Renovation

Health Care, Access and Insurance

   Health insurance does not guarantee access to medical care. Health insurance will not significantly curb rising health care costs in America.

   If the percentage of Americans who are not covered by health insurance drops from 46% to 32% by 2014, the savings to the American public will be measurable but not statistically significant. 

   I spent an hour Monday getting an education on this matter from a well placed public health care consultant. Some of what I wrote about health care reform in the 2012 campaign over at aintsobad came from this interview.

   The gentleman I spoke with (listened to) is a committed Christian who did not know until after our conversation (monologue, with him as speaker) that I was a Christian and a minister. He sought to convert me to his beliefs about the Christian opportunity for relevance that is set before us in light of the coming health care crisis.

   We will have some more later.

 

Opinions expressed here are mine alone.

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Elected Head Calls for Review/Change of Homosexual Hiring Ban

   As reported yesterday in Associated Baptist Press, the CBF's highest elected official has called for a complete review of the current ban on hiring homosexual men and women by the religious organization. 

   Collen Burroughs, CBF moderator, says it is time to review and amend the 2000 CBF statement on homosexual practices. In a separate statement, she personally said the ban on hiring homosexuals is "divisive, unenforcable and probably not baptist."

   Ms. Burroughs says the conversation about amending the 2000 statement is "an intellectual conversation as much as a theological one."

   The discussion Ms. Burroughs envisions would ideally take place at the annual CBF convocation in Ft. Worth, TX, in June.

 

Source: Associated Baptist Press, online article, written by Bob Allen on Friday, February 24, 2012. Titled, "CBF Leader says it is time to revisit ban on hiring gays."

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opinions expressed here are mine alone.

 

Maryland Legislature Latest to Approve Same-Sex Union

   What in the name of seccession is going on here? Conservatives, the next time you guys get up about State's Rights, defend this!

 

Opinions expressed here are mine alone.

Basketball Season Now Officially Ended

   Well, at least for me.

   I called again this year. In fact, I called over 100 games in all, though I was offered twice that number. I spent most of the time in pain I would describe as moderate to severe. Frequently, once the games started, it was possible to put the pain aside and just get into the Holy Sport.

   I ran as well as I have for years, purposely not taking off a trip up or down the court. I found myself able to make the turn, check the lane and work either the base-line or the arc. I saw some good games, some dreadful games and made some friends.

   My partner during the first game of the year was a large black man I did not like much during the game we did together. I walked off the court that night thinking I would not want to call with him again.

   Then, God said, "Make him your friend."

   So, I called the young man and made a date for some coffee. We talked about officiating, about conditioning, knowing the mechanics, getting in position. Then, I offered him some officiating opportunities for the rest of the year.

   We have been on the court about a dozen times since then. He has become my friend.

   We were walking out of an inner city gym one night, late, the game ending in an overtime frenzy in a ratty old gym where suburban kids would not deign to shower. The parking lot was mostly empty, the night was dark and late.

   "I'll walk you to your truck," my friend told me.

   "You don't have to do that," I told him. "I can get there."

   "I used to live down here," he answered. "There were times we would not let you white boys out."

   He was not laughing when he said it.

   We parted amiably. He is my friend. I am proud to step on a court with him.

   God, as usual, was right.

   I dropped just over eleven pounds during the season and consumed a boat load of Advil. 

   Yes, I am proud to have finished this season. My hardest stretch was one during tournament season,when I stepped on the court at noon one Saturday. My relief did not show up, not at all unusual these days. I walked off the court at seven in the evening, one game after another, non-stop, seven hours of interval running. 

   Yes, I spoke the next day. On my feet.

   My plan is to live right up to the moment I don't anymore.

 

Opinions expressed here are mine alone.

Chili Dog

   Right now, I want a chili dog. Real beef, not turkey or tofu. Onions, yellow mustard and a toasted bun.

   Yes, this is an evil desire. I would like actual potato chips with it and a Coke.

   No, I will not have anything of the sort. I did not say I would act on my wicked impulses. I just want a chili dog, beef, with onions, yellow mustard and a toasted bun, chips and a coke. 

   I will end up with yogurt and a water. 

   I will still want a chili dog.

   So, there.

 

Opinions and chili dog desires here are mine alone.

Super Bowl Ends. Odor Lingers On.

   A British pop singer apparently flipped off America.

   An aging American actor/director apparently asked America to stand up for something or other.

   The losing QB's model wife cursed his team mates.

   The winning TD was scored against a defense not trying by an RB trying not to.

 

   Forget the Pro Bowl, Mr. Commissioner. Drop the Super Bowl.

 

Opinions expressed here are mine alone.

Newt Says...Does...Oh, Drat, Newt...Come on, Man...Really...

   In response to criticisms about his "slightly overlapping marriages," Newt Gingrich said, "People don't care what I do. They only want to hear what I say."

   Seriously. He said this right after he said he would put our 51st state on the moon.

   He is so smart, so tough, such a good thinker, writer and politician. I love to listen to his talks on foreign policy.

   It is sad he is so sleazy, Newt makes Bill Clinton look prudish.

Sigh.

 

 

Opinions expressed here are mine alone.