I set out to make a list of things I want out of life; things I want to do. I was quite surprised how hard this was. While it seems simple to roll around a mental list of things you might like to have, it is actually quite difficult to come up with things you want purely for yourself. I performed this exercise because I felt that I may not be sure of what I wanted and thus might not really be focusing on it. You might be fairly amazed at how thought provoking this can be. This exercise has 3 rules.
Rule 1: No wants that require another person to do something.
You just can not control what other people may do no matter how much you want them to. Leave these off your list. Examples to avoid include: "I want Jane to love me", "I want a partner in my life", "I want to make my partner happy."
Rule 2: No wants that don't directly involve you doing something.
Examples: "I want world peace", "I want housing costs to be cheaper", or "I want life to be easier". Basically these are all things that you probably can not achieve directly even if you can help them along. If you really want to achieve world peace then say something like "I want to volunteer for the UN."
Rule 3: No negative wants or "I do not wants"
Examples: "I don't want to be poor", "I want Bob's house to burn down", etc. Every example I came up with could be restated with a positive want. If you don't want to be sick, then you want to be healthy and fit. If you don't want to be afraid anymore, then you want to live bravely.
This is primarily a set of things you want to actively do or seek in your life. Now we'll make a separate list for what you want in a partner, but you need to have this list of what you want in life first. Really write these down. There is a real significance to seeing what you want written down. I'd love to hear what you discover about yourself in this. No one has to share their list.
A little bit more about why I chose to do this... For a long time I've been watching the Universe and seeing how it prods us all along on our paths. I began to realize that while I know the Universe will conspire to deliver our happiness when we seek it, we still get to make our own choices. I was too caught up in seeking what I was meant to do and not really deciding what I wanted to do. Thus the list.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Inclusion
All the religions of the world got a few things right. All the religions of the world got a few things wrong. All the religions of the world were created by the human race. The human race was created as part of the Universe. The Universe includes the human race. The human race through religion has tended to make itself separate from the Universe.We tend to plod along imagining that our course is separate from the rest. We imagine that we are special to other things or that our destiny is our own while the rest of the Universe merely tries to keep up or follow along. We forget that all things have but a single origin. All that is, is. The origin of the tree, the stone, the river, the Sun and all the heavens is the same origin of the human race. All things were created together to take shape in this Universe; to form and reform; to change.
We can not be separated from it. We can not be excluded. We are creatures of it born as part of it. We are fully capable beings of the Universe. Everyone and everything has a part. We are actors and observers. Our purpose is different from the tree or the stone, but our role is not any more, or less, significant. While all things are connected we are also unique and travel a different path.
Feel this connection in your life. We are a part of everything and each other. In this way knowing yourself is knowing everything.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
The Trouble with Twitters
I've discovered a problem with Twitter and Facebook. While they are great communication tools they have limited or no archive. One of the most valuable things I thought would result from blogging was the lasting archive of what I wrote. Much like a diary, I could go back and re-live the things I wrote about. So while FB and Twitter are awesome for sharing brief moments of my day, they suck at the archive. There is nothing to be done about though other than just try to write and post more often.These last 3 months of the year have been crazy. I have a very active project at work and so many other real-life things that it has nearly squeezed out time for extra things like blogging. Still I see vast area for improvement. My time management skills at home could be improved quite a bit. It is a struggle to keep up with calls and correspondance. But it is all part of the trade-off of moving to an island. If i were still in Kansas right now, I'd be freezing inside and probably complaining about all the time needed to go visiting every weekend. Lives are full no matter what you do *grin*.
Gabe finished a school project. It is due today. We did an experiment on evaporation. While not the most scientific of topics, it did go over the basics of how to do a project. In case anyone wondered... water does not evaporate all that quickly during a rainy cool week in Wellington by the sea. Like really not at all.
I have spent a lot of time on personal reflection. My Dad died which I suppose makes anyone think about things. But even more than this I have just been thinking about life. I have not come to any profound conclusion and I am not seeking any specific answers. I guess it is just good to review things now and then and see if anything needs to be re-filed.
I do want to get back to writing much more. I know some new tricks. I know music greatly enhances my muse. I know I need to chart out when I feel like writing and see what I can do to make myself available for writing in those times. I suppose it is all steady progress toward a goal. I find that living each day is just so enjoyable I am not driven to improve things greatly. I hope this is a good thing and not a sign of complacency or laziness. I am looking forward to Christmas and a long holiday after. There are certainly some great advantages to kiwi life :-) .
Monday, November 16, 2009
Aging, as told by George Carlin
George Carlin on aging! (Absolutely Brilliant)
George Carlin's Views on Aging
Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we would like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions.
'How old are you?' 'I'm four and a half!' You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key.
You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead.
'How old are you?' 'I'm gonna be 16!' You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16!
And then the greatest day of your life! You become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony. YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!
But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're Just a sour-dumpling. What's wrong? What's changed?
You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone...
But wait!!! You MAKE IT to 60. You didn't think you would!
So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE IT to 60.
You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday!
You GET INTO your 80's and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; 'I Was JUST 92.'
Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. 'I'm 100 and a half!'
May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!
HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay them.
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
3. Keep learning! Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever, even ham radio. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's family name is Alzheimer's.
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Eulogy for my Dad
How do you start to write such a thing as the summary of a man’s life? How can you possibly capture all the friends, family, trials and victories? I will spend many years thinking about my father’s life and I don’t know that I will ever have a final conclusion to give.
What I now feel is that this funeral is for the living. If what we believe is true, then my Dad is looking back now with perfect understanding. He knows how all of us felt about him and he has been welcomed home. What I say today will be no surprise to him. What I hope to do then is give some peace and comfort to those of you here today.
My Dad’s life was hard. He struggled more than most. In the end he overcame many challenges. He became happier. He was free of the anger he feared most in himself. But he did not do this alone.
My perspective on my Dad’s life must be skewed by the distance we had. But even from my view it was obvious that my Dad had the best of friends around him. These people made the biggest difference in my Father’s life and I want to thank you all.
My Dad worried that he could never be a good husband and father. His self-doubt kept him from reaching out. It is hard to recognize the good in such men not because it is not there, but because you must search for it to find it. Well, Jojo, you found it. Over 25 years you stuck by my Dad and loved him when he could barely love himself. You saw the best in him. He was a hard man to stay by and I thank you for it, Jojo. I know he loved you and that alone is an amazing thing.
I knew very few of my Dad’s friends by name and I apologize for this. But the one name I know has been a fixture in my father’s life for as long as I can remember—J.J. You have been with my Dad through all his adult years. You were there when he was an ornery youth. You were there when he was a troubled man. You were there at the end of his life while he was still aware and it mattered most. You provided shelter and often even the basic means of living. I can not find words to adequately express how true your friendship has been. I know my Dad would thank you and so I thank you. These words are not enough for friends such as you.
Uncle John. My Dad only has one brother. I know that the two of you were not always close, but for many years you lived and healed together. He may have been gruff at times with you. But at his heart, he wanted you to be happy and free of the struggles you shared. As brothers you looked after each other. I know he would be grateful. He knows you did your best for him. He would be happiest today if you could leave here free of your burdens. But after all things, he will always be your brother and he will always be looking out for you. Thank you, Uncle John.
My Dad has three sisters who, I must confess, I barely know. But again I could see from afar how much you loved your brother. I saw how hard you worked to maintain a connection to him. You have always been accepting, supportive and forgiving. I have read that Home is the place where when you arrive, they have to let you in. It is clear that you have always let my Dad in. You have always let me in. You have been good sisters. Thank you.
Lastly, I’d like to thank my Mom for both me and my Dad. She was never a barrier between my Dad and I. She was never hard or demanding. She never judged my Dad. In all my years she has never said an unkind thing about him. He was what he was. He was a good spirit and that was enough. I know he was grateful and I am grateful.
I know there are many more friends here today who have played large and small parts in my Dad’s life. I know he cared for all of you. I know he was thankful to have you and help you. I think my Dad discovered he was happiest when he could help others. I am amazed to know that he helped so many when he had so little himself. This is what I will remember. The great lesson he has taught is that it is never too late or too little. Do your best.
My cousin, Carrie, has been here for me and my Dad in planning these last days. These tasks have not be easy or simple. With so little to work with she has done an amazing job. Thank you, Carrie.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Naked Short Selling
Sounds pretty sexy, eh? Anything with "naked" and "shorts" in the title ought to involve Spring Break co-eds, but not today. This is an update to the financial story I blasted out on Facebook a few weeks ago. The story came from Rolling Stone and basically describes this basic scenario around short selling.
First a very basic explanation of short selling on the stock market which is 100% legal and a good thing to do. Say you have a feeling that stocks in BobCorp are going to go down. They've been flat for a while and the whole Bob-sector is down and you think BobCorp is likely to drop soon. So you come to me (a big BobCorp stock owner with 10,000 shares) and you ask to borrow them for a few days and I agree. You take the shares I gave you and promise to pay me back or return all my shares in 3 days. The current share price is $100 and so the total value is $1,000,000. You immediately sell all my shares for $1 mil. The next day, the fallout you expected happens and BobCorp shares fall to $50 a share. You then immediately buy back 10,000 shares at a cost of $500,000. You then give me back my 10,000 shares and pocket the difference--a cool half mil for only 2-3 days work. Again this is all legal and it work because really there are a few fees in there for me and the broker.
