OUR SUITCASE

It was 47 years ago today. We went to see a movie and suddenly the lights came on. A Captain walked out in front. He said, "The president has been shot in Dallas Texas. All Military personnel are to report for duty. We are on full alert. Dependents are restricted to housing."

Not a word was said. Everyone knew their job. I walked home to meet my parents. Dad had brought out "Our suitcase". He told me he had to report for duty and Mom was in Charge. Then he handed me the suitcase. We all knew this was bad. In the suitcase was $500 in cash, $500 in Deutsche Marks, our passports, medical records, other documents and a loaded 32 automatic hand gun. Dad said he would call us with more information, but we were prepared to drive to France. The East German border and Russian Tanks were just 40 kilometers away. We had often discussed with our German friends that nothing could stop the Russians if they wanted to invade Western Europe. Kennedy's assassination was seen by many as the first step in World War III.

In the hours that followed we waited and listened to AFN and the BBC. By morning Dad came home. The base returned to standby. We joined the world grieving for John Kennedy. It wasn't War. The Russian Tanks did not cross the Border.

That was the day I grew up. I was never a kid again after 11/22/63. Life became bigger and more real. Tonight I checked "Our Suitcase". Passports, $20,000 in gold, $5,000 in cash, and a loaded Sig 40. Dad taught me to be prepared.

BIG BROTHER IS BIG GOVERMENT

In George Orwell's fictional, but all too true book, 1984, he exclaims that "Big Brother is Watching You". It all sounded so silly in 1948. Constant surveillance by "telescreens". Only a member of the lunatic fringe could come up with such nonsense.

Jump forward 60+ years to now. Does it seem so crazy that BIG BROTHER aka Big Government is watching you? My guess is they are watching everyone, or will be in the next five years. The current extensive body search and scanners at airports are justified for the sake of safety. This is a slippery slope and Al Qaida knows it. By creating the potential for a threat, Al Qaida has discovered the weakness in Democracy.

The reasoning goes something like this: If a threat exists to the population, it is Big Government's job to protect us. In protecting us, any and all measures are acceptable.

Sounds crazy but it all began with Motorcycle Helmet and Seat Belt Laws. Big Government could not get the stupid population, US, to understand we were in danger. So, they passed laws demanding that we wear Motorcycle Helmets and Seat Belts. A few free thinkers cried foul but the masses said..."If it makes us safer, I guess it's a good idea." This was just a short intellectual walk in Big Government Thinking to the TSA and current searches.

The next steps will be made in much the same manner. Here is my vision of the future. There will be some terrorist event. My guess is the smart thing for Al Qaida to do is bomb a shopping mall. This will result in new full body searches at Malls across America and it will also damage retail sales. Then the TSA will begin to focus on people not at the Mall but begin random searches of people walking down the street. This will be justified by the need to PREVENT bombings and after all..."if it makes us safer....it must be OK" Not long after this, we will hear of random searches of people's homes. Again all in the name of safety. Nobody wants a bomb maker in their neighborhood.

The flaw in this thinking is that in the history of terror events, the TSA, and FBI have not PREVENTED any events. They have not caught anyone. They searched the 9/11 high jackers and allowed them to board planes. The Time Square Bomber was "caught' by a tee shirt salesman who called the police. Even the Fort Hood shooter, who was in the Army, was not prevented from acting by Big Government.

These searches and invasions on our civil rights do not catch Terrorist. Al Qaida knows this. They only want us to become the POLICE STATE we are today. In this way, they have won the war on terror and we did the work for them.

VISIT THE CATO INSTITUTE WEB SITE

The Cato Institute is a libertarian think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C. The Institute was founded in San Francisco in 1977 by Edward H. Crane and initially funded by Charles G. Koch, Chairman of Koch Industries, Inc., the second largest privately held company (after Cargill) by revenue in the United States. Libertarian economist Murray Rothbard was a core member of Cato's founding group and coined the institutes's name. Rothbard served on its board until leaving in 1981.

