very pleasant job to stand before fellow Floridians and announce preparations for yet another impending disaster. The Governor has a major responsibility and a very emotional duty of informing the residents of Florida of the development of a impending hurricane. God bless Governor Bush as well as all the other public officials in all states that must deal with national disasters.

Why are there more hurricanes? Why are the hurricanes major storms and enormously devastating? The answers are not easy. Perhaps global warming is part of the reason? I think so. The Bush administration has said that global warning does not exist. They better take another look at that statement. Something is causing the ocean waters to increase in heat and spawning tropical depressions that lead to devastating hurricanes. Historically, we are in a period of active hurricane activity. We are in that part of the weather cycle that produces more hurricanes. But is there another reason?

The last few hurricanes affected areas rich in oil, gas related productions. At the same time, we have been involved in an unjust war in Iraq, another oil related coincident. Is God trying to tell us something? Is oil becoming an obstacle to our survival. Are we becoming too dependent on oil? Will our eventual destruction be oil related. Think about it, maybe we need to rethink our oil priorities.

Another school year, another school picture. Yes, my 2005-2006 school picture is the Image of the Month. Not bad for a 55 year old kid.

Entertainment

The Constant Gardener is not the usual type of movie that I see, but I did see and enjoy the long movie. I sat through the whole thing, 2 hours and 9 minutes. It moved very quickly, but it was still a three bathroom trip  movie for me. It was very good. It was morally timely and did tackle a very important and prevalent social issue. See the movie and discover the relevant moral issue. By the way, the movie was free for me. I use the AMC Entertainment Card and this was my free movie after 30 points. Some movies are billed as special airings and do not qualify for a free movie. The marquee and Internet listing did not say that this was one of those special airings so I thought that it would qualify as a free movie, if you had the points. The clerk said that it was a special airing. I promptly said that the marquee didn't say it was so. The clerk said that she would give it to me free for the inconvenience. So, I got in free. Wow. 

The 2005 TV season has started. I haven't seen too many of the new shows. One show that I have seen and I really like is Ghost Whisperer on Fridays at 8:00 on CBS. Jennifer Love Hewitt helps spirits complete a special task on Earth before passing over to the other side. I enjoyed the show mainly because I enjoy the subjects of spirits and crossing over.

ABC's Invasion on Wednesdays at 10:00 sparked my interest, but I feel asleep before it started. Maybe I'll catch it during the summer reruns. It takes place in South Florida after a hurricane and an invasion from outer space. Again, I like the subject. 

ABC's Commander in Chief with Geena Davis was excellent. I just hope that I don't get so frustrated with the evil, unchristian behavior and backstabbing that goes on in Washington among those eager for power. After watching the previews for the second week of the show, I get the feeling that it will be status quo for those politicians in Washington. To keep my interest the plot must be expanded and the characters developed or I will go back to Larry King Live.

Health, Fitness and Lifestyle

Have you heard about milk being a magic weight lost diet. Well, it isn't. Come on, you are smarter than that. To refresh your memory - healthy foods, calories and physical activity these things determine your weight. Any fast weight loss diet or any diet that claims to be "magic", probably, I would say definitely, is not to be considered valid or reliable. There is no magic formula for fitness. You must do it the old fashioned way. 

I think the emphasis should be on "fitness" and "lifestyle" in any weight reduction program. The goals of any weight reduction program should be to be fit and healthy. To achieve these goals you must eat healthy foods, be aware of your caloric intake and be physically active. 

When to work out - morning or afternoon? A good question. I think it depends on the person and his or her schedule, priorities and preferences. Morning work outs offer a great way to start the day. Exercising in the morning forces you to get that exercise out of the way early. By the time you really "wake up" you are almost done exercising. A morning routine helps set the mood for your day. It may put you in a better mood and relieve tensions throughout your day. You attitude towards food may be in a better place with morning work outs. Sometimes your sleep patterns and cognitive function are enhanced by starting your day with exercise. Afternoons workouts provide other benefits. During afternoon workouts you probably have a better chance of less injuries. You increase respiratory capacity. You have less chance of sleep deprivation from getting up too early. A work out later in the day probably leads to greater improvement in sleep patterns and cognitive functions. Whenever you exercise remember to prepare for it. Food, fluids, physical prep as well as mental preparation is key to a successful work out or exercise program no matter when you commence.

Can  your nails signal health problems? I think so. When you go for a physical examination, doesn't your doctor take your hands and looks at your fingers? He or she is looking at your nails. Just as your eyes are the pathway to your soul, your nails may signal health problems. Nails that are clubbed (resemble the back of a teaspoon) can indicate a lung, heart or liver problem. If they curve in, like the cup of a teaspoon, and whitish or very pale, you could have anemia. A new or changing dark streak running the length of a nail and widening at the base can signal potentially deadly melanoma. Now, don't make a home diagnosis. If you notice any of these signs, please consult your doctor or health care provider before you make yourself sick with worry. Remember you are not a doctor and only a doctor can make a valid diagnosis. Don't worry yourself needlessly. 

