Baby Boomer's View

The State of the Union as stated

2012-01-25T00:40:00.007-05:00

President Obama gave a long, spirited speech that ended on a note of patriotic metaphor and exuded optimism. One thing he did not tackle in the list of things to get done this year, was campaign finance reform. He also avoided the funding of health care, Medicare, or Social Security. Surprisingly, he wants to add two new initiatives that suggest he is still expanding government, with no mention of how we will retire the debt. The President effectively sent out dozens of political roses.

There was an emphasis on fairness in taxation, another call for cooperation to get legislation passed, assurances that our military will remain strong, and a call to shift incentives from oil producers toward clean energy projects. It was a comprehensive speech that reaffirmed our overseas alliances, spoke of strengthening education, reaffirmed a commitment to military strength, and suggested a limit on interest rates for students loans. The President even suggested that a new round of mortgage refinancing could be handled by the bailed banks who might want to rebuild trust in their reputations. He called for bringing overseas jobs and capital back to the U.S. and said he was opening more land to drilling. There was talk of fairness and a call for a personal income taxes that were in keeping with that theme. The President's delivery was upbeat as he sent out a strong message against future bail-outs. He spoke like a strong, seasoned campaigner, took credit for his accomplishments and rekindled a message Americans love to hear: We can accomplish anything we set our minds to.

The rebuttal by Governor Daniels posited a contrary view of how well the economy is doing. His presentation was measured and well-prepared as he made it clear that much more needed to be done, particularly in the area of encouraging business growth. He, too, asked for cooperation in Congress. He also made it clear that our social support programs will have to be adjusted if we want them to be available to those who need financial help in the future. Focusing on the high unemployment rate, he cited the unacceptably high jobless rate for young people under 30 and the struggling economy. His presentation was dignified and grounded by his positive experience in making Indiana a hub of new business.

Asking Questions, Choosing Candidates

2012-01-22T16:37:00.006-05:00

The current national screening process we are engaged in (the Republican primaries) unleashes the freedoms that exposes the machinery behind a functioning democracy. Winning the office of President of the United States invites a level of competition usually reserved for extreme sports where skilled players are frequently bruised and avid fans pull for their favorites.

Even in sports we long to respect our athletes even as we turn them into media stars, exceptional individuals who are then expected to radiate with extraordinary capabilities. Athletes in the "big leagues" know they can be penalized for flagrantly disregarding rules, for drug abuse, inappropriate public behavior and violations of the law. Presidential candidates should know in advance that they too, will be heavily scrutinized. It's part of the filtering process.

Decisions that emanate from the Oval Office typically send ripples beyond our borders so voters want to look into the heart of the man who will initiate far-reaching policies in the name of our country. Baby Boomers who spent their young adulthood watching or participating in the Vietnam War, the push for equality, equal educational opportunities and success expect to participate in another recovery. Quality education for every American child, safe cities and viable transportation systems, innovation and training programs for high school graduates, health care that is improved and affordable, new jobs, and a strengthened social security program are all on our list. We want our government to enforce fair business practices and honest business leaders so we can again trust our major institutions. Whose inquiring about such weighty issues now that the Republican primary process is moving forward?

What we hear reaffirms that politicians are still lumbering down the old, worn road to non-legislation: My way or the highway. To those of us in the real world that's a nonsensical posture for optimists who have an expectation of improvement elevating toxic sound bytes to the level of substantive rhetoric. When bombastic declarations grab headlines and debates are interrupted by fans as if they were attending a sports event, the seriousness of the moment withers. A moderator asking contemporaneously provocative questions rather than framing a substantive one immediately lowered the South Carolina audience's expectations.

Supporters attending the South Carolina debate seemed insulted that a personal question rather than one focused on a broad political issue was the first one lobbed at a popular Republican candidate. Decorum in the hall dropped away after that. Sadly, the audience had no intention of stifling their commentary in light of a trivialized launch for a Presidential debate. Some went on to treat the event as if it were an ordinary TV show in which they were participating. It is unfortunate when a moderator allows a rare opportunity to quiz potential candidates sour. Complicated, emotional problems like marriage/divorce issues seem better suited to personal interviews handled by journalists who have the time to probe disputed facts and ask about contradictory characterizations.

The debate in South Carolina offered the media a chance to extract a response from each person on stage to questions about economics, governance and global trade, answers all voters (regardless of party) wanted to hear. A moderator's thoughtfully worded question is the only tool that can expose a politician's inner thought process and give voters insights they could not acquire otherwise. We want a moderator's intellectual power focused on the most weighty topics.

Sliding to the furthest end of the couch always makes it hard to reach the remote in the middle. Asserting absolute positions and posturing for conflict may garner fervent applause from a dissatisfied electorate, but is it the appropriate criteria for a candidate seeking the Presidency? It's time for the Republican party to figure out where it's going with this caravan. The Oval Office deserves an occupant the country can respect, free of hypocrisy and guile, humble enough to admit when he has made a mistake and consistently capable of making wise decisions. Whomever leads our country, his mandate is to uphold the law and make good decisions that apply equally to all Americans.

Cultural Contributors

2012-01-15T12:49:00.006-05:00

From BBC news, a gifted artist with Asperger's syndrome who always felt like an outsider inks beautiful, intricate, color-saturated drawings that represent his sensation of living in a messy, often impenetrable world. (video)

A poignant story written by Daniel Wakin for the New York Times describes a musician's respect for the rare instrument that lent it's 300 year old tones to his extraordinary career. Now the irreplaceable cello is to be auctioned by closed bid so it can lend its unique voice to another talent.

You could be tagged the nostalgia king/queen of your book club for suggesting Diane Keaton's new memoir after reading the linked review from The Economist.

Architectural models, prototypes, custom implants and manufactured products are about to undergo radical change as 3D printing becomes more cost effective. This is disruptive a game changer according to Lisa Harouni's TED Talk. She predicts this will revolutionize manufacturing because it will allow the individualization of products and let products be created on demand. The level of detail achieved using 3D printing is amazing. This talk offers an excellent introduction.

New Year's Health Updates

2012-01-11T00:49:00.026-05:00

Clarification on the latest statin/adult onset diabetes discussion accompanied by gender, ethnicity and body typing details was published in the Los Angeles Times.

Does the nicotine patch or nicotine gum programs succeed at helping patients give up smoking or are they only temporarily reducing tobacco addictions? With a high number of relapses, it appears that only those individuals who rigidly adhere to the treatment plan will achieve their goal. See the New York Times article for specific information.

Although it is not strictly a health article this piece by Jane E. Brody on living life well has some solid tips. It's a New York Times gem suitable for sharing with adult children.

Fruit from Brazil is being scrutinized more heavily after orange juice made from fruit grown in Brazil contained low levels of a fungicide residue not allowed in the U.S. The FDA has halted such imports while it conducts testing according to a Bloomberg update.

Yet another reason to show care and compassion to friends grieving a loss.

Was poor government oversight of health care products partly responsible for the approval of breast implants that may endanger the health of recipients? Women living with potentially faulty PIP breast implants face different remedies depending on where they live notes this BBC News report. In Mexico, no incidents of leakage or cancers have been found among plastic surgery patients with the implants, so no recalls has been made, according to Yahoo! News. Meanwhile, up to 25,000 patients having surgery in Brazil could have received PIP implants, most Brazilian women got a local brand filled with California gel manufactured to medical standards.

The FDA hopes to speed up the long process of generic drug approvals by hiring more reviewers who will be paid by new fees collected from pharmaceutical companies reports USA Today. The question arises, does speeding up the FDA approvals process result in a net benefit to the public? A Bloomberg article addresses the hazards in rushing drug and device approvals by citing the breast implants (not FDA approved) shown to be unreliable. (updated)

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a bandage that hold promise for speeding wound healing by triggering the growth of blood vessels at the injury site.

More on genetically modified food and the micro-RNA they might be communicating to our cells, ultimately influencing metabolic function--from an article by Ari LeVaux in The Atlantic. Research coming out of China challenges the "substantial equivalence" label affixed to GM seeds, a concept repeatedly rejected by scientists.

The fashion industry has always shunned normal-size women for photo shoots and runways. The latest ABC News report reveals that new models are smaller than ever, almost anorexic. If you can't find any outfit that looks good in your size, remember that fashion is sold using models with no resemblance to the average woman's proportions.

Organic farming hippies had it right...Chemically enhanced processed meats have been linked to pancreatic cancer. What to do? Break that sausage and bacon habit, reduce the red meat you consume, stop smoking and cut calorie intake if you're overweight.

With the explosion of on breast cancer events and news about mammograms it is hard to believe there is still a large knowledge gap when women are asked about their cancer treatment choice and the potential consequences for different types of surgical intervention. HealthDay News reports on the surprising lack of information patients have been getting about their options.

Why would a medical school consider accepting a candidate with a criminal record (for more than a minor traffic violation)?

What do you think of this new sound amplifier described by Bloomberg as an alternative for older adults with moderate hearing loss who don't want to spend a fortune on a traditional hearing aid? ($800 pr.)

Environmental Changes

2012-01-09T13:49:00.019-05:00

Studies from the University of Illinois are focusing on the biophysical properties of vegetation to determine how it impacts greenhouse gases and climate. Ecosystems depend on a balance in which land use plays an important part.

According to the Washington Post U.S. fishing policy has set catch limits with political support from both parties. New regulations should have a positive impact on conservation. Environmentalists hope this will prevent overfishing in U.S. waters. The new legislation comes just as the first wild hybrid shark is discovered by researchers.

Are the trucks on our roads getting too big? Do they endanger vehicle safety for ordinary drivers and damage bridges? This organization thinks so. Meanwhile Israel is getting its first shipment of electric cars made by an American start up. The vehicles will run with the support of newly installed charging stations all over the small country. (updated)

USA Today reports that more municipalities are recycling waste water into drinking water. Methods are described as cost effective, safe and useful in times of water shortages.

Astronomers are expanding their exploration of objects in our universe. Their observations achieve extraordinary clarity through a powerful telescope flown aloft in a specially designed jet.

Despite setbacks with problem batteries last year, the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers unveiled new models and continue to improve the batteries to get greater travel range. Electric and hybrid cars are more attractive to buyers now that we have experienced a significant rise in the price of gasoline. Hybrids (gas engines paired with battery power) already constitute an important piece of new car sales. Still, some manufacturers reports BBC News, remain invested in improving the old technology by making the gas engine more efficient.

A monkey previously thought to be extinct has been photographed in the jungles of Borneo by cameras positioned in the forest canopy.

The Los Angeles Times reports that $6.5 million dollars has been approved at the state level to complete the restoration of the Ballona Wetlands in Southern California and eventually open it to the public. Over the last thirty years much of the land was neglected and lost habitat.

Bloomberg reports that Japan and Sweden lead the world as underwriters for green projects. Over $4 billion in bonds then fund socially responsible investments related to land, air, water and the climate.

Studying how water and wild animals influence one another is the focus of Virginia Tech associate professor Kathleen Alexander's work. She has observed how climate and land use impact animal behavior. A National Science Foundation grant and years of dedicated observation in Africa by her team has also identified previously unknown pathogens according to the VA Tech News.

Good News 2012

2012-01-06T20:56:00.014-05:00

Quake resistant office buildings are becoming a reality in Santiago, Chile.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (S.E.C) is adjusting their protocol for accepting settlements with without demanding those accused of fraudulent practices admit guilt reports the New York Times. Cases where criminal charges have already been acknowledged will no longer allow executives to sidestep taking responsibility for the practices which triggered an investigation. Perhaps this shift will act as a deterrent, making risk takers think twice.

Just a bit of humor for those who wonder how one joins the "1%" by John Schwartz of the New York Times.

Are you a serious fan of Sudoku puzzles? If so you'll want to read this Nature post about an Irish mathematician who has unraveled one of the great mysteries of the game. His calculations show that players need 17 clues before they can solve one of these grids.

Would it be fun to be able to make colorful plastic toys for your grandchildren at home? If the manufacturers of 3D printing technology succeed in bringing down prices for their special printers, I predict a huge number of grandparents will adopt this as a hobby. For details, see BBC News.

The head of Lloyds Banking Group stands out for doing the right thing in turning down a multi-million dollar bonus. According to the New York Times the international banker suddenly took medical leave during the banking crisis, but has returned to honor his commitments.

In recognition of their granting freedom to imprisoned residents of the once closed country of Myanmar (formerly Burma), the U.S., reports the New York Times, has opened diplomatic relations.

Public libraries are beginning to respond to the clamor to put their volumes online as electronic readers become mainstream writes the Washington Post. As the demand increases, the way libraries function and allocate their funds is being challenged.

The Race

2012-01-05T13:24:00.027-05:00

The enthusiasm over the Iowa primaries was not just media hype. It demonstrates how seriously voters take the upcoming Presidential Election. Who is the right individual to trust when we have serious problems ahead? Voters are scrutinizing every candidate's character, experience, inner strength and judgment. They want to hear each individual's plan, no more fuzzy generalities.

The race in Iowa was the first scene in an emotional drama surrounding government continuing to expand into the lives of Americans or not. Depending on which party you align yourself with, there is a clear villain and a courageous hero plus thousands of characters moving on and off stage. Where is the reformer in this war of wits? If you deem expansive government a positive, you accept restrictions, rules, guidelines and limits on whatever you receive. If you abhor more government, you see all grants as bribes and handouts, unwilling to see that some of our neighbors are in terrible straits. We need to find a way to help work-seeking and working Americans who are unable to afford food and shelter without crushing their independence and rendering them dependent.

Every new tax incentive, tax exemption, welfare payment or grant harnesses a prescribed group to the government in the same way a trust funder is dependent on the wealth passed down to them by a benefactor. (updated) We cannot continue expanding programs that deepen our financial obligations but fail to train people to help grow the economy. Being given financial support rather than earning a living on your own can permanently dampen personal motivation. If outright giving was a successful strategy, wouldn't we be living in a model society?

Government programs need reform; waste and abuse need to be eliminated. The unemployed need access to free local training so they can transfer to new careers. The tax system is still awaiting an overhaul. We need term limits on politicians. Health care reform needs fine tuning. Campaign financing and the debt are spinning out of control. Corruption is eroding the citizens' trust in their government. With population growth and global travel, one individual's illness rapidly becomes everyone's concern if it is highly contagious or deadly. We need to tailor the federal budget to expected revenues. 2012 is our "fork in the road," the point at which paths diverge and each voter must decide for him/herself choosing the candidate they believe will protect and defend our democracy.

The Question: As the government distributes money via a panoply of programs are they truly helping people or interfering with the dynamic that motivates us to work hard, eat healthy (see UCSF Dr. Robert H. Lustig's research on the causes of obesity in children) and follow the path to a productive life? Is this a wise direction for our country or should we reduce the proliferation of government sponsored programs? Should the next administration work toward reducing government involvement in citizens' lives? Which candidate has a reasonable plan to strengthen the economy, protect people's health, defend our country and reduce the debt without burdening future generations with legacy obligations frequently held captive to outside influences?

Questionable Executive Decisions

2012-01-03T10:55:00.019-05:00

Despite declaring their inability to make lump sum payouts to retirees American Airlines continues to maintain a large private residence in a posh London neighborhood for the use of one of their senior executives reports Reuters.

The injection of brine water into oil wells as a byproduct of fracking appears to have initiated a series of small earthquakes in Ohio. The Washington Post reports pumping has ceased and an investigation will be conducted.

At least the outcome was good: Story from the Business Insider: A top analyst who refused to cross the line for a hedge fund he worked for was fired. Today, with reputation intact he is at the top of his game.

CompUSA, a once thriving technology supplier suffered financial losses caused by greedy executives who have been accused of taking goods and services without payment, using employees to run errands and enjoying an expensive lifestyle with their families at the company's expense according to an extensive article in the Miami Herald.

September 11 commemorative bracelets came from China? Even if products made in the U.S. cost a bit more, don't we want U.S. tax dollars (especially for patriotic endeavors) spent on goods manufactured here? A new bill proposed by Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow should ensure that foreign purchases should not take precedence when equivalent American goods are available writes Kathleen Miller for Bloomberg.

What prompted Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour's pardon of hundreds of prisoners (including convicted murderers) as he left office? According to USA Today, his actions were unannounced and therefore not in line with the state constitution.

Punishing the hand that feeds you: ProPublica reporter Lena Groeger has posted a story about two members of Congress, Representatives Issa and Maloney both of whom have received contributions from medical publishers, and are now pushing a bill to make us pay to access government-funded research papers online. What would make a Congressional representative attempt to charge their constituents for research that was funded with taxpayer dollars?

Italians who tolerated the embarrassment of Silvio Berlusconi's exuberant lifestyle, held a young American college student in prison for a murder a man with a dubious history was jailed for, has now decided it is appropriate to let a ship's captain who abandoned his cruise ship leaving passengers to die will await criminal charges under house arrest? My heart goes out to the grieving families and traumatized tourists caught up in this nightmare. (updated)

Johnson and Johnson's push to improperly market an adult anti-psychotic to Medicaid for use on children caused lawsuits to be filed by several states. One was settled in Texas for $158 million. According to Bloomberg, the heroic figure was a whistle blower who once worked for the Inspector General's office in Pennsylvania. After he began investigating payments to a particular pharmacist he was fired.

Not surprisingly, executive pay has come under examination as CEOs of banks that took federal funds to remain capitalized, are now collecting hefty paychecks and bonuses. Chief executives seem to be operating in a bubble which enables them to ignore public relations warnings and negative marketplace sentiment consistent when a reward is given for near failure. BBC News reports that the U.K. is taking steps to curb concerns about the impact of rising CEO pay in a climate of diminished profits which was previously discussed in The Economist.

Ever the Optimist

2011-12-23T14:12:00.019-05:00

Scientists at Oregon State University are investigating the genome of one of the planet's most diverse plants, the mushroom by studying 1,000 species. It is hoped the work will yield information about the role of fungi in the carbon cycle and human health. Five other research institutions will contribute samples.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will no longer be making grants for research that do not meet new, stringent requirements that preclude experimentation using chimpanzees. NIH scientists will not be allowed to consider primates for testing unless there is no ethical alternative according to Nature magazine.

People who have experienced the soothing effects of dogs firsthand will like a story posted on Bloomberg about a British Marine who was serving in Afghanistan and managed to secure a safe haven for abused and neglected dogs despite the dangers of war. The comfort and companionship combat-stressed soldiers gained from spending time with the strays was obvious. He is hoping to do more rescues and has affiliated with an American group.

Bloomberg's Noah Buhayar reports that the diligence of New York state regulators has forced major life insurance companies to compensate beneficiaries who had collectively not received $53 million dollars in death benefits they were due.

For generous Baby Boomers searching for a way to help returning and deployed troops, I am providing the NORAD link to a group of programs with that in mind.

Exciting news appeared on USNews.com written by journalist Joel Shurkin. Mathematicians have developed a way to apply algorithms to anticipate the drug reactions for new compounds. Knowing the negative reactions in advance would be a major step forward in the protection of patients and introduce greater predictability to prescriptions.
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Futurecast

2011-12-19T16:56:00.020-05:00

Being young and in love we all stumbled about in our relationships, dinging each other's armor and reopening wounds. If we knew what a tumbling we were about to take from life we probably would have been less resolute about winning small battles. We would have saved our ammo for the big stuff. Small slights and minor misunderstandings might now have ballooned into catastrophes if we anticipated the many curve balls life would toss our way. Young couples rarely imagine a world that does not focus on their needs. They waste precious time upset over things that if remembered at all, transform into faded memories, like Victorian lace draped over the reflection of a long marriage. The latest statistics show that marriages are in decline. What long term impact could that have?

Our nation is reshuffling its priorities. Social security, the societal safety net is up for debate, the family home is no longer the safest of investments, the stock market is a bucking bronco, and marriage has lost its preeminence as the emotional sanctuary. How will women who are ready to begin a family look forward to pregnancy if they are unsure of their partner and there is no permanence to the relationship? The loss of physical and emotional protection when females allow themselves to become vulnerable and dependent (as when caring for a family) requires stability. Without a solid partner, there is the flip side: Life as a single parent filled with stress. Raising children alone is likely to trap a woman in poverty, contribute to poor health and increase absenteeism at work. On the other hand, studies have shown that men's health and longevity is bolstered by a stable, loving family life. Societies thrive when their basic institutions remain stable and reliable.

Baby Boomers with unmarried adult children report that they are overhearing bits and bytes of conversations indicating that marriage and traditional family life is seen as less likely a possibility by young people. The cost of replicating the benefits we gave our children strain the imagination of a working couple today. Our thirty-something children are trying to plan the future from under umbrellas rained on by continuous uncertainty. Washington's indecisiveness has contributed to an atmosphere of post-crisis insecurity with negative implications for the economy.
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It's Just Not Fair!

2011-12-14T17:41:00.016-05:00

Once upon a time we thought life was fair. Then we grew up, lived and learned. When unfairness is particularly blatant, wouldn't it be fun to shout: Hey, that's not right!

Fraudulent worker compensation claims in New York are sapping taxpayer and insurance dollars while a backlog in the review of injured worker cases prevents approximately 12,000 disabled claimants from the financial help they deserve, posted by Rick Karlin on Timesunion.com.

Gambling favors the house, particularly if you're the Swiss casino visitor who was recently prevented from claiming his winnings in Austria, reports Yahoo.com's Trevor Mogg.

Baby Boomers are revisiting the notion of civic responsibility. Elected officials at the state and city level will be scrutinized and held accountable for how they spend dwindling tax revenues. Officials who misappropriate funds, overpay employees and have repeatedly employed contractors producing shoddy work or delaying deliveries invite a challenge in upcoming elections. The era of ignoring warning signs as California did for years is no longer an option for taxpayers (or anyone who buys their bonds).

Cities made generous pension promises to employees that they are now unable to fulfill. Municipalities caught in this financial trap face bankruptcy to discharge long term debt. Where would that leave their retired citizens? The New York Times covers the deal retired police and firefighters are working out in Rhode Island to avoid that drastic step.

Concerns About the Environment

2011-12-10T09:47:00.024-05:00

Are spent lead batteries shipped into Mexico now causing serious problems? According to this piece in the New York Times, the answer is yes, suggesting that industrialized countries need to find more technologically advanced, safer ways of disposing of waste.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has gotten closer to linking fracking in Wyoming with polluted underground water. There is always some possibility of hazard whenever toxic chemicals are pumped into the ground under high pressure. An extensive investigation by A. Lustgarten and N. Kusnetz for ProPublica suggests that a substantial water pollution hazard will be confirmed as testing continues. (updated) After years of complaints related to pollution and toxic air, the Los Angeles Times is reporting that the EPA will be restricting the level of toxic emissions such as arsenic and mercury released into the air by utility plants.

