Archives: October 2009

Surgery on the Cutting Edge

“Well, Bones, do the new medical facilities meet with your approval?” – Admiral James T. Kirk “They do not. It’s like working in a damn computer center.” – Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy From “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” Modern surgery might not yet feature Star Trekian techniques and equipment, but in some regards, they are on their way. Technological advances…

The Mysteries of Autism

Autism frequently makes headlines in the news, often highlighted by debate and controversy. Although countless research hours and dollars have been spent studying autism, much remains to be understood about the disorder, including why there has been an uptick in cases, and whether childhood vaccines are to blame. Autism is one of a group of neurologically-based developmental disabilities called autism…

Beware the Sun

Humankind has long had a special relationship with the sun. Ancient Egyptians used to worship it, acknowledging the sun’s awesome power and influence on life. Today, many people still find themselves irresistibly drawn to the sun, and blissfully soak up rays for hours at a time. Although the warmth of the sun blanketing your skin might feel good, sun exposure…

Going Digital

It’s probably safe to say that for most women mammograms are included on the I-know-I-should-do-it-but-I-really-don’t want-to healthcare checklist, along with dentist and ob/gyn visits. There’s the psychological discomfort of baring oneself to a stranger, the awkward posing to get the angle just right, the handling and arranging, the squeeze as the breast is flattened for the photos, and then the…

Humocracy at Work

Who knew that the bronze statue on the Statehouse plaza was really a stand-up comedian? Granite State native Daniel Webster was asked to fill the vice-presidential spot on the Whig Party ticket in 1858 with nominee Zachary Taylor. He turned it down, saying: “I do not propose to be buried until I am dead.” Now there’s a man who should…

Worldly Wisdom

Whenever spring is a little early or late, or the autumn leaves are a little less than brilliant, or when it snows too much or too little, I join you in worrying. Is it the normal variation, or is it the beginning of the end of our seasons as we know them? I do not doubt the scientific consensus: We…

The Pound Sand Approach

EDITOR’S NOTE: In 2007, Gov. John Lynch signed a law prohibiting New Hampshire from participating in the federal Department of Homeland Security standards for New Hampshire driver’s licenses. In 2008, with a deadline for REAL ID participation looming, state officials stared down the DHS in an epistolary battle of wills. This showdown included letters between DHS Assistant Secretary for Policy…

Presidential Psychology

Everybody who lives in New Hampshire, where (whether we want to or not) we get a close-up view of presidential candidates 24/7/365 for a couple of years at a time, must have this thought come scooting across their neurons at one time or another: Why on earth would anyone want to run for president? To put it in even more…

My Dad Warned Us

With sky-high gas prices, we should have listened …In 1976 Jimmy Carter was President, interest rates were up to 21 percent and the OPEC nations turned off the oil spigots. We all sat in gas lines. At the time a barrel of oil cost between $10 and $12, and our energy dependency for imported oil was at 32 percent and…

Say What?

The latest in the alphabet soup of government – LOLIf you’re looking for some New Hampshire autumn fun before the big election, what better way than to read the Granite State’s MAIED (“Monthly Analysis of Industry Employment Data”) from one year ago this month.(All right, it was a tough summer for humor, and logic like the above is why I’m…