The Institute is named after Cato's Letters, a series of British essays penned in the early 18th century by John Trenchard and Thomas Gordon expounding the political views of philosopher John Locke. The essays were named after Cato the Younger, the defender of republican institutions in Rome. Cato relocated to Washington, D.C. in 1981, settling first in a historic house on Capitol Hill. The Institute moved to its current location on Massachusetts Avenue in 1993.

If you are wondering how America or the World can work our way out of the current economic mess, take the time to read up on the ideas from the CATO Institute. This isn't FOX News or some other sensational, over the top crazy stuff. These are practical ideas on using government to solve problems. LINK: http://www.cato.org/

TAX ALL INCOME FOR SOCIAL SECURITY

I have been working for 45 years. This year I became concerned that BIG Government would change "our Deal" on Social Security and decided to apply for early retirement. I wanted my name on the list before they made any changes. My best guess is that my employers and I paid nearly $300,000 into Social Security over the last 45 years. Assuming even a jack ass could have invested this money; they had to have made an additional $25,000 in interest on the money. In my view the Government is holding $325,000 of my money, give or take twenty bucks or so.

Now we hear Social Security is going broke. BIG Government is considering an increase in the retirement age. It is currently at 66 years old. Seems OK to me but if they change the deal, it has to be with the new people coming into the system. Nobody 50 years old will be happy with any changes. The big question is why aren't ALL wages taxed for social security?

The current limit is $106,800. After you reach this annual earnings limit they stop taking Social Security out of your pay check. We always saw this as a yearend benefit or Bonus when we reached this limit and had the extra 6% in take home income. But, when you think about it, this doesn't seem fair. Shouldn't all income be taxed for Social Security?

Nobody seems to be discussing this subject. Not President Urkel or Ron Paul. If every dollar of earnings were taxed for Social Security, maybe the program would not be in such bad shape. BIG Government doesn't seem to know how to do the logical things that make sense to most Americans.

ARE WE BECOMING SHEEP?

I have heard from my wonderful wife and a few dear friends that I am "carrying on" about some of my gripes. Clearly, I like the iPad and hate the strip search by the TSA [Try Standing Around]. I am also concerned that our government has a leadership void. The Kalifornia Election is over and Jerry won, even if Prop 19 did not pass. I guess my underlying concern is that I am alone in these concerns.

Most of Amerika does not know their congressman or congressperson. Many of the people with whom I have worked think Washington and Washington are the same place....like near Seattle. Nobody seems too concerned about most of the issues I write. Are we becoming sheep? Should I focus on Dancing with the Stars and not BBC World News?

What does it take to make Amerika care about politics, economics, or personal freedom? One good point about 9/11 is it was a cold slap in the face. Do we need a crisis every ten years to keep the attention of the masses?

The TSA....another BIG Government work program

CONSIDER THIS: BIG Government cannot close the Mexican Border were gangs are killing people and immigrants cross freely into the USA. BUT, they spend millions to search travelers going to visit relatives over the Holidays.

Does this make any sense? Do grandmothers and children need to be screened at US Airports? Even the most recent so called "threats" have come from either foreign sources or were unrelated to air travel. If you buy your ticket in advance....with a credit card.....doesn't BIG Government already know everything about you before you come to the airport? Why waste millions of dollars searching the LEAST threatening people to society?

SPEAK OUT - Demand an end to unreasonable and costly airport screening.

The TSA has become another BIG Government make work program for poorly educated minorities formerly employed at HUD, the Post Office, and DMV.

FROM GUTENBERG TO JOBS

We often miss the changes that impact civilization because we are too busy living. This was true for my parents who were born before airplanes, television, computers and mobile phones. It is also true today, as we witness the global transformation from the printed page to digital media.

