Gosnell and Choice

I along with many other Americans had looked at abortion as a right to choose issue, like health care proxies, DNRs, and other choice issues, where you and I should not involve ourselves in someone's personal and private business. I have always said, "which came first, the birth certificate or the baptismal certificate", meaning no matter what our own feelings on an issue, we should not interfere when someone makes his or her own personal choice. I am an American first and a catholic second.

This Gosnell case had caused me to revisit some of my own beliefs, and I am sure many others are battling themselves similarly.

Dr Gosnell is a Philadelphia doctor who ran an abortion clinic for many years and he is accused of killing one woman and three newborns who were born alive during the abortions. The woman died from an overdose of anesthesia and the babies were killed by snipping the spinal cord at the base of the head, effectively beheading them.

The State of Pennsylvania has failed, through its Department of Health, from reviewing the conditions in the clinic and for not monitoring Dr Gosnell's questionable activities for the last 17 years.

Up until about 2 weeks ago, this story was not reported in our national media, probably because to do do, would have brought the whole abortion debate front and center. Well, 2 weeks ago, liberal journalist Kirsten Powers reported this in her USA Today column and joined with conservative journalist Michelle Malkin who had been reporting on this since 2011. Finally, this trial and the evidence has now being reported in the mainstream media, and its gruesome details are now becoming public knowledge.

The majority of the women who had abortions performed by him were African American or Hispanic, couldn't afford to to have the children because they lived in poverty and had to make a choice between two difficult options.

There are so many methods available today to prevent unwanted births or abortions. It would be a better choice to use contraceptives like condoms, diaphragms, spermicide, birth control pills, etc., ahead of time to avoid becoming pregnant, or even the "morning after" pill which will prevent conception after sex.

Knowing that abstinence is not a reasonable option when one is caught in the moment, it would be more beneficial on so many levels if birth control methods were provided free of charge to those who couldn't afford the expense. It certainly would be less expensive to the taxpayer than the cost of the abortion which would be picked up by Medicaid.

In addition, the mental anguish suffered by women for having to make that choice would not exist. Many are burdened through their lives with sadness or regret for the choices made early in their youth. After all, if birth control were used today, and the couple decides to have children tomorrow, no difficult choices are needed.

It still is a choice issue for women's rights, only the choice is not a tragic one that can haunt a woman for her entire life. Pregnancies would not be aborted so cavalierly by doctors who do so in horrible conditions. And unwanted babies would not be born to those who don't want them.

There are so many people who, for whatever the reason, would love to adopt. Wouldn't that be a better choice to help childless couples get a baby than to deny the couple a child and to deny a child his or her life?

I know this is a difficult topic to discuss. But on the heels of the Gosnell nightmare, perhaps it's time we have that discussion.

We are adults; we should start to act accordingly.

Snack Time In America

Good news, America! It is being reported by NBC News and published in the New York Post that America's favorite snack will once again be on grocery and convenience store shelves by late July. That's right, folks. Twinkies are coming back to satisfy our cravings for sweet treats.

Hedge fund Apollo Global Management  and Metropoulos & Co purchased the assets of Hostess Brands, Inc for $410 million at the beginning of April. It set up Hostess Brands LLC to run the day to day operation. Unions will not be invited to provide workers in this non-union company. The company is set to hire 200 workers as it starts production on Hostess Donettes and Twinkies in Columbus, Georgia this summer.

By the end of September, the company plans to have Ho Ho's, Zingers, Cup Cakes, Snow Balls, Susie-Q's and Ding Dongs in the production line and on grocery shelves for us to enjoy.

So, Friends, start saving up those calories, get that coffee brewing (or whatever your favorite beverage), dream about that great tasting secret cream filling and get ready to enjoy that time-honored tasty treat that we all grew up on.

So, nice try, Twinkie knock offs. Get lost, pretend Cup Cakes. Good riddance, fake Dinging Dongers. Your time is done and we hardly knew you.

So sing that song, one and all: Happy days are here again!

CISPA and You

We are at a crossroads of the current America and a new America. Democrats and Republics, Liberals and Conservatives, Libertarians and Independents, and others of no political persuasion all need to take heed of what is going on.

After 9/11, the Congress passed the Patriot Act, which required tighter control to identify ourselves when entering into a financial or other transaction, so that a record would exist of the individual engaging in said activity. In addition, when we travel by air or sea, we have to subject ourselves  to body scans, take our shoes off, pat downs and other activities which violate our person and our privacy.

