George A. Sprecace M.D.,
J.D., F.A.C.P. and Allergy
Associates of New
London,
P.C.
www.asthma.drsprecace.com
RAPID
RESPONSE (Archives)...Daily Commentary on News of the Day
This is a new
section. It will
offer fresh,
quick reactions by myself to news and events of the day, day by day, in
this rapid-fire world of ours. Of course, as in military
campaigns,
a rapid response in one direction may occasionally have to be followed
by a "strategic withdrawal" in another direction. Charge that
to
"the fog of war", and to the necessary flexibility any mental or
military
campaign must maintain to be effective. But the mission will
always
be the same: common sense, based upon facts and "real politick",
supported
by a visceral sense of Justice and a commitment to be
pro-active.
That's all I promise.
GS
THERE ARE DIVISIONS AMONG
CATHOLICS REGARDING SOME CATHOLIC DOCTRINES / "DOCTRINES". BUT THERE IS
NO DIVISION REGARDING THE CATHOLIC CHURCH POSITION ON ABORTION BY ANY
MEANS...NEVER, except to
save the life of the mother!
ARE YOU A CATHOLIC...OR A MALIGN HYPOCRITE?
THE NEXT FAR-RANGING EDITION OF "POT POURRI" begins with some comments regarding Medical Practice today. It's not pretty. So be prepared to protect yourselves.
1) A Physician's Rights and Patients' Rights. A
Physician is a Professional, charged by the government with
"supervisory duties" that preclude him or her from unionizing under the
National Labor Relations Act. Or he is an "independent contractor", or
he is an employee, with substantial loss of freedom of action on behalf
of his patient and of himself. A concerted effort is being made to
reduce him to the last category, either directly as an employee or by
changing long-standing Fee for Service relationships to any of a
variety of gambits that will further reduce his role as patient
advocate. Furthermore, his right of conscience, when that is
opposed to the request / demand of his patient for treatment that he
cannot in conscience participate in, is being attacked broadly, even by
ostensible medical organizations that long ago chose their narrow
self-interest over representing their members in the field. That's a
part of what's going on. See two recent articles in Medscape.com on these subjects.
2)
Any Statute of Limitations regarding alleged Sexual Assault cases is
under attack. And what about the right - and the ability - of the
accused to mount a defense decades later? Is the accused still
"innocent until proven guilty"? See ctmirror.org, Jan. 22, 2020.
3)
The "Potential of New London, Ct." is once again out there for all to
marvel at. I refer to what is going on regarding State Pier (already
besmirched) and now regarding the new and separate proposal for the
adjacent area (in The Day, Jan. 25, 2020). Don't Screw This Up Also.
4) Regarding "Racism", and the worst racists in the country at this time. See and contrast the following two articles: a) "U.S. to Mark King Holiday Amid Fears Of Deep Racial Divisions", by Corey Williams (in The Day, January 20, 2020); b) "Why Obama Won And Black Candidates Couldn't", by Jason L. Riley (in WSJ January 22, 2020, Opinion, pA17.
5) What is the meaning of "America First"? See "America First Comes Into View", by Greg Ip (in WSJ, January 21, 2020, "Outlook 2020").
6)
"Internet Security" is an Oxymoryn - a blatant Lie. Now Tech Firms and
your fine neighborhood Hospitals are making even easier the total
elimination of patient privacy. That means you! Well: "Don't just
do something. Stand there". See "Tech Firms Get identifiable Hospital Data", by Melanie Evans (in WSJ January 21, 2020, Business and Finance).
7)
Paraphrasing Adam Schiff during the Impeachment harangue: "We must
impeach Trump now, because we cannot trust the validity of the next
election!" A Sick Partisan. See "Celebrate The Citizens United Decade", by Bradley A. Smith (in WSJ January 21, 2020, Opinion).
8) "President Trump's Davos Triumph", by Newt Gingrich (in gingrich 360.com/2020/01). "Is anybody there? Does anybody care?" You bet they do, as you will find out in November.
9) And Finally: "Parenting Isn't Over When Kids Grow Up", by Mark McConville (in WSJ January 18-19, 2020, Review). AND WHEN DOES THAT HAPPEN IN OUR CURRENT GENERATIONS?
HAD ENOUGH? Not I.
GS
THURSDAY
and FRIDAY,
January 23 and 24,
2020
If you can
keep your head, hands and feet still with this...
YOU'RE DEAD!
ONE WAY TO "MAXIMIZE EHR USE":
Don't us it.
Employ registered nurses and para - professionals and "scriveners"...
and pay the fine for EHR non-use...
and get back to your trusting patients. Only individual physicians can
solve their individual problems, individually.
