the health care bill

A good medical blogger would have been regularly posting about the health care legisaltion going through congress. Daily, breathless updates about whether it's socialism or compassionate or foolhardy or economically sound or whatever. I'm sick of the whole thing. Just pass something that improves the problems we have. Is that too much to ask?

Of course, that is too much to ask. Democrats and Republicans have one goal- to keep their jobs in congress. So they play one side against another, framing health care questions and polls in ways to inspire their followers to ACTION (i.e.- blocking the other side). And VICTORY can only be attained by WINNING the legislative battle.

So while congress and the president dither around and get their sound bites in, I'll keep trying to prevent heart attacks, strokes, cancer, obesity and kidney failure while keeping my business afloat. My patients will cooperate to varying degrees. And all of us will try as hard as possible to not go broke doing this.

Hello, Cleveland!

A few thoughts from tonight's Rockets/Cavaliers game:
1. Suites are nice, but overrated. When they're free- they're underrated.
2. Chuck Hayes is much more valuable than Shaquille O'Neal.
3. I'm really glad no one has told LeBron he is a lousy 3 point shooter.
4. Delonte West is more valuable than Shaquille O'Neal.
5. NBA officiating is very interesting. Both teams got some strange calls. 6 techincals? Really?
6. Anderson Varejao (sp?) is a sneaky, flopping, cry-baby. Who is a danged good rebounder and teammate.
7. The Rockets are glad Shaquille starts ahead of Varejao
The Cavs were beaten in Memphis last night in overtime. I watcheed the game, went to bed, and went to work. I was getting tired near the end of tonight's game. The Cavs came out like they were tired, and they shot and moved like they were tired. Back-to-backs are hard. But they Cleveland front line crashed the boards and stayed in the game with good effort and good bench play. Delonte West bought, sold, rented, and owned Kyle Lowry. Just abused him. But Shaq's interior defense was so brutal- he and Big Z just didn't have the foot speed to be effective in the paint. It'll be interesting to see who they trade the artist formerly known as Shaq to before the deadline.

Back to blogging

I am returning to the blogging world, with an emphasis on the NBA and the Houston Rockets. Eventually, I'll write a book. I will pass on last night's 30 point beatdown the Dallas Mavericks administered. Thank goodness I did not watch.

A positive story

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/steffy/5484544.html

Houston Chronicle Business writer Loren Steffy has written an article that praises a local bank for having sound fiscal policies. After my post regarding critics and criticism, I'm happy to see a positive leaning story.

Ice Capades

In preparation for next week's annual Daddy/Daughter dance, my wife had declared that my 5 year old daughter needed a new dress. So we went to the Galleria to get a new dress. So of course, we ended up going ice skating. Now, ice skating is not hard if you're just skating yourself. But when you're lugging around a 43 pound weight that can get a concussion if you slip, it adds a layer of difficulty.

Health Care issues

http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/01/reader-letters-primary-care-crisis-dont.html#comments

I was just thinking (living) this. On a related note, Medicare wants to cut payments to physicians by 10%, and almost all insurers base their pay scale on Medicare. One congressman said this would not be a problem because doctors will keep taking Medicare because it is covers so many patients. We'll stop covering patients when we go out of business. I gotta figure a way to see more people in less time while providing more comprehensive care.

http://www.healthbeatblog.org/2007/08/wall-street-can.html#more

A post about approval for a drug for prostate cancer. It brings up a variety of important issues. Makes you shudder, too.

http://www.healthbeatblog.org/2007/11/your-yearly-phy.html

OK, I've found a new favorite blog. This post echoes my thoughts about the annual check up or physical. Of course, this writer is a heck of a lot better than me.

http://www.healthbeatblog.org/2007/11/autismanother-e.html

Did you know that autism affects 1 out of every 150 children? Me neither.

And finally, click on this link to help donate a free mammogam to someone, or something like that.

http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/

What to do about racism.

OK, as an African American I'm supposed to get all up in arms about Kelly Tilghman's comments about lynching Tiger Woods. And the Jena 6. And Don Imus. But I'm not. If I really believe racism exists, why am I always so shocked and appalled when someone makes a racist statement? And is complaining about racism going to do?

My suggestion to other African Americans (and Hispanics, Indians, Chinese, Native Americans, etc) is to hug a white person. Invite one for dinner. Walk their dog. Let them see you as a regular person. The righteous indignation card only goes so far. At some point, you have to use other tools in your belt to accomplish a project. And if a white person knows you as a person, he or she will listen to you when you are offended with a more open mind.

I do think racism (and sexism and religious intolerance and homophobia) exists. I just don't think that the current tactics of Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are helping anyone.