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The discussion this week between some of us has reached an interesting point. Another article, wrtitten in a very cogent and logical manner (this time) is put forth about two comparative evils in our lives. Well reasoned and very thought provoking.

How evil was this, and which is a greater evil - a "bump stock" in the hands of a mad man, or the razor sharp "currette" and suction device in the hands of some "doctors"?

One helps bullets puncture and rip through the human body, the other slices it to pieces before extraction.

I imagine you could all guess, that I am appalled by, and opposed to both. So I am therefore in total agreement with multiple points of view. But I tend to cringe at the use of that argument to fan the flames of the other. I wish that we could keep the two arguments separate - conceeding that will be (emotionally) difficult. Or at least let a cooling off period of time before bringing those two up in the same breath.

But I also agree with one very important point of view in the other classmate's reply. It saddens me that so much of our upbringing in our "Faith" is based on almost two millenia of a Church that long ago drifted from it's origin based on the many "promises" of Christ, to the need for worldly authority and control at all costs. Reading the Church's own history, one is shocked by the powerful manipulation, fear tactics, and outright crimes employed by Rome throught the ages. The Crusades, the Spanish Inquisistion, and the "selling" of indulgeneces by Tetzel in the 1500's, are some of the most noteworthy. I myself am quite fascinated by a few of the late 19th century's Pope's attempts to hold onto the Papal States (mostly for tax revenues) with iron fisted controls - through the use of moslty brutal French and Austian troops. They actully forbade Catholics to join unions, to vote, to hold office, or run for office - or to own or read a Bible!

The penalty was death. And that's in the late 1800's folks!

But more to the point - in our own lives, I recall some of the manipulation we experienced. One such thing was the Friday "examination of conscience". It was hard to imagine how a boy like me - going through puberty with a class full of cute "babes" - could avoid hell - week after week, after week. And it did leave some scars.

The overall lesson of life we got from the good Sisters was "You'd better be good, or God will not love you." I have long since come to beleive that it should have been - "You already are good, because God loves you so much that He wants you to be with Him forever."

Before we ever had organized religion, there was one itinerant, homelsss, young troublemaker from a small backwater town in Galilee, who I beleive came to free us from "religion". He is quoted as saying;

"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (And he did exactly that !)

*I really believe in the end, His "argument" will beat all of ours. And I'm betting all I have on it!

Have a fantastic day tomorrow - I need to go check out Mitch Trubisky)

10/09/17 10:28 PM

#2051

Joe,

Are you in the fire zone? Looks really bad on the news. Hope you are safe.

Donna,

Sunday's demonstrations looked like a large contingent of the voice of reason. Are you anywhere near those parts of the city?

10/10/17 05:09 AM

#2052

Donna Kelley (Velazquez)

Thanks, Dave. No, we are about 20 minutes up the hill from downtown Barcelona which is where most of the manifestations take place. Today we will know if Puigdemont declares DUI (Declaration of Unilateral Indepence) or not. I could never have made up that coincidence of acronyms. The outcome of a wreckless moving train crashing towards an immobile central Govt will be known this evening.

10/10/17 11:08 AM

#2053

Hang in there, Donna. You have no idea how much Denise and I talk about you -- it makes everything so much scarier for her since she can visualize everything having seen it with you so recently.

Speaking of which - a little lightness, if it helps - she went to one of Billy's poetry readings a couple of weeks ago. It was in a huge retirement village near us and the surroundings were tacky and in the middle of the q and a afterwards the guy who was running the event interrupted Billy and said: "folks, the caterer is leaving, so if you want to get any more dessert, better do it now."

The poet laureate of the United States and they're interrupting him so people can stuff themselves. Denise was apoplectic. But Billy took it all in stride. It's what I love about him.

Jessica is loving Vienna, by the way. And already speaking German pretty much fluently. She amazes me.

10/10/17 04:01 PM

#2054

Donna Kelley (Velazquez)

Thanks, Michael. That means a lot to me. Give my love to Denise and a big hug for both of you and for Billy. We often talk of the fun visits we had with all of them. Very special people that you have brought into our lives this year.....and you are not so bad yourself.

Well as of two hours ago it seems that the head-on train crash has been averted at least for the time being. Puigdemont took a serious reality pill and backed down in a style that was in line with the course taken to get us to where we are today. He did not proclaim an independent republic (as had been expected) and yet he suspended the proclamation. We are having a "What The Frank" moment of relief! Sorry to use your name in vain, Frank.

We must now see how the central govt reacts. One can only hope for the best.

10/11/17 01:13 AM

#2055

Timothy Lavelle

....mumbling to self...it's not distopian dummy, it's with a "y"...dystopian...hell no wonder...

Hey Joe M: check in and let us know how you are doing. The national news re Santa Rosa looked terrible.

10/11/17 10:41 AM

#2056

Tolld yuu I cooldn't sspel. I shooda had Nina revu my riting afore I done it.

Hoping to hear back from a "behind the curtain" classmate who has been in touch with Joe M. It looks crazy bad out there. Sounds like it whipped up all of a sudden and caught people by surprise.

