Life

Over the last decade the networks have essentially lost the programming war to cable television.  Network officials decided to choose cost control over quality (and we have been living in reality show Hell ever sense).  HBO was the first to prove that great television doesn’t have to only exist in network Prime Time, and lately cable start-ups have risen from obscurity to the home of some of most innovative, highest quality programming on TV.  I am particularly amazed to see cable networks like AMC reinvent themselves with incredible original programming like Mad Men and Breaking Bad.  The FX Network has grown from a weird little rerun network into a programming powerhouse with original programs that include Rescue Me, Sons of Anarchy, Damages, the just departed and twisted Nip Tuck, and I am looking forward to their newest program that starts in a couple weeks, Justified, based on the character created by Elmore Leonard.

One of my favorite new shows is a another great illustration of the decline of NBC. The terrific crime drama Southland premiered last year on NBC, but was suddenly dropped from the lineup to make room for Jay Leno’s debacle.  Another network primarily known for re-runs, TNT, picked up the show, re-ran the initial episodes, and this week rolled out all new episodes with the original cast.  Also interesting to note… when Ray Romano wanted to return to series television after his long running hit Everybody Loves Raymond he certainly could of chosen a major network, but instead he also went to TNT for his wonderful new show Men of a Certain Age.

If you aren’t watching the above shows you really should be.

Scientists at MIT are close to perfecting the hydrogen-powered house. Since I have no real talent for science I am incapable of giving you the technical overview, but here is the layman’s explanation. They have developed a mini-hydrogen power station that would replace your current household power supply. It would utilize some solar power to produce the small amount of electricity needed to combine with water to create a hydrogen power plant. No more fossil fuels needed. No more pumping pollutants into the atmosphere. The only output is water. And this hydrogen power plant  in your house could also be used to fill up your hydrogen-powered car someday, eliminating our other nagging fossil fuel drain, and the need to  build a huge hydrogen punping station infrastructure.

According to MIT, the technology works now, and would be practical and cost-efficient for wide distribution within ten years. Honda is currently testing hydrogen-powered cars on a relatively large scale in California, so the automotive technology should exist within that time frame.

This means that in a decade or so you could be living in a home that has no power bills and creates no pollution, and driving a car that doesn’t require stopping at gas stations, and instead of exhaust emits water from its tailpipe.

Terrorists seek to disrupt through fear. And the more afraid they make us the more apt we are to act emotionally and irrationally because of this fear. Since 9/11 we have acted irrationally when it comes to air travel, and the failed Christmas plot has really driven us into frenzy that is causing us to take ridiculous actions. If next time terrorists threaten a shopping mall, then I assume we would develop irrational fears and actions to protect malls. And soon the terrorists are essentially in control, as fear has driven us to change our lifestyles. There is a big difference between taking reasonable methods to protect our security, and completely altering our lifestyles because of fear.

I would argue that there is a more subtle, but perhaps even more dangerous kind of terrorism going on courtesy of the American media. Unfortunately fear drives viewership, and the media thrives on any story that makes us afraid. Consequently most of our legitimate journalists have been replaced by these new media “terrorists” that seek ratings by filling us with fear, anger, and distrust. They operate from both the left and the right, spewing rumors and innuendo that keep people glued to the screen. When much of the population is convinced that our President is actually a socialist foreign-born Muslim that favors killing off the elderly, people naturally get afraid. It also spreads panic when people are convinced that the world will end in the next few months due to global warming, that Pakistan and North Korea are preparing nuclear strikes, and that the flu vaccine is deadly. Certainly global warming, nuclear weapons, and public health are important issues that need to be discussed, but the terrorists in the media are less interested in public discourse than they are sensationalism.

I think it is quite possible that the ranting and fear mongering that now typifies mass media is having an incredibly negative long-term impact on society. The truth is that for most of the world, this is the best possible time to be alive. While the human race is far from perfect and we face many massive problems, the large majority of mankind lives happier, healthier lives than those that came before us. But that doesn’t make good news. Nor does all the incredible work that is going on around the world that will solve these big problems.

These media terrorists might not blow up airplanes or plant roadside bombs, but I suspect they are even more effective than Arab terrorists at destroying optimism and people’s spirits. Luckily these kinds of terrorists are easier to identify, and easier to eliminate than the ones that live in caves in Pakistan. We need to eliminate them by turning the dial, refusing to buy their ridiculous books, complaining to the companies that support them with advertising, and flatly rejecting their terrorist messages designed to crush our spirits.

Several states are currently debating the legalization of marijuana, and given the current fiscal issues and relaxation of policies pertaining to medical marijuana use it looks quite feasible that we will see legal pot use in the next few years.

