Reports from Al Jazeera English (a good website to get more news.) reveal that opposition forces are moving closer to Tripoli. United Nations sanctions will help, but can't be soon enough. Best would be a "no fly zone" so that Gaddifi forces could not use air power against the demonstrators. As more soldiers form the Libyan army defect, the opposition will grow stronger. More to come. View this web site, it has more news.
http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2011/02/201122843520385138.html
Monday, February 28, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Get Rid of Gaddafi
Watching and hearing about the hideous crimes going on in Libya is painful to say the least. Contemplating the killing of civilians by the mercenaries is disgusting. I guess that it's too hard for Libyans to kill their own people, so Qaddafi must hire foreigners to do his dirty work. Unfortunately for him, this treatment does not bode well for him or his killers treatment if the revolution succeeds. They will get their just deserts.
Is it acceptable for a "leader" to treat his people like dirt? Shooting someone in the head by sniping does not leave much room of dialogue. I guess Gaddafi doesn't care what they have to say; he has never cared. One well placed bomb on his headquarters would make a big difference, and I am sorry that the United States can't fine the will to accomplish that deliverance. Given the state of international affairs, we could just deny it. "I wonder who did that? It must have happened internally." Sounds good to me.
There are many levels of "persuasion" that a government can use to convince its citizens that they need to pay attention. We see it in our country; it's done with the news. But his approach should be stopped instantly. I hope in the halls of the ambassadors there are some secret conversations going on to end this slaughter.
I don't understand the mercenaries. Being paid to shoot other human beings for money is a despicable act. Where are they from. Algeria? That's what I've heard. What about the Algerian government, doesn't it have anything to say about this? Is it now complicit in this debacle? Just imagining this is almost too difficult. It is shameful when criminals have so much power. It is more of a shame that we can only sit by and watch. When it is all over, I think there will be many on the short end of the evaluation. What could we have done? Why did we not do it? What would Reagan have done--" Tear down that wall Mr. Gorbachev."
When the final chapter of this conflict is written by history, I am certain that Moammar Gadafi will join the ranks of other despots, buttressed by guile and chance, intoxicated with power, with no regard for decency or humanity; another pariah. God bless the people of Libya and don't give up!
Is it acceptable for a "leader" to treat his people like dirt? Shooting someone in the head by sniping does not leave much room of dialogue. I guess Gaddafi doesn't care what they have to say; he has never cared. One well placed bomb on his headquarters would make a big difference, and I am sorry that the United States can't fine the will to accomplish that deliverance. Given the state of international affairs, we could just deny it. "I wonder who did that? It must have happened internally." Sounds good to me.
There are many levels of "persuasion" that a government can use to convince its citizens that they need to pay attention. We see it in our country; it's done with the news. But his approach should be stopped instantly. I hope in the halls of the ambassadors there are some secret conversations going on to end this slaughter.
I don't understand the mercenaries. Being paid to shoot other human beings for money is a despicable act. Where are they from. Algeria? That's what I've heard. What about the Algerian government, doesn't it have anything to say about this? Is it now complicit in this debacle? Just imagining this is almost too difficult. It is shameful when criminals have so much power. It is more of a shame that we can only sit by and watch. When it is all over, I think there will be many on the short end of the evaluation. What could we have done? Why did we not do it? What would Reagan have done--" Tear down that wall Mr. Gorbachev."
When the final chapter of this conflict is written by history, I am certain that Moammar Gadafi will join the ranks of other despots, buttressed by guile and chance, intoxicated with power, with no regard for decency or humanity; another pariah. God bless the people of Libya and don't give up!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Doctors Signing Bogus Sick Excuses in Wisconsin
The budget debate going on in Wisconsin is turning into a draconian struggle. Reportedly, 70,000 plus showed up at the Capitol building on Saturday to protest the so called "union busting" attempts of Governor Walker. On the other side, were a high number of supporters of the governor. A third group that also showed up that probably should have just stayed home.
Physicians attending the rally were signing false sick leave excuses for the protestors. To put is mildly, that is disgusting. Unfortunately, no one-- at least at this point-- knows the identity of these supposed "physicians," but if the Medical Board of Wisconsin gets their names, they may not have a license for long.
