A thought for any day

I want to focus on the big current issue of health care, but heard this this morning and wanted to share.

A thought from Jim Valvano's talk at the 1st Espy Awards program by ESPN in 1993, on the occasion of his acceptance of the inaugural Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award, when he announced the creation of the "Jimmy V Foundation", an organization dedicated to finding a cure for cancer.

He had been diagnosed with bone cancer the previous year and would die two months after this talk.

"To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. And number three is,you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special."

Take care.

Health Care Issues

Hey out there - a good article on health care. It is religion based, but you don't have to be religious to know that change is needed. And you don't need to be religious to know that the money of the drug companies and insurance companies should not determine the outcome of this national discussion. Please take part and

take care.

Three Moral Issues of Health Care

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Good health is the will of God for each and every one of his children. Death, disease, and pain did not exist in the Garden, and Revelation tells of a “new heaven and new earth,” where once again they will not exist. We live in a fallen world where injury and sickness are a fact of life. In fact International Classification of Disease now identifies 68,000 distinct diagnoses. Every year in our country there are about 119 million ER visits, up to 902 million doctor's office visits, and about 3.5 billion prescriptions filled.

Perfect health will never be achieved and physical death on this earth will never be overcome, but the scriptures paint a clear picture that this was God’s intent from the beginning and will be the goal once again in the end. This means that on a personal, national, and global level the physical well-being of all God’s children is close to God’s heart and should be close to ours as well.

There is not a religious mandate or God-ordained system of health care or insurance. No amount of biblical exegesis or study will lead you to a policy conclusion on health care savings accounts, personal versus employer provided insurance, single payer public systems, or private insurance plans. Luke might have been a physician, but he still never commented on whether or not computerizing medical records should be a national priority.

These policy questions are still of vital importance and will be debated and discussed in the coming months at the White House, in Congress, in the press, and I hope in our churches. With an issue like health, deeply personal but of great public concern, I believe that the faith community has a unique and important role to play. That is, to define and raise the moral issues that lay just beneath the policy debate. There will be a lot of heat, maybe even a few fires, over the weeds of the policy, and the faith community has the opportunity to remind our political and national leaders about why these issues are so important -- why they speak to our values.

There are, I believe, three fundamental moral issues that the faith community can focus on and call our political leaders back to, lest they forget. They are: the truth, full access, and cost.

The Truth

For decades now, the physical health and well-being of our country has been a proxy battle for partisan politics. When Truman tried to pass a national health insurance plan, the American Medical Association spent $200 million (in today’s dollars) and was accused of violating ethics rules by having doctors lobby their patients to oppose the legislation. In the 1970's when Nixon tried to pass a national health insurance plan, strikingly similar to what many democrats are proposing today, the plan was defeated by liberal democrats and unions who thought that they would be able to pass something themselves after the mid-term elections and claim political credit for the plan. In the 1990's the “Harry and Louise” ads misrepresented the Clinton health care plan but was successful enough PR to shut down that movement for reform.

Already, industry interests and partisan fighting are threatening the opportunity for a public dialogue about what is best for our health care system. As a resource for congregations, small groups, and individuals, Sojourners has worked with its partners to publish a health care tool kit [click here to download] to help frame and guide this necessary debate. This guide gives an overview of the biblical foundations of this issue and frequently asked questions about it. What we need is an honest and fair debate with good information, not sabotage of reform with half-truths and misinformation.

Full Access

The second fundamental value question is that of quality and affordable full access to health care. About 46 million people in our country today are uninsured and many more find themselves without adequate coverage for their medical needs. Many of them are working families who live in fear of getting sick or injured. Some delay seeking medical attention at the risk of their own health and increasing cost later on, or use emergency room services instead of primary care physicians. An estimated 18,000 people a year die unnecessarily, many from low-income families, because they lack basic health insurance. As a father, I know how important the health, wholeness, and well-being of my family is to me and is to every parent. Seeing your child sick is a horrible feeling; seeing your child sick and not having the resources to do something about it is a societal sin.

Cost

The third issue is cost. An estimated 60 percent of bankruptcies this year will be due to medical bills. Seventy-five percent of those declaring bankruptcy as a result of medical bills have health insurance. The costs of medical care stem from varied sources. Some of these costs come from malpractice lawsuits, some from insurance companies with high overhead and entire divisions of employees hired to find ways to deny benefits. Someone who thought they were insured could find out that their benefits were terminated retroactively because the insurer decided that there was a pre-existing condition. In the end, some are paying too much for care and others are making too much from these present arrangements.