Now in this example I was the stock owner of real shares. I really gave you 10,000 shares to sell and you really bought and sold 10,000 shares. All good. But this not what is happening *today* on the US stock market. Today if you wanted to short sell a stock you would only have to call up your broker and tell them you wanted to short sell 10,000 shares of BobCorp. They may not have 10,000 shares to give you, but they'll act like they do and they'll sell off 10,000 shares for you (they get a % fee on all transactions remember). But in reality lets say they only owned 8,000 shares to lend. But in the US you can still pretend you have 10,000 shares and so 2,000 shares are effectively "created" from nothing and sold to the market. Some buyer got 2,000 bogus shares in the deal. Later you buy back the shares from the market and give them back to the broker. Maybe they are "real" maybe not... it doesn't seem to matter, the extra 2,000 shares stay on the market. This is Naked Short Selling. Now the broker knows those 2,000 shares are not real and they are keeping track of them. They will pay dividends (if any) on them because they make so much money on the fees that it is still profitable for them to float these shares.
The real problem here is that there is not even a rational limit on how nuts you can go with overselling shares. Most people realize that if you flood any market with goods the price goes down. The same is intensely true of the stock market. So here you have a system were you can totally artificially create more shares and then flood them on the market to drop the price--which totally *works* for you because you're more and more money the farther the price tanks. In fact, throw in a couple of nasty rumors about impending lawsuits or the CEO sleeping with underage hookers and you get a real old fashioned hachet job on the stock price. You make a mint. The company you just abused? Well it will might recover or maybe it just files for bankruptcy. Who cares? You made millions. Other investors in that business will take the loss.
This is all legal in the US. The current stock trade system doesn't verify that a broker really has the shares they lend and since the brokers are paying the fees and handling the transactions--no one complains. Folks who have complained (for years) have been ignored. It obviously makes too much money to be stopped. Incidentally... some of the folks most likely to used this trick in the biggest ways are now financial advisors to the President and hold seats on the SEC...
Interestingly enough... this doesn't work in New Zealand. Trades have to settle in 3 days. That means you have to really have the shares in 3 days or the broker is busted. I can't speak for other markets around the world, but I suspect most of them have a way to prevent this. This corruption is obvious to the rest of the world. But I don't see too much outrage about it in the US press... I don't think it was even reported by CNN... hmmm... wonder why?
First a very basic explanation of short selling on the stock market which is 100% legal and a good thing to do. Say you have a feeling that stocks in BobCorp are going to go down. They've been flat for a while and the whole Bob-sector is down and you think BobCorp is likely to drop soon. So you come to me (a big BobCorp stock owner with 10,000 shares) and you ask to borrow them for a few days and I agree. You take the shares I gave you and promise to pay me back or return all my shares in 3 days. The current share price is $100 and so the total value is $1,000,000. You immediately sell all my shares for $1 mil. The next day, the fallout you expected happens and BobCorp shares fall to $50 a share. You then immediately buy back 10,000 shares at a cost of $500,000. You then give me back my 10,000 shares and pocket the difference--a cool half mil for only 2-3 days work. Again this is all legal and it work because really there are a few fees in there for me and the broker.
Now in this example I was the stock owner of real shares. I really gave you 10,000 shares to sell and you really bought and sold 10,000 shares. All good. But this not what is happening *today* on the US stock market. Today if you wanted to short sell a stock you would only have to call up your broker and tell them you wanted to short sell 10,000 shares of BobCorp. They may not have 10,000 shares to give you, but they'll act like they do and they'll sell off 10,000 shares for you (they get a % fee on all transactions remember). But in reality lets say they only owned 8,000 shares to lend. But in the US you can still pretend you have 10,000 shares and so 2,000 shares are effectively "created" from nothing and sold to the market. Some buyer got 2,000 bogus shares in the deal. Later you buy back the shares from the market and give them back to the broker. Maybe they are "real" maybe not... it doesn't seem to matter, the extra 2,000 shares stay on the market. This is Naked Short Selling. Now the broker knows those 2,000 shares are not real and they are keeping track of them. They will pay dividends (if any) on them because they make so much money on the fees that it is still profitable for them to float these shares.
The real problem here is that there is not even a rational limit on how nuts you can go with overselling shares. Most people realize that if you flood any market with goods the price goes down. The same is intensely true of the stock market. So here you have a system were you can totally artificially create more shares and then flood them on the market to drop the price--which totally *works* for you because you're more and more money the farther the price tanks. In fact, throw in a couple of nasty rumors about impending lawsuits or the CEO sleeping with underage hookers and you get a real old fashioned hachet job on the stock price. You make a mint. The company you just abused? Well it will might recover or maybe it just files for bankruptcy. Who cares? You made millions. Other investors in that business will take the loss.
This is all legal in the US. The current stock trade system doesn't verify that a broker really has the shares they lend and since the brokers are paying the fees and handling the transactions--no one complains. Folks who have complained (for years) have been ignored. It obviously makes too much money to be stopped. Incidentally... some of the folks most likely to used this trick in the biggest ways are now financial advisors to the President and hold seats on the SEC...
Interestingly enough... this doesn't work in New Zealand. Trades have to settle in 3 days. That means you have to really have the shares in 3 days or the broker is busted. I can't speak for other markets around the world, but I suspect most of them have a way to prevent this. This corruption is obvious to the rest of the world. But I don't see too much outrage about it in the US press... I don't think it was even reported by CNN... hmmm... wonder why?
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Micro-Blog
I have so much I want to write about that I am paralyzed with it. So in an effort to dislodge I'm going to blast out micro-blogs on each topic. Hopefully I can expand again later...
My Dad:
Dying, but looking pretty good. Chemo was stopped so that makes you feel better. Visit was emotionally complex, but ultimately good.
My Kids:
Totally awesome to see them. Great to spend so much time just following them around from school to home and such. Good to talk with their teachers. Field trip with Sabrina was one of the best times I've had. I put 2000 miles on the car I borrowed from my in-laws (Thanks Judith and Cindy!)
Vegas:
Still the same. The Bellagio may be my favorite hotel of all time.
The US:
It was actually hard going back. Vegas didn't help as it is an exaggerated version of all things excess in America. I was battered by it somewhat. Everyone I visited with was working harder than before, more stressed, and generally stretched. It was an incredible favor to be able to stay with Carey and Graham while I was there (thanks!).
Wall Street:
I read an article about how fundamentally illegal market manipulation may have collapsed 3 of the 5 big banks in America. The article was posted in Rolling Stone which I found odd. But despite the most glaring and flagrant manipulation no official investigation was underway. Most concerning is that if you looked at who had the most to gain such an act you would see the other 2 banks. There were many suspicious dealing by these 2 leading up to the collapse. I am appalled to now think these crooks will never be held accountable and the money they stole from Americans will never be given back.
NZ History:
I have been reading "The Penguin History of New Zealand" (Penguin is a book publisher here) by Michael King. It is insightful and well written. I am delighted to read about the amazing journey NZ has taken. I am surprised to discover that for at least a generation, NZ did not teach this history which is rich in culture and identity.
NZ Stock Exchange:
I have begun to write letters to the NZX to ask if the scheme above could happen in NZ. I would push them to make sure it is not.
NaNoWrMo:
Yes, it is coming up. But I again don't think it is something I can push for. But I am sure to write some. I will likely work more on Threshold--the projected I started last NaNoWrMo.
The Ex:
While in the US I also had to work on a new agreement with my ex. Such things are always stressful, but we worked really well together. As a result of the compressed schedule we had to spent more time together than we have in probably 10 years. It was weird, but it was also good to demonstrate how much we had both changed and moved on.
Motorbikes, Trains and Automobiles:
We bought a small cheap car to replace our leased car. This will give us more cash back per month. With the motorbike option I can actually commute cheaper than the the train. But NZ weather can be unpredictable so I keep a 10-trip pass handy for the worst of days. Overall though, the new set up looks good. Amy drives the car to work and I take the bike/train. Gabe goes to good kiwi gal's house after school 3 days a week.
US Shopping:
I did take advantage of US shopping to get a few goods. Mostly bulk Ibuprofen and Asprin. But I did stop at a western outfitter and pick up stuff you truly can not get in NZ... I got new boots with silver tips, several western shirts, and new jeans.
Work:
Busy as, but doing well.
Kiwi Spring:
Cold as, bro.
Party I want to have:
I want to host a Battlestar Galactica party featuring a few episodes, a BBQ, and some play of the BSG board game. Not sure I will... but I think of it fondly.
My Dad:
Dying, but looking pretty good. Chemo was stopped so that makes you feel better. Visit was emotionally complex, but ultimately good.
My Kids:
Totally awesome to see them. Great to spend so much time just following them around from school to home and such. Good to talk with their teachers. Field trip with Sabrina was one of the best times I've had. I put 2000 miles on the car I borrowed from my in-laws (Thanks Judith and Cindy!)
Vegas:
Still the same. The Bellagio may be my favorite hotel of all time.
The US:
It was actually hard going back. Vegas didn't help as it is an exaggerated version of all things excess in America. I was battered by it somewhat. Everyone I visited with was working harder than before, more stressed, and generally stretched. It was an incredible favor to be able to stay with Carey and Graham while I was there (thanks!).
Wall Street:
I read an article about how fundamentally illegal market manipulation may have collapsed 3 of the 5 big banks in America. The article was posted in Rolling Stone which I found odd. But despite the most glaring and flagrant manipulation no official investigation was underway. Most concerning is that if you looked at who had the most to gain such an act you would see the other 2 banks. There were many suspicious dealing by these 2 leading up to the collapse. I am appalled to now think these crooks will never be held accountable and the money they stole from Americans will never be given back.
