Our Newest Dog Friend, Patrick!

Born on St. Patrick's Day, our new friend left his wonderful birth family in Portland, Maine, today to share his life with our family, sometimes just the two of us or, at other times, with grandchildren. In all, we look forward to the experience of watching Patrick become comfortable in a new setting, without his former dog companions and great family. The transition must be difficult, but so far, he is doing well.

We had four of our grandchildren visiting and they waited with baited breathe on the front stairs, jumping with excitement. Patrick, wondering whether this long journey from beautiful Maine was worth it, simple held on to us while pondering the predicament.

For the many who enjoy dogs, it is quite understandable that we were really missing Franklin. We will enjoy each day with Patrick, without minimizing the memories of Franklin.

Forceful Support of Government Intervention in our Economy

Bill Gross is a big, big player in the economy. As the head of PIMCO, his words mean something. In his latest report, Bill is highly critical of two views: (1) college education now is working for students, and (2) deficit reduction will enable our economy to recover.

First, he focuses on the increase costs of college education that no longer produces students that can be gainfully employed, as a general rule. He thinks that college is now subservient to the needs of the college rather than students. He likes the offer for some students to leave college and try to develop their own entrepreneurial ideas. Focusing on more technical knowledge related to the needs of modern industry is essential.

Secondly, he endorses views that I can support about the need of government intervention to get our economy into the right orbit! He (and I and many others) consider the notion that deficit reduction plans, as voiced by Republican conservatives, will do the trick is crazy! When there are options available that will increase employment while meeting needs of our nation, e.g., infrastructure bank, are not implemented is only to delay the recovery while leaving our infrastructure needs still unmet.

We can address the long-term deficit requirements without holding hostage the needs of our current situation.

"Poor Economics" by Abhijit Banerjee & Esther Duflo

"Poor Economics" does give a radically different perspective on how to address poverty in the so called, underdeveloped world. In general, I was aware of two radically different perspectives on the subject of dire poverty: (a) a conservative approach that would emphasize the need of people to assume responsibility for their lives, and (b) a liberal perspective that would emphasize that there is a need for intervention by those who are more fortunate.

The Millennium Project, developed by Jeffrey Sachs, sort of epitomizes the liberal approach. The UN identified with the goals of eliminating poverty throughout the world by identifying resources that would expended by all nations to address the various dimensions of poverty that are amenable to international funding, e.g., providing nets to avoid malaria, subsidizing the cost of fertilizer to improve farming productivity.

In general, I am aware that many conservative politicians stress the waste associated with misguided interventions that don't work.

The authors of his book have developed a huge data base that includes many real life experiments that explore the choices of people living in dire poverty. What the book emphasizes is that there is no "right way" to address the situations facing those living in such situations. Decisions are made that are often not in their best self-interest, but are a result of many other factors, including the inability to take a long-term view of their decisions. Their history has so biased them in terms of the radical inability to emerge from poverty that they often see no merit in actions designed to improve their status.

Ultimately, the book results in a need to be modest in laying out a vision for helping others. Approaches should be based on careful analysis of the variables affecting the decisions of the target population. What seems obvious to us is often not within the orbit of the poor.

"The Emperor of All Maladies" by Siddhaartha Mukherjee

One of my daughter's close friends recommended "The Emperor of All Maladies". Admittedly, I had somehow or other missed the notoriety of a first time author being awarded the Pulitzer Prize. The achievement is spectacular. It is even more amazing that a relatively young research physician could somehow or other manage this feat while maintaing a lab and, maybe, some clinical responsibilities (plus somehow or other, having time for a wife and two small children). In itself, the task deserves a prize, but the actual product was more than worthy of being distinguished by the Pulitzer.

