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May 31, 2006
On Memorial Gas
As promised here's the current price of gas at the Chevron next to my house:
$3.25
That's down $0.02 from a week ago. Thats encouraging. I really expected about a $0.10 jump for the holiday weekend. This doesn't mean that they aren't already price-gouging, because I think they are. Oil companies are already saying they may raise prices because they "expect a worse-than-normal hurricane season."
So, in contrast if it was expected to be a better-than-normal season prices could drop? Yea, I doubt that.
Posted by at 10:07 AM | Comments (1)
On Grindstone Casinos
The Grindstone band of Indians (Native American's, whatever) wants to build a casino somewhere in the Willows area. A vote on Measure F is the next hurdle. It's a complicated matter with valid arguments on both sides and a vote either way will both benefit and become a liability for the communities surrounding the casino.
Casino opposers claim that Americans dont need any more opportunities to lose their hard earned money. They don't need any further opportunity to darken their souls, either. Casinos typically attract crime and poverty, that's true for Nevada as well as Indian casinos. Some of the public service agencies are stating that they're streched thin as it is, and don't need to be going out to a Casino a couple times a night to pick up drunks, over doses, and the generally ill that a casino attracts. This is hard, considering that most of the very rural fire departments are mostly volunteer. Add to the mix that there is no real clear evidence that casinos help the regular people of the tribel, possibly just the controlling interests of the casino. They also pay no taxes (making those public services they use free to them, and expensive to you and I).
On the other hand casino's can take an example from Colusa Casino. They have proved time and time again to be a good neighbor to the Colusa community. They have donated a lot of money to the community in the way of free goods and entertainment. This isn't to mention that they recognize that they are a liability to the public services in their area and have donated a lot of money to the Colusa Fire Department and Police Department. They offered, at one point, to buy an extra ambulance for Enloe to staff and keep it parked at the casino but that offer was graciously declined (or so I'm told). While all of this has been strictly voluntary and I doubt every casino is a good of a neighbor as Colusa is, it does speak well and gives some encouragement to the prospect of having a casino in Willows.
In a time when all Emergency Services can expect from the State is to having its funding cut it's nice to have an ally. Indian casinos are instant money makers and can earn themselves a good name by being good neighbors and extending philanthropy to the services that they use. I can't recommend how people should vote on "F", being that I don't live in that area but I would encourage voters to consider how the Grindstone band intends to pay the community back for it's generosity should they be allowed to build.
Posted by at 09:53 AM | Comments (1)
May 25, 2006
On Bad Blood
As with most things concerning Enloe Hospital I'm watching the tension between Administration and the Medical Staff very closely. My friends, knowing this, have asked me on several occasions what's happening there and what the expected outcome is. As far as what's happening, that's in the news and I won't go over it in this post. What's the expected outcome? I'm not sure. I wonder if Neumeister agreed to review policy and made a genuine effort at mending fences if it would still be expected that he leave his post. I know one thing for certain. When this is all over there's going to be some bad blood around Enloe and Chico for many years.
We have physicians pitted against physicians, nurses against nurses, staff against administration, and any mix therin. In today's Chico ER Dr. Ron Becker essentially accused Dr. Bruce Burke of being on the take in exchange for his loyalty to Neumeister and the current administration. A member of the Enloe board and a local businessman were also named in the letter. This is just an example, though, of the things that are going on surrounding Enloe. The situation there is extreemly polarized, feelings are being and will continue to be hurt, bridges are being burned, and professional relationships are being jeapordized.
All of this saddens me. I've already had one letter from a patient wanting to know why her surgeries have been postponed, twice, over the internal politics of the hospital. If I've recieved one letter, there's sure to be dozens out there in the same situation. That means patient care is being compromized, and that's intolerable. How much care has to be compromised before the community quits trusting that Enloe can solve its political problems and get to healing the sick and injured? I hope that day never comes.
That's a long winded way of saying "I don't know whats going to happen at Enloe Hospital in the next few weeks," but it's what I have. I really think the battle is just getting warmed up. The board is not going to dismiss Neumeister without a fight, that would make them look bad and may put them on the chopping block next, besides, due process must be followed. Despite his faults Neumeister has been a supporter of the Emergency Services Department for years and has kept the hospital out of the red, and that deserves a fair shake. The doctors and the rest of the staff aren't going to give up either, their complaints are legitimate and deserve resolution. So, for now anyways, its going to be rough to be a patient, and an employee of Enloe Hospital.
Posted by at 09:16 AM | Comments (4)
May 24, 2006
On Roads
It's great to see the City of Chico getting started on some of the road work so desperately needed in this town. Just today I drove by a big bold white sign with the City logo on it stating that my tax dollars were hard at work repairing that stretch of road. Of course, that sign and that road was in California Park, one of the more affluent neighborhoods in Chico, and the road wasn't all that bad. Must be nice to be rich, huh?
Posted by at 11:05 PM
May 23, 2006
On Official Language
Thought you guys would like to know how the vote came out on whether or not to declare English as the offficial language of the US.
U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 109th Congress - 2nd Session
as compiled through Senate LIS by the Senate Bill Clerk under the direction of the Secretary of the Senate
Vote Summary
Question: On the Amendment (Inhofe Amdt. No. 4064 )
Vote Number: 131 Vote Date: May 18, 2006, 05:00 PM
Required For Majority: 1/2 Vote Result: Amendment Agreed to
Amendment Number: S.Amdt. 4064 to S. 2611 (Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 )
Statement of Purpose: To amend title 4 United States Code, to declare English as the national language of the United States and to promote the patriotic integration of prospective US citizens.
