Where Is That Cave?

Back in the 1960’s, when I was in high school, there was a news story about a Japanese soldier on a Pacific island who finally surrendered. He had been hiding in a cave, coming out only in the dark, since 1945 totally unaware the World War II had ended more that 15 years earlier.

Letters to the editor appear in The Times criticizing Americans, opposed to the war in Iraq, of forgetting the outrage of 9/11.

It makes me wonder, where is there a cave big enough for 41% of Americans to hide in for years? A Newsweek poll from June 23, 2007 asked this question, “Do you think Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq was directly involved in planning, financing, or carrying out the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001?” Despite evidence to the contrary, 41% of Americans answered, “Yes.”

At least three times President Bush has said that Iraq and Saddam were not involved in the 9/11 attacks.

The 9/11 Commission Report says it could find “no credible evidence” linking Iraq to the 9/11 attacks.

Al Qaeda trained all the hijackers in Afghanistan. Of the nineteen 9/11 hijackers, fifteen were from Saudi Arabia, two were from the United Arab Emirates, one from Lebanon, and one from Egypt. None - 0 - were from Iraq.

Even Bin Laden said the Iraqis were not involved.

With apologies to Al Gore, it’s time for that 41% of Americans to accept these inconvenient truths, no matter how negatively it affects their other beliefs.

No, Americans have not forgotten 9/11. However, 41% learned the wrong lesson from 9/11. It's time for them to come out of their cave and into the daylight.

Global Warming Reality - My Final Answer

In case you haven't noticed it gets a little hot in Louisiana this time of year. How hot does it get? It gets so hot that birds pull worms out of the yard using tongs. It's so hot people might pour coffee on their lap to cool off. It's so hot that a farmer in Texas is feeding his chickens shaved ice to keep them from laying boiled eggs. I sure hope this global warming isn't real.

The debate has heated up lately regarding global climate change requiring us to ask whether global warming is really happening and what can we do about it. There are those who absolutely believe that global warming is caused by human actions and that a crisis is looming. There are others that absolutely believe that human actions could not affect global climate and that such change is part of a natural cycle for this planet. The report issued earlier this year by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change documents evidence of global warming.

As a scientist I reject the political or moral aspects of this debate and prefer to draw conclusions based on what is observed, tested, and questioned. Therefore, I have reached a conclusion as to whether global warming is a human-influenced condition as an ongoing process that threatens life on this planet. After nearly 30 years of documented study on this subject the absolute, definitive, and scientific conclusion I have reached is ...possibly. However, while studies and debates continue certain steps should be taken to address what we can about global warming.

Here are a few strategies.

• Reduce emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxides and methanes.
• Develop a diversity of energy sources that will reduce use of fossil fuels.
• Reduce energy in homes using more efficient lights, appliances, or using the "off" switch.
• Plan trips in your car to minimize miles driven.
• Recycle or reuse materials.
• Plant a tree or plant lots of trees.

Finally, if this is a global problem it requires a global solution. The Kyoto Protocols and other geo-political instruments that exclude huge polluters is dysfunctional. It does not help to reduce greenhouse gases one ton in the USA and increase them 10 tons in an excluded and developing country by driving industry out of this country. Nevertheless, we should all do our part to reduce our impact on this planet.

Today is my 7th Birthday

Today is my 7th birthday, my “new” birthday that is. It was 7 years ago today that I once again received the gift of life. A 27 year old was brain dead and her family had the decency to think of others in their time of immense tragedy. Her family, aware of her wishes, agreed to donate her organs to those in need. Through a series of coincidences I was matched to her heart and was blessed by God to receive it.

Long before I ever thought I would be a recipient of a donated organ, I had made the decision to be an organ donor myself. My wife and adult children had also made the same choice. We all knew it was the correct decision and none of us ever questioned our choice. However, we always wondered why anyone would object to being an organ donor.

My belief is that most objections are rooted in urban legend. Misinformation on organ donation is reinforced or created by scriptwriters looking for cheap plot devices for their movies and TV shows. Artistic license rum awry!

Genesis 3:19 reads in part, “…for dust thou art, and into dust thou shalt return.” Rather than let organs return to dust, make the effort to help those in need. Commit an act of charity, an act of goodness and help others receive this gift.

Become an organ donor and inform your family of your wishes.

As my favorite bumper sticker reads,
“Don’t take your organs to heaven. Heaven knows we need them here.”

Four questions about Katrina (not me) and other thoughts

Apparently, a number of my friends only keep up with one person from Louisiana, me. Because of that, I've somehow become the 'unofficial official' voice of the state since they think I'm the one with all of the answers.

"Why didn't people leave when they knew a hurricane was headed their way?"

This one, I've answered more than 100 times, for sure. In fact, I (along with a friend from Baton Rouge) gave a presentation during a workshop at Emory University. We answered that question and a number of others. I scoffed at the film presentation when the 'volunteers' said they wanted to go down to New Orleans to see if things were as bad as they seemed on TV...and despite things being really horrible and depressing during the day, at night the drinks and parties were great. That's another story for another day.