If you are mystified by the political agenda that might lurk behind the construction of the KeystoneXL Pipeline (despite cost, the distance involved and the potential environmental risk), you might want to read an illuminating, lengthy post on the Neiman Watchdog, a website affiliated with the school of journalism at Harvard University linked above.

The recent increase in dust storms in the southwest, increasing incidences of asthmas in rural parts of those states, and concern over heavy dusting on snow in the rockies has the attention of climate researchers from the Colorado Plateau to Phoenix, reports the New York Times.

Something you might want to do if you own a private homesite is to provide a hospitable environment for birds and butterflies native to your area. Serious wildlife gardeners might opt to become certified by National Wildlife Federation.

Could we be polluting our oceans with microfibers by washing clothes? According to Conservation Magazine the answer is yes.
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Health News for December

2011-12-06T21:45:00.039-05:00

Patents for personalized diagnostic tests may be easier to obtain now that a Federal Circuit Court has reversed a 2009 decision, according to an article posted on Bloomberg. According to The Economist, Mayo v. Prometheus focused on the diagnostic tests that help specify the best treatments for gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn's disease. This is welcome news for biotechnology companies working on targeted treatment and drugs, and could lead to lower health costs.

Lantus insulin has been linked to an increased risk of cancer in diabetics following a sizable study out of Sweden. More studies are due to be published in the coming months reports Bloomberg.

Business posts from Morningstar's Footnoted.com illustrate that research costs are not the sole reason drugs are expensive. Compensation packages and options buy-outs for ousted executives cut a substantial wedge in the economic pie.

The Atlantic: Adding a cat to the household once you're an adult invites allergies.

Here is a link to one of the most thorough pieces of journalism posted by Reuters reports Ros Krasny and Toni Clarke that dissects the health care program instituted in Massachusetts for which former Governor Romney has been heavily criticized, particularly after President Obama's health plan was approved by Congress.

No one wants to submit to additional X-rays from a TSA body scanner when there are other, safer (and less intrusive) ways to protect the flying public. ProPublica reporter Michael Grabell has done extensive research on the subject and details serious concerns raised by researchers about the possibility of an impact on DNA.

Vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin) is beneficial for our bones, but the notion that it prevents heart attacks or cancer (at least in people over 70) is shown to be incorrect. More studies are expected-- Reuters.

Government subsidies used to bolster corporate and state retirement benefits for early retirees (under 65) are about to end, reports Bloomberg.

Mechanical devices from artificial hips to pacemakers will be monitored for safety and reliability if a bipartisan bill before the Senate is passed, notes the New York Times. Consumer advocates have been requesting this kind of follow up to identify and warn patients against mechanical failures which inevitably cause distress and require additional surgery.
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Using Computers to Learn

2011-12-06T15:01:00.033-05:00

Solving the problem of delivering personalized education was a hurdle for schools trying to update their structure. Today technology can pepper lessons with multimedia and offer interactive features to hold the individual learner's interest, a possible solution to today's crowded classrooms. Online learning modules and content check ups are trackable and immediately respond to input so students get instant feedback.

Computer generated lessons can be finely tuned to the individual, but they are insufficient for disinterested students or children for whom reading is difficult. A talented teacher can motivate and encourage even the seemingly bored or sullen child by engaging with them, showing interest in incremental improvements, and helping them find high interest/age appropriate reading material. When a school offers a variety of learning environments young people, despite a compendium of ability levels, all get an opportunity to acquire skills without stress. Students challenged by a specific learning difficulty are no longer isolated from their peers for skill specific tutoring.

Discussion boards and forums online are insufficient substitutes for social skills kids acquired through face to face interactions. Children need multiple opportunities to become familiar with socialization cues, politeness, empathy and ways to mitigate critical comments or negative remarks. As we strive to produce ethical and honest citizens, education should include negotiation skills, ways to achieve compromise and opportunities to experience the responsibility that comes with leading others. Modern education is incomplete if it is seen as merely acquiring information. Classroom activities and an opportunity to bond with friends is equally important.

Do you remember a particularly encouraging or engaging educator who impacted your life? If you can read this, maybe you or your grown children owe a thank you note to the special teacher who left a positive imprint on your life.

A New York Times essay by Daphne Koller describes pioneering efforts coming out of Stanford University's Artificial Intelligence Lab and the Khan Academy, scalable ways to disseminate foundational information to a high volume of students. These experimental studies demonstrate that bringing basic learning to all the world's children is no longer a dream. Wherever there is a computer, there is the possibility of a mobile classroom. However, even in remote locations we must continue to build inviting school buildings where students can gather in safety to share learning and play, draw and make music. These experiences extend human imagination and broaden our capabilities by giving us the chance to learn new skills. Check out the art appreciation, science courses, etc. offered by the non-profit Khan Academy.

Training high quality, creative teachers who are willing to be attentive yields polished students whose individual gifts have been identified early and nurtured. Teachers who model patience and support as children struggle with unfamiliar concepts are the jewels in the crown of public education. Teaching is being stretched by the rapid advances in technology and our teachers are pressured to teach to tests. (Think: Kaplan or Princeton Review course). Today's students are participating in a metamorphosis in public education as are their teachers. Hopefully, none of them will be stampeded by those impatiently drumming for a complete overhaul of teaching techniques proven effective over time. If we invest in computer learning while respecting dedicated teachers, online classes will soon be broadcast around the globe 24/7, a prelude to eradicating illiteracy.

Business as Usual

2011-12-05T22:55:00.033-05:00

Not quite in a holiday mood? Check out the current week's list (courtesy of the National Journal) of festive holiday gatherings replete with cocktails and appetizers put on by organizations with political agendas for legislators and other Washington influencers.

There are homeowners' policies and there are homeowners' policies...meaning you need to be or should consult an expert before you purchase one. According to this Wall Street Journal article, there are multiple ways insurance companies avoid paying claims for hazards you could not have anticipated.

Corporate corruption is alive and well in Japan. Olympus management, according to a report filed by the Financial Times Tokyo staff, has been accused of hiding losses over a period of twenty years. The accounting firms auditing the firm are appropriately called out by readers (see post comments). "Selling"failing assets to shell companies offshore followed by financial risk-taking in an anxiety-driven rush to recoup losses in an effort to avoid being discovered was their undoing. One individual, a banker caught up in the inquiries is reported by Bloomberg to be comfortably ensconced in the Cayman Islands.

One of Chicago's most vocal former politicians (and former Illinois Governor) has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for corruption. Meanwhile, in Maryland, a former county executive marched off to jail for accepting bribes. If the threat of prison, with its total loss of liberty does not deter elected individuals who have sworn to uphold the law, from choosing greed over their public promise, what will? Honesty is the real rare earth element--the most illusive of all commodities.

When a Baby Boomer baggage handler in Reno tried to do the right thing and prevent a visibly unhealthy dog from being loaded onto a flight, she wound up without a job. Apparently, stepping up to protect an animal in distress is wrong, acting with compassion brought her aggravation, she got upset when her warnings were ignored. Fortunately, the AP reported this story and Yahoo.com posted it.

A bizarre sports story reported on Yahoo!.com sports grabbed my attention because it once again describes shocking behavior. Every day good people hesitate to call out others. Losing your job or getting punched in the nose are real deterrents. Over time, trepidation has permitted the gradual degradation of civil behavior. Tolerance for tasteless and hurtful behavior seems to have hit a high-water mark. Idea: Baby Boomers can serve as a disruptive element, slowly reversing this trend by applauding kindness and politeness wherever we encounter it, and refusing to spend our dollars in a way that supports negative influences or glorifies inappropriate role models.
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Stuck in Traffic

2011-12-03T00:13:00.008-05:00

Stuck at an intersection along a major thoroughofare that's been under construction for the past three years, I asked myself why I ever thought this might be a good afternoon to do some holiday shopping. High above my car loomed the beginnings of a foundation for the future: Concrete and steel rods were dangling from giant cranes. I'd read this highway project had exceeded cost estimates, far more than first imagined. Massive piers were waiting to support an overhead flyway for non-local traffic. Underneath, an almost completed rail system would link city trains to suburban outposts. With the help of software and surveyors the tunnels and stations were lining up.

Above and below ground engineers spent years mapping out solutions to anticipated and complicated traffic problems. Sensitive electronics will refine the work regulating subtle shifts in vehicle flow. Drivers chattering on cellphones probably aren't focusing on the massive construction which will block a little more Vitamin D, prevent the addition of shade trees and add to the public debt. We realize we are part of the problem and know that increased population density invites negative consequences. It's depressing to think that this is our best effort. On the faces of drivers around me all I see is active resentment against a rogue traffic signal that has yet to turn green.

In the Midst of the Political Process

2011-11-29T14:24:00.017-05:00

What an extraordinary time! Americans are preparing for another election cycle, a time when poor decisions (swept in alongside helpful responses to our recent financial crisis) can be vigorously campaigned against. As the wave subsides and the detritus of poorly managed government is exposed, voters press candidates for long term remedies to address lingering problems: jobs, debt and fraud--issues that have stumped our currently elected politicians.

Both political parties are so entrenched that we are struggling with a government barely able to function. The lack of transparency from the current administration has eroded trust to the point where almost no government declaration slips by unchallenged whether it's an advisory to parents about childhood vaccinations or a policy statement on foreign aid. We've lost confidence in Congress. Corporate influence on pending legislation is now assumed. Fraudulent claims for government aid continue to waste our tax dollars.

Against this rough background candidates for the Republican Party's nomination splash buckets of name-calling on stage, or get ticked off when they are interviewed. Who are these people, are they really prepared to be in the public eye 24/7? Can they state their opinions without shades of meaning to suit the moment or their party? Demonstrating you are ready for a grueling Presidential Election means coming armed with knowledge, not repetitive talking points! Show people how competent you are, tell us what you want to do, give voters a viable alternative.
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Future Trends

2011-11-25T20:25:00.016-05:00

Robots are being integrated into Korean society handling a variety of routine but necessary jobs. This story from the BBC depicts their role as prison monitors.

Electronic devices are being modified into a professional tools which will analyze crop diseases and identify cancer markers reports Miller-McCune. This year tablet devices are seen as family-worthy gifts as parents realize their appeal to children as readers and learning devices reports Bloomberg.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will be holding hearings to determine the cause of a fire in GM's new hybrid electric vehicle the Chevy Volt, reported on by NewsDaily.com and most recently, by Bloomberg. (updated)

Retirees with some wealth were once advised to invest in tax exempt bond funds for additional income. "Muni bond" returns are shrinking due to the lower interest rates cities and states are charged for borrowing, but there could be additional risk as localities lose jobs suggests Bloomberg.

Doctors who treat Medicare patients are cutting back on office expenses, like staff nurses. Didn't policymakers anticipate physicians would cut their operating costs as soon as government threatened reduced reimbursement services?

The success of entrepreneurial websites that invite donors to participate in the growth of small businesses broke through the hesitancy of potential contributors to give online. USAToday reports that even the USO has a website that invites donations that will help brighten the holidays for soldiers and their families.
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Pensions in Focus

2011-11-23T09:57:00.007-05:00

Are hedge funds the right place to invest institutional pensions that seek to make up their past equity losses? An informative article by Azam Ahmed of the New York Times details the risks, potential rewards and higher fees historically associated with such leveraged investment vehicles.

Virginia's retirement system acquired convertible bonds for Horizon Lines according to a public filing. The company's stock meanwhile is down for the year.

Despite warnings about hedge funds (which had mostly poor performance this year), they continue to be used as depositories for public pensions, according to Breaking Views. According to Bloomberg the latest quarterly data on the California and New York public pension funds reinforce what individual investors already know, 2011 will mean little return on investments.

Shopping for the Holidays

2011-11-22T13:28:00.009-05:00

Heading out to shop for the grandchildren? There's a terrific article in the New York Times on the preference of young parents (and toddlers) for the same beautifully illustrated, hardcover books we shared with our children. Those colorfully decorated pages your grandkids can help turn as you read inspire the imagination. Your inflection, your voice, your explanations and responses to their many questions, your enjoyment of the same silliness rhymes or drawings...it's a magical combination. Electronic books aren't equivalent to a physical book in the quality of the shared experience. (If you have time, take a minute to read the thoughtful comments posted by readers afterward).

Between baking, cruising the internet and hitting the local stores you probably need to schedule time to take the grandchildren to see the newest family movie, "The Muppets" which just got a good reviews in both the New York Post and USA Today via the Tucson Citizen.

A modest expense with the potential for big dividends: Help your doctor stay informed about drugs that have caused problems or interactions with other medicines yet may not have been recalled. Public Citizen is offering a subscription the online newsletter, WorstPills.org as a gift ($15)!

In the current real estate environment more documentation is required by borrowers for new mortgages, so if you want to gift your adult children with an initial downpayment and avoid hassles, check out linked tips from MarketWatch.

Ahead of the Super Committee Report, a Random Sampling

2011-11-20T14:46:00.011-05:00

Out in the "real world" I decided to take a limited, totally random sampling of Baby Boomers gathered for an event. They came from all over the country. I did not know their party affiliations or if they had any interest in politics. I just asked their opinion of how our government was functioning. What delighted me was that they were well informed, no matter where they came from: New Hampshire to Tennessee and New Mexico, all the way west to California. Some said they were planning to retire in a few years and a half a dozen were newly retired, but every one of them was sensitive to what they could spend once they stopped working. All had appropriately lowered their expectations with the uncertain economy.

The overwhelming emotion of Baby Boomers was disappointment. Democrats and Republicans complained equally. No one was pleased with Congress, a body that remains stubbornly divided into two opposing camps. My peers expressed surprise that legislators seemed comfortable acting out the rumble scene from West Side Story, each side rigidly defending their turf despite a desperate need for compromise.
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On the Environment

2011-11-16T15:04:00.009-05:00

Why is there such strong objection in Congress to President Obama's plan to improve the gas mileage of vehicles on our roads? Better mileage means taking advantage of advanced technology and is designed to significantly reduce the amount of oil we burn. Even if cars cost a bit more, wouldn't reducing pollution be an excellent way to cut chronic respiratory illness (and the associated burdens on our health care system)?

Managing the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear power plant seepage still poses a problem for Japanese scientists. The New York Times reports that boric acid had to be injected into a reactor to keep it from leaking after signs of fission were detected.

According to Guardian blogger Damian Carrington the threat of earthquakes will not dampen the pursuit of fuel via shale fracking in the UK.

A New Jersey community has discovered that cancer causing chromium has been seeping into groundwater from leaking tanks located at a nearby factory site. It appears the pollution was accumulating below homes and business property for decades. Scott Fallon's extensive reporting on this tragedy is posted on New Jersey.com

Many objections have been raised about the Keystone XL Pipeline which is supposed to slice through middle America on its way from the Alberta tar sands to the Gulf of Mexico for refining and transport. Environmentalists and landowners have raised concerns about groundwater contamination if leaks occur along this proposed pipeline which runs at shallow depths below farmland (not a rare occurrence). Jeff Goodell has written a powerful piece for Rolling Stone that strongly opposes the construction recently curtailed by President Obama.

Could genetically engineered corn lose its protective qualities over time?

Ethics Issues in Focus

2011-11-15T12:04:00.013-05:00

Congressional privilege appears to have no limits...Special health care, generous lifetime pensions, and now the freedom to trade on pending legislation, as revealed on last week's highly acclaimed CBS 60 Minutes television segment. Have we been slowly traveling toward corruption?

Powerful, wealthy people have been treated differently: Warren Buffett, whose wealth played a vital role in Wall Street's recovery was granted permission to sidestep standard S.E.C. disclosure procedure as he accumulated stock for Berkshire Hathaway. Purchases were not disclosed until the deals were final, avoiding the prying eyes of Buffett fans reports Andrew Ross Sorkin for New York Times. Should any government agency be allowed to grant special exemptions? Does this practice undermine fairness under the law?

States still haven't submitted a full complement of mental health histories to the database that processes criminal background checks. Without the data we have no way to keep seriously mentally ill individuals from purchasing guns warns an article in the New York Daily News.

Another securities scam has been exposed. The perpetrator is charged with stealing from people wanting to invest in technology companies prior to their being publicly listed. This former Florida investment manager's arrest is reported in the New York Times. Even more unsettling is an insider trading case against a Yale-trained doctor who started a hedge fund and is now going to jail for five years, reports Peter Lattman in the New York Times.

Every citizen who enjoys the freedoms and privileges that come with a U.S. passport should pay income taxes. Those wealthy enough to hire a $500+ an hour lawyer to find workarounds to avoid paying taxes should save the expense and simply pay appropriate taxes for the opportunities their citizenship affords them. Loopholes that allow them to do otherwise unfairly burden those who earn less to pay more.

Are we to believe that the organizers of Super PACs (who are allowed to raise unlimited funds) really as divorced from the candidate and his/her campaign as we thought? The law stipulates fairly soft boundaries. ProPublica's investigative reporter Marian Wang reports on PAC activity in this election cycle. (updated)

The Washington Post reports that religious groups are more visible in Washington, DC these days, lobbying legislators on bills that benefit their causes. Are you concerned that the majority of these organizations are listed as tax-exempt while spending millions? Is their presence on Capitol Hill consistent with the separation of church and state, or are they wielding undue influence as some watchdog groups suggest?

Adults are Failing Children

2011-11-07T15:38:00.030-05:00

Church officials, teachers, coaches....The sexual abuse story coming out of Penn State ruined my weekend. I'm sure it upsets all my readers. When sexual acts are inflicted on any child a slice of civil society dies in the moment. Wanton predators leave emotional scars on trusting children and permanently extinguish their innocence.

In the case of Penn State the enablers should be held accountable. Why would any adult think that telling someone affiliated with an organization (like a university that would be directly affected by bad publicity) was sufficient? Filing a police report is the only way to ensure that charges are taken seriously. Had that happened, a young boy would have been able to experience how trustworthy adults (role models) step forward and speak up. Perhaps another boy could have been spared ongoing haunting nightmares, nervousness, fear and long term therapeutic support had one man had been unable to sleep knowing that although a crime against a child had gone unpunished. (updated)

If you volunteer at any athletic facility where children regularly change clothes and/or shower remain vigilant. Be sensitive if you notice a child's behavior suddenly change, and alert the licensed social worker so they can monitor the child, stepping in appropriately if worrisome reactions or mood changes signal trouble. Licensed counselors are also mandated to report child sexual abuse. Children depend on adults to protect them from danger, from inappropriate environments and things they don't understand. Grown ups must do the right thing, no matter what condemnation might follow.

To explore this topic from a unique perspective, you may wish to read an article about of the behaviors of child predators written by Mikaela Conley for the abc NEWS website.
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We're Waiting to be Asked

2011-11-06T15:43:00.010-05:00

Strangers

You can tell the houses with new neighbors even after moving vans and packing boxes are long gone. Their new car is parked out front because they just discovered their garages is short on length. They are always rushing around, full of enthusiasm: Painting, fixing the deck, waiting for new appliance deliveries while gathering estimates for shutters, blinds or shades.

A month into the move they're ripping out 6 month old carpeting, replacing it with "carefree" wood floors. They've begun to redo a bathroom, or made changes to the kitchen that require knocking a hole through the brick. As you drive by, you see a jagged opening being pounded out by the contractor. If you'd known, you might have warned, "Save those bricks. The original supplier can't get that color anymore."

You watch a new neighbor unloading a dozen or more 5 gallon containers of mums. Of course it's a joy to see yellow, burgundy and orange flowers on their balcony or peeking out between the evergreens, but you know from past seasons that within a week a surprise burst of frost will hit. Afterward warm days always return, but sadly, too late for those flowers. Long time residents sadly turn away--money wasted for brief moments of beauty. If only they'd asked...

Adult Children

It's hard to watch people make mistakes under our noses...sometimes costly ones we might have prevented. Especially in these difficult times watching people waste money, or take a shortcut they'll later regret can be upsetting. It's difficult for parents to remain silent when adult children are heading in the wrong direction, but offering unsolicited advice in non-life threatening circumstances is a serious mistake. An emotionally charged, negative response could unexpectedly be hurled your way in anger, sending your relationship sliding and signaling months of awkwardness. Be patient, wait to be asked.

Why do generational disputes so often unbalance parent-adult child relationships? Our children grew up in world where college was requisite for a successful career, so it follows that being smart is the prize. Tolerating the embarrassment of looking stupid in front of peers is hard enough, but devastating in front of parents from whom we all secretly want praise. Accepting a parents' advice can trigger a momentary flash of childhood, eliciting resentment in someone determined to separate from the past.

Almost a decade has to transpire before adults in their late twenties are sanguine with their parents' suggestions and can evaluate their input sans emotion. Getting used to being an independent competent adult who no longer needs to feel guilty or diminished when ignoring your parents' suggestion seems hardest in families with deep bonds.

Baby Boomers are not psychic, but we've witnessed a lot over our lifetimes. If we can, we would like to spare others the same errors we've made. Feel free to ask our opinion.

What is Wrong With Regional Banks?

2011-11-04T16:15:00.006-04:00

It's human nature not to want to go backwards in life. No one wants to see a reduction in salary, a new job title that represents a lateral move rather than a promotion, the end of bonuses or the termination of health benefits. In the United States every hard working individual expects they will earn more over time. Thanks to the last three years of financial turmoil that formula is not a given.

Scores of unemployed people have taken jobs that required they lower their expectations intellectually and reduce their expenses accordingly. They learned what banks refuse to accept. The public is no longer capable of funding the kind of exuberant growth business experienced in the prior fifteen years. Spending will continue, but with a financially insecure middle class trying to catch their breath (lost homes, lost jobs, cost of college, debts) we can't expect much discretionary spending from any but our wealthiest citizens.

How is it that regional banks (mistakenly thinking they'd be able to charge fees for debit card use) refuse to accept that their bottom line will shrink? Banks are shamelessly leaning on patrons who lend them their money at almost no interest, and now hope to saddle them with new fees to increase revenues. Working customers who occupy space in the real world have accepted reduced salaries and given up dreams, yet banks push to claim their profits at the expense of account holders who are in a weakened financial position.