NZ History:
I have been reading "The Penguin History of New Zealand" (Penguin is a book publisher here) by Michael King. It is insightful and well written. I am delighted to read about the amazing journey NZ has taken. I am surprised to discover that for at least a generation, NZ did not teach this history which is rich in culture and identity.
NZ Stock Exchange:
I have begun to write letters to the NZX to ask if the scheme above could happen in NZ. I would push them to make sure it is not.
NaNoWrMo:
Yes, it is coming up. But I again don't think it is something I can push for. But I am sure to write some. I will likely work more on Threshold--the projected I started last NaNoWrMo.
The Ex:
While in the US I also had to work on a new agreement with my ex. Such things are always stressful, but we worked really well together. As a result of the compressed schedule we had to spent more time together than we have in probably 10 years. It was weird, but it was also good to demonstrate how much we had both changed and moved on.
Motorbikes, Trains and Automobiles:
We bought a small cheap car to replace our leased car. This will give us more cash back per month. With the motorbike option I can actually commute cheaper than the the train. But NZ weather can be unpredictable so I keep a 10-trip pass handy for the worst of days. Overall though, the new set up looks good. Amy drives the car to work and I take the bike/train. Gabe goes to good kiwi gal's house after school 3 days a week.
US Shopping:
I did take advantage of US shopping to get a few goods. Mostly bulk Ibuprofen and Asprin. But I did stop at a western outfitter and pick up stuff you truly can not get in NZ... I got new boots with silver tips, several western shirts, and new jeans.
Work:
Busy as, but doing well.
Kiwi Spring:
Cold as, bro.
Party I want to have:
I want to host a Battlestar Galactica party featuring a few episodes, a BBQ, and some play of the BSG board game. Not sure I will... but I think of it fondly.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
The Wellington Zoo
The sign that inspired it all.
Zebras will crush your head. Aren't they cute?
A story in warning signs.
The Wellington Zoo
The sign that inspired it all.
Zebras will crush your head. Aren't they cute?
A story in warning signs.
Monday, September 7, 2009
NZ in WWII
A member of an expatriat list sent this out yesterday. I have known some of the amazing NZ story in WWII, but this brief summary demonstrates the pride and power of the Kiwi's much better than I could tell...
Hi all
Given that the 70th anniversary of the German invasion of Poland to start World War 2 was last week, it might be useful to very quickly recap what New Zealand did in World War 2 for those not so well versed in NZ history.
----
3 September 1939: New Zealand Declare War on Germany after ultimatim for Hitler to withdraw from Poland expires. Britain follow suit when the ultimatim expires in London. At this time the British Commonwealth very much functioned as one unit when it came to military issues - Britain was expected to provide security and supply the armaments
September 1939-May 1940: NZ troops arrive in Britain and France.
December 1939: NZ cruiser Achilles participates in Battle of River Plate where the German pocket-battleship Admiral Graf Spee confronts three British cruisers (Achilles was still a British ship but crewed by Kiwis). Graf Spee scuttled a few days later.
10 May 1940: Germans invade France, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg. NZ soldiers caught in the trap and are involved in the massive evacuation at Dunkirk.
July-September 1940: NZ fighter pilots join other Commonwealth, French, Czech, Dutch, Belgian, Polish and Norwegian fighter pilots in the Battle of Britain to defeat German Luftwaffe
September- November 1940: Blitz - German bombers bomb London for 57 consecutive nights with as many as 500 planes a time; NZ fighter pilots join the aerial defence of the UK.
November 1940: African campaign begins. British begin rolling back Italian gains in North Africa. 2nd NZ Division deployed there.
January 1941: Fears starting to grow about Japanese militarism in Pacific. NZ Division stays in Middle East.
6 April 1941: In response to Yugoslavia toppling pro-Nazi Prince, Germany invades Yugoslavia and Greece. Ferocious fighting on Crete between Commonwealth forces and Germans costs nearly half of German invasion force on first day, but the aerial support is overwhelming and the island falls.
Early April 1941: Rommel counter-attacks in Africa with a German-Italian force, and rolls back all British gains in 3 weeks to the Egyptian border, surrounding Tobruk which is subject to 7 month siege. NZ Division joins in the battle after being evacuated from Crete.
November-December 1941: Commonwealth forces counter-attack in Desert. Fierce fighting all the way back to Benghazi in Libya. Rommel becomes aware of how the Commonwealth fights around this time - impressed by common fighting spirit; Commonwealth troops recognised Rommel as a brilliant commander when other German field commanders in Europe and Russia developing track records that would incriminate them at Nuremberg.
7 December 1941: Japan bombs Pearl Harbor - you all know that. Simultaneous invasion of SE Asia begins. Despite rapidly growing danger, NZ stays in Middle East.
21 January 1942: Rommel counter-attacks to complete horror of all in the Desert - again British gains rolled rapidly. NZ Division being rebuilt after bruising campaign and not involved in this phase.
15 February 1942: Singapore falls. The British fortress island which was supposed to last three months in a siege falls in two days after Japanese come through back door. New Zealand starts preparing for invasion at this point with home guard forming, fortifications being built and requests for American assistance with personnel - Japanese plans actually did exist for an invasion of both Australia and NZ.
27 May 1942: Rommel attacks - again, dismantling incomplete British defensive line. NZ division is recalled from Syria where it was being rebuilt.
4 June 1942: US Navy planes destroy 4 Japanese carriers at Midway - NZ probably would have been invaded if the US had lost this battle.
21 June 1942: Rommel captures Tobruk. Suddenly the whole British position in the Middle East and the security of Middle East oil - yes, it was as important then as it is now - is in jeopardy.
3 July 1942: First Battle of El Alamein starts. About 4 New Zealanders won Victoria Cross's for exceptional bravery during this event, including only the third time a Victoria Cross and Bar has been awarded.
7 August 1942: Americans invade Guadalcanal. The Japanese airstrip there would have put Australia within bombing range if it had been completed. It is now the airport for Honiara.
23 October 1942: General Montgomery launches major offensive against the Germans at El Alamein. After 2 weeks of fierce fighting, Rommel finally retreats - Hitler never reinforced him after Tobruk and eventually paid a huge price for it. New Zealand Division leads one of the major break throughs in Rommel's defensive line.
April 1943: Japanese naval operations try to regain initiative in Solomons. First and only NZ naval involvement in Solomons results in mine sweeper being lost.
February-May 1943: Rommel retreats into Tunisia. One final attack launched at Kasserine but defeated after NZ Division cuts off the advance. African campaign ended with 250,000 prisoners on May 13.
July 1943: British Commonwealth and American forces land in Sicily.
September 1943: British and Commonwealth forces land on mainland Italy. Slow slog up the boot (thats what Italy looks like on the map), instead of a "jolly romp to Rome" begins.
January 1944-May 1944: Cassino. A five month slog through a town of only a few thousand people, but every pile of rubble fought over with incredible tenacity. More than 800 New Zealanders killed in one three assault in March. Single biggest NZ mistake of the war was that a senior officer thought the Germans were fortifying it, so he asked for the place to be bombed. None were there, but now that it had been bombed large numbers of troops did move in.
6 June 1944: Five NZ squadrons of fighter pilots participate in D-Day attack.
December 1944: NZ fighter bomber crews active in Allied air campaign in support of the ground forces fighting off the German Ardennes offensive.
May 1944-January 1945: Slow slog up Italian Peninsula continues. NZ'ers help break German defensive line in August. Progress hindered badly by onset of winter.
29 April 1945: Germans surrender in Italy. Mussolini hanged. New Zealand soldiers reach Trieste which becomes first flash point of Cold War when Yugoslav partisans try to claim the Italian town.
15 August 1945: Emperor Hirohito tells Japan to "endure the unendurable" and announces that it is folly to continue the war.
2 September 1945: Japan surrenders. NZ navy representatives present.
----
It needs to be said that for a nation with a population of about 1.5 million, New Zealand sustained very high losses. 10% of the total population mobilised. 12,000 were killed.
Rob
Hi all
Given that the 70th anniversary of the German invasion of Poland to start World War 2 was last week, it might be useful to very quickly recap what New Zealand did in World War 2 for those not so well versed in NZ history.
----
3 September 1939: New Zealand Declare War on Germany after ultimatim for Hitler to withdraw from Poland expires. Britain follow suit when the ultimatim expires in London. At this time the British Commonwealth very much functioned as one unit when it came to military issues - Britain was expected to provide security and supply the armaments
September 1939-May 1940: NZ troops arrive in Britain and France.
December 1939: NZ cruiser Achilles participates in Battle of River Plate where the German pocket-battleship Admiral Graf Spee confronts three British cruisers (Achilles was still a British ship but crewed by Kiwis). Graf Spee scuttled a few days later.
10 May 1940: Germans invade France, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg. NZ soldiers caught in the trap and are involved in the massive evacuation at Dunkirk.
July-September 1940: NZ fighter pilots join other Commonwealth, French, Czech, Dutch, Belgian, Polish and Norwegian fighter pilots in the Battle of Britain to defeat German Luftwaffe
September- November 1940: Blitz - German bombers bomb London for 57 consecutive nights with as many as 500 planes a time; NZ fighter pilots join the aerial defence of the UK.
November 1940: African campaign begins. British begin rolling back Italian gains in North Africa. 2nd NZ Division deployed there.
January 1941: Fears starting to grow about Japanese militarism in Pacific. NZ Division stays in Middle East.
6 April 1941: In response to Yugoslavia toppling pro-Nazi Prince, Germany invades Yugoslavia and Greece. Ferocious fighting on Crete between Commonwealth forces and Germans costs nearly half of German invasion force on first day, but the aerial support is overwhelming and the island falls.
