So how do you feel about your physician?

By no means is our health care system perfect, but perhaps we can tune in to the Dr. James Orbinski interview, coming up on The Hour, to reflect on just how fortunate we really are in this country.

My family doctor, whom I adore, respect immeasurably and feel very fortunate to have, quite often has a substitute filling in for her. I'm aware of her past holidays to see family abroad over the years, and completely realize that she has a life outside of her profession, although holding a B.Sc., MBChB, DRCOG & CCFBI, I don't imagine she has a lot of time on her hands. I ashamedly admit to having felt inconvenienced the first few times, but this was before I knew the reason behind her absences. I found out a few months later, that she is actively involved in MSF / Doctors Without Borders, and my respect for her sacrifices & ethics have grown even larger.

To follow-up on what I've read so far, I am eagerly awaiting Dr. James Orbinski 's upcoming interview (possibly this week, maybe next week).
A teaser from his NSB (National Speakers Bureau) Profile:
"Orbinski is an outspoken and passionate speaker who is deeply committed to the core principles of volunteerism and impartiality, with a belief that everyone deserves both medical assistance and the recognition of his or her humanity."

If you're interested, here's a fascinating link to a report on The Top Ten Most Underreported Humanitarian Stories of 2007 published by MSF - USA.

Happy health to all.

Your Thoughts?

This one's double duty, with issues from the November 14th and the November 15th show. I'm starting to think I need more sleep, because lately, my brain is shutting off around 10:30, in the middle of watching the East Coast feed of The Hour. So I apologize for the delay, but maybe posting now will carry us through the weekend and as we go back into the territory of repeats next week.

So what made you yell at the television over the past couple days? What made you go "hmmmmm" in the middle of the interview? What are your thoughts on the issues?

1) The Cold Opener on Wednesday was all about those super vivid dreams or nightmares that some of us have. I know lately my dreams are going all weird, involving jelly donuts and trenches (like the ones in wars)... and oddly enough, the CBC building. And I do have some reoccuring nightmares, like George's, but not involving wrestlers. Nope. Mine involve bees... and identical quintuplets. Do you think these kinds of dreams are influenced by what's going on in our lives or is it just our brains playing a mean (or just weird) game with us?

2) Ani DiFranco, discussed candidates in the American election (which feels like it's gone on forever... and there's still a year to go. This is why I hate set terms and election dates... no one ever stops campaigning. Elections should be surprises... like root canals or burst appendix. They certainly seem just as painful). DiFranco commented that the public are becoming "media sheep" and have stopped thinking for themselves when it comes to candidates because of the spin phenomenon. Is there anyone who doesn't spin these days? Is it true that the common man isn't thinking for him/herself and just voting the way the media says they are going to? Is is the term "unelectable" valid? Is any candidate who throws their hat in the ring truly "unelectable" or is that just another PR move to get the vote away from candidates?

3) Matt Damon was named "Sexiest Man Alive" or whatever by People Magazine. Honestly, I don't get it. Sure Damon's a looker. Sure some people think he's sexy. So it's not the choice that baffles me, it's the whole bloody concept. Why? Why choose one man who is the "sexiest" when everyone's tastes differ. Do we really have to turn men into a piece of meat? I don't know. Maybe I just don't get the whole "cult of the celebrity" thing... or why I should care that Matt Damon is the sexiest man alive. Honestly, I'd rather hear about what he's working on and his charitable work than be told he's the sexiest man alive. And really, what criteria do they use? I apologize for the rant, but I've just never understood: a) the appeal of this subject for People magazine and b) how these people choose ONE man as the sexiest. I just don't get it.

4) Top TV Icons of all time: The Associated Press has prepared a list of the Top 50 TV Icons of all time as part of a TV special airing Friday night at 8 EST. George revealed the Top Ten on The Hour.

10) Dick Clark
9) Homer Simpson
8) Jerry Seinfeld
7) Mary Tyler Moore
6) Carol Burnett
5) Walter Cronkite
4) Bill Cosby
3) Oprah Winfrey
2) Lucille Ball
1) Johnny Carson

Agree or disagree? Who's in your top ten?