Working people appreciate having a job during these difficult times. Retirees on fixed incomes have barely made a cent on savings and hope their funds will stretch. We have no reason to expect significant growth in salary next year and interest rates are expected to remain low. Baby Boomers are mystified: Why does the financial industry exclude themselves from this shared belt-tightening? Why aren't they joining the "shared sacrifice" by accepting reduced earnings? Like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, banks are amplifying the gap between financial institutions and the community they are said to serve. This is a failure to see the big picture, to embrace the long view and it's earning them terrible PR!

Taking Care of Yourself

2011-11-01T20:57:00.033-04:00

There are lingering doubts about the claim that exposing large numbers of travelers to X-ray machines is without danger reports Michael Grabell for Propublica.

Is a trip to China in your long range travel plans? Like to sample local cuisine? The Economist warns that despite official concern food safety issues pose a serious problem to diners, particularly when restaurants reuse contaminated cooking oil.

Wheat may not be your friend, and may be causing gluten sensitivity and celiac's disease writes cardiologist William Davis, MD in a new book reviewed for the Chicago Tribune by Monica Eng. Dr. David is concerned about how grains have changed over time. He theorizes they are connected to insulin spikes and inflammatory responses in the body as well as weight gain and advocates moderation until science rediscovers and cultivates the truly ancient grains.

Japanese car manufacturer Toyota plans to produce robotic devices to support the elderly with balance, walking and practical lifting to alleviate difficulties encountered as Japan deals with its aging population.

Citing a recent reduction in the use of medical services, and the addition of new Medicare and Medicaid participants (boosting the insurer's Medicare drug program participants), Wellcare just posted exceptional profits. MarketWatch reporter Tess Stynes notes that this firm previously dealt with Medicaid fraud issues and financial restatements (to resolve shareholder lawsuits).

Drug manufacturers often pay fines rather than battle government charges. These settlements with regulatory agencies do not require that the companies admit wrongdoing. Does this practice sufficiently protect public safety? Has it done anything to ensure excellence in quality control in prescription medicine manufacturing facilities? The Wall Street Journal's Jeanne Whalen reports that GlaxoSmithKline just agreed to a $3 billion settlement. Don't large financial penalties translate as part of the cost of doing business? If so, aren't consumers eventually covering those payouts via increased drug prices?

There is further procedure some women may want after completing traditional breast reconstruction...nipple tattooing. Certifications for tattoo artists come through the American Academy of Micropigmentation and the Society of Permanent Cosmetics, according to the Pennsylvania Medicine website.

Medco and Express Scripts pharmacists were on Capitol Hill this week to get Congress behind their proposed merger despite the protests from chain pharmacies and big box stores that also fill prescriptions. At stake is both control of the cost of medication and distribution by one large company... Are you concerned? For more, see Brent Kendall's Wall Street Journal article.

Food addictions are real and what you eat matters. Fatty foods, too many carbs, and sweetened foods stimulate our brains like addictive drugs. Highly processed foods full of carbohydrates, snack foods, soft drinks and candy might be your greatest health enemy. Read an excellent article on Bloomberg.

A new proton radiation therapy machine (meant to spare healthy tissue while destroying cancerous tumors) is currently being installed at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO. Proton treatment has previously been marketed to prostate cancer patients, but doctors hope to use it for brain cancer patients and children who undergo cancer treatment reports the St. Louis - Post Dispatch.

New York magazine has published Jesse Green's (lengthy) article about the long lives of Ashkenazi Jews for anyone who is fascinated by cultural DNA. Scientific American reports that octogenarians appear to have a younger brain structure than their physical age would suggest.

Wal-Mart could soon become a major primary health care provider according to the Los Angeles Times.

Amy Goldstein reporting in The Washington Post describes the resistance to President Obama's push for accountable care organizations, ACOs. This health care approach should handle Medicare cases more effectively by utilizing teams of doctors who will be incentivized for quality outcomes. The AMA has stated that physicians are largely opposed to the idea, and hospitals argue that the operating costs for such physician groups will be higher than the initial proposals suggest. Several midwestern states seem poised to try it.
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Good News is Overdue

2011-11-01T15:57:00.013-04:00

Ready for some good news?

Banks are seeing the value in listening to customers. Several are rethinking the fees they assumed their clients would passively accept for using a debit card to access their own money. Thanks to a young woman's gutsy online petition individuals who started transferring their savings into credit unions and local banks got ongoing press coverage and banks had to pay attention. Evidence of the consumer-driven economy.

A University of Missouri economics study concludes that ethical people are more content with their lives, says Tom Jacobs in Miller-McCune.

Nicholas Kristof writes in the New York Times about John Woods who left Microsoft to change lives with his charity Room to Read, responsible for opening over 2,500 libraries and helping girls stay in school in less developed countries like Vietnam.

If you're looking for work the retail industry is gearing up to hire part-time employees for the holidays. Bloomberg reports increased job openings since September, while we absorb more reductions.

If you're a regular Amazon.com customer and own a Kindle reader you can now borrow one book a month from their library without charge reports MarketWatch. Amazon is challenging the traditional book seller model and enhancing the consumer experience.

The Supreme Court has agreed to consider questions of constitutionality in regard to the Health Care Reform Act. It will be hearing a case rising from the U.S. Court of Appeals in Atlanta. Retired Baby Boomers who are starting to shift into Medicare coverage will immediately be impacted.

The Obama administration has successfully tracked down and prevented the payment of $18 billion dollars in wrongful payments to deceased or otherwise ineligible individuals reports the NationalJournal.

If you're concerned about the future these 2011 MacArthur Foundation Fellows might lift your spirits. Each individual like Marie-Therese Connolly an elder law expert specializing in elder abuse, has been selected and encouraged to pursue his/her interests with the support of a generous gift from the foundation.

Silver Linings in Tough Times

2011-10-27T15:25:00.006-04:00

My snowbird friends just left for Arizona, Florida and New Mexico. Some with second homes in Michigan, Colorado and Oregon just flew in before the soggy, icy weekend. I'm noticing some strain on the faces of these already retired friends. They are more sensitive to the rising cost of food, clothing and fuel. Even those with substantial pensions are concerned about tax increases and how little they are earning on their savings. Everyone is talking about pending health care changes.

The severity of the weather is as constant a discussion topic as the expanding footprint of government. They aren't smiling much, they continue to be shocked at reports of wasted spending on poorly thought out "clean energy" projects and bail-outs of financial institutions that acted irresponsibly. Lately they have been dodging surprise bank fees by shifting money to their college credit unions. Dishonesty on Wall Street, cheating, scams and biased news upsets them for what it implies about people. They're eating out less frequently and setting up college funds for their grandchildren instead of traveling. There's a sense of anxiety about the future. Those living on corporate pensions hope nothing changes, while retired state employees are increasingly nervous about the durability of their pension checks. Those on fixed incomes are monitoring spending and terminating cable services when their budgets get tight.

Returning from cloistered retirement communities where they discuss such things with peers, they must now readjust to being around family and focusing on a new set of problems. Surprisingly, grandchildren with college degrees have returned home unable to find a decent job. Parents are dismayed, young adults complain that they're unable to live as independent adults and no one is too happy. This forced return home may give us an unexpected opportunity to reconnect and share enduring lessons with our doted-upon twenty-one year olds. Expectations for finding a dream job once you finished college made sense for many years, now the message is adapt, be flexible and think creatively.

Secretly grandparents are confiding that they find value in seeing twenty-something grandkids in a less than uncomfortable situation. They're no longer going out drinking and living in Mom's house inhibits casual sex. Savvy grandparents hope that clubs won't look as inviting now that budgets have reduced spending. Perhaps young adults living in their parents' home will use this time to reassess the throwaway behavior they have been emulating. What's wrong with young women learning to value themselves and young men recognizing that shouldering responsibility distinguishes one as a man. Baby Boomers have watched female grandchildren raised with love and great expectations give up control of their bodies to people who treated them with disrespect and made no lasting investment in their happiness. We saw male grandchildren drink themselves into a stupor and succumb to addictions which stole their potential to do good in the world. Maybe spending some time at home, in a difficult economy is not a bad thing at all.

Surviving difficult times offers young people the kind of learning experience reality TV tries to impart. They grew up in the affluent consumer economy, the upbeat 90s; it just didn't last. They need to take a fresh look at their family, find their inner strength and fix themselves on long term goals. Perhaps now with the freedom of college in the past, they can appreciate what a supportive family contributes to one's success. Hopefully the time-honored values they may have once mocked, will now mean more if they find themselves humbled by an unexpected setback. Maybe the friendliness of the local community and the willingness to help others who are not managing well will ignite a new perspective in these bright young adults and motive them in powerful and positive ways.

As difficult as it is for parents and disappointed graduates to negotiate a retro living arrangement, it actually has potential. Personal growth can occur in a safe environment while the young adult realizes setbacks are temporary and rarely stifle those with potential and determination. If tough times allows us to expand the number of mature, appreciative and self-confident young adults filtering into society we'll experience a net positive.

Demonstrators 2011

2011-10-16T00:53:00.029-04:00

As Occupy Wall Street has become the vehicle for attracting media attention to the lack of fairness in the financial crisis and its aftermath, Baby Boomer's spirits are lifting. There is a wide range of support for their message. Familiar with sit-ins, teach-ins and protest marches we view the "Occupy" effort as somewhat different, composed of a cross section of citizens, more than just college students. The peaceful demonstrators are representative of the broad middle class. They are reminding politicians to respect the voice of their constituency above those of labor unions and corporations that wield influence through donations. Tax reform, campaign finance reform, immigration, ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, infrastructure improvement, none of these problems has yet been dealt with as promised during the last election cycle.

Unemployed college students worried about their debts, the long term jobless and heads of families who have lost homes in the financial crisis all participated in saving Wall Street banks whose fraudulent dealings triggered the crisis. Still bonuses were honored for traders who made risky bets with investors' money, and CEOs of fledgling clean tech companies got lucrative front-loaded contracts despite a deepening recession. Average citizens were left to their own resources. The inequity over how people were treated vs. the banks is obvious and inexplicable. "Occupy" demonstrators give this injustice a human face.

The cost of rescuing "too big to fail" institutions has put an unacceptable financial burden on citizens who trusted them and expected stringent oversight. Expanded government regulation appears to offer little protection from dishonest manipulation and wanton greed. (updated) The lack of integrity displayed by financial institutions, unions, politicians and corporations stuns hardworking people who are the ones who are immediately impacted when earnings and savings disappear. In public gatherings these citizens feel truly visible, no longer credit card numbers, brokerage accounts, dependents or anonymous taxpayers.

Americans are still waiting for the transparency and change they were promised with similar sentiments being expressed elsewhere as seen in other cities around the globe. Working people whose tax dollars paid for bank bail-outs are facing uncertain futures, a loss of job security and no growth at all in either their savings or home value. Hope for a prosperous future melts away for average earners when governments lean on them disproportionately for tax revenue. It's natural that people would question the merit of aiding bankers who recklessly crafted a way to manipulate the marketplace without regard for ethics or risk. The fall-out has moved people to step forward. Their next project is to develop honest, untainted political hopefuls who will stand for election and represent their views.

Peaceful public gatherings force politicians to take notice and respond. Old style campaign rhetoric is OUT. Truth-telling and legislative change is IN. It will be particularly informative to hear each of the 2012 presidential candidates respond to the distrust of institutions expressed by the demonstrators. No more short term fixes, particularly the kind that undermine financial planning decisions small business owners and individuals must make to prosper. Experiential democracy is at work seeking fairness from government, respect from those who wield the political power and business growth that will eventually increase employment.

The demonstrators add value to the 2012 political conversation. If they let professional disrupters or special interest groups hijack their effort, distort their message and pit one group of Americans against another, their simple call for ethics and justice will get sidelined. That's politics as usual, a signal that it's time to go home and nurture a different kind of candidate--ones that see things differently.

Environmental Updates

2011-10-14T11:02:00.014-04:00

Ring seals on the shores of Alaska are showing up dead or diseased. Scientists have not yet figured out what is causing the problem. See Scientific American for more information.

Exceptional flooding has hit Thailand. The Atlantic has posted remarkable photos depicting the tragic consequences devastating the rural population.

The University of California Davis campus is developing an advanced community environment that incorporates energy saving features. The next phase of construction will add individual faculty housing according to Forbes.

Another news story adding to the evidence that keeping animals caged in zoos or on private land for the pleasure of having them or exhibiting them for profit is just wrong. Why did Ohio laws allow this horrible situation to begin with?

Bloomberg is carrying a story about the administration's overpayment to a Spanish company for wind turbines exposed in an audit by the U.S. Treasury department looking into clean energy spending.

The Economist reports on the increased popularity of biodiesel fuels made from vegetable oil (palm and soya). The prosperity this industry affords poor economies conflicts with environmentalists' warnings against creating more agricultural land through uncontrolled deforestation.

Fracking so concerns homeowners along the Colorado Front Range that a variety of local meetings have been called to discuss the recent proliferation of oil and gas drilling near residential developments despite state controls being in place, reported the Denver Post.

It doesn't look too promising for affordable electric cars. BMW is planning an electric sports model of lightweight material to compete with the likes of the $100,000+ Tesla sports car, as reported in Forbes.

Leisure Activities

2011-10-07T16:33:00.010-04:00

Here's a link to a photography article with useful tips for working in black and white, courtesy of the New York Times. Here's another about publishing that book you've secretly been writing, on Amazon.

Baby Boomer musician/singer Sting just turned sixty. According to Rolling Stone he and fellow celebrity musicians got together to celebrate and raise funds for a favorite charity.

Before you contract with a commercial bus firm for a short tour to a scenic spot, outlet shopping or gambling casino, it is prudent to research their safety record. In a recent bus crash story researched by Jeff Plungis for Bloomberg, the lack of adherence to driver safety practices led to four fatalities. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is obviously not exerting enough muscle when it comes to enforcement.

One day you could find yourself chatting with a likeable robot companion.

Less and less patience for shopping? You are not alone. Bloomberg reports bricks and mortar stores are trying to adapt to the shift in shopping habits. Customers are more focused, showing up to buy just what they came for while using the internet more.

Taking a road trip this fall? How about driving the Blue Ridge Parkway and stopping in at a working museum for Appalachian weaving at Crossnore, NC?

Severe weather in North America has sent many birds in search of more hospitable locations. The UK Guardian identifies 2011 as a banner year for hobbyists who thrill at the sighting of a rare bird.

Grandparents, the Wall Street Journal posted a useful article that contrasts eReader devices as applied to viewing illustrated children's books, quite helpful to anyone trying to assess how they might compare to downloading an app on an iPad which offers its own entertaining activities to amuse traveling or visiting grandchildren according to the New York Times. (updated)

The Tragic Loss of Steve Jobs

2011-10-06T12:00:00.011-04:00

This beautiful fall day is a natural tribute to Steve Jobs. With all the media presentations, the outpouring of sentiment on the internet and the flower memorials left at Apple stores, I am not satisfied this is enough for a man who dreamed large. Losing one of the most original and rare individuals of this century, particularly one who conceived and produced highly imaginative devices that blew through technical, business and geographic boundaries, deserves more than flowers...

I can't help feeling that this moment calls upon us to do something bigger, bolder, begin an initiative that reflects the force that was Steve Jobs, a man who unleashed his dreams with unbridled passion and changed the way individuals interface with the world.

To lose a fearless innovator deals a blow to the entire technology community. Those who adored his sleek, reliable products are left stunned. The company he left is infused with engineers who "think out of the box," so perhaps they can lead the way. If we could end the threat of cancer and break down barriers to sharing all rare disease information that might be a lasting memorial worthy of this man who continually smashed through barriers. Surely he drew strength from the creative team he built, the consumers who stood in line for Apple products, and the family he loved so much.

Millions have been touched by this tragedy--why not harness that emotion in a spectacular tribute? A fitting memorial constructed out of our collective resources could fast track and interlink snips of scientific research in an effort to reverse engineer cancer. Ending cancer's threat to humanity is a gargantuan task, but hardly inconsistent with the many oversized visions that the former Apple CEO tackled.

Writers Offering Thoughtful Insights

2011-10-04T15:08:00.009-04:00

I just read a terrific piece of memoir writing by Dominique Browning in the New York Times. I wish there were more articles seasoned readers might enjoy. We can learn so much from each other! I plan to use this space to highlight thoughtful contributions like this, pieces that remind us we may want to pick up threads dropped along the way, or rethink choices we've made. What we leave behind helps define us. Burning Your Diaries explains one writer's process for choosing writings she chose to eliminate from her legacy by getting rid of old diaries.

As a Baby Boomer who cringed through a good portion of the broadcast of Former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's interviews with her biographer, I had no difficulty appreciating Ms. Browning's reasoning.
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A Canadian columnist in Nova Scotia writes that real estate on Vancouver Island and in British Columbia is very much in demand by Baby Boomers. Matter of fact, as American housing languishes, buyers in these rural, scenic areas complain of price inflation!
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On YouTube author John Irving talks about writing. (brief video clip)

Trends in Health Care

2011-10-02T18:15:00.045-04:00

Health care for early Baby Boomers involves making basic Medicare choices (or perhaps choosing an Advantage Plan or signing up for gap coverage to go with a traditional two part Medicare plan) just before that 65th birthday. It's unnecessarily confusing. Now we can add this: In a New York Times article says professionals other than physicians are emerging from advanced education programs calling themselves "doctor" a title which honors those who have earned a graduate level academic degree (PhD), which does not specify a medical degree has been completed.

In the experimental stage: If results done in mice can be modified to work in human beings, weellow may see changes in the speed with which people can be awakened from anesthesia suggests New Scientist.

It's a good idea to consult the 2012 Yellow Book for new CDC updates on recommended vaccinations if you're planning to travel globally. Latest news: Polio has reappeared in China after more than a decade.

We need to do more to prevent the shortage of essential drugs. Current shortages are hindering clinical trials, requiring the use of substitute meds, and tragically, leaving some patients unprotected. A moral society cannot permit drug resellers to corner the market on life-saving drugs only to redistribute them at super-inflated prices for profit. Bloomberg writers, Drew Armstrong and Tom Randall expose the harm caused by shortages of critical drugs.

Broccoli, dubbed a super veggie because of its powerful disease fighting properties has been hybridized to strengthen those qualities. It will soon be available in London according to the Financial Times.

An article in The Economist suggests that researchers may soon be able to develop an early dementia test for older women. If specific proteins are found, patients could start taking medicine early enough to slow the progression of the disease. (Men don't express that protein as strongly).

USA Today reports that regular prostate screening of older men is no longer a government recommended standard based on a review of the outcome data.

Finally, an orchestrated crackdown by federal agencies working together to disrupt Medicare and Medicaid fraud has led to ninety-four arrests linked to hundreds of millions in stolen funds! The lead story appeared in the Washington Post, but watch local news for details in Miami, Detroit, Brooklyn, Baton Rouge and Houston.

Why have women not known that some researchers have long had concerns over the rise in HIV infections that increase with injectable progesterone contraceptives? After a study in Africa, the lack of information about risk is open for discussion. Drug risk kept from the public erodes our trust in institutions (think: big tobacco) and raises new doubt about the information we get from major drug companies. Follow the link to this Nature article on the known increase in HIV infections linked to various types of contraceptive drugs. Another ethical conundrum.

A new start up company that has been active in emerging economies successfully negotiated the revival of an out-of-patent antibiotic from a major pharmaceutical company to be sold in Latin America. Brazil's growing middle class is just one of many new markets for brand name drugs beginning to open up.

More cautionary advice against multivitamin/supplement use comes out of a large study of older women. Dietary supplements (excluding calcium) that had not been prescribed for a deficiency were found to increase the risk of death. For details click on the link to Elizabeth Lopatto' article at Bloomberg.

Kansas is trying to mitigate the state's significant shortage of dentists by training candidates to fill a newly created dental practitioner position, reported the Topeka Capital-Journal. (updated)

Hospitals that bill for unusual conditions frequently attract scrutiny in audits. One California hospital chain was recently found to be "upcoding" to collect more money from Medicare. California Watch and ProPublica reporters conducted a thorough investigation into the Prime Healthcare Services story.

The long term care coverage (LTC) included in the health care reform package known as Obamacare has been dropped because its cost cannot be covered reports Noam M. Levey for the Los Angeles Times.

November update on LTC from MarketWatch retirement columnist Robert Powell on the end of the CLASS act and how that could particularly impact middle class Baby Boomers in ten to fifteen years.

A study on caffeine's effect on older women in the Los Angeles Times suggests that coffee drinking can fend off depression. However, the same article warns that heavy coffee consumption plus a past use of hormone replacement therapy is linked to Parkinsons disease. Remarkably, coffee has also been demonstrated as having a protective influence against some skin cancers in women.

Oops! Did doctors fail to let patients know that their new Medtronic hardware (used in spinal surgery) could increase the risk of cancer? According to the prize winning Journal Sentinel this is a current issue related to what the FDA knew before granting the device approval. One has to question why the FDA continued to approve new vaginal mesh devices without ordering extensive testing after one manufacturer's product was pulled from the market. (updated)

A major case against major tobacco manufacturers consolidating 600 claims is focused around the level of responsibility the public can expect from corporations. The case is now being heard in West Virginia reports Bloomberg.

It's all about the hormones. An article on Bloomberg summarizes a dieting study that directly points to powerful hormones as the reason one in three people struggle to hold their weight post dieting. Vigilance about what you're consuming needs to become a permanent pattern.

Not all MRIs are helpful. MRI scans for sports injuries often show abnormalities or temporary fluid build up that is not indicative of a problem, yet people are often be told they need surgeries on the basis of something on a scan according to Gina Kolata's report in the New York Times.

With a much praised health care system, Japan is struggling to maintain standards despite serious economic burdens. The Economist describes an aging society with fewer young workers than it needs to support current standards of service. Medical care in Japan has some unique features, but like here, emergency rooms can be problematic.

Needleless flu injections were halted in Colorado as the FDA stepped in to halt the program in pharmacies and groceries that advertised its availability. The reason: High speed injections of flu vaccine had not yet received approval (though the method had already been used with other vaccines). The Denver Post reported the story, but left much to discover.

According to The Economist, the X Prize Foundation has entered the race to the search for longevity markers in human genes launching a competition for scientists trying to understand why some of us live to be 100 and beyond.

