Outsource This!

Let's see, what can I outsource offshore? I hear outsourcing is SO much cheaper than local help. Well, my bills. I hate doing them. And I trust that when I outsource them, the outsourcees will come up with the money, too. Oh! And I'm going to outsource opening my front door to: door-to-door solicitors, electric company tree trimmers and kids selling candy.

I'll bet my outsourcees do bathrooms, windows and ovens, too. Outsourcing has been going on for so long, I'm sure they can handle the offshore logistics. I could use someone to attend boring meetings for me. And I think I'll outsource any contact with the government. Hey, I heard George was doing it, so why can't I? Now my life will be MUCH better!

Do I Like Polluted Chinese Fish?

The more we learn about Chinese imports, the worse it gets. Did you know that Walmart has different quality standards for brand name products manufactured in China? And guess whether or not those standards are higher or lower than others?

I know where my clothing is made from looking at the label. Too bad I can't tell where my food originates. Not that I don't enjoy polluted fish or anything. I'm just curious when the box, carton, can, container says, "Distributed in XXX, IL". Nice to know. But what about before they distributed it? I guess my curiosity will eventually be quenched, when I die of food poisoning.

The Myth of Electronic Healthcare Records

Articles are popping up about the presidential candidates' take on fixing our broken health-care system. People need to consider one piece of information as they make their decisions. The problem with electronic medical records used between physicians' offices and medical centers is an issue of privacy, or more accurately, a lack of privacy. Despite assurances of security, there is no such beast. Any physical attempt to provide hacker-proof security is a myth. Technology simply has not reached that level at this time. Add into the equation the humans operating on the input and output sides, and there is a perfect storm for identity and health record theft. How do I know? Because I began working in medical computer systems in 1980. I also invented and implemented the first commercial computerized patient chart.

And They Call Her Hillary

India just elected a woman president, Pratibha Patil. And I can list thirty or forty other countries, ranging from Sri Lanka to Argentina to Latvia where people actually believe a man can take orders from a woman. So what is the hang-up with the US?

Words. They call her "Hillary". But what do they call the guys? Mitt? Fred? Sam? (Sam who?)

I agree with Donatella Versace's suggestion that Senator Clinton should ditch the pants suits. But I also think that Newt should control his cleavage. Fred should watch the size of his hips. And Ron's wardrobe may have sapped his self-esteem.

And let's not forget the other presidential candidates' fashion statements. I've never heard anyone refer to John's (McCain) pert bangs or Rudy's dominatrix eyebrows. More importantly is Sam really plain-faced or Mitt's shape not perfectly symmetrical?

I would rather see Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, as our next president instead of Senator Clinton. But then I prefer rum raisin over pistachio ice-cream. Actually, I think that our only concern about Senator Clinton's appearance should be the thickness of her skin.

Toy Soldiers

Who are these young people whose blood flows red on sands a world away? They are the innocents. The boy who cut my lawn, the freckled kid who sold Girl Scout Cookies, the child earning legal entrance into our country. And they are also mothers, fathers and children- just like us and whose greatest difference is simply language.

But who are these teens [thrust harshly into adulthood] to the men who glory in battles and victories? Exercises in power and the profitable spoils of war. They are the abstract. The numbers. They are the not-privileged-children. Named coldly: collateral damage. They are the throw-aways...at least to them, the war mongers, the blood-excited men who play at war. The grown children who callously engage in this gruesome game of "toy soldiers".

With Regret, A Call for Impeachment

The ancient great civilizations fell from internal decay. It was not one leader or one governing body. The erosion came from a serious flaw in the government structure. Our country's fourth President, James Madison said, "If tyranny and oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy." After seeing constitutional attorneys, Bruce Fein and John Nichols on PBS's Bill Moyers show on July 13, 2007, I am convinced that our country is at risk, because Congress is not doing its duty to preserve the balance of power.

Instead the President and Vice-president (whose names I do not use, because they will be caught in the illegal technical sifter these men implemented), have disregarded the Constitution and usurped great powers through high crimes and misdemeanors under the pretext of an endless war against terror. To preserve the balance of these offices now and in the future, and since this is not a totalitarian government, I call for the impeachment of these two men to reinstate the genius of our Constitution.

Brilliant Documentary - SiCKO

I watched the people surrounding me as we left the movie theatre after seeing Michael Moore's new documentary, SiCKO. They were acting as they did in the weeks immediately following the terrible 911 tragedy. People smiled at strangers. They opened doors for one another. And a current ran through the crowd. SiCKO touched a collective nerve. SiCKO has set in motion a tidal wave of purpose. It is a movie you cannot miss. It will change your life!