Early April 1941: Rommel counter-attacks in Africa with a German-Italian force, and rolls back all British gains in 3 weeks to the Egyptian border, surrounding Tobruk which is subject to 7 month siege. NZ Division joins in the battle after being evacuated from Crete.
November-December 1941: Commonwealth forces counter-attack in Desert. Fierce fighting all the way back to Benghazi in Libya. Rommel becomes aware of how the Commonwealth fights around this time - impressed by common fighting spirit; Commonwealth troops recognised Rommel as a brilliant commander when other German field commanders in Europe and Russia developing track records that would incriminate them at Nuremberg.
7 December 1941: Japan bombs Pearl Harbor - you all know that. Simultaneous invasion of SE Asia begins. Despite rapidly growing danger, NZ stays in Middle East.
21 January 1942: Rommel counter-attacks to complete horror of all in the Desert - again British gains rolled rapidly. NZ Division being rebuilt after bruising campaign and not involved in this phase.
15 February 1942: Singapore falls. The British fortress island which was supposed to last three months in a siege falls in two days after Japanese come through back door. New Zealand starts preparing for invasion at this point with home guard forming, fortifications being built and requests for American assistance with personnel - Japanese plans actually did exist for an invasion of both Australia and NZ.
27 May 1942: Rommel attacks - again, dismantling incomplete British defensive line. NZ division is recalled from Syria where it was being rebuilt.
4 June 1942: US Navy planes destroy 4 Japanese carriers at Midway - NZ probably would have been invaded if the US had lost this battle.
21 June 1942: Rommel captures Tobruk. Suddenly the whole British position in the Middle East and the security of Middle East oil - yes, it was as important then as it is now - is in jeopardy.
3 July 1942: First Battle of El Alamein starts. About 4 New Zealanders won Victoria Cross's for exceptional bravery during this event, including only the third time a Victoria Cross and Bar has been awarded.
7 August 1942: Americans invade Guadalcanal. The Japanese airstrip there would have put Australia within bombing range if it had been completed. It is now the airport for Honiara.
23 October 1942: General Montgomery launches major offensive against the Germans at El Alamein. After 2 weeks of fierce fighting, Rommel finally retreats - Hitler never reinforced him after Tobruk and eventually paid a huge price for it. New Zealand Division leads one of the major break throughs in Rommel's defensive line.
April 1943: Japanese naval operations try to regain initiative in Solomons. First and only NZ naval involvement in Solomons results in mine sweeper being lost.
February-May 1943: Rommel retreats into Tunisia. One final attack launched at Kasserine but defeated after NZ Division cuts off the advance. African campaign ended with 250,000 prisoners on May 13.
July 1943: British Commonwealth and American forces land in Sicily.
September 1943: British and Commonwealth forces land on mainland Italy. Slow slog up the boot (thats what Italy looks like on the map), instead of a "jolly romp to Rome" begins.
January 1944-May 1944: Cassino. A five month slog through a town of only a few thousand people, but every pile of rubble fought over with incredible tenacity. More than 800 New Zealanders killed in one three assault in March. Single biggest NZ mistake of the war was that a senior officer thought the Germans were fortifying it, so he asked for the place to be bombed. None were there, but now that it had been bombed large numbers of troops did move in.
6 June 1944: Five NZ squadrons of fighter pilots participate in D-Day attack.
December 1944: NZ fighter bomber crews active in Allied air campaign in support of the ground forces fighting off the German Ardennes offensive.
May 1944-January 1945: Slow slog up Italian Peninsula continues. NZ'ers help break German defensive line in August. Progress hindered badly by onset of winter.
29 April 1945: Germans surrender in Italy. Mussolini hanged. New Zealand soldiers reach Trieste which becomes first flash point of Cold War when Yugoslav partisans try to claim the Italian town.
15 August 1945: Emperor Hirohito tells Japan to "endure the unendurable" and announces that it is folly to continue the war.
2 September 1945: Japan surrenders. NZ navy representatives present.
----
It needs to be said that for a nation with a population of about 1.5 million, New Zealand sustained very high losses. 10% of the total population mobilised. 12,000 were killed.
Rob
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Strange Dad Karma
Well out of the blue, my mom catches me at work to say "something has happened". This is never a good thing. But just minutes before we were joking over statuses in Facebook. So really in the back of my mind I'm thinking, "How bad could it be?" But she was being pretty serious. I had a meeting starting in 5 minutes, but when mom says "something's happened" I couldn't go through a meeting worrying about what it might be so I pressed her to tell me.
My real Dad is in the hospital with terminal lung cancer--just diagnosed. Our first tiny bit of info is only that he had a few days to a week. But this is all still very early information.
In light of just making contact with my half-brother, Nathan, I really can't believe the coincidence. But then I don't really believe the Universe is random. Nathan needed to find me before Dad died.
It is all a bit of a mess of odd feelings right now. In no particular order it goes something like this... I haven't seen or talked to my Dad in about 8 years. You could measure the time we've spent together in the last 14 years on one 12 hour clock. My Dad has smoked unfiltered Pall Mall's (at least a pack a day) for at least 40 years. I don't think he smoked them because he couldn't quit... I don't think he ever really tried to quit. I don't hold this against him really. He wanted to be a smoker and he was. I could rush home to catch him before he goes and probably stay for his funeral, but I find myself questioning why I should do such a thing. Not saying I will or won't... just questioning. Questioning is conflicted on many levels.
I called my Dad in the hospital. We talked for about 15 minutes. He wanted to make sure I knew he always loved me. That was good--I did always know this. I told him that I had moved to New Zealand and I wasn't sure what was possible yet. I told him I found Nathan and we were talking. I told him I'd make sure Nathan knew what was happening. I asked him who was with him. He said just his nurses and doctors. I asked about his brother, John--where was he? He said he didn't think John would be awake. That was a bit surreal. Dad said he was used to being alone now. He said he had mellowed and now had more friends than enemies. Hey, that's good... but where were they? I don't think Dad will tell them. He's not a great communicator.
I still have a lot to think about. To friends and family that may read this and worry about what to say... don't worry. I'd rather talk to y'all than have you stay away! Take care!
My real Dad is in the hospital with terminal lung cancer--just diagnosed. Our first tiny bit of info is only that he had a few days to a week. But this is all still very early information.
In light of just making contact with my half-brother, Nathan, I really can't believe the coincidence. But then I don't really believe the Universe is random. Nathan needed to find me before Dad died.
It is all a bit of a mess of odd feelings right now. In no particular order it goes something like this... I haven't seen or talked to my Dad in about 8 years. You could measure the time we've spent together in the last 14 years on one 12 hour clock. My Dad has smoked unfiltered Pall Mall's (at least a pack a day) for at least 40 years. I don't think he smoked them because he couldn't quit... I don't think he ever really tried to quit. I don't hold this against him really. He wanted to be a smoker and he was. I could rush home to catch him before he goes and probably stay for his funeral, but I find myself questioning why I should do such a thing. Not saying I will or won't... just questioning. Questioning is conflicted on many levels.
I called my Dad in the hospital. We talked for about 15 minutes. He wanted to make sure I knew he always loved me. That was good--I did always know this. I told him that I had moved to New Zealand and I wasn't sure what was possible yet. I told him I found Nathan and we were talking. I told him I'd make sure Nathan knew what was happening. I asked him who was with him. He said just his nurses and doctors. I asked about his brother, John--where was he? He said he didn't think John would be awake. That was a bit surreal. Dad said he was used to being alone now. He said he had mellowed and now had more friends than enemies. Hey, that's good... but where were they? I don't think Dad will tell them. He's not a great communicator.
I still have a lot to think about. To friends and family that may read this and worry about what to say... don't worry. I'd rather talk to y'all than have you stay away! Take care!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
An inconvenient memory
When I was 15, my Dad picked me up for a summer vacation. He was a truck driver at the time and really it was just a chance to ride with him while he worked. I had not seen him in a couple years before this. My folks divorced when I was 7 and Dad seemed to come by less and less often until it just seemed he wasn’t coming back. But here he was ready to take a long trip.
I wasn’t a kid with a grudge though. I was happy to go with him. The truck was cool and a long road trip sounded like fun. It was really a pretty cool vacation. I think we crossed the country about 3 times in 6 weeks. Dad drove and I would ride as a passenger when there was something cool to look at. I would sleep in the cab when there wasn’t. Truckstops always had something new and cool to look at. That year the “High Speed” pinball machine was released. I played a lot of that game.
Somewhere in the middle of that vacation we stopped in
Eventually the trip ended and Dad dropped me off at home. It had been a great adventure. But Dad seemed pretty upset. He wiped away some tears with an old towel in his truck. He didn’t really want to come to the door. I thought I understood. We hugged and he said goodbye.
When someone completely exits your life you don’t really know it the moment it happens. Dad had been away for a couple of years. I didn’t expect to get phone calls right away. Months went by… then years… Dad more or less disappeared. I’d hear a rumor or two that he’d been in town. Someone would claim to have seen him somewhere. But he never called.
Soon I was 19 and moving out. Life was so busy and full. So many things just happen. Where Dad was didn’t bother me too much. When I did think about it I would just assume he was around and would show up again someday. More months and more years… No Dad.
At 24 I got a phone call from a cousin on Dad’s side of the family. I didn’t really keep up with them much as there was no one really to take me around to visit. My Dad’s family wasn’t all that close anyway. It had been a pretty hard life for most of them. She called to tell me my Dad was in the hospital. He was going in for heart surgery. She thought I should go talk to him.
I did. I sat with him in his recovery room and we talked a while. He was in pretty great spirits. He was happy to see me and we talked like it really hadn’t been 10 years since I’d seen him. More months went by… more years… No Dad.