There is a lot of money, to say the least, wrapped up in health care. The faith community needs lift up the concerns of those who have no lobbyists on Capitol Hill or PR firms with slick advertising campaigns.

These are pressing issues for our country, lives are at stake, and it is a debate we must have and take seriously. For the month of July, we will be taking this discussion to our blog and having some of our regular writers and guests give their opinions and perspectives.

There are a myriad of special interests groups who will be promoting their own self-interests during this process. The faith community has the opportunity to step in and speak for the interests of the common good and those who would not otherwise have a voice. I am sure that every one of the 18,000 preventable deaths that will happen this year from a lack of basic health insurance breaks the heart of God. And, it should break ours too, because healing is at the very heart of the Christian vocation.

chicago and stuff

A beautiful day in Chicago - this is what summer is about. The lake is beautiful and the shore has been crowded with folks taking advantage of the beach and warmer weather.

Went sailing with a neighbor last Thursday evening and, although there was not much wind, it was a nice relaxing evening. It is easier to help with the rigging, etc. when there isn't a gale force blowing.

Went to a cousin's combination retirement (his and his wife's) and anniversary party on Friday night over in the Quad Cities. It was a lot of fun with a big band, good food, and good conversation. When I say big band, I mean it - four trumpets, four trombones, five saxes, a keyboard, a bass guitar, and drums. They don't play too much as a group - where can they play - just not too many venues for that type of group. My cousin plays in that group and a couple of others. My cousin's mom, my aunt was there and going strong. She is 80 and was out there dancing and having fun. A great lady who stays very active.

Both were teachers so they can retire before 60, and his playing has been an income supplement for many years.

Not much else of note - been very busy - hope that your summer is doing well - have several items to catch up here and have to try to make the time to write more. Only downer is that I haven't really got out on my cycle this summer ( have been on my bike, which is better exercise but less fun).

Anyway, until later, take care.

Vincent

My favorite painter and a song by Don McLean -
http://www.vangoghgallery.com/painting/starrynightlyrics.html

Enjoy and take care.

Quotes

A thought for today, from Sun Magazine, a quote from Annie Elizabeth "Bessie" Delany, at age 104. I thought I could change the world. It took me a hundred years to figure out I can't change the world. I can only change Bessie. And, honey, that ain't easy either.

Another, also from the April issue of Sun, from M. Scott Peck: The whole course of human history may depend on a change of heart in one solitary and even humble individual - for it is in the solitary mind and soul of the individual that the battle between good and evil is waged and ultimately won or lost.


I posted these quotes a few days ago as being ones that are thought provoking. Can we change the world individually? Do great changes occur from one individual?

I have always thought that a person can make a difference, but is that true? Do we change the world by being ourselves and being an example that others may emulate? Or do can we actually cause a change to occur? Dr. Martin Luther King Jr lived a life believing in non-violent change and died because of it. He also, by his own actions and words, influence many others to follow and take up his credo. The world has been changed because of his efforts and I assume that he felt that he was changed personally also.

He did set out to change the world, to bring peace and justice to all people regardless of any differences they have had. Did Bessie just underestimate her impact on the world around her? She may have helped many changes occur although they were not as earth-shaking as Dr. King’s, nor did she have to lose her life in the effort.

Now can one person, be he/she a solitary and humble individual, affect the battle between good and evil that is fought everyday all over the world. Dr. King did, Gandhi did, Mother Teresa did, FDR did, and so did many others who are in the history books, who have been awarded the Nobel Peace prize, and so forth.

What can you and I do? Can we smile and talk to the shunned? Can we help those in need? Can we confront those who abuse power? Can we do our best to follow the Golden Rule? Can we be honest in all of our dealings? Can we speak the truth and not slander folks? Can we donate to causes that support peace and justices efforts, help the helpless, and help others to be as fulfilled as individuals as they can be?

Yes, we can do all this and many more things that you can think of. So let’s do it. The battle is waged everyday and good needs our support.

So I would venture to say the quotes are not in conflict, and it is true that one person can make a difference.

