Currently headlines all over are posing this question: Is Obama too soft on Iran? I do believe the President Obama should increase his voice on the issue. Again, this is not only going to effect the Iranians, but the United States as well.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Iran Iran Iran
What a mess?! Iran is in political turmoil. Citizens all over the country are in an uproar over the recent elections. Should the US step in and intervene? Should President Obama be a little more involved? ABSOLUTELY! This election not only effects the Iranians...it affects the entire world. With such political unrest in the Middle East to being with it is important for the US and other countries to have peaceful relations with Iran. Having a new ruler for Iran may be the best thing.
Currently headlines all over are posing this question: Is Obama too soft on Iran? I do believe the President Obama should increase his voice on the issue. Again, this is not only going to effect the Iranians, but the United States as well.
Currently headlines all over are posing this question: Is Obama too soft on Iran? I do believe the President Obama should increase his voice on the issue. Again, this is not only going to effect the Iranians, but the United States as well.
The Great Smoke Out
President Obama signed into legislation today a bill allowing the FDA new power to regulate the tobacco industry. The new bill will allow the FDA to control the manufacturing, marketing and sale of tobacco. GREAT NEWS! I am not a smoker and I can probably count on one hand how many of my friends/family smoke, but this is truly great news for all of us. Having the ability to regulate the way tobacco is marketed will benefit all of us.
Lets look at the big picture. Tobacco kills! There is no doubt about that. Over the past few decades there have been many massive law suits against tobacco firms. Along with the steady increase of lung cancer (mainly amongst males - see chart below). With an increase in tobacco related medical issues it affects all of us. The financial results are tremendous. Not only does it increase out insurance premiums, but insurance companies all over are to pay tobacco related illnesses.
Australia already has a very informative marketing scheme. It is required to have the health risks on ALL cigarette cartons. (See below). In the end I think this is a great bill and I am looking forward to the positive effects
Lets look at the big picture. Tobacco kills! There is no doubt about that. Over the past few decades there have been many massive law suits against tobacco firms. Along with the steady increase of lung cancer (mainly amongst males - see chart below). With an increase in tobacco related medical issues it affects all of us. The financial results are tremendous. Not only does it increase out insurance premiums, but insurance companies all over are to pay tobacco related illnesses.
Australia already has a very informative marketing scheme. It is required to have the health risks on ALL cigarette cartons. (See below). In the end I think this is a great bill and I am looking forward to the positive effects
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Obama's Healthcare
In recent weeks Obama has been discussing a universal health care plan to ensure Americans have health coverage. And in recent days he has been discussing malpractice and the thought of placing a cap on malpractice suits. Both are very valid issues that need to be addressed in the United States. I have seen first hand how Socialized Medicine works. In September 2007 fell ill with a rare form of cancer. I was diagnosed in a small coastal city in New Zealand. Upon arrival to the hospital it took hours to be seen by a doctor and then another three days to start the necessary tests to properly diagnose my illness. Once diagnosed it took another five days to complete the necessary paperwork to start treatment. The doctors were great and the care I received was tremendous, but I strongly feel that if I was in the United States with my medical/insurance card I would have been diagnosed in 75% less time and begun treatment much sooner. On the other side of the coin is the issue of so many Americans with NO insurance at all. This is a major issue and it is not going to go away in the near future.
Another hot topic recently is the amount of high end malpractice suits. I understand a life is precious and I can not say I would be thinking with a clear mind if I (or a family member) would be in a situation that a medical professional would neglect me or misdiagnose me. The end result could be detrimental. However, some law suits that come through for malpractice are insane. I personally know an individual that was misdiagnosed by her physician for months. She sued him for millions of dollars only to settle out of court for a fraction of the cost (she still walked away with millions). Was it necessary? She is still an able bodied individual. She lived a very normal life a able to carry on a good job. Is it the revenge factor? With this suit being settled the doctor will now have to pay higher premiums for his malpractice insurance. Insurance companies are getting hit everyday with these frivolous suits when that money can be sunk back into the health care system. Would a malpractice cap help our economy and out health care system?
