First Do No Harm

The phrase ‘First Do No Harm’ has often been attributed to he Hippocratic Oath, an oath historically taken by physicians. It is one of the most widely known of ancient Greek medical texts. In its original form, it requires a new physician to swear, by several healing Gods, to uphold specific ethical standards.  Yet paradoxically, even as the modern oath's use has changed, its content has backed away from the classical oath's basic creeds.

According to a 1993 survey of 150 U.S. and Canadian medical schools, for example, only 14 percent of modern oaths prohibit euthanasia, 11 percent hold covenant with a deity, 8 percent reject abortion, and a mere 3 percent forbid sexual contact with patients—all original promises held sacred in the classical version.

The original calls for free tuition for medical students and for doctors never to "use the knife" (that is, conduct surgical procedures)—both obviously out of step with modern-day practice. Perhaps most telling, while the classical oath calls for "the opposite" of pleasure and fame for those who transgress the oath, fewer than half of oaths taken today insist the taker be held accountable for keeping the pledge.

Indeed, a growing number of physicians have come to feel that the Hippocratic Oath is not necessary in today’s society – and I believe this to be the truth, when I read the current news reports of the day.

Along with classical writings, is another, but more modern, professional writing by Henry Campbell Black (1860-1927) that defines in general terms, various legal terms.  Black’s Law Dictionary is an authority on legal definitions:

PREMEDITATED MURDER

the term that is used to describe a murder of a human being that was planned in advance and was carried out willfully.

Next, a more important than the foregoing, a writing from the authority of God, from Exodus 20:13 YOU SHALL NOT MURDER.

As you may know, the State of New York passed recent legislation that permits abortion up to and throughout the 9^th month of pregnancy, even if the mother has gone into labor.  In celebration of this legislation, various buildings and bridges in New York City, were bathed in pink lights on the evening that the Governor signed the Bill into law.  The most notable was the tall World Trade Center Building, as if to extend a giant middle finger to God and all that is decent.

As if not to be out done, the State of Virginia has a Bill before them that would allow a child that has been born, to be killed after delivery; and the Governor of the State of Virginia not only supports this Bill but has gone on record saying “for the physical, mental and emotional health of the mother, the newborn, would be made comfortable and given hydration, until the Doctor and the mother decide to make the decision whether to abort”.  Abort????  How does one abort a new born baby???  And, in my mind, to make matters worse – the Governor of the State of Virginia is a former Pediatric Neurologist!!!!   The Governor of New York is a practicing Roman Catholic, whose church is (other than some members) is opposed to not only abortion – but the intentional murder of any living person, as prescribed in the Bible!!!  EXODUS 20;13 YOU SHALL NOT MURDER. 

Before you start judging the Catholic Church, this is not an uncommon position taken by many Christians and Jews throughout this Nation – Abortion is OK because this is not a person it’s just a fetus? 

Yes indeed, it is a fetus, with a heart that pumps blood, a brain that has electrical impulses, body parts such as little fingers and little toes.  This non-human is developing muscles, veins, bones, lungs, eyes and ears!  Not a person?  Several other states have pending legislation that will, if passed, allow some sort of intentional murder, up to and including the 9^th month and even final stages of pregnancy!

 What has gone wrong in this society?

The latest statistics from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), shows that in 2015 (they’re always a few years behind) there were 638,169 reported abortions in the United States, which equates to 11.8 murders of children per every 1,000 live births – and these statistics do not included States that did not report or illegal termination of lives!

Abortion Statistics for the top 5 States:

Florida – 72,203

New York – 63,646

Texas – 53,940

Illinois – 39,856

Pennsylvania – 31,818

The fewest abortions – South Dakota – 444.  I would have thought that Utah might have been the fewest, but they had 3,176

Washington State – 17,098

Let those numbers sink in for a moment!  This is not a political issue, nor is it a Democrat vs Republican issue.    In my opinion, this is a MORAL issue that is so great I see it as the spitting in the Face of Our God!  It is a clear choosing to not just ignore Scripture, the law of the land and the first charge of every medical practitioner,  but is an open declaration that “nobody has any business telling me what I can or can’t do”, which of course is a lie that many people tell themselves.