Morning in Chicago

A wonderful morning in Chicago! The sun was bright, glittering off of a calm Lake. Not a cloud in the sky at 7:30 am – a rather unusual occurrence in this town. The boats were in their slips resting quietly after a weekend during which many more craft were out on adventures than I normally see. I was station hopping on the radio and found a wonderful piece that fit the morning perfectly - Giuseppe Torelli’s Symphony for Four Trumpets on WFMT.

I did not know this piece at all as I enjoy classical music but do not remember the names of any but the most famous works. But anyway, the trumpets made loud clarion calls that stirred my heart and mind. The world is alive – you are alive – live strong and forceful lives – make your presence known – make a positive impact – this is not a day to be quiet - arise and use your energy today.

This Symphony sends a strong message for me today.

Take care.

Quotes

Hey there World!

A thought for today, from Sun Magazine, a quote from Annie Elizabeth "Bessie" Delany, at age 104. I thought I could change the world. It took me a hundred years to figure out I can't change the world. I can only change Bessie. And, honey, that ain't easy either.

Another, also from the April issue of Sun, from M. Scott Peck: The whole course of human history may depend on a change of heart in one solitary and even humble individual - for it is in the solitary mind and soul of the individual that the batlle between good and evil is waged and ultimately won or lost.

Think about these words - are they contradictory? Is one true and the other not? What do you think?

Take care

Chicago

It is a summy day in the city and the lake was calm and smooth this morning driving to work. We got hit with heat and humidity over the weekend with Saturday being the worst day. Whereas a few weeks ago the temp was consistently below the average by about 15 degrees, now we are about 15 degrees above normal.

I will write about the Vail trip shortly and perhaps have some pictures for your viewing pleasure.

The talk about the Olympics prevailed over the weekend with friends since Daley and a small delegation were in Switzerland making a presentation. There are mixed feelings about the spending for a three week event and how much it will cost the taxpayers. The state made a pledge of $250 million, but they are $9 billion in debt now, with no relief in sight, so I don't think that I would count on that.

The Olympics would probably do a lot for the city's infrastructure, but who really pays. It is a big ego thing for Daley, I think, and he will remain as mayor until the whole thing is over. He will find a way for approval, and then we all will rent our places out and leave town when it actually happens.

I would like the El to extend to the heart of the U of C campus as part of the infrastructure improvements as this is the only campus in the city that does not have direct access to the El. The Metra has a stop near campus, but that is a different system and requires an additional fare. The time to get to Hyde Park from almost any part of the city except the loop is an hour at the minimum. It should be a straight shot without a transfer necessary for most folks.

More on another day - take care.

Serendipity

Hey there,

I went to Stella's Restaurant last night and had a very enjoyable experience and I highly recommend the place for a good time. Stella's is on Broadway a few blocks south of Belmont and I have been eating there for eight years. You notice that I recommend it for a good time - not that the food is bad, it is certainly good, fresh food, but the atmosphere is just like a diner in your home town.

I usually eat breakfast there, at anytime of day, because that is my favorite meal. I can have some juice with it and get my carbs and protein and fat. It is not gourmet, but the staff is unbelievable friendly and accomodating,

Last night Gus, the owner, came over and chatted until my food came, and I found out that the Stella's has been there since 1962, started by his parents, who were Greek immigrants. It has had other names, I know, but it has been Stella's for most of the time that I have been in Chicago.

One of the first questions I asked was how does he get and keep such great wait staff and bus people. He said that he hires on personality and trains to his standards. That is his job - quality control - and the cash register when he is there. He figures that if he gets the people with the right frame of mind and good nature that he can train them in the skills he needs, after all it isn't rocket science.

I know there at least a couple people who have been there as long as I have been eating there, and everyone is friendly, like your best friend, and makes sure that you are satisfied. There is also the outside seating - late spring, summer, and fall - which makes eating also a people watching event.

Gus explained how he got his standards from his dad and Greek traditions, with freshly prepared food. He calls out to many customers walking by and in the place, but although I told him my name, I am sure that he won't remember it and will call me Bud, Guy, etc., whatever he is calling everyone else. He is loud and makes the atmosphere very light. When someone drops a dish or glass you hear the opah! from the homeland (and perhaps from Zorba the Greek).

I heard about how the place was surrounded by smoke and fire when the Dominicks burned down several years ago but miraculously did not burn itself. This was the explanation of why he was operating a couple years ago when a storm hit the neighborhood and no one else had power. He got his own transformer after the fire.