Politics 101- the informed electorate

2011-09-25T12:45:00.010-04:00

The mood of our Nation resembles a pendulum not swinging in concert with natural forces, but reacting to global uncertainty and an unresponsive Congress. Why haven't they taken steps to bolster our economic outlook by expanding job prospects, or helping businesses sell more products abroad? Are they finding ways to encourage our wealthiest corporations to sponsor the retraining of the unemployed in their community, paying local manpower as they learn 21st century skills? Why haven't legislators sold corporations in their districts on looking ahead, creating what will inevitably turn into a loyal workforce? Such behavior enhances a business' brand and gives hope to unemployed neighbors keeping the community stable, productive and safe.

If you watch some of the hearings on Capitol Hill (C-Span coverage is a service provided by cable networks) it will surprise you that most incumbent politicians cling to their old political habits despite public dissatisfaction. Find out what your elected officials are focused on, what pressures they respond to, and what committees get their attention. Observe your Senators and Representatives firsthand so you can form an independent opinion.

Watching streaming video of our politicians and observe how they perform their duties. See them take positions, affirm alliances and ask questions at public hearings or state their opposition to bills at public legislative sessions. If you want to be well-informed for the 2012 election, don't listen to pundits, do your own due diligence. This is a free service on cable television, via radio or online. Live-streaming occurs whenever Congress is in session, but there is a video library on the site and it is part of an archival project at Purdue University.

Just after a major hedge fund manager was sentenced to jail for insider trading the Atlantic's Megan McArdle asks: Should we be concerned when a member of Congress with knowledge of pending legislation uses such information for personal gain? Is there sufficient transparency?
(updated)

How Can This Happen?

2011-09-24T17:55:00.027-04:00

A Baby Boomer stole money from the American Diabetes Association over a period of nine years. The former financial analyst who became treasury manager was charged with stealing $570,000 from the charitable organization according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's office for the Eastern District of VA. She will be sentenced next January.

Could it be possible that a senator's campaign treasurer misappropriated funds? The San Francisco Chronicle reports that a lawsuit has been filed by U.S. Senator Feinstein against a Los Angeles bank and the alleged perpetrator. The journalists note that other California politicians appear to also have been victimized by this embezzlement scheme.

Rhode Island is juggling a major financial imbalance. The state has a strong mandate in place for collecting funds from municipalities to support the state-run Municipal Employees' Retirement System, but locally, that is not the case and now managed funds for some RI cities are seriously underfunded according to a report by Ted Nesi of WPRI.com.

Corporate boards lure top executives to CEO positions with generous benefit packages and high salaries. If those executives fail to perform as expected, they depart with millions in severance pay. This New York Times piece questions the reasoning behind business practices that reward failure.

Major banks are being sued for tacking on illegal fees for loans and mortgages made to veterans. The story appeared in the Washington Post, posted by Steve Vogel. In some cases fees were deliberately hidden from home buyers costing taxpayers millions.

Ethical behavior once conferred pride on American businesses. Stories like the recent one in Bloomberg cataloging the unethical depths to which Koch Industries sank, are embarrassing to all Americans. The blatant disregard for basic honesty we have seen among leaders of corporations, banks and politics has shaken the sleeping giant, the collective civic conscience. (updated)

If you are a Missouri grandparent, there is an effort underway in your state that deserves your attention. A grandmother aching for her dead grandson has been campaigning to get the state legislature to move against unlicensed daycare facilities. She is not getting far. A related bill was also defeated, why? (updated)
Despite earlier investigations which led to a call for reform in the Kosher meat industry, the Jewish Forward reveals the shameful truth that the inhumane treatment of animals persists at Latin American slaughterhouses that supply the American market with kosher beef. (updated)

Municipalities across the country are struggling to cut expenses, but the City Council in Topeka, KS stands out. Local leaders are taking a step backward by eliminating domestic violence as a misdemeanor to cut court costs, according to the Topeka Capital-Journal.

Baltimore Sun columnist Jay Hancock recently wrote a column highlighting a truly unique man, Richard West, a Vietnam veteran who took on a challenge many would not. He exposed Medicaid fraud by his own insurance provider. Despite being ignored by a social worker and struggling with muscular dystrophy he persisted to a successful outcome.

A case of child endangerment that went unreported has resulted in the indictment of a Kansas City Catholic bishop and the Diocese, according to the New York Times. Despite mandatory reporting laws for suspected child abuse the bishop failed to immediately notify authorities after finding pornographic pictures of young girls on a priest's computer. Journalists A.G. Sulzberger and Laurie Goodstein filed the story.

Time Magazine reports that a group of Long Island Railroad employees weren't satisfied with their retirement pensions and found doctors who were paid to sign off on documents that would get the retirees additional disability payments. New York taxpayers lost a billion dollars. (updated)

Being Helpful During a Divorce

2011-09-15T15:30:00.022-04:00

Ominous statistics remind us how few married couples stay together. Within months numerous decisions have to be made that could influence a family's financial situation for years to come. Property settlements and custody agreements will need to be negotiated as part of the framework that impacts the childrens' future security and decides the visitation frequency by the parent leaving the house. Even if you are deeply worried that these changes will interfere with your connections, I would suggest you prioritize the needs of your grandchildren. In the midst of emotional upheaval children react to the adult behavior they don't understand. If it's chaotic, they will mirror that in their behavior. Grades may slump, their attitude might turn sullen or belligerent, etc. You know you are unable to affect the outcome, so instead of just watching everyone suffer stay calm, smile at any good news and offer to be there for those grandchildren. Tuck your worries away, they only add to the confusion.

Teenage grandchildren are peculiarly vulnerable to being caught in an emotional vise just as they are entering a period of change. Their bodies and brains are undergoing physical alterations which can make daily social pressures and relational adjustments more difficult to navigate. Much of the young adult they are becoming is a result of waves of hormones over which they have no control. During a divorce teens are going to be even more confused because they will struggle with feelings of loneliness and anxiety over topics they are not welcome to share outside their home. They are alienated from their parents by what they see as unfair and upsetting, prone to disagreements with adults who are separating and causing change they do not necessarily welcome, and distanced from their friends who suddenly seem silly and childish juxtaposed against their own painful reality.

For perhaps the first time, your grandchildren have emotional burdens that other teens cannot relate to. It is hard to find solace unless they know others who have had a similar experience or a more tragic one. These circumstances provide a petrie dish for making poor choices and aligning with unsavory individuals. Adolescents realize that sharing too much personal information makes you vulnerable to being teased and high school gossip can be vicious. No matter how carefully a divorce is handled, they feel their lives changing, and they have no one to discuss it with. A grandparent who listens can make a huge difference.

Bad timing is what it feels like. Just when they were gaining a bit of control over life, it knocked them off track. For teens launching their independent identity the disappointment is serious. Here they are, ready to think and reason for themselves and they hit a problem they can't do anything about. It makes them feel as helpless as they did when they were small children, and naturally, they resent it. When they realize nothing they do will forestall the divorce, frustration is the response.

At this point resentment can manifest itself in ignoring rules, refusing to help around the house and banging doors as they leave the house. Others retreat, isolating themselves in a depression-like coccoon to try and avoid what is happening around them. Anger may be avoided if parents pause to talk to their children and help them understand the current situation while gently preparing them for the changes ahead. Unfortunately, already overwhelmed and upset parents often miss this opportunity and grandparents are kept at a distance.

When our adult child or their spouse files for divorce it is hurtful for everyone. If there was a lot of hope or denial surrounding the marriage, the actual ending of a relationship is going to be a disappointment. The parents (your adult child and spouse) will now go through a period of rethinking their personal life trajectory, as well as plan for their children's future. They will try to imagine a life in wholly different circumstances, with an array of financial obligations. Changes are unsettling, but fear of the future could cause us to slump into a powerless pretzel unable to make any decision. Your adult child may need some reassurance that things eventually sort themselves out. This is a terrible time for your grandchildren.

Pressure stresses everyone and sometimes even adults need a little time to sort through what is happening. Despite all the sadness, loving grandparents offer an antidote in the form of comforting words and hugs, giving grandchildren something to cling to until their mother and father regain their emotional strength. Parents are responsible for providing security for and affection to their children, but if an adult son or daughter is struggling with unhappiness and confusion we might allow them time to problem solve by volunteering to watch over the children.

Divorce usually means one parent will leave the home. No matter what peace that might bring the adults, it is seen as a loss by children. During the hunt for new residences, teenagers may be on their own more often than usual. This is a good moment for a grandparent to step in and offer to be there after school. There is no need to amuse older children, you might want to quietly read while they do homework, or bake a special treat. If it's helpful for the custodial parent you might prepare dinner or drive a child to an after school lesson. Having a safe, caring adult available to share with can be comforting for a child when there is family tumoil, and a loving grandparent who keeps them on task with their schoolwork is a huge gift to the parents. In maintaining some essential family routines children are reassured, and have less reason to worry.

Teenagers report feeling confused, angry and trapped in a house run by parents dividing up their property and verbalizing serious financial concerns. Emotional scenes or a chilly silence are both hazards parents need to minimize. It is obvious to children when Mom and Dad aren't communicating normally; it's also frightening. That can lead to insecurity, harboring negative thoughts, blaming themselves or finding ways to escape mounting stress. Having a loving grandparent nearby who can remain calm amidst the shifting weather inside a divorce zone, is a gift. Keeping teens focused on appropriate personal goals and fundamental values offers stability. It is critical that every child is clearly told they did not cause the divorce.

It can feel as if everyone caught a family hiccup that can't be quelled. That's because how a divorce goes is controlled by circumstances and the married partners, though its effects spill onto family and friends. Teens do better if they are able to trust that gradually the strong emotions will cool and problems will get resolved. A grandparent can remind them of that while focusing attention on them, listening to their complaints and ramblings, comforting them with the hope that difficulties will eventually be solved. You can make them feel secure, appreciated and almost normal. Offering grandchildren opportunities to spend time outside their home, taking them on field trips, clothing shopping and grocery shopping keeps them from thinking too much about disruptions. Grandparents can offer comfort if they are willing to be the rock to lean on and the tolerant (impartial) listener.

Science

2011-09-14T11:49:00.021-04:00

Scientists continue to explore the communication systems of sentient beings like the highly intelligent dolphin and find similarities to human speech.

If you have always played a muscial instrument don't set it aside now! Lifelong musical training/practice appears to prolong the ability to hear a wider range of sounds even as we age.

Data collection about traffic is valuable, particularly in congested, urban areas. Wired reports that OnStar is currently tracking vehicles whose owners dropped the service?

Will we soon be consuming invasive species as part of our contribution to saving the planet? The New York Times suggests culinary interest is moving in that direction.

China and Singapore are attempting to build a pollution free city with the construction of Tianjin Eco-City, a futuristic endeavor whose first residents are scheduled to move in next year. Scientific American describes it as a green city for all economic levels of families. Purchases are subsidized by the Chinese government. Multinational corporations with expertise in clean tech or green technologies have been attracted to this project.

A Baby Boomer in India with a penchant for minature modeling has created tiny working engines that amaze observers and engineers alike.

It wasn't until I consulted the United States Geological Survey (USGS) website that I realized the frequency of small earthquake tremors all over the world, most of which do not damage buildings, and go unnoticed. If you are curious and have a suitable situation, you might be able to volunteer to host a USGS seismograph in your home or business.

This is the future: In about 5 years we could have access to kits for home diagnosis if scientists at the University of Illinois are successful in pushing their plan to stretch the capabilities of glucose meters.

Scientists at the Broad Institute, a collaborative research center in Boston are endeavoring to unravel the DNA of purebred dogs to better understand the genetic basis of serious human diseases. Dogs are susceptible to many of the same problems as their human friends.

Quantum levitation as seen on YouTube will amaze you. The direction of high speed transport?

The way the python digests its food fascinates biology and cardiology researchers. During that metabolic process the reptile also expands its heart cells. Understanding the mechanism by which this occurs could reveal clues toward unraveling the mystery of sudden death, reports the New York Times. (updated)

Difficult Situations for Baby Boomers

2011-09-08T21:36:00.045-04:00

Many Baby Boomers living in the Catskill Mountains suffered great financial and emotional loss as a result of Hurricane Irene induced flooding. As did flood victims earlier this year, they and others in similarly swamped states will have to make serious decisions about the wisdom of rebuilding in the same location. Potential retirees who anticipated retreating to fragile natural areas may want to rethink their plans.

Those who previously retired to beautiful rural areas in the northeast are in shock over their property losses. Meanwhile, the sunny south and west are suffering what could be permanent population shifts due to their persistent economic difficulties reports The New York Times.

Baby Boomer Alan Gross, 62 traveled to Cuba to supply the Jewish Community there with computer equipment and phones to help them feel less isolated. He was charged with violating Cuba's ban against such communication devices and was sentenced to fifteen years in prison. Despite the efforts of Governor Bill Richardson Mr. Gross has not been released.

Times are tough reports CNNMoney, delinquent mortgages in Las Vegas and elsewhere are continuing to be foreclosed on according to Bloomberg, and Baby Boomers on fixed incomes remain wary of credit card debt. In response to a weak economy an old standby, the layaway plan may once again prove popular. Several large retailers are doing what they can to help shoppers manage purchases for the holidays this way according to an article in the New York Times.

The UnitedHealth plan sold by AARP is substantially raising the monthly charge for its Medicare drug plan. Competing plans will rise modestly. Analysts are predicting this modification will result in the loss of thousands of subscribers according to Bloomberg.

Some state employees who reach retirement age have been allowed to collect their full pension and work part-time on the state payroll. Is that a viable practice for states on tight budgets? Legislatures are beginning to look into the practice according to Chron.com.

Talk about job hazards!! The New York Times reports that a 58-year-old Baby Boomer has been awaiting a flight out of the South Pole since late August. The New Hampshire woman was working at a research facility when she suffered a non-life threatening stroke. Severe weather is intefering with a speedy airlift to stateside medical facilities for further care. UPDATE: Airlifted out 10/17/2011.

Here is the link to a well-written article on the investing challenges Baby Boomers face in a low interest rate environment. The Economist (October 15).

TIP: If you get overwhelmed, address the feeling immediately, before it ripens into a hopeless funk that steals a precious day. Take a deep breath and exhale it in a slower than normal way (yoga practitioners and meditators call it "following your breath"). As you exhale, think about one and only one of the many chores you have on your to-do list. Focus on accomplishing only one task for the day, instead of many. If you put all your effort into that one chore, it will evoke positive feelings of achievement, and disprove the erroneous belief that being so overwhelmed, you might as well give up. Finishing one small thing will shift you toward optimism. The result may be a renewed energy, enough to tackle one more task before the day is done, and then there is always tomorrow. To cheer you up, you might read a linked blog from The Economist offering a fresh assessment of the viability of social security and an excellent article from the same source on the basic premise upon which social security is structured.

Searching for a Good Book

2011-09-06T15:44:00.016-04:00

How many times do you find yourself pushing a book (or reader) away in exasperation realizing you're wasting time on something that's totally disappointing? When authors treat time like a rubber band, stretching and pulling it around characters without offering any anchor to facilitate continuity, it leaves readers adrift. Most make a futile attempt to connect behaviors and incidents, but when following the story is that demanding, most readers give up.

New fiction is more like a puzzle that readers are obligated to piece together if they hope to pick up the thread of the story. It's an exhausting process. Baby Boomers, who are historically voracious readers seem to be rejecting books written with disjointed formats, preferring stories they can follow--not formulaic novels, but the kind you can pick up to read anytime without having to refer back to earlier pages to get a refresher course in what's going on.

Sitting down with a new book of fiction we enter into a partnership with a total stranger (the author) who has promised to unfold his/her captivating tale with us. Without any guarantee we commit our time and attention, anticipating a brief break from reality. We invite the writer to omit no detail, take their time; patience and interest we often withhold from the most important people in our lives! Seasoned readers like Baby Boomers often choose books that trigger a connection to their life experiences. In those instances personal radar malfunctions allowing emotions to zip past custom-constructed defenses. A poignant book can sting the heart or stun our brains with its clarity.

Is the shift away from linear storytelling a product of the proliferation of advanced writing programs popular with major universities? Is this a shift in novel structure, an effort to supercharge traditional writing structures to better reflect the rising generation of high energy creative writers, many of whom are avid multi-taskers, and live in an age of gadgetry? Students have forever been the first to embrace new ideas like braiding (weaving a story in a non-linear way that can inject the unexpected, introduce a different perspective, change time, etc. ). Doing this well without disupting the reader's concentration requires a high level of skill. It's like building two houses side by side that look somewhat different, then moving them in close proximity to one another and building a porch meant to join them.

Twenty-first century MFA students probably think standard timelines are annoying because they can be a creative constraint, but the experience is different for the reader of fiction. Books are complicated constructions we approach from a place of unknowing. From the first page we, unlike the author, know nothing about the structure, the characters, the locations or which of the conversations offers insight into the storyline. Readers are clueless integrators who willingly follow a story wherever it leads them, scooping up clues as they go. Unprepared for whatever emotions or fears the tale may rekindle for them. In some ways the reader is dependent upon the writer to do a good job, not desert or disappoint him/her. There is a trust in the writer--that issues will resolve themselves by the last page.

Collecting multiple, interrelated short stories by one author in one volume is the another popular configuration publishers are interested in. As a long time fan of (Maupassant, Welty, Hemingway, Faulkner, etc.) multiple short story writers, I am extremely interested in this construction. Readers are often surprised when several stand-alone stories knit together well-- following a traditional timeline or not. Not writing chapters that build upon one another requires a highly skilled writer able to keep the many characters' details consistent while writing each their own story. The reader needs to stay alert, gathering information about characters and situations as they are introduced, even if they "disappear" for pages while another story is told. It would be benefit publishers to educate the public more widely about these new templates writers are applying to storytelling.

To unnecessarily complicate a story's timeline, mistakenly assuming it will enhance the craft or make a book more interesting is folly. It's not worth the effort if the device risks confusing or losing readers. Beware of gimmicks that urge you to chop beautiful prose into pieces, toss it in the air and then let it fall to the ground unassembled like bits of a puzzle. Modern readers have their limits in these chaotic, confusing times. Life is taxing enough. One of the enduring pleasures we cling to is the soothing calm of being able to retreat to a quiet place to indulge in a good book. Baby Boomers have been book lovers since childhood. (The late Michael Hart developed the first ebook and founded Project Gutenberg). Our interest in reading will only accelerate with more leisure time. For those who prefer electronic devices, good news: Kindle has joined Nook and the Sony eReader in providing access to local library collections.

Humor/Creativity in Everyday Situations

2011-09-04T13:04:00.016-04:00

Artists opposed to high rise development that would completely change the ambience of their community are fighting the developer with a replica Trojan Horse. Across the country, a newly renovated arts center tested their community's capacity for humor when it offered potential donors naming rights on a special collection of ceramics.

Did you recently press a crosswalk button to stop traffic so you could cross a busy street? After reading this article from AlterNet.org you may decide to pause instead. Humans are quite gullible never suspecting that they don't have as much control over their world as they think they do.

Fed up with foreclosures and the local rental prices? Become a live-aboard, described in this interesting Wall Street Journal article as one who lives full time on a pleasure boat. This lifestyle seems to be a calculated response to the extreme prices of San Francisco Bay area housing. Quarters are cramped, disposing of waste water is a hassle, there are waiting lists to get a legal berth and there's a chance of getting seasick when the weather turns stormy. Before you try it, make sure it's legal at your marina.

Here's a great article to print out for your family if your area is prone to power outages or gets severe winter storms that could cause disruptions to your electric service. New York Times writer Bob Tedeschi has come up with battery-saving techniques for gadget users, those for whom losing contact with the outside world or being unable to access favorite apps would be a terrible nightmare.

I am not making any recommendation, merely offering a convenience I discovere via the Chicago Tribune. That said, a lot of men I know have complained about shopping for themselves. I am merely passing along an idea along: Someone in Chicago has started a website called Trunk Club that will select and ship clothes consistent with your style, all you do is let them know what you like, and pay the bill.

Gardening offers another way to prepare halfway house inmates in Fort Collins, CO for their return to society. The Coloradoan.com reports that the benefits of working in the garden have been positive and delicious, providing the residents with fresh produce.

For making outrageous claims about the superior body shaping capabilities of their footwear for women Reebok has been heavily fined by the Federal Trade Commission. Bloomberg reports that ads promising more toned bottoms and muscular calves from wearing their shoes are unsubstantiated. (updated)

It is hard to believe, but GSA (Government Services Administration), an agency known for overpriced contracts and bureaucratic paperwork is now the realm of exploding toilets. Sadly, people were injured in this incident according to the Washington Post. The cause is not known. (updated)

Health News in September

2011-09-03T19:13:00.036-04:00

Complications or death for patients when infusion pump software fails has convinced the FDA it is time for that agency to be more involved in the regulation of all sorts of software-driven medical devices reports the Los Angeles Times.

You will not be surprised to learn there were a wide variety of mental concerns burdening 30 million Europeans in 2010. The Economist displays the data in an easily understandable chart. Depression tops the list which also includes dementia and drug addiction. Mental health problems effect productivity, personal relationships and civil behavior; a stressor urban communities with their dense populations cannot ignore.

Interesting sidebar: Scientists are uncovering evidence that microbes in our gut can influence our mood.

The Chronicle of Higher Education has a worrisome piece about a JAMA report on the lack of accessible health coverage for medical students. The article notes that some medical students and residents suffer from stress over debts, exhaustion, mental health problems and drug abuse. Often their treatment is complicated when they have trouble affording their copay. The story triggered a serious question: Does this mean hospitals allow a depressed doctor or one who is self-medicating (abusing drugs) to see patients? Is there a required mental health/drug abuse screening program in place at medical schools (and nursing schools) to filter out those whose personal situation indicates they are a risk and should not be approved for direct patient care? If not, this needs to be addressed immediately.

A privacy breach at Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto, California incurred a fine of $250,000 for putting patients' names and diagnosis codes online (see the New York Times story for details). Similar violations of medical privacy have occurred in 44 states.

Doctor compensation was the focus of a Bloomberg article comparing physicians' salaries in Europe, Australia and the U.S. Orthopedic surgeons were singled out for their high incomes.

The economic crisis has forced governments to seek new sources of income. A French tax on sugary drinks said to be launched to discourage serious weight gain among the citizenry motivated Coca-Cola to suspend a planned multimillion dollar investment in one of their plants.