Now, because the government cannot protect its and our electronic infrastructure with the ongoing cyberwars that seem to exists between governments, the House had passed and the Senate is about to pass CISPA, the Cyber Information Security and Protection Act of 2013, a law President Obama asked for in his most recent State Of The Union Address.

The intent of this legislation is for companies to share information with the federal government to help the government in its war on cyber violations. As the bill is presently constructed, the Obama Administration has said President Obama intends to veto the bill. However, if modifications are made to the President's liking, he promises to sign it.

Think about what this means: companies that you and I do business with will be turning over your information to the government without your permission. Additional strangers will have access to your life, greater chance for identity theft will exist and further violations of your right to privacy will occur. It also is a violation of the 4th, 5th and section 1 of the 14th amendments.

While the legislation may be well-meaning, as with other laws that give the government unbridled access to your information, abuse of the law is possible, if not now then at some future point. This is Americans giving up more freedom and security for the benefit of the state. Do we really want this?

It is each of our responsibilities as Americans to write our Senators and ask, no, demand that they vote against CISPA when it comes up for a vote in the next few weeks.

How long before we give up all our freedoms for the good of the government? If this continues, "Animal Farm" and "1984" will be our realities.

And THAT is unacceptable.

Death... Or Revenge

Leslie Marshall had several questions tonight that prompted a response by me, which at first blush, many of you will disagree with me. She asked first if D Tsarnaev is found guilty, should he get the death penalty, and second, if a person is found guilty of a terrorist act, should he automatically get the death penalty.

Well, initially on Friday, I said to some people that I felt he should. But during the weekend, with all the coverage on the Sunday shows and breaking news, I became more sober in my thinking and began to vacillate from thaf position.

I feel that in answer to her first question, the greater penalty to him, if he is found guilty, a life sentence without chance for parole would be a more deserving sentence, so that if he lives to be 80 he can remember all the years of his life the stupid, dastardly, horrible, cruel act he committed when he was 19. The pain of that sentence would be greater than any death sentence doled out to him for instant gratification for us to savor but briefly.

In answer to Leslie's second question, I have felt, since 9/11, that a person found guilty of a terrorist act is worth more to us alive than dead. Once he is executed, there is no chance to obtain information which may be beneficial in stopping or solving a future terrorist attack. And again, the greater punishment is to let him rot in a prison with no chance for parole. That is the more satisfying vengeance we could exact from such an individual.

Based on the facts as presented by President Obama the night of the SEAL Team 6 raid to capture Osama bin Laden, it actually was a shame that he was killed. I am sure bin Laden was shot in self defense by the team member(s) involved. Otherwise, he would have been a treasure trove of information concerning future attacks, perhaps including the Boston Marathon bombings. But since he is dead, we will never know.

However, the hand we are dealt is the hand we have to play. So, for now, we can exact revenge on Tsarnaev for what he and his brother did, by letting him live and working him for as much information we can ever hope to obtain.

After all, the old Spanish (and Klingon) proverb applies best here: Revenge is a dish best served cold. And it can be very cold in prison.

The Sins of the Eldest

I am the oldest in my family, so I know the responsibility that position takes in the hierarchy of siblings. The oldest has to be the learning dummy for new parents to learn how to be parents. The oldest has to set the example for others who follow.

Each sibling looks up to the one who came before him or her; all look to the oldest for guidance and approval. Boys will follow the oldest boy's actions, girls will follow the oldest girl. And all will follow the oldest.

Having said that, Tamalan led his younger brother down a path of destruction and violence, which we have not seen in many years. He developed ideas and beliefs which to most of us are foreign and also repugnant. The younger Tsarnaev wanted to please his brother, so when Tamalan returned from Russia, he followed him down that slippery slope.

We all know what happened last Monday; we were glued to our TVs and computers for updates on the victims who were injured and for the senseless deaths of a little boy and two young women. On Thursday, we watched the multi-denominational service, where President Obama gave a sincere and heartfelt eulogy along with other motivational speakers.

We watched again on Thursday afternoon as the FBI released video and pictures of the perpetrators. And we were transfixed on Friday as we watched the police, FBI and other first responders track down both brothers early in the morning and the surviving brother all day until he was finally taken into custody Friday night.

Now we will watch to see what transpires next for Dzokhar Tsarnaev who followed his older brother on a misguided journey that may ultimately lead to his death. Tamalan Tsarnaev did a disservice to his brother and that is terrible by itself.

But both have done great harm to innocent bystanders, the city of Boston, and to the psyche of the USA. For that, Dzokhar Tamalan will certainly never see the outside world again.

