Thank you President Bush

I have many reasons to thank you for your years of service to our country. First, and most important to me, is the fact that thanks to you there have been no terrorist attacks on our soil since 9/11/01. You have shown the countries that have sponsored terrorism against the USA that they do so at their peril, and they haven't done so for seven years and two months. Now that you are leaving office, they may be emboldened to try it again. I hope not, and I pray that your successor will have the fortitude to respond appropriately.

Secondly, I thank you for the prosperity we have enjoyed under your leadership. The recent economic disaster will be blamed on you, but is clearly the result of the Democratic leadership's blocking reforms of FM/FM, and the financial ties of Dodd, Frank and Obama to those corrupt entities.

Finally, thank you for your strength, your commitment to our country, your humanity, and your decency. And thanks to Laura, also, and her support for Letters About Literature and other programs.

Update, Dec. 22, 2008

No thanks for the bailout! Still your friend,

Buck

Time to visit the Hardware Store?

Just thinking that the old toolchest might need a few more slots filled in. Never can tell when a shortage might develop. A few nails to go with the hammer isn't a bad idea. See you at the store.

Joe the doctor

I am Joe. Like Joe the Plumber, I have major differences with the Democrat candidate for President of the United States. Also, like Joe, I have things in my past that I would not necessarily want to see reported on television. That would be one of the reasons I am not running for office. The fact that that is an issue is one of the things that most concerns me about this election. The major networks are so in the bag for Obama, that he gets a total pass on everything in his past, but a citizen who asks a fair question gets "vetted" and everything embarrassing is out there in public.

Where are the questions for Obama? I'll suggest a few. Why are you hiding your actual birth certificate, your college and law school records, your thesis, and your connections with the unrepentant radicals? Here I am referring to Pelosi, Dodd, Reid and Frank, but you might answer about Ayers, Dohrn, Wright, Alinsky, Al Mansour, Klonsky, Khalidi, and Davis, as well. What is your past and current relationship with ACORN? After you give us those answers, I will have a few followup questions. While I wait, let me toss you a few softballs. What is your most significant accomplishment up until today that shows how you are qualified to serve as President? What person close to you has had the most influence on your philosophy of life? What foreign leader, present or past, do you most admire? Which foreign government has done the best job of providing health care for its citizens?

I have been providing care to injured patients without regard to race, creed, color, national origin or ability to pay, for about 43 years. I will continue to do so as long as I am able. I would not be willing or able to do so under a compulsory system of socialized medicine. Look at our current government programs, Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare. Although covering less than half of our population, they cost over half of our annual health care budget, and will have cost overruns in the trillions of dollars even if not expanded as Obama proposes to do. I believe that we need, and deserve, better than that. That is one reason why I am for McCain-Palin.

The most important reason why I am against Obama is his position on our national defense. As a patriot who volunteered to serve our country in two wars, I cannot support a candidate who has said he will ‘cut investments in unproven missile defense systems’; he will ‘not weaponize space’; he will ‘slow our development of future combat systems’; and he will also ‘not develop nuclear weapons,’ pledging to seek ‘deep cuts’ in America’s arsenal, thus unilaterally disabling its nuclear deterrent as Russia and China engage in massive military buildups, and NoKo and Iran are working on nuclear weapons. Yes, I believe that Obama would be tested within six months of his election, and that he would fail the test, to our severe loss. Think before you vote, please.

Armed Self Defense

There is a significant increase in interest in armed self defense in recent years, and now a majority of states permit it. Even after the recent Supreme Court decision, there exist a few jurisdictions that still deny citizens this right. I am still one of the bitter clingers, but you may hope that I will change. There isn't much chance of that, as I just took the course to get my concealed handgun permit. I had one a few years ago, but allowed it to expire, after moving away from the state that issued it. It is a good idea to take a refresher course every few years, as laws change from time to time, and range practice is always a good idea. Here is a link to a great introduction to the subject. I am fortunate to live in a state that permits open carry to all citizens who may lawfully possess a firearm. Only concealed carry requires a permit. I prefer to be discreet, most of the time, so I am getting the permit. When should one carry? Always, with the exception of in places where it is illegal. And most of the time you should avoid those places, because they aren't safe.

Sports Bra Bare Boobs Saves Hiker Stranded in Alps

This story tells how to motivate potential rescuers, in this case lumberjacks. The expectation of bare boobs will do it. I am going to add a bra to my emergency kit, and use it to signal for help if I am ever in a bad jam. I don't think any other article of clothing would have the same effect.

Hemispatial Neglect

Hemispatial neglect is generally left sided, and is common in people who have injuries to the right cerebral cortex. It also is seen in MS, tumors, stroke victims, and sometimes in post-encephalitic patients. My eighteen year old son and I have each been involved in motor vehicle incidents in the past week, in which drivers failed to see oncoming vehicles on the left side, and entered the intersection right in front of the oncoming car (ours, in each case). I wonder how often this condition is a factor in accidents. I know that the individuals who have this condition are usually completely unaware of it. We once did an experiment involving motorists at intersections with oncoming motorcycles. Overall, about 80% failed to recognize the collision risk when the motorcycle had its lights off, and about 25% when the lights were on. We didn't separate left and right approaches, but I believe that the risk would be statistically higher in approaches from the left. You can buy this watch here.

Walter Williams for President

In a recent column, Dr. Williams dealt with the doomsday predictions of various environmental extremists over the years. After reading it, I reviewed his other recent columns, then looked up his biography, and then read all of his available writings. I have concluded that he is the best candidate for the Presidency of the United States, and would have the best chance of succesfully addressing the major problems facing our country. I urge you to review his writings. If nothing else, they will give you a very valuable education in economics. You might feel that he is biased in favor of free market economics, but then, on the other hand, that is what works. Click here for his archives.

Global Climate Change

As the above picture clearly demonstrates, Jupiter is experiencing severe global climate change, doubtlessly a result of Al Gore's bloviation producing clouds of greenhouse gases, especially methane. Please send me all your money so that I can send them some carbon credits. Thank you.

Breastblogging

In a shameless effort to increase my blog's popularity, I have decided to focus on breasts. Catblogging is not my thing. Feel free to comment and bring your own favorite pictures and breast stories. I am also interested in obtaining corporate sponsorships for this blog and for my medical practice.

How Much Do I Owe You?

A German woman who wanted to smooth some wrinkles on her chest was aghast when she woke up with bigger breasts instead, the New York Post reports. Ingrid Bruelling, 33, wanted doctors to give her breasts firmer skin after she lost 200 pounds on a crash diet. But when she woke up after the operation, she found that doctors had put in silicone implants, increasing her cup size from a C to a D. The Web site Ananova.com reports that Bruelling is suing doctors over the procedure.

You say you want a revolution!

Presidential candidate Barack Obama is an articulate speaker and has star quality that has appeal to all classes of voters. He appears likely to be the Democrat nominee for President of the United States. I have a few concerns, and one of them is what he really believes in. What is in his heart, his core? Is he, in fact, sort of a Manchurian Candidate?