In this editorial from Bloomberg it is finally clear to me why Medicare Part D is unable to offer bargain pricing on drugs as the VA does. Part D was designed with a specific prohibition against negotiating prices with the drug companies (and despite member protests, AARP supported it). This rule keeps Part D from getting volume discounts that most large groups secure when they negotiate with pharmaceutical manufacturers. This article is full of details that might interest you, like modifications being considered.

The dosing of sex hormones each of us receives in the womb exert an influence over the length of your ring and index fingers. This knowledge may help shed light on the role of hormones in the diseases we develop later. Scientists are investigating the phenomenon reports the National Geographic.

Another study reminds us how important deep sleep is, especially for men, who seem more susceptible to developing high blood pressure in its absence. There is also a seasonal reminder: Hot weather can interfere with the efficacy of drugs at home or packed in luggage.

Next time you take in a movie with friends you might want to pass on the popcorn after reading this New York Times health column highlighting the fat and calorie content of this popular theater snack.

Researchers at the University of Illinois are gaining an understanding of the mechanisms behind blood clotting. Their work has implications for those on blood thinnners as well as for hemophiliacs.

Concerns over the addictive qualities of some anti-anxiety drugs (also prescribed for severe panic attacks) is leading some medical clinics to reduce or curtail writing prescriptions for them. If prescriptions are abused, patients have to go through painful withdrawal to get off them. Additional reading is available in this LATimes article. (updated)

ProPublica's investigations have been so dynamic they've led to greater transparency and government fines. Journalists Charles Ornstein and Tracy Weber pursued nursing violations which took them on a path that ultimately exposed fraud by Maxim Healthcare Services.

Doctors who have received substantial payments from drug companies can be identified by using the search box on the ProPublica website.

The Orlando Sentinel posted their own story following the investigative work of ProPublica journalists and the efforts of public interest health advocate Dr. Sidney Wolfe of Public Citizen.

Kidney cancer has been linked to the prolonged use of a specific group of pain medications patients frequently take for pain. Results were based on a review of thousands of medical records.

It may make you cringe, but for diabetes patients with open wounds that won't heal, age-old maggot therapy brings hope according to Bloomberg.

Scientific American describes how cancer surgeons make uterine cancer cells glow to increase their accuracy in removing malignant tissue.

We've had numerous food safety issues recently. Will beverages be the next problem? One of the country's largest brewers was just cited for federal violations that include rusted pipes (posted by the Journal Sentinel online).

Scientists at the University of California San Diego identified 70 nerve genes that might be used to trigger elements of healing when the body suffers spinal cord injuries and stroke, noted on Kurzweil News.

Carolyn Bucksbaum and her husband were appreciative of the exceptionally thoughtful care they received from Dr. Mark Siegler, a physician and medical ethicist at the University of Chicago Medical Center. She has just given the school the means to teach humility and compassionate caring to a new generation of doctors. Details in the New York Times.

Saw palmetto was not effective in reducing the symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate among 300 men in a medical study reported in JAMA. For years this supplement was relied upon to ease urological problems, but the results show that is not the case. See the linked Bloomberg article for details.

It looks like the Supreme Court will soon be hearing a few of the cases challenging President Obama's Health Care Reform requirements. Once that those issues are clarified, perhaps American businesses and individuals will begin to make financial decisions postponed by a sense of uncertainty.

Improvements in the specificity of data are making it easier to cardiologists to distinguish heart patients most at risk after an initial heart attack reports the Kurzweil blog.

Remain Skeptical

2011-08-30T11:39:00.025-04:00

As James Randi advises visitors to his educational website, remain skeptical of all things paranormal and psychic. This recent story from Miller-McCune about the failings of forensic psychics demonstrates that Mr. Randi's advice remains sound.

If you happen to be a fan of online poker, you might want to follow this link to a New York Times story about a popular gambling site where players lost while the owners used it as a money tree. (updated)

That's not bad advice when it comes to believing in "fabulous" investment schemes either! News of a major financial scam that took advantage of teachers and retirees in Florida is described on Bloomberg. The SEC office in Miami has been investigating the loss of $22 million orchestrated by two men, one of whom had prior connections to the victims through the sale of insurance. Fortunately, the scam was discovered by an alert victim.

Are chemically resistant weeds and insects creating an enhanced problem for farmers who have planted genetically engineered corn, soy and cotton? Tom Philpott's article in Mother Jones rings a warning bell. Baby Boomers fought this battle in the '60s: More chemicals in the soil = greater chances of pollution, neurological diseases, chronic diseases and cancer.

If you are a curious type, someone who asks "Why?"much of the time, you might enjoy this article from AlterNet.org describing how corporations transformed cold breakfast cereal and orange juice into the typical American breakfast we see in ads and enjoy most mornings.

Two seemingly rational writers, Matthew Paull and Steve Krause who identify as Baby Boomers have joined forces to write a scathing report on our generation's failings. The financial burdens we will leave behind is the focus of their piece in The New Republic. The article lays the responsibility for eliminating the current economic crisis squarely on our doorstep. Do you agree, do we deserve the tag: The selfish generation?

You may be surprised to learn that some of our most sought after contemporary painters employ an entire staff of artists who paint pieces under their imprinteur.

The Los Angeles Times reports that unions are battling unions in the Northwest while so many of our citizens are still without work? Does this in any way resemble the America we grew up in? This seems unconscionable. Where is the U.S. labor department ? (updated)

We tell ourselves that our military presence is helping the people of Afghanistan, yet we did not immediately put an end to the graft and corruption by Afghan doctors and nurses. The Wall Street Journal detailed how neglect for failing to pay bribes brought unnecessary death to patients expected to recover if cared for and fed in the local hospital. (updated)

Tax breaks go to all sorts of specialized industries, but it seems that video gaming developers have been accessing multiple benefits to avoid paying taxes. New York Times' reporter Dave Kocieniewski posted a serious investigative piece illuminating the lucrative gaming industry's aggressive pursuit of additional tax exclusions, ones that extend beyond those granted to technology companies for research and development or work that eventually might benefit the military.

Secret files kept by the Catholic Church bear witness to the sexual abuse of children who passed through Catholic churches and schools. The information set the stage for a trial in a Philadelphia court room later this winter. In an outstanding article by Sabrina Rubin Erdely in Rolling Stone the horror of the grand jury's findngs is laid bare.

A fascinating investigative piece by Paul Thacker illustrating the ethical conflicts that can occur if drug researchers are too cozy with pharmaceutical firms and/or establish ongoing contractual relationships with those companies. This Forbes article focuses on one University of Miami medical researcher with a long history of complicated relationships.

Did you know that many foundations pay their board members a salary? What do you think about charities sponsoring board retreats? Ask questions before you make substantial donations to a cause. Be sure your money is used for its intended purpose and that the members of the board are reputable.

From 2007-2009 there were few constraints on wasteful government spending. Food bills from past conferences were detailed in an Inspector General's review caught by a Bloomberg journalist.

Der Spiegel reported on a small, but interesting study of stock traders. Outlier traders with oversized egos willing to risk everything are not as rare as we would like to believe. According to the September 26 article, "Researchers...measured the readiness to cooperate and the egotism of 28 professional traders who took part in computer simulations and intelligence tests." They found evidence of behavior that can be more manipulative and thrill-seeking than that of individuals diagnosed as psychopaths.

Things aren't always as they seem: A pristine northwest National Park is the site of a U.S. Department of the Interior investigation focused on a case of undue influence and a Park officer accepting an inflated price for a home he sold, writes Ron Judd for the Seattle Times. Meanwhile, a Washington Post investigative reporter, Del Quentin Wilber covered the story of an Army contracting scheme that included bribes nearing $20 million, cost overruns and inflated quotes that were approved by two military contractors linked to an outside subcontractor.

If you thought tax evasion involving U.S. citizens ended with the negative publicity that pummeled two huge overseas banks, UBS and Credit Suisse, think again. In the spotlight today is the Julian Baer firm where two bankers have been indicted. The New York Times reports that more than $600 million may have been hidden in unreported accounts owned by American clients. (updated)

Exposing State Employee Scams

2011-08-26T15:53:00.005-04:00

Wasting tax dollars on the state level:

California: The San Francisco Chronicle reports that state auditors found blatant examples of misappropriated taxpayer funds in California. Mingling with celebrities and billing the state was one, getting paid despite leaving work early was another. Theft like this should require full repayment with interest, yet in most cases, state employees have simply been demoted (some quit). Meanwhile, public universities are losing over a billion dollars in state funding. Whistle blowers prompted the investigations. Are California taxpayers satisfied?

Georgia: In June, a Georgia state audit showed dozens of cases of fraud stemming from a jobs program run by the Georgia Department of Human Services. A whistleblower complaint triggered the investigation reported in the Augusta Chronicle.

Mississippi: Health insurance fraud was uncovered in Mississippi and is detailed in an article in Forbes. The state is charging several public employees with processing fraudulent health claims which were paid with the help of people who participated in the scam while working for the state's health insurance provider.

Ways to Help Others

2011-08-25T16:34:00.017-04:00

On the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks groups all over the country will try to rekindle the sense of community that unexpected devastation often sparks among strangers. Asking people to contribute their time to helping others is a positive way to commemorate national loss.

Is it any wonder TV stocks are suffering? Inundating the public with looped video of the World Trade towers' collapse is negatively impacting mental health. How can it not aggravate hopelessness in families still struggling in the aftermath of natural disaster, sink depressed people a bit lower and rekindle grief for countless vulnerable hearts. Amazingly, I have not heard any mental health professional speak up before or after the 9/11 weekend of traumatizing video. The consequences of blanketing the airwaves with repetitious images of loss and sorrow is not helpful to anyone, nor in our national interest.

With a September opening just around the corner, Cyndi Lauper is the force behind 30 studio apartments in New York City for gay, lesbian, and transgender homeless youth. The young people can stay while they get support looking for work. True Colors Residence is located in Harlem if you want to volunteer.

If you live within reach of any of the 826 Tutoring and Writing programs in Ann Arbor, Boston's Roxbury, Chicago's Wicker Park, LA's Venice Beach, San Francisco's Mission, or DC's Columbia Heights, you might want to volunteer to help on field trips with students, donate supplies or money, help bind kids' original writing or find another creative way to help a bunch of story-telling young dynamos get to college. Writing skills blossom at these storefront centers.

Amazingly, a Baby Boomer in Fresno, CA asked his local school board to reduce the school superintendent's salary he was collecting to below the level of a beginning teacher, hoping to restore trust in government. He intends to continue in his position (as a consultant) doing the same work for less pay. It's a generous gesture. From The Street.com.

Philanthropist and Baby Boomer David Bohnett is using his fortune in a manner that reflects his personal passions. He recently convinced Maestro Gustavo Dudamel to extend his contract with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Following his interests in sentient animal research, animal rescue, gun control, AIDS and access to the internet for marginalized groups, he has contributed in those areas as well, according to Bloomberg.

Still looking for a job? If so, volunteering can be beneficial in the meantime. As you give time for the benefit of others volunteering can introduce you to new careers, give you additional skills or simply keep you in a routine until your resume hits pay dirt.

News to me: Impact investing- a slightly new take on the ethical investing, micro-investing trends which have been around for years. Such funds seek to make money while fulfilling the investors' wish to do good and improve society. Historically, these funds have not succeeded in both roles. Interested? For details on how these new social impact bond funds are supposed to work, read a recent MarketWatch piece by Tom Kostigen. (updated)

Put your enthusiasm behind preserving our oceans, or get involved with an organization that helps others by socializing a guide dog puppy for a year, or volunteering to be a walker at an equine (horse) therapy program that builds confidence in children, adults and now young veterans with a disability. Or get matched online to a local organization seeking volunteers. (updated)

Have an adolescent grandchild who shows keen insight, gives off creative sparks and demonstrates persistent curiosity? They will be thrilled to know there is a waiting community of kids just like them. TEDYouth, a new program for aware, proactive young people begins with a November program in New York. Books, lectures and conferences sponsored by the well-respected TED organization are components of an educational forum through which cutting edge scientific, social and creative ideas are shared across disciplines and geographic borders. (updated)

Innovations

2011-08-23T11:28:00.025-04:00

Apple will be offering an earthquake alert on Japanese iPhones according to Jennifer Bergen writing for a technical website. Sadly, Steve Jobs, the visionary leader of Apple whose eye for beautiful design turned technology products into works of art, has resigned as CEO.

What do you think of this tablet designed for the newest grandchildren in the family and framed with a red rubber bumper?

Always thought it could be fun to learn to write computer code in retirement? There is a new website that has user friendly ways to grab the skills you need.

Baby Boomers are joining social networks for information and social contacts and having their personal preferences collected. If you were wondering about the increasing personalization of your online experience, I came across a ZDnet article that describes what being in a network means.

If you are a closet inventor who lacks the fully equipped workshop needed to build a working prototype, this new business will allow you to bring your idea to life. The Daily Beast/Newsweek describes Techshop as a new chain of workshops that optimizes the opportunity for inventors to get a running start on their projects in work spaces with state-of-the-art machinery.

Sir Richard Branson, always on the cusp of new ideas is nearing completion on his New Mexico spaceport for commercial flights via Virgin Galactica. Will you be buying a ticket?

An inspiring story from the Christian Science Monitor is about a doctor in San Francisco who is ready to put his idea for a personal rescue device into production. The idea emerged after seeing people faced with no means of escape on 9/11. He hopes his invention becomes standard safety equipment in high rise buildings.

A 3D printer that makes objects from plastic by building up layers. The graphic shown is from the New York Times which invested in the manufacturer.

One of the ways we can contribute to making this country more competitive is to reduce energy consumption. This government website offers a list of improvements that could increase your energy savings, simple things like the addition of a shade tree.

Green goals seem to be a natural fit with emerging economies. Innovation may be driven by a shortage of resources or result from frequent, unpredictable political shifts. Businesses in emerging countries are growing green, reports the Economist.

An alternative source of energy is being explored in California. Geothermal power from steam naturally building deep underground can be extracted by a process similar to fracking. Despite enormous potential, safety concerns have shut down projects started abroad, according to Bloomberg. (update)

Sacramento, CA and Miami, FL are gradually retrofitting older commercial buildings to turn them "green"and reduce their carbon footprint. The program benefits from advantage of tax incentives as it addresses climate concerns. (updated)

Financial Notes

2011-08-19T22:45:00.024-04:00

Some of the expenses you incur for improvements to your home related to energy efficiency will reduce your tax bill unless previously claimed green project credits disqualify you. See the details in MarketWatch.

If you are an serious participant in an online virtual world, goods and services purchased there may eventually come under the purview of the new, independent consumer protection agency, the CFPB if Congress approves the director and the plan for this bureau to be self-funding.

CNN Money reports that 100 CEOs have pledged that they won't be making any campaign donations until they see solutions rather than gridlock coming out of Washington legislators.

Tips from the IRS to ensure proper documentation for your charitable deductions for 2011 are linked here with a reminder for anyone with an unreported overseas bank account.

Everyone expected there would be belt-tightening within the Federal government, so you might be surprised that the eleven year old TSA has been able to secure authorization to extend early retirement buyouts to administrative employees (not screeners) as they trim jobs, according to the Washington Post.

SAIC and its subcontractors are installing a new computer system for New York City. The company has become a target of fraud investigations triggered by a whistleblower. Mayor Bloomberg has requested refunds of $600 million in overcharges.

Don't be surprised if you have to spend more of fresh food. Fresh berries and dairy products that traditionally come from select New Jersey, New York and Vermont farms that have been affected by Hurricane Irene. Other agricultural products could also cost more because of the extreme drought and flooding already experienced by farm communities across the country.

Clean technology companies have been struggling to succeed. Now, despite an infusion of millions in federal and private investment The Wall Street Journal reports that Solyndra, a solar panel manufacturer with 1100 employees has just filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy.

Was it a nostalgic Baby Boomer who recently bought a 1957 Ferrari Testa Rossa for $16+ million?

Nostalgia footnote: Priscilla of Boston, once famous for crafting the most beautiful wedding dresses (including Grace Kelly's gown) has closed. The Boston Globe dates its first store opening to 1945.

Looking for a new hobby to strengthen your memory? Try bridge ala Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, or chess, a competitive activity enjoyed by many hedge fund managers. (updated)

Documentaries Not to be Missed

2011-08-17T08:34:00.008-04:00

Undue influence, corruption and greed are not limited to Washington. Did you see this eye-opening documentary Under Our Skin revealing the way medical politics and conflicts of interest hinder the treatment of chronic lyme disease and dismantle the careers of doctors who dare to fight back?

Saving Valentina, a video shot on the Sea of Cortez when activists from the Great Whale Conservancy found an exhausted whale tangled in nets and lines and miraculously calmed and freed her without endangering themselves.

The PBS program Nova presented an hour long documentary on fractals called Hunting the Hidden Dimension. It will obviously fascinate science students or mathematics fans, but any curious person will be amazed by the patterns, colors and understandings opened to the world by this new geometry of nature. The video is about the principles of Mandelbrot Set developed by Professor Mandlebrot. (The video can also be purchased from PBS).

The story of Harry M. Markopolos, a heroic financial accounting expert who blew the whistle on Bernie Madoff, a white collar criminal previously trusted by the securities industry and powerful financial insiders. The independent documentary chronicles one man's remarkable courage and has finally been released. See a trailer for Chasing Madoff.

PBS Frontline The Man Who Knew presented a documentary about John O'Neill, a flamboyant FBI agent who developed powerful hunches about the dangers posed by the Al Qaeda network before 9/11. His own administrative mistakes stood out in the rigid culture of the FBI and caused him to be blocked by his superiors from following up on credible leads. After 25 years he left the FBI to handle security for the World Trade Center. Sadly, he was in his office and that was where his body was found after 9/11. This documentary will make you wonder, what if this man (described as a maverick) had been trusted to pursue his hunches right after the USS Cole was attacked.

Following the Pension Trail

2011-08-12T09:17:00.010-04:00

Virginia's Attorney General has just filed suit alleging fraud on the part of the Bank of New York Mellon seeking $900 million in damages over pension fund money invested in foreign currency, according to a Washington Post article.

The Florida teachers' union and other state employees are suing to stop the state from taking 3% from their pay as a forced contribution to their pension benefits. Over 650,000 Florida public employees and 220,000 retirees are part of the state pension plan according to Public News Service.

Military retirees may soon be asked to pay more toward their health care premiums as part of a program to reduce defense spending according to a post in the New York Times.

The New York Times reports that New York State and the U.S. Attorney in Manhattan are suing the Bank of New York Mellon. The institution is accused of unfairly overcharging pension funds for foreign exchange transactions. If the bank is found to have breached federal law there could be financial penalties. (updated)

What's Ahead

2011-08-09T15:18:00.045-04:00

The exploration of space and beneath the oceans is attracting entrepreneurs willing to invest time and money to make these ultimate adventures accessible to the public able to afford a ticket.

Low interest rates on two year treasuries were just announced by the Federal Reserve. It is doesn't change much for people trying to buy a home except suggest interest rates won't stay low. Small businesses that need an infusion of cash will need substantial equity and a pristine credit history to qualify as a safe investment in this environment. Meanwhile retirees who tend to rely on income from short term CDs and short term treasury bond investments will still be earning almost nothing for the next two more years. The New York Times article (second link above) is followed by provocative reader comments. These measures could contribute to the numbers of impoverished elderly individuals whose savings could not earn interest.

Only in America! A working mother in St. Louis incensed by the recent Standard and Poors downgrade of U.S. debt had a friend fly a over their corporate headquarters in NY with a banner streaming behind that gave the company her opinion of the move!

Three class action suits have been settled by Wells Fargo in a dispute over the representation of the quality of bonds sold as investments between 2006 and 2008. See ProPublica story for more details and the pension programs that benefit from this settlement.

Contrary to what one would expect: Current credit and leasing circumstances have driven an increase in the value of used luxury vehicles. In some instances, people are paying as much per month to own a used car as they would if they purchased a new one!

Use caution when purchasing anti-aging products from creams to hormones to facelifts. Price is not a fair measure of effectiveness and advertising is frequently full of empty promises. Some products are actually harmful and others do absolutely nothing!

Australian women report that living alone has more benefits than drawbacks.

Retro: For Baby Boomers who long dreamed of owning a muscle car....Ford is bringing one back in 2012. Are you a fan of ranch houses ? What do you think of multiple generations living under one roof? Is that a spreading trend, (or as described by Bloomberg and based on recent surveys) limited to ethic families with long traditions of caring for elderly relatives at home?

Innovation: New jobs in robotics manufacturing could be a good match with returning war veterans, many of whom are well-trained and disciplined in precision performance.

Wouldn't it be great to have self-inflating tires? They're on the drawingboard.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is sponsoring a competition to update a device most of us take for granted. They are searching for an affordable toilet that doesn't require the traditional connections to water, electricity or sewers and would work in the poorest countries.

Politics: Political candidates are beginning to give us a glimpse into the positions they hold on current issues. As the Republican primaries get underway, Representative Michele Bachmann told Iowans that she would reduce the deficit with Medicare and Social Security cuts for anyone but current recipients, and advocated means testing for eligibility, as reported by Bloomberg. She told ABC interviewer Jake Tapper that she is in favor of modernizing these programs. Former Governor Tim Pawlenty dropped out of the race upon Representative Bachmann's win in the Iowa straw poll.

With only 54% of Americans paying federal income tax this year it looks like tax reform is long overdue. The Tax Policy Center provides details of the inequity in the current system.

Warren Buffett is encouraging Congress to reform the tax code. Common sense talk in the New York Times. Some take issue with those ideas since they come well after the billionaire took advantage of a major benefit open to the very rich. He locked his much of his wealth into a foundation for charitable giving effectively avoiding government taxes. UK citizens "across the pond"are fascinated by how willingly wealthy Americans have accepted the notion of sharing more fully in the income tax burden.

Business: The first Boeing Dreamliner is about to be delivered to a North American airline according to the Chicago Tribune. Just in time for 2012 travel plans! As of August 27 the Dreamliner was cleared to carry passengers. All Nipon Airways of Japan is scheduled to get the first delivery of the new jet, reports the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

Chicago is seeing business expansion in a variety of alternative energy companies.

Current Environmental Challenges

2011-08-07T12:55:00.032-04:00

There is trouble along the Millenium Pipeline (operated by Columbia Gas) that channels gas through the southern part of New York state. ProPublica's Nicholas Kusnetz reports that federal inspectors are requiring the company to fix a leak attributed to faulty workmanship by the end of the year.

