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The Tuscaloosa AWAKE ! ( A section of "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets" ) Editorial Page; Page 1 "Scripta manent.... verba volant." ( Latin, meaning: "Written words remain.... spoken words fly away." )
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LINKS to editorial comments and replies on this page:
21.
SUICIDE
-- Physician-assisted suicide.
20. "Diet,
and Weight-Control".
Brains and pride are the only requirements
19. Good
and Evil.... from God
(God, the source of "good" and "evil")
18. TAX
and Taxes -- Political terms and "code-words" meaning "we're
raising your taxes"
17. "FINE
PRINT", in the Bible.
Author's reply to a reader's comments
16. A. M. E. Zion
Church:
A letter of support (1993) from the authors
15. Word
innovations,
and verbal
macros.... for
"The Todd Squad"
14. Habakkuk
-- A personal note concerning Habakkuk 2: 1-3
13. God's
church.... Is there a "church" that God
prefers?
12. Rules
of "treatment".... for this life
11. "God
in a Box" (a reply to a reader's comments)
10. RULES
of this world
9. Education
in Public Schools in Alabama
8. TRACKING
in Public Schools
7. The
Religious Right
6. The
UBIQUITY of God
5. "GAYS"
in the U.S. Military
4. "The
Baptists" hope to convert "The
Jews"
3. "EBONICS"
and "Albonics"
2. Alcohol
and Alcoholism; A medical essay by Dr. John
Todd
1. RACISM
and "Anti-Racism" at University of Alabama
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The Tuscaloosa Awake ! Editorial Comment Concerning: "Tax and taxation" by John N. Todd III, M. D. (link) During the past year (2002-2003).... the author of this website has heard or read the following LIST of 206 deceitful phrases and "code-words" that ALABAMA's POLITICIANS -- legislators, public "servants", elected officials, bureaucrats, and "EDUCATORS" frequently use -- in speeches and interviews, and in policy-proposals -- to disguise their plans and hopes and schemes to RAISE TAXES.... in order to "RE-DISTRIBUTE" the hard-earned assets of productive TAX-PAYING citizens.... TO various "programs", entitlements, benefits, "special interests", insider-associates, welfare organizations, "pork", wasteful projects.... and to potential voters. Show 'em d'money... and the tax-takers will GRAB it... and SPEND it! More taxes; more "revenues"; more "funding"; more, more, more TAX ! CLICK HERE for Easy-Print format of this editorial about TAX 1/02; 2/02; 3/02; 5/02; 9/02; 10/02; 2/03; 5/03; 7/17/03 Select your "favorites", from the list below. Read 'em out loud. You WILL NOT believe what you HEAR ! ! 1. We must spread the public's assets more equitably. 2. There must be greater individual "involvement". 3. There should be greater sacrifice by the rich. 4. You must fulfill your civic responsibility. 5. We must have more resources for these worthwhile projects. 6. An immediate infusion of new funds is mandatory. 7. A proper distribution of revenues must be achieved. 8. More support from the people is required. 9. We will have to stop robbing education. 10. We must generate more assistance for these programs. 11. We should demand tax reform. 12. We must force policy-changes to enhance foreign aid. 13. There must be a collective effort to meet the public needs. 14. Greater appropriations are necessary. 15. This program needs our additional consideration. 16. We must spread our economic security. 17. Public participation is required if we are to help. 18. Taxpayer assistance is urgently needed. 19. Legislative supplements must be approved. 20. Sales tax is the fairest form of taxation. 21. Affordable housing, for all, will require your help. 22. We must save Social Security. 23. We should pool our efforts to demand greater funding. 24. The antiquated constitution must be updated. 25. The children need your help. 26. Your increased financial commitment is only fair. 27. We'll need billions to fix the system 28. Additional subsidies are essential. 29. Our local stewardship must be a part of this effort. 30. We must invest more in education. 31. A citizens' campaign for funding should be initiated. 32. Our individual and collective input -- for our children. 33. We must beef-up the budget to achieve this goal. 34. Governmental supports are necessary. 35. The caring citizens must provide for this endeavor. 36. You should willingly commit your fair share. 37. We must provide benefits for childcare. 38. "Home rule" is a necessity. 39. A massive infusion of capital will be required. 40. Government provision for this worthwhile project. 41. A substantial effort will be needed. 42. Legislative funding of these programs is urgent. 