At least in North Carolina, physicians are not supposed to write prescriptions for patients with whom they have no relationship. In addition, writing an excuse for work for a person who you don't treat or examine is fraud. It doesn't say much about the value these "doctors" place on their professional obligations.
It might seem like a clever idea to give excuses these to union workers who are demonstrating for benefits and wages rights--especially if you are a liberal--but that violates any semblance of integrity of a physician's duties. If you are cheating the system on this one, what else will you cheat on: extra days off work after a minor operation; a different code for a procedure you have done; "upping" the code for an office visit to get a little more money? Is the value of an M.D. that you can use its power for political purposes?
If they want to serve societies' needs, how about care for the poor? They need it, and they are not breaking any law, they are just sick and poor. If these "doctors" are residents at the University of Wisconsin Hospital, they need a good lecture because they will not be there long, and there will be a space in the resident "on call" schedule-- it might not matter much, because they don't take that much call now anyway.
As for the protesters, what kind of message are they sending to their students? Cheat, and get it any way you can. Can these teachers believe their students now if they bring a doctor's excuse for missing class? I think not. They're all in the same boat, and it is sinking--that's "sinking" not stinking.
Finally, about the protesters, they are trying to circumvent the political process. I thought democracy was what people are dying for in the Middle East. The people have voted, and they have the right to have their way. Demonstrating to stop a specific vote is within the protesters rights, but sometimes you lose in a democracy, and that's the way it is. How many previous "agreements" will you now break because you didn't get your way? Go to the polls the next election; that's where your voice should be heard. Isn't that our system? Didn't your teacher teach you that?
Finally, I think unions have too much power especially in public service jobs. They have a tendency to become a voting block to keep the politicians in power, and politicians grant them benefits for those votes. Unfortunately, for the citizens of the state, the politician will most likely not be their when those benefits come due. Witness the pensions of unionized government workers, they are bankrupting Ohio, Illinois, California to name a few. It turns out that the voters of Wisconsin deserve the same rights of "collective bargaining" as the unions have, and that right was manifest on election day. It's called "get out and vote!"
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
The Budget Battle, Can America Survive?
The dismal science (economics) is not my strong suit. Listening to the news recently, and reading newspapers has left me with a gigantic headache. Debt, deficit, 46 billion now, 75 billion later, interest on the debt, costs, and debt limit, are terms being thrown around in the current Congressional debate about how to get us out of this impending catastrophe. I did find something this morning, however, which helped to clarify this mess we are in, and it needs to be shared with all of us.
It was written by David Malpass--a much smarter person than I--who presents some of these incomprehensible facts in a way that even I became frightened because of where we are headed. His insight is in an editorial in today's Wall Street Journal, and is entitled, "After Obama's Budget, Republicans Need a New Strategy." After reading the article, the title is correct, because it is obvious that someone needs a strategy--new or otherwise even if we are forced to hear the truth.
Mr. Malpass (a deputy assistant Treasury assistant secretary in the Regan administration) reports that the federal government is "spending $300 billion every month...and of that $120 billion is borrowed." How's that for responsible management? He goes on to reveal ever more frightening figures:
Our debt limit is currently $14.3 trillion and will have to grow to over $26 trillion over 10 years as the government spends $46 billion and takes in $39 billion in taxes. I can't believe it. He goes on to talk about the unrealistic assumptions that Obama's numbers are based upon.
His budget assumes that "real growth will climb from an already wishful 4% in 2012 to 4.5% in 2013, and 4.2% in 2014--despite plans for sweeping tax increases." His wish-list also assumes that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates low; wages and salaries will grow 6.6% per year in 2013 and 2014, and inflation will be only around 2%. Obama projects unemployment to remain about 6%-8% during this period. Mr. Malpass astutely points out that all these fanciful dreams will occur in an environment with "no recessions, no inflation, big tax increases, and no wars."
He reveals our violation of generational responsibility by relating that "there is talk that Washington wants to begin issuing 100 year bonds--the government gets the money now by promising that our great-great-grandchildren will pay it back." How's that for inter-generational Justice. Is anyone listening?
