Obama Could Be a Role Model - Quit Smoking

Mr. Obama's doctor released some information of the condition of the likely Democratic presidential candidate this week. Mr. Obama is as fit as he looks but he did not get a "clean bill of health" - the usual headline when a president is doing just fine.

Mr. Obama is a smoker, or maybe a recovering smoker, depending on the moment. He admits having this nasty habit and promised Michelle he would quit when he ran for this elevated office. He has said he is using Nicorette but he has said that for months now, and the usual regimen is to use this drug only to reset the new habit. If he is still using it, he either has had lots of relapses or is abusing the drug (OK, it's only nicotine).

Yet here is a chance for this young man who has captured much of the young vote to really set an example. He should quit cold turkey, announce that he has done so, while adding to the condemnation of this irredeemable habit. As it sits now, we hear whispers that he is "trying" to quit, still ingesting nicotine in another form, and probably sneaking off taking a puff or two or three when he thinks no one notices. That is a guess but a good one I think.

In the interest of full disclosure, I am a former two-pack a day smoker, but quit cold turkey on April 15, 1982. I haven't had a cigarette or any other form of nicotine since then. OK, former smokers can be intolerable at times, but in this case - a presidential candidate and likely nominee should 86 the bad habit. For his sake as well as his family's sake.

If he smokes because of stress, he'd better swear off now so he gets some time under this belt, because the show is only going to get livelier.

Back in the USSA

Other than our luggage making it home an hour later than we did, the trip to the U.K. was a great one. I do not believe that much can surpass seeing Stonehenge closeup, or standing on the grave of Sir Isaac Newton in Westminster Abbey. Even those with only a wisp of an interest in human history would be moved by seeing magnificent architecture created almost 1000 years ago.

We were blessed in many ways on this, our first trip together to Europe. I had been to England decades ago and Diana had been to Austria, Germany and Italy with her Mom sometime in the 80s I think. We were fortunate to have a good group on our Trafalgar Best of Britain Tour, and then only 17 other souls in the 50 passenger coach. I am sure Trafalgar made no money on this one, but we sure had a good time with such an intimate group and a great Tour Director. We also had the best weather I have ever heard of for England, Wales, and Scotland. We had sun each day for 17 days and the rainy period was only minutes long and then only sprinkles on the coach windshield, oops, I mean windscreen. We carried our lucky umbrellas everyday so although a little heavy for talismen, they seemed to work.

The hotels were mostly OK but the food was nearly inedible at times. I had read that English food had improved but we must have missed the one place where it did. OK, I am a little harsh here but when our Aussie friend had to comment to the waiter one night, "Hey mate, you got a chainsaw for this meat?", it spoke to overall state of the cuisine. We had haggis in Scotland twice and liked it both times. Everyone should try it when there. Just don't ask what it is.

Seeing the Roman baths, Hadrian's Wall, and lots of other very old things was inspiring. A walk though the walled city of York was to be taken back to the 12th century except for the names on the shops (GAP, Gucci, and many others). I don't know if this is a compliment or not, but the city reminded me of what Disney might have done recreating York in Orlando.

More to come later, but we are now recovered from a little jet-lag, and also recovered from our trips in the London Tube where a disembodied voice constantly reminds us to "Mind the Gap".

We'll Wave to the Queen

I had ambitions to write enough blogs to keep up while we are gone on our "holiday" to Great Britain. Alas, "the best laid plans of mice and men, often go astray" and with a large editing job due, and with lots to read about Great Britain, and on and on, I just did not get the articles written ahead. So I will apologize, loyal readers, and I will promise to do better when I return from England, Scotland, and Wales.

I am sure I will keep up with the U.S. goings-on in the London Times and will have lots to say on my return. And unlike many others from our beloved country, we promise to behave in such a way to help enhance America's reputation abroad. I will not wear shorts, nor my Hawaiian shirts, and Diana will not ask a Scottish Highlander what he wears under his kilt.

We will promote America as the great place it has always been despite what those people say. We will at least try to eat some of the local specialties (spesh-e-al-ities as the Brits say adding a syllable that is not there), however, I won't ask what really goes into Scotland's haggis.

I will revel in the English history, the precursor of our own, and be awestruck by such edifaces as Westminster Abbey and Salisbury Cathedral, built 800 - 1000 years ago. We may also visit Scotland Yard, see Agatha Christie's "The Mouse Trap". and follow in the footsteps of Jack the Ripper. And if I see the Queen, I will do my best version of the Windsor wave and bow in great respect. Tally ho...

Recreational Boaters - Terrorism Fighters

The United States Coast Guard, a small but proud part of the Homeland Security Department (formerly of the Treasury Department, and the U.S. Navy during wartime), is asking the country's recreational boaters to keep an eye peeled for the occasional terrorist on the bounding main, or the little lake, or the tiny stream.

My first thoughts went to duct tape and plastic sheeting; just another lame attempt by the government to protect us. My second thought was much more profound.

This was a good idea, maybe a great one. Just as cops cannot be everywhere to deter crime and help change a tire, the USCG cannot possibly see all of the possible threats in our waterways. The Coast Guard points out that much damage has already been done by terrorists using boats, plus the recent threatening acts of small craft and swift boats that swarm around some of our warships.

It is not too much of a stretch to think that terrorists could sidle up to shipyards, government buildings, and other high-value structures on the shores of seas, lakes, and maybe even rivers. So why not ask boaters to just keep an eye out for anything suspicious (yet to be defined) and report potential nefarious activity to the authorities? Can't hurt and it might help.

Death of the Print Newspaper? - Nothing to Hang Onto!

Last week the Capital Times daily newspaper, the mainstay afternoon paper in Madison, Wisconsin, ceased it regular publication. It was all part of a plan, so they say, because circulation has dropped over the past years.


They note that in the information age, "nobody" is reading hard copy newspapers anymore. The Capital Times plans to join forces with morning paper, The Wisconsin State Journal, and provide copy for a couple of weekly news magazines that will be inserted in the regular paper. And, they point out, that they are not really going away but rather will be available only on the Internet.


I think it is a sad day for a couple of reasons. First, the Cap Times as it was affectionately know, was the liberal balance to the more conservative WSJ. It is mildly interesting that in Madison, the supposed hotbed of socialism and the Berkley of the Midwest, it is the liberal newspaper that bites the dust. They will, of course, say that it is because the afternoon paper is less likely to be read in our wildly busy world. I suppose I can buy that because I, personally, would only have need for a morning paper.


My other more selfish reason for being sad is that I hate to see any newspaper quit publishing an edition I can buy, take with me to breakfast (note: morning paper), read at my desk, and finish up the crossword when I get back home -- never mind the cheap newsprint with smudgy ink that gets on my fingers and clothes.


Other big city newspapers are also having circulation problems and advertisers are finding the daily paper less valuable as a medium for their wares. I would disagree in that I do scan the ads each day as I go by them, something I will be less likely to do online.


So there are many thing changing in this country and this world. I would just like to read about them while holding each paper section firmly, making my fingers black, without having to be next to a computer.