Vote Counts: YEAs 63
NAYs 34
Not Voting 3
Alphabetical by Senator Name
Akaka (D-HI), Nay
Alexander (R-TN), Yea
Allard (R-CO), Yea
Allen (R-VA), Yea
Baucus (D-MT), Yea
Bayh (D-IN), Nay
Bennett (R-UT), Yea
Biden (D-DE), Nay
Bingaman (D-NM), Nay
Bond (R-MO), Yea
Boxer (D-CA), Nay
Brownback (R-KS), Yea
Bunning (R-KY), Not Voting
Burns (R-MT), Yea
Burr (R-NC), Yea
Byrd (D-WV), Yea
Cantwell (D-WA), Nay
Carper (D-DE), Yea
Chafee (R-RI), Yea
Chambliss (R-GA), Yea
Clinton (D-NY), Nay
Coburn (R-OK), Yea
Cochran (R-MS), Yea
Coleman (R-MN), Yea
Collins (R-ME), Yea
Conrad (D-ND), Yea
Cornyn (R-TX), Yea
Craig (R-ID), Yea
Crapo (R-ID), Yea
Dayton (D-MN), Nay
DeMint (R-SC), Yea
DeWine (R-OH), Yea
Dodd (D-CT), Nay
Dole (R-NC), Yea
Domenici (R-NM), Nay
Dorgan (D-ND), Yea
Durbin (D-IL), Nay
Ensign (R-NV), Yea
Enzi (R-WY), Yea
Feingold (D-WI), Nay
Feinstein (D-CA), Nay
Frist (R-TN), Yea
Graham (R-SC), Yea
Grassley (R-IA), Yea
Gregg (R-NH), Yea
Hagel (R-NE), Yea
Harkin (D-IA), Nay
Hatch (R-UT), Yea
Hutchison (R-TX), Yea
Inhofe (R-OK), Yea
Inouye (D-HI), Nay
Isakson (R-GA), Yea
Jeffords (I-VT), Nay
Johnson (D-SD), Yea
Kennedy (D-MA), Nay
Kerry (D-MA), Nay
Kohl (D-WI), Nay
Kyl (R-AZ), Yea
Landrieu (D-LA), Yea
Lautenberg (D-NJ), Nay
Leahy (D-VT), Nay
Levin (D-MI), Nay
Lieberman (D-CT), Nay
Lincoln (D-AR), Yea
Lott (R-MS), Yea
Lugar (R-IN), Yea
Martinez (R-FL), Not Voting
McCain (R-AZ), Yea
McConnell (R-KY), Yea
Menendez (D-NJ), Nay
Mikulski (D-MD), Nay
Murkowski (R-AK), Yea
Murray (D-WA), Nay
Nelson (D-FL), Yea
Nelson (D-NE), Yea
Obama (D-IL), Nay
Pryor (D-AR), Yea
Reed (D-RI), Nay
Reid (D-NV), Nay
Roberts (R-KS), Yea
Rockefeller (D-WV), Not Voting
Salazar (D-CO), Nay
Santorum (R-PA), Yea
Sarbanes (D-MD), Nay
Schumer (D-NY), Nay
Sessions (R-AL), Yea
Shelby (R-AL), Yea
Smith (R-OR), Yea
Snowe (R-ME), Yea
Specter (R-PA), Yea
Stabenow (D-MI), Nay
Stevens (R-AK), Yea
Sununu (R-NH), Yea
Talent (R-MO), Yea
Thomas (R-WY), Yea
Thune (R-SD), Yea
Vitter (R-LA), Yea
Voinovich (R-OH), Yea
Warner (R-VA), Yea
Wyden (D-OR), Nay
Grouped By Vote Position
Alexander (R-TN)
Allard (R-CO)
Allen (R-VA)
Baucus (D-MT)
Bennett (R-UT)
Bond (R-MO)
Brownback (R-KS)
Burns (R-MT)
Burr (R-NC)
Byrd (D-WV)
Carper (D-DE)
Chafee (R-RI)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Coleman (R-MN)
Collins (R-ME)
Conrad (D-ND)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Craig (R-ID)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
DeWine (R-OH)
Dole (R-NC)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Frist (R-TN)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hagel (R-NE)
Hatch (R-UT)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Isakson (R-GA)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Lott (R-MS)
Lugar (R-IN)
McCain (R-AZ)
McConnell (R-KY)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Nelson (D-FL)
Nelson (D-NE)
Pryor (D-AR)
Roberts (R-KS)
Santorum (R-PA)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Smith (R-OR)
Snowe (R-ME)
Specter (R-PA)
Stevens (R-AK)
Sununu (R-NH)
Talent (R-MO)
Thomas (R-WY)
Thune (R-SD)
Vitter (R-LA)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Warner (R-VA)
Akaka (D-HI)
Bayh (D-IN)
Biden (D-DE)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Boxer (D-CA)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Clinton (D-NY)
Dayton (D-MN)
Dodd (D-CT)
Domenici (R-NM)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feingold (D-WI)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Harkin (D-IA)
Inouye (D-HI)
Jeffords (I-VT)
Kennedy (D-MA)
Kerry (D-MA)
Kohl (D-WI)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Lieberman (D-CT)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Murray (D-WA)
Obama (D-IL)
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV)
Salazar (D-CO)
Sarbanes (D-MD)
Schumer (D-NY)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Wyden (D-OR)
Not Voting - 3
Bunning (R-KY)
Martinez (R-FL)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Grouped by Home State
Alabama: Sessions (R-AL), Yea Shelby (R-AL), Yea
Alaska: Murkowski (R-AK), Yea Stevens (R-AK), Yea
Arizona: Kyl (R-AZ), Yea McCain (R-AZ), Yea
Arkansas: Lincoln (D-AR), Yea Pryor (D-AR), Yea
California: Boxer (D-CA), Nay Feinstein (D-CA), Nay
Colorado: Allard (R-CO), Yea Salazar (D-CO), Nay
Connecticut: Dodd (D-CT), Nay Lieberman (D-CT), Nay
Delaware: Biden (D-DE), Nay Carper (D-DE), Yea
Florida: Martinez (R-FL), Not Voting Nelson (D-FL), Yea
Georgia: Chambliss (R-GA), Yea Isakson (R-GA), Yea
