You Can Learn Alot From Cancer

Don't get scared. I'm fine. I'm talking about what I do every day for a living. Some days are better than others, like any job. Some days you learn not to ever take a day of your life for granted. I see multiple cancer cases every day. I deal with it so much, I'm almost numb to it. It's very morbid that I find it interesting to see unusual tumor types, or very large tumors. I almost forget sometimes that there is a real life attached to the other side of things.

So when you have a day where several of the cases involve people under 20, it really opens your eyes. I guess it's just another reminder that we are all vulnerable to these sorts of things, and you never really know how much time you have.

I hate introspective days like this. I can't wait for the start of hockey season here in Reading tomorrow, and the raising of the championship banner!

My One and Only Political Blog Statement

Ok. I've heard from the leftist bastards enough about how great Kerry is, and how much of a loser Bush is, and I just need to get this small, but significant set of facts off my chest.....

After 9/11, over 80 percent of the people in this country thought that we should go on the offensive to make sure our country was protected against further acts of terrorism. So over 80 percent then thought that going into Afghanistan after Osama was a really good idea. Then, when it became clear that Saddam was STILL, STILL not complying with the 16 U.N. resolutions about allowing inspections of ALL of his facilities and compounds, about the same amount of people were in favor of going in there and kicking his ass. He already had a proven, PROVEN track record of using chemical weapons against people, so there was a pretty strong reason to believe that he would not hesitate to use them again. Turns out we haven't found any, but that's sort of a moot point. Had he not been so deceptive over and over and over again, perhaps intelligence (democratic and republican) would have been better. But nevertheless, the overwhelming majority of our country decided it was a good idea to go in to war with him at that time. Suddenly now, since we have lost lives, alot of people are changing their minds and saying it was a bad idea. Well, guess what....when you elect a government FOR THE PEOPLE, and THE PEOPLE want a war, the people should get a war. And they shouldn't cry about it later. Blaming any of this on Bush is sort of a cop out.

Then we have the economy. I challenge any of my middle-class friends to prove to me they didn't get some sort of tax cut that helped their financial situation at least a bit. And let's remember that the economic problems were not caused by Bush or his administration. On the contrary, I think they've done a pretty darn good job of turning things around after the bottom fell out on 9/11. That is when the stock market fell through the floor. That is what started the spiral of companies laying people off. You cannot compare numbers of jobs from 2000-2004 because there were so MANY lost as a direct and indirect result of the terrorist acts on 9/11. Many of the lost jobs HAVE been replaced, but it's been a difficult task. I think Bush has done well to create opportunities, and given more time will continue to improve the situation.

Kerry sounds really good. Hell, he's a great public speaker. But like Carlin said, it's amazing how astonishingly much bullshit comes out of his mouth, being a true politician. He is making all these promises that are near impossible to keep. And people are believing him. I think it's funny when he keeps saying "I HAVE A PLAN TO......" And you never hear his plan. "I'M GOING TO RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE" (higher prices and increased inflation) "I HAVE A PLAN TO GET THE TROOPS HOME FROM IRAQ WITHIN A YEAR" (and what happens if the situation over there still sucks? Do we just say "F YOU" and bail? And exactly what is this plan?) etc. etc. etc. It's fun to hear folks. It's like Ed McMahon telling you that you might have won 10 million dollars. And then you buy into it, open the envelope and.....OH....SO CLOSE....Well, maybe next time. I guess there's always Hillary......

I'm not saying he doesn't have his flaws, but I think 90 percent of the arguements against Bush are seriously flawed, and not based in fact. Vote your conscience, but make sure you fully understand the facts, and not just the rhetoric that's flying around from both camps. I can't wait for this election to end. I'm tired of the BS. Both candidates are remarkably full of shit alot of the time, but I think Kerry is much more so.

s42

Back from the Dead

Well, not exactly. Although I did just return from an awesome week in Chicago, attending my annual medical conference. What a cool city. I'll tell you what, if you find a bad meal in that town, let me know, because I was totally won over by the quality and mass QUANTITY of food there. From the awesome deep dish pizza at Gino's East and Lou Malnatti's, to seafood at Shaw's crab house, to Chinese at P.F. Changs, cajun at Redfish, and to DIE for mafia style Italian at Carmine's.....man o man was it a great week. I also caught the Blue Man Group, and was part of the performance. If you ever get the chance to see them, GO. They are a laugh a minute, and the music portion of their show is pretty cool, too. But a word of warning: if you sit in the "poncho zone", be prepared to get splattered. That's all I'll say.....

Also of note: I finished 2nd overall in the 5K race in Chicago, and this past Sunday, finished 2nd in my age group in a 5K in Reading. It's a long way to next November, but I'm starting to get juiced about the marathon......

s out.