More to come....
(My brother and I at Geisinger)
Another hot topic recently is the amount of high end malpractice suits. I understand a life is precious and I can not say I would be thinking with a clear mind if I (or a family member) would be in a situation that a medical professional would neglect me or misdiagnose me. The end result could be detrimental. However, some law suits that come through for malpractice are insane. I personally know an individual that was misdiagnosed by her physician for months. She sued him for millions of dollars only to settle out of court for a fraction of the cost (she still walked away with millions). Was it necessary? She is still an able bodied individual. She lived a very normal life a able to carry on a good job. Is it the revenge factor? With this suit being settled the doctor will now have to pay higher premiums for his malpractice insurance. Insurance companies are getting hit everyday with these frivolous suits when that money can be sunk back into the health care system. Would a malpractice cap help our economy and out health care system?
More to come....
(My brother and I at Geisinger)
Friday, June 12, 2009
VOTE!
Last week in class we discussed the voting process. I personally was amazed as to the amount of people who DO NOT vote. CRAZY! The lifeblood of this country is in the hands of the people and only 35% of Americans vote?!?!
We discussed several ways to increase voter turnout. One of which was mandatory (compulsory) voting. There are currently 32 countries that have compulsory voting (only 19 enforce it). I really like the idea of creating alternatives to increasing voter turn out, however is compulsory the way to go? I have been a registered voter since I was able to drive, but did not taking a serious interested until I was 21 and moved to Florida. I like the idea of compulsory voting, however my concern is simple....IGNORANCE. I must admit that the first few times I voted simply ticked the individual that stuck in my head more or the ad's that I liked on TV. It wasn't until a few years ago when we voted for the new Florida Governor (Charlie Christ) that I actually took a serious interest in choosing a candidate that I felt was qualified enough to fill the position. We are in a different era....an era were the media (TV/Internet/Etc...) can seriously mold our decisions. I can remember a piece on World New Tonight during the peak of the recent Presidential Elections that really hit home with me. Charles Gibson was reporting on the types of media the younger generation migrate to. For instance David Letterman and Jay Leno play a huge role in morphing the minds of the American public on the candidates. Whether it was totally out of the ball park or a small joke toward a candidate, it played a role in the 2008 elections. I am fearful that the younger crowd will take those types of remarks and make a decision purely based on humor. The Internet was a another source for poor information related to voting. We need to educate the general public before making a sound decision on who is going to run our country for the next four to eight years.....we can't base that on a skit from Saturday Night Live. EDUCATE! EDUCATE! EDUCATE!
We discussed several ways to increase voter turnout. One of which was mandatory (compulsory) voting. There are currently 32 countries that have compulsory voting (only 19 enforce it). I really like the idea of creating alternatives to increasing voter turn out, however is compulsory the way to go? I have been a registered voter since I was able to drive, but did not taking a serious interested until I was 21 and moved to Florida. I like the idea of compulsory voting, however my concern is simple....IGNORANCE. I must admit that the first few times I voted simply ticked the individual that stuck in my head more or the ad's that I liked on TV. It wasn't until a few years ago when we voted for the new Florida Governor (Charlie Christ) that I actually took a serious interest in choosing a candidate that I felt was qualified enough to fill the position. We are in a different era....an era were the media (TV/Internet/Etc...) can seriously mold our decisions. I can remember a piece on World New Tonight during the peak of the recent Presidential Elections that really hit home with me. Charles Gibson was reporting on the types of media the younger generation migrate to. For instance David Letterman and Jay Leno play a huge role in morphing the minds of the American public on the candidates. Whether it was totally out of the ball park or a small joke toward a candidate, it played a role in the 2008 elections. I am fearful that the younger crowd will take those types of remarks and make a decision purely based on humor. The Internet was a another source for poor information related to voting. We need to educate the general public before making a sound decision on who is going to run our country for the next four to eight years.....we can't base that on a skit from Saturday Night Live. EDUCATE! EDUCATE! EDUCATE!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Obama Weak?
