The Tennessee gubernatorial race has grown more intense over the past several days over the issue of rights to carry weapons in the state of Tennessee. Republican candidate Bill Haslam has indicated that he would sign a bill eliminating the need for handgun permits if passed by the state legislature.
This has created much debate across both sides of the gun control aisle and in the press. I will note that Haslam will likely win regardless of the affect his stance has on the race. He has also stated that he is in favor of maintaining current permit to carry laws as they stand now. I say all this to emphasize that the debate is over a hypothetical bill in a race for governor that is not likely to be close anyway. Regardless, it makes for good debate.
This issue has made me think further about gun control and the constitution, and it may have little bearing on who I vote for next week. I favored Zach Wamp for what it is worth. Getting back on track, I read the constitution again this week. It is a marvelously simple document. It is a framework for our government and emphasizes at its core the concern our early leaders had regarding abuse of power and the dangers of a government that interferes too much in the lives of the people. It also clearly states areas where the government dare not interfere in the lives of people.
The two issues that seem to arise the most are the right to free speech and assembly (1st amendment) and the right to keep and bear arms (2nd amendment). The issue in the governor's race is clearly an issue of state regulation regarding second amendment rights. When I first read Haslam's stand on signing the potential bill, I thought, "how irresponsible." I also considered that this is simply politial pandering (and still think it probably is) because Tennessee law requires only a simple majority to override a veto, thus any bill that passes can be overidden. I thought this was irresponsible because simply stated, I despise handguns. I really do. Handguns serve only one general purpose (other than sport shooting) and that is taking the life of another person. Far too often I have seen news of tragic shootings, both accidential and volitional, as a result of handguns. I truly believe the world would be safer without them. But then I read the constitution....
The second amendment to the constitution states: A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
Our country has mostly secure borders, and we have a standing army, navy, air force, and marine corps. The state militias have essentially been replaced by the national guard. Although the keeping and bearing of arms to ensure a militia is no longer a concern, this is clearly in my mind a two part amendment. It clearly states the right of the People shall not be infringed. This really has to do with government interference in liberty. I do not like handguns. No one is forcing me to own one. By the same token, I have no right under the consitiution to say who can or can't have one or where they can have it (unless they are on my property). I think background checks are appropriate because I believe that there is some room in the constitution to prevent felons and habitual lawbreakers from owning weapons. I do not see why gun owners should have to register. There is no other right that requires registration. I believe that property owners should have the right to control (on their own property) the presence of guns, liquor, tobacco, pornography, bibles, or anything else they chose under the constitution. The government is not given this right under our constitution.
That being said I do not like the idea that just anyone can be out there packing a weapon. I do see how criminal activity could be curtailed by the concern that a potential victim could be ready to kill the criminal. I also see the potential for senseless argument escalating to use of force by irresponsible people owning guns. This is the United States of America. You take the good with the bad. The same right that allows one to protect their home against a threat, can also allow for a nonsensical killing by irresponsible gun owners. In the same manner, the same law that allows Lifeway, Zondervan, and other Christian distributorships, also allows Larry Flynt to publish Hustler. There is no law in this land against poor taste or stupidity.
The authors of the constitution were very libertarian. That means they favored a political philosophy emphasizing the rights of the individual. The doctrine of libertarianism stresses the right to self-ownership and, by extension, the right to private ownership of material resources and property. Conservatives favor government action to promote civil order. Liberals favor goverment action to promote equality. Libertarians favor freedom and limited government interaction to promote either order or equality. When you read the constitution, it seems evident that the framers of the constitution wanted enough government to ensure the defense of the nation and its economic development. The framers wanted to ensure that the government could not oppress the people and supress their pursuit of life, liberty and wealth. Guaranteeing the right to free speech, assembly, gun ownership, jury trial, and protection from self-incrimination are all part of the process.
When you look at the role of government in our society today, we have fallen off track. In my own industry, healthcare, we are now being told exactly how to practice medicine, how much we can charge for it, and what information must be present in prder to get paid. This is government regulation at its highest level. Having the government run healthcare may not be wrong, but it is not the American way. Limiting gun ownership may not be wrong, but it is not the American way. One thing about the United States that is certain: there will always be folks who are doing things you disagree with. Our freedom and liberty allow for it, but the price is you also have to put up with it.