Politics and the World

FEMA what a joke. Why is it that sometimes the Federal Emergency Management Agency does an admirable job after a disaster and sometimes it stinks. The reason may be related to the people in charge. The FEMA leaders during much of the Bush administration have been political appointees with little or no related experience. That could explain the fiasco after Hurricane Katrina. FEMA has done a better job with Rita, but there is still Louisiana. 

Remember the Florida hurricanes in 2004? FEMA drastically mishandled the monetary distributions to alleged hurricane victims. Funds were approved by FEMA for erroneous and out right illegal claims by these people. Miami-Dade residents received $9 million for a hurricane that struck 37 miles away. Let's not stop there, in the 2003 western United States wildfire disaster, Los Angeles residents were paid $5.2 million for damages from a fire 25 miles away. In 2003, Cleveland area residents received $21 million in clothing losses for a storm that brought less than an inch and a half of rain. In 2000, Detroit residents received $168.5 million for damages caused by a rainstorm that the then-mayor doesn't even remember. Corruption, fraud, mismanagement of public funds, do you think?

Disasters happen. They are no one's fault. The aftermath of the disaster must be handled in a more efficient and honest way. Maybe President Bush and the United States congress can "clean up" this mess. Let's hope so.

Now for some South Florida local politics: Fort Lauderdale U.S. Representative Clay Shaw was the only South Florida U.S. House Representative who voted against expanding federal hate-crimes laws to include sexual orientation, disabilities and gender. He probably voted against the bill because his conservative base feels that including sexual orientation would give homosexuality too much credibility. Shame on you Rep. Shaw. Your vote will be remembered at the polls next year. 

What about this hate-crimes law, who should it protect? I think it should protect all Americans. Anytime a person is discriminated against whether by words or actions, the perpetrator should be held accountable. The rights of each and every American are covered by the United States Constitution. Dr. Martin Luther King once foresaw a world where the value of a man or woman was not determined by the color of his or her skin. Well, I see a world where the value of a man or woman is determined by the fact that he or she is a person, an American. I, in no way, compare myself to Dr. King, but I do hold Dr. King's legacy in great esteem and hope that his Dream is realized by all people, all Americans.

Visitor Warning: Florida Residents Can Use Deadly Force. Starting October 1 a new Florida state law takes affect. When faced with confrontations, Floridians may take deadly force, even resort to guns to settle the conflict. It used to be that Floridians, when confronted by violence, must first try to ease tempers and flee the scene to resolve conflicts in a peaceful way. Come October 1, Floridians are legally permitted to use deadly force as a first attempt to settle conflicts. Grab your guns, the old west is back. Once again the Republican Florida legislature is showing it's "old time conservative values".  My Uncle Kenny would love the "new" Florida. He loved guns, cowboys and westerns. This law must be taken seriously. People may die when tempers flare and usually law-abiding citizens react to conflict, real or imagined, by the use of deadly force. The image below is being posted all over the state of Florida to make visitors aware of the violent nature of the legal response to force or conflict in Florida.

Religion and Spiritualism

The Vatican is recommending that the church ordain only heterosexual men to the priesthood. Sounds like a witch-hunt is brewing. And just in time for Halloween. Can you believe it; the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church is discriminating against gay people. They are taking the official stand a step further – banding all gays even ones who are not practicing gaiety. Come to think of it, how can a homosexual not practice gaiety? Gaiety is part of who he or she is; it defines his or her person. Back to the issue at hand, the Church officials do not want any homosexuals among their ranks – practicing or non-practicing homosexuals.

This is so totally foreign to the teachings of its founder, Jesus Christ. Jesus told his disciples to go out among the masses. Do not expect anything. Don’t worry about anything. Live among the people. Accept the hospitality of their fold. Do not shun the outcast. Embrace all people. All people are children of the Father and our brothers and sisters. Discriminating among any group of people is completely against the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Many Catholics are not accepting this anti-gay policy concerning the priesthood. Many gay priest are feeling offended by this decree. In the months that follow, I believe there will be wide spread dissatisfaction with this offensive and discriminatory practice.

Gone are the days where Catholics blindly follow any decree by Rome or any member of the Church's hierarchy. This as with most Vatican policies, is not under the infallibility clause of Roman Catholic Cannon Law. Throughout history the Vicars of Christ have used this infallibility doctrine sparingly. Everything that the Pope or Vatican says is not considered infallible as it related to the doctrine of infallibility. By the way,  the doctrine concerning the Trinity falls under the Infallibility Doctrine of the Pope

The faithful followers of Christ make up His church. Each  of the faithful has the right, responsibility and duty to follow his or her own  consciences in matters of faith and morals. In the end, God, who is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit will be the ultimate authority on the subject. 