"Why did people re-elect Nagin when he didn't do what he was supposed to do before, during and after Katrina?"

There are a number of different answers for this one; I think one of them is that people weren't all that excited about trying something new during such a "difficult" time for them, their city and state.

"Why would they re-elect Jefferson after he stashed 90,000 illegal dollars in his freezer?"

He wasn't charged during the time of the election and even if charges were filed, people (in this country, at least) are supposed to be "innocent until proven guilty." If that doesn't work, see above answer...that's all you get on a public forum.

"Why would someone choose to live in an area that's below the sea level?"

According to the journal of Environment and Urbanization, 634 million people live in "threatened coastal areas." I don't think you should really fault people for believing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was comprised of competent engineers. No one asks the Dutch why they live in The Netherlands, but then their levee system is respectable.

I've been asked so many questions and I've had to explain so many things, I think I should be on the state's payroll as a PR consultant...I have the experience and the background.

On another note, I couldn't agree more with my fellow board member, David. It's a shame that so many people see Louisiana as one of the best when it comes to negative things and one of the worst when it comes to positive things.

For better or worse, this is our home and if we cannot appreciate our beloved state, why should anyone else? I don't hear many people say that New York deserved 9/11 or that Florida deserved Andrew so why, exactly, is it okay for people to say that we deserved Katrina? No one deserves a natural disaster; even Sodom and Gomorrah are up for debate.

Louisiana Proud and Willing to Say it Out Loud

Elvis Presley was once asked what he liked about Memphis. He replied, "Just about everything." That is how I feel about Louisiana. I choose to live here, work here, and will very likely die here. While there are many challenges facing our state, there is much more to love about Louisiana.

When I think about what I love about Louisiana I must start with the food, the people, and the music. There's much more of course such as its ecology, museums, recreation, and history just to name a few.

In all corners of the state, and the middle too, there is extremely good food to delight everyone. Whether its seafood, barbecue, fried chicken, pies, or beignets, if you don't like food in Louisiana, you must not like eating.

The people of Louisiana are of diverse cultures, friendly, and good. I like that your neighbor can be a close acquaintance and willing to let you borrow stuff (and borrow yours also). I like that you are often likely to be greeted by a hug as much as a handshake. I like that God is a part of the lives of many of our citizens and that those don't share that conviction respect the beliefs of people of faith. If you can't see the good in Louisiana people, you just aren't looking.

From the birthplace of jazz, to the Louisiana Hayride. From a singing Governor ("You Are My Sunshine") to musicians and singers today, music in all forms is a big part of what defines Louisiana.I love the country music, blues, classical music, zydeco, jazz, and all other forms uniquely performed with Louisiana style. If Louisiana music doesn't get you movin', ... Nevermind, basically if you have a pulse it's gotta move ya!

All is not perfect in our state and there are exceptions to the good things mentioned above. But the potential for Louisiana is virtually limitless. This remains a beautiful state with much to offer. Stay if you can, leave if you must, but I love this place and will stand with those who care about and have a vision for a greater Louisiana. While my vision is certainly not the same as everyone else, the great thing is by working together we can collectively build a Louisiana that surpasses our expectations.

Finally, we unfortunately sell ourselves way too short and should be willing to show our pride more often. There's an advertisement aired in our state by the actor Jeff Daniels extolling the benefits of moving business to Michigan (presumably from Louisiana or elsewhere). I can't help but think he must still be in his title role from the movie, "Dumb and Dumber". While there are some improvements that need to be made for business climate in Louisiana, we are a state ready for business to enter, stay, and prosper.

I love Louisiana

Booing Mexico

Like most all Americans, I was greatly offended when the audience booed Miss USA. at the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico City. This was not an isolated incident. Three years ago fans chanted “Osama! Osama!” during a soccer match with the United States.

Mexicans have offered several explanations and excuses for the inhospitable behavior. Mexicans, it seems, don’t like the USA. One Mexican citizen said that kind of rude behavior is very un-Mexican and learned from Americans. Anger at America’s treatment of illegal immigrants is another excuse given.

Well Mexico, if that is your story and you are sticking to it, then I have some advice for you. First if you don’t like America’s treatment of illegal immigrants, then do something about it – like trying to improve the horrid conditions of poverty that cause those people to leave Mexico and enter the United States at great riskto their personal safety.

Secondly, no one forced Mexicans to learn bad behavior from the USA. If Mexican citizens are accepting of American culture, that is Mexico’s problem, not ours. Do something about it other than impotently booing a lone, young girl.

Lastly, if Mexico doesn’t like America and does not desire it’s influence, then do not encourage the American flag waving Donald Trump to bring his Miss World pageant to Mexico. Do not plead for the NFL to bring American football Mexican cities. Do not beg Americans to spend millions of dollars annually at Mexican resorts.

Mexico, maybe you should be booing yourself, and if you want to reject Americans and their culture, first fix your own house then reject our American dollars.