Since I do not like handguns and generally disapprove of their intended use, I choose not to own one. You can too. Or you can choose to own one. You have that freedom. If the legislature passes a bill eliminating the need for registration, it will be based on the will of Tennesseeans. The constitution allows for this. If you don't like it, then there are 49 other states to choose from, and each handles the issue differently. You don't have to like the rules, but our contitution ensures that you have the right to pursue liberty without government interference, and I believe that is a good thing.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
I Think I am getting Old
My oldest daughter, Sydney, was talking to me after dinner about her technology class in 5th grade. She is having to learn some of the components of PCs and also some history behind the development of the personal computer. I told her some of the background on how our technology developed in the late 70s and early 80s, and I started thinking about some of the changes that have occurred in my 38 short years. Here are some of the things I thought about and shared some of it with Sydney:
Pong: the 1st video game. Pre-Atari. blip-boop-blip. Square ball, rectangle players, black and white. We played for HOURS!
Rabbit Ears and the vertical hold. All people over thirty five should remember your father saying, "get up and jiggle the rabbit ears" when the reception was bad. I also had to reach behind the TV and adjust the vertical hold when the screen would start "flipping".
Vinyl record and tapes: I'll admit the eight track was mostly a dinosaur by the time I came of age, but you could still buy vinyl singles and LPs. I also remember trying to tape songs on cassette off of the radio, and hoping the deejay didn't mess it up by talking.
Movies before PG 13: Life was simplier. F-word or nudity=R, everything else PG, unless it was a cartoon or Benji, then it was G.
Busy signal: the noise you heard when the person you were trying to call was on the phone. No caller ID, no call-waiting, no three-way. Some of us had push button phones, but I still remember my grandmother had a rotary. I think she missed talking to the operator to connect a call and also party lines.
Full-Service gas stations: I can remember as a small child, going to the gas station and the attendant pumped your gas and checked the oil. Didn't last long. I always pumped my own.
Pay Phones: I was in college before I ever saw a cell phone. They were huge. I would take quarters (or dimes when I was younger) when i went out, just in case I needed to call home.
The Library: every research paper I wrote was accompanied by hours spent at the public library on Peabody in Memphis. You could do your research on the internet. Books and encyclopedias had to be scoured and reviewed. You couldn't do it at home.
Typewriters: Until I was in college, I had to use my mother's typewriter (which usually meant getting her to type for me). No personal computer or word processors.
Now in all fairness a lot of technology developed during my formative years: we went from pong, to Atari, to colecovision, commodore 64, and nintendos in quick fashion. By the time I was in medical school I had Internet access (high speed) at home, and a cell phone. We had cable TV installed around 6th grade, and got a microwave around that time. At some point we even bought a VCR and a TV with color AND remote control. Power windows and door locks became standard on most cars. We upgraded to CDs then MP3. Now we have HDTV with Blu-ray, 4g networks, i-phones, kindles, netbooks, back-up video cameras on our cars, wi-fi at home.
Gone for us are parachute pants, neon shoelaces, leg warmers, big hair, Michael Jackson (before surgery and diprivan), John Hughes movies (and the Brat Pack). We no longer hate the Russians. Guys no longer want to join the Navy to be like "Maverick". Dirty Harry is not making any one's day. We are approaching the "future" that Marty McFly travelled to, and I am finding the world I grew up in was much more like the past my parents grew up in than the future my children will grow up in.
I don't think this is a bad thing. The world is different and the same. Change happened fast, but I think we are better for the technological advances that have been made. Sydney told me that her teacher said, learning about keyboarding on computers may be obsolete by the time she finishes school, because by then we will probably just talk to our computers. If the next thirty years are as fast paced as the past thirty, I think she is right!
Pong: the 1st video game. Pre-Atari. blip-boop-blip. Square ball, rectangle players, black and white. We played for HOURS!
Rabbit Ears and the vertical hold. All people over thirty five should remember your father saying, "get up and jiggle the rabbit ears" when the reception was bad. I also had to reach behind the TV and adjust the vertical hold when the screen would start "flipping".
