Down To The Wire

For the last few weeks, US citizens have gazed at the spectacle of our hobbled lawmakers unable to agree on the issue of raising this nation's debt ceiling. In the recent past, this type of legislation was so commonplace that previous representatives and Senators practically rubber-stamped the one-page legislation with very little second thought. But something has changed in the fiber of this great (maybe, once-great) nation.

Now, there is a President who is a Democrat, but also a man of color, the first one elected to the Presidency. And there are also hate-mongers out there, who think nothing of proclaiming open disrespect for the man who serves in this office. I do not remember ever hearing hateful heckling of a US President before it happened to President Barack O'Bama, a man for whom I voted because of what he stood for.

There is also a prominent fundamentalist right wing group of Republicans who have misread the sentiment of the American people. They have been open about their desire to dismantle the mechanism of government, laws, and programs that have existed for decades. They will stop at nothing to thrust their views at the American people. All of this has come to rest on the issue of raising this country's debt ceiling.



So, within our legislative bodies, where compromise has been the hallmark of law-making, this legislative minority has held this great nation hostage while they dig in their heels and vote, "No, no, no..." until the vast majority caves in. What do they want? Nothing less than gutting Social Security, ditching Medicare and Medicaid, dismantling all EPA laws, massive tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires. Although the hazards of actually agreeing to their stipulations is beyond the scope of this entry, suffice it to say, that their wish list would pull this country's safety net from underneath those vulnerable individuals who most need it.

So, while we all watch this country sinking under the possibility of its first known credit default, those busy Republican tea party members watch clips from The Town, then manage to vote for a proposal that they already know is unacceptable to the Senate, the President, and the majority of US citizens. So much for wasted time and effort. How about voting on that one-page raise the debt ceiling piece of paper that is all that is really needed to resolve this situation? The voters are watching and waiting!

Corporate Welfare And The Federal Budget

Over the past few weeks, the citizens of the US have been held hostage over the Tea Party Republicans' rigid stance that unless the majority of US citizens give up their Medicare, Social Security, Medical Assistance, and EPA laws to balance the budget, they won't vote to increase the debt limit. Apparently, they plan to allow the world economic system to collapse because they refuse to allow multi-million dollar corporate executives to give up their tax subsidies - and we all know how poor they are!



Anyway, yesterday the Baltimore Sun published the salaries of some local executives and the percentage increase for the past year. Such individuals as A. L. Giannopoulos, CEO of MICROS Systems, received a compensation package of $7.8 million, triple what he earned last year; and David D. Smith, CEO and chairman of Sinclair Broadcast Group, received $3.6 million, triple what he earned last year. National CEO pay rose an average of 28%, to a median of $2.8 million. (From Baltimore Sun; http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-bz-2010-executive-compensation-20110710,0,983117.story). So, this is the group of "poor" corporate heads that such individuals as Mr. Paul Ryan, Mr. Eric Cantor, and Mr. John Boehner have fallen on their swords to protect.

By the way, how are the rest of us doing with salaries and employment? Not so well. Unemployment is still relatively high and those wonderful CEOs have not bothered to share the wealth with their employees. Pension plans would probably not take the place of any cuts in Social Security and lowering Social Security COLA would leave many seniors unable to afford the co-pays that they must increasingly pay under Medicare. Yet, seniors have very little choice but to rely on Social Security and Medicare because those wonderful corporations for which they worked have cut pensions. And...can anyone name ANY companies that provide their retirees with health insurance? No? Didn't think so. So, it turns out that Republicans plan to balance the budget on a group of citizens who can't afford to shave even pennies off their incomes! Is that fair?

Our Still-Ailing Health Care System

For many years now, those of us working in the US health care system have been aware of its failings, from the shortened inpatient stays, which leave some health care needs unmet, to the inexorable rise of health care costs, to the increasing numbers of uninsured individuals.