Hawaii: Akaka (D-HI), Nay Inouye (D-HI), Nay
Idaho: Craig (R-ID), Yea Crapo (R-ID), Yea
Illinois: Durbin (D-IL), Nay Obama (D-IL), Nay
Indiana: Bayh (D-IN), Nay Lugar (R-IN), Yea
Iowa: Grassley (R-IA), Yea Harkin (D-IA), Nay
Kansas: Brownback (R-KS), Yea Roberts (R-KS), Yea
Kentucky: Bunning (R-KY), Not Voting McConnell (R-KY), Yea
Louisiana: Landrieu (D-LA), Yea Vitter (R-LA), Yea
Maine: Collins (R-ME), Yea Snowe (R-ME), Yea
Maryland: Mikulski (D-MD), Nay Sarbanes (D-MD), Nay
Massachusetts: Kennedy (D-MA), Nay Kerry (D-MA), Nay
Michigan: Levin (D-MI), Nay Stabenow (D-MI), Nay
Minnesota: Coleman (R-MN), Yea Dayton (D-MN), Nay
Mississippi: Cochran (R-MS), Yea Lott (R-MS), Yea
Missouri: Bond (R-MO), Yea Talent (R-MO), Yea
Montana: Baucus (D-MT), Yea Burns (R-MT), Yea
Nebraska: Hagel (R-NE), Yea Nelson (D-NE), Yea
Nevada: Ensign (R-NV), Yea Reid (D-NV), Nay
New Hampshire: Gregg (R-NH), Yea Sununu (R-NH), Yea
New Jersey: Lautenberg (D-NJ), Nay Menendez (D-NJ), Nay
New Mexico: Bingaman (D-NM), Nay Domenici (R-NM), Nay
New York: Clinton (D-NY), Nay Schumer (D-NY), Nay
North Carolina: Burr (R-NC), Yea Dole (R-NC), Yea
North Dakota: Conrad (D-ND), Yea Dorgan (D-ND), Yea
Ohio: DeWine (R-OH), Yea Voinovich (R-OH), Yea
Oklahoma: Coburn (R-OK), Yea Inhofe (R-OK), Yea
Oregon: Smith (R-OR), Yea Wyden (D-OR), Nay
Pennsylvania: Santorum (R-PA), Yea Specter (R-PA), Yea
Rhode Island: Chafee (R-RI), Yea Reed (D-RI), Nay
South Carolina: DeMint (R-SC), Yea Graham (R-SC), Yea
South Dakota: Johnson (D-SD), Yea Thune (R-SD), Yea
Tennessee: Alexander (R-TN), Yea Frist (R-TN), Yea
Texas: Cornyn (R-TX), Yea Hutchison (R-TX), Yea
Utah: Bennett (R-UT), Yea Hatch (R-UT), Yea
Vermont: Jeffords (I-VT), Nay Leahy (D-VT), Nay
Virginia: Allen (R-VA), Yea Warner (R-VA), Yea
Washington: Cantwell (D-WA), Nay Murray (D-WA), Nay
West Virginia: Byrd (D-WV), Yea Rockefeller (D-WV), Not Voting
Wisconsin: Feingold (D-WI), Nay Kohl (D-WI), Nay
Wyoming: Enzi (R-WY), Yea Thomas (R-WY), Yea
Posted by at 11:34 AM | Comments (1)
On Memorial Day
Since our oil companies have assured us time and time again (not to mention a federal inquiry) that high gas prices have nothing to do with record profits, but are simply normal price adjustments I challenge you all to participate in a bit of an experiment.
This Memorial Day it's estimated that about 10million people will travel, and that they will travel about 50 miles each way. That's 500 million people/miles. Multiply that by the $3.00 (to make it simple) a gallon that gas is and that's $1.5 billion in revinue.
Now, the experiment. If the prices are just normal fluxuation then they shouldn't do anything drastic over this holiday where so many people will be traveling. But I expect they will. I expect that prices will, again, jump and won't come back down. This Memorial Day we'll be remembering what it was like to have a little money left in the bank after visiting loved ones.
Watch with me. Lets see what happens. Right now at the Chevron on Skyway gas is 3.27 for the cheap (HAHAHAHA) stuff. I'll report back next week.
Posted by at 02:56 AM | Comments (1)
May 20, 2006
On This Guy
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060514/ap_on_re_us/fraud_pow
This is a news article about a guy who has lied about being a Vietnam Vet ever since the war. Apparently the story gets more and more elaborate with each telling. Can you believe this guy! Now he says he's sorry and it won't happen again. No kidding, you're found out. I bet it won't happen again. Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting.
Posted by at 12:03 AM | Comments (1)
May 19, 2006
On Hanoi Jane
A TRAITOR IS ABOUT TO BE HONORED
IF YOU NEVER FORWARDED ANYTHING IN YOU LIFE FORWARD THIS SO THAT EVERYONE WILL KNOW!!!!!!.......
She really was a traitor
A TRAITOR IS ABOUT TO BE HONORED
KEEP THIS MOVING ACROSS AMERICA
This is for all the kids born in the 70's who do
not remember, and didn't have to bear the
burden that our fathers, mothers and older
brothers and sisters had to bear.
Jane Fonda is being honored as one of the
"100 Women of the Century"
BY BARBRA WALTERS
Unfortunately, many have forgotten and still
countless others have never known how Ms.
Fonda betrayed not only the idea of our country,
but specific men who served and sacrificed
during Vietnam.
The first part of this is from an F-4E pilot
The pilot's name is Jerry Driscoll, a River Rat
In 1968, the former Commandant of the USAF
Survival School was a POW in Ho Lo Prison
the "Hanoi Hilton."