Vinyl record and tapes: I'll admit the eight track was mostly a dinosaur by the time I came of age, but you could still buy vinyl singles and LPs. I also remember trying to tape songs on cassette off of the radio, and hoping the deejay didn't mess it up by talking.
Movies before PG 13: Life was simplier. F-word or nudity=R, everything else PG, unless it was a cartoon or Benji, then it was G.
Busy signal: the noise you heard when the person you were trying to call was on the phone. No caller ID, no call-waiting, no three-way. Some of us had push button phones, but I still remember my grandmother had a rotary. I think she missed talking to the operator to connect a call and also party lines.
Full-Service gas stations: I can remember as a small child, going to the gas station and the attendant pumped your gas and checked the oil. Didn't last long. I always pumped my own.
Pay Phones: I was in college before I ever saw a cell phone. They were huge. I would take quarters (or dimes when I was younger) when i went out, just in case I needed to call home.
The Library: every research paper I wrote was accompanied by hours spent at the public library on Peabody in Memphis. You could do your research on the internet. Books and encyclopedias had to be scoured and reviewed. You couldn't do it at home.
Typewriters: Until I was in college, I had to use my mother's typewriter (which usually meant getting her to type for me). No personal computer or word processors.
Now in all fairness a lot of technology developed during my formative years: we went from pong, to Atari, to colecovision, commodore 64, and nintendos in quick fashion. By the time I was in medical school I had Internet access (high speed) at home, and a cell phone. We had cable TV installed around 6th grade, and got a microwave around that time. At some point we even bought a VCR and a TV with color AND remote control. Power windows and door locks became standard on most cars. We upgraded to CDs then MP3. Now we have HDTV with Blu-ray, 4g networks, i-phones, kindles, netbooks, back-up video cameras on our cars, wi-fi at home.
Gone for us are parachute pants, neon shoelaces, leg warmers, big hair, Michael Jackson (before surgery and diprivan), John Hughes movies (and the Brat Pack). We no longer hate the Russians. Guys no longer want to join the Navy to be like "Maverick". Dirty Harry is not making any one's day. We are approaching the "future" that Marty McFly travelled to, and I am finding the world I grew up in was much more like the past my parents grew up in than the future my children will grow up in.
I don't think this is a bad thing. The world is different and the same. Change happened fast, but I think we are better for the technological advances that have been made. Sydney told me that her teacher said, learning about keyboarding on computers may be obsolete by the time she finishes school, because by then we will probably just talk to our computers. If the next thirty years are as fast paced as the past thirty, I think she is right!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
The Stem Cell Dilemma
I read in a article this week that embryonic stem cells have been used to create oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. These cells help create the myelin sheath around nerves. Myelin works in nerves much the way rubber insulation works in an electrical wire. without it signals are not transmitted properly, or they are lost. The result can be pain, weakness or paralysis. These cells have been used in mice to essentially reverse catastrophic spinal cord injuries. Now the first human trials are being conducted in Atlanta. The company that has developed the cells is called Geron. It is a private based firm with no government support.
This is encouraging and worrisome at the same time. I am a proponent of stem cell research. I am not a proponent of embryonic stem cell research. The cells used to develop this line were donated by an individual who had undergone fertility treatments. These cells were from "left over" embryos that were to be "discarded". I am encouraged because I would love to see our best scientists discover cures for spinal cord injuries, cancer, and other catastrophic illnesses like ALS, and muscular dystrophy. The reality is that these embryos are destroyed in the process. Embryos that if implanted in a uterus would grow and thrive and be born as healthy babies. For this reason, I hope this fails.
If they were using cells harvested from cord blood I would feel differently. If the cells could be harvested without destroying the embryos, I would support it. I am glad that the government is not using tax dollars to underwrite and support this project, but the reality is that most research of this nature is done in the private sector where there is little regulation against using embryonic stem cells. For me it is not just about the destruction of unborn embryos, it is the potential extension of programs such as this. If this project is a huge success, then we could see more breakthroughs requiring more cell lines. The potential end is the development of embryo farms for the harvesting of stem cells for research and therapies. If we can do this without hurting/destroying embryos, then let's go for it. As long as embryos are used, I hope it fails, so that this industry will flounder and fade away.