Two issues have arisen lately, pointing to the fact that the system is even more broken. I remember a few years ago when there was a lack of influenza vaccines and a troubling lack of tetanus immunization serum. Well, that is not all that is in shortage. Over the past few years, I have personally seen a shortage of certain brands of stimulant medications and the cipro shortage while the anthrax poisonings were prominent after 9/11. A few years ago, when I worked at a local RTC, there was also a shortage of haldol tablets. While I did not see any negative effect in any one patient's treatment, I do remember that we scrambled to make the supply stretch to accommodate those in need.

Lately, as I have been picking up shifts at UMMC, I have noticed rather frequent notices from the pharmacy that supplies of certain medications were in shortage, particularly such medications as cytarabine and norepinephrine. While none of my patients were affected, since I work in child psych, these two medications are vital, the former for cancer treatment and the latter for shock. People could die from the lack of these medications. Whatever the cause, this time, of the shortages of medications, this is a dire situation within health care.

The other that continues to haunt the US health care system is the issue of the uninsured, the numbers of which continue to climb.  This has arisen at a time that Republican legislators are grandstanding over whether to continue the Medicare program and Social Security.



The issue came home to a middle-aged man from Gastonia, NC, who lacked health insurance because he lost his job, but was at a loss to resume working to be able to get health insurance because he was in too much pain to work. So, this man wrote out a note that he presented to a teller at a local bank that he was robbing the bank of one dollar. The man had no weapon. Now, he sits in prison, getting food, clothing, shelter, and that vital health care that he couldn't get as a law-abiding citizen.

So, that comes around to this ill-advised plan to get rid of Medicare, which has been in effect for more than forty years. Very few companies provide any type of health insurance coverage for their retirees and very few could afford to pay for costly private health insurance out of pocket. Even a $6400 subsidy for the poorest would fail to provide any usable insurance. Are we all to become like that middle-aged man in NC? Is that the only way the Republicans would be able to let those of us who have worked for 30 to 50 years be dumped out of our workplaces, with no Social Security and no health insurance of any sort? Would they leave their own parents in that condition?

Personally, I see no other solution except to continue the safety net of Social Security and Medicare. Everyone in our society has come to rely on these programs and companies operate to cut people off from retirement plans and health insurance, except for what is provided by the federal government.

Keep in mind, folks, that the showdown is coming in August. That is when there is no more money to cover the refusal of the Party of No to increase the debt limit. My mother will be one of those opening her mailbox, only to find a note from the Social Security Administration that checks can't be paid, starting this month, due to government default. Looking at it, I think we all know who to blame. And if it takes all of this nation's seniors going to the local bank to get arrested, as above, or to have a massive sit-in at the National Mall, so be it. Whatever happens will be bigger than anything the Tea Partyers could devise.

A Tornado Warning? Here? In Maryland?

There was an era, not so long ago, when I had never heard of a tornado warning here in Maryland. In fact, a tornado touching down anywhere near here was extremely rare.

I guess my illusions were shattered last year in September, while I was traveling to an assignment as school nurse at Shiloh Middle School. As I was driving out of Baltimore County, I heard one of those emergency warning signals on the car radio - you know the kind, the warning blast that causes you to change the station for a few minutes.

Anyway, because I was driving in a new location (and also without GPS), I was trying to note when I needed to make a turn, so did not flip stations and found myself listening to a tornado warning. And guess what? I was driving to the county that was under the warning.



Obviously, it all turned out well, since I never encountered a tornado, but I was looking closely, since there were some pretty dark clouds overhead. Anyway, the experience sort of led to my noting more tornado warnings since then, breaking into my TV viewing. There have been so many, in fact, that I lost count of how many there have been since September.

Two things brought this circumstance to my awareness of late. The other day I was really into this program about invasion of nonindigenous animals into the US, mainly proliferating in Florida, which has provided ideal conditions for their increase in numbers. Anyway, the program kept getting interrupted by tornado warnings for Harford County because of the clash of hot and cold fronts. You remember the triple digit temperatures in Baltimore-DC area? Well, the storm ushered in a drop of about 30 degrees in temperature. Apparently, the US weather services are trying to determine whether a tornado actually did touch down near Belair.