10/11/17 11:07 AM

#2057

Dave:

Interesting point of view about how the reality of Catholicism differs from the version we got.

Of course they had to boil it down for our benefit but it has been so enlightening over the years to revisit the history of the church and see how much politics influenced religion over the centuries, and how the gospels that suited what they wanted the flock to believe from one era to another were selected and promulgated while others were ignored. Esoecially interesting as it applied to Mary Magdalene.

10/11/17 01:09 PM

#2058

They say the THIRD try/ attempt is the best so here goes my third attempt to post.

Tim, I will agree that you have claimed stamps; however Dave still might claim philatelic or Philately. On the other hand I am claiming Numismatics AND Horology (keep it clean Tim this is a Family site). Horology is the art or science of measuring time (Clocks, Watches, Sundials, etc.). On the other hand I think you should award Jim the claim to Holography. By the way Donna you might check availability of accommodations in Barcelona for Jim around 16-17 November when the world Holography Conference takes place in Barcelona.

As to the fire situation. fireS started late Sunday night in various locations in Sonoma and Napa Counties. I live In Rohnert Park, CA (Sonoma County) approximately six miles south of Santa Rosa which is the County seat. When Rohnert Park was being developed as a city in the 1960's they decided that it would consist of Sections designated with a letter of the alphabet. Each Section would have all the streets with names beginning with that letter; "A" section as an example would have Adrian, and Avram. There was no set method of designating Sections such as in alphabetic order. I live in the "D" section. The "G" and "H" sections, which are approximately two to three blocks from my section, sections were placed on mandatory evacuation orders during Monday. The areas in the photo I hope will atach is approximately Nine miles North of our house. They WERE multi-million dollar homes.

My wife, Carol, and I have remained ready to flee when the word comes, however it isn't easy. Sonoma county has two main routes out of the area. Hwy 12, a two lane road, which runs through some of the fire areas is not a good choice. The only other route is Hwy 101which lead south across the Golden Gate Bridge to toll plazas, and North through Santa Rosa to the Oregon Border. Hwy 101 is a four lane highway headed South to the Golden Gate Bridge, but basically a two lane road North of Santa Rosa. Oh, and the fire jumped Hwy 101 where it was four lanes separated by a large median. Hwy 101 South on Monday was a PARKING lot, with almost no movement because of the number of people both fleeing and trying to get to work in San Francisco.

Except for the heavy smoke we are doing good so far. We do have items packed and ready to load into the SUV at a minutes notice. We will have to keep watching.

Joe

10/11/17 01:44 PM

#2059

Wow Joe! And we will all have to keep praying.

I think I will take our high winds and water over your hot winds and fire anytime.

10/11/17 03:05 PM

#2060

James Hamilton, M. D.

Joe,

Be safe, what best you can!

Glad to see you are keeping your sense of humor!

When we had to evacuate in 2012 the police made all roads in our area one way - exiting. That helped the evac a lot and prevented people from coming into a fire zone. Your situation sounds different however, and you may not have that option. In our evacuation the first thing that the authorities did in secions that were in immediate danger was to turn off the gas and electricity. So if you have anything in the fridge that you really need, grab a coolor and take it with you.

Prayers are with you and all involved,

Jim

10/11/17 06:45 PM

#2061

Mea Culpa; My mistake. The picture I inserted is one showing a development on the West side of Hwy 101 where the homes are priced around a million. The fire scene resulted when embers jumped (flew) over Hwy 101 from the Multi Million dollar homes on the East side of Hwy 101. On the East side they also completely destroyed a couple of major hotels, restaurants, and shopping areas.

During the next 48 hours we will have to make a decision about evacuating.

One last note. For those who have ever been to Key West, FL, imagine being told that you and 100,000 plus people have to evacuate by car immediately.

I am hoping that thing calm down so that I can go and do something with three characters, I mean guys, on Friday

And Janie, time for a get together, lunch, or party.

10/12/17 11:00 AM

#2062

Sylvia DiSabato (DiCello)

Holy crap --

I HAVE been to Key West, Joe, covering hurricanes over the years, but yes, what are up against is immensely worse, and far less predictable.

Will be sending good thoughts your way.

10/12/17 12:05 PM

#2063

Joe, I am 40 miles south of San Francisco and would be happy to host you and your wife to let you escape the smoke and fire.

10/12/17 12:19 PM

#2064

Mary Ann Nolan (Thomas)

Joe, If you have to evacuate you all are welcome to our home in Beaufort SC. We have a separate very nice garage apartment for family and friends. The only thing I can’t promise is that we won’t have to evacuate for a hurricane! I also have been in touch with Sylvia DiCello who lives outside San Francisco. She said that the smoke is pervasive in her area. Feeling so bad for all the people that lost their homes and especially their lives.

10/12/17 04:08 PM

#2065

As always the Watterson classmates are there when a need appears. For now my wife and I are ready to depart if we have to leave or house. If we do we will stay with my Brother-in-Law who live in the western part of Marin county. Thanks for all the offers. Hopefully the winds will die down enough that Responders, fire, police, sheriffs, National Guard and fire departments from places like Canada and Pennsylvania will start to get the fireS under control by this weekend. It's been a year of disasters and events for many of our classmates.