I began to hold a grudge.
About 10 years later I tracked him down and went to see him. We talked on the phone a couple times first. I brought my kids by to see him. He was so happy to see his grandkids. But we didn’t stay all that long. Dad was still heavy smoker and the kids were little and were in to everything. Dad’s apartment was cluttered with little hazards—like insulin needles. I suppose it wasn’t really these hazards that kept me away though. If I had to be honest, I’d have to admit that I felt cheated. I think he would have loved to spend more time with the kiddos. It wasn’t fair he wanted to see them and had let so many years of my life go by with so little.
I think I must have recognized this as an “unresolved problem” and I sought him out again—without the kids. We talked a bit. I can’t even recall what we talked about. I gave him a NASCAR jacket. I knew he would like it. It felt good to give my Dad a present. We went to one of his AA meetings. It was emotional like those meetings often are. So many years gone by, so much wasted.
By now I had moved to
I had to go through my own divorce. After a couple years I re-married. I adopted my wife’s son. I moved to
But remember Nathan at the beginning of this story? Three months old then he’s 23 years old now. He is married and has a daughter on the way. He found me on Facebook and sent me a note. Dad pretty much disappeared on him too.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Threshold Introduction - Version 2
I went back to re-write the openning to Threshold--the book I started to write last year...
Section-9-Agent looked around the shabby, dirty apartment and considered real cleaning, but it had been a long night and it could wait. She dumped her bag on the cluttered floor and flopped into her tattered hammock. The space was only an apartment in the loosest sense of the word. It was a simple cube of space holding piles of salvaged components and a few bits of serviceable urban gear. In another more gentle time it might have been considered a prison cell. The walls contain no windows. The toilet, while probably the cleanest thing in the room, was exposed in one corner. A utility bench that was desk, cooking surface, kitchen, and work bench ran along one wall. Communal showers were down the deserted hall. This squat-plex had been mostly abandoned for as long as the tired “free-lance” contractor had lived here. But then that had been only six months give or take.
She called up her internal operating system menus. Various options were presented against her closed eyes. When the computer was in your head, the interface became your own optic nerves. Navigation of options was entirely mental. Her interface contained a number of customizations and lacked the more typical easy-AI that gave less gifted “users” more help at running the hardware in their head. Section-9-Agent issued a command to her cube’s server.
[Command: init Tranquilty-script-114>
The dirty walls flashed and became lush hanging gardens on a sunny day in a light breeze. The image of these things was painted over the reality. The apartment now seemed to be an open atrium with the ocean rolling over white sand beaches on all four sides. Three suns set on the horizon in a spectacular rainbow sunset. Small exotic birds flitted silently between branches. She breathed in the flower scents and reached out from her comfortable hammock to touch the virtual controls on her mini-nano to order strong cappuccino. A steaming cup appeared on the decorative white table which was really just a wooden box. The images were far from perfect. No one would wake up in a hyper-real environment confused about what it was—at least, no one with her out-of-date, squat-plex hardware. Still, the virtual environment was far more pleasant than the reality.
A similar bit of reality had been left behind long ago when she picked up the moniker, Section-9-Agent. Her real name belonged to a system of control she had managed to escape. Section-9-Agent was free, strong, and someone to be carefully dealt with. Her old name had belonged to frightened orphaned girl. She had left it behind when the last person who knew that name had died. But a name like Section-9-Agent sounded so formal. Friends (she did have a few) began to call her Nine-A and from there it was a short hop to Nina. She reserved her full sig for formal posts. Sometimes to her friends she was just Nine. Some of her deebees (Deep buddies) liked to call her Sexy-9, but that generally got them a meme bomb. If she was feeling particularly rushed or the transmission was charged, she would simply sign S9A. Then there were the jobs like last night that you just didn’t sign your name to. Still, as the golden oldie said, freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose. Nina had the clothes on her back, the hardware in her bag, a few nearly empty anonymous bank accounts, and little else. Even the apartment was just an empty squat-plex. The cherished mini-nano had been a lucky find and saved her from having to hit the public depots for food and clothing.
She was still subconsciously aware of the clutter around the apartment, but it was cleverly masked by potted plants or vines. Her real clothes were frayed, but sturdy. Her virtual clothing was near the same style although sharper and not frayed. Lean, hard living kept her reasonably physically fit, but her avatar definitely had enhanced feminine curves without tipping in to silliness. Her many real scars were smoothed over. Casually she selected a few color and accessory options. Her eyes were piercing blue with black eyeliner. A few tribal tattoos appeared around her upper arms. Her hair was coppery and straight. Her face was least altered. Other than the make-up effects, her nose, lips and jaw line was original. Most would call her beautiful, but then the streets were full of genetically modified beautiful people now. In a crowd she would not stand out from the throngs of other desperate, poor, flawless people. Her real scars marked her as a survivor and fighter.
The stimulant mixed with painkillers and masked as a cappuccino was finally having effect. She felt nearly human again. A virtual dragonfly hummed just outside the apartment as she opened a pipe for a new command.
[Command: init news-daemon>
Blue text faded in to view all around her. She scanned various headlines, feeds, logs, IMs, short-texts, mail accounts, and forums for traces of what she had done just last night. There were two forum posts on underworld blogs about rumored data break-in at Shinjo, but no one could confirm it. She smiled. “Good… if you didn’t see me… I didn’t do it.” She thought. She kept a few of the main feeds visible while shutting down the minor feeds. Two of these churned the daily shock and gloom.
The Indian-Pakistan war which had all be destroyed both nations was now spilling over in to neighboring states. Small nuclear exchanges we occurring more often. Various Corporate Alliances were denouncing the chaos as crippling profits in the region. Several cities were announced as being under digital siege—firewalled off from the world. Super-flu 49-alpha-10 was wiping out unprotected populations throughout
The third feed was a string of humorous memes that had been circulating. Cats remained endlessly amusing. Humanity seemed to never tire of moronic mishaps and drug induced bravado gone wrong. Nina would snork occasionally as she forwarded her favorites out to friends. Between sends she tweaked her hyper-environment. The vines became more organic. The suns radiant colors changed hues slightly. The dragonfly was troublesome and buzzed over her shoulder.
It had taken Nina about three days to fully code Tranquility version 1.14. It wasn’t a proper SPORE (Small Purpose Online Reality Engine) that would force its code on a visitor, but it was a nice USE (User Specific Environment)—a world just for her eyes. She had stolen an old copy of Tranquility beta 0.7 and made all the usual custom modifications. She liked her version better than the market version. But as she finished off her cappuccino a nagging thought crept in to her computer aided brain… Her version of Tranquility didn’t have dragonflies.
She kept calm and keyed another cappuccino with more stimulants but no painkillers. She carefully considered her options. She had to assume that someone had taken an interest in her and sent the bug to find her, but who? That was the 64 KLOC question… Given her recent activity, it was probably safest to assume it was Shinjo. But Shinjo was a military contractor. If it was them, then it was time to leave this hideout and find a new home. But Shinjo wouldn’t be the type to only send bugs to tap her feeds. There would be a physical team as well.
Just then her proximity monitor triggered. A four man squad had entered the building through the restricted shafts. They were descending to her level. It was definitely time to go.
She grabbed her bag and kicked a “plant” that was actually her apartment’s firewall and server. Her version of Tranquility melted as a crash of background net noise flooded in to the virtual space. Thousands of messages flooded the space from the Deep. Ads for everything mundane to ridiculous, viruses vectoring for an open host, meme clips, emotes, banners, contests, news, and more seemed to fill the air of the room. Her personal firewall flared blocking out the worst of it all. But the full force of gigapulses of spurious data instapopped the dragonfly. The input overload would cram down the surveillance pipe. She hoped that whoever ghosted the bug in had not thought to firewall the connection. That would teach some n00b Shinjo system slave to blip in to her cube in lowtown. Satchel in hand fled in to the hallway and down the stairs. At this level of the city infrastructure all was concrete, exposed duct work and steel. The stairwell only had two comatose bums in it—a record low. On the way she mentally triggered more “one-click” defenses. These would hopefully do some damage to the jarhead team on its way.
The real street was a haze of fumes and smog. She had to pull a breather over her face as she signaled her eyes to drop their protective lenses. Most Upside folks didn’t consider the anti-irritant lenses worth the investment, but most of them didn’t drop below the 100 meter line in a versicar, let alone get out and walk around. Despite being an unlivable fume, the street still contained the usual breed of predators. Nina pulled her shiny, double-barreled, “scatter and shatter” shotgun and swept it around. That would keep the shadows in the alleys. She paused in the doorway to case the street.
Without the Deep a body would be lost without a clue in the lower city sprawl. The ever present smog cut real vision down to only a dozen meters. Even if you could see, real signs had been abandoned long ago. But digital signals radiated at every corner to her blended vision. You could completely navigate in the dark with just the Deep enhanced tags and icons. Buildings with Upside access blinked with civic tagged red entry markers. The nearest was three blocks away.
She set off at a medium jog with the shotgun prominently displayed. Her TAP picked up other people near by, but none of them exposed themselves enough for her to shoot at them She spiked a mental query in to the traffic database to see if any heavy machinery had logged flight plans in to lowtown. That would take a few seconds to process. She focused on smooth navigation of the alley ways avoiding obvious ambush spots. When she got to the last block a subroutine from city AI responded “No records found”. She swore. They had probably already jammed the civic systems down here. No one would have a record of the strike team or their quarry tonight.