Secondly, I was reading a bit about the Gaia hypothesis, developed by James Lovelock, in which he postulates the earth's surface as being one system. As those of us familiar with Systems Theory know, a change in one part of the system affects the rest of the system. So, it is Mr. Lovelock's conjecture that pollution is overwhelming the earth's system of self-regulation and will tip the balance from the more stable system into a more unstable, hotter one.

Whether one is playing ostrich, like the Republicans, or buys into the fact that pollution is adversely affecting earth's climate, one certainly must take note of such things as unstable weather patterns. I cannot say for certain that hearing tornado warnings more frequently is an indication of climate change or just the scientific knowledge and equipment enabling better warnings of adverse weather, but it certainly prompted me to think about the influence of human activities on our ecosystems.

If You're Looking For A New Furry Friend

This is the time of year when animal shelters become crowded with cats. With the abundance of litters of baby kittens, there is an abundance of homeless cats.

As they have done in past years, a consortium of Baltimore area animal shelters, known as the Baltimore Animal Welfare Alliance, have gotten together to waive their adoption fees for cats and kittens. The campaign is known as The Baltimore 500 and the goal is to adopt out 500 cats to new homes. So, for the entire month of June, cats and kittens can be adopted for free. The Towson Animal Hospital is donating the first vet exam, also for free.



Of course, all of the qualification requirements at each shelter for prospective pet parents still apply. I also add the further caveat that prospective pet parents be aware of the responsibilities involved with adding a furry friend to your household. Adoption is meant to be for the life of the pet and you need to have the necessary funds and live in a place that allows pets. You should also be willing to learn about what is involved in the care of your chosen pet. So, even though you can adopt a cat for free, think it over carefully before taking the plunge.

You can visit the animal shelters online at www.bmorehumane.org, www.baltimoreanimalshelter.org, and www.mdspca.org. Feel free to ask the staff for any information to help make your decision. Many thanks to Jill Rosen of the Baltimore Sun for the facts, noted above.

A Dream...Changed!

It was an evening after a charity basketball game at Randallstown High on May 7 , 2004 and a crowd of students and parents were leaving the school gym. Suddenly, shots rang out in the dark and a 16-year-old boy was lying in a pool of blood, along with three others. The most seriously wounded of the four was young William Thomas, a high school football player with dreams of NFL glory.

Within moments, this young life was changed, for the bullet had shattered his spinal cord. The dreams of NFL glory could be no more.



But this was not the end of the story. There was heart, determination, and grit within this young man, despite a body changed. But first, the injuries had to be treated and healed. Any dreams had to be deferred to the hard work of surgeries and grueling physical therapy. Life had to be learned with legs that did not work.

So, life started over. As the years passed, a new dream formed--one of inspiration and nonviolence. Life can still be good and can go on, as he shows others, whose lives have also changed similarly. Also, inspiration for students, now younger than he, who can learn how to pick yourself up in the midst of life's challenges and how greatly violence can shatter lives.

In the midst of all of his life worth living, today marks the day that William Thomas, now 24 years old, graduates with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Morgan State University. Yes, it is a life changed and a dream changed, as well. Good luck to you, William Thomas! I am just so proud of you, though I have never met you.
(Many thanks to the Baltimore Sun for the facts of the story; the opinions are my own.)

The Wrong Appointee

For the past few days, controversy has been blooming over yet another State of Maryland political appointee - one David Geier, who sits on the Commission on Autism and is self-described as a "diagnostician" and an adminiatrator of ASD Centers, a franchise that operates in several different states. The father, Dr. Mark Geier, also with the ASD Centers, has been prescribing a potent hormone, lupron, to children diagnosed with autism, although the same Dr. Geier has no credentials as an endocrinologist, nor any specialized expertise as a pediatric psychiatrist or neuropsychiatrist.

Lupron is used to treat prostate cancer, endometriosis, and precocious puberty, by overstimulating the body's production of certain hormones, with the result that the body stops producing those hormones temporarily. It is not recommended for use in children. There are notable precautions and caveats regarding the administration of this medication, which means that certain precautions are required for those with particular medical conditions to be able to take the medication safely. One of the biggest risks is for osteoporosis, or bone loss, which we all know is a growing part of children's bodies. Also at risk are those with heart disease; among those who are diagnosed with autism-spectrum disorders are those with velo-cardio-facial syndrome, which places these youngsters at high risk.



