Japan refuses Blue Fin Tuna regulations

Given Japan's intransigence on the consumption of endangered species such as tuna and whales and its wanton slaughter of porpoises it might be time to consider a boycott of their products and visits there until they understand our concern and revulsion at their attitude and actions. Economcis underlies everything and it will be the only tool to achieve their attention and cooperation.

Letter to the Editor NYTimes: President Obama has re-written the Democratic Party Platform

In his speech last night and during his presidency, President Obama has re-written and re-characterized the platform of the Democratic Party. He has also abandoned his role as the leader of the Party and created his own, parallel organization. Two of the most glaring platform changes are with energy and schools. The president's advocacy of nuclear and safe-coal are in direct opposition to the spirit and the letter of the Party platform. Nuclear energy is the most expensive and problematical source of energy available. Wall Street will not finance it; it must be financed on the back of consumers. It is 20th century technology in the 21st century. The cost of solar is dropping like a rock as the technology is advancing logarithmically. New models for creating decentralized solar energy, including home and business based production as in the Gainesville model, offer creative options. Also wind offers many innovative and clean, safe energy prospects; energy efficiency and energy conservation are the vernacular of those informed on current energy alternatives. Hydro-electric and geothermal are other available options. Before his election President Obama offered a rebuilding of the economy based partly on the solar and wind energy industries; how does his current advocacy of nuclear and clean-coal, an oxymoron if ever there was one, as outlined in his State of the Union address square with his original energy based economic recovery plan? One can only assume that he has sold out to the opposition on energy and abandoned the fundamental values of his party base. He does this at his political peril. The Democratic Party base at the time of November, 2009 election advocated public schools; it did not advocate or condone charter schools. Now it condones charter schools, without vouchers. The First Ammendment is precious to the Democratic Party base and most of those members see charter schools as a circumventing of the Ammendment. When you see the base abandoning Mr. Obama this will be one of the reasons. And his advocating of "clean coal" is another irritating and offensive straw on the camel's back. President Obama has drawn the wagons around his office and is working behind his fortress walls with the same team that put him in office. He apparently has not noticed that the election is over and it is time to include the Democratic Party and a wider circle of opinions and ideas in his mix of advisors and thinkers. Somebody must tell the emporer about his clothes; he is in dishabille.

NYTimes Comment on Napolitano

The most disturbing aspect of Ms. Napolitano's statement that the system worked is that it reveals a spin mind set. Why even make such a statement? Only if you are coming from an environment dedicated to stonewalling and excluding input from the outside, as the Obama administration seems to be, could you be so disoriented and self consumed to say that. Mr. Obama has provided no real mechanism for new ideas and suggestions from outside of his brain trust, even from his strongest supporters, relying, as he has his whole political life, on his own counsel. Unfortunately, this provides a myopic view when a biopic one is required. Mr. Obama better find a way of letting in objective reality checks or he and his team will continue to not address fundamental core issues such as getting our national security people on the same page and setting aside inter-departmental bickering and turf fights. Similarly, the quest for universal healthcare has seen only an insurance based solution when focusing on delivery of services might have been more productive but never was considered. A business model which asks repeatedly what is our mission?, what is our goal? must be adopted by the administration; their cards are being held to close too their chests. Let in some light, some fresh air, some new thinking Mr. Obama or this Achilles heel will continue to haunt you.

Message for Tiger Woods/NY Times post

As a registered mental health counselor it is distressing to see how quickly many people judge and reject others when their behavior only reflects inner conflict and need for resolution. We like to think that we have full control over our actions but we do not. The challenge for each of us is to recognize, understand and manage internal and pre-programmed demands and criteria which are controlling our goals, judgement, behavior and interaction with others. Professional therapists can help. Tiger, please find one. If you do, it is recommended not to make any life changes until you have made some progress in therapy. Don't divorce. Wait. You can and most likely will make progress in therapy and be able to change your behavior. Give up a little ego now and you will get your wife, your family and your self-respect and the respect of others back. We are not divine or infallible, even with a billion dollars.

Second abortion email to Senator Nelson

Seperation Of Church and State

Abortion is a religious, not a humane, issue. Some Christians would rather sacrifice the life of the mother to save the child so it can be baptized, saving its soul, they believe. This concern is driving the anti-abortion legislation sought by them in new healthcare legislation. The First Ammendment prohibits such governmental action in support of a religious principle, If they do not sanction abortion, they have every right to say so publicly and to not sanction or engage in it. But they do not have the right to deny access to others based on their religious beliefs. DO NOT SUPPORT ANTI-ABORTION LEGISLATION. WE ARE OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER COAT HANGER AND BACK ALLEY ABORTION ATTEMPTS AND DEATHS. NEVER AGAIN.

Room for Debate: Living Off Mom and Dad -NYTimes

The 40-Something Dependent Child

My comment as posted in the

NYTimes, Oct 29, 2009

35 is the new 18. And this was true long before the current economic downturn.Many moderately well off upper middle income families never pressured or required their kids to feel that they had to choose a career or to follow up on the
expensive college education they completed. At 35 and 40 they still do not know what they want to be when they grow up. As a mental health professional, I can tell you that many of these people are clinicallydisfunctional and stuck in irrational behavioral and thought processes which prevent meaningful orientation
to work and achievment. They are supported by their parents now; who knows what will become of them when their parents pass on and the money runs out. It is true national epidemic. And underlies the need for mental health counseling in any national health insurance program.

In Test of Water on Moon, Craft Hits Bull’s-Eye - NYTimes Oct 12, 2009- Letter To The Editor

By what right does NASA disturb and deface any part of the universe? All other planetary bodies should be classified as pristine wilderness areas protected by international agreement. As with parks which we have set aside for preservation, we should be able to visit them, but be required to leave them as we found them. We have no right to exploit or use the natural resources and elements of planets, moons, comets or any other natural body in this or any other galaxy. Just because you can do something does not mean it should be done. Blasting a part of the moon in this way is unforgivable. What if every nation that can do something like this did? Passive and minimal sampling techniques should be the rule; not desecration and destruction. Have we lost all sense of value and responsibility for the consequences of our actions?