Would it be OK to Taser Terrorists?

Deaths to individuals from Tasering by police in the U.S. since 2001 -- +335


Deaths to terrorists from waterboarding in the U.S. since 2001 -- 0

Letter to my Senator re: Health Care Deform

Dear Senator Frank Lautenberg,

As I am sure you understand, you represent the citizens of New Jersey, not Republican or Democrat issues. And there is a great deal of opposition to this "government option" for health care that is being pushed in the House, Senate, and by the President. You have seen the reports of everyday people showing up at townhall meetings to express their feelings regarding this latest government expansion. It is widely disliked.

With these things in mind, I ask you to vote against wholesale change of the health care system in this country. The government doesn't need to get its hands into more of the citizen's business. The government doesn't need to get bigger, it needs to get smaller. This scale of change is not necessary, and during a recession is most definitely the wrong time to undertake it.

The best quality health care system in the world, one which people in other countries come to when theirs fails them, will be ruined by taking this step. Other steps and other ways can be taken to fix the things that do ail the U.S. health care system.

The funding of health care (insurance and medical costs) needs targeted change, change to the ease with which lawsuits may be brought against doctors and hospitals, and limits to rewards. TORT reform. And hospitals need help to recover the crippling costs they bear by uninsured people and illegal aliens who do not pay their bills. The federal mandate that hospitals help everyone needs to be dropped or funded. But that's not the same as a government health care option.

We don't need another entitlement program which will raise the deficit, raise the debt, and increase the monies that the government needs to collect from the citizens. Not to mention the fact that the government isn't doing so well with Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Amtrak, the Post Office, the Veterans hospitals, and many other large beauracracies.

Adding health care to the U.S. government's responsibilities is also unconstitutional. It is not the purview of the Federal government to administer health care, nor is it the government's business to force people to buy health insurance, debit their bank accounts to pay for it, force citizens into a government plan when insignificant changes are made to their private insurance, decide or be involved in end of life care, etc.

There are other roads to reform which are not so drastic, some of which have been put forward in the house and senate. I am all for working on fixing the things that don't work, but let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater here, and that's exactly what is going on.

And by all means, please read the bill before you vote on it. Crib notes by definition leave things un-noted.

All the best to you,
Brian M. Holmes

Truth, Liberty, and Health Care Deform

The following post was sent to flag@whitehouse.gov, which is an e-mail address that is collecting information from "whistleblowers" about the opposing viewpoints in the Health Care Deform debate. This sounds like a tactic from behind the Iron Curtain. The article discussing this sham is on the White House web page.


Brown$hirt$,

Truth is what is being spoken person to person (and under the surface and above surface and at the coffee pot and water cooler and in the car repair waiting room) about this Health Care Deform. What are you going to do about truth? Squash it? Call it shrill and loud?

I think the spending this Health Care Deform represents is irresponsible when this country is in near bankruptcy and saddled with huge deficits.

Not to mention that federal government healthcare is unconstitutional, takes away more of our freedom, and imposes more governmental control on the citizens of the United States.

Society is not here to make choices for me, healthcare or otherwise. But more and more, this society wants to make all my choices for me.

How about fixing Medicare? How about fixing Social Security? How about fixing the economy? How about ending illegal immigration instead of offering them healthcare?

Stop wasting my and my neighbor’s money.

And stop throwing away our money on car rebates too, increasing the Obama bloated deficit even more.

Brian Holmes

Radio Mysteries

How does someone who can't speak the language clearly enough to be understood get a job on the radio?

Liberty and Tyranny Review

I just finished Mark Levin's book Liberty and Tyranny and found it a sober and intelligent look at conservatism and liberalism in America today.

Mr. Levin, a fire-brand radio talk show host and constitutional lawyer, discusses the nuts and bolts of both philosophies, their origins and their aims in American society. Since the book is a "conservative manifesto", liberalism is not shone in a beneficent light in the book, to say the least.


The book is well researched, thoroughly referenced, and its depth and discussion of core human interrelational concepts will lend it staying power in the political/philosophical realm for years, perhaps decades to come. It has shown its staying power on the New York Times bestseller list as the best-selling nonfiction hard cover book for most of the last three months.

One thing which I did not agree with in the book was the introduction of a new term for someone of liberal philosophy -- "statist". The term feels unnatural and clunky, and is an unnecessary refinement of terminology.

One memorable section of the book lists all of the maladies caused by global warming (a big liberal cause celebre). It is pages long and in small type and true. Global warming acolytes blame every insignificant shift from the norm on human caused global warming. It is stunning, and almost funny, to see the extent of it printed in a book.

What is not funny is the control of our lives that will be lost as global warming legislation passes in governments all over the world. It is a vehicle for greater taxation and greater tyranny.

The book Liberty and Tyranny displays with forceful example that no one can (or should) remain a fence-sitter, or apolitical in this day and age in America. Nearly every facet of our lives is affected in some way by government bureaucracy, policy, law, and taxation handed down by school boards, home owner's associations, town councils, state governments, and the federal government.