Dragged from a stinking cesspit of a cell,
cleaned, fed, and dressed in clean PJ's, he was
ordered to describe for a visiting American
"Peace Activist" the "lenient and humane
treatment" he'd received.
He spat at Ms. Fonda, was clubbed, and was
dragged away.
During the subsequent beating, he fell forward
on to the camp Commandant's feet, which
sent that officer berserk.
In 1978, the Air Force Colonel still suffered from
double vision (which permanently ended his
flying career) from the Commandant's frenzied
application of a wooden baton.
From 1963-65, Col. Larry Carrigan was in the
47FW/DO (F-4E's). He spent 6 years in the
"Hanoi Hilton",,, the first three of which his
family only knew he was "missing in action".
His wife lived on faith that he was still alive.
His group, too, got the cleaned-up, fed and
clothed routine in preparation for a
"peace delegation" visit.
They, however, had time and devised a plan to
get word to the world that they were alive
and still survived. Each man secreted a tinypiece of paper, with his Social Security Number
on it, in the palm of his hand.
When paraded before Ms. Fonda and a
cameraman, she walked the line, shaking each
man's hand and asking little encouraging
snippets like: "Aren't you sorry you bombed
babies?" and "Are you grateful for the humane
treatment from your benevolent captors?"
Believing this HAD to be an act, they each
palmed her their sliver of paper.
She took them all without missing a beat. At the
end of the line and once the camera stopped
rolling, to the shocked disbelief of the POWs,
she turned to the officer in charge and handed
him all the little pieces of paper.
Three men died from the subsequent beatings.
Colonel Carrigan was almost number four
but he survived, which is the only reason we
know of her actions that day.
I was a civilian economic development advisor
in Vietnam, and was captured by the North
Vietnamese communists in South Vietnam in
1968, and held prisoner for over 5 years.
I spent 27 months in solitary confinement; one
year in a cage in Cambodia; and one year
in a "black box" in Hanoi.
My North Vietnamese captors deliberately
poisoned and murdered a female missionary, a
nurse in a leprosarium in Ban me Thuot, South
Vietnam, whom I buried in the jungle near the
Cambodian border.
At one time, I weighed only about 90 lbs.
(My normal weight is 170 lbs.)
We were Jane Fonda's "war criminals."
When Jane Fonda was in Hanoi, I was asked by
the camp communist political officer if I would
be willing to meet with her.
I said yes, for I wanted to tell her about the real
treatment we POWs received... and how
different it was from the treatment purported by
the North Vietnamese, and parroted by her as
"humane and lenient."
Because of this, I spent three days on a rocky
floor on my knees, with my arms outstretched
with a large steel weights placed on my hands,
and beaten with a bamboo cane.
I had the opportunity to meet with Jane Fonda
soon after I was released. I asked her
if she would be willing to debate me on TV.
She never did answer me.
These first-hand experiences do not exemplify
someone who should be honored as part
of "100 Years of Great Women."
Lest we forget..." 100 Years of Great Women"
should never include a traitor whose hands are
covered with the blood of so many patriots.
There are few things I have strong visceral
reactions to, but Hanoi Jane's participation in
blatant treason, is one of them.
Please take the time to forward to as many
people as you possibly can.
It will eventually end up on her computer and
she needs to know that we will never forget.
RONALD D. SAMPSON, CMSgt, USAF
716 Maintenance Squadron, Chief of
Maintenance
DSN: 875-6431
COMM: 883-6343
Posted by at 02:45 AM | Comments (3)
May 16, 2006
On Tear Jerkers
This is the body of a reply to the blog "On Wasted Efforts" posted on March 8th. It deserves and answer and I'm going to do my best.
"I'm not sure,but is this why there are nurses protesting? I've been searching for their strike and their reasons why. I am a 15 year old girl and my surgery was moved because one my main nurse protested, now my surgery is on a later date and my father now wought get to be there with me. I will have to suffer additional time and I won't have my dad by my side, please contact me and fill me in , don't understand what would be so important that they have to put my life on hold."
Kayla,
Let me start off by saying how truly sorry I am that this is happening to you. Your post today stopped me in my tracks when I read it and its taken me a while to absorb what you've said and formulate an answer. You are a patient and you have rights. One of those rights is the right to know what's happening to you. Without knowing the details of your circumstances I can't give you the very best answer you deserve but I encourage you to talk to the nurse, doctor, and staff caring for you and ask them for answers. You deserve them and you shouldn't stop asking until all you questions have been answered to your complete satisfaction.
The nursing debate that happened in March was a tough one. For us nurses the very thought of doing something that puts patients at ill-ease is very tough. However, we thought that in order for the good nurses that are already at Enloe to stay, and for more good nurses to come we needed to take action. Unfortunately that meant making a mess before we got things cleaned up. It's like making cookies, the process makes a mess out of the kitchen but the end result is worth it.
The anethesiologists at Enloe (the guys that put you to sleep for surgery) feel the same way. They feel that they cannot continue to work under the conditions that Enloe has put forth and provide the excellent patient care that want to. As a result, most of them quit their jobs. They would rather go somewhere else than stay and feel that they aren't getting to do the best job they can. Now, that's putting their issues very simply but without writing an entire book, that's it in a nutshell. Enloe is now in the process of finding new anethesiologists. Its a long process of getting good guys to come, making sure they are in good standing with the State, and getting them privilages to work there. It's a sucky process and patients, like you, are stuck in the middle.
Kayla, I don't know how to better explain this. I don't pretend to know all the details myself. I'm sorry you're stuck in the middle. I'm sorry you're suffering, and I'm so sorry that your dad won't be there for your surgery. I don't have any better answers for you right now, but I'm going to get some. My boss is Marty Marshall and he's a good guy. I'm going to talk to him about your situation and see what we can do to get you some answers. Bless you, hang in there.