And for that the younger will pay with his life for the sins of the elder.

Dreams and Realities

Once a week, I like to think about good things, without tragedy, death, illness, taxes or even politics (which I actually love to discuss) involved. Tonight is such a night.

My Mets, I am orange and blue since '62, long suffering but loyal to the core, are coming home from a terrible road trip. It's not so much that they lost more than they won, though that is bad, as much as the games were called on account of SNOW!!

Tuesday's double header was played in arctic conditions and Thursday's game was played in 20 and 30 degree temperatures. That's football weather. I was waiting for Namath to throw a long one to Maynard, but I digress.

Back to my point. The Mets are coming home for nine games, to the cathedral we call Citifield, with an opportunity to get warm and also to get hot. The Captain, (yes Yankee fans, we have one too!) David Wright had a good road trip, in spite of the cold and snow, John Buck was decent, Jordany played well and Byrd was the Word.

Harvey is outstanding this year, living up to his press releases, and he starts tonight. Between him and Neise, we have a good one-two punch. Gee is overdue and we keep waiting for the rest to get it going. They will, I am sure of it.

So, Met fans, let's get that age old chant going, Lets Go Mets, Lets Go Mets! And cheer our boys of summer to a winning homestand, which sparks the fire to a winning year. After all, the playoffs and World Series could be in New York again.

But not in the Bronx. Lets Go Mets.

Precious Freedom

What is going on? Bombs in Boston, shootings in Newtown, Aurora and other American towns and cities, ricin sent to Senator Wicker and President Obama, and today, an abandoned truck  found next to an office building in Oklahoma City.

It is crazy. People are crazy. All this craziness, it is becoming fearful to go outside. But we are Americans, people who live in the land of the free and home of the brave. We stand up to this sort of violence and hatred, and rail at those who try to take away our freedoms.

99% of us are law-abiding citizens, just trying to get by in our humdrum lives, going to work, food shopping, taking our kids to soccer or dance. We are appalled and angered when these happen, and grateful it didn't happen in our neighborhoods.

But the problem is this. It is happening more frequently than we can imagine, and each time it is getting closer and closer to us. Soon, it could be the house down the street or the house next door. Or it could be us.

So, what do we do?

We need to stay strong and vigilant, looking for odd scenarios which don't make sense and report them to law enforcement. If we see a bag, or a pressure cooker, which looks out of place, we can't ignore it. We need to take more responsibility, be proactive, and not leave it for someone else to deal with the problem.

After 9/11, we did exactly that, but as time went on, we became as laconic as we were before that terrible day, and retreated into our comfortable cocoons.
We can't do this again.

So, let's remember that we are land of the free and home of the brave because we have fought for those ideals before and won those battles. It is time for us to take a stand again.

Or soon, those ideals will be lost forever due to our indifference.

America's Immigration Solution

In today's Washington Examiner, Byron York writes about the "Gang of Eight" and the immigration bill it is prepared to submit for consideration by the Senate. At first blush, it appears to resolve several issues concerning both sides of the issue.

Primarily, border security along the southern border is addressed in several ways. The Department of Homeland Security will be required to issue a "notice of commencement" which means it will be able to police 100% of the border and capture at least 90% of those crossing the border illegally. Similar programs will be in force at out airports and seaports. Surveillance and follow up will be key to the success of this piece of the program.

The second part of this legislation involves enforcement of E-Verify. This puts the onus on employers to make certain their employers are here legally and that verification of status is confirmed. All employees will be required to produce a passport or drivers license from states that require identification via federal ID's.

The third piece requires that the illegal person has to complete several obligations. He has to pay a fine, pay back taxes, be fingerprinted, and sign a statement that says he has been here continuously since December 31, 2011, and did not commit any crime. He then becomes a Restricted Provisional Immigrant.

In each area, there are time issues which will probably be negotiated before a final bill is voted on. But this is a good first step to comprehensive immigration reform. The senators who worked on this have worked hard to do the right thing,  be fair to those here and to resolve issues that will prevent a future immigration problem.

What all sides need to keep in mind as they debate this bill, is that a lame duck President Obama, could, by executive order, legalize everyone here as he readies his departure from office, making it difficult if not impossible for the next president to overturn that order. That would be the nightmare scenario.

So, it is up to us to convey to our representative and senators to vote in favor of the legislation which will ultimately resolve our border issues and put those people here now on a path to citizenship. We are a nation of immigrants. And one of our monuments, the Statue Of Liberty, actually says "give us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free".