Not a difficult read, nor long either, at the very least the book should inspire citizens to vote more often and armed with knowledge based on facts.

To the Courageous People of Iran,

Despite the fact that the President of the United States is not taking a firm stand on the dangerous situation in Iran because he "doesn't want to meddle" and wants to take a diplomatically safe position, I am with you in your stand against tyranny and so are most other Americans. Good luck and may you reach your goals with little or no more blood shed. Power to the People!

Earth-Friendly, Green Tip #17

Lithium-ion batteries are great for vacations because they are very long lasting and because they are lighter than regular alkaline AA batteries. In addition, you don't have to worry about recharging them. So, even though they are more expensive than alkalines, you are getting more for your money! More energy, more convenience, and a lighter device.

I used four non-rechargeable lithium AA batteries in my digital camera on a trip recently. And they lasted about a month beyond that trip. Finally, even though they were dead as far as the camera was concerned, they still had voltage in them that I wanted to use up before throwing them away (recycling them).

My solution? Use them in a wall clock I have at work whose battery had recently died. Now you might be saying, "Go ahead, use dead batteries in your clock at work Brian, and five o'clock will never come."

Step back, oh ye of little faith.

The clock uses one AA battery at a time. I had four "dead" lithium batteries at the beginning of March and now in June the clock is operating on the third battery, or at about the rate of one dead lithium battery per month. New life was found in batteries that were headed for the battery recycling bin.

What makes this possible is that an electric clock uses extremely little energy, perfect for draining the last drop of power from batteries used initially in higher drain devices. This process of "hypermiling" works in low-power remote controls and probably in certain LED flashlights as well.

This stuff isn't going to save the planet from "the sky is falling" disaster that Al Gore and his minions are predicting, but it does fit into the "waste not want not" category. And I think in this economic climate we can all agree on using things as long as possible and getting the most value for our buck.

BTW, using rechargeable batteries whenever possible, is even better for the environment (Earth-Friendly, Green Tip #8).

Robert Meets Gillian

(The following is a vignette-type short story I wrote a few years ago.)

Robert says to Gillian as they sit on the airplane's soft, first-class seats, "Well, I had come to know you a little because of your article in Summerscape magazine. Since I am ever on the lookout for a soul mate I had to contact you because I felt that some of your passions resonate with mine. I don't know the status of your love life and if you are solo for a while and enjoying it, then keep going. People should definitely go through periods in their lives where they are not part of a couple--makes them stronger and all that.

"Do you want a soul mate? Do you feel that a lasting love relationship is based on shared interests, or something deeper? One of the most important things that you expressed was your effort to live in the moment. Now, I said, here's somebody who's on my wavelength."

"When can I talk, Robert?" Robert bit his lip. "I'm just kidding. I hope humor is on your wavelength too."

"Sure it is. But that's not a good enough reason to think you'd be a perfect match for me is it?"

"No," said Ms. Anderson, who became decidedly annoyed when the flight attendant interrupted their discussion. The fellow went away and she said, "But I'm kind of pretty aren't I?"

"You're beautiful, and that and what I said before about you trying to stay in the moment certainly might be enough to induce me to think you'd be soul mate material. And it has also been a couple of years for me since I found out that our thoughts aren't really ours, that we can usher them out. But it feels like I haven't become very masterful at staying in control. But beauty isn't the icing on the cake, it's the candied sprinkles or the candles. There has to be more."

Gillian looked a little coquettish as she joked, "There is, Robert, there is."

"Well of course there is Gillian! Everyone has something to be proud of. Everyone has something to offer another person. But you CARE about your appearance and your body's health and that is something I share. And it's something different than if you cared too much about your beauty."

"So what have you got? Health conscious and moment conscious. Still doesn't sound like enough to base a life on?"

"Well, there's more," said Robert. "But if there wasn't it'd be enough to go out on a date or two to get to know each other better."

"I guess."

"The idea that you don't eat wheat intrigues me, though I have no idea why someone would get rid of that. Cut down maybe."

"Okay, a little intrigue is nice."

"Somewhere else maybe. You tell me why you don't eat meat and I'll tell you why I don't eat mammals."

"Later," she said. "Though that intrigues me a little. Maybe there is something else that makes you think we are soul mates?"

Robert believes that anything worth having is worth working for so he agrees with Gillian. "I took Tai Chi for a while, I notice you did some of that. That you feel you can become one with nature, I like that. You're from Michigan where I'm from."

"Yeah. Me and about 4 million other females."

"Oh hush. It just adds to the feeling of kinship. Do you feel that life is just a game sometimes? That maybe to enable us to enjoy life a little more sometimes people should just view life as a game."

"I'll get back to you, Bob, as soon as I get my 200 dollars for passing go."

"Like I said, I can wait. I've waited a while already. . . . You smoke."