When she reached the relative safety of the street elevator she put the shotgun away. The air inside the building was filtered and theoretically non-harmful. But she kept the breather on anyway. The lower levels of public access buildings were generally more secure, but only in a rudimentary way. There was a single sec-cam with an unshielded access interface. It was locked of course, but locks only kept honest people out. Nina reached out with her TAP and manipulated the virtual lock software. In seconds she had it bypassed. Five seconds later the sec-cam was looping last week’s visual access file.
She needed a safe place to reboot. She tried the janitor closet, but (wouldn’t ya know?) it was an all physical lock—no software. Nina never had time for things that didn’t have an interface. The lobby would have to do. She mentally loaded her “get away clean” Avatar and keyed reboot. The next 6 seconds felt long with no input from the Deep. Being disconnected was like being dead and without the Deep, it wouldn’t take long. Life was easy when you could always order up what you wanted and pipe the charges to some dweeb middle manager or faceless corp expense account. But if she had to work for a living… with stuff that didn’t need RAM or CPU’s? She’d be a goner.
[Initializing WetWare ADBIOS GenTech 0.92alpha…>
[UltraTAP GT9100.03 5.9KGHz Cluster 512>
[RAM check…… OK>
[CPU Matrix…. OK>
[Comm beacon… diabled>
[Hardware test… skipped>
[Boot avatar (1, 2, 3)… ? 3>
[Modules loading…………OK>
[Initializing netcomd>
Twelve seconds later and she was in the lift feeling pretty fine. This Avatar was packed with “don’t look at me” mods. It was as tight and light as she could make it. Of course if it really was a Shinjo cleaning crew she ran in to, it wouldn’t be enough. She hoped that the booby traps she left back at her ex-home worked as well as she’d been told they would by her deebees. They were typical black-market log sweepers, virus bombs and meme scramblers. Nothing fancy, but also nothing traceable. She just needed to put some distance in and hopefully even Shinjo would be left with nothing.
She mulled over the idea that maybe she was just being paranoid. It was only one spy bug. But she knew what happened when you decided you didn’t need to freak out and they really were coming for you. She had a file of names—all contacts that now didn’t answer messages anywhere—dead contacts. The list was long. She kept it on the corner of her visual workspace all the time.
The lift chimed its cheerful arrival to midcity and Nina pulled her hood over her head and stepped out in to the aerial streets. The lights of MC advertised happiness, bliss, easy loans, and cures for loneliness in all its forms. Whether your solution was pills, bang up, VR derailment or just straight up sex, it was here for you. Nina looked up and down the busy streets where only customers and hook-ups made eye contact and before anyone could really take note she stepped in to an alley and disappeared.
[Command: init Seek –F@Section-9-Agent –ndr>
[Command: object not found…>
“Sir? She’s not in midcity. She stepped in to the
The Captain looked at the Backup Technician in a disturbingly unemotional way. This made the BT uncomfortable—usually upper level stiffs got upset when they lost an “objective”. The Captain nodded slowly and then glanced over at the Primary Tech. He was spinning in his chair chanting an advertisement for Chinese food over and over while both hands were jammed down his pants. Viruses and memes had overrun the techs TAP. It would be relatively simple to repair him, but why bother? That’s what backups were for.
“Take him to Bio-Labs 3 and have him slated for genetic development.” The Captain said calmly without malice. The Backup Technician paled.
The Captain stared in to the weakling tech hoping for some sign of backbone. But the man was only afraid for himself. The Captain knew in an instant the BT wouldn’t speak up for his ex-superior.
“Yeh… Yes, sir…” The BT stammered while nodding to two security men to drag the babbling Primary Tech away.
The Captain held the BT’s gaze, “You are now the Primary Tech in charge of finding our mysterious hacker. I expect report of your success at your earliest convenience.”
The new PT nodded and looked away. The Captain turned and strode off. Truth be told, he found the whole situation rather funny. The USE bomb had been brilliant. He had to suppress laughter when the Primary Tech popped. This ghost had better instincts than most. Hackers had a tendency to believe they really were Gods of the Deep. They almost always overestimated their abilities to counter-code against attackers. But this hacker was probably nothing. Another no-name burn-out hired to do a one-time job for which she certainly had no clue about. He doubted she would even remember exactly who hired her. She would discover, just like the other hackers had discovered, that the account which had looked full of cash was really empty and their contact ID for the buyer would be replaced with only the phrase, “The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was…” and nothing. But each new lead had to be pursued. He felt no malice for Section-9-Agent, but he would kill her and data dive her deep memory for the few clues it might offer. He had no choice.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
More on Health Care
Let’s break this health care thing down in to something real rather than pound our podiums about “communism” and “Nazis”. Wild assertions that the President really wants “death boards” or to destroy the Constitution are whacko. The President wants no one in America to have to suffer without health care. That’s the goal. Address the goal. Is this bill going to deliver this or not? Should we deliver this as a nation or not? These are valid questions. But let me suggest something concrete. I will even use myself as an example—not even a “wild” example.
I am 39 years old and by the US insurance definition, I am “uninsured.” That is, no American based insurance system has my coverage. That means that if anything were to go wrong with my health now, the US based health care system would deny all coverage of it.
My son is 12 and covered by my ex-wives health care in the US. He has a chronic medical condition that will require care his whole life. But under current regulations, most insurance companies will see what it has cost to cover him over the course of his whole life. Once an arbitrary “lifetime maximum” value is met, they can all deny him coverage. Even if this limit were lifted, he will be forced to work for a large corporate employer who must cover him with their plan. He will never be able to work independently or start his own business—the cost of self-coverage would be too high *and* they can deny covering pre-existing conditions. You see the rules are different when you are a individual that when you are a member of a corporation.
These are not fictional situations. This is me and my life. My choices for me and my son are work as a slave to a Corporation or die an early death bankrupt. That’s the America we live in. Work for a corporation, give all your income to them, or go to an early grave with nothing to pass on your children. I can not imagine a more un-American concept.
You can not apply Capitalism to this system. “Deregulating” health care will eliminate some red-tape which will remove some costs. This is not insignificant. But the flaw isn’t in the government oversight. The flaw is that economic laws can not be applied to human life. Again I will say that when the product being sold is Life, then the demand is infinite and the supply limited. This means you will pay any amount to get Life to exclusion of all other goods. The “market” will be split between those that can afford to pay and those who can not. Failure to pay will mean early death and economic ruin for your family. Even if we could as a culture buy in to such a system, I can not imagine we would choose it.
For decades now, Americans have believed their health care system is the best; that the whole world wants to come to America for a variety of reasons including the great health care. This belief is false. Many around the world are appalled at how we treat the poor and visitors to our country. Sure some of the very rich will fly in to Boston for world-class medical care. But 99.999% of Americans will never need that care and many that need it will never get it because it will be denied by their insurance companies.
The American system can deny any treatment that proves unprofitable. They can drop anyone who suddenly becomes gravely ill. They can plunge any family in to a nightmare of litigation over claims in order to "save costs." They can pay dozens of professionals to work 24x7 to keep your petitions from being actioned. They can do this because it makes money. Because it is good Capitalism.
The whole point of this health care bill today is not to establish an unchangeable medical system that will cripple America. The point of this change is to establish that Americans have a guaranteed right to health care regardless of who they chose to work for, regardless of where they live, and regardless of their income bracket. We can work out the financials and policies as we go. But we have to start here. All Americans are granted the right to Live. The Constitution doesn't officially grant us this right. But also true is that the Constitution says *nothing* about the right to Capitalism. Capitalism does not equal Freedom. Capitalism in business is fabulous. Capitalism as the judge of human life is not.
We the People have established this Consitution of the United States. We the People entrust the government to promote the general Welfare. We the People should be granted Life by our government.
I am 39 years old and by the US insurance definition, I am “uninsured.” That is, no American based insurance system has my coverage. That means that if anything were to go wrong with my health now, the US based health care system would deny all coverage of it.
My son is 12 and covered by my ex-wives health care in the US. He has a chronic medical condition that will require care his whole life. But under current regulations, most insurance companies will see what it has cost to cover him over the course of his whole life. Once an arbitrary “lifetime maximum” value is met, they can all deny him coverage. Even if this limit were lifted, he will be forced to work for a large corporate employer who must cover him with their plan. He will never be able to work independently or start his own business—the cost of self-coverage would be too high *and* they can deny covering pre-existing conditions. You see the rules are different when you are a individual that when you are a member of a corporation.
These are not fictional situations. This is me and my life. My choices for me and my son are work as a slave to a Corporation or die an early death bankrupt. That’s the America we live in. Work for a corporation, give all your income to them, or go to an early grave with nothing to pass on your children. I can not imagine a more un-American concept.
You can not apply Capitalism to this system. “Deregulating” health care will eliminate some red-tape which will remove some costs. This is not insignificant. But the flaw isn’t in the government oversight. The flaw is that economic laws can not be applied to human life. Again I will say that when the product being sold is Life, then the demand is infinite and the supply limited. This means you will pay any amount to get Life to exclusion of all other goods. The “market” will be split between those that can afford to pay and those who can not. Failure to pay will mean early death and economic ruin for your family. Even if we could as a culture buy in to such a system, I can not imagine we would choose it.
For decades now, Americans have believed their health care system is the best; that the whole world wants to come to America for a variety of reasons including the great health care. This belief is false. Many around the world are appalled at how we treat the poor and visitors to our country. Sure some of the very rich will fly in to Boston for world-class medical care. But 99.999% of Americans will never need that care and many that need it will never get it because it will be denied by their insurance companies.