I see his wife and son and nephew working, and there are probably other relatives employed regularly or from time to time. They all provide great service.

I talked about going back to Greece sometime and he offered his wife as a travel consultant and many cousins and nephews in Greece to take care of me. He said that I would get great service as they would all be concerned that I give a good report to Gus.

I asked him about the tatoo on his right arm of the beautiful lady and he said that was his 20th anniversery present to his wife. She was so impressed that he is now generally off the hook now when it comes to presents.

Well, I didn't intend to write about Gus and Stella's today, but it was such a refreshing experience that I had to share it with you. Back to my other topics before long.

Take care.

Another good day

Hey world - we woke up it's a good day!

Still trying to recover from my hiking activities in Colorado - working out a little and my tennis lesson helped last night.

The sweet smell of newly mown grass greeted me on my drive down Lake Shore Drive this morning. It appears at that all of the boats are back, safely anchored to their buoys or in their slips, where most will stay all summer except for the fire works on the 3rd of July. Still going very light on listening/watching media, except for NPR of course.

The hottest topic now is health care and we should all be supportive of change. The current system is not working for all Americans, as almost 50% of the population is underinsured or not covered at all. How would you like to be facing a serious illness without coverage! I will offer more thoughts in the near future.

As always, take care of yourself, those you love, and those who need help.

Back in town

Just got back from six days in Vail and the surrounding area - it was wonderful. My kids were there also and we rafted the Colorado River and some of us climbed Mt. Elbert, the tallest mountain in Colorado and the second tallest in the continental US. What a task!

Will write more later this week, but one comment is that I just could not bear to turn the TV or radio on since I got back - it was peaceful and nature was so beautiful that it is hard to drop right back into the city.

Take care.

Fun

Good morning,

The weather haws been a little depressing for June but it could be worse - a rainy day today and two days before I leave for Vail, where it will probably be at least sunnier.

The biggest item to report is a wonderful play at the Lookingglass Theater. Went Sat night to see the Arabian Nights and it was great. I highly recommend it. It was adapted from The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night by Mary Zimmerman, who also directed the play. It is fun to see - the first act is hilarious and the second act is very well done. I came out feeling good and enriched.

The actors are almost all equity - it is a diverse cast - and is great for all ages. The reviews have said that this play is good enough to go to Broadway, and I would second that thought heartily.

Take care and I hope that you have a good week.

Another beautiful day with the Lake very calm and the sun shining ever so brightly off of the water - a sunglasses day for sure. Took the El and a bus in to work today and, since Friday is usually even more of a dress casual day than lthe rest of the week, I wore jeans and sandals. Stepping off the bus near 60th and Kenwood, I experienced the pleasant sensation of the cool dew on the grass.

Expecting some visitors from MO this evening and unfortunately the forecast calls for rain tomorrow and Sunday. A bummer. Along with all this cooler than normal temps we have been having.

Reading about all of the good press Obama is getting from his speeches in the Middle East and Paris. I think that he can help set up a situation that is conducive to agreement at somee point. It is good to have him in the White House at this time. We all have to pull together and do our parts to reach workable solutions for our pressing dilemmas.

More later, and please take care.

Forth

Good morning!

A spectacular day in Chicago - a bright sun sparkling off of the Lake and the Trump Tower - the air is clear and brisk.

March 4 is the day of the year to start new projects so what is June 4? Perhaps a day to explore new relationships and friendships that are beckoning. A day to take a "chance" on making a new friend. What is there to lose? A little time over coffee, over the water fountain, on the bus or El.

What could be lost? Years of good experiences, confidences, support, and feedback.

People make the world go round and people enhance our own lifes. It is important to not only cultivate existing friendships, but also explore new ones that may be just as rewarding.

Think about it, and take care.

June 3

Another nice drive down the Drive today - just a little haze that the sun is trying to shine through. Traffic is relatively light at 7:20 am and no accidents. As I cross over the Chicago River it is calming to see the trees and greenery along its banks as I look down to the Trump Building. (We now have four buildings taller than anything in NY: Sears, Trump, Aon, & Hancock!)

My quote for this week comes from that famous shoe banger Nikita Khrushchev: Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge even when there is no river.

You know the old saying that the politician's first priority is to get elected, and then his or her next priority is to get re-elected. While democracy is the best form of government, it does not relieve us of holding our elected officials accountable as much as possible. The carryover of many of the populous groups such as Move On is probably good as they are vehicles to keep important issues in the forefront and to keep pressure on our elected officials.