If we don't face up to this challenge, it seems certain that we will be in for an economic tragedy, and I'm not certain that we have the national will to avert this disaster. Let's face it, we are a 220 year old experiment. Can a government continue to thrive if encourages citizens to elect leaders based on how much treasure they promise to spend on them? No one is even touching the biggest chunks of this budget crisis--Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security--at this point because maybe we won't vote for them next time around if they do. Do I see a fundamental flaw here?
On top of all this, it seems to me that no one believes that this is a real problem with real money. On an individual level each of us tries to manage our money carefully-- it is clearly ours, and we know it. If we're irresponsible, we feel the pain. On a national level, it's no one's money because it belongs to everyone else. There seems to be a mind-set here of detachment from the consequences. Could anything be more potentially dangerous?
When the President's Debt Commission released it's report in December 2010, the public's reaction was appalling: Don't touch my benefits! It's apparent that we need leadership, and so far I haven't seen any. Republican's now have the opportunity to be leaders. Will they take the "chance" of telling the truth and risking their position of power in the next Congress. Let's hope so.
It was written by David Malpass--a much smarter person than I--who presents some of these incomprehensible facts in a way that even I became frightened because of where we are headed. His insight is in an editorial in today's Wall Street Journal, and is entitled, "After Obama's Budget, Republicans Need a New Strategy." After reading the article, the title is correct, because it is obvious that someone needs a strategy--new or otherwise even if we are forced to hear the truth.
Mr. Malpass (a deputy assistant Treasury assistant secretary in the Regan administration) reports that the federal government is "spending $300 billion every month...and of that $120 billion is borrowed." How's that for responsible management? He goes on to reveal ever more frightening figures:
Our debt limit is currently $14.3 trillion and will have to grow to over $26 trillion over 10 years as the government spends $46 billion and takes in $39 billion in taxes. I can't believe it. He goes on to talk about the unrealistic assumptions that Obama's numbers are based upon.
His budget assumes that "real growth will climb from an already wishful 4% in 2012 to 4.5% in 2013, and 4.2% in 2014--despite plans for sweeping tax increases." His wish-list also assumes that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates low; wages and salaries will grow 6.6% per year in 2013 and 2014, and inflation will be only around 2%. Obama projects unemployment to remain about 6%-8% during this period. Mr. Malpass astutely points out that all these fanciful dreams will occur in an environment with "no recessions, no inflation, big tax increases, and no wars."
He reveals our violation of generational responsibility by relating that "there is talk that Washington wants to begin issuing 100 year bonds--the government gets the money now by promising that our great-great-grandchildren will pay it back." How's that for inter-generational Justice. Is anyone listening?
If we don't face up to this challenge, it seems certain that we will be in for an economic tragedy, and I'm not certain that we have the national will to avert this disaster. Let's face it, we are a 220 year old experiment. Can a government continue to thrive if encourages citizens to elect leaders based on how much treasure they promise to spend on them? No one is even touching the biggest chunks of this budget crisis--Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security--at this point because maybe we won't vote for them next time around if they do. Do I see a fundamental flaw here?
On top of all this, it seems to me that no one believes that this is a real problem with real money. On an individual level each of us tries to manage our money carefully-- it is clearly ours, and we know it. If we're irresponsible, we feel the pain. On a national level, it's no one's money because it belongs to everyone else. There seems to be a mind-set here of detachment from the consequences. Could anything be more potentially dangerous?
When the President's Debt Commission released it's report in December 2010, the public's reaction was appalling: Don't touch my benefits! It's apparent that we need leadership, and so far I haven't seen any. Republican's now have the opportunity to be leaders. Will they take the "chance" of telling the truth and risking their position of power in the next Congress. Let's hope so.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Retirement, What Does it Mean?
I retired on January 1, 2011. Oh my God! Retired? "What are you going to do?" The most common question that points to only part of the fear of this life changing event. I had worked since age 13, because my vigilant mother "kept me off the streets of Chicago" when I was growing up. Probably a prudent idea. I was a creative energetic young man and probably would have thought of many pranks to land me in the dog house. Pranks like joining the Crandon gang-- we lived on Oglesby--and getting into rock fights with others in the neighborhood. Even better, throwing a mud ball into the window of a neighbor during a quiet summer night. But I'm all "growed up" now, and have found it in me to retire.