THIS IS FOR MY FRIENDS AND OTHERS WHO ARE GLOATING OVER THIS
IMPEACHMENT CHARADE.
Yes, I do have some such friends and others with such delusions.
I
suggest that you tear yourself away from CNN and the NYTimes
-
and watch just one edition of Tucker Carlson on Fox News, specifically
the one that aired on Wednesday Jan. 22, 8 PM. And make sure that you
watch the entire segment with Victor Davis Hanson of the Hoover
Institution.
Go ahead, give it a try. It won't hurt...too much.
GS
MONDAY,
January 20,
2020
WHY
INDEED....
Because the basis of human behavioral psychology is Insecurity - and
the resultant Envy.
And because, as the foundation of the three great world Religions, the
Holy Bible defines the Jews as the People of God.
Everything else flows from that.
As
we prepare to travel to our nation's capital to be a voice for life,
let's also prepare our hearts with compassion and love for all life --
born and unborn, mother and child.
So often, women facing unexpected pregnancies feel alone and uncertain
of what the future holds.
Abortion tells these women, "You can't be a mother and...
Get a college degree,
Have your dream job,
Achieve your goals."
The pro-life movement says, "Yes, you can! And we are here to help you!"
The
2020 March for Life seeks to celebrate the joys of motherhood, be a
community of support for women facing unexpected or difficult
pregnancies, and let our culture know that LIFE is the EMPOWERING
choice!
Be a voice for life! Watch and share our Pro-Life is
Pro-Women video and let women know the truth. They are loved, they are
capable, and they are empowered to choose LIFE!
RR#2
IN THE CARE OF PATIENTS, DIAGNOSIS IS KEY, TRUMPED ONLY BY CARING.
That has been my medical mantra from the outset.
That is why I chose the specialty of Internal Medicine.
And that is why, 62 years later, I am still looking for the right
"key".
I'll continue practising until I get it right.
IMPEACHMENT...OR 'TO IMPEACH': "...THAT IS THE QUESTION".
U.S.
Constitution, Section 4: "The President, Vice President and all civil
Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on
Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery or other high
Crimes and Misdemeanors."
Webster's College Dictionary: "Impeach:1)
to charge (a public official) formally with misconduct in office; 2) to
cast doubt on; esp: to challenge the credibility of or validity of;
In
my opinion, the activity that has mesmerized the public since November
of 2016 reflects only the latter of Webster's definitions.
In my
opinion, the initiative taken by President Trump with regard to Ukraine
reflected his duty as President to conduct foreign policy (including
the expenditure of major sums of foreign aid) with a notably corrupt
foreign government that was also dealing questionably with a former
Vice President ( and likely candidate for President) and his son. The
rest is political theater.
The following readings are instructive.
1) "Trump Team, House Managers Trade Sharp Views On Impeachment" (in
The Day January 19, 2020).
2) "Madison And Trump Did The Same Thing, But Trump Got Impeached"
(ibid).
3) "Pelosi's Impeachment Offenses" (Editorial, WSJ Jan. 16, 2020).
The following comment is particularly notable:
"If
the House can divine the motive of Presidents for foreign policy
actions and use it for impeachment, then that too is an invitation to
make impeachments far more common."
GS
RR#4
JUST LIKE FLIP WILSON'S GERALDINE: "WHAT
YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GIT".
SAD, AND TRUE.
What is also true is that physicians and nurses allowed themselves to
be compromised all too easily into this siren-song of IT.
And MD and RN professional organizations quickly became part of the
problem - and profit from it.
The Day staff writer Mike DiMauro put this question into clear
perspective recently with a column entitled:
"Do you trust the outcome of a Major League Baseball game anymore?"
In it he addressed the sorry state of too many in society today: no
morals, no integrity.
"A
sociopath simply lacks a sense of moral responsibility or social
conscience. He or she knows right from wrong and simply doesn't care."
Sound familiar? BEWARE.
GS
WEDNESDAY
and THURSDAY,
January 15 and 16,
2020
A LITTLE
EARLY FOR A SUMMARY...
but: "In Summary,"
1) "Gov. Lamont Shamefully Defies FOI Laws", by David Collins (in The
Day).
"In a Democracy, the people always get what they deserve".
In Connecticut, and in New London, that's in Spades.
2) "Trump's Approach To Iran Invites Disaster" (Day Editorial,
recently).
It appears that the Editorial Board engages in intellectual incest.
Next time, try reading the following articles before you bloviate:
a) "The Democrats And
Iran", by Joe Lieberman (in WSJ Jan. 6, 2020, Opinion, PA17);
b) "Easy Call: The Strike On Soleimani Was Lawful", by Alan M.
Dershowitz (ibid);
c) "It's War: Are We In It To Win It?", by Cal Thomas (in The Day, Jan.