On Saturday Sarah Palin make a very strong comment regarding President Obama's plan to cut spending on a missile defense program in Alaska - WEAKNESS!
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced in April the administration cuts would put a stop to a $1.2 billion missile defense project in Palin's state. Is it a sign of weakness? Let me pose this question. Is there a middle ground? I do agree with Gov. Palin ... we need to have a strong defense system in place. Not only for Alaska, but the entire country. I also see President Obama's side of the coin.....budgets cuts are an unfortunate thing, but in this economy it is a necessity. So, is there a middle ground? Can we revamp the budget and still provide some funding for a defense project? Would this project create jobs?
I asked some friends and colleagues this question, "Was President Obama's decision to cut the missile defense program out of the budget a sign of weakness?" The results are unanimous...100% said, "NO!"
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced in April the administration cuts would put a stop to a $1.2 billion missile defense project in Palin's state. Is it a sign of weakness? Let me pose this question. Is there a middle ground? I do agree with Gov. Palin ... we need to have a strong defense system in place. Not only for Alaska, but the entire country. I also see President Obama's side of the coin.....budgets cuts are an unfortunate thing, but in this economy it is a necessity. So, is there a middle ground? Can we revamp the budget and still provide some funding for a defense project? Would this project create jobs?
I asked some friends and colleagues this question, "Was President Obama's decision to cut the missile defense program out of the budget a sign of weakness?" The results are unanimous...100% said, "NO!"
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Obama's Muslim Apology?
There have been opinions flying around the media that President Obama is toruinig the Middle East on a mission to say, "We're Sorry!" True? Not sure....there are always two sides of the coin. Some reporters are saying it makes the US look weak that we are in the Middle East with the intent to apologize. I think this is a very interesting report. I think Obama is doing a stellar job trying to make amends with the Arabs in the Muslim world. As I mentioned in an earlier post there is, what I believe, to be a "gap of ignorance." Taking the time of out running the United States to meet with key political officials in the Middle East to start this process is critical in gaining strong (and positive) relations with the Middle East.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
The Muslim World - The Gap of Ignorance!
Today on CNN.com the headline on their political page read "Poll: Few Americans have a good view of Muslim world".
Ignorance! Pure ignorance! Not everyone in the Muslim world are bad. Yes, some are and as the saying goes "One bad apple can spoil the bunch". I have done some extensive travel to the Middle East/Arab world (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Doha, Bahrain, Beirut) and I loved it. I was welcomes with open arms. People treated me like I was royalty....literally! I too was ignorant at one point and and my first trip to the region I was on guard, but soon opened up and I was pleased with what I saw.
Now lets look at the other side of the coin.....9/11 for example. Thousands of innocent lives lost due to the beliefs of Muslim extremeists. Every time I hear the words "Allah akbar" I get chills! There needs to be some intervention between the Western world and the Middle East.
I believe the Obama Administration needs to continue their efforts in the Middle East and fill the gap between the two nations.......not only the political gap, but the "gap of ignorance" between the two.
Dubai, UAE (2007)
Dubai International Airport (2004).
Ignorance! Pure ignorance! Not everyone in the Muslim world are bad. Yes, some are and as the saying goes "One bad apple can spoil the bunch". I have done some extensive travel to the Middle East/Arab world (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Doha, Bahrain, Beirut) and I loved it. I was welcomes with open arms. People treated me like I was royalty....literally! I too was ignorant at one point and and my first trip to the region I was on guard, but soon opened up and I was pleased with what I saw.
Now lets look at the other side of the coin.....9/11 for example. Thousands of innocent lives lost due to the beliefs of Muslim extremeists. Every time I hear the words "Allah akbar" I get chills! There needs to be some intervention between the Western world and the Middle East.
I believe the Obama Administration needs to continue their efforts in the Middle East and fill the gap between the two nations.......not only the political gap, but the "gap of ignorance" between the two.
Fathima and I at the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca (2006).
Dubai, UAE (2007)
Dubai International Airport (2004).
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