Two specific thoughts encouraged me. Two good reasons that compelled me to draw that inevitable line in the sand, and cross over. Retirement generates a lot of fears as it approaches, but my reasons pushed me into it. They are good reasons. When I was younger, I used to joke that I will retire after my first heart attack. Fortunately, that didn't happen.
Carrying on with that theme, however, my first reason was that IT DOESN'T GO ON FOREVER. I have seen too many of my close friends "leave" during my 68 years on this earth. Paul died of pancreatic cancer at about 42, and Wilson died in Viet Nam shortly after we graduated from college. Along the road ( I was a physician) I saw many folks who met their maker too early. I think my previous profession planted the idea of eventual demise firmly in my thoughtful psyche. It's going to happen to all of us and, even if we don't believe it, the end will come. I wanted some time to enjoy life while I still had the blessing of reasonable health. I also observed that I began to resemble the patients I was operating on as I vaulted into my 60s. I found that this observation was--along with the increased Motrin I was taking-- a helpful warning that I was getting older and the time for leaving had arrived.
My second reason for retiring was that I had practiced medicine long enough. That might sound strange because most elderly workers say they "like their job," and I did too. It's just that I wanted to give myself the gift of doing something else. I have always had multiple interests, but while working, I didn't have the time to develop any of them. I viewed this idea of the "gift" as a form of self-respect. It was these two sound ideas that forced me to take the big leap.
Will I have enough money put away to retire? (Most of us believe we will never have enough.) What will I do? How much will I miss all the people at work? Am I really getting that old? Don't you fall apart as soon as you stop working? Keep active, and use your brain. How's your memory? As I invade my wife's space at home, will we have to adjust to each other? There are just too many pertinent questions to answer, and they kept me so busy, I didn't have time to worry about retirement. My two reasons carried me forward.
I understand that there are 78 million Baby Boomers-- those born between Jan. 1,1946 and December 31, 1964--and they are reaching the age of 65 at the rate of 10,000 every day for the next 19 years. That's a lot of old people. and many of the statistics don't look promising.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, it will pay out more in Social Security benefits in 2010 than it receives. The Illinois Teachers Retirement System is 61% underfunded at this time. Finally, by 2025, there will be two workers for each retiree; in 1950 there were 16 workers for each retiree. Financially, the system doesn't look too healthy. Keeping all those retirees comfortable will be an augean task.
Under the best of circumstances, retirement can be looked at as a "rebirth": new challenges, new possibilities, and if one is fortunate in health, a few years to do and see things that were previously beyond the reach of time and work obligations.
As a physician, I was fortunate to have a career that gave me the privilege and the opportunity to help people in need. I am hoping that I can find other activities and continue to contribute in different ways.
As I work my way along this new road, using my time well is one of my biggest challenges. Time becomes more precious as I grow older, and the benefit of retirement gives me the opportunity to choose how I spend it and inevitably to shape my future.
Carrying on with that theme, however, my first reason was that IT DOESN'T GO ON FOREVER. I have seen too many of my close friends "leave" during my 68 years on this earth. Paul died of pancreatic cancer at about 42, and Wilson died in Viet Nam shortly after we graduated from college. Along the road ( I was a physician) I saw many folks who met their maker too early. I think my previous profession planted the idea of eventual demise firmly in my thoughtful psyche. It's going to happen to all of us and, even if we don't believe it, the end will come. I wanted some time to enjoy life while I still had the blessing of reasonable health. I also observed that I began to resemble the patients I was operating on as I vaulted into my 60s. I found that this observation was--along with the increased Motrin I was taking-- a helpful warning that I was getting older and the time for leaving had arrived.
My second reason for retiring was that I had practiced medicine long enough. That might sound strange because most elderly workers say they "like their job," and I did too. It's just that I wanted to give myself the gift of doing something else. I have always had multiple interests, but while working, I didn't have the time to develop any of them. I viewed this idea of the "gift" as a form of self-respect. It was these two sound ideas that forced me to take the big leap.
Will I have enough money put away to retire? (Most of us believe we will never have enough.) What will I do? How much will I miss all the people at work? Am I really getting that old? Don't you fall apart as soon as you stop working? Keep active, and use your brain. How's your memory? As I invade my wife's space at home, will we have to adjust to each other? There are just too many pertinent questions to answer, and they kept me so busy, I didn't have time to worry about retirement. My two reasons carried me forward.