-Jordan
Posted by at 01:08 PM
On Priority One
Enloe Medical Center (ELS) and First Responder Ambulance (FRA) are suing to attempt to keep Priority One Ambulance from obtaining operating rights in the region. Ambulance companies are paid by the patient and so more competition means less patients to go around, so less revinues.
ELS and FRA contend that they have spent a lot of money lately on new ambulances and equiptment expecting to be exclusive providers in the region. This is true. Enloe Has bought two new ambulances in the past five years and has rebuilt another to provide for extreemly obese patients. Enloe also spends hundreds of thousands a year to educate their crews and advance the service they provide. FRA has done very similarly.
Competition, though, isn't necessarily a bad thing. It shakes things up and demands for excellence. New companies bring new ideas, and offer innovative ways of doing things that may not have been thought of previously. Unfortunately, inviting a new company into this town may provide us with less-than-stellar care by professionals who may not have this communities best interests in mind.
Through my dealings in the ER I meet a lot of EMS agencies. Without bias I have to say that ELS and FRA are the best, period. The professionalism of the staff, the exceptional quality of care, the very high success rate with critical patients all point to one fact, we have all the EMS agencies we need in this town to keep us safe. We don't need another provider, though a couple more ambulances from our current providers might be nice.
Posted by at 11:22 AM
May 14, 2006
On Confidence Vote
As I mentioned in "On Enloe's Gas Problem" a website has been set up where employees of Enloe Hospital could vote their confidence of no confidence in Enloe's administration. The votes are in and the results are up. As promised, here's the webpage. I encourage you to read it, this is your community hospital, people. Be informed to what's going on. This isn't one of those things that is happening that you can avoid, this is in your lap. Know what's going on.
www.bsaudio.org/confidencevote.html
Posted by at 11:55 AM | Comments (1)
May 13, 2006
On Being Responsive
On the back of my work name tag are Enloes Core Values. They're the things that we, as employees, must strive for and are fairly simple. One of them is "Be Responsive". I've posted on this before with "On Communication" but it warrants a going over again. Let me start with an example.
The other day I came into work, I hadn't even sat down my things and there was a man looking fairly distressed standing in one of the patient room doorways. He asked if I was a doctor and I replied that I was a nurse and asked how I could help him. He was upset because his wife was in pain and he felt that she wasn't getting the attention she needed as the doctor had not yet been in to see her. His manner was blunt and could have been interpreted as rude. The doc was in another room with a patient who needed attention to remain living and so could not break away. He didn't want to hear it. I assured him I would look into the situation. After setting down my things I did a bit of research for the man and found out that he and his wife had just arrived by ambulance and that the paper work was being started to begin care. One possible response could have been to explain this to the man and appologize for the delay but this didn't seem right, he didn't want to hear about our staffing problems, he wanted to hear about how we were going to help his wife. Another response would have been to close the door and ignore him until the doctor came in...this would have been bad bad bad. The right thing was to go into the room, start some simple care and hold his wife's hand until the doctor showed up. This de-escalated a growingly tense situation and calmed both the patient and her husband down considerably.
The reason I shared that was not to toot my own horn but to make this point. After the man calmed down we began talking. He had a pack with Air Command wings on it and I asked him about it. It turned out that he was a pilot in both WWII and Korea and is a well respected minister in this town. He also is a good friend of my friend Stan's and they fought together in the war. We shared some information and while his wife was having some tests run chatted a bit about airplanes and things. By being rude to this man I would have ended up looking like a ass both to him and to Stan, and I would have betrayed that Core Value. By being responsive and taking some time to help his wife I met a wonderful person whom I am honored and humbled to know.
Posted by at 12:27 PM | Comments (1)
On Trackbacks
I'm not offering Trackback Pings on my blog any more. For those that don't know it's a way for someone to leave their website and then see who visits that website.
The problem I'm having is that 99.9% of the pings that are being left are just spam sites wanting to sell payday advances, pills, etc. That's not what I'm about so I'm not doing it any more. If you want to leave a website, leave it as a comment on any blog with the instructions to make it it's own post. I'll do it for you gladly. Remember, if you have something you want to talk about, just write it as a comment, and I'll post it as a regular post. I'm always happy to do that. Remember, too, that I read EVERYTHING that I post on there before it becomes public so if you're wanting to spam my site, too bad, I won't let you.
Posted by at 10:58 AM
On Motorcycles
Today hundreds of motorcyclists will riding through Chico to increase awareness of of Motorcycles and remind drivers to be courteous and safe around them. Echoing today's ER Editorial this is a great idea.
As a motoryclist myself I have been subjected to rude behavor from drivers that I've never experienced while driving my truck. One time I had a woman turn left in front of me while sitting at a stop light. I was in the left hand turn lane, she was in the lane to the right and turned in front of me. I honked and she actually stopped, stuck her head out of her car, and told me that she had a place to go and she wasn't willing to wait for some "biker". Umm, okay.
Motorcyclists have every right to the road as drivers, and in some ways more. Motorcycles use less gas, take up less room, use less parking spots, and motorcyclists pay extra fees in the way of licenses, registration, insurance, and safety classes. For all that we should be treated as equals on the road, minimally. The argument that they're dangerous comes up a lot, but I see more bicyclists in the ER than I do motorcyclists, and nobody's down the cyclers throats about the dangers of their transportation.
Motoryclists do, though, have to realize that they must offer respect in order to recieve it. While lane sharing (riding along side a car and passing it in the same lane) is legal it's almost always a bad idea. Minimally it causes jealousy, but at its worst it's dangerous and disrespectful to blast by traffic at high speeds just because you can. It scares drivers and can cause accidents. The noise issue from certain bikes comes up a lot, too. I have a Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide and it's loud when you pull the throttle open. While that's fine on the freeway nobody want's to hear it in a residential neighborhood, in the middle of the night, or in parking lots. On the other hand, I'd rather hear the sweet sound of a V-Twin powering up than rap music blaring across a lot. Just me though.