It bothers me that fertility clinics could create more embryo's than necessary for possible in-vitro fertilization in order to sell them to private research companies. Potential parents could actually pay for their fertility by offering to sell the extra embryos. I hope people see where this could go. Although my conclusions and the possibilities seem far-fetched, they are real. These issues may not arise in my generation or even the next one, but it is possible. It is an ethical line that our society should approach with extreme caution. For these reason, I think stem cell research should be limited to non-embryonic cell lines.
This is encouraging and worrisome at the same time. I am a proponent of stem cell research. I am not a proponent of embryonic stem cell research. The cells used to develop this line were donated by an individual who had undergone fertility treatments. These cells were from "left over" embryos that were to be "discarded". I am encouraged because I would love to see our best scientists discover cures for spinal cord injuries, cancer, and other catastrophic illnesses like ALS, and muscular dystrophy. The reality is that these embryos are destroyed in the process. Embryos that if implanted in a uterus would grow and thrive and be born as healthy babies. For this reason, I hope this fails.
If they were using cells harvested from cord blood I would feel differently. If the cells could be harvested without destroying the embryos, I would support it. I am glad that the government is not using tax dollars to underwrite and support this project, but the reality is that most research of this nature is done in the private sector where there is little regulation against using embryonic stem cells. For me it is not just about the destruction of unborn embryos, it is the potential extension of programs such as this. If this project is a huge success, then we could see more breakthroughs requiring more cell lines. The potential end is the development of embryo farms for the harvesting of stem cells for research and therapies. If we can do this without hurting/destroying embryos, then let's go for it. As long as embryos are used, I hope it fails, so that this industry will flounder and fade away.
It bothers me that fertility clinics could create more embryo's than necessary for possible in-vitro fertilization in order to sell them to private research companies. Potential parents could actually pay for their fertility by offering to sell the extra embryos. I hope people see where this could go. Although my conclusions and the possibilities seem far-fetched, they are real. These issues may not arise in my generation or even the next one, but it is possible. It is an ethical line that our society should approach with extreme caution. For these reason, I think stem cell research should be limited to non-embryonic cell lines.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Yoga...right or wrong?
I have read where Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, is encouraging Christians to avoid the practice of yoga. Apparently Dr. Mohler is concerned about the Hindu origins of yoga, and the use of the body as a means to reach consciousness with the Divine.
I will agree that Christians have no business reciting incantations to Hindu gods. I am also aware that in many Western iterations of yoga, the Eastern religious mysticism has been removed. Dr. Mohler might argue that this form of yoga without the chants and incantations is not yoga at all. Christians are taught to spend time in prayer and meditation in order to receive direction and peace from God. We are also taught to treat our bodies as temples. With this in mind, it seems to me that the techniques derived from yoga, (mainly clearing the mind of stress and meditating, along with stretching) could actually help the Christian in his or her spiritual walk.
I am uncertain where the above practices would be contrary to Christianity. Jesus Himself spent much time in meditation. I am also concerned that a respected Christian leader would not temper his thoughts with a bit more grace. Jesus stated that He did not come to condemn but save the world. I realize that Dr. Mohler was trying to address an "in-house" issue and was not implying that Christians who practice yoga are "lost", but I do think his remarks appear legalistic and harsh to the outside world. I think that the church should use whatever means are possible to reach people, as long as the message of salvation by faith alone in Christ alone is not compromised. Taking some of the positive aspects of yoga and "Christianizing" it may be one such way. After all, I do not see how clearing one's mind and trying to connect spiritually with the true and living God could be a bad thing.
I will admit that I am no expert on yoga or Eastern religions, so I would like your thoughts Christians.