10, 2020);
d) "Trump Acted Boldly While Our Senators Dithered And Cackled", by Lee
Elci (in The Day Jan. 8, 2020).
If
anyone in the Western World would be truthful, even in Europe which is
effectively converting, we are at War against Fundamentalist Islam,
which has as its basic tenet the destruction of any and all non -
Muslim peoples.
The only action that can avert this outcome is the
violent overthrow of the Fundamentalists by the vast majority of
moderate Muslims.
Meanwhile, we must act accordingly.
e) "White House Considering Dramatic Expansion Of Travel Ban", by J.
Lemire et al (in The Day Jan 11, 2020).
3)
"HEAD FAKE": "John Huber's Hillary Clinton-Related Investigtionl Ends
with No Criminal Charges And No Interviews" (in rightcountry.com and
Washington Post).
But there are"new Sheriffs" in town: Bill Barr and John Durham. Stay
Tuned.
4)
This year's Influenza B is hitting children and younger adults harder
than older adults. Beware! There are - and were - medical reasons for
this...the same pattern found in the devastating 1918 Influenza
Pandemic.
5) The Boeing 737Max airliner and the Ford Pinto. Any similarity?
Com'on Now, You can do it.
"Business Ethics" is an oxymoron.
6) WHAT'S A "BUTTIGIEG"?
Another Manchurian Candidate after Obama, that's what:
A "stalking horse" for the Swamp.
7) President Trump and the Environment:
Clean Water, Yes;
Clean Air, Yes;
Trying to protect every species on Earth, no matter the cost: NO!
A
precursor to blaming all and only humans for global warming - and
demanding devastating human actions rather than moderation in the face
of inconclusive facts.
THAT'S 20-20 VISION...AND IT WILL CONTINUE.
GS
RR#2
JUST THE FACTS, MA'AM, JUST THE FACTS".
GS
2019
was a major year for Senate Republicans: Over 185 pro-Constitution
judges were confirmed; the National Defense Authorization Act was
signed into law; our borders are finally being secured; historic tax
cuts are working for everyday Americans; and so much more!
But, let's not forget about the Democrats' work either:
• THE GREEN NEW DEAL
• DELAYING THE USMC
• VOWING TO REPEAL HISTORIC TAX CUTS
• CALLS TO ELIMINATE I.C.E.
• ATTEMPTS TO BLOCK QUALIFIED,
PRO-CONSTITUTION JUDICIAL NOMINEES
• AND MORE!
Friend,
2019 was a major year for Democrats in terms of taking their party even
further to the left and making themselves appear even more out-of-touch
with the American people.
REGARDING WESTERN
CIVILIZATION AND THE THREAT OF ISLAM.
On
my Rapid Response offering of March 30, 2019, I addressed this subject
and appended an excellent article by Rachel Ehrenfeld entitled:
"New Europe" And The Islamist Agenda'.
Unfortunately, that offering was lost in transit, something that we
just recently discovered.
Today,
we are offering that RR again In Toto, together with another offering
on the same subject..entitled "In A Dangerous World..." and published
in RR on January 5 or thereabouts.
And we will shortly publish yet another piece on the same subject.
IT'S THAT IMPORTANT.
IF YOU WATCH NOTHING ELSE, IN TOTO, WATCH THIS PRESENTATION
by former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich.
...and have any young people for whom you are responsible watch it also.
GS
RR#2
THOSE OF US WITH ITALIAN OR OTHER MEDITERRANEAN HERITAGE HAVE BEEN
LIVING THIS ALL OF OUR LIVES.
Please see my web-site, posted for many years and currently under
revision: medidietresourses.com.
MANGIA, MANGIA, MANGIA.
"'TIS A TALE AS TOLD BY
AN IDIOT, FULL OF SOUND AND FURY... SIGNIFYING NOTHING".
Is
that what the incessant discussions on Health Care delivery and cost
will be? It will certainly be a prime subject of debate during this
2020 election year.
Having been a practising physician for over 62
years and an attorney specializing in Health Law for nearly 36 years, I
have some thoughts on the subject...which I have been sharing on this
web site and elsewhere for decades.
See my most recent offering recently posted as a Rapid Response.