Johannes Gutenberg gets most of the credit for the printing press. In fact, the Chinese printer, Pi Sheng, invented movable type about three hundred years before Gutenberg. Regardless, Gutenberg changed the world. His press could produce 3,600 printed pages per day compared to 40 per day at the time. By 1500 Europe was producing over 20 million books a year. This expanded literacy led to growth of the middle / merchant class and the ultimate liberation of peasants from the Monarch system. One could draw a line through time to say: Gutenberg improved human literacy to make the American, French, and Russian Revolutions possible. No small feat. Today, printing is in decline. Newspapers and magazines are struggling to maintain readers. For over 25 years I have subscribed to USA Today. USA Today was always the "People Magazine of Newspapers". Nothing to gritty just simple news. Perfect for an Airplane trip or to read with coffee. This week I let my subscription go. Like many other people I have moved on to digital media.

I currently get the Wall Street Journal and USA Today on my iPad. I also have National Geographic, Road & Track, and Los Angeles Magazine delivered via Zinio to my iPad. I'm sure I am not alone. Others are making this switch to reading books and newspapers on their mobile phones and iPads. By the holidays we will see dozens of new tablet style computers on the market. All of these will offer digital content.

If you get to Mainz Germany, just West of Frankfurt, visit the Gutenberg Museum: Link: http://www.gutenberg-museum.de/index.php?id=29&L=1
Mainz is over 2,000 years old. The Gutenberg Museum is over 100 years old. It was opened to celebrate Gutenberg's 500th Birthday. Maybe one day, 500 years from now, we will be able to visit the Jobs Museum in Cupertino. Like Gutenberg, Steve Jobs is creating change with a far reaching impact on civilization.

Free Market Economics and Cost Cutting

It's over. Those ads are gone. TV and Radio have returned to the new normal. I have watched the news to see what people think about the election and economy. Some of what I see is embarrassing. Others things are crazy. Maybe I just see the whole thing wrong.

It seems to me that we are in the middle of the first World Economic War. The old Twentieth Century rules about countries are gone. Armies have been made irrelevant. Everything depends on growth vs. debt. China, Brazil, and India seem to be winning. Europe and America are struggling to hold on. Japan, Greece, Spain, and Ireland are in very big trouble. Survival depends on our ability to reduce government costs and create real economic growth without inflation. Where is Milton Friedman when we really need him? He passed away in 2006.

Some of the idiots on TV think the election was about DEMOCRATS. Others think it was all about REPUBLICANS. I think their crazy. The real issue is who among use is smart enough to lead our country out of this economic mess. Britain seems to have made the "right" choice by going with a coalition government. We will have something similar with the new Congress in January. One thing is sure. The old rules won't work. We need to cut government cost soon and focus on entrepreneurial job creation. It really doesn't matter which party the career politicians support. The work that needs to be done is economic not political. A quick view of the CATO Institute web site will show you the plan. Do we need NASA?

They say that in 1941 most Americans did not know where Japan was located. After 9/11 we learned more than we wanted to know about Iraq. Now I think the country is getting ready for a class in Economics 401, Keynesian versus Free Market Economics. The next two years will be important. Our Economic future depends on how well we understand these issues.

VOLVO

I recently attend two marketing events for Volvo Automobiles. The word Volvo is Latin and it means to roll. Volvo is an old Swedish Car company dating back to 1927 when Gustav Larson began building cars that could withstand the harsh Swedish climate. These rugged vehicles evolved into one of the safest cars made. Volvo was first to use auto crash test and seat belts in their cars.

Over the years Volvo did not keep pace with German or Japanese auto companies and in 1999 was sold to Ford motor company. Ford worked hard to update Volvo and reintroduce the Brand into the US Market. After ten years of loss, Ford sold Volvo to the Chinese manufacturer Geely.

The first event we attended was a test drive for the new 2011 Volvo S60. It was called the "Naughty Volvo Test Drive". They were trying to make the new Volvos seem "bad" or perhaps interesting. The fact is, Volvo only sold 60,000 autos in the US in 2009 versus 190,000 each for BMW and Mercedes. The Volvo Brand is fading faster than Barrack Obama.

The test drive was held at Santa Anita Race Track. It was very dull and the cars were even duller. Pam drove one and I just watched. If the intent was to build interest in the Volvo line...this event failed. Long lines, too few cars, and very little to see or do, made for boredom and sadly that is what Volvo has become. We attended a similar event in the past for Mercedes and it was fun and exciting. Volvo does not know how to attract high end car buyers or how to hold their attention.