43. Your investment in our children and grandchildren. 44. A financial stimulus will be needed. 45. We must revise the tax laws. 46. Your personal efforts are called for. 47. A public contribution to this cause is needed. 48. A new tax-package should be instituted. 49. This new tax will be like seed-money. 50. This public project needs more access to capital. 51. We must ask the taxpayers to make economic sacrifices. 52. We must funnel more for the common good. 53. We must move our State to solid economic footing. 54. We must fund world-class-schools. 55. We will use public resources to expand our efforts. 56.A "tax-cut for the wealthy" is not needed. 57. The prison system must be reformed, and re-funded. 58. We will form a coalition of interests, for more funding. 59. We gotta use the political system to get resources. 60. We must unify our efforts to fund our cause. 61. The citizens must develop an aid-package for this project. 62. "Education" will require more government grants. 63. There has been a revenue shortfall which must be corrected. 64. A government loan package must be made available to all. 65. The debt of our education "loans" must be forgiven. 66. Our State has economic problems which must be faced. 67. We must re-energize our attack to establish this funding. 68. An emergency supplementary request must be made. 69. American aid must be shared in this fight against poverty. 70. The public has an obligation to assist in this shortfall. 71. The council must find ways to enhance revenues. 72. The board must adopt measures to face our problems. 73. The city's many un-met needs must be financed. 74. We want support by grants.... not by loans. 75. The U.S. should meet its global responsibility to share. 76. The financial obstacles are steep, for our current tax structure. 77. Restrictions on entitlements must be overcome. 78. There must be a larger U.S. aid package. 79. We must grant assistance to those in poverty. 80. There should be a temporary increase in the tax rates. 81. The citizens must give a boost to the unemployed. 82. The federal government must ease the States' financial burden; 83. We must develop new sources of revenue. 84. The entire service is under-resourced. 85. Downsizing of benefits must be avoided. 86. We should re-assess our collections. 87. We need enthusiastic local development of this program. 88. A complete overhaul of the tax-system is needed. 89. There has been an escalation of funding needs. 90. The U.S. must pay its share in the battle against AIDS in Africa. 91. We must help in the fight against worldwide poverty. 92. The congress must pledge a large increase in foreign aid. 93. Our failure can be blamed on lack of resources. 94. Big increases in economic aid will be needed for them. 95. There needs to be international cooperation. 96. More money must be found to re-train the workers. 97.We must not cut the funds to our State's 32 Community Colleges. 98. We need money to improve our information technology. 99. We must improve training for high-paying jobs. 100. The well-to-do must sacrifice and share, for the public good. 101. We will demand affordable government-sponsored healthcare. 102. Rent-subsidies for the poor and homeless are essential. 103. Subsidized drug-treatment, not jail, for addicts and alcoholics. 104. Free medications for our children, and senior citizens. 105. Welfare recipients must learn to "navigate the system". 106. We need more money -- to reach every child in need. 107. The legislature is refusing to allocate enough funding. 108. We need block grants, so that we can redistribute the resources. 109. "Give me a gross pot of money; and I'll figure out how to spend it". 110. They refused to put enough money in the pot; 111. There must be "debt-relief" for the heavily-indebted countries; 112. AIDS relief for the African Continent must be funded. 113. We will increase the "through-put" to finance Amtrak. 114. Syria and North Korea need our "cooperation". 115. We must "work-with" the poorer nations. 116. The legislature must develop "budgetary responsibility". 117. The citizens will all have to pitch-in; and "shoulder the burden". 118. "Urban development" must get a bigger share of our attention. 119. The international community will have to provide support. 120. Our goal should be global debt relief. 125. You people should learn how to access your benefits. 124. More resources should be aimed at your communities. 123. Every student must have an up-to-date computer. 124. "Be helpless.... so that we can help you." 125. We must better-address the needs of our Black colleges. 