I would also remind you that I have seen very few unhealthy and overweight Hindus (and I count some among my friends); I will note that Baptist preachers are some of the fattest and unhealthiest folks I have ever seen. I am reminded that it was a Baptist preacher that I once heard say the BUFFET stands for Big Ugly Fat Folks Eating Together. I hope I haven't offended my many preacher friends, but you thin ones know what I am talking about. For now, I say eat less, exercise more, and yoga (if it improves your health and faith)
I will agree that Christians have no business reciting incantations to Hindu gods. I am also aware that in many Western iterations of yoga, the Eastern religious mysticism has been removed. Dr. Mohler might argue that this form of yoga without the chants and incantations is not yoga at all. Christians are taught to spend time in prayer and meditation in order to receive direction and peace from God. We are also taught to treat our bodies as temples. With this in mind, it seems to me that the techniques derived from yoga, (mainly clearing the mind of stress and meditating, along with stretching) could actually help the Christian in his or her spiritual walk.
I am uncertain where the above practices would be contrary to Christianity. Jesus Himself spent much time in meditation. I am also concerned that a respected Christian leader would not temper his thoughts with a bit more grace. Jesus stated that He did not come to condemn but save the world. I realize that Dr. Mohler was trying to address an "in-house" issue and was not implying that Christians who practice yoga are "lost", but I do think his remarks appear legalistic and harsh to the outside world. I think that the church should use whatever means are possible to reach people, as long as the message of salvation by faith alone in Christ alone is not compromised. Taking some of the positive aspects of yoga and "Christianizing" it may be one such way. After all, I do not see how clearing one's mind and trying to connect spiritually with the true and living God could be a bad thing.
I will admit that I am no expert on yoga or Eastern religions, so I would like your thoughts Christians.
I would also remind you that I have seen very few unhealthy and overweight Hindus (and I count some among my friends); I will note that Baptist preachers are some of the fattest and unhealthiest folks I have ever seen. I am reminded that it was a Baptist preacher that I once heard say the BUFFET stands for Big Ugly Fat Folks Eating Together. I hope I haven't offended my many preacher friends, but you thin ones know what I am talking about. For now, I say eat less, exercise more, and yoga (if it improves your health and faith)
Faith, the Force, and the Fab Four
I chose the title for my first blog post because it says a lot about who I am. I am NOT the Walrus... I was a child of the late 70s and 80s. I remember wondering...is Darth Vader really Luke's father the same way my daughter wonders if Severus Snape is evil or not. In my teens I discovered the Beatles and the way the music and culture of the Vietnam era had shaped the world I lived in. I found Jesus Christ or I should say he found me. I went to college and medical school, got married, started a family, finished residency, joined a medical practice, had a second child, started a new practice, left that practice, changed careers, moved to a new town, and here I am.
I am entering middle age now, getting gray around the temples, but enjoying the time I have with my wife and kids. I find that I struggle with many things in the same way I always have, problems arise and solutions are found often in ususual ways. Through it all my faith is firm (though I often fail), and I can always watch Han Solo, Luke and Yoda, and the Beatles are still there (although on MP3 now and not vinyl). Nowhere Man, Helter Skelter and the Fool on the Hill have different meaning to me now from when I was sixteen. God has been good to me and along the way He has shown me how to be less judgemental and more compassionate toward people. I think my best years serving Him are ahead of me, as I lead my family into a new phase of our life.
I am rambling through this post, and I realize that it is not the most elegant piece of prose written, but I think it offers a glimpse of who I am. I will post when I think I have something interesting to offer. Hopefully that will be often. I hope you enjoy my blog...the Doctor is IN!
I am entering middle age now, getting gray around the temples, but enjoying the time I have with my wife and kids. I find that I struggle with many things in the same way I always have, problems arise and solutions are found often in ususual ways. Through it all my faith is firm (though I often fail), and I can always watch Han Solo, Luke and Yoda, and the Beatles are still there (although on MP3 now and not vinyl). Nowhere Man, Helter Skelter and the Fool on the Hill have different meaning to me now from when I was sixteen. God has been good to me and along the way He has shown me how to be less judgemental and more compassionate toward people. I think my best years serving Him are ahead of me, as I lead my family into a new phase of our life.
I am rambling through this post, and I realize that it is not the most elegant piece of prose written, but I think it offers a glimpse of who I am. I will post when I think I have something interesting to offer. Hopefully that will be often. I hope you enjoy my blog...the Doctor is IN!
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