The most recent event was last Sunday. It was a focus group session for Volvo's new models. Six of us were in one group and we did not know at the beginning that the cars we would be seeing were Volvos. We were shown several new designs and asked to select which we liked better. It was sort of like being asked, "Do you prefer cancer or heart disease". It was very disappointing.

Volvo's problem is a lack of consistent direction. Their cars have never performed as well as other European makers. Their engines lack power and the cars are dull. Redesign will not fix what is wrong with Volvo. BMW, Audi, VW, and Mercedes all have been working under strong leadership to develop world class cars. If Volvo will be successful, they will need twenty years to catch up. Their cars in the near future are Camry or Buick copy cats.

Halloween - Employee Test Time

Yes, this weekend is Halloween. Today is the annual Employee Test given by smart managers to see who gets the lowest year end evaluation and no raise.

Years ago we had Halloween but NOBODY came to work dressed in a costume. Then slowly over time, the dumbest of staff members began to ask..."Can we dress up on Friday for Halloween?" I was sure this was a bad idea. I never dressed up for Halloween and always used this day as an informal IQ Test for my staff. Whom among you is the dumbest person working here? Today, that person will reveal himself or herself as in often the case.

If you work in a large Office you will notice a natural pecking order develop today. Clearly one person will shine as the single biggest dumb shit in the place. Then there will be others who will qualify as just plain stupid. Finally, one or two will actually come to work, without a costume. These are your all stars and they deserve the best performance review and biggest raise.

It's nice that Halloween falls this time of year. It makes employee evaluations both interesting and much simpler.

KINDLE & NOOK vrs iPAD

Look at these two devices..............One has a picture.

In USA Today they were comparing the ereaders that are available. These included: The Kindle, The Nook, The Sony eReader, The Libre, and The iPad. It seems crazy to me that they compare these devices given that the iPad is $300 more expensive and does five hundred times more things than any ereader. Then in a related news article, I read where Steve Jobs said the new "7 inch Tablets" coming to market in 2011 were dead on arrival.

There is currently nothing that compares to an iPad. Moreover, nothing I have seen "coming soon" even comes close. Period.

When they compare the iPad to other ereaders they always say it is much too expensive. They always fail to mention that it also gets email, opens WORD and XL Docs, runs games, and plays movies. To call an iPad and ereader is like calling a BMW M3 a CD player, just because it can play CDs.

This is my vision of the iPad in 2011. It will come out with Face Time and you will be able to make VoIP Video calls on your iPad to IPhone 4 users and new iPad users. Try that on your new Kindle DX.

The answer is LEADERSHIP

I was reading on-line today about the ways in which different countries are beginning to address the long term impact of the global economic mess. The BBC World Service asked me to comment about California on their nightly live radio broadcast. We discussed three examples:

"Britain's coalition government announces the biggest programme of spending cuts in decades, with thousands of public-sector jobs facing the axe. "

"French strikers impose new fuel blockades, hours after security forces clear protesters from three depots."

"NBC/WSJ poll: GOP poised for big midterm gains 'Democrats, with two weeks left, are facing very, very difficult arithmetic'."

Clearly, we face a global economic crisis. In California things are much the same as in France, the UK, and across America. There are three questions we need to answer:
• How did this happen?
• What can we do to "fix" the situation?
• Who among us will provide the Leadership to make these changes?

Our current global economic situation is a result of over spending for the past forty years. Following the end of the Second World War, global economies expanded. This growth seemed to be unending and led to overspending. The idea was that we will have more money, either higher salaries or more taxes, in the future and we can pay for everything then. This flawed thinking was fueled by the fall of communism and an additional expansion in Eastern Europe in the 90s. All of this came to a halt with the last big economic bubble in Housing.