I understand that there are 78 million Baby Boomers-- those born between Jan. 1,1946 and December 31, 1964--and they are reaching the age of 65 at the rate of 10,000 every day for the next 19 years. That's a lot of old people. and many of the statistics don't look promising.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, it will pay out more in Social Security benefits in 2010 than it receives. The Illinois Teachers Retirement System is 61% underfunded at this time. Finally, by 2025, there will be two workers for each retiree; in 1950 there were 16 workers for each retiree. Financially, the system doesn't look too healthy. Keeping all those retirees comfortable will be an augean task.
Under the best of circumstances, retirement can be looked at as a "rebirth": new challenges, new possibilities, and if one is fortunate in health, a few years to do and see things that were previously beyond the reach of time and work obligations.
As a physician, I was fortunate to have a career that gave me the privilege and the opportunity to help people in need. I am hoping that I can find other activities and continue to contribute in different ways.
As I work my way along this new road, using my time well is one of my biggest challenges. Time becomes more precious as I grow older, and the benefit of retirement gives me the opportunity to choose how I spend it and inevitably to shape my future.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Obama, In Egypt We Must Pick a Side
On this morning's Today show, Richard Engel informed viewers that the protesters were not certain whose side the United States was on: Mubarak's or theirs. One thing, however, is clear, on one knows. Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama keep sending out increasingly clearer signals that Mr. Mubarak must begin to listen to the demonstrators, but they have not said that the demands of the demonstrators must be met.
We all understand that our foreign relations are precarious in the Middle East. The dilemma portrayed throughout the media is do we favor stability over oppression of a people? We do have some allies there, and immediate abandonment of them during a crisis carries risk of losing our credibility with previous agreements and allies not only in the Middle East, but in the Far East, and maybe even in Europe. What should we base our decisions on, and how will those decisions effect our foreign relations in the future? Can the United States be depended upon when the chips are down?
At the risk of violating the fundamental principle that "prediction is very difficult, especially when it involves the future," I will take a stab at it.
Our Government always comes out best, if it tells the truth. Lying only forces the United States to change future stories to meet the demands of previous lies. That undercuts our credibility, and interferes with relationships. But what truth does America have to "tell about?" Well for one, we believe in the IDEAS contained in the Declaration of Independence and The Constitution: freedom of religion, speech and the press( I'm not going to mention the Right to bear arms). We believe that we all have the right to Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. From this perspective, it's pretty clear. That is our Truth.
Historically, we have a difficult time living up to our Truth. The three-fifths compromise in our Constitution is probably our best example, but we did fight a war in 1860 to solve that one, and it seems to be turning out reasonably well. Women voting took quite a long time, but that one was finally settled also. We seem to be on the right track, but there is still room for improvement. We are working on it, and that's the point. Egypt has a long way to go, but they need to begin to work on it. We need to help them begin.
The demonstrations in the streets are a clear signal that the people are ready to change course. They have had enough of oppression, and control. Specific moves are necessary to let them know that things are changing based on their demands. That's just it: BASED ON THEIR DEMANDS!
America is supposed to believe in the rights of the people to abolish a government when it abuses them, and this has occurred in Egypt for the past 30 years. America must recognize that truth, and push Egypt aggressively towards goals of our TRUTH: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The further we deviate from these ideas the less they believe us, and belief in our Nation will carry the day.
The protesters need to hear the equivalent of "Mister Gorbechev, tear down this wall," and it hasn't come from any leaders here as of yet. Foreign countries know what we stand for. It is written clearly in our founding documents. America is an idea. We are not one people, we are many, and we are here because of ideas which are rapidly spreading throughout the Middle East and the rest of the world. The future will be OK if we stick to those simple but sacred ideas.
Admit it Mr. Obama, those are the ideas we see inspiring "six figures" of people standing up to rocks, guns, clubs, horses, camels, and threat of death. These are the same ideas that helped our incipient nation through Valley Forge and, God bless us, the Civil War. It's easy to see and to tell the truth. Mubarak must organize things so he can leave, and leave now. He is not the only person to "lead" Egypt.