That's why we are here. And that's why they came here, too, to live the promise that our nation affords everyone, more than any other nation.

Isn't it time to do the right thing?

A Childhood Sweetheart

In 1955, the Mickey Mouse Club debuted on television. I was 4 years old. I fell in love (?) with Annette. And so did all of America. She had no last name. To me, she was Annette.

On Monday, this child star that grew up very quickly, passed away from multiple sclerosis, which is a very debilitating disease. Annette Funnicello was a brave soul, who endured much in her final years and chose not to complain about her fate.

Walt Disney selected her personally to be on his show, whose audience was geared to young children and preteens across the country. She was featured as a singer and actress. She started in the second and third installments of Disney's serial, Spin and Marty. She also was in Disney's movie production of Zorro.

In the late 50s, a young, up and coming songwriter tried to date Annette, but he was blocked from doing so by the overprotective Walt Disney. The songwriter was Paul Anka, who wrote Puppy Love in her honor.

During the 60s, she starred in the Beach Party movies with Frankie Avalon. When Walt found out, he asked her to wear a discreet and proper bathing suit, covering her navel. After all, she was a Disney protégé'.

In the 70s, Annette did the Skippy peanut butter commercials, which kept her in the public eye. And we loved it. After all, Annette was America's sweetheart. She even was the subject of a song in the movie Grease, sung by Stockard Channing.

In the late 80s, Annette and Frankie did a movie which spoofed the Beach Party movies. It was at this time she was diagnosed with the disease that would ultimately kill her. Finally, in 1993, Annette Funnicello told the world she was suffering from this horrible illness. The reason she made this known was because of the stories circulating that she had a drinking problem.

She retired to a private life after that announcement, rarely making any public appearance. When she did, it was to let her fans know she was doing fine and to thank her supporters for their kindnesses.

So in words of the Mickey Mouse Club closing song... M I C.... See you real soon,   K E Y.... Why? Because we like you. Annette, America will always like you and more than just a few young boys who had a crush on you those many years ago, will always have a special spot in their hearts for you.

Goodbye, Annette.

America's Obesity Problem

I had to go to the doctor today because of some ongoing effect from my cancer surgery. Don't worry, all is well.

The doctor I saw was a surgeon who specializes in bariatric surgery, you know, lap band, gastric bypass, etc. I was shocked to see so many people who were so overweight and needed surgical help.

I thought about some of the reasons for people to end up in this condition: stress, heredity, advertising, laziness, no self respect. I mentioned advertising because in the 70s and 80s, we were lulled into bad habits by hamburger places, chicken joints, pizza parlors and  fish shops. The fast food types.

We became lazy because it became more convenient and cheaper to eat this food, avoid shopping and cooking it ourselves. And then for only a few pennies more, we could super size it. What a deal!

And what did we do? We passed these bad habits onto our kids. So now we are a nation of obese, lazy and sloppy men and women, boys and girls. That's a shame.

President Kennedy created the President's Council on Physical Fitness in 1961 because we were between 5 and 10 lbs overweight. We are now a nation that averages 50 to 75 lbs more than we should. We also suffer from high blood pressure, cardiac disease, diabetes, renal problems and other diseases which could be avoided by how and what we eat.

People were annoyed when Mayor Bloomberg instituted a ban on high sugar sodas. Me included. Now while I am not a fan of the nanny state, I understand he was trying to address a serious problem.

It is time that as a nation, we need to lose at least 50 lbs a person very quickly. Otherwise, we will see a future of problems as yet unforeseen for a surgery that could be avoided with diet and will power.

I am starting today because I have to lose 25 lbs more. Will you join me?

Banking 101

Sometimes, when you have put those self-imposed deadlines in front of you, brain freeze is the result. Today, I pored over the newspapers and found that other people wrote about subjects that interested me. I felt I had nothing new to add, so I moved onto another article. Around and around I went, at a loss for an idea.

I thought about something my brother said to me recently about this very subject. He writes articles for his online trade journal and from time to time, brain freeze is his enemy, as well.

So, what he does is go to a fallback subject and is able to write about that. He finds that to be a successful ruse to help himself unfreeze an idea from the depths of his mind and he can go on for weeks at a time with no further issue.

Well, my fallback is banking, since I was a banker for over 30 years. Now, I know most people will find this boring. I mean, who cares about how interest is calculated, right? Or how banks amortize loans? Do you really care? I thought you wouldn't.

But here is something that might interest you. 9 banks control 69% of all bank assets. Read that again. NINE banks control 69% of all bank assets. That is what the Federal Reserve Bank classifies as "Too Big To Fail".