5) Mark Cohon, the Commissioner of the CFL made the comment that the CFL and the NFL can work together through cross-promotion of NFL games with CFL games. Do you think it's a good idea for the NFL to start infringing on the CFL's turf? Do we really need American football or should we concentrate instead on building and maintaining Canadian football? Is this even something to be concerned with or should we be concerned that the Buffalo Bills will be playing in Toronto in the near future? Can the CFL survive if the NFL comes to town?

6) I think it's very cool that Letterman is paying his staff out of pocket during the Writer's Guild strike. I can totally understand why... in television, you really want to build and then keep a team together that you can trust and work well with. I have that kind of team, and if I could, I'd pay them even when we're on a dark period. Michael Landon did that with his crew between productions. It just means that the team can stay together and still manage to pay those pesky bills.

Other than that, I thought it was a pretty interesting week of interviews. So what did you think?

What's Your Thought?

Are you one of those people who talk back to the television? One of those people who always have thoughts (weird or otherwise) pop into your head when you're watching an interview or something on television? Well, I am. And without fail, every time I watch The Hour, there are things that pique my interest that I either talk back to the show (because you know, he can hear me through the television...) or I wish I had the opportunity to discuss some of the ideas and thoughts presented on the show with others. There's one downfall, either no one I know has watched the show, or they don't pay attention to the news and wouldn't have a clue what I'm talking about.

Well, that's all about to change. Talking to Barbara and Steph last week, I mentioned that it would be interesting to post random thoughts inspired by the show so that we could start a discussion here on the blog about the topics the show covered. They liked the idea... so here I am.

Tonight's show brought up a lot of different topics for me...

1) Disgraced pediatric pathologist Dr. Charles Smith apologized through a statement read by his lawyer. Because you know, apologies read by someone else always ring with sincerity. This whole case infuriates me. This pathologist's work sent people to prison for crimes they didn't commit... and for crimes that never happened. How does an apology on paper fix that? Can anything fix that? The whole situation blows my mind. I can't write anything else because all I can do is shake my head... how does something like this resolve itself? How does something like this happen in the first place?

2) Record stores going the way of the Dodo: The last Canadian player in the music store business, MusicWorld, announced they are shuttering the business because they can't compete. Sir Richard Branson said that he thinks there will be no record stores in 10 years. And it's all to do with the shift in how we get our music (legal or otherwise). When was the last time you bought a CD or even set foot in a music store? I know the way I buy music has changed over the past few years, particularly since getting my iPod. The last time I bought a CD was 3 weeks ago... Feist's album (it's awesome... pick it up). The thought of not physically holding music in my hand kind of makes me sad... I love album art.

3) Celebrities going to Africa: I know this raises a lot of ire with some people I talk to. They see it as the celebrity exploiting the situation to make themselves look good. Branson seems to see a benefit to it, by raising awareness and money for the needs of the people of Africa. Good thing? Bad thing? I don't know. I can see both sides of the coin. I'm sure there are some celebs that go merely to raise their profile, but I also think that many go because they see something they can use their notoriety for good. And those that do try and make a difference, good for them. We need more people to step up and do what they can to make a difference in the world.

4) What does risk mean to you? To some, it's riding a motorcycle. To others, it's trying to get a car to go over 1000 miles per hour. To others, risk is not so out there, it's choosing to wear a red dress instead of the regular black one. Are you a risk taker? Do you step up and put yourself out there, like Steve Fossett who put his life on the line and achieve 125 world records after the age of 55? Or does risk mean taking a different route to work or trying something new? I think I walk the middle.

5) Alan Alda said he doesn't talk politics in public, but then made the following statement as the one political thing he will say: "Why won't they listen to each other?". He was referring to those in government who are supposed to be in charge and trying to make a difference for the people they govern, but are seemingly embroiled in a petty partisan battle that involves putting each other down instead of trying to get something done. I'm pretty sure he was talking about the American government, but it certainly rings true in our own federal government. I don't know about you, but I haven't figured out how I'm supposed to take a political party seriously, if all they do is attack each other, instead of doing what they are supposed to. I don't care if you (the political party) thinks that the other person is a big poopy head, just learn to get along for the sake of the group. Isn't that what we're taught in kindergarten, you may not like someone but you have to learn to get along for the sake of the greater good?




And on an unrelated, yet related note... I found an article online today from The Muse, Memorial University's paper. It's from the Geminis, but it's a good read. Though if you are not a fan of the F-word, be warned, it's used a couple of times. Shocking. I know.

Enjoy!