The American system can deny any treatment that proves unprofitable. They can drop anyone who suddenly becomes gravely ill. They can plunge any family in to a nightmare of litigation over claims in order to "save costs." They can pay dozens of professionals to work 24x7 to keep your petitions from being actioned. They can do this because it makes money. Because it is good Capitalism.
The whole point of this health care bill today is not to establish an unchangeable medical system that will cripple America. The point of this change is to establish that Americans have a guaranteed right to health care regardless of who they chose to work for, regardless of where they live, and regardless of their income bracket. We can work out the financials and policies as we go. But we have to start here. All Americans are granted the right to Live. The Constitution doesn't officially grant us this right. But also true is that the Constitution says *nothing* about the right to Capitalism. Capitalism does not equal Freedom. Capitalism in business is fabulous. Capitalism as the judge of human life is not.
We the People have established this Consitution of the United States. We the People entrust the government to promote the general Welfare. We the People should be granted Life by our government.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Motorcycle Tomorrow
I have been painfully counting the days until I would have scraped together enough savings to purchase a motorcycle. Tomorrow I'll have have the last bit I will need. I am excited about having it, but I could never do it if it also had not been practical at the same time. I am still very much trying to cut back on expenses as much as possible
The image of me riding a Harley on beautiful NZ days is not the reality, unfortunately. As much as I would like it, I can not see any way to afford such a luxury. The Suzuki GN250 I bought is a simple, functional bike best suited to learning and short commutes in fair weather. But I will be fairly committed to using it in all weather (within reason). I wouldn't want to ride it in some of the high winds we get. On those days I'll work from home or still take the train.
Tomorrow after work I will have made the last payment and head out to have a friend ride it back to my place with me. I could probably get it home on my own, but I'd rather not have to deal with real traffic just yet. Ross is an expert rider (he rides to work too) so I'm glad he can make time for it.
Nearly everyone I have mentioned the bike to has replied with "Well... be safe!" I know folks mean well by this, but I do wonder if they just don't know me very well. I'm not much off a speed junky and this bike isn't "sporty". I do fully intend to practice in small neighborhoods for a good long while before really trying to be in traffic. I'll probably limit myself to Lower Hutt for a couple of weeks before I even attempt the motorway. When I do start using the motorway, I intend to avoid peak hours. I know I'm not a crazy young buck with a motorbike. I'll be happy to putter along at 50 mph.
Anyways... I can't wait until after work tomorrow!
The image of me riding a Harley on beautiful NZ days is not the reality, unfortunately. As much as I would like it, I can not see any way to afford such a luxury. The Suzuki GN250 I bought is a simple, functional bike best suited to learning and short commutes in fair weather. But I will be fairly committed to using it in all weather (within reason). I wouldn't want to ride it in some of the high winds we get. On those days I'll work from home or still take the train.
Tomorrow after work I will have made the last payment and head out to have a friend ride it back to my place with me. I could probably get it home on my own, but I'd rather not have to deal with real traffic just yet. Ross is an expert rider (he rides to work too) so I'm glad he can make time for it.
Nearly everyone I have mentioned the bike to has replied with "Well... be safe!" I know folks mean well by this, but I do wonder if they just don't know me very well. I'm not much off a speed junky and this bike isn't "sporty". I do fully intend to practice in small neighborhoods for a good long while before really trying to be in traffic. I'll probably limit myself to Lower Hutt for a couple of weeks before I even attempt the motorway. When I do start using the motorway, I intend to avoid peak hours. I know I'm not a crazy young buck with a motorbike. I'll be happy to putter along at 50 mph.
Anyways... I can't wait until after work tomorrow!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
A reposted message about Health Care Reform
The White House, Washington
Dear Friend,
This is probably one of the longest emails I’ve ever sent, but it could be the most important.
Across the country we are seeing vigorous debate about health insurance reform. Unfortunately, some of the old tactics we know so well are back — even the viral emails that fly unchecked and under the radar, spreading all sorts of lies and distortions.
As President Obama said at the town hall in New Hampshire, “where we do disagree, let's disagree over things that are real, not these wild misrepresentations that bear no resemblance to anything that's actually been proposed.”
So let’s start a chain email of our own. At the end of my email, you’ll find a lot of information about health insurance reform, distilled into 8 ways reform provides security and stability to those with or without coverage, 8 common myths about reform and 8 reasons we need health insurance reform now.
Right now, someone you know probably has a question about reform that could be answered by what’s below. So what are you waiting for? Forward this email.
Thanks,
David
David Axelrod
Senior Adviser to the President
P.S. We launched www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck this week to knock down the rumors and lies that are floating around the internet. You can find the information below, and much more, there. For example, we've just added a video of Nancy-Ann DeParle from our Health Reform Office tackling a viral email head on. Check it out:
Health Insurance Reform Reality Check
8 ways reform provides security and stability to those with or without coverage
1. Ends Discrimination for Pre-Existing Conditions: Insurance companies will be prohibited from refusing you coverage because of your medical history.
2. Ends Exorbitant Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Deductibles or Co-Pays: Insurance companies will have to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses.
3. Ends Cost-Sharing for Preventive Care: Insurance companies must fully cover, without charge, regular checkups and tests that help you prevent illness, such as mammograms or eye and foot exams for diabetics.
4. Ends Dropping of Coverage for Seriously Ill: Insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping or watering down insurance coverage for those who become seriously ill.
5. Ends Gender Discrimination: Insurance companies will be prohibited from charging you more because of your gender.
6. Ends Annual or Lifetime Caps on Coverage: Insurance companies will be prevented from placing annual or lifetime caps on the coverage you receive.
7. Extends Coverage for Young Adults: Children would continue to be eligible for family coverage through the age of 26.
8. Guarantees Insurance Renewal: Insurance companies will be required to renew any policy as long as the policyholder pays their premium in full. Insurance companies won't be allowed to refuse renewal because someone became sick.
Learn more and get details: http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/health-insurance-consumer-protections/
8 common myths about health insurance reform
1. Reform will stop "rationing" - not increase it: It’s a myth that reform will mean a "government takeover" of health care or lead to "rationing." To the contrary, reform will forbid many forms of rationing that are currently being used by insurance companies.
2. We can’t afford reform: It's the status quo we can't afford. It’s a myth that reform will bust the budget. To the contrary, the President has identified ways to pay for the vast majority of the up-front costs by cutting waste, fraud, and abuse within existing government health programs; ending big subsidies to insurance companies; and increasing efficiency with such steps as coordinating care and streamlining paperwork. In the long term, reform can help bring down costs that will otherwise lead to a fiscal crisis.
3. Reform would encourage "euthanasia": It does not. It’s a malicious myth that reform would encourage or even require euthanasia for seniors. For seniors who want to consult with their family and physicians about end-of life decisions, reform will help to cover these voluntary, private consultations for those who want help with these personal and difficult family decisions.
4. Vets' health care is safe and sound: It’s a myth that health insurance reform will affect veterans' access to the care they get now. To the contrary, the President's budget significantly expands coverage under the VA, extending care to 500,000 more veterans who were previously excluded. The VA Healthcare system will continue to be available for all eligible veterans.
5. Reform will benefit small business - not burden it: It’s a myth that health insurance reform will hurt small businesses. To the contrary, reform will ease the burdens on small businesses, provide tax credits to help them pay for employee coverage and help level the playing field with big firms who pay much less to cover their employees on average.
6. Your Medicare is safe, and stronger with reform: It’s myth that Health Insurance Reform would be financed by cutting Medicare benefits. To the contrary, reform will improve the long-term financial health of Medicare, ensure better coordination, eliminate waste and unnecessary subsidies to insurance companies, and help to close the Medicare "doughnut" hole to make prescription drugs more affordable for seniors.
7. You can keep your own insurance: It’s myth that reform will force you out of your current insurance plan or force you to change doctors. To the contrary, reform will expand your choices, not eliminate them.
8. No, government will not do anything with your bank account: It is an absurd myth that government will be in charge of your bank accounts. Health insurance reform will simplify administration, making it easier and more convenient for you to pay bills in a method that you choose. Just like paying a phone bill or a utility bill, you can pay by traditional check, or by a direct electronic payment. And forms will be standardized so they will be easier to understand. The choice is up to you – and the same rules of privacy will apply as they do for all other electronic payments that people make.