The National Transportation Safety Board has come to the conclusion that management problems at Pacific Gas and Electric contributed to a frightening gas explosion a year ago that rocked the residential community of San Bruno, California killing 8, reports the New York Times. Regulators, inspectors, sloppy workmanship, and a failure to inspect reported leaks were found to have contributed to that pipeline explosion.

Wyoming, typically a state concerned about environmental issues, but friendly to oil and gas producers seeks to protect their water supply by determining what chemicals are involved in fracking. Simultaneously, they still support this energy extraction process, according to a news article in the Wyoming Star-Tribune.

As oil and gas leases for the Gulf of Mexico again become available companies will be dealing with stringent environmental standards under which unsafe shortcuts are more likely to be caught early. Some environmental groups oppose the effort, according to the Los Angeles Times, but this is countered by the serious need for more job opportunities.

Why don't current fuel economy tests run by the EPA reflect actual 2011 driving circumstances?

Bottom trawling for shrimp is threatening the delicate ecosystem of deep sea coral reefs as described in Florida's WPBT2 (PBS) documentary Changing Seas. These fragile living structures take hundreds of years to form and sustain themselves totally without sunlight. They are integral to the ecosystem of our oceans and are just now being mapped by research scientists and engineers. Support for their work relies on multiple foundation grants.

Fairwarning has just published news of dangers levels of metals in Chicago's drinking water.

As the climate shifts the range available to wild animal foraging shrinks. Humans have infringed on creature habitats confiscating all the open land so cities can expand. We see repeated stories of black bears rumaging through trash bins, mountain lions coming too close to homes and now, a tent invasion by a bear has caused the tragic death of a UK student on a guided trip near the Artic Circle.

Residents who fled one town in Japan to avoid drifting radioactive fallout from the nuclear power disaster have just learned they traveled in the wrong direction because their government withheld information. Public warnings about meltdowns were not given even though the government had that news quite early. The tsunami damaged several nuclear sites as well as the trust the people of Japan had in their leaders. Citizens believed speedy and full disclosure would come from their government, but sadly, they did not receive it, reports the New York Times.

Sage Grouse found in eleven western states are being protected with $112 million from USDA as energy projects exclude these birds from land where they traditionally nested.

Monsanto is being sued by India over a gene used in producing genetically modified eggplant reports Forbes.

Israel has distinguished itself as a leader in low cost sewage treatment with the help of some friendly bacteria. Their innovative projects have attracted large corporate investors from the U.S.

Ebikes are currently being imported from China, but they are becoming popular here as a practical alternative to city driving. They offer exercise and transportation without pollution. Will safety be the issue in our urban communities?

Locals in northwest Italy are aggressively protesting the coming of high speed rail calling it noisy, dirty and prone to cause vibrations. The link will extend from France to Italy.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has acted on repeated safety violations at the Perry Power Plant run by FirstEnergy as posted on Cleveland.com.

Supporting Governor Perry in his bid for the 2012 Republican nomination is a Texas billionaire, who had major problems with his plan to dispose of nuclear waste in the western part of his state, a location that environmentalists cautioned was too close to underground water, yet he secured state approval.

An old coal ash pond alongside a Missouri power plant is known to be leaching toxic waste and has now attracted official scrutiny. The company responsible for the waste reservoir was never required to test for possible contamination of ground water because strict environmental laws were not yet in place when it was established, according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch. Many towns located near these unlined ponds dating back to the 1950s have prohibited using groundwater for drinking.

Suspected pollutants from West Virginia coal mines are said to have fouled tributaries in Pennsylvania causing the massive death of marine life. The state of Pennsylvania has filed a lawsuit against a major coal producer.

Look, I Found Some Good News!

2011-08-05T13:16:00.026-04:00

Despite the stock market's dismal slide all week, Bloomberg collected forecasts of positive news ahead from investing professionals they queried. Basically, the message is business is strengthening, watch for slow growth ahead.

Japanese companies are actively courting the buying power of older citizens who hold a huge portion of their country's wealth, by catering to their needs in stores and being more sensitive to the wording of advertisements. This soft marketing approach has been successful in Japan reports the Economist.

Time Goes By a blog that collects interesting articles and comments on aging topics posted a piece showcasing a new book on that ever-changing tweeting and blogging culture some of us are still trying to negotiate.

It's always uplifting to read the story of someone who followed through on a notion that others might have shrugged off as romantic folly. The Economist shared the story of a 66-year-old poet, Lewis MacAdams, who in the 1980s had a passion for saving the long forgotten river that runs through Los Angeles. Saving a natural water source that drew people to what became a major city apparently seemed important enough to him that he formed an early foundation to properly honor the significance of the river as part of the native ecology around which a major city blossomed.

If you have grandchildren with attention problems spend time with them outdoors enjoying the natural surroundings could be beneficial. Violent video games, are once again shown to be a negative in terms of socializing these future citizens of the world.

Rail service linking Washington, DC to Dulles Airport will be an above ground service traveling through Fairfax County.

A Baby Boomer with a powerful imagination (clearly a child of the 60s) has created a custom Hobbit House complete with a golden ring for his own amusement. You can visit and stay overnight as a paying guest if you're traveling in northwest Montana writes the New York Times.

Within five years we'll know a lot more about Jupiter thanks to a recent NASA launch.

A federal grant may help veterans who are now homeless near Orlando, FL.

New fuel efficiency standards were put in place this month for heavy trucks and buses.

A grandmother in Canada who was a former Ambassador in Africa has started a volunteer program to provide online support to African grandmothers struggling with the devastation caused by of AIDS in the family. The Christian Science Monitor wrote about Grandmothers to Grandmothers (G2G).

Marriages that make it into their third decade demonstrate long-term love truly exists.

The Theatre Development Fund in New York is trying something new to reach out to children with autism and their families. In October they will host a special Broadway performance of The Lion King modified to minimize startling the children with loud noises and bursts of light according to Crain's New York Business.

Software designed for matching is searching an NIH database of symptoms to search for new uses for existing drugs. The Stanford School of Medicine systems division has found some likely matches.

A Baby Boomer, Elizabeth Warren who has distinguished herself in academia and emerged as a strong voice for consumers in the aftermath of the Wall Street crisis, may soon be running in the Massachusetts Democratic Senate primary.

August 18 - Caterpillar announces it will expand and hire!

The rail system from Washington, DC to Dulles Airport will continue to be built through Fairfax County as an above ground system now that politicians have reached an agreement.

Canadian neighbors in Ontario claim they get many high quality TV signals over the air, without cable or satellite now that HD is broadcasting in their country. Canada is officially turning off analog signals August 31.

History buffs, architecture afficianados and literary romantics are hopeful that the hometown of T.S. Eliot (East Coker in Somerset) will be granted World Heritage status and thus be saved from development, reports the UK Guardian online.

Birders: The California Clapper Rail, an endangered species is currently residing in San Francisco.

Grandparenting Today

2011-08-03T14:25:00.012-04:00

One of the unexpected gains from tubing down the river toward senior status, is insight. A life journey with sufficient breadth begins to organize itself in our minds, lining up experiences on a continuum. We can finally visualize those ups and downs. For some reason, it is easy to distinguish repetitive patterns that are almost fractal, occurring over and over a lifetime. We realize there were errors we kept making and unheeded warnings posted along the way. Unrelated bits of memory link up in our subconscious as insights. Gradually, effortlessly, information lines up to illuminate the path we've been walking, one we have been traveling but not noticing for its repetition. Slowing down gives us the space to examine and notice what we missed. In rushing to get here, signs that could have made life smoother were missed.

"Light bulb" moments come easily when we quiet a lively mind.

Once we stumble upon a batch of late-in-life discoveries (Note: article has a politically slanted ending) it's natural to rush to share them, to save our children from making the same mistakes. We urge them not to ignore the natural world, to get their children outdoors for other kinds of learning experiences. Like missionaries we start preaching to spare them, help them, warn them about signs along the way. Life speeds by we tell them. Naturally, they laugh, pat us on the shoulder as they head for the door. Parents, once the mythic figure is now shelved as the "older generation."To them, we are pitifully dated. "Learn from my mistakes,"we call to their backs as they race out rushing to complete that "to do" list.

By the time we are sixty-five most of us will have taken the time to unravel the cipher, find our way through the maze, and achieve some perspective about our accomplishments and shortcomings. How anticlimactic! Our grown children turn away just when we finally figure things out and have so much to share! They are content to paddle their own canoes. Who will benefit from our new found insights?

Fortunately, grandchildren love the company of their grandparents. We have the time to be the patient adults in their life who listen to their stories and wipe away their tears. Grandkids adore us reading to them and eagerly clasp our hand for a stroll. They will be the beneficiaries of those life lessons and universal truths we've collected, picking up information indirectly via stories and conversation.

As they grow up they will selectively pick from those gems of wisdom we proffered. They are our audience, open enough and clever enough to collect the crumbs of truth and wise advice with which we mark the way home. Grandchildren see us free of bias, we are a trusted source. We have no baggage with them. They will be the beneficiaries of our legacy.

August Health Posts

2011-08-02T22:18:00.043-04:00

Did Nevada colonoscopy patients contract Hepatitis C from tainted vials of anesthetic?

You might want to avoid mouthwash with a high alcohol content after reading this article published in the London Guardian. Perhaps we will know more of the details in the coming months.

Factory farms use antibiotics to keep their animals healthy, but is the USDA withholding information that proves resistant strains of infection-causing bacteria are the result of such commercial agricultural practices? Tom Philpott writing in Mother Jones addresses this serious issue.

Have you tried yoga for pain? This article from the New York Times describes orthopedic patients who have avoided surgery and chronic pain by following suggested yoga stretches. The physiatrist sees many patients who want to avoid surgery. He became convinced of the value of yoga in healing as he struggled to recover from his own shoulder injury.

A European study on the predictive value of regular mammogram screenings adds to Baby Boomer confusion. The researchers concluded that the reduction in breast cancer deaths in several countries was more directly related to new drug therapies than to imaging. Question: Can such contradictory information from countries with government health care programs directly translate to women in the U.S. who have private healthcare?

We may have a doctor who treats us, but to negotiate the health care system we might also have the services of a nurse navigator reports the Wall Street Journal.

Living past your nineties appears to be influenced by genes more than anything else.

Gout is being seen more frequently in the U.S. according to Scientific American.
You already know that turning drinking into your favorite hobby is dangerous, so I am highlighting this article for its clear description of how alcohol interacts with the stomach causing some people to become drunk, others not. As you get older your body metabolizes alcohol more slowly.

A forward looking Silicon Valley medical facility is using robotic carts to eliminate the use of human workers to deliver medical supplies up and down hospital corridors reports Singularity Hub.

July was an exceptionally hot month causing an assortment of heat-related problems (fainting, dehydration). Check out the colorful NOAA maps highlighting the broken heat records across the U.S., both day and night temperatures.

"Excuse me doctor, but someone just took a blood sample." Hospitalized Americans from whom blood is taken routinely, can wind up with anemia according to a newly published study reported on by Bloomberg.

Politico reports that Governor Brownback of Iowa announced that his state will return over $31 million in federal grants awarded to set up technology to support health care exchanges in Kansas. He is not the first governor to return heath care dollars to Health and Human Services. And what will the new health care plans look like? The Wall Street Journal gives its readers a glimpse of forms constructed to simplify choosing.

Health care reform was dealt another blow August 12 by the Atlanta federal appeals court. It found fault with the requirement that all citizens buy health coverage or face a penalty.

University of Illinois researchers have created new electronic medical devices thinner than a human hair that can be used to monitor internal conditions. They resemble stick-on tattoos reports Forbes.

Overseas drug producers will soon be subject to routine inspections every two years paid for by fees collected from generic drug manufacturers, reports the New York Times.

The wisdom of using radioactive iodine whenever thyroid cancer is found has been re-examined in a new study that identifies serious problems with that approach. And a new melanoma drug wins approval for specific types of patients.

Rare, but deadly brain disease has been found in warm fresh water rivers, ponds and lakes. It already killed one adult and two children this summer.

Doctors often fail to connect with their patients when discussing chronic illness care. In the case of kidney disease, patients who understand and adhere to the information they get can limit further damage.

Scientific American reports that when blind individuals are reading Braille (relying on touch), they engage the visual portion of the brain that typically controls sight.

Today

2011-08-02T15:04:00.018-04:00

The market is reacting negatively in response to the President's announcement that he will continue to fight to keep spending for fundamental social programs and education, just as Congress applies a temporary patch on a deep financial wound dug by Wall Street, previous lax regulators and several administrations of short-sighted federal policymakers. The immediate crisis over, the public now has to wait for difficult cutbacks to emerge from negotiations handled by a Super Committee yet to be chosen. We have watched showmanship politics overshadow the preservation of our precious democracy. From where Baby Boomers stand the past few months were just too embarrassing.

By fulfilling a campaign promise to eliminate waste, redundancy and paperwork burdens on those government forms that muddy business growth, the administration could find less painful paths to saving money. Why should any government agency automatically get a yearly budget increase without undergoing an outcomed-based audit to ensure their that employees were productive and their initiatives were successful. What business does not compare the cost of doing business against gains and losses?

Meanwhile, Congress is not enforcing the promised transparency in government, no one on Capitol Hill can absolutely assure us that the new, still unclear healthcare plan is going to bring improved performance or cost containment (Note: Congress hasn't included themselves). updated What is shocking about this summer is that politicians thought it was okay to threaten the security of our financial system. Taxpayers continued to pay legislators' salaries (and pensions) while much of the country is jobless, under-employed, living in homeless shelters and worrying about feeding their families.

Our legislators are terribly inconsistent: Congress has gone home, but it left a portion of FAA employees working unpaid and abruptly furloughed workers at FAA construction projects while airlines were still collecting (but not transferring) money tagged for the treasury. Meanwhile, rural convenience airports serving limited air traffic remained open, running at a loss to taxpayers. Sadly, after this recent battle our legislators still do not heed our calls to reduce wasteful spending and cut duplication in government agencies. Older Baby Boomers are particularly uncomfortable with the high level of national debt. It is in conflict with their longheld belief in taking responsibility for financial obligations and paying them down as soon as possible.

In the next round of negotiating on Capitol Hill it would be helpful to see balanced cuts/revenue streams, common sense approaches to all decisions and integrity above party loyalty among Super Committee members. Offering the President practical suggestions for reducing long term debt without crippling essential programs that work will be the essential task. Supporting excellent educational opportunities for our children is essential. Nothing however, should disturb the tender shoots of growth rooting in our fragile economy.
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As a postscript, here's a link to an illuminating article by ProPublica's Marian Wang on the exit strategy of Congress as they departed Washington for home. This was not a new tactic, but it does suggest that cooperation will not improve in the legislative branch when they return.

Urban Evolution

2011-07-30T00:34:00.038-04:00

The Atlantic's Jeremy Kahn writes about a privately developed, fully planned city in India not too far from Mumbai. It was built incorporating many of the principles of New Urbanism with the intent of being environmentally friendly and inviting. Thus far, the newly constructed town has attracted few residents.

Crain's New York Business says retail businesses in New York are eager to go green. Lord and Taylor stores are turning to wind power for energy, Kohl's, Whole Foods Starbucks, Best Buy and Walmart are other major retailers across the country tapping into alternative energy to power their facilities.

California has alerted power utilities that hybrid cars can strain the power grid and trigger localized outages particularly if they form hybrid clusters.

A consulting report being used to guide Toronto, Canada in reducing their budget suggested that citizens, local horticulture and sports groups should be mobilized to help care for parkland and sports fields. It was also suggested that several of the city's long-term care facilities be sold to private companies as reported in the National Post.

Meanwhile, Seattle real estate is heavily burdened by foreclosures while Phoenix, Las Vegas and parts of California continue to navigate through accumulated residential foreclosures.

Singapore is actively building its reputation as a liveable, green city according to the New York Times. They are nurturing large garden areas focused on biodiversity as a way to soften the urban core. Parkland, nature and flowers are a buffer, a balance close to the rapidly expanding knowlege-based economy. (updated)

Meanwhile, it looks like commercial real estate is gradually moving forward as older, but elegant buildings in New York are being scooped up by investment groups while some remain vacant despite their inconic location. Chinese investors have quietly invested serious money into Manhattan acquisitions. Meanwhile, the forward-thinking Mayor Bloomberg has encouraged top colleges to open urban campuses in hopes of becoming feeder schools for the technical talent New York business will need to keep it on the cutting edge. (updated)

Some cities were heavily burdened with financial problems after purchasing Wall Street investments that were inherently risky. States, municipalities and businesses are now suffering more pain because of the shifting terms on debt swaps. For details click the link to the New York Times piece.

The Olympic Village just east of London has been purchased by Qatar and a British investment partner for urban development after the 2012 games reports the New York Times.

Chicago is taking a stand against mortgage fraud. One scheme left neighborhoods with blighted properties and saddled banks with losses they were unable to recoup in foreclosure, the man found guilty was sentenced to 17 1/2 years in prison. (updated)

Urban farming is (excuse the pun) taking off in the neighborhood close to the Atlanta Airport. City folk are becoming more eco friendly and rather than fertilize lawns, they are growing their own food reports Bloomberg's Jennifer Oldham. (updated) If you live near Oakland, CA you might want to volunteer with City Slicker Farms which supports people who want to grow healthy food in their own backyards.

Platinum LEED certified Victoria, British Columbia's Dockside Green is a mixed-use urban community with a variety of environmentally sound practices already in place in commercial and residential buildings.

You're Kidding, Right?

2011-07-24T13:13:00.041-04:00

Chicago high schoolers were recently caught with high quality fake IDs made in China according to the Chicago Tribune.

In case the large quantity of specialized detergent types displayed on your grocery shelf isn't confusing enough, you will for a brief period be able to buy an old, well-known brand sporting its RETRO label.

Advertising Age reported that large snack food companies see us as a generation defined by our munchie cravings. In an effort to retain the dollar power of our demographic they are trying to modify the salt/fat ratios in processed snacks. Emily Bryson York writes:

At a PepsiCo investor conference in New York last week, Frito-Lay CMO Ann Mukherjee said the company is bullish on boomers "because they graze more." In fact, they snack three times a day on average -- twice as much as other cohorts.

Next I have a shocking story by Lisa Zamosky-- a must read. It was pubished in the LA Times and describes a nursing home that tried to keep a patient who wanted to leave! Anyone watching over an elderly relative has to be concerned.

The latest industrial robots coming out of Japan are capable of carving three dimensional objects out of solid metal. A video is posted on Singularity Hub's website. Domestic robots are still in the development stage, but for those readers curious about the future...

A robotic seagull has been created that is so lifelike other birds are happy to follow it. See it in action.

Those antibacterial wipes featured handily beside the grocery store carts could actually be making us sicker.

Clearly the Vatican still does not comprehend how heinous rogue priests' crimes against children were because the internal protections around such evil continue. Nothing can ever fully repair the abuse of innocent children. Bloomberg reporters continue to cover an ongoing investigation in Ireland. Journalist Andrew Davis writes that Prime Minister Enda Kenny recently annoyed Vatican representatives by complaining the Church was interfering with their current probe into sexual child abuse by clergy. The Vatican reacted by calling their Ambassador home. And in Boston too late to help most, a partial list of priests accused of abuse is finally released by the Archdiocese (many already deceased). updated

Kids who have the opportunity to attend American summer camps spend time learning about nature. They typically develop protective feelings toward the environment. That's why it is particularly odd to read that this year many campers have been arriving with their parents via private jets! Prices for multiple family members flying on one charter aircraft seem more competitive now that commercial fares are going up according to the New York Times.

Times are rough! Bloomberg reports that at a the end of a day of thrilling sailing for charity aboard majestic 12-metre yachts, the Connecticut Hedge Fund Association was only able to donate $2,000 to help a 5-week, multi-year program for underprivileged youth eager to learn sailing.

Can you imagine harnessing multiple Golden Orb spiders (later returned to their habitat) to collect the unique silk they produce? A group of trained workers in Madagascar did just that and produced a sample of golden silk brocade for display in London in 2012 according to The Telegraph.

If it weren't obvious to Washington politicians before reading this MarketWatch piece that declares Apple is more liquid than the federal government (as of June data), this news ought to move them to progressively rein in government spending. If not, we may be entering a government increasingly influenced by corporate power while Capitol Hill is saddled with the responsibility for paying down burgeoning debt.

McMansions are difficult to sell in this depressed real estate market, but the truly super-sized ones are enjoying a resurgence in popularity around Miami, Aspen, and Los Angeles. They are sought after by wealthy international clients, many from Russia.

How sad is it when prominent lawyers whose professional career focuses on advising others on legal issues are charged with tax evasion?

Lovers of classic literature around Boston bring together readers fascinated by the sound of arcane words read aloud and appreciative of time-tested writing by holding reading marathons.

What are state representatives in California thinking? With so many financial problems on their doorstep, why are lawmakers focusing on regulating hotel sheets?

If the quality of your pizza matters to you, you'll appreciate the dedication behind one man's long drive to secure a supply from his favorite restaurant.

How could a representative of the Catholic Church still be accused of endangering children now, after all the crimes of the past and so many apologies?

Would it surprise you to know that China receives international aid? Greece, Ireland and the United States are among the contributors to supporting education and poverty programs.

Bored With Summer? Upset By the News?

2011-07-23T10:46:00.003-04:00

Bored by the incessant heat, Capitol Hill's indecisiveness, or overwhelmed by the endless stream of tragic news? Redirect your mind and nudge scientific knowledge forward by collecting ants for science, watching for whales, or searching satellite scans for possible archaelogical sites from home. Scientific American offers a list of mini projects (some are location specific) currently seeking volunteers. Citizen scientists collect vital information from distant geographic areas without energy or expense. You can be part of an environmentally sound adventure and contribute to meaningful research. Doing useful work is a powerful way to fend off a feeling of hopelessness.

Positive News from the Web

2011-07-07T13:40:00.051-04:00

Wisteria vines

The UK Independent featured a story about a clever website, Dearphotograph.com. It features people carrying old pictures back to the spot where they were first taken and photographing them anew. By melding the original photo with the current scene sentimentalists can simulate a return to the past. Adorable!