"That's a plus?" Gillian turns to the window to see the wide Mississippi River out the window.

"I think you don't use it as a crutch. You know that it has a small significance in your life, is there for enjoyment and you never overdo anything you enjoy."

"Except maybe sex."

"That's good to know."

"Don't jump the gun there, Roberto."

"How about the beauty of something done perfectly? Maybe I should mention that I am not one of those people who would put up a web page shrine in your image."

"Good. There's enough of those already."

"Look, before I read that article about you I didn't know the first thing about you. What is that sort of worship based on anyway? Looks and acting ability. Both of which are plenty prevalent today."

"So now I'm run of the mill?"

"You were just the actor who played a character in a show I liked before that article. It'd be easier if you were a Realtor or a doctor. But what you are isn't as important as who you are in your soul, your spirit."

"Maybe there's something about me you won't like once you get to know me."

"That's true. But we're taking a chance. With all the choices you have it's up to me to convince you to take a chance on me."

"I already have, Robert."

Star Trek the Blockbuster

I saw the latest and greatest Star Trek movie today. It was awesome squared. My kids, (15 and 18 years old) who are not particular followers of the Star Trek series enjoyed it very much, too. You really do not need any background information from the series to enjoy this movie. Though it is a prequel to the original series, it is it's own, self-contained and engaging story.

And it's filled with non-stop action. There's more action in this Star Trek movie than in any past movie from the series. Poor James T. Kirk gets the hell beat out of him from start to finish.

The special effects were amazing and the set design was outside the box... different. I liked the design of the Enterprise's bridge and Captain Nero's ship, inside and out.

Casting was terrific. Chris Pine as Kirk and Zachary Quinto as Spock were spot on. Doctor "Bones" McCoy was played uncannily by Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana played a great Uhura. The other cast members were really superb too.

The story was well paced and engaging and didn't get bogged down anywhere in the film. It was a nicely done script with plenty of humor in the style of the original series as well.

Star Trek is my idea of a summer blockbuster movie. I hope they make another one! My recommendation...Go see it. You won't regret it.

Moving Money Around

I'm not a money expert, but if you've moved money out of the stock market because of large short term losses and you have placed it into CDs or savings accounts to prevent it from further hemorrhaging, you may not be doing yourself any favors. Why? Because inflation and low interest rates will steal its value.

At this time (Spring 2009), the annual inflation rate is pretty close to zero, (as are bank interest rates) but the inflation rate won't be naught for long. As the economy warms back up, inflation numbers will start to rise again and it's a good bet that the way the Federal Reserve is printing money (diluting the dollar's value) that inflation will shoot up into the double digits as it did during Jimmy Carter's tenure as president. Rising oil prices alone, because of oil's thorough union with all aspects of the economy, could cause inflation to rear its ugly head sooner rather than later. And just about anything these days could cause oil prices to rise, as it seems there is a potential trigger a day lately.

Convert the investment dollars into gold or other tangible goods, or buy back into the stock market while it is on the way back up. Stay away from Chrysler and GM stocks though. Yikes. Talk to an investment advisor before taking any action with a significant amount of money.

NASA's New Transport Vehicle Orion, Is All Wet

The Hubble space telescope was just serviced by the astronauts of the space shuttle Atlantis, who are still up in space waiting for a clear landing strip in un-sunny Florida. The mission to replace the batteries and update the scientific instruments was supposed to be very dangerous but thankfully was a huge success.

I wish NASA's space shuttle, or something more like it were going to be the near future of American spaceflight.

Instead, the future is Orion, a capsule on top of a rocket...again -- like Apollo 30 years ago, and like Russia's and China's launch vehicles today. Servicing missions with the capabilities that the space shuttle presently has won't be possible with the unimaginative Orion crew capsule.

I really think it is up to private concerns like Burt Rutan's The Spaceship Company (Spaceship One) and Virgin Galactic to move us forward into the space age. NASA's sometimes lofty goals are too often interrupted by politics and budget considerations and therefore programs are often axed or funding is reduced and what you end up with is the Apollo program redux. And just you wait, even that compromise will be defunded, delayed, and derided.

Oh, I'll be there to watch the splashdown of the Orion capsules, but they'll be pale evanescences compared to shuttle landings and the hoped for Space Ship Two deorbits.

Welcome to Optimized Life

Welcome to Optimized Life. We'll discuss many issues here, always intelligently, of course. And from my side it will be done with an attempt at proper punctuation and decent sentence structure. (Hey, I'm an editor.) The range and breadth of issues covered here will seem wide at times, but the purpose is to engender discussions that will help me and the reader understand life and human community better.

Sometimes an inane topic will fit the bill and sometimes something more weighty will be discussed. Humor is a part of life as is seriousness. The articles here will have some of both of these.

I hope you enjoy the discussion here, as much as I enjoy starting it and partaking in it.

Let's optimize life together and have some fun and enlightenment along the way.

Brian