Thanks again.

10/12/17 05:14 PM

#2066

Godspeed Joe. Keep us informed. We do indeed live in difficult times, all the way around.

10/13/17 11:32 PM

#2067

In an earlier post I mentioned that some vineyards were thinking of tearing out the grape vines and planting "MJ" because itwas more profitable.

First, some don't need to tear them out because they are already gone.

Second, if they had planted the "MJ" Sylvia, who is approximately 80 miles South of me, and all the neighbors within miles would be HIGHER than a kiteright now. The smoke from these fires is covering approximately 100 miles; at least according to the News.

At the present time we are staying indoors as much as possible. Watching local coverage of the fires on television and checking the free app on my "smart phone" (calfire). There are multiple fires throughout the state including one somewhere near Mr. Hollyood, I mean Mark. There is a slight chance for a rain storm next Thursday which might help.

Meanwhile I am thinking positively that all will be good enogh for me to drive to Portland, OR on Thursday.

10/14/17 01:10 AM

#2068

Joe,

If you don't mind my asking, what's your connection to Portland? I have a son and daughter-in-law and grandson there. Nice city.

10/14/17 12:30 PM

#2069

Timothy Lavelle

Dave,

Hey man, what happens in Portland, stays in Portland, OK?

KEEP PORTLAND WEIRD!

10/14/17 12:33 PM

#2070

Dave I want to first thank you for sending a firefighting crew to aid Northern California. Latest reports are that crews from Nevada, Washington (thanks Tim), Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Oregon, and Arizona, plus teams from Canada and Australia are here to assist where and when needed. THANKS to all.

The answer to your question has multiple responses. First is that our daughter and her husband live and work in Portland; and our youngest grandaughter is a senior in a Catholic Girl's school, the oldest is a senior at Northwestern University. Second my wife and I lived in the Portland area (Tigard) for about six years. Next, I am a Numismatist (New miss ma tist)and a member of the Willamette (Portland) coin club and the Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association (regional with Washington, Oregon, Idaho, etc.). And once a year both of these Organizations put on a major coin show in Portland. I have always taken the time to help with the setup on Friday and attending and helping on Saturday before starting to drive back towards home that evening. I haven't attended the last day of the show on Sunday in years. I drive straight up on Thursday (approximately 12 hours), but on Saturday I drive about five hours to Yreka, CA before stopping for the night.

Dave, you had to ask. On the other hand, I am sure there have been other important things happening to our classmates, such as NATIONAL DAY in Spain so let's hear about them. I never meant with my post to be a downer so that Tim, Mark, and especially you Dave would not be adding worthwhile words to the forum.

10/14/17 01:30 PM

#2071

James Hamilton, M. D.

Folks,

I have recently heard from Steve Hodges (Fr. Robert S.) that he is recovering from a laparoscopic left adrenalectomy (a procedure to remove an adrenal gland, a thumbnail sized organ that sits above the kidney). This was done as a benign growth on that gland was producing a substance that raises blood pressure significantly.

He is doing well but asked that I let our classmates know this so that you all may remember him in your prayers.

Jim

10/14/17 02:44 PM

#2072

Yikes. A growth that can raise blood pressure. That's both bizarre and fascinating.

If you can boil that down a bit for a layman -- what kind of secretion it is, and how the hell that messes with the bloodstream - I'd be interested, Jim.

10/14/17 03:44 PM

#2073

James Hamilton, M. D.

Mike,

The way the body functions is extremely fascinating and the endocrine and neuroendocrine systems are at the top of that list. They are also some of the most complex. So here we go (and this is the short version!).

The kidney is one of the major organs that regulates blood pressure and salt (sodium and potassium) balance in the body. When it detects a decrease in BP or excess loss of salt it can secrete a substance called renin which then starts a cascade of chemical changes in the blood and eventually stimulates the adrenal glands to produce aldosterone which causes salt (sodium) retention, loss of potassium and raises blood pressure. Those tiny adrenal glands are very important as they not only make aldosterone but also cortisol (cortisone) which is another very important hormorne.

Rarely an overactive adrenal gland (hyperplasia) or a tumor (adenoma) on the gland will oversecrete aldosterone causing the blood pressure to rise quite high. Since essential hypertension (the usual kind of which we don't know the cause but probably is genetic) is common and hyperaldosteronism is rare, the patient is often treated with BP medicines for some time, without success, before being checked for aldosterone excess as a cause. Once the diagnosis is made and malignancy is ruled out, the patient can be maintained on anti-aldosterone drugs and/or have the affected adrenal gland surgically removed in hopes of a total cure of the hypertension. Essential hypertension is not curable but can be controlled in most instances. Since the adrenal glands are so small the whole gland is removed even if it is a growth - and not just hyperplasia - causing the excess aldosterone production. Since we have two of them this is not a problem.

Hope this helps,

Jim

10/14/17 07:26 PM

#2074