The Federal Government and almost every state in the union are frantically searching for new revenue sources, and as is always the case, the pros and cons of any new tax are heavily debated.  In Oregon there is a move to tax the rich and add corporate taxes.  Of course, corporations and the rich argue this will hurt business, and ultimately result in less tax revenue.  I suspect the truth is somewhere in the middle.  But all this makes the legalization and taxation of marijuana particularly appealing right now.  After all, it is already being sold, just not taxed, and most users would have no objection to a better distribution system that in all liklihood lowers prices and guarantees quality while feeding the economy.  Certainly anti-drug activists would have legitimate arguments against society essentially endorsing more drug use, but the numbers and the argument that “people would do it anyway” are too compelling to ignore, and there is certainly enough societal experience with marijuana to refute some of the “gateway drug” and the other “reefer madness” arguements.  Unlike most potential tax sources, there are few that would argue against taxing it, the issue is simply the legalization.

I was suprised to learn that there is a major effort by otherwise staid and conservative economists to legalize pot based purely on economic impact.  According to a study conducted by Professor Jeffrey Miron, legalizing marijuana would save $7.7 billion per year in state expenditures on prohibition, and if pot was taxed similar to tobacco it would generate $6.2 billion dollars in tax revenue.  We would also free up enormous space in prisons, and arguably free people that don’t really belong behind bars. Another possible positive impact pertains to the costs and hassles protecting our borders. Huge amounts of time and money are spent trying to stop pot smugglers on the Mexican border, and it is a constant source of crime.

The move to legalize is even endorsed by dozens of economists, including three Nobel Laureates; the late Milton Friedman, George Akerlof, and Vernon Smith.  I used to think that conventions for economists must be among the most boring gatherings imaginable, but now I must rethink that position.  Perhaps they have Cheech And Chong perform at the cocktail party?

In any case, a $13 billion dollar plus savings warrants some serious discussion.

The Dark Lord of the religious right, Pat Robertson, sunk to new lows this week,  and also gave us a glimpse into his evil black heart, when he self-rightously claimed the devastating earthquake in Haiti was a result of the country’s ”pact with Satan”.

Though I am certainly no expert on Christianity, I seriously doubt that Jesus would look at a disaster that left tens of thousands dead and in misery and happily proclaim “you guys had it coming”.

But isn’t that the problem with any kind of religious fundamentalism.  Finding a purpose and spirituality in life is a good thing.  But any group that feels they are God’s chosen ones and everyone else should go straight to hell is really an enemy of spirituality.   I much prefer the people from any religious persuasion the believe “God is Love”, as opposed to those that think religious affiliation is some kind of path to moral superiority.

As we prepare to move into a new decade. I found the following comparison between today and ten years ago quite interesting:

• The Dow was 1000 points higher ten years ago.
• There was a 34% decline in home sales last year versus ten years ago.
• There are three times as many people unemployed today versus ten years ago.

Ah, but the consistent lesson of history is that in the end it always gets better for mankind – even though there might be bumps in the road.

Many of my middle-aged friends are unfortunately experiencing the same problems I faced a few years ago before my parents passed away. Their once vibrant folks have reached old age, but still insist on living as if they were 20 or 30 years younger.  If this just meant they wanted to drink, dance and have lots of sex it would not be an issue. But it appears that as you become elderly one of your main desires is to maintain your freedom by doing the things you’ve always done, even if you can’t really do them anymore.  Admirable goals, but impractical for most people, and the attitude can create havoc on the children’s lives.

Case in point….my mother and father continued to drive, legally, until they were almost 90 years old.  Despite the fact that both could barely walk, had trouble turning their heads from side to side, suffered from occasional dementia, and were very hard of hearing, the State of Montana felt it was OK for them to pilot a 4400 lb. car down the road at 70 miles an hour.  Of course this terrified the entire family, and we did everything short of stealing the car to keep them off the road, but they remained adamant about their right to drive.  On many occasions I would explain in horrifying detail the implications if they harmed themselves, or even worse, hurt other people. “Dad, do you really want to go into the twilight of your life knowing you wiped out some wonderful young family just because you insisted you should drive”, I would plead.

“Oh, don’t worry”, he would just reply, “we really only drive back and forth to the grocery store”, as if they couldn’t possibly encounter another car or pedestrian on the say to Safeway.

They also remained steadfast in their desire to live alone, despite the fact that they were past the point of caring for themselves.  They absolutely rejected the idea of going to some kind of assisted living facility.  That seemed a legitimate position, as the idea of leaving your home would frighten anyone.  But they also refused to allow anyone in the house to help them.  I hired cooks, maids, nurses and caretakers – only to have my father fire them all a week or two later.  “We don’t like people in the house”, he would explain. Which was actually code for “we would rather you and your sisters take care of us”.