Today, we need to face the new 21st century reality. Western economic expansion has reached its limit. Everyone in the developed countries has a car and a TV. All future growth will be driven by China, India, and Brazil. These are the growth markets for the next fifty years. The traditional Western Developed countries need to rethink their economic future and live within their means.

The idea of living within our means is painful for many. The concept requires individuals to only spend the money they currently have. This leads to reduced credit spending and reduced consumer spending going forward. Likewise, Governments must reduce spending to levels based on current revenues from Taxation and Fees. On paper this is not too difficult. The hard part comes to the prioritizing as to where to spend and where to stop spending.

On an individual basis these decisions regarding how to prioritize spending can be difficult. As Governments begin to make these decisions, the task will be nearly impossible. Britain this week announced its plan to cut the UK budget by 20%. This includes the cut of 500,000 government jobs. In France they are rioting over the decision to move the retirement age to 62 years old. Only the French would do this. The current retirement age is 60 in France and it is the lowest retirement age in the Western World. Only the California State workers, who can retire at 55, have a better deal.

The difficult decisions we face will require real Leadership. As individuals we can help ourselves by making these decisions NOW. We can also use the upcoming election process to pick the Leaders who will make these decisions for Governments going forward. The longer we wait the more painful this change will be for all of us. I'm voting for Jerry Brown to provide the Leadership we need in California. I think we are stuck with President Urkel for two more years and his version of "hope and change".

UNREASONABLE SEARCH

Today is October 6, 2010. It was 34 years ago today that Cubana Flight 455 was hijacked resulting in the death of 73 people. This event, among others, led to the practice of "AIRPORT SCREENING". I am writing this to ask each of you to demand an end to illegal searches in the name of safety. Prior to 1970, US Airports had minimal security. A series of hijackings and the bombing of flight 455 led to increased airport security in the 1970s.

Airport Screening is the popular euphemism for unreasonable [illegal] search of airline passengers. This failed process has led to the collective "ends justify the means" thinking regarding terrorist attacks. Remember, the 9/11 hijackers ALL went through the airport screening process and it FAILED to catch them. In over thirty four years of searching at a cost of trillions of dollars, the TSA and the former private screeners have not caught a single terrorist.

Worse than the illegal insult of constant search and the cost which could have sent every child in Amerika to college, Airport Screening has spawned the NEW SEARCH INDUSTRY. Today you can't go to Disneyland without being searched. Dodger Stadium searches people too. In the coming years, you will not be able to go to a grocery store or be able to take a piss unless you agree to be searched. This costly unnecessary stupid invasion of privacy has to stop.

Every holiday period, Thanksgiving at LAX comes to mind, the TV News shows some dumb lady waiting in a long line to be "screened." They only allow the lady on TV who agrees to say the following: "OH, I don't mind the wait as long as it makes it safer for everyone to fly." In reality they had to reject the 50 other people who complained that Unreasonable Search is protected by the Fourth Amendment.

The Fourth Amendment is pretty clear: " The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

Amerikans fought to defend this fundament right and we need to fight again to end unreasonable search and prevent it from expanding.

Freedom of Speech

Be glad you live in Amerika.

AMSTERDAM — Dutch politician Geert Wilders appealed for freedom of expression Monday as he went on trial for alleged hate speech at a time when his popularity and influence in the Netherlands are near all-time highs.

Prosecutors say Wilders has incited hate against Muslims, pointing to a litany of quotes and remarks he has made in recent years. In one opinion piece he wrote "I’ve had enough of Islam in the Netherlands; let not one more Muslim immigrate," adding "I’ve had enough of the Quran in the Netherlands: Forbid that fascist book."

We take Freedom of Speech for granted. Many Amerikans have openly complained about Muslims and their impact on our culture. Imagine Holland with over 6% of the population being Muslim compared to Amerika with a less than 1% Muslim population. The Dutch are really fed up with the "Muslim Invasion" that has change their culture.

Now, the Dutch government, in a move of Krazy Political Correctness, has charged an out spoken critic of "Hate Crimes" for speaking out against the problem.

I wonder what would happen if they built a Mosque at Ground Zero in Amsterdam?