Finally, I think our leaders will feel better about themselves if they can tell one story. Is it the people, or the government that should be in charge? The last election in our country answered that question here. The Egyptian people are asking for that power, and the United States should help them find it. Tell them the TRUTH, our truths.
We all understand that our foreign relations are precarious in the Middle East. The dilemma portrayed throughout the media is do we favor stability over oppression of a people? We do have some allies there, and immediate abandonment of them during a crisis carries risk of losing our credibility with previous agreements and allies not only in the Middle East, but in the Far East, and maybe even in Europe. What should we base our decisions on, and how will those decisions effect our foreign relations in the future? Can the United States be depended upon when the chips are down?
At the risk of violating the fundamental principle that "prediction is very difficult, especially when it involves the future," I will take a stab at it.
Our Government always comes out best, if it tells the truth. Lying only forces the United States to change future stories to meet the demands of previous lies. That undercuts our credibility, and interferes with relationships. But what truth does America have to "tell about?" Well for one, we believe in the IDEAS contained in the Declaration of Independence and The Constitution: freedom of religion, speech and the press( I'm not going to mention the Right to bear arms). We believe that we all have the right to Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. From this perspective, it's pretty clear. That is our Truth.
Historically, we have a difficult time living up to our Truth. The three-fifths compromise in our Constitution is probably our best example, but we did fight a war in 1860 to solve that one, and it seems to be turning out reasonably well. Women voting took quite a long time, but that one was finally settled also. We seem to be on the right track, but there is still room for improvement. We are working on it, and that's the point. Egypt has a long way to go, but they need to begin to work on it. We need to help them begin.
The demonstrations in the streets are a clear signal that the people are ready to change course. They have had enough of oppression, and control. Specific moves are necessary to let them know that things are changing based on their demands. That's just it: BASED ON THEIR DEMANDS!
America is supposed to believe in the rights of the people to abolish a government when it abuses them, and this has occurred in Egypt for the past 30 years. America must recognize that truth, and push Egypt aggressively towards goals of our TRUTH: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The further we deviate from these ideas the less they believe us, and belief in our Nation will carry the day.
The protesters need to hear the equivalent of "Mister Gorbechev, tear down this wall," and it hasn't come from any leaders here as of yet. Foreign countries know what we stand for. It is written clearly in our founding documents. America is an idea. We are not one people, we are many, and we are here because of ideas which are rapidly spreading throughout the Middle East and the rest of the world. The future will be OK if we stick to those simple but sacred ideas.
Admit it Mr. Obama, those are the ideas we see inspiring "six figures" of people standing up to rocks, guns, clubs, horses, camels, and threat of death. These are the same ideas that helped our incipient nation through Valley Forge and, God bless us, the Civil War. It's easy to see and to tell the truth. Mubarak must organize things so he can leave, and leave now. He is not the only person to "lead" Egypt.
Finally, I think our leaders will feel better about themselves if they can tell one story. Is it the people, or the government that should be in charge? The last election in our country answered that question here. The Egyptian people are asking for that power, and the United States should help them find it. Tell them the TRUTH, our truths.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Freshman Year at Harvard, 1961
It's time for my 50th high school reunion, so I'm doing a bit of reminiscing about the "old days." High School, the old neighborhood, Boy Scouts, grammar school, there are so many items to tickle my memory, and check my approaching Altzheimens that it's too tempting not to write. Freshman year at Harvard is a good one. Everyone has heard of Harvard, and I will probably get some "hits" over that subject. After all, the Wall Street Journal just had a recent article on Ivy styles.
My freshman year there was a long time ago, 1961. I had done all the things necessary to get in to Harvard: mucho activities in high school, reasonable grades placing me high up in my graduation class, and pretty good record on my high school basketball team. Well rounded and ambitious. That's what they looked at in those days, and I was certainly that.
From my perspective however, I did just about everything, but I didn't "go nuts" about anything. I wasn't the best trumpet player in Illinois, or the all "800" on the college boards, but I was just "well rounded." (I've gotten much more "well rounded" as the years have gone by.) I think I have stayed just about the same these days, 45 years after Harvard I still have many interests.
I clearly remember my freshman dorm, Stoughton Hall. First floor, south entrance, and the talented men who roomed there. We had our first beer party there. I had never had any significant alcohol until then, and it was fun. The rule in those days was if campus police found you and you were "tipsy" they would take you back to your dorm. It was a good system. I was smart that night. I never left my dorm.