I have worked with children and adolescents, who have been diagnosed with various autism-spectrum disorders, for more than 15 years as an ANCC board-certified registered nurse in psychiatric-mental health nursing, with a bachelors degree in nursing, and I can say that I have never heard of using Lupron for treating any aspect of autism-spectrum disorders. I have noticed that the issue of mercury from immunizations causing the disorders has not been upheld by the scientific evidence, and that mercury has not been used as a preservative in immunization serum for the past 10 years. Absolutely no evidence backs Lupron as a treatment for autism-spectrum disorders.

So, basically, these ASD Centers, Dr. Mark Geier, and David Geier, have been peddling what amounts to snake oil to desperate parents at a loss for a cure for what troubles their children. Basically, there is no cure for autism-spectrum disorders. However, that does not mean there is no hope or no treatment. There are a broad range of treatment for the disorder, including Sensory Integration, Special Education, Behavioral Treatment, Sign Language, Animal Therapy, Movement Therapy, Music Therapy, and psychiatric medications. I have utilized many of the above and have found them to be helpful to individuals with these disorders. Moreover, many of these treatments fall into the body of practices known as evidence-based practices. It is one way for parents to determine what are the legitimate treatments and many add to the quality of life for those affected by these disorders.

So, how did David Geier come to sit on this State commission, which offers advice to the Governor? If you are wondering, so am I, and I hope those responsible answer this question and remove David Geier forthwith. For those who are wondering, Dr. Mark Geier's medical license has been suspended by the Maryland Board of Physicians, although he maintains licenses in other states. May other states take note and investigate this duo, so other parents do not engage them to treat their vulnerable children with this useless and dangerous drug!

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Why To Keep Funding EPA Laws

We all know that Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI) has proposed drastic budget legislation that would eliminate all spending to enforce the EPA laws, among its various monetary cutbacks. The idea behind this particular part of the budget bill is the Tea Party belief that there is no such thing as global warming, so who needs any environmental protection laws, anyway?



The EPA laws are not part of US law just to prevent global warming. Have any Tea Party members gotten a look at the air quality above China's cities and the numerous citizens of those cities wearing face masks when they are exposed to that air? Is that what you want for our American cities? I realize that the federal government is operating under a huge deficit (and who do you think is responsible for THAT, GW?), but just trying to keep some clean air over our cities seems to be a given. Add in clean water supply - we in Baltimore know that accidental sewage dumps can make water undrinkable - and you have more than ample reason to keep money for environmental protection well-funded within the federal budget.

The American Lung Association has just released its report on air quality over major American cities. Even with our EPA laws fully funded, our major cities struggle to maintain breathable air, without high levels of smog or particulates. Yes, citizens of major cities, as we head into the summer, remember the relevance of those air quality reports when we receive the red warning days on which those with lung diseases are encouraged to remain indoors because of poor air quality. Remember that this is the way it is when the EPA has proper funding. Do you REALLY want the numbers of red warning days to increase? Do you really want more people with asthma, more people with heart disease, more people suffering from strokes, more people dying younger, because Representative Ryan and the like-minded Tea Partyers believe that the EPA laws are just about global warming, which doesn't exist, in their religious belief system, so they don't want to pay for environmental protection, so all of the rest of us can choke when we breathe the over-polluted air left to us? Is that what you are saying Representative Ryan and Tea Party followers? And...can I quote you on that?

When Is A Viral Video A Bad Idea?

Did anyone see the video or note the controversy surrounding the viral video posted online, showing the brutal violence of two young women (one was a juvenile) towards a transgendered individual, who had stopped to use the restroom at a McDonald's in Baltimore County? Apparently, You Tube removed the video due to its graphic violence and McDonald's went so far as to publish a press release decrying the brutality as unacceptable behavior for any McDonald's customer or employee (the involved employee was fired).