Mutual respect between drivers and motoryclists is what's needed here. Drivers must realize that motorcyclists are there and so must watch for them and offer them the same rights on the road as they would want. Motorcyclists must be wary of their actions and prove themselves deserving of the respect they desire.
Posted by at 10:46 AM
May 11, 2006
On Bumper Stickers
I saw an interesting bumper sticker today I'd like to comment on. It read:
How can you be pro life and pro war?
Well, let me tell you. Unborn children have no choice whether or not they are killed en-vitro. It's a decision made for them, and they have no defense. Soldiers, in contrast, have enlisted in a VOLUNTEER military, have recieved exemplary training, and are quite capable of defending themselves. They knew going into their situation that there was a chance they could be called to war and that in wars soliders are killed. Are you listening Cindy Sheehan? It's a VOLUNTEER military.
Contrastly, how can you be pro-killing babies and anti letting adults defend their country and it's interests?
Posted by at 06:36 PM | Comments (4)
May 09, 2006
On Exit Exams
There's all this hub bub about the exit exams that high school seniors have to take these days. At stake is that if seniors ready to graduate don't pass the exam, they don't graduate. This seems harsh and is causing all sorts of hard feelings around the state. Imagine being a senior in high school, ready to get out and away from the rigors of classroom life only to be told that you've got to re-take your senior year because you didn't pass your exam. Sucks huh.
But think about it this way. The exam isn't that hard, it just proves that you know the basics that are taught in high school. It says you've met the requirements, have a good knowledge base, and are ready for the work force. But, you may say, isn't that why you get passed into the next grade? Not necessarily. Many teachers pass a student because they feel sorry for them, or because they don't want to deal with them again, or the figure the next guy will have better luck getting it through their head. High school seniors that read at a 5th grade level are fairly common these days. They can't do basic math, they have no concept of science, art, or history. We laugh when we see people on Street Smarts not being able to identify Dick Cheney or Ben Franklin, but is it really that funny?
Think about this too. Imagine you're a high school grad looking for your first entry level job. You've worked your butt off, you're bright, and you need work. All you have is a high school diploma. The other guy applying for the job also only has a diploma, only he cruised through, and was allowed to graduate without actually ever learning anything. He spent as much time suspended as he did in class, and when he was there, he wasn't really there. To an employer looking at an application you two are equal, but are you really? Is it fair to the person who studied, learned, and achieved to be judged on the same level as a slacker?
While it may hurt some feelings that kids won't graduate it may light some fires. There's a real possibility now that you can be held back in your senior year, since teachers are unwilling to hold kids back in previous years. If you don't learn, you might not graduate. And isn't that what graduation is about? Celebrating the fact that you've learned?
Posted by at 11:35 PM | Comments (6)
May 07, 2006
Do-17z
I just finished another model, a Do-17z. The plan was a twin engine, light bomber used in the begining of the war. Originally the plane was designed as a mail carrier but with the war it was converted into a bomber. Space in the tiny cockpit was cramped and several modifications had to be made as the war progressed to enhance speed, trim, and maneuverability.
I always cringe when I build a German aircraft that displays swastikas on it. I'm just sure that some meathead will come around and accuse me of sympathizing with the Nazi's . In fact, a few model producers quit offering swastika decals with their kits for just this reason, despite the fact that it made the kit historically inaccurate. I don't even know why I should have to say that I am bulding for historical accuracy and so if a swastika was on the real plane, it'll be on my model. It has nothing to do with being a Nazi.
Read on for my kit review for any modelers out there.
This picture has a Me-109G-14 in the picture for size comparison. The 109 seats 1, the 17 seats 6. Hope everyone were friends.
View image
I bought this kit on a whim from Squadron not because I was particularly interested in the plane, but because it was on sale and it was the re-release of an older kit. I think even after shipping I got away under $20.
The instructions for this kit are bad. Real bad. They're the equivilent of giving someone directions to New York by flicking your thumb Eastward and saying "that way". They're five steps consisting of assembling the cockpit and canopies, assembling the wing and fuselage halves, assembling the engines, assembling the landing gear, and attaching the engines and gear to the wings. That's it. Pieces are poorly drawn and have arrows pointing vaguely towards where they go, if there's arrows at all, lots of pieces are just drawn, leaving it to you to figure out. I had better luck finding pictures of the real things on the net and figuring it out for myself than I did looking at the instructions.
Cockpit Assembly
There are no ledges or holes indicating where things should go in the inner fuselage so good luck. You'll need to find a way to stilt the pilots seat upwards a bit, as it's too low in the cockpit. The radioman's statoion comes with only a front so you'll have to make your own sides and top. The aft portion of the floor does not sit flush with the belly gunner's station, instead leave a 1/4" gap and fill it with styrene, otherwise the radio station will interfere with the top turret seat. I don't know how to describe the rest to you adequatey, look at some pictures. All of this is actually rather useless as the glass that comes with the kit is opaque and you can't see the cockpit once its on anyways. I tried buffing it out with everything I could think of and nothing worked. If you can make a vacuform that's great, but I can't.
Wing and Fuselage Assembly
Before we start here we need to do some surgery. See the bomb sight on the port side of the nose of the fuselage? It's on the wrong side, it needs to be starboard. Shave it off, fill the gap and use the one in the kit to replace it starboard side once the frong glass is in place. I don't know why they did this. Also on the port side near the wing root is a bumb with instructions to put the double-ring direction finder in there. Wrong again. Shave it off, fill in the gap. The direction finder goes in the aft most hole in the cockpit glass. These were things I found out AFTER I did my paint so don't use my model as a reference. The rest is really straight forward. The halves go together really nicely, the fit is good, and minimal putty had to be used to get rid of the seams.