We have come to the point where much of the medical community in the United States has forsaken the basic tenet to First Do No Harm, along with several other noble and proud promises made by Doctors of the past.  We have come to the point in the Legal community where the strict definition of a law is not just ignored but is changed because it has become too difficult to enforce, so we now legalize the use of murder.

We have come to the point in our religious communities where the Word of God is just words, stories and examples, not truth or fact.  In so much of the Religious community – Christians and Jews, use the phrase “god will understand” or they teach such a watered down version of the Scripture that their once houses of worship have become entertainment centers, where what you believe is not as important as what you can do financially or physically for the church or synagogue.  It is no wonder people are giving up on religion.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have come too far.  We claim that God is long suffering but I’m here to tell you that God will not withhold His wrath and punishment forever.  This Nation will pay for this horrific transgression; I can’t believe that our God will let this continue much longer…and I don’t blame Him.  Where does it stop?  

In Washington State, in 2015, there were 17,098 reported abortions.  In 2015 the total population of Centralia, Washington (where I live) was 17,216.  So in 2015 nearly, the population of an entire small city was murdered by those ignoring their medical oath, the laws of the United States and the Commandments of God.  If that doesn’t bring some up-whelming emotions within you right now, trust me – it will eventually.

20/20

The indicator 20/20 is a measurement of visual acuity that indicates a person has normal vision.  2020 (without the slant bar) is a notation of the year of our next Presidential election.

Jay Inslee, the Governor of the State of Washington has launched a website and investigation into whether he should run for President of the United States in 2020.

It is interesting that in his surveys, over 50 percent of the people contacted say ‘no’, he should not run.  Why?  Mostly because it would take a long look into history to find a worse Governor for Washington State.  I’m certain there may have been one, but not to my 75-year-old recollection.

 

So, what will Mr. Inslee do for the Country if elected to the highest office in the land?  Will it be to improve police/public relations, reduce homelessness, improve foreign relations or make the delivery of healthcare more efficient?  No!  Inslee’s stated campaign platform it to address (not improve, eliminate or mitigate) global warming.

What are Inslee’s plans for the next year in Washington State?  Well, it seems that he has very few plans to even be in the State; his campaign desires are to take him out of the State for prolonged periods of time, and leave the Lt. Governor in charge (at a 70% increase in salary) while Governor Inslee draws full salary and benefits, including a security detail that will travel with him.

Folks, The State of Washington already has the highest gas tax in the Nation (thank you Governor), the highest business taxes and more being proposed (thank you Governor) and Mr. Inslee, among others, is proposing that we establish a capital gains tax on the sale of businesses and other investments, and an income tax on the rest of us. (thank you Mr. Governor).  By the way, Mr. Governor, did you know that an income tax or capital gains tax on the sale of businesses – goes against the Washington State Constitution?  I didn’t think so.

 Is it no wonder the Boeing Company moved their headquarters out of Washington State?  Many more businesses will soon follow, I’m sure.

Does Inslee have 20/20 for 2020?  The only thing he has any acute visibility of, is his self-sustaining and self-fueled ego, that clearly blocks any normal vision for the future, for the State or the Country.

If Inslee happens to be elected, we will have 20/20 as we look back on 2019, and clearly see the awful mistake that has been made.

Fraud or Incompetence?

When I read the media reports about the most recent election, and the seemingly difficult task that Election Supervisors are having counting the ballots, I must ask; is it Fraud or just Incompetence? 

Look!  The problem isn’t the Russians or any other outside influence.  The problem is the Supervisors and Party operatives who believe that the American Voter is incapable of understanding the issues or that the voting process is simple and has little latitude to become this controversial.

Problem: You have two candidates for an election.  There are X number of people voting.  Candidate #1 receives Y number of votes and Candidate #2 receives Z number of votes.   How do you determine the winner of the election? 

Answer:  Count the damn ballots!  The ballots will tell you which candidate to credit the number of votes.  If you can’t count, which seems to be the problem, stack the ballots in two piles.  Place each ballot in the appropriate pile – that means if the ballot is marked for candidate #1, put it in candidate #1’s pile.  If the ballot is marked for candidate #2, put it in candidate #2’s pile.  The one with the bigger pile wins!