126. Fiscal responsibility must be a part of our planning. 127.We must have input from the business community. 128. This funding shortfall must be tackled. 129. Communities will need to raise their local level of involvment. 130. Our schools are being STARVED for resources. 131. The people must be prepared for greater fiscal discipline. 132. More revenues are essential, now. 133. We need a set of new revenues... a continuing stream. 134. We must guarantee economic aid to our friends. 135. We must establish financial "incentives", for these people. 136. Our tax revenues have flattened. We must have help. 137. Our state has greater needs than many states. 138. Many of these programs are woefully financed. 139. We must institute BOLD initiatives to collect more revenues. 140. We must provide the services that the people expect. 141. We must "grow the revenues". 142. We had to compromise safety, because of a lack of funding. 143. Our State needs a substantial, long-term source of new revenue. 144. The un-met needs of our community must be met. 145. It's time for the Federal Government to step-up-to-the-plate. 146. We need to engage the corporations and individuals, to EXPAND the POT. 147. (From J4) ; "We gotta expand our revenue efforts" (quoting Alabama politician). 148. We need to invest more.... here at home. 149. Resources for other domestic priorities must be found. 150. We need more money for the essential services. 151. They must be provided with economic opportunities. 152. Gephardt: we have a moral imperative to provide healthcare. 153, We must make Earned-Income-Tax-Credit available to more families. 154. The United States is still very stingy on foreign-aid. 155. Are you ready to answer the needs of our public schools? 156. It is your turn to support efforts to modify our tax structure. 157. Our legislators are working to address the needs of your state. 158. If we raise $1.6 billion per year, we will still be below our schools' needs. 159. Our leaders must introduce revenue-producing measures. 160. Someone will have to look at revenue-enhancing techniques. 161. There must be a change in the income-tax structure. 162. A re-definition of corporate obligations must be envisioned. 163. Corporate land-owners will have to "pony-up" to their obligations. 164. Sin-tax must be looked-at, again. 165. The U.S. must make a larger commitment for aid to Africa. 166. Bold reforms are a part of our tax plan. 167. We must look again at our global health assistance. 168. We must promote financial interest in these projects. 169. We must mobilize and coordinate our efforts for this program. 170. We must have "retirement security", for all. 171. The needs of the American people must be met. 172. We should provide economic protection for our veterans. 173. Gov. Riley: Alabama needs "enhanced revenue measures". 174. Property taxes are not high enough for our basic needs. 175. Businesses need to carry their fair share of the load. 176. Our plan is raise the tax threshhold above the immoral level. 177. Sales tax on groceries takes a big-bite from the poor. 178. There should be a balance of our State's 4 revenue streams. 179. Adequate support for education is missing. 180. Declining revenues have forced us into cost-containment. 181. Help must be provided for these pressing needs. 182. We hope these tax-increases will be temporary. 183. (TAX: We will DESTROY our economy, to "SAVE" it.) 184. "It's always EASY for the politicians to do the EASY thing." 185. The political class is the only class to support tax increases. 186. The budget for Medicaid has become seriously strained. 187. No tax-cuts, until our social-house is put in order. 188. Our property-tax is among the lowest in the U.S. 189. Bold initiatives are needed to fund these new programs. 190. In our tax proposals, we will go where others have not been. 191. We will need additional Federal grants. 192. The people are suffering for lack of support of this program. 193. We must abolish the cutbacks in funding of education. 194. We should stop siphoning-off the funds for welfare. 195. After-school-programs should be expanded. 196. We have had a shortfall of revenues, for our needs. 197. In times of CRISIS, we must find ways to enhance revenues. 198. Our State has always been behind in the funding-curve. 197. We now have an opportunity to alter the tax system. 198. We could provide more benefits, if we had sorely-needed revenues. 199. The Governor's package of new sources of tax, is very courageous. 200. We gotta look-at what support services we will provide. 201. Our dwindling revenues will require additional attention. 