Why is the Church banning homosexuals from the priesthood? Could the current sexual abuse by priest issue be a reason? If it is considered a reason, then the thinking is in error. Homosexuality does not promote sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is a violent act. It is perpetrated by people who feel "in charge", people who feel powerful and above the law. Statistics prove that most sexual abuse, rape is perpetrated by heterosexual people. Of course there are exceptions to every rule, but to ban homosexuals from the priesthood is not the answer to sexual abuse by priest. The answer may lie in the perception of the priesthood, the power and authority that it offers and the mental and emotional health of the young seminarians or priest themselves.

Technology and Business

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have played havoc with the energy situation in the United States. The oil and natural gas industries have taken a direct hit by the devastation in the Gulf Coast region. President Bush has asked Americans to conserve fuel by driving less and make conscious efforts to conserve fuel. We all need to be mindful of this national problem. We must be part of the solution and not be part of the problem. Yes, we as a nation must look at alternative energy sources, perhaps we must extend oil production to the Gulf, off the  Florida Gulf Coast and other protected off-limits oil rich areas. We must invest in energy efficient vehicles. We must put the use of oil in perspective and set priorities and standards concerning our world policies concerning oil in other countries, i.e. Iraq.

As an immediate step in dealing with our current gasoline problem, we must practice realistic and hard reaching conservation of energy. Steps in conservation of fuel: 

• Maintain vehicles in good maintenance, follow the maintenance schedule of your vehicle;

• Buy locking gas caps;

• Plan if you must use your vehicle in your job, don't make unnecessary trips, be proactive in the use of your vehicle; 

• Check tires;

• Use cruise control on longer trips;

• Slow down, 55 mph uses less gas than 65 mph;

• Avoid " jackrabbit" starts;

• Plan trips to avoid rush hour to avoid idling in traffic;

• Limit extended idle time and warm-ups;

• Make prudent use of air conditioning;

• Remove unused items from roof racks, cargo carriers;

• Remove unnecessary weight from car;

• Consider buying a more fuel efficient car; finally and most importantly

• Be part of the solution.

Have you requested your free credit report? In the Business and Technology section of the June 2005 News Blog, I discussed the free annual credit report that each American is eligible from each of the three credit reporting agencies - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. I haven't ventured on the web site to request my free copies either. Of course, I'm registered in one of Equifax's credit monitoring programs and I am able to access 6 credit reports a year which includes the FICO score in the reports. I believe the number is 6, I haven't requested more than 3 in any one year. Although the credit report is most valuable in protecting your financial well being, the credit score (FICO score) is important in determining your credit worthiness. The score ranges from the worst, 300 to the best, 850. It is derived from the information on your credit report. Your credit score tells a prospective issuer of credit the probability that you will be a good credit risk. A good score will enable you to qualify for a loan at a reduced interest rate. A lower score may increase your rate of interest for the same loan. Low credit scores also can deny access to insurance, electric and telephone service, a rental unit and even a job. Your FICO or credit score is affected by many factors, such as, the  number of credit cards you have open, the amount of money owed to each creditor and  the history of your payment practices, (minimum payments and missed payments mean a lower score). Married couples each have their own credit score. Best credit scores are those between 760 and 850. You may say a credit score or FICO score is just a number and it may well be, but the way society does business with you is many times based on that score. The most important part of all this, get fit financially and protect that level of fitness by monitoring your credit reports for mistakes, inaccuracies and fraud.  

Too Strange, Weird or Just Funny

A Brazil, Indiana tennis coach drove 10 of his tennis team to a match in a school van while drunk. Indiana State Police charged him with DUI after they determined his blood alcohol level to be 0.15.  Do not drink and drive. And for goodness sake do not drink while having any contact with children or job. This man needs alcohol counseling and a shot of common sense.

Try this Ethics Test that my niece Jamie forwarded to me. Think hard now.  The question is harder than you might expect.
Ethics Test
This test only has one question, but it's a very important one.  By giving an honest answer, you will discover where you stand morally. The test features an unlikely, completely fictional situation in which you will have to make a decision. Remember that your answer needs to be honest, yet spontaneous. 
Please scroll down slowly and give due consideration to each line.
You are in Florida, Miami to be specific. There is chaos all around you caused by a hurricane with severe flooding. This is a flood of biblical proportions. You are a photojournalist working for a major newspaper, and you're caught in the middle of this epic disaster. The situation is nearly hopeless. You're trying to shoot career-making photos. There are houses and people swirling around you, some disappearing under the water. Nature is unleashing all of its destructive fury.   Suddenly you see a man floundering in the water. He is fighting for his life, trying not to be taken down with the debris. You move closer, somehow the man looks familiar. You suddenly realize who it is. It's George W. Bush!  At the same time you notice that the raging waters are about to take him under...forever. You have two options--you can save the life of G. W. Bush or you can shoot a dramatic Pulitzer Prize winning photo, documenting the death of one of the world's most powerful men.
So here's the question, and please give an honest answer :
Would you select high contrast color film, or would you go with the classic simplicity of black and white?