There are no reasons to find boxes of ballots in the back of a returned rental car, or in a teacher’s classroom!  Do you honestly believe that the voters believe that either of these events are accidental?    

Here’s another suggestion:  In each election there are Election Supervisors (sometimes with different titles).  Before letting anyone oversee an election, give them a Civics and Math test, to be certain they understand the process and can count – at least to 100. (ballots can be stacked in multiples of 100…no wait - that’s too difficult, maybe make sure they can count to 10).

There is no reason that elections can’t be settled by a simple count of legitimate ballots…it’s not Rocket Science.

Fraud or incompetence? YES!

Forced Patriotism

Well today the President rescinded his invitation to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Super Bowl champs, to come to the White House – and the Champs said, “we didn’t want to come anyhow”. 

Frankly, I don’t care who goes or does not go to the White House!  Either action will not keep me awake tonight. 

However, I truly wonder if this ‘forced patriotism’ is really what we want?

You must stand and salute the flag; you must stand at attention for the National Anthem; you must march in a straight line; you must honor the leader; you must …well you get my point.  I see ‘forced patriotism in North Korea, Iran, China and the now defunct Soviet Union – and frankly when I see it, it creeps me out!

I personally, will always stand for the National Anthem with my hand over my heart or saluting if I’m covered.  I will always honor the flag, for what it stands for and I will always look for ways to make this Country better; but forcing patriotism and threatening those who don’t do what I do, is not my way and in fact is not the way of the United States Constitution.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. (first amendment of the US Constitution)

What does that say?  It says that that Congress is not allowed to establish a religion or to interfere with anyone’s ability to practice theirs.  It also says, that Congress can not interfere with our speech or our right to peaceably assemble and petition the Government for redress of grievances – which means our right to protest in any way we choose, as long as it is peaceful, and we don’t break any other laws or statutes, our protest is protected by law.

I hear so many people saying, “it they don’t honor the flag they should get out”!  But there is no mandate to honor flag, song or person, in the Constitution.  We are not, in the United States of America, put in prison, death or kicked out of the Country if we don’t honor flag, song or person.  To do that would be ‘forced patriotism’.  It may be the way of other countries, but it is not our way.

On the matter of football pre-game ceremonies, I’d rather not see the political protests as I just want to watch the game.  But if some of the players choose to take a knee during the National Anthem, I hope they are saying a prayer instead of just making a statement.

When I played football back in the ‘good old days’, we took a knee to listen to the coach – and we’d better keep our mouths shut and not try to make a statement.  Then we stood and faced the flag for the National Anthem.  Not because we were forced to, but because we wanted to.

No, I don't think we really want 'forced patriotism'.  So, let's embrace the Constitution as it is; and change it where it needs changing.  But let's stop calling each other names, even though it is permitted by the Constitution; Mom and God said it was wrong, so I believe it is wrong!  Who am I to argue with those two people?

I HATE YOU!

I hate you....well I hate you!  Why?  Because....you're different than I am.

I have remained pretty silent as I watch the eradication of a society, which once was proud of it's ability to compromise, problem solve, bind together against a common enemy and find a manageable coexistence.  But I'm afraid we are long past QRN (radiotelegraphy signal for point of no return).

I spent 8 years watching and listening to the hatred spewed against Mr. Obama, while he was President; with no recognizable change because of the hatred.  Then there was the hatred for Mrs. Clinton as she ran for the Presidency, and on the other side a hatred for Mr. Trump who was in the same race, and now as Mr. Trump serves as President.

I have to admit that none of the three aforementioned are in my top ten favorite people, but 'hate them'?  no, I don't hate them.  And furthermore, I have to ask; what has your hate done to improve one thing?  Well, I'll answer that for you - nothing has improved because of your hatred for these or any other person.

What your hatred has done, is to divide this Country into shattered pieces, some of which may never be rejoined.  What a great opportunity for another government to take over!

Never before in our history have we fallen so far.  Never before in our history have we been so fractured that no real strong defense against evil can be mustered.  Never before in history has this Nation been so vulnerable to destruction.  and it's all because of hatred!