Doing good by just showing up to buy something? A clever San Franciscan plans to make it happen all over the world with his Carrot Mobs featured on Need to Know, a PBS television program. The goal is to coax businesses into moving toward more green solutions, being more sensitive to the planet by installing new lighting or purchasing more efficient appliances, etc. The "mob" supports these changes via consumer buying power. Watch the video to see how it happens. Revolutionary in a 60s kinda way!

Senator Marco Rubio, a recently elected legislator from Florida is an excellent communicator commenting on the ongoing debt ceiling tug-of-war. He emerges as a next generation leader whose talent is evident. Surely he is a politician who will continue to rise as long as he stays in the realm of common sense, remains humble and stays connected with people outside Washington, DC.

Laurence Tribe, distinguised professor at Harvard Law School is suing the Veteran's Administration on behalf of homeless war veterans (many with PTSD who cannot live on their own) who are currently barred from residential access to a facility donated over a century ago for the care of soldiers. He was interviewed on the Charlie Rose Show in July.

Marine scientists have succeeded in photographing a fish who has mastered the smashing of clam shells to get the food inside. This is the first proof we have that animals of the sea use tools as we do. See the photo at Wired Science.

A disaster relief solution called ShelterBox, created by a former UK rescue diver has become the pet project of some dedicated Rotary International clubs. Inside the box is a tent and other survival goods easily transported for immediate use.

Bloomberg posted a positive story about what can be done when for profit and non-profit groups work collaboratively: Giant communications organizations are helping to make cellphones available to impoverished women in emerging countries. These communications firms are backing wireless research needed to advance technology in underdeveloped countries, effectively changing lives. Charities on the ground have already seen that the free flow of information enhances women's safety, freedom and access to education.

A major American corporation has combined product advertising with the environment in a campaign to promote a nature fund via a billboard in Manila. The display is constructed of plants that filter the air. (see link for details and photo).

Three generations of one family take a collective vacation in LA, enjoying it all by mass transit. An interesting story from the LA Times highlighting their shared experiences.

With the help of a $300,000 federal grant, former offenders are learning the skills needed for green jobs.
An extraordinarily hopeful story is being featured on PBS Newshour (Making Sense: Prison Turns Convicts into Graduates), a two part report on Bard College's model program offered at a maximum security prison. A select number of prisoners are chosen to enroll in prison and earn a liberal arts degree. The men have proved to be remarkable students redirecting their energy toward learning. Their potential has been harnessed for the benefit of society. Lives can be transformed if the graduates are given the chance to become productive stakeholders in the community.

New York's Mayor Michael Bloomberg and George Soros will be contributing funds from their personal wealth to help the disadvantaged minority youth of New York find job opportunities and access programs to help them thrive reports the New York Times.

Has a recent survey to see if the UK public is happy shifted things this much? Apparently, the kind of false advertising (retouched photos of celebrities promoting cosmetic products) that misleads normal people and leaves them feeling dissatisfied with their own looks will no longer be tolerated in Great Britain.

July Health Related News

2011-07-07T01:22:00.036-04:00

Scientific American reports on the results of a major comparative effectiveness project (42,000+ patients) that demonstrated how prescribing reliable, inexpensive drugs showed success in treating hypertension.

Has your doctor suggested you lower your dietary salt? An interview with a nutrition expert explains why assessing individual salt intake in our salty American diet is so complicated. Should we also be concerned about potassium levels?

Psychiatry has been a lucrative medical specialty for decades, but one doctor's income from work with the California prison system has attracted serious questions according to linked Bloomberg article.
Penn State received a $27.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health toward improving the delivery of cutting edge research to patients and stimulate collaborative work across multiple disciplines. Dual degree programs for practitioner-scientists are also being planned by the Penn State community.

Some nursing homes with repeat safety violations seem impervious to litigation writes Forbes Senior Editor, Daniel Fisher. Medicare announced new regulations that will result in substantial cuts in nursing home payments after several for-profit facilities were found to be overcharging for patient care. (updated)

Eight American medical schools and thirteen in Canada are using a new system to screen candidates for admission. Screeners conducted brief interviews and asked questions as they tried to identify students with the kind of social skills and collaborative attitudes found in exceptional doctors. Virginia Tech Carilion is one of the schools that considers the mini-interview method superior to relying on grades alone reports The New York Times/International Herald Tribune.

The New York Times reports that July is a dangerous time to be a patient in a teaching hospital.

If you suffer from asthma or live in an area that experiences an abundance of high pollution days follow instructions and stay indoors. Particulate pollution can influence the development of atherosclerosis for those with a genetic predisposition and has been linked to mental decline in the elderly according to this National Institutes of Health post.

A very long, but thorough article on the pros and cons of alternative medicine today is in The Atlantic, mentioning several well known facilities including UCSF (Dr. Dean Ornish's home base) and the University of Maryland Medical Center's Berman Clinic. Writer David Freedman offers plenty to think about, for both open-minded and skeptics.

Information technology companies are developing user friendly health care software in preparation for an increase in the population of chronically ill older adults. Their goal is to provide easy access to medical support, medication reminders, etc., using technology without the needing to recall passwords.

Have you tried meditation for pain management? If you received a hip replacement device or might be a candidate for one be aware that FDA approval process has recently been labeled inadequate. (updated)

Researchers at the University of Chicago have confirmed that football-related brain injuries increase risk factors in retired athletes who often confront cognitive difficulties earlier than their non-playing peers.

What do you think of the proliferation of medical apps for smartphones? The FDA will soon be regulating some of those technologies according to this story on the PBS Newshour webpage.

A large pharmaceutical supplier is about to swallow a competitor. What will that mean for the cost of prescriptions? The Economist suggests that if the merger gets approval, efficiency may increase but so might the use of aggressive tactics to switch customers to generic drugs and sign up for prescriptions by mail. Here's where I put up the red flag...

Research published in JAMA is likely to change the treatment of early stage breast cancer micro-metastases found in lymph nodes. Once negative test results are received doctors found that additional costly, aggressive treatment did not improve survival rates reports Bloomberg.

Sadly, this month Lou Gehrig's disease claimed the life of a talented executive producer, Polly Platt whose body of work, collaborative projects and mentoring made her a beloved Hollywood figure according to the Los Angeles Times' Patrick Goldstein and James Rainey. Think: "Terms of Endearment."

5th of July Memo

2011-07-05T12:40:00.052-04:00

Concerned about your savings not stretching into old age? The GAO has the answer: Buy an annuity.

This surprised me. Is our government is taking the first step toward preparing us for what amounts to the privatization of social security favored by President Bush? The rhetoric seems to be shifting consumers toward purchasing insurance products as if they were equivalent to government backed payments. It looks like the GAO is looking for a way to divert us to private sector products to lessen the focus on a possible collapse of social security before mid-century. Another attempt to deny responsibility for failing to secure social security funds. It would be more appropriate to hear that Congress is committed to making an effort to honor promises made by previous presidents and legislators who happily collected our money toward what was meant to be old age insurance for all citizens.

Americans have never approached a problem that way before, we have never been a country of victims. We always fight back and engage when we find ourselves in difficult circumstances. What we are lacking today is the kind of leadership that instills the confidence in the general population, the courage to do whatever they can to initiate a new decade of economic growth (ignore the concrete workers in NYC whose decisions run counter to that) updated. It is tiresome to hear government officials employing euphemisms and peppering their speeches with word mazes meant to divert us from the seriousness of the national debt. (updated) Washington is not working. Too many legislators live in a bubble and are awestuck by their own rhetoric, content to demonize political opponents rather than negotiating a resolution that prioritizes paying down debt.

We are an educated population. Most Americans have been waiting patiently eager to help invigorate the economy what they need is clarity, some indication Washington knows more than we do and can fix the economy without damaging it. Granted, Capitol Hill is a tough neighborhood but our country's image is not strengthened by all this wrangling and lack of resolution. Labeling people by party or economic status, as liberal or conservative is divisive when uttered by an elected official just when the Congress is in tough negotiations. Ignoring suggestions offered by clear thinkers like Senator Coburn because of his party affiliation simply prolongs the number of years we will be on a tight budget. (updated) Out here in the real world we straddle party lines, shift loyalties with the issue and contribute to leaders we believe in. The Economist, a globally respected business magazine offered their perspective on Capitol Hill's political stalemate over debt and spending reductions. The headline of their piece: "America's debt: Shame on them." (updated)
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Baby Boomers can't be content to wait for their elected representatives to replace internal machinery that has become antiquated and broken. Success is the outcome when Americans lock together in a shared effort yet politicians seem to see a benefit in segregating the public into groups defined by a special interests. As David Brooks points out in an Op-Ed piece in The New York Times, they are missing a rare opportunity. (updated) Our politican are resisting pragmatism, the antithesis of what Americans rely upon in tough times. They do not serve the country, they serve party politics. Look to the people of Missouri and other disaster ravaged states for an example of what Americans accomplish when they work together.

If Congress really wanted to reduce spending, all they have to do is erase the automatic budget increase government agencies are granted every year! Raising taxes for anyone making less that a million dollars a year is a sure job killer, why not incentivize companies to bring jobs back to the U.S. There are also proposals to encourage the repatriation of corporate income earned overseas by allowing money to come back to the U.S. minimally taxed. (updated) If this program is meant to bolster the economy, what benefit would there be in not taxing corporate earnings at a fair rate? Closing tax loopholes, tracking down tax evaders and isolating countries that act as illegal tax havens for exceptionally rich Americans will result in wealth coming home.(updated)

Laws already "on the books" need to be enforced before Congress attempts slashing major social programs that are both legal and functional. (updated) Inconsistency and hypocrisy in government combined with overly-aggressive lobbying muffles the voice of the people. The frustration generated makes formerly extreme points of view palpable to disenfranchised voters. That makes for an exciting primary, but doesn't speak to Baby Boomer voters who are not impressed by extreme views coming from the left or the right.

No politician has the right to disrupt safety nets that have been used to protect the most fragile members of society. Elected officials are tasked with ensuring that tax revenues are spent wisely, that systemic abuses are punished, that fraud is punished and when necessary, that qualifications for entitlements are tweaked in a progressive manner, over time. Civilized societies protect the vulnerable. Waiting for sovereign funds to buy our debt is not the answer. (updated) It doesn't align with the American character, neither does allowing ourselves to become discouraged by listening to economists' depression-inducing forecasts. (updated) That is not who we are. We expect our elected representatives to reflect our spirit as they solve problems for the nation.(updated) They are not up to the job.

American companies should have been offered incentives to bring their operations home a long time ago. Unemployment is still pushing down on the economy. We need to create more openings in training programs as well as jobs in preparation for our returning vets and disabled vets who deserve employment as soon as they are ready. (updated) Less euphemisms, more direct talk about how to help the country is what we have been waiting for. (updated) Sadly, our previous President missed the perfect opportunity to call upon each of us in the wake of 9/11. His decisions swelled our debt. Sadly he failed to draw upon hearts swollen with patriotism and grief that waited to do what he asked to strengthen the country. A new administration is in place, and we now wait for promised transparency and that "new way of doing business" in Washington.

Enough waiting. The rigidity and bitter fighting that defines this Congress is unproductive; totally unacceptable. It's on us. Baby Boomers have to call and write legislators until our representatives understand we want a reduction in government expansion and zero redundancy in government agencies. Citizens continue to complain about getting lost in a legal maze peppered with multiple regulatory entities all dealing with different aspects of the same issue. We have to let them know we expect substantial cuts in spending so we can reduce our debt over the next decade. It is also time our income tax forms were simplified, and loopholes that fail the common sense test, need to be closed.

Closing tax loopholes that do not promote growth and eliminating exceptions being doled out to "friendly"corporations and banks would be a good starting point. Luring high-end American manufacturing back home to state-of-the-art factories in depressed communities could lift state economies. Cutting edge robotic innovation will depend on managers with technical skillsets and retrained factory workers who will no longer have to do repetitive tasks. Encouraging public schools with funding for smaller classrooms run by excellent teachers who recognize the value of modifying tasks to suit individual children is the way forward. Recognizing that families are configured differently and have different stressors than fifty years ago is essential to creating an educational system that works. We can't afford to lose a generation's worth of potential brainpower. It is essential for local governments to offer technical training to the unemployed who will become builders of their revitalized economy. Above all, citizens need honesty restored to government so they can respect and trust their elected leaders.

We can have the America we remember filled with resilient people. Baby Boomers are tired of being treated like bystanders at their own fireworks display, standing idly by, told to leave it to the "experts." Collectively our generation possesses an amazing array of skills we can contribute to lift our country out of this slump. Economic growth will sustain social security and provide Medicare for senior citizens in the future. Right now, some small businesses are relying on pawn shops to subsidize pending employee payrolls they are struggling to meet according to a CNN Money article. (updated)

Suggestions: Become active in the Chamber of Commerce, volunteer for the Small Business Administration in your community, help a business owner get a loan, see if you can help the Mayor's office staff programs, ask if the Office of Economic Development needs your contacts, volunteer as a coach/mentor to a strugging young business owner, give time to the Junior Achievement program, Boys and Girls Club or 4H group in your area to encourage teen entrepreneurial efforts or partner with your local bank to give free talks on business subjects in the evening. If you have the means, open a small business that fills a need in your community and hire unemployed local managers to run it with you.

It's July 5, 2011. Nothing has been settled. Seek out American manufacturers for purchases.

Interesting Research

2011-07-04T12:45:00.006-04:00

Temperature changes over western pastureland is favoring some invasive species over native plants. As carbon dioxide, nitrogen, precipitation and hotter days increase, agriculture will be challenged in new ways according to new research from Purdue University.

Napa vineyards

Those low fat snacks with fat substitutes sure fooled you! Now that you bought them they're trying to trick your body. "Not so fast," your well educated stomach responds, "I'm going to cling ever more tightly to the weight you thought you would lose." Purdue researchers found that snacking on such products actually increased weight gain.

A government grant is paritally funding nanotechnology research at the University of Florida. The goal is to target difficult to reach breast cancer tumors without damaging healthy cells. A series of projects there are engaging both surgeons and particle engineering professionals in collaborative research.

New York Times columnist David Brooks writes in support of behaviorial science research just as public funding dollars for numerous projects are fading away. He highlights a particular study that examines scarcity as a prime human motivator. Fascinating...a real conversation starter.

The advances in genetic engineering are far reaching. New medicines are just the beginning of the possiblities that lie ahead.

The Kids Are Gone!

2011-07-02T15:52:00.017-04:00

Every year Americans observe the ritual of manipulating time, adjusting their clocks one hour to squeeze out a bit more daylight. The change gives children an additional hour to play outdoors and postpone their nightly bedtime story. Somehow, we hardly notice and execute the tradition mindlessly. However, when a Baby Boomer's newly graduated son or daughter packs up to leave home for good, we react in shock. A feeling of sadness we could never anticipate rises up and threatens to choke us--mothers and fathers alike. We are unprepared and that moment rarely goes unnoticed.

Grown children who have been lucky enough to find jobs after college are moving out, sharing apartments with friends, packing up and going to other cities for employment opportunities. Baby Boomer parents are noticing their house is terribly quiet, rarely full of people anymore. No more waiting to hear the front door close late at night, fewer trips to fill the fridge with groceries, and a house no longer operating as a feeding station or a pit stop with access to video. Simultaneous relief and let down.

Americans regularly steal daylight by pushing back the hour hand on clocks, but nothing will ever bring back even one tumultuous weekend of family noise and craziness (behaviors we loudly bemoaned, but absolutely loved). Realizing that our childrearing years have come to an end can be depressing. The heaviness of a silenced home needs to be challenged by a trip, an important project or immersing yourself in a sport you love or some community activity. Reflecting on years of begging for peace and quiet is no consolation. Ironically, with nothing to disturb you, you're feel punished like one of the kids trapped in permanent timeout.

Until there are grandchildren you'll be transitioning through this new life stage for a while. Seeing your children set off on their own and watching them make responsible decisions is a pleasant reward. The effort you made as a parent gives additional meaning to your life, your household will see reduced financial burdens and less daily stress. It's the moment to rekindle love, take up forgotten hobbies relinquished years ago: Art, gardening, acting, playing an instrument, reading, learning a language, traveling, tennis, swimming, biking or long lunches with friends.

This might be the perfect moment to renegotiate your marital relationship as the focus of your original partnership has shifted now that the kids are grown and gone. It may sound worrisome, but discussing new roles and dreams is a helpful step when change reconfigures our lives. Couples who communicate honestly find it is easier to work together because they don't resort to guessing what their partner's motivations or concerns might be. Loving couples who improve the openess between them make decisions more easily and disagree without hurting each others' feelings.

The opportunity to share grandchildren over the next decade is a gift, nothing should spoil that joint pleasure. Baby Boomers who find themselves alone at this stage have different issues. They can expect a tough time adjusting to living alone for the first time in years. Serious loneliness is a common initial reaction, but accepting that as a temporary state one passes through on the way to becoming active outside the house should be comforting. Those around them can show support by reminding them of the benefits of launching a son or daughter and praise them aloud for their parenting achievement. They have the freedom to select a lifelong dream and make it come true. To accomplish a goal of any kind is empowering so many single parents head in that direction when the kids leave home.

Remember a house is not empty unless someone is standing inside noticing. It's prudent to stay occupied in those first months after your last child leaves home. If your thoughts keep drifting backwards push yourself to write a list of dreams, tasks, trips yet to be accomplished. Then take a step toward making one of them a reality. Having raised competent, motivated young adults you've demonstrated you're capable of just about anything! Enjoy each day, help others along the way, lead with your heart and you will be fine...in time.

Online Dating Sites

2011-06-28T22:07:00.012-04:00

Studies have shown that people with friends and/or partners enjoy better physical and mental health, better attitudes and longer lives. It makes sense for us to want to make new friends and reach out for new connections when we are alone. Therefore, I was not surprised when several Baby Boomer men were happy to tell me that they'd met some interesting women through dating websites. Baby Boomer women also said they have used these websites but did not share the men's enthusiasm.

These women told me that when they met an online acquaintance for coffee, the social encounter stopped there, never advancing to dating. Two people I spoke with complained about a major discrepancy between their companion's online photo and their actual appearance. I give anyone who tries online dating a lot of credit for investing time and money in the adventure. It can be another way to broaden your social circle and find another single adult in your geographic area, but it is important that you are cautious about where you meet. Safety is a concern.

Friends with a spirit of adventure insist that dating websites infuse their quiet life with lively conversation and can be quite entertaining, even if it remains strictly online. Few people actually date the people they meet online after connecting face-to-face, but say they remained friends. Baby Boomers say they are drawn to forums, groups, and dating websites because they can find people with similar interests and situations. It broadens their social circle and lets them share in topical discussions with someone who is available during the hours most people are working. Romance occurred rarely, but I heard of two cases in Florida where it did happen.

Factors beside age made it harder for people over 55 to make connections. Some of the hurdles have to do with our generation's traditional, slow approach to developing friendships versus the speed of the online experience. I did some wandering around popular dating websites this week and gathered a few suggestions for 55+ social explorers.

Before you pay for access to a dating website, take a sample tour using their free offers to gauge the percentage of participants in your age range. It was no surprise to discover that men who said they were between 55-60 years old were online requesting attractive women 29-55. Few were interested in women over 55. Sorry, ladies--few men valued maturity highly. It was obvious that smiling photos get viewers' attention so if you don't want to post a recent picture, the online experience offers you little opportunity for success.

The online world is a visual medium. What you look like in your photos matters. You don't have to sport movie star good looks, but the picture should appeal to visitors. Pictures should be honest, but shots of a guy whose face we can hardly decipher waving from a distant mountaintop are useless. So are pictures of you at a wedding with your arm around a beautiful blonde who happens to be your grown daughter. Ladies should not post photos of themselves with other men, clutching an adorable pet or slumped over puzzles with a grandchild. Photos like that suggest you already have companions, dating does not appear to be your priority. Think about the viewing audience and choose a clear photo that would cause a stranger flipping by to pause and say hello. Here's a sampling of bad photo ideas:

A sad-faced individual standing alone on a beach, a man seated at the kitchen table in front of a blank plate, a smiling woman with a blonde hairdo last seen in 1965, a distant shot of a man beside a huge red motorcycle, or a partially hidden adult on a couch smothered by multiple grandchildren. These are the antithesis of attractive shots. Such postings send only one message, "Next!"

Pictures relay visual cues to viewers. They either welcome contact or suggest this person is too busy, too scared or too out of touch to be a likely match. Your picture should depict you as you are: fun-loving, sun worshipping, outdoorsy, formal, casual, athletic, fashion conscious, etc. A simple headshot against a plain background is the primary photo. Be fair to yourself and the people you connect with. As soon as you know there is no commonality, politely say goodbye. Don't take yourself or the online dating experience too seriously and hopefully, neither you nor your contacts will be terribly disappointed.

the Creative Process

2011-06-27T14:21:00.018-04:00

Someone asked me about my creative process and as an illustration of how complex it can be, I'll briefly share what occurred today. I was reviewing one of my favorite essays for submission to another blogger's website (he hosts a collection of outstanding writing on the natural world). I re-read my piece, tweaked it a bit, wanted to send it off, but found myself incapable of letting it go. I noticed words I wished I hadn't chosen, descriptive phrases begging for more impactful metaphors, sentences that were perfectly good, but hardly memorable.

Desiring more time to smooth out the rough patches and improve the fluidity I pressed save, rather than submit.

Even though I loved the heart I saw in that singularly powerful piece, I remained dissatisfied and unconvinced that it would have lasting value. What would happen when the editor stood it up and stepped back for a longer view? We writers prefer to juggle words in during our "sweet spot," the time of day when writing flows more easily and stream of consciousness intoxicates us, and naturally, we notoriously are our own most critical readers. Fear of casting untethered words that will inevitably be frozen in time, both insecurity and perfectionism make us freeze on the precipice. Writers are students of language who realize the implausibility of setting down words that will remain impervious to changing circumstances and interpretation; some bravely step through the fear. Others are immobiized and constrained.

Perhaps that why I tend to stare in awe at sculptures cast in bronze, tall figures carved in marble or architectural masterpieces whose very construction broadcasts permanence. Whenever I see such a thing, I know that at some point that artist responded to instinct, stopped revisiting the piece and let the creation stand on its own. For more details, I'll add this link to an earlier post: Why I Blog

Literary Note:
It is the end of an era for longtime fans of Beverly Cleary as she announced she will not write more books.