TRINK ES AUS

I spent four wonderful years in Germany as a teenager. I learned to drive on the Autobahn. I learned to speak fair, nicht gut, German from my friend, Axel Becker. And, I learned to drink beer. There are many things about Germany worth considerable praise but German cars and German beer are both the best on earth.

On October 12, 1810, King Ludwig I of Bavaria was married to Princess Therese. This modest five day celebration will once again be remembered this year from September 18 to Oktober 4 in Munich [Munchen, Bavaria]. The Oktoberfest or Okto-Beer-fest as we used to call it, will celebrate 200 years and the longest running wedding party in history. There is a web site: http://munichsoktoberfest.com/ for more information.

Like the Tour de France, the Grand Prix at Le Mans, and the Cannes Film Festival, Oktoberfest is a European experience that everyone must try at least once. BMW World Headquarters and BMW Welt are also in Munich. Porsche has its factory in Stuttgart, just 200 kilometers away. Salzburg, Austria is only 130 kilometers east. And, this is the home of the Autobahn. So think about it. A few days in Bavaria, a rented Porsche or BMW, and the best beer on earth sound good to you? Rufen Sie mich an, wenn Sie entscheiden, zu gehen. Ich kann einen Weg finden, vier Tage in Himmel zu verbringen.

SO MANY THINGS

I just don't know where to begin. I think the Burning of the Quran nonsense has me the most upset. What does book burning say about people? The Nazi's were big on Book Burning.

I am not a believer. I remember as a boy thinking, "So where is this god? If he is so powerful and knows everything, why does he hide out?" I have never gotten a straight answer on any of these questions. People brush it off as "faith". I tend to live with the laws of Physics in a real world. Regardless, this book burning isn't even about religion. The Books are just the written word of beliefs. You can argue that you don't believe in something but still support the idea that people have a right to what they believe, and a right to print it. Book burning says you don't support these rights, or is it writes?

The "preacher", Terry Jones, can't really be a minister or a Christian if he supports something as stupid as book burning. The believers always say, "What would Jesus do?" He sure as hell would not burn books.

I get numerous really dumb shit comments on FaceBook from "right wing Christian patriots" who strongly support burning what they call "COR-RONS". I am just amazed at the ongoing depth of stupidity among people who call themselves conservatives and Christians. Book burning seems to me like the act of a coward, or worse a Nazi.

iPad again...............

I keep reading that Amazon has lowered the price of the Kindle. Great.

Toshiba, Samsung, and Apple already offer a Tablet Computer that is ten times better than the Kindle. The iPad does almost everything except make coffee and they are working on an App for that. Why would anyone buy a Kindle? Does it matter how cheap they get? A free Kindle would be too expensive.

Click on this link to see the new Samsung Galaxy Tab: http://galaxytab.samsungmobile.com/

The iPad still beats every other Tablet Computer for ease of use and Apps.

OUR LONG STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM

How did all this begin? How do we decide what's right?

Today, Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker overturned California's gay-marriage ban in a landmark case that could eventually force the U.S. Supreme Court to confront the question of whether same-sex couples have a constitutional right to wed. Most people missed the news flash or did not care about the result. But each of us should care, because today's ruling is History in the making and one of similar events that have changed humanity. Things were not always like this. Freedom and Justice were much harder to achieve 800 years ago. Over time, mankind has moved from a position in which our "fate" was thought to be pre-established by god, even before our birth, to the freedom we enjoy today. At one dark point it was argued that Humanity did not have free will to decide things for ourselves.
Make no mistake. We are not free now. If you think you are free, get high, and drive naked at 100 miles per hour. That should cure you.

Humanity is much freer today than they were in 1215. Prior to 1215 the common belief was in the "Divine Right of Kings". It meant that the King was selected by god to lead us and his will must be obeyed. No voting, no courts, no judges. The King decided everything. It is almost a joke to believe this was common "law" prior to 1215. No joke, the King made all the decisions.

