Random Thoughts

Some days I have an idea of what I would like to write about on my blog. On those days, the ideas build up in my head until I cannot wait to sit down at the computer. There are other days that I do not have either the energy to stay up late writing or the energy to express what is on my mind. At other times I would like to post a few sentences in reference to something I saw on the news or around the house with the kids.

1) Tonight I wonder if Obama's new plan will extend Neil's time in Afghanistan. This happened to other doctors during the surge in Iraq. It will be interesting to see, especially in light of Obama's statements about a strategy on both sides of the Afghani/Pakistani border. My understanding is that Neil is required to be in Chicago for his oral board exam in April and to Boston on 1 July. We had a friend who flew home and back for his board exam...We will keep you posted if we hear anything to that effect. BTW, Obama defended his long deliberations by reminding the public that there were no plans presented to him that addressed deploying troops before 2010. Unfortunately, it would make sense that the logistics behind deploying 30K more people to Afghanistan might take time. Neil reminded me that there needs to be housing, food, sanitation, communication, clothing, uniform, weapons, armor, and transportation, time for people to train, time to fill out the amazing amount of paperwork/boxes to check before being deployed. The best military strategy is to get the boots on the ground in the dark of winter. Somehow December 1st seems to be cutting it a bit close. Finally, if we are waiting this long to even decide, why can't the Marines leave Dec 26? In the grand scheme of things, with increasing divorce and suicide rates in the military, a week makes a difference? Here is a case of action for the sake of action. No one can say that Obama didn't do enough, why, he had Marines on the ground within 25 days of his decision. That's a man of action. His ego couldn't handle saying that he had boots on the ground within the month? While he's enjoying his wife and daughters on Christmas, hosting parties that cost more than some of these Marines make in an entire year, he will console himself with thoughts of how decisive he was notwithstanding the all-important health care debate and the poor state of the economy.

2) Mike Huckabee: I'm not a huge fan, but I don't wish you the Thanksgiving weekend you had. Is it true that he granted clemency to this guy out of mercy and compassion? No one noticed that this murderer was a nutjob before they let him out of prison for the second time? What a truly horrible thing to have on one's conscience. Another reason why executive experience in a President is desirable. Had Obama made similarly tough decisions before he took the oath of office? Huckabee may have made a decision that turned out poorly for many involved, but my guess is that he will be a better leader because of it. Just hopefully not my leader.

3) John Gotti: a 4th mistrial because the jury just couldn't get past their gridlock in the deliberations. If we dug deeper would we find that some of these jurors are on the take or that their families have been threatened in some way? How does a former mobster and drug trafficker end up with 4 mistrials by coincidence?

4) Obama is hanging the Secret Service out to dry. Also the Navy Seals. And the police from Connecticut. Does he have an issue with authority? I'm not comparing him to the guy from Mike Huckabee's nightmare, but his new theme song might be Jon Mellencamp's "I fight authority and authority always wins." The only plausible explanation for that brilliant rich couple's "invitation" to the party is that someone inside the White House staff let them in but will not take responsibility for it. I refuse to believe that the Secret Service decided not to do their jobs at this important event. It is convenient for the couple that there is an ongoing investigation that prohibits them from revealing to Matt Lauer who their invitation actually came from. At least Matt asked them about it! I feel as if I should stand and applaud the man for doing his job. Finally, this couple is all over the media while Climategate is not. Yet another coincidence?

5) Climategate: whether or not you agree with man-made global warming, legitimacy is the concern here. If the science is so strong, or should I say, the consensus on the science is so strong, can it not withstand another look, some more data analysis? How can these people retain credibility with their alleged attempts at dishonesty? How can their cause maintain legitimacy if the people reviewing their data, publishing papers are not allowed to report their findings accurately. When we don't follow our own rules we lose legitimacy; we cease to exist as the entity as it was originally founded.

6) I am tired of a few government service employees today. The ones in my husband's department have been ever so helpful. The lady that runs the bonuses, well, is on leave until Dec 9. It doesn't matter that none of the bonuses have been paid for our hospital. It doesn't matter that she had Veteran's Day off. (Actually, up here Veteran's day is like a training holiday including the long weekend after it, so she had at least 2 days off.) Thanksgiving was also a two-day holiday. How about this, let's ask my sister, or anyone who works in the private sector, if their boss would appreciate you dropping the ball for something that you are only required to do two times a year and then taking 10 days of vacation. In this economy, who's the first one to go in that office? I understand that the federal gov't was slow to approve some funding recently, but apparently BAMC doctors received their bonuses last week. I've been told to hope it's before the New Year. Especially since if the bonus arrives after 1 Jan, there will be people that rack up three bonuses in one year, which will move them up a tax bracket. They will have to work just to pay the taxes on it. As we are relatively low on the totum pole, we won't have that problem, but shouldn't someone in authority be concerned with that? Do these same people that plan bonuses ever see the attrition rates for surgeons in the Army? From what I hear, "hemorrhage" is an appropriate description to the number of surgeons and physicians getting out of the Army, many walking away from 15 years on the table. If you can tell, this stresses me out. Just a little bit.