The basic objective of the book was to transverse the long history of cancer, "the emperor of all maladies". Granted references to relatively ancient reports of what we now to be cancer are minor since so little was known and, in fact, many people did not live long enough to know that they were plagued by the onslaught of cells no longer regulated by the usual cycle of the birth and death of cells. The author does take the reader through the 19th and 20th century of history of the medical approach to cancer. With their knowledge, they could see no more than surgery, thinking that the only hope was carving out the bad cells, and then, later, the use of radiation. Most of the book deals with the relatively recent focus, initiated by Sidney Farber, on the possible use of chemicals to thwart the "natural" progression of cancer.

I am no scientist nor am I trained in biology, chemistry, or medicine. Yet, this author was able to relate this fantastic history, even into very recent times, without losing me on the way! I may still not really understand chromosomes and genes. I may not grasp the mutations that occur to initiate cancer, but I did understand that these mutations can occur in multiple ways, that the process involves either the "positive" thrust of genes that cannot stop dividing or the "negative" phenomenon of genes that do not know how to stop their usual process of healthy destruction of cells. An oncogene is now a familiar term, referencing the enormous variety of mutations that actually can be narrowed down to a relatively small number of mutations that generate the most damage, albeit with a plethora of pathways that complicate the creation of the now famous targeted drugs.

The author, then, provided me an educational experience that I enjoyed.

Moreover, I was intrigued that someone with as much scientific and technical expertise could write in a narrative form that borders on the traditional form of a story. He was able to blend technical information with the human history of both the clinician/researcher with the patient.

It was an incredible experience to have read the book. I am thankful to Suneet for the recommendation.

Nothing Much to Write About

During the last couple of weeks, I have only noticed "same old, same old" stuff. From one point of view, this may be good. On the other hand, it is somewhat boring.

National politics will be virtually the same type of interaction we have noted thus far. There is ideological division and no chance for genuine conversation or compromise. I do not foresee any real change in the political process for some time. In terms of the forthcoming election, I do think that Obama is in trouble and his troubles will remain at least through the election. Jobs and the general economy will be front and center, but there are genuine arguments regarding this foreign policy, e.g., getting out of Afghanistan and avoiding involvement with other nations. The role of the military has expanded and there is a genuine need for discussion about our involvement throughout the world as nations emerge from dictatorship to some form of representative government.

Health care will be discussed endlessly until either "ObamaCare" is radically modified, as Republicans would want, or is fully implemented in 2014 and beyond. The health care reform passed by Congress remains an unknown product since its implementation is going to take years and, after that, time to see whether it is actually working. Debating the reform package now is virtually hot air since those who support the legislation can only argue from the points that were used to pass the bill. The opposition's case will take on a significant change if the universal demand for participation is ruled unconstitutional. However, the final statement on this will still be somewhat in the future. After the Appellate Court decisions, there will be a need for the Supreme Court to finalize a verdict.

International currencies will remain in flux for some time without any significant change since the underlying factors determining the value to each currency will remain volatile for some time. The Euro's problem with debt is a long way from being resolved. I cannot imagine how nations, like Greece, will avoid defaulting. And with that, all sorts of problems will happen. If, for some reason, default is avoided, there will remain such a long period before any type of stability will occur. The Euro Zone is inherently unstable until they void their status as an economic integrated group of nations or they establish a national governing body. I may well be dead and buried before that gets resolved.

Religion continues to be an ongoing source of discussion. As I see it, the fact that virtually all aspects are now open to discussion, including the atheistic position, I can only foresee more of the same types of conversations. Those supporting religion will be able to cite all sorts of good things that result from religion; those who remain spiritual but see religion as a problem, in and of itself, will undoubtedly have their views supported by hatred and violence evidenced by various religions, whether physical (as in killing) or somewhat spiritual, (as in the denial of gender equality).

Our dog, Franklin, has been such a dear friend. I am starting to prepare myself for what appears to be signs of the approaching end of life. While nothing appears to be imminent, I would not be surprised if something significant were to emerge in the forthcoming months.

We are approaching summer and, with this, I can look forward to the visits by our sons and families. To experience their adulthood and their roles of husband and father remains a constant joy. I do not anticipate any significant change since one can improve too much more than what they are. They are great, as it is. However, watching the development of our grandchildren will remain a blessing.