See also the following articles appearing elsewhere:
"HOW THE GOP CAN WIN ON HEALTH CARE", by Bobby Jindal ( in
WSJ January 3, 2020, Opinion);
"NURSES IN AMERICA 'ARE EXPERIENCING HIGH RATES OF
BURNOUT'", by Adriana Belmonte (in Yahoo Money, January 2, 2020);
"WHY 'BURNOUT' IS THE WRONG TERM FOR PHYSICIAN SUFFERING",
by Wendy Dean et al,(in Medscape Business of Medicine, July 2019);
"DISAPPOINTED
DOCS SAY: MIPS IS NOT WORTH IT", by Elizabeth Woodcock (ibid, August
2019) - (MIPS is "Merit-Based Incentive Payment System")
A
recent article reported that , in a constant effort of hospitals to
monetize EVERYTHING, they were considering CHARGING FOR THE ROOM AIR A
PATIENT BREATHES! Look it up. I read it.
ONCE AGAIN, WITH FEELING:
Physicians,
historically the "Captains" of the health care ship and protectors of
their patients' interests, have been intentionally marginalized - now
widgets in the Medical - Industrial Complex.
The too-patient patients have been anesthetized to the current personal
and financial brutality.
A not-so-patient public is the Only body with the power to effect
change.
As Bobby Jindal ends his article:
"The best way to prevent a government-run health system is to offer
solutions that lower prices based on competition and transparency."
(Emphasis added).
GS
RR#4
IS THIS THE TRUTH?
it makes sense to me. This is how Fake News operates...flirting with
Treason.
Steve Jobs died a multi-billionaire at age 56. Here's his
final essay.
I reached the pinnacle of success in the business world. In some
others' eyes, my life is the epitome of success. However, aside from
work, I have little joy. In the end, my wealth is only a fact of life
that I am accustomed to. At this moment, lying on my bed and recalling
my life, I realize that all the recognition and wealth that I took so
much pride in have paled and become meaningless in the face of my death.
You can employ someone to drive the car for you, make money for you,
but you cannot have someone bear your sickness for you. Material things
lost can be found or replaced. But there is one thing that can never be
found when it's lost - Life. Whichever stage in life you are in right
now, with time, you will face the day when the curtain comes down.
Treasure love for your family, love for your spouse, love for your
friends. Treat yourself well and cherish others. As
we grow older, and hopefully wiser, we realize that a $300 or $30 watch
both tell the same time. You will realize that your true inner
happiness does not come from the material things of this world. Whether
you fly first class or economy, if the plane goes down - you go down
with it.
Therefore, I hope you realize, when you have mates, old friends,
brothers and sisters, who you chat with, laugh with, talk with, have
sung songs with, that is true happiness! Don't educate your children to
be rich. Educate them to be happy. So, when they grow up they will know
the value of things and not the price. Eat your food as your medicine,
otherwise you have to eat medicine as your food.
The One who loves you will never leave you...even if there
are 100 reasons to give up, he or she will find a reason to hold on to
their friendship. There is a huge difference
between a human being and being human. Only a few really understand it.
You are loved when you are born. You will be loved when you die. In
between, you have to manage!
The six best doctors in the world are sunlight, rest, exercise, diet,
self-confidence and your friends!
RR#1 THIS YEAR, 2020, WILL BE NOT ONLY CONSEQUENTIAL...
IT WILL BE DETERMINATIVE OF AMERICA'S COURSE FOR AT LEAST A GENERATION.
Time to get - stay - caught up with developments.
Recommended Readings:
1) "The Century Of The
Post-Heroic Presidency", by Peggy Noonan (in WSJ).
No FDR or Truman or Reagan in this 21st century so far. But
President Trump could rise to the occasion in a second term.
2) "Great Society: A New History", by Amity Shlaes. Shackles for a
great many.
3) "Inside China's Major Corporate Hack",by Barry and Voltz.
And also "Congress Wants Clarity On Cyber Warfare", both in WSJ Dec,
31, 2019.
A Stupid disconnect, if there ever was one.
4) "Transgender Sports Debate...", by Kathleen Megan,(ctmirror.com,
July 22, 2019).
Another Stupid idea."...an unlevel playing field".
5) "Putin Thanks Trump..." (in Washington Post Dec. 31, 2019.)
Despite the Military - Industrial Complex and its politician - stooges,
U.S. and Russia must communicate and cooperate when possible.
6) Pelosi's Potemkin Impeachment", by Daniel Henninger (WSJ Dec. 26,
2019). Also Google "Potemkin Village" if necessary.
7) "Trump's Proposed Social Security Disability Cuts..." (in
Yahoo.com/finance).
And what's wrong with "continuing disability review"? Many initially
qualifying disabilities need not be permanent, although initially so
deemed.
8) You want the truth? See: "A Tragic Journey Through The Indian Health
Service", (WSJ Dec. 24, 2019).
Remember: Be and Stay Informed. There are millions of ignorant and
stupid people out there whose vote will count just like yours in the
November election.
GS
RR#2
WHO KNEW THE EXTENT OF THIS?
I did not, although I'm not at all surprised. China is our greatest
adversary!