Now, I don't know exactly how badly hurt the victim was, and I did not want to add any sense of approval by viewing the video myself. I just wonder by what depravity anyone would deign to post such a video and then what would possess someone to view it for entertainment (Huh?!). Suffice it to say, it is my belief that no human being, no matter what their shortcomings, characteristics, or issues, deserves to be brutalized and then - adding insult to injury - have a video of the incident readily available for viewing. Come on, people - aren't we all more humane than sinking to such a crass level? (Amen!)

Tribute To William Donald Schaefer

As most of us who live around Baltimore know, William Donald Schaefer died on Monday night, at the age of 89. This was a man who was larger than life and embodied the spirit of Baltimore. Considered an old-time politician, he left an indelible mark on the city he so loved. Back in the 1980's, he was a colorful mayor of Baltimore and, perhaps, the driving force behind the development of the Inner Harbor. I remember when the Baltimore Aquarium was not completed at its deadline, Mayor Schaefer took a famous swim in the seal pool, complete with rubber ducky and 1890's swimsuit. And so, the Inner Harbor and the Baltimore Aquarium stand near the statue of the younger man, located at McKeldin Fountain. But the mayorship was not all.



Next, William Donald Schafer became Governor of Maryland at a time that was much less fiscally stressful. Then, his administration was noted for fiscal responsibility. And, also, a middle-aged nurse from Sheppard-Pratt Health System (that is I), attended a recognition ceremony honoring the top 55 nurses in Maryland, as determined by their workplaces, in 1994. None of us saw any of the irascible nature that was part of his reputation. He was genial and respectable, focusing the spotlight on all of the honorees. It is a memory that I have cherished since.

Once his two terms were completed, Mr. Schaefer went on to serve two terms as Maryland's Comptroller of the Treasury. He was not one to hold back when he had an opinion and so he sounded off on many different issues, some of which were controversial. But, no one could say that he was not honorable in carrying out his duties. By the time he left public service, he was in his 80's. He became a well-known citizen of Charlestown Retirement Community, living a quieter life with his cat.

Now that he has passed on, there is just one more task that remains - a final tour of the city he so loved. Bon voyage, William Donald Schaefer!

Have Coins? Will Collect!

Vintage coins, that is. You could try looking under that old bureau, or inside the crawl space where grandma or grandpa’s old stuff may be stashed away, just waiting around for you to find them. Who knows, you might find a coin there, an older coin that - at present-day rates - might be priced at a few dollars; most likely three-, four-, or five-, even ten-times the coin's value back in those days.

A penny a day, has good worth
Fortunately or sad to say, there was a lack of copper during the entire year of 1943, and all of pennies at that time were minted employing steel. There were, nevertheless, some Lincoln pennies that were erroneously minted with bronze that turned out to be blanks. A few years - or decades afterwards -these bronze pennies are recognized as rarities and have become valuable. The steel ones, though, because of their commonality, are priced between one to three dollars each.

Be aware and take care, as there are scams in which naive coin collectors are sold coins, which are copper-plated, in order to make these pennies appear to be bronze. Additionally, keep your guard up any time somebody gives you a circa 1943 penny made from a metallic white alloy.


Old coins are wonderful coins
Coins, specifically silver dollars created and distributed between 1878 and 1935, are valued between twelve dollars and twenty five dollars for the circulated coins. The coins that were not in circulation are valued considerably higher.

Meanwhile, those quarters, dimes, or half dollar coins created and distributed prior to 1965, tend to be made from ninety percent silver and are, therefore, worth around today’s silver prices (with an additional premium, although modest, applied to the coin’s face value).

Wrong pennies are right
There is in existence a Lincoln penny issued in 1972, on which the date and also the characters upon it appear to have been double. This particular rare coin is currently worth about sixty dollars, if the pennies are in standard condition. The Philadelphia Mint, during that time period, accidentally misaligned the die utilized in minting the coins, resulting in the picture of Lincoln appearing like it was double. Happily or unfortunately, eighty thousand of these were produced before the mistake was identified.

To sum up, coin collecting is similar to collecting pieces of history and trivia from the past. In addition to the face value, its value as treasures - pennies, dimes, and coins - generally are worth a lot more over time.

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