And here is something else you need to know-these 9 banks are the major owners of the Federal Reserve. The Fed doesn't exist without these banks. Oh, it looks like an independent entity. But, it's not.

The Fed has kept the rates low on its member banks to borrow, which in turn, has kept the prime rate and mortgage rates at historical lows. And because the mortgage rate is so low, what do think the result of that is? That's right. No mortgage loan for you.

The banks have made it more difficult to lend because credit has been tightened due to its own stupidity and greed from 1995 to 2008, when the financial markets came tumbling down.

And because the mortgage rate is so low, banks can't lend since no one will buy the loans at such low rates, even though credit standards have been tightened.

It's a viscous cycle we are in, and the Obama administration knows it. That's why a little reported story was told late last week, when someone in the administration said that banks should loosen their standards. So that people not normally qualified to obtain a mortgage could buy a home. Sound familiar?

So, maybe it's a good  thing that the housing market is tough right now. Only those qualified to purchase a home with the right credit and financial history are risky enough to lend. And knowing that banks are "too big to fail" is probably good enough to know that these banks are also "not too stupid to make bad loans".

It will be at least another four to six years before the housing market comes all the way back. Which really is not a bad thing, considering how bad the economy has been since 2008.  After all, do we want another financial crisis, perhaps worse than this one?

The Real News

This week, there were several news stories that grabbed our attention: the economy (again!), North Korea, gun control, medical marijuana, Jodi Arias. All were important, all were headlines in their own rights.

Even baseball made news, just by starting the regular season, with the fact that inter league play is an everyday occurrence because both leagues now have fifteen teams.

And how about the Easter Egg Roll at the White House? That was news too, given the effects of the sequester.

Or, March Madness. And the injury to the Louisville player, with the tragic leg injury, his inspiring actions and recovery.

All these stories were prominent in our 24 hour news cycle. They all show that we have the attention span of a gnat, because almost as soon as a new story  pops up on our devices, our interest in the preceding story wanes.

But the most important story that happened was not on TV. Or on our smartphones. Or our tablets. Or computers. Or on the radio.

No. The most important story was our own story, the story of our own lives. And how each of us affects lives of others. The fact that each of us interacts with someone else, is an important story, too.

The fact that you did a kind act was not a story told on the evening news. But to the person who received that kindness, it was the most important news of the week. You did it not for glory or notoriety, but out of love and respect for your fellow man. It was not unnoticed.

We need to remember that we are important, not for our publicity, but for our quietude. We do things not for public consumption but for just doing the right thing. And that even if it is not said, a simple thank you is enough reward.

So thank you for all the good things you did for another. And know that it was appreciated.

The New(?) Korean Conflict

Just about 63 years ago, the two Koreas began a fight that basically resulted in a stalemate. To the American GI's sent there in 1950 and 1951, they were told it was a police action. Think about that for a minute. A police action with howitzers and bombs? Not to the soldiers who fought and died there. And not to the many fortunate to make it back.

The conflict ended with a truce and armistice; Americans accepted that document as an end to hostilities and so did the Koreans. Or so we thought.

Over the last 60 years, North Korea has  blustered and threatened South Korea, and to a lesser extent, Japan, all for concessions and food supplies. We agreed to these because we did not want the situation each time to escalate out of control.

Today, Kim Sung Un is rattling the sabers again, the same as his father and grandfather before him. But this time it's different. It's different because Un has the potential of starting a nuclear conflict, with rockets and a well-trained military. He has shown with the successful launches in December and February, that the missiles are functional.

We would like to believe that it is still nothing but bluster, but our intelligence
has shown it might be possible for North Korea to start something which could get out of control overnight. And then what? The North attacks South Korea and in the middle are 30,000 US troops. They will be forced to respond out of self defense.

North Korea will then launch nuclear tipped missiles against the United States, which, while we believe they won't reach the US mainland, could reach Hawaii, Alaska and Guam. Certainly, the missiles will reach the South and Japan. Do we do nothing in response?

Any action by America will be met unfavorably by Russia and China, causing an escalation. And what about Iran? That country is an ally of sorts of North Korea. They could respond by attacking Israel, which could force Israel to respond. Perhaps with nuclear weapons.

This is a game changer, for sure. Considering that Un had announced that a state of war now exists between the north and south, we need to find a way to diffuse a very tenable and dangerous situation quickly.

Or the point of no return will be here and gone with a flash of light. And world war 4 will certainly be fought with sticks and stones.