Liberals, those progressives who hate existing norms, pushed for Laws to govern humanity. On June 15, 1215 the Magna Carte was signed. The Magna Carta of 1215 required King John of England to proclaim certain liberties, and accept that his will was not arbitrary, for example by explicitly accepting that no freeman could be punished except through the law of the land, a right which is still in existence today. This was the beginning of the long road to the current level of freedom enjoyed by us and some of humanity.

Other events helped to shape the freedom we enjoy. The writing and signing of the US Constitution, the Abolition of Slavery, the passing of the Nineteenth Amendment, giving women the right to vote, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. On each of these days, History was made in that Freedom was expanded to more of humanity.

Today, History was made in San Francisco and we need to remember it has been an 800 year fight to get this far. Labels, like Conservative or Liberal, have changed greatly over the last 800 years. The one thing that has not changed is the march forward for more and better individual freedom for Humanity. When issues, like Gay Marriage arise, you have a choice. Are you on the side of increased Freedom for Humanity or are you a supporter of restricting Freedom for yourself or others? Throw out the worn out labels and make decisions based on expanding freedom for Humanity.

TEST Blog from Email

As if there isn't enough connectivity with iPhone, iPad, Facebook and Twitter.

Now I can BLOG from my phone directly to my BLOGGER site.

 

Michael

 

JACK's HEART CONDITION

A week ago, Jack complained about his ear hurting. He has had four or five ear infections over the last three years. Pam called Kaiser [https://www.kaiserpermanente.org/] to get an appointment.

Kaiser has been our "Health Insurance" and Medical provider for almost ten years. Regardless of your opinion about HMOs or Corporate Medicine, Kaiser does a really good job. When Pam was pregnant, Kaiser tested her and monitored her progress unlike anything I have ever seen. The entire pregnancy and delivery cost $100 and it was Great Care.

Jack usually goes to see a Pediatrician. Pam got an appointment with Family Medicine with a Doctor we had not seen previously. I took Jack to the appointment. I expected it would take five minutes and we would get a 10 day supply of "Bubble Gum Medicine", the Pink penicillin in liquid. We got there and saw the Doctor immediately. They did the routine checking of Jack's weight and temperature then a quick check of his heart and lungs. The Doctor turned to me and said, "HAS HE ALWAYS HAD THIS HEART CONDITION"?

I have never felt the pain of having a child with a serious illness. Parents who have kids with cancer break my heart. Nothing on earth is a painful as having a child with an illness you cannot fix. You are helpless and as a father, inadequate. I almost fainted. No, Jack has never had any problems with his heart or otherwise. I stood there helpless. I asked, "Are you sure"? Dr. Tan said, "Here listen to this." I put on the stethoscope and listened to Jack's heart. Sounded loud with a swishing sound. Dr. Tan said that sound was a Heart murmur. She ordered an Echo Cardiogram and sent us out with the Bubble Gum Medicine.

Pam tried to set up the appointment for the Cardiogram. Kaiser said Jack needed to see a Cardiologist prior to the test. To me this sounded like a STALL technique and I insisted on the test. This led to several disagreeable phone calls in which I reminded everyone that Doctor Tan had ordered a TEST and NOT a Consultation. My last phone conversation included the threat that ..."if anything happens to this little boy, while we wait for this test, I will hold you personally responsible for acting "Against Medical Advice" of the ordering Physician." I was upset and pissed off. I was worried and Kaiser seemed to be stalling the test.

On Thursday, Kaiser called and said they would do the test Friday morning and we could see the Cardiologist next week for the results. I had won my argument to have Jack Tested. We went to the Hospital Friday and each of us worked real hard to make it as easy and unimportant as possible. During the test, in the dark, Pam cried and hid it from Jack.

Today, just a few minutes ago, Doctor Loo, the Cardiologist, [where do all the German, Irish and English Doctors practice?] called to say we did not need to come in for the Appointment. He had read the Cardiogram and looked at the film. Jack's heart was normal and the sound we heard was normal among children under 10 years old.

You never know how good things are until they change. I love this little Boy and I am so happy he is well....5 more days of Bubble Gum Medicine to go.