I remember going to my freshman writing class, and being surprised that Harvard needed such a class, but after trying to fulfill the requirements, I learned that it wasn't such a bad idea. I couldn't write worth a damn. (It's not much different now.) That's where I first read the Nathaniel Hawthorne short story The Birth Mark. I still love that story, and recently asked my wife to read it.
Two things stand out from this first year at Harvard: my socks, and basketball. Strange, isn't it? Socks because I went to Cambridge from South Shore high school on the south side of Chicago. White socks were fine at South Shore. But there were a lot of "preppies" in Cambridge, and I quickly learned that black socks were the thing. The Coop solved that problem, and I quickly got into stride.
Basketball was another thing, and I still regret my decisions. When I applied, I had to list 10 activities that I did in high school. I had to list them in the order of importance to me. I had placed basketball first, and I even worried about doing that because I thought listing basketball first would not look intellectual enough. It obviously didn't matter. I got in.
I did try out for the team, and made a couple of "cuts" but the class work was difficult, and I dropped out of the try outs. Big mistake, and I will always regret the fact that I had no one to discuss this with at the time. I should have continued to play. My best academic year turned out to be my junior year when I went out for crew, and rowed the whole year. If I had made the team it probably would have been OK from an academic perspective. As a pre-med,however, I knew I needed to keep my nose to the grind stone, and I did.
The special thing about going to Harvard in 1961, was that John Kennedy was the President of the United States. He had gone there, and we all knew it. His image added a sense of dignity and class to the place, and it seemed to rub off even on a kid from South Chicago. Wasn't Kennedy special.
I can still remember going to the Mallinckrodt building for chemistry class in November 1963 and finding a whole group of students listing to a car radio near Memorial Hall. I asked, "what is going on?"
"The Presidents been shot."
I didn't think anyone would want to shoot Nathan Pusey. I had a narrow frame of reference in those days, but was quickly straightened out. What a sad time.
When I went back for my 40th reunion, I realized something that I wish I had known while I was there. What I figured out was that in retrospect, the first year a Harvard seemed a long as the last three. Meeting all those incredible youngsters, facing the academic challenges, and living in such an historic tradition was a stressful joy. I have continued to carry some of that joy with me through the years.
My freshman year there was a long time ago, 1961. I had done all the things necessary to get in to Harvard: mucho activities in high school, reasonable grades placing me high up in my graduation class, and pretty good record on my high school basketball team. Well rounded and ambitious. That's what they looked at in those days, and I was certainly that.
From my perspective however, I did just about everything, but I didn't "go nuts" about anything. I wasn't the best trumpet player in Illinois, or the all "800" on the college boards, but I was just "well rounded." (I've gotten much more "well rounded" as the years have gone by.) I think I have stayed just about the same these days, 45 years after Harvard I still have many interests.
I clearly remember my freshman dorm, Stoughton Hall. First floor, south entrance, and the talented men who roomed there. We had our first beer party there. I had never had any significant alcohol until then, and it was fun. The rule in those days was if campus police found you and you were "tipsy" they would take you back to your dorm. It was a good system. I was smart that night. I never left my dorm.
I remember going to my freshman writing class, and being surprised that Harvard needed such a class, but after trying to fulfill the requirements, I learned that it wasn't such a bad idea. I couldn't write worth a damn. (It's not much different now.) That's where I first read the Nathaniel Hawthorne short story The Birth Mark. I still love that story, and recently asked my wife to read it.
Two things stand out from this first year at Harvard: my socks, and basketball. Strange, isn't it? Socks because I went to Cambridge from South Shore high school on the south side of Chicago. White socks were fine at South Shore. But there were a lot of "preppies" in Cambridge, and I quickly learned that black socks were the thing. The Coop solved that problem, and I quickly got into stride.
Basketball was another thing, and I still regret my decisions. When I applied, I had to list 10 activities that I did in high school. I had to list them in the order of importance to me. I had placed basketball first, and I even worried about doing that because I thought listing basketball first would not look intellectual enough. It obviously didn't matter. I got in.