On a national level we have more critical issues pending than we have had since the Depression so we need honest efforts from the Congress to resolve them, not game playing. I do think that we have the man best suited for this task at this time in President Obama.

More later, and take care.

The Lake

My drive home last night was a little quicker than usual as I didn't leave Hyde Park until almost 6:00 pm. The traffic was much lighter than it usually is around 5:00 pm. The lake was green and somewhat tumultuous. Reflecting the weather of the day and that to come last night. As I turned the bend just north of Promontory Point on Lake Shore Drive the downtown looked like a scene out of the twilight zone. I could see all of the buildings, but they were in a haze. This location gives a wonderful view of the whole downtown - I need to get a picture there - you can barely see the Ferris wheel on Navy Pier.

Coming in this morning the fog dominated the downtown coming from Lakeview. I could see the bottom of the John Hancock Building and its towers, but not the top two thirds of the structure. The lake was just as I saw it the evening before, green and solid and firm waves, not the ones that crash over the running path.

What a great city, it's own personality - many rewards and challenges for those who choose to live here!

Take care

A resolution achieved!

I looked back at a resolution I made in January 2008, which was to lose ten pounds last year. While it was one that I have made in many years unsuccessfully, last year I did it.

My weight is usually within a small range over time, and I went from being about 206-208 lbs to a range of 191-193 lbs. I met the goal about a year ago, in June 2008, and have been able to maintain it. Now my next goal is to lower the range about four pounds.

It is funny what limiting portion size and regular exercise can do! I haven't really gone on a "diet", but instead just cut down on input.

Take care

Good Morning

It's been a long time since I have written and I've decided to pick the practice up again. I have a long account of a trip with my son in draft form that I have been working on that I will try to finish in the next couple of weeks.

As a little food for thought, I put a quote in the signature block of my business email address, change it about every week. I have a number of resources and try to pick ones that have a special meaning. They are from follks you have heard of and from those you have not. I think sharing them each week transmits a little bit of wisdom in a short format.

The quote that I used last week is "We must all suffer one of two things: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret and disappointment." It is from Jim Rohn.

If we are goal oriented at all, we are concerned with success or the lack thereof in our lives. We can be lucky sometimes and fall into a good situation or good results, but, in the main, garnering success means that we have to work at the challenge or goal at hand. It can be difficult and time consuming to achieve, and we may have to forego other more pleasurable activities for awhile. But, if we pass on the labor involved in achieving a goal, we are likely to suffer also. For me, my personal esteem or self-satisfaction takes a blow. In some cases a person may lose the opportunity to advance in a job or in a relationship. So I try to assess not only what the cost of an effort is, but what the cost of not doing it may be. Often the later cost is much higher.

Bush

Haven't written forever but am so ticked at Bush that I have to say that his effort in the Middle East lately is not genuine, but a last ditch effort to try to do something that he can take credit for after eight years of his administration. He has not put forth any substantive proposals, has not acted in any manner that would facilitate a peace agreement, and does not understand the issues, but is just grasping at straws so that he will have some legacy besides his incompetance.

With the lowest approval ratings of any president in history and the highest disapproval ratings, he may as well forego a Presidential Library. There is nothing to put in it anyway.

After the holidays

Well, I haven't been very timely on publishing, but it's because of good and bad reasons. this time of year is dark and dreary in chicago with not much light and I tend to get a little depressed and have some seasonal affective disorder. Also I have been unusually busy personally and business wise so I guess that kind of minimizes the first reason, which is good.

The material time of year, unfortunately. Everything depends on how retail sales are.

Family was more important this year and gifts were downplayed more than usual. Some visiting and seeing old friends. Very good.

Next week it is supposed to warm up - I wonder if I should try to get my bike out.

Iowa caucuses are tomorrow and it is scary. Kind of hope for a two way tie between Hillary and Barack on the Dem side and then Huckaby doing poorer than expected. He could be an ugly surprise is we aren't careful. He certainly would be smarter than bush, but still tricky and beholden to the religious right.

Hope all is well with you - a healthy, happy, and prosperous (in all ways) 2008!

Besides losing ten pounds, I resolve to post a little more often - and would about face book - does that make any sense to you.

Take care.