Isn't It Time to Clean House...and Senate?

We live in the greatest country in the world. Someone say amen before you are hunted down and dragged through the proverbial mud. Not really, it just seems that way.

What Does the Skip Schumaker Signing Do with Plans for Brandon Phillips?

The Cincinnati Reds just signed utility player Skip Schumaker to a two year deal according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.

Sources: #Reds, free agent Skip Schumaker agree on two-year deal, pending physical.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 18, 2013

Have a Heart Attack? No thanks, I Just Had One

I was just thinking about health and technology. Health, because mine is in a declining trajectory, and technology because I question everything.

In particular I was thinking about the heart. I don't mean the heart like, 'She broke my heart.' I am talking about the heart that has attacks. If you are anything like me you probably don't give it that much thought, and won't until you have a heart attack of your own. Yes I have had a heart attack, and unfortunately I know not when, or where for that matter.

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I found out about it after my doctor at the VA Medical Center had me take a stress test. She didn't order the kind that makes you walk on a treadmill like some crazed hamster. No, we went for the nuclear version. 

I didn't hear anything about results for several weeks. By chance I was seeing my doctor on an unrelated matter. I told her that I hadn't heard anything about my stress test results so I was assuming that was good news. She looked up my history on her computer terminal for the first time and said, "Hmm, looks like you have had a heart attack."

Now it was my turn, "Hmmm, when was that?" She explained that she did not know when it was or any details but gave me a consult for a cardiologist.

My mind began to wonder when I could have had a heart attack that I weathered without the aid of an emergency room visit. I had a stroke in 2004 that put me in the hospital for nine days, but didn't kill me. You would think I would begin perceiving myself as a bit immortal. You know kind of like, "OK heart attacks and strokes, you can't kill me!" But no.

I saw the cardiologist who promptly prescribed nitroglycerin and an additional blood pressure pill to bolster the one I was already taking. Now, I felt 82 instead of 62, walking around with a 'heart attack pill' in my pocket. She also ordered me an ultra-sound for my heart                    

(echocardiogram).

The 'echo' as we in the know call it, showed that no damage was done to my valves. Yeahh!

The cardiologist explained that the valves being intact was indeed a very good thing.  She did say that she would like for me to have a heart catheterization. A Cardiac catheterization involves 

some scary stuff. Inserting something into my groin and driving it into my heart gives me pause. Sorry.

The cardiologist has explained to me, after I asked, that the death rate is 1/5000. So one person out of 5000 don't know what the results were. Let me talk statistically if you will. That is like saying 200 ppm or 200 parts per million. For every million people who opt for this procedure,there are 200 who would have been better off not having it done. Reminds me of Andy Warhol, went in for gall bladder surgery and didn't answer the bell.

With technology having escalated to the point it has, why can't they see blood flow and what-not from something outside the body, less invasive? I would liketo see a medication developed that would remedy anything wrong. For example, if you have a headache, take the pill and Bam, headache gone. Leg real sore, take the pill and presto, no more leg pain. Whatever the problem, one pill does it all. 

I would like to think I will live to see that pill, but my heart tells me differently.

To Pray or Not to Pray - That is the Constitutional Quandary

(Photo by Brett R. Carlsen of USA Today)

I was just thinking about jokes. Have you heard this one? A Jew and an Atheist go into a Town Hall meeting and find everyone praying, and kick up a fuss that goes to the Supreme Court. Wait, that isn't funny. No and it is not a joke either, it actually happened in 2008. Most of us are finding out about it now because the Court is arguing it now.

How many times must we be forced to revisit this?

The "Establishment Clause", defined by Nolo's Plain English Law Dictionary is: Contained in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, this clause prohibits the government from establishing an official religion. It also prohibits the government from preferring one religion over another, preferring religion over non-religion, or vice versa.

The Athiest, Linda Stephens, 70, and the Jewess, Sue Galloway, 51, were in a town meeting at Greece, New York when the proceedings lead off with a prayer. Obviously the two were so offended that they had to remove themselves from the meeting and go outside.

Were they really that bothered? If so, why are they smiling? This is just another shameless way for someone to obtain their 45 minutes of fame.

Whatever the reason, the two have sued the Town of Greece and it is being argued at the highest level of judicious review across the fruited plain.

"You'll see the town government officials crossing themselves, or bowing their heads, and their hands are clasped like they're praying," said Galloway. "It just feels uncomfortable."

Hmmmm. When things feel uncomfortable to most people, they avoid them. Don't you just hate it when someone tries to ask the blessing of their God over their happenings? That was Galloway, the self proclaimed Jewess, she sounds as though she may be atheistic too but not wanting to out herself of the closet.

The reason she gave for filing the suit with Stephens is that historically, "Religion and government have not been the best combination."

Where would this country be had not the founders had enough of God in them to include Him in everything American, i.e. money, deeds, dates, and what not?

From what I gleaned from this is not so much prayer, in and of itself, that bother the ladies, it is just that they pray to Christ. Galloway and Stephens say they and others who attend the meetings are a captive audience and should not be subjected to sectarian prayers.

The justices all looked at the facts and made some comments. Justice Anthony Kennedy said he did not like the thought that government officials or judges would examine the content of the prayers to make sure they are not sectarian. "That involves the state very heavily in the censorship of prayers."

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. seemed wary of the government distinguishing acceptable prayers from unacceptable ones. “Who was supposed to make these determinations?” he asked.

A decision from the High Court is expected in June. I have your decision right here. If you are offended by the praying of the body of people who believe, wait outside until the praying is over.

What do you think?

Who Is Your Favorite Bible Personality?

Have you ever been asked who your favorite Bible Person is, Old Testament and then New? You can't count God or Jesus (same being), besides He should be everyone's favorite.

Judgement House - Some Like it Hot !

I was just thinking, louder than usual actually. Why is it that people perceive things differently? A great example is an event produced by a local church, Christ Temple. It is scheduled each year to run through the Halloween “season” usually concluding on Halloween night.