Don’t misunderstand.  This is not a blog bitch about my parents.  They were terrific and I miss them every day, and most of the elderly I meet share their attitudes.  But it has occurred to me that as you get older you don’t always get smarter.  Sometimes you get stubborn and silly attitudes about life that have a really negative impact on others.  So, I decided to write myself a letter, to be opened if I am lucky enough to make it to age 80 -

Dear Tim -

Wow, you’re still around.  I would have never guessed.  Anyway, a few suggestions.  Get a good ear and nose hair trimmer.  For some reason old men sprout huge growths of hair out of those orifices, and it is really unattractive.  Also, pajamas and your robe are not daytime attire.  Old age is not an excuse to be sloppy.  Get up in the morning, take a shower, and put on clean clothes. You’ll feel better and everyone else will appreciate it.  You used to ask yourself “what would Sean Connery do in this situation”.  Still good advice.

Do they still have cars?  Unless you have gone through some kind of “Six Million Dollar Man” refurbishment you probably shouldn’t be driving one.  If you can’t do ten jumping jacks, see and hear as well as you did 15 years ago, and swivel your head easily each way, you should not be behind the wheel of a car.  Take a cab, or better yet take a walk if you can.  And don’t use the excuse that “I’m different”, or “I will only drive a few blocks”.  Even though you are old it is not your right to endanger other people.

Another point. Just because you are old don”t expect your family to wait on you.  I can guarantee you nobody wants to bathe or clothe your old bones or clean your house.  If you can’t do it yourself, hire someone.  You always liked hiring people anyway.  Don’t be a pain in the ass asserting your independence by taking away someone else’s.

Try to be a wise old sage, not a grumpy old man.  And don’t be cheap.  That rainy day you’ve been saving for?  It’s raining.

Have a drink.  Shaken not stirred.  That’s what Sean would do.

You

Despite the rosy stock market, these are still tense times in the workplace. Unemployment is high, good jobs are hard to come by. So coming from someone who has hired and fired a lot of people, here are a few simple hints to hold onto your job:

1. Do the dirty work. Nobody enjoys taking difficult client calls, collecting money from past due accounts, firing people, and performing the other awful duties that are a day-to-day function of business. But if you are not capable of doing the tough jobs then you might be looking for a job. When I have to perform functions that fall under someone else’s job description it causes me to question that individual’s value to the company. The people that can perform in an organization in tough times as well as good times have the most job security.

2. Hire up. This might seem counterintuitive, but if you are a manager one way to find job security is to hire people smarter than you. Many managers do not do this, preferring to hire much less qualified candidates so they always look good in comparison. But be assured the boss notices when you staff your department with less qualified candidates, And building a great staff below you frees you for a promotion.

3. Adopt the “everything is my job” mantra. If you work for a company your ultimate job is to do everything in your power to make the company successful. The “that’s not my job” attitude isn’t acceptable in this economy. The boss notices people that take initiative to help the company cut costs, raise profits, streamline processes, and generally promote a better work environment.

Shawn Krieger of Toledo, Ohio was arrested for shoving a Salvation Army bell ringer down to the ground, yelling “I can’t stand you and your bell ringing. I hate Christmas.” Krieger then grabbed the Salvation Army pot which contained several hundred dollars, and while the bell ringer gave chase ran to a stolen pickup truck and sped away. Police arrested Krieger the next day, but they have not recovered the money.

Shawn, mellow out! Personally, I hate the guy who dresses like a cowboy and plays air guitar in front of Little Caesar’s Pizza. I really hate it when he waves that big orange foam hand at me when I drive by, trying anything to get me to pull in and buy a $5.00 pizza. But I won’t run him over and steal his air guitar or shove the big foam hand into his mouth. We all need to exercise a little self-control and try to get along. Enjoy the season!

As we head into the big holiday eating season, many of us might be well advised to read Michael Pollan’s terrific book In Defense of Food (also available on Kindle). Pollan makes a strong case to revamp how Americans interact with what they eat, and some of his statistics are particularly alarming. Two thirds of Americans are overweight or obese, and 25% have some kind of metabolic syndrome due to weight. 54 million people have pre-diabetes, and Type 2 diabetes has risen 5% annually since 1990. Americans consume 300 more calories per day than we consumed in 1985. Considering 3000 calories puts about a pound on your waistline, those calories add up quickly. Basically we are eating ourselves to death, and the irony is that we aren’t even really eating food. As Pollan reports, we have turned over food production to mega-corporations that manufacture unhealthy faux food lacking nutrition and filled with empty calories.

Perhaps one way to cure the health care crisis is to educate people on what they should be eating, and revamping our food supply chain so everyone has access to healthy real food. The cost of diet-related healthcare due to our bad eating habits and fake food is estimated at $250 billion a year, and rising. And things are getting worse as obesity becomes an epidemic among children – especially minority children that eat cheap calorie-rich / nutrient-poor fast food. 50% of minority children born after 2000 will suffer diabetes. Someone with diabetes lives on average 13 years less than the norm, and incurs medical costs of $13,000 a year.

Pollan’s simple advice that begins the book – “Eat Food. Not too much. Mostly plants.”