I did try out for the team, and made a couple of "cuts" but the class work was difficult, and I dropped out of the try outs. Big mistake, and I will always regret the fact that I had no one to discuss this with at the time. I should have continued to play. My best academic year turned out to be my junior year when I went out for crew, and rowed the whole year. If I had made the team it probably would have been OK from an academic perspective. As a pre-med,however, I knew I needed to keep my nose to the grind stone, and I did.
I can still remember going to the Mallinckrodt building for chemistry class in November 1963 and finding a whole group of students listing to a car radio near Memorial Hall. I asked, "what is going on?"
"The Presidents been shot."
I didn't think anyone would want to shoot Nathan Pusey. I had a narrow frame of reference in those days, but was quickly straightened out. What a sad time.
When I went back for my 40th reunion, I realized something that I wish I had known while I was there. What I figured out was that in retrospect, the first year a Harvard seemed a long as the last three. Meeting all those incredible youngsters, facing the academic challenges, and living in such an historic tradition was a stressful joy. I have continued to carry some of that joy with me through the years.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
For the Sake of His Country, Mubarak Must Go
I watched the evening news tonight. I watched two broadcasts because I am riveted to the news from Egypt. I have not lived through a revolution in my life, but I can almost feel the excitement in the air coming from Liberation Square in Cairo, Egypt. What will happen as the days march on? No one knows, but one can only hope that the people get their way. They want democracy, and they deserve it.
I never knew that a revolution could be so peaceful. Oh yes, there has been some looting and vandalism, but all in all it has been organized, and directed. One can only respect the Egyptian people. They are maintaining order, guarding the Egyptian museum, and their homes from the usual criminals that take advantage of situations such as this. But they are determined.
I heard on the news tonight that Mubarak says he will leave after the September election. That is not good enough for the crowds, and they are right. The military has played an honorable role so far, helping to maintain order, and not turning on the people. What a respectable country.
It's time for Mubarak to leave. Why? For the good of the country. I do not know how long these people can continue to ask for his departure and he doesn't hear them! He needs to respect the people, and listen. I worry they will not be able to restrain themselves for too long. I worry that there will be violence if he doesn't listen.
The streets are filled with men, young and old, women, families, children. What a terrible conflict if this doesn't resolve in a few days. Those tanks look awfully powerful, and flesh doesn't do well against that armor. I worry that the people will march on the presidential palace and it will start. Bang, bang, terror and blood.
Mr. Mubarak, listen to your people. It is time to leave, and the best thing you can do is doing what is BEST for Egypt. Let your people have the democracy they desire and deserve. They are good people. The whole world can see it in their faces on the TV screens. If you leave, we will know what you are doing (I can write your farewell speech myself if you ask me. It will be simple and to the point.). Just say that you love Egypt. You love it's people. God bless them, and Good bye. Give them their life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. It's time.
I never knew that a revolution could be so peaceful. Oh yes, there has been some looting and vandalism, but all in all it has been organized, and directed. One can only respect the Egyptian people. They are maintaining order, guarding the Egyptian museum, and their homes from the usual criminals that take advantage of situations such as this. But they are determined.
I heard on the news tonight that Mubarak says he will leave after the September election. That is not good enough for the crowds, and they are right. The military has played an honorable role so far, helping to maintain order, and not turning on the people. What a respectable country.
It's time for Mubarak to leave. Why? For the good of the country. I do not know how long these people can continue to ask for his departure and he doesn't hear them! He needs to respect the people, and listen. I worry they will not be able to restrain themselves for too long. I worry that there will be violence if he doesn't listen.
The streets are filled with men, young and old, women, families, children. What a terrible conflict if this doesn't resolve in a few days. Those tanks look awfully powerful, and flesh doesn't do well against that armor. I worry that the people will march on the presidential palace and it will start. Bang, bang, terror and blood.
Mr. Mubarak, listen to your people. It is time to leave, and the best thing you can do is doing what is BEST for Egypt. Let your people have the democracy they desire and deserve. They are good people. The whole world can see it in their faces on the TV screens. If you leave, we will know what you are doing (I can write your farewell speech myself if you ask me. It will be simple and to the point.). Just say that you love Egypt. You love it's people. God bless them, and Good bye. Give them their life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. It's time.
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