I am not strong enough or loud enough to change what I see is a 'flat spin' to utter dissolving of a Nation that I love and cherish.  But I, for one, refuse to hate!  I may not like your politics or those of the ones who govern us, but I refuse to hate you or them.  You may shout me down, but I still will not hate you. 

In this Nation, we are allowed to speak our mind.  We can be patriotic or we can not be patriotic, that is a right given to us by our Constitution.  We can be religious or we can not be religious; another right given to us. 

Hating me because I don't agree with you is wrong.  Hating me because I don't worship the way you do is wrong.  Hating me because I don't look like you or live like you is also wrong. 

Forced patriotism can be seen in other countries around the world, where lines and lines of soldiers and lines and lines of little children are forced to parade on special days; march or be punished! Other countries have forced religion.  Convert or die! And finally, other countries will put you to death for opposing leadership - you don't even have to express hatred!  Is this what you really want?

Well, that's it.  Hatred has become the 'way of the day'.  I don't like it and don't intend to be part of it, even if I'm a minority of one. 

Who’s Next?

Well, the Presidential election is over, most of the dust has settled and the Country is still quite divided.  But, regardless of which candidate won, and regardless of how upset/happy you are….and regardless of the fact that we’ve done this 44 times before; the die has been cast and there is a President in office.

Impeach him!  Declare him incompetent! Sign a petition to get rid of him!  Those are some of the mild protests against Mr. Trump.  There are many more that are not printable but we’ll leave them for now.

But what will happen if Mr. Trump is impeached, declared incompetent or 60 million people sign a petition to “throw the bum out”, to use a baseball phrase. 

Frankly I think too many of the folks who did not support Mr. Trump believe that if he is removed from office, Mrs. Clinton would take his place.

No, I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but that’s not how it works.  If Mr. Trump is removed from office, or quits as some believe he will (he’s never quit anything in his past), Mr. Pence, the current Vice President, would become President, and a new Vice President would be chosen by then President Pence, and confirmed by the Senate.  Who would Mr. Pence pick?  I doubt it would be a liberal thinking person….in fact it would probably be someone of like mind and character with him.

Who would then President Pence pick to serve on the Supreme Court to fill the obvious positions that will certainly become vacant soon?  Not more liberal judges that’s for sure!  The Court will take on a conservative bent, for years to come!

Think about it; Mr. Trump is not a solid conservative, as he sees things through a different political looking glass than many conservatives.  He might even have some liberal tendencies.  Mr. Pence certainly does not!

To those who are trying to bring down President Trump, I give you two pieces of advise:  1) Take a Civics Class, so you know how the system works; 2) Be careful when wishing, you may get what you wish for.

What’s the Point of Clandestineness?

What is the point?  We, as a country, spend millions of dollars each year on the FBI, CIA, NSA and every other configuration of 3 letter agencies, to operate and protect the military, national defense, congressional activates and even the original formula for Coke and the Colonel’s chicken, yet the other agency BMFM (Big Mouth for Money), also known as the ‘media’, reveals the secrets, almost before the ink is dry on the original report.

Guglielmo Marconi said; “The coming of the wireless era will make war impossible, because it will make war ridiculous”.  Maybe he was right!  If the ‘leaks for money’ mob, on one side, continue to leak secrets to the other side, why would we need to fight…. or more to the point – how could we fight and expect a successful conclusion to any battle. 

Recently the results of a very high level security briefing for the POTUS and POTUS elect, was leaked to the media, two hours – TWO HOURS – after the top-secret briefing! (yelling intended).  The Spook Agencies might as well have held a press conference!

Enough is enough; we have two choices.  Lower the ‘cone of silence’ (not everyone knows what that is) or open it totally up so that we and our potential enemies know what we know.  How could it mess us up any more than it is now?

Open it up so we know exactly which government officials are having affairs with which interns…. who is bribing who, what weapons do we have and what do they have, why did we fake the moon landing and why are their alien scientists working in Area 51?

Didn’t we learn from the toy company Mattel that military secrets went away a long time ago? 

Pogo was correct: “we have met the enemy and he is us”.