Learn more and get details:
http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck
http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck/faq
8 Reasons We Need Health Insurance Reform Now
1. Coverage Denied to Millions: A recent national survey estimated that 12.6 million non-elderly adults – 36 percent of those who tried to purchase health insurance directly from an insurance company in the individual insurance market – were in fact discriminated against because of a pre-existing condition in the previous three years or dropped from coverage when they became seriously ill. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/denied_coverage/index.html
2. Less Care for More Costs: With each passing year, Americans are paying more for health care coverage. Employer-sponsored health insurance premiums have nearly doubled since 2000, a rate three times faster than wages. In 2008, the average premium for a family plan purchased through an employer was $12,680, nearly the annual earnings of a full-time minimum wage job. Americans pay more than ever for health insurance, but get less coverage. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/hiddencosts/index.html
3. Roadblocks to Care for Women: Women’s reproductive health requires more regular contact with health care providers, including yearly pap smears, mammograms, and obstetric care. Women are also more likely to report fair or poor health than men (9.5% versus 9.0%). While rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure are similar to men, women are twice as likely to suffer from headaches and are more likely to experience joint, back or neck pain. These chronic conditions often require regular and frequent treatment and follow-up care. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/women/index.html
4. Hard Times in the Heartland: Throughout rural America, there are nearly 50 million people who face challenges in accessing health care. The past several decades have consistently shown higher rates of poverty, mortality, uninsurance, and limited access to a primary health care provider in rural areas. With the recent economic downturn, there is potential for an increase in many of the health disparities and access concerns that are already elevated in rural communities. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/hardtimes
5. Small Businesses Struggle to Provide Health Coverage: Nearly one-third of the uninsured – 13 million people – are employees of firms with less than 100 workers. From 2000 to 2007, the proportion of non-elderly Americans covered by employer-based health insurance fell from 66% to 61%. Much of this decline stems from small business. The percentage of small businesses offering coverage dropped from 68% to 59%, while large firms held stable at 99%. About a third of such workers in firms with fewer than 50 employees obtain insurance through a spouse. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/helpbottomline
6. The Tragedies are Personal: Half of all personal bankruptcies are at least partly the result of medical expenses. The typical elderly couple may have to save nearly $300,000 to pay for health costs not covered by Medicare alone. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/inaction
7. Diminishing Access to Care: From 2000 to 2007, the proportion of non-elderly Americans covered by employer-based health insurance fell from 66% to 61%. An estimated 87 million people - one in every three Americans under the age of 65 - were uninsured at some point in 2007 and 2008. More than 80% of the uninsured are in working families. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/inaction/diminishing/index.html
8. The Trends are Troubling: Without reform, health care costs will continue to skyrocket unabated, putting unbearable strain on families, businesses, and state and federal government budgets. Perhaps the most visible sign of the need for health care reform is the 46 million Americans currently without health insurance - projections suggest that this number will rise to about 72 million in 2040 in the absence of reform. Learn more: http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/assets/documents/CEA_Health_Care_Report.pdf
Visit WhiteHouse.gov
This email was sent to curtis_owings@yahoo.com
Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy
Please do not reply to this email. Contact the White House
The White House • 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW • Washington, DC 20500 • 202-456-1111
Dear Friend,
This is probably one of the longest emails I’ve ever sent, but it could be the most important.
Across the country we are seeing vigorous debate about health insurance reform. Unfortunately, some of the old tactics we know so well are back — even the viral emails that fly unchecked and under the radar, spreading all sorts of lies and distortions.
As President Obama said at the town hall in New Hampshire, “where we do disagree, let's disagree over things that are real, not these wild misrepresentations that bear no resemblance to anything that's actually been proposed.”
So let’s start a chain email of our own. At the end of my email, you’ll find a lot of information about health insurance reform, distilled into 8 ways reform provides security and stability to those with or without coverage, 8 common myths about reform and 8 reasons we need health insurance reform now.
Right now, someone you know probably has a question about reform that could be answered by what’s below. So what are you waiting for? Forward this email.
Thanks,
David
David Axelrod
Senior Adviser to the President
P.S. We launched www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck this week to knock down the rumors and lies that are floating around the internet. You can find the information below, and much more, there. For example, we've just added a video of Nancy-Ann DeParle from our Health Reform Office tackling a viral email head on. Check it out:
Health Insurance Reform Reality Check
8 ways reform provides security and stability to those with or without coverage
1. Ends Discrimination for Pre-Existing Conditions: Insurance companies will be prohibited from refusing you coverage because of your medical history.
2. Ends Exorbitant Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Deductibles or Co-Pays: Insurance companies will have to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses.
3. Ends Cost-Sharing for Preventive Care: Insurance companies must fully cover, without charge, regular checkups and tests that help you prevent illness, such as mammograms or eye and foot exams for diabetics.
4. Ends Dropping of Coverage for Seriously Ill: Insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping or watering down insurance coverage for those who become seriously ill.
5. Ends Gender Discrimination: Insurance companies will be prohibited from charging you more because of your gender.
6. Ends Annual or Lifetime Caps on Coverage: Insurance companies will be prevented from placing annual or lifetime caps on the coverage you receive.
7. Extends Coverage for Young Adults: Children would continue to be eligible for family coverage through the age of 26.
8. Guarantees Insurance Renewal: Insurance companies will be required to renew any policy as long as the policyholder pays their premium in full. Insurance companies won't be allowed to refuse renewal because someone became sick.
Learn more and get details: http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/health-insurance-consumer-protections/
8 common myths about health insurance reform
1. Reform will stop "rationing" - not increase it: It’s a myth that reform will mean a "government takeover" of health care or lead to "rationing." To the contrary, reform will forbid many forms of rationing that are currently being used by insurance companies.
2. We can’t afford reform: It's the status quo we can't afford. It’s a myth that reform will bust the budget. To the contrary, the President has identified ways to pay for the vast majority of the up-front costs by cutting waste, fraud, and abuse within existing government health programs; ending big subsidies to insurance companies; and increasing efficiency with such steps as coordinating care and streamlining paperwork. In the long term, reform can help bring down costs that will otherwise lead to a fiscal crisis.
3. Reform would encourage "euthanasia": It does not. It’s a malicious myth that reform would encourage or even require euthanasia for seniors. For seniors who want to consult with their family and physicians about end-of life decisions, reform will help to cover these voluntary, private consultations for those who want help with these personal and difficult family decisions.
4. Vets' health care is safe and sound: It’s a myth that health insurance reform will affect veterans' access to the care they get now. To the contrary, the President's budget significantly expands coverage under the VA, extending care to 500,000 more veterans who were previously excluded. The VA Healthcare system will continue to be available for all eligible veterans.
5. Reform will benefit small business - not burden it: It’s a myth that health insurance reform will hurt small businesses. To the contrary, reform will ease the burdens on small businesses, provide tax credits to help them pay for employee coverage and help level the playing field with big firms who pay much less to cover their employees on average.
6. Your Medicare is safe, and stronger with reform: It’s myth that Health Insurance Reform would be financed by cutting Medicare benefits. To the contrary, reform will improve the long-term financial health of Medicare, ensure better coordination, eliminate waste and unnecessary subsidies to insurance companies, and help to close the Medicare "doughnut" hole to make prescription drugs more affordable for seniors.
7. You can keep your own insurance: It’s myth that reform will force you out of your current insurance plan or force you to change doctors. To the contrary, reform will expand your choices, not eliminate them.
8. No, government will not do anything with your bank account: It is an absurd myth that government will be in charge of your bank accounts. Health insurance reform will simplify administration, making it easier and more convenient for you to pay bills in a method that you choose. Just like paying a phone bill or a utility bill, you can pay by traditional check, or by a direct electronic payment. And forms will be standardized so they will be easier to understand. The choice is up to you – and the same rules of privacy will apply as they do for all other electronic payments that people make.
Learn more and get details:
http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck
http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck/faq
8 Reasons We Need Health Insurance Reform Now
1. Coverage Denied to Millions: A recent national survey estimated that 12.6 million non-elderly adults – 36 percent of those who tried to purchase health insurance directly from an insurance company in the individual insurance market – were in fact discriminated against because of a pre-existing condition in the previous three years or dropped from coverage when they became seriously ill. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/denied_coverage/index.html
2. Less Care for More Costs: With each passing year, Americans are paying more for health care coverage. Employer-sponsored health insurance premiums have nearly doubled since 2000, a rate three times faster than wages. In 2008, the average premium for a family plan purchased through an employer was $12,680, nearly the annual earnings of a full-time minimum wage job. Americans pay more than ever for health insurance, but get less coverage. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/hiddencosts/index.html
3. Roadblocks to Care for Women: Women’s reproductive health requires more regular contact with health care providers, including yearly pap smears, mammograms, and obstetric care. Women are also more likely to report fair or poor health than men (9.5% versus 9.0%). While rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure are similar to men, women are twice as likely to suffer from headaches and are more likely to experience joint, back or neck pain. These chronic conditions often require regular and frequent treatment and follow-up care. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/women/index.html
4. Hard Times in the Heartland: Throughout rural America, there are nearly 50 million people who face challenges in accessing health care. The past several decades have consistently shown higher rates of poverty, mortality, uninsurance, and limited access to a primary health care provider in rural areas. With the recent economic downturn, there is potential for an increase in many of the health disparities and access concerns that are already elevated in rural communities. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/hardtimes
5. Small Businesses Struggle to Provide Health Coverage: Nearly one-third of the uninsured – 13 million people – are employees of firms with less than 100 workers. From 2000 to 2007, the proportion of non-elderly Americans covered by employer-based health insurance fell from 66% to 61%. Much of this decline stems from small business. The percentage of small businesses offering coverage dropped from 68% to 59%, while large firms held stable at 99%. About a third of such workers in firms with fewer than 50 employees obtain insurance through a spouse. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/helpbottomline
6. The Tragedies are Personal: Half of all personal bankruptcies are at least partly the result of medical expenses. The typical elderly couple may have to save nearly $300,000 to pay for health costs not covered by Medicare alone. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/inaction
7. Diminishing Access to Care: From 2000 to 2007, the proportion of non-elderly Americans covered by employer-based health insurance fell from 66% to 61%. An estimated 87 million people - one in every three Americans under the age of 65 - were uninsured at some point in 2007 and 2008. More than 80% of the uninsured are in working families. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/inaction/diminishing/index.html
8. The Trends are Troubling: Without reform, health care costs will continue to skyrocket unabated, putting unbearable strain on families, businesses, and state and federal government budgets. Perhaps the most visible sign of the need for health care reform is the 46 million Americans currently without health insurance - projections suggest that this number will rise to about 72 million in 2040 in the absence of reform. Learn more: http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/assets/documents/CEA_Health_Care_Report.pdf
Visit WhiteHouse.gov
This email was sent to curtis_owings@yahoo.com
Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy
Please do not reply to this email. Contact the White House
The White House • 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW • Washington, DC 20500 • 202-456-1111
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)