For Those Who Nibble as They Write:
Check out an amusing, graphic array of munchies the New York Times Sunday Book Review attributes to noted literary figures. Could one of these snacks unlock literary success for you?

Environmental Concerns

2011-06-26T00:10:00.036-04:00

A USGS report has recently been completed detailing what professionals know and don't know about drilling in the Arctic, an untainted land mass stioustaining wildlife adapted to its unique climate. The Los Angeles Times has posted an article delineating the scientists' concerns about the impact of drilling for oil in that location. Much of the worry over drilling centers around disturbing the delicate balance of wildlife.

The elephant in the room: How would we contain an oil spill that occurs in frozen waters?

Currently the Yellowstone River in Montana is suffering from an oil spill from an old pipeline buried in the riverbed itself. The leak is being addressed by Exxon Mobil, but naturally worries landowners downriver with animals and fishing lands to be concerned about. (updated)

All of this information is being unpacked just as our continuing reliance on foreign oil looks like a strategic liability and places additional stress on our slowly recovering economy. Drilling in a pristine environment with all its attendant dangers is not our only choice--We need to accelerate the production of alternative energy sources, which will also provide jobs to grow the economy.

Nuclear plant safety concerns are not sufficient to justify shutting down a major site according to Mayor Bloomberg who points out that cheap electricity is vital to New York City and elsewhere. Governor Cuomo disagrees, writes Greg David in Crain's New York Business.

Baby Boomers with expertise in these areas need to communicate with their legislators to share their opinions on these projects. We need to think years ahead (for our grandchildren) as President Obama and Secretary of the Interior Salazar contemplate allowing Arctic drilling. How would we handle a spill in such a challenging location--isn't it a risk we should consider?

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has just authorized over a billion dollars in expenditures for the nuclear power plants in France while also providing nearly $2 billion in funding for alternative energy projects. Germany is planning to shut down nuclear plants and focus on other forms of energy. France is also the first nation to ban fracking (a natural gas extraction process). updated

In the United States, reporters are writing about the lack of updated emergency evacuation plans and safety procedures at nuclear power plants. Currently, two separate natural disasters (fire and flood) are being monitored as they come within range of standing nuclear facilities. ProPublica journalist John Sullivan describes the dangers in his June article. (updated)

Spain has suspended funding to solar projects that have been unable to demonstrate they can lower energy costs according to a Bloomberg news article. (updated) Ironically, The Economist reports that the Pacific Northwest is currently experiencing an alternative energy surplus: Heavy snows last winter are producing so much hydropower that clean wind energy is actually being constrained!

Meanwhile, the New York Times is reporting that Governor Cuomo of New York appears to be poised to allow the use of a controversial process to extract natural gas in his state, hydrofracking. (updated)
Sometimes landowners do not even have to grant permission for access to mineral deposits under their property reports, journalist Marie Baca for ProPublica. (updated)

There's a new kind of glass that can adjust for different applications in new buildings. It affords privacy as well as energy absorption. Fortune magazine has highlighted it as promising new technology for commercial office buildings.

Concerns linger over genetically modified crops. The EU has decided not to implement blanket approval, but will allow individual governments decide whether they want ban the use of GM seeds.
(updated)

The New York Times reports that the inedible parts of corn (stalks, husks) will soon be a more easily available biofuel if a government-backed processing plant in Alabama is successful. (updated)

Marine biologists are finding plastic in wild ocean fish and wonder what happens to these toxins once they get injested, are eaten by larger fish and eventually get consumed by human.

Business Insider reports that an urban greenhouse atop a roof in Brooklyn is producing local fresh vegetables for food conscious New Yorkers. (updated)

Is a herbicide killing trees along with the nuisance weeds it was designed to destroy? Reports that evergreens, pines and other trees appear to have fallen prey to this professionals only application sold as environmentally friendly. Both the manufacturer and the E.P.A. are concerned writes The New York Times. (updated)

Meanwhile, Sacramento, California's Tree Foundation has a website full of educational material about caring for trees. The community is encouraging its residents to help create an urban forest made up of 5 million trees by 2025. From New Scientist, watch time-lapsed photography as an acorn seed grows into an oak sapling. (updated)

Wind farms on the west coast are facing local opposition from residents as are large collections of mirrored arrays designed to capture solar energy.

Belated environment tale posted by Los Angeles Times:
A great story about converting your home for a green-friendly lifestyle. This piece by Susan Carpenter describes what worked on a practical level and what changes were of questionable value after two years. I found her comments enlightening. Though the article appeared in the fall of 2010, I just came across it, and thought anyone considering dramatic changes to their home would benefit from the author's insights.

What's happening to the Great Lakes and our National Parks? Interesting article on the changes occurring posted online by Miller-McCune. (updated)

Future Trends

2011-06-14T11:24:00.087-04:00

Alternative Energy Powers Forward
Google is one of the companies boosting Baby Boomers' choices for alternative energy. The company has committed monstrous resources toward setting up plans for delivering solar technology directly to consumers without a major outlay of cash. Simultaneously, they're exploring wind technology just as scientists discuss concerns over the intersection of nuclear energy and climate change.

A couple of entrepreneurs originally from the US and UK are leading Israel in its push toward integrating solar power as a major energy source while a Spanish engineering researcher sees possibilities in mixing post production slag with clay to produce bricks for general construction projects.

From Green Tech: Untreated sewage ruins the drinking water for millions of impoverished people. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is funding a dual purpose project to turn human waste into a diesel biofuel. This could reduce diseases transmitted by polluted water while producing a new local energy source for less developed economies.

New solar-powered, emergency housing for people displaced by climate catastrophes has been designed in Japan reports Good. (updated)

Too Cool Not to Share
In Australia, they are building a green building that features communal gardens and channels rainwater vertically and showcases a uniquely efficient heating and cooling system.

Tesla has begun to take reservations for its new Model S in Canada. The electric sedan will be delivered in 2012. If they need to boost sales, perhaps they might one day offer senior discounts...

Learning How Plants Adapt

Tomatoes

At the crossroads where plant biology and computer informatics meet, researchers are collecting data that may help them understand how plants modify for survival when stressed by weather. Currently, little is known about how plants synthesize information about their environment and use that "awareness" to trigger change. The Bioinformatics Institute at Virginia Tech, operating on a National Science Foundation grant is studying the complex behavior of plants under extreme climate conditions to add to our skill in food production. World hunger is a crisis we must avoid.

Here's an interesting blog from Canada focusing on urban farming: City Farmer News. Food is being grown in Portland, Detroit, Manhattan and at Levenworth Penitentiary. If self-sufficiency intrigues you and you have room for a garden, why not produce your own fresh vegetables and herbs?

Asia Will Be Purchasing More Raw Materials
Steel manufacturing and the production of energy for manufacturing in Asia relies heavily on coal. American coal producers are working on preparing western terminals to manage large shipments of this resource and transfer it from trains to seagoing vessels. Exporting coal to be burned in China for energy may only add to global pollution. China and other Asian countries will have to meet an increasing demand for food and goods.

Less Trust in Institutions
When people run afoul of the legal system and cause major losses for innocent victims we almost always seek out more information about their background, education and prior difficulties. Perhaps this is how we soothe our anxiety-- We go about proving how different criminals are from us to falsely reassure ourselves and then slip back into complacency.

When educated individuals, including a former graduate student from California is implicated in a major S.E.C. case none of us can deny how close to home it hits. We typically assume that graduating from a prestigious university guarantees a normal level of trustworthiness and good character. It no longer holds true and sadly, that has turned Baby Boomers into cynics. People in authority who are indicted or charged with criminal behavior erode trust make it harder for elected officials to lead, for teachers to command a classroom and for Baby Boomers (who feel like they've seen it all by now) to take people at their word.

Does a handshake bind friendly agreements anymore? What safety and fair treatment does a badge issued by the local, state or federal government ensure? How can parents feel comfortable entrusting children to teachers, scout masters, or coaches in light of the outrageous breaches of trust reported on local news programs? How should one navigate safely in society if honesty and trustworthiness are no longer valued? (updated)

Cheap Real Estate Attracts Foreign Buyers
The values in Miami real estate have been well publicized and according to this story in Bloomberg more than half the sales of million plus properties are being scooped up by wealthy Brazilians seeking a second home or investment.

Concern for the Environment Grows
Pressure is growing for the administration to do more about its professed concern for the environment by jumpstarting practical projects that can demonstrate measurable results over time. There is not much interest in talk, people are eager to see movement on this issue and with it, more jobs.

Government subsidies for investing in electric and ion-battery vehicles forced major automotive companies to invest in new technology and produce new models. But when it comes to innovative gas engines, these corporate giants show a reluctance to burden themselves with new retooling costs and subsequent vehicle testing. American car manufacturers' hesitancy and the lack of government incentives for all high efficiency innovations limits the availability of new, economical combustion engines. (This link can be used to read a transcript of the television interview featuring these advanced design engines as presented on EnergyNow). updated

New Ways to Live Close to the Family
The economics of home ownership and the difficulty of selling residential property have revived the idea of "granny suites" and small cottage living which might enable elderly people in good health to remain near their family while retaining their independence and privacy. As Michael Litchfield has so eloquently proposed on the Boston Society of Architects website, it's time to revisit zoning laws so families can provide small footprint housing for older family members on existing residential property.

Space Exploration Privatized
The Economist speaks to the end of an era with the last Space Shuttle mission.

Increased Demand for Engineers and Technically Trained Staff
Currently there are more openings than personnel. Graduates with outstanding technical backgrounds are receiving offers from multiple companies in Silicon Valley. Companies looking for engineers will also need more support staff as they expand. (updated)

Unions Will Continue to Experience Pushback
Starting with the teachers' unions that pushed school districts to uphold tenure regardless of performance, unions are being shown the door when their contractual demands exceed a city's ability to pay. Cutbacks in wages and hours were integrated into the private sector during the Great Recession so companies could stay in business and people could hold their jobs. Now, Mayors like Chicago's Rahm Emanuel (recently of Washington) is dealing with a variety of budget shortfalls. One way to cut municipal obligations is limit the power of unions to continue to demand higher wages despite the trend toward a downshift in salaries in the real world.

New York's Governor Cuomo convinced two state employees' unions to agree to terms that prevent layoffs, saves jobs. Eliminating the threat of battles over wages should be a boon to the state's bottom line, reports the New York Times. (updated)

Monitoring Pension/Benefits News

2011-06-14T08:44:00.036-04:00

I think most of us would be upset if we thought we were overcharged $20, let alone $20 million as the Massachusetts State Pension Fund thinks it was by a major NY bank for foreign currency trades.

To make up for their shortfalls, state pension plans are increasing the employees' share of the contributions reports the NY Times. Eight states have already moved in this direction, but few public workers are in an accepting mood when it comes to giving up more of their paycheck.

New Jersey's Governor Christie has succeeded in getting the state senate to agree to serious pension cuts for public employees. New employees will face a higher retirement age and former employees will lose their cost of living adjustment reports Reuters.

Corporate entities are living the nightmare! Employers are realizing the value of older employees near retirement age and want to hold onto them. Other firms are inviting retirees back to help train their younger workers, passing on thirty years of skills and knowledge. Businesses must be feeling the weakness in their system as they lose older workers and their capacity for pragmatic decision-making. Bloomberg reports that companies are actively trying to lure talent back by offering attractive benefits.

When a longtime employer goes into bankruptcy, what happens to the pensions they owe retirees? The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, a government agency (that does not get taxpayer funding) is currently confronting Harry & David of Medford, OR as they try to curtail such obligations before reorganizing the company. The press release issued by the PBGC remind us that if the agency is forced to assume the responsibility for pensions, the payments may be reduced. Medical benefits attached to those pension plans will cease.

What? Have business owners take a page from the playbook used by homeowners who dumped their property and mailed their keys to the bank? People who do that are punished: They lose their access to credit and are pursued relentlessly by collections agencies. But business owners who are allowed to reorganize eventually get the opportunity to make money again after shedding significant "baggage."

Former GM executives who lost their pension benefits when their company went into bankruptcy are in the process of suing in federal court even though their requests for compensation have been rejected by the plan administrator.

Pension plans are gradually going away and are being replaced by the 401k, writes Ted Klusmann in Utne Reader. While we are on the subject of 401k plans, have you investigated what fees you are being charged? Did you know that some brokerage firms charge a transfer fee should you choose to move your account (your money) elsewhere? In addition, you are probably subject to their annual maintenance fee. MarketWatch columnist Robert Powell wrote an informative article on how fees intersect with retirement accounts. (updated)

Wages aren't necessarily going up and your forties are some of your best earning years according to a Wall Street Journal article. Two WSJ reporters outline a sobering view of the retirement for Baby Boomers who are still working or were displaced during the downturn. They suggest tempering calculations you get from retirement software with a dose of reality. (The underlined link leads to WSJ's comprehensive, but lengthy article).

New York City's pension fund has made major changes and is enjoying more success as is the recovering California Public Employees Pension System and others, reports Aaron Elstein for Crain's New York Business. (updated) Officials of NYC funds are resisting the release of the names of pension recipients despite requests from groups that want to review the lists for abuses of the system. (updated)

Hawaii recently increased their state income tax. A reminder to all of us to factor in state taxes when we make our calculations prior to considering a move within the U.S. (updated)

The unusual response three Louisiana pension funds (municipal employees) received when they requested redemptions from a New York hedge fund into which they had separately invested triggered an SEC probe posts the Wall Street Journal. Now, the New York Times reveals that the governing board of that fund manager's NYC residence was simultaneously raising doubts about his financial situation in relation to acquiring an additional unit in his Manhattan apartment building. (updated)

Despite two pensions and social security payments one elderly couple in California have been surprised by rapidly rising annual fees at their mobile home park. It's a cautionary tale for Baby Boomers. As we move to fixed income status, we must be prepared to live below our means if we hope to avoid being overwhelmed by unexpected increases in basic expenses during our retirement years.

Baby Boomers, particularly those who depend on military pensions are becoming uncomfortable as the seemingly non-productive negotiations between President Obama and the Congressional leadership continue to spin in place. They are not alone in expressing discontent with the incessant back and forth on Capitol Hill. (updated)

Complaints Unlikely to be Resolved

2011-06-09T11:26:00.026-04:00

It's not always pretty

Legitimate things to whine about...

Why are we still burdened with an argumentative, divided Congress incapable of applying creative problem solving skills to complex problems?

Worst Ad I've Seen on TV: The relentless scream of a damsel in distress could shatter an eardrum while you wait for the "hero" to pulverize a smart phone the young lady mistakes for a tarantula. Twisting a tired old fairytale into a story that allows someone to violently smash an expensive gadget (in an economy where people are worried about feeding their family and losing their job) is hardly a home run for advertiser clients.

Tornado and flood disasters hit the midwest and south, now a dangerous heat wave is strangling the east coast keeping those with fragile health indoors.

Forget about giving robots artificial intelligence and undergo a form of evolution, we need to focus on E.coli bacteria and unravel the biological mechanism by which they evolve into new antibiotic-resistant strains.

I bought a new refrigerator and now find that the energy savings per year is equivalent to what I spend replacing the water filter twice a year.

Heard a lot lately about the banks wrangling with Congress over cutting the debit card fees they collect from retailers, but still haven't noticed any retail stores advertising discounts for cash customers in my area. Hopefully, Congress is chiseling away at the national debt; ironic for those legislators who have carried large sums of personal debt for years. Unfortunately the missing billions the Bush administration sent to Iraq for reconstruction purposes, without financial controls in place, still can't be accounted for and is thought to have been stolen reports the Los Angeles Times.

It would be nice to trust our food supply, but the latest FDA warning over the possible dangers from arsenic-laced chicken feed (an organic, but carcinogenic form) is another reason for worry. This New York Times article should be a reminder to all Baby Boomers that chemistry is an integral part of commercial farming. Fortunately, organic poultry farms do not feed drugs to their birds.

Executive pay remains unconstrained at public companies despite the fact that management has added no value. The New York Times delves into the story behind a report from an independent research firm indicating that executive salaries often continue to rise despite a lack of financial gain for investors.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (two quasi-government agencies) remain intact despite serious internal failures exposed during the financial crisis.

The tax code still hasn't been reformed. Congress promises but fails to reduce the complexity, close the loopholes large companies use to avoid paying taxes and make paying taxes equitable. (updated) Would higher taxes push more wealthy individuals to find strategies to avoid paying their fair share and cut growth?

I popped in on the government website which will be the foundation from which Baby Boomers will migrate into Medicare. Although the website conveys information in an easily readable template, there is so much information it is exhausting to sift through, impossible to compare.(updated) After a half hour of searching, I still could not relate the estimated premium range for the various Medigap plans offered in my state. The Advantage plans posed additional questions. Almost all the terms were new to me so I kept getting sidetracked by clicks to get explanations. If this is any indication of what's ahead, I see why people with chronic illnesses say that between taxes and medical forms you have few unfilled hours in retirement.

I can assure you, I could not confidently choose the best insurance plan after visiting that site--There were too many opportunities to make the wrong decision. In addition, I discovered that these supplementary plans (at least in my state) cost between $6,000 and $7,000 a year, each with specific limits on certain types of coverage, and some for which you are required to first pay the deductible. If I could, I'd opt for the same plan as retired Senators.

Pretty Embarrassing Stuff

2011-06-07T12:34:00.026-04:00

Strange behavior has long been associated with a full moon, so I'll have to check the skies tonight to see if that is the reason so many prominent men have recently admitted to or are entangled in self-destructive behaviors. All of them previously lived charmed lives and seduced themselves into thinking they could do as they pleased without consequences. Most deceived their wives as well as anyone who asked them pointed questions, yet we use euphemisms instead of holding them accountable for lying. Why?

The rest of us in the real world entertain no illusions about our obligations. We value love and family too much to risk hurting them, and we know we will answer for our mistakes. People hope that people chosen to lead and make laws for the rest of us, share our values. We expect they will honor promises. Yet, despite plenty of publicity about negative consequences, governors, international bankers, politicians, CEOs, athletes, and celebrities continue to demonstrate that they are capable of ridiculous, cruel, dishonest and genuinely disturbing behavior. So much for men being team players; flagrantly hiding unacceptable behavior they are fully aware would embarrass their colleagues if discovered.

Baby Boomers ask: What were they thinking?

They weren't. They slipped back in time and set their self-monitoring gauge to its second lowest setting: Adolescence. They barreled through the stop signs snickering because they believed they were too smart to be caught and too well-connected to suffer genuine consequences.

Achieving prominence and finding yourself the object of adulation, praised for strong intellectual capabilities (lucky genes), physical appearance, talent or political skill) can be intoxicating. Sudden career success tests our ability to balance fantasy and reality and draw upon inner strength. Mature adults know that life is rife with challenges and high moments are fleeting so they discipline themselves to ignore sudden impulses and temptations that could interfere with long term goals. Illicit affairs, unacknowledged children, sordid photographs sent over the internet, blatant dishonesty, extravagant spending and at the worst, an accusation of rape, showcase neither superior rational thought nor grounded maturity.

Leaders who live obliviously ignoring rules of conduct appropriate to someone in a prominent, trusted position map out their own self-destruction. Those who wish to live without self-control are free to do so, but they are not people we would entrust to govern or protect state secrets. Such personalities prioritize self-indulgence and lack the moral compass that guides mature behavior. Not having the insight to imagine the pain they will inflict on supporters and family when their personal scandals are uncovered they resemble teenagers uaware of the consequences of their actions. Inappropriateness in public office is disrespectful. It chips away at the honor of public service, the responsibility of adulthood and the pledge of fidelity made to a partner. It demonstrates a lack of empathy and abundant selfishness.

Power easily intoxicates men who are not grounded. They delude themselves with false beliefs. Needy, attention-seeking individuals are easily seduced by power (forgetting it is temporarily on loan by virtue of their title). It's easy to convince yourself that you're invincible when other people obey your orders without question, handle your errands, protect you and make sure you live a luxurious lifestyle. At some point, all that capitulation becomes quite ordinary and boring. The promises made, obligations accepted can be dropped like a burdensome backpack shed by a school children running toward a playground. Reason and delayed gratification give way to a gnawing need for excitement, drama. With risk comes the rush of adrenalin, momentarily relieving boredom but exacting a huge cost on your career.
Normal inhibitions get brushed aside, bad behavior is somehow justified and the regular pursuit of whims and momentary thrills becomes addictive. Fear of getting caught stops being a factor (if it ever was), they forget to hide inappropriateness. There is a false sense of privacy on the internet where socially inappropriate material is exchanged all the time.

Public figures cannot forget they are held to a higher standard because the public, clients, patients, fans depend on their clear thinking. Leaders are expected to be strategists, planners, future-oriented individuals.

When a man's Humpty-Dumpty, childlike imaginary world-without-consequences falls apart, he is confronted with his own desperateness. If he is reasonable, he recognizes the cruelty with which he has treated those closest to himself. He pleads for a do-over, but no one can trust him because he's been false to everyone. He is not the smart, level-headed fellow he pretended to be. Being around him makes others cringe. It is a disgraceful moment as he admits disappointing his supporters and shocked family. The burden he dumps on his children, the lies he told his wife and colleagues is an emotional crime. Irresponsible behavior wounds and scars innocent bystanders. Character is what is lacking. Standing by immature men is no virtue.

Perhaps we as a society should be paying closer attention to the character of those we celebrate as well as those we elect. By putting more emphasis on rewarding admirable people and applauding their triumphs we highlight (for the next generation) quality role models, individuals to emulate and follow. Baby Boomers who by now have seen it all, should encourage better salaries for teachers, scientists, and researchers, make sure quality food arrives in school cafeterias and hungry children all over the world are fed before we allow ourselves to squander money on expensive seats at sports events or theater seats. Why do we turn athletes, celebrities, political figures, high priced lawyers or reality television personalities into idols rather than emulate individuals who dedicate their lives to improving ours? (updated) Celebrate the values you want to perpetuate by spending selectively.

In the past ten years we have seen a proliferation of television programs that harness everyone's natural desire for attention, then magnify and manipulate it into distributed entertainment. On the internet everyone is tweeting, texting, filming and photographing 24/7. Most Americans live a large part of each day immersed in a virtual reality that centers around ME unfiltered, where the most outrageous behavior attains instant celebrity counted in "hits". Even when the behaviors defy common sense, or degrade community standards of decency and civil behavior, it can win popularity. This has to make us wonder about where we are headed. It's time to set the bar higher.