Engine assembly
This is really straight forward too. The firewall between the engines and the wheel-bays is too small and so you'll have to putty in the gaps but it's not that big of a deal. The exaust stacks go in the d-shaped panel lines on the cowling. Just look, you'll see.
Landing Gear
Just follow the directions. I'd paint and have the wheels in the forks before assembling the extending arms, though, as the plastic is stiff, the fit is tight, and I snapped off an arm. DAMN!!!!
Final
This is really straight forward too. The nacelles needed some putty but that wasn't a big deal.
Paint and Decals
I used SAC green for the inside of the cockpit except for the radio equiptment, which was black. The seat straps were leather colored. I didn't make or paint harneses as I was already frustrated enough and I knew nobody could see them. The main paint scheme was done by painting the whole thing white and then cutting out blobs from low-adhesive masking tape. I then masked the white and painted the underside Duck-Egg Blue. It was as close as I could get and I'm pretty pleased. That was masked and the whole thing was done in dark green. Then, while the green was still wet I mixed some black into the same container that just had the green and free-handed the black camoflauge. I didn't want a really intense black, and indeed the black just gives the faintest impression of green-ness that I like. The cowlings were similarly primed in white and then painted flat yellow. The under wing tips were flat yellow lastly. I then weathered some smoke from the exaust using Tamiya's weathering compact and added some rust and grime in the appropriate places.
Decaling was fun as there are no instructions on where things go, just pictures of how the completed plane should look. I figured it out, though and was pleased with the strength and flexibility of the decals. A word of warning though. If you want the yellow squadron band on the aft of the plane I suggest paintiing it on as the decal doesn't fit no matter what you do with it. That's why its not on my model. It wasn't crucial for accuracy and it was making my blood pressure rise.
Overall this kit was frustrating but I'm very pleased with the result. Considering this was a re-release kit I would think that the instructions and cockpit would have been improved upon, not to mention clear glass. But doing the research was fun and I learned a lot about the aircraft, which is half the point of doing this so it all worked out.
Posted by at 06:17 PM | Comments (2)
May 05, 2006
More on Enloe's Gas Problem
I just had to add this since it's posted in today's ER. Dr. Johnson is an excellent anasthesiologist and a first class person. I think this letter to the editor says a lot.
Having been the first anesthesiologist in Butte County, a chief of the entire medical staff at Enloe, a former member of Enloe's board of trustees and chairman of the Department of Anesthesiology, I'd like to comment regarding the conflict between Enloe administration and Anesthesia Associates of Chico.
Over the years, I have personally received many praises from both Stanford and UC San Francisco on the outstanding quality of service and cooperation given by the anesthesiologists at Enloe. But the current administration is a poor quality compared to that provided by Jim Sweeney and his staff. Further, they want to block any question of policy they have established — by housekeepers, cafeteria workers, secretaries, technologists, nurses or doctors. Unfortunately, high-handed power plays do not equal competency.
As many excellent anesthesiologists have left town already, more will follow unless policy changes occur. The hospital board apparently does not understand the fundamental need to cooperate with the medical staff. If they would listen to the entire medical staff, and cooperate with all the doctors taking care of the Chico community, they would appreciate the danger this administration is bringing to Chico's health care.
As I see it, this is going to end up as a major health crisis for the citizens of Chico unless they can become aware of the situation and the implications for their health care. Changes must be made, and the best place to start is the top.
— Dr. William R. Johnson, Chico
Posted by at 02:59 AM
On Enloe's Gas Problem
Enloe has a gas problem. For those of you who don't read the ER on a regular basis last Saturday's edition had a half page ad taken out by a retired orthopaedic surgeon expressing his concern about Enloe's administration, in particular it's dealings with the anastesiologists (sleepers). I won't re write the ad but it basically expressed some concern that the docs didn't get a new contract, forcing many of them to leave the practice, concern that Enloe ignores the voices of it's employees but listens to expensive consultants who say the same thing, and spend millions on projects that slow and corrode patient care.
Dan Neumeister, Enloe's CEO, responded to the ad in yesterday's ER and in a letter written to employees basically stating that sleeper's contract was debated hotly for over a year and that, not to worry, a new group had been brought it. I think he's missed the point. These guys have been working with and for Enloe for years. They live (or lived) here. They were our neighbors and friends and cared about us while they cared for us. Now they're gone. The new guys might be great, but the old guys were great and now their gone.
Neumeister didn't address the other accusations made in the ad and I doubt he will but I would like to. I've said it before, and it warrants saying again. When you find yourself in a crowd of people, and you think they're all wrong, and you're the only one right...you're probably the one that's wrong. Neumeister and Enloe's current administration has been criticized by the Nurses, ER docs, technical employees, service employees, and now the sleepers. Maybe there's something to this when better than half the employees at the hospital are crying foul.
The ad finally asked for a vote of confidence or no confidence in Enloe's administration to be registered on a website. The results will be up may 10th and will be shared with the Enloe board of trustees, I'll keep you posted. I encourage anyone with concerns on this issue either way to write to the Enloe Board of Trustees care of Enloe Hospital, 1531 Esplanade. If you live in this town, this concerns you. Eventually you may need care at Enloe, and like it or not the political issues surrounding the hospital affect care.
Posted by at 02:41 AM | Comments (2)
May 04, 2006
Letter to the Pres
Dear President Bush:
I'm about to plan a little trip with my family and I would like to ask you to assist me. I'm going to walk across the border from teh US into Mexico and I need to make a few arrangements. I know you can help with this.
I plan to skip all the legal stuff like visas, passports, immigration laws and quotas. I'm sure they handle those things the same way we do here. So, would you mind telling your buddy Vicente Fox that I'm on my way? Please let him know that I will be expecting the following:
1. Free medical care for my entire family
2. English speaking government officials for all the services I may or may not need. All road signs and forms must also be in English.
3. I want my kids taught by English-speaking teachers, only.
4. Schools need to include classes on American culture and history.
5. I want my kids to see the American flag flying on top of the flag pole at their school with the Mexican flag below.
6. Please plan to feed my kids at school for breakfast and lunch.
7. I will need a local Mexican driver's license so I can get easy access to government services.
8. I do not plan to have car insurance, and I don't plan to learn local traffic laws.
9. In case one of the Mexican police officers don't get the memo from Pres. Fox to leave me alone, please be sure that all police officers speak English.
10. I plan to fly the US flag from my house top, put flag decals on my car, and have a gigantic celebration for July 4th. I don't want any complaints or negative comments from the locals.
11. I would also like to have a nice job without paying taxes or trouble about labor laws.
12. Please tell all the people in the country to be extreemly nice to me and never say a critical word about me or about the strain I might plave on the economy.
I know this is an easy request because youa lready do all thse things for the people here form Mexico and I'm sure Pres. Fox is eager to return the favor. In the even that he gives you any grief, just invite him to go hunting with Mr. Cheney.
Sincerely,
Jordan D. Frazer
Posted by at 03:08 AM | Comments (1)
May 02, 2006
On Annoying Noise
I'm sitting on my desk working on my latest model (a Do-17z, pictures in a couple weeks) listening to the neighbor's overly loud music blaring and wondering why it is that whenever someone choses to share their choice in music with an entire block of people it's typically rap or hip hop. Anyone?
Posted by at 10:51 PM | Comments (3)
On Junk Mail
Every day I get at least two pieces of junk mail from credit card companies wanting me to spend money I don't have on things I cant afford, mortgage companies wanting to refinance my house, banks wanting me to refinance my student or auto loans with them, and other various companies wanting me to spend money with them. Where's it all stop!?!?!?
Most of these solicitations come from some town called Willmington, VA, who's economy is supported, in my opinion, by sending me junk mail. I've gotten to the point where if it comes from this little town I've never been to I just toss it in the shredder.
The bothersome points of this junk mail influx is that if I'm getting this much, I'm sure hundreds of thousands of people around the country are getting it too, if not more. That's a lot of trees being chopped down to create mail that nobody reads. Where are the environmentalists on this? Further, the potential for identity theft is huge. A lot of these offers come with these checks that, with my signature, can be used to buy anything on a huge credit line. All it would take is someone taking the envelopes out of the mailbox and BOOM they get free stuff, I get a bill.
There's got to be a way to stop this. The government finally stepped in and put a stop to the dozen or so phone calls I was getting a day. Anyone have any ideas?
Posted by at 01:00 PM | Comments (2)
On Democrats Stealing
Chico Enterprise Record - News
La Malfa and Aanestad are pissed because the Dems didn't show up to get any work done. That's bad enough. What they didn't mention is that they were there briefly. Long enough to sign in so they could get paid for the day. That's right. We paid them for not doing any work yesterday. In my book that's stealing from the treasury, the State, and from every tax payer in the state, and that's grounds for dismissal.
Following California State Democratic Legislatures example from Monday I think I should start showing up for work, signing my time card, and then leaving without doing anything. If it's fair for our elected employees to do that then I think it's only fair that the rest of us get to do it too. If the companies we work for want reimbursed for us not doing anything they can give the Democrats a call and get the money from them.
Posted by at 09:56 AM
On Democrats Stealing
Chico Enterprise Record - News
La Malfa and Aanestad are pissed because the Dems didn't show up to get any work done. That's bad enough. What they didn't mention is that they were there briefly. Long enough to sign in so they could get paid for the day. That's right. We paid them for not doing any work yesterday. In my book that's stealing from the treasury, the State, and from every tax payer in the state, and that's grounds for dismissal.
Following California State Democratic Legislatures example from Monday I think I should start showing up for work, signing my time card, and then leaving without doing anything. If it's fair for our elected employees to do that then I think it's only fair that the rest of us get to do it too. If the companies we work for want reimbursed for us not doing anything they can give the Democrats a call and get the money from them.
Posted by at 09:56 AM
May 01, 2006
On Mixed Messages
As I sit and read several articles from various news agencies regarding today's protests it suddenly dawns on me that there are all of these people out protesting, and and most of them have no idea what they're protesting for or against. Many of them are protesting different things, some are protesting things that contradict things others are protesting.
One man in New Orleans is protesting because he thinks the United States won't let him work. A man in New York is protesting because he was fired for leaving his job last week for another protest. One woman in Los Angeles is protesting because she thinks the U.S. doesn't ever want her to become a citizen. My understanding of this protest is that it was to show support against making illegals felons and deporting them. At least that's what it started as.
I, of course, cannot speak for all American's, there are plenty of nuts out there, but I for one do not want to see anyone not work. I'm the biggest fan of going out and getting a job there is. I'm all in support of people getting their papers and becoming citizens. What I'm not in support of is just granting citizenship to people at whim. If you want to become a citizen, use the process and become a citizen. Protest organizers say they want fairness. What it sounds like to me is that they want exemption. Special treatment. This country has given them food, shelter, medical care, and schooling, and now they've become accustomed to the handouts. They want citizenship handed to them on a silver platter. It doesn't work that way. Good things must be earned. The process is there, it's a pain in the ass, but it's there and so must be used. Pay the fees, take the classes, learn the language, and become a citizen the right way the way millions of immigrants before you have. That's fair.
Posted by at 10:36 AM
On Dumb Quotes
Immigrants set for massive rallies - Yahoo! News
"We are all losers if we continue to play this sinister game of condemning a segment of the population to live and work in the conditions of modern-day slaves," said Juan Jose Gutierrez, director of the Latino Movement USA.
Wow, 18th centaury slaves had free medical care, free schooling, free food, free housing, job placement assistance, and made wages. See what I learned today?
Posted by at 02:26 AM | Comments (11)