202. Shrinking budget allocations have damaged many programs. 203. These new taxes will cost the average taxpayer only $.77 a day. 204. Are we gonna move this State forward, or stay where we are? 205. Do you want your children and grandchildren to have a better life? 206. This new funding will help us get new industry for our State. and-on-and-on. More will follow. Now.... concerning taxes and taxation.... make your own list of exotic "euphemisms" the POLITICIANS invent to mean: "We're extracting more of YOUR money, for US to spend -- because WE know what's best for you. We must have MORE of your money.... so that WE can take better care of YOU." Add your "tax-terms" to this list.... then think of a BIG BARREL -- chocked-full of thousand-dollar-bills (or million-dollar-bills).... designed specifically for the tax-takers (politicians) to SPEND.... and WASTE. They grab-out handsful of other peoples' (tax-payers') money for the politicians' own various "interests". When the money in the big-barrel runs low, our "leaders" begin to devise additional ways to re-fill the barrel.... looking, once again, at taking more from the hard-working, over-taxed citizens. Don't be duped by all of their cute phraseology.... "more TAX" means "more TAX".... however the politicians say it.... and regardless of how they try to MASK it. |
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Editorial Comment Concerning "FINE PRINT" in the Bible Author's reponse to an email letter from a good friend... concerning my friend's rigid dedication to his interpretation of the "fine print" in the Bible By John N. Todd III, M. D. ( www.terrific-tabs.com ) 9/98; 12/00; 6/01; 7/01; 1/7/02 Dear "cuz", I really enjoyed your remarks about Uzzah. I was happy to review your reference in NRSV, as follows: 2 Sam. 6: 1
David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty
thousand. 2 David and all the people with him set out
and went from Baale-judah, to bring up from there the
ark of God, which is called by the
name of the LORD of hosts who is enthroned on the
cherubim. 3 They carried the ark of God on a
new cart, and brought it out of the house of
Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of
Abinadab, were driving the new cart 4 with the
ark of God; and Ahio went in front of the ark. 5
David and all the house of Israel were dancing before the
LORD with all their might, with songs and lyres and harps
and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. 6 When
they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out
his hand to the ark of God and took
hold of it, for the oxen shook it. 7 The anger
of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God struck him
there because he reached out his hand to the ark; and
he died here beside the ark of God. 8
David was angry -- because the
LORD had burst forth with an outburst upon Uzzah; so
that place is called Perez-uzzah, to this day.
9 David was afraid of the LORD that
day; he said, "How can the ark of
the LORD come into my
care?" 10 So David was
unwilling to take the ark of
the LORD into his care in the city of David;
instead David took it to the house of Obed-edom the
Gittite. I must admit, my
friend... the significance of this passage was never
previously brought to my attention; and its spiritual
implication (other than your fascinating expository),
has not yet been "revealed" to
me. I will contemplate your interpretation -- and try
to use your wisdom as a building-block for my thoughts,
expressed below.
I'll study your
"Uzzah" concept, additionally. Thanks for your thoughts.
Meanwhile, I hope you will consider the Bible admonitions
shown above. |
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Editorial Comment A 1993 letter to the members of The TABERNACLE A. M. E. ZION CHURCH From John N. Todd III, M. D.; and Phyllis J. Todd ( www.terrific-tabs.com ) Posted verbatim on this website 11/8/01 (Editorial note: Two of the authors' long-standing good friends are members of this A. M. E. Zion Church. The church had a fund-raising campaign in 1993. We were asked to offer our support, and our comments, to this church.) TO THE MEMBERS OF TABERNACLE A. M. E. ZION CHURCH: What chance do we humans have, in this world, without the favor and guidance of our Almighty God? Consider our world, today, with all the hate, and killing, and wars, and poverty, and racial discord, and ethnic strife, and "religious" differences, and ignorance, and drugs, and alcohol, and disease, and hunger, and personal animosities. But.... consider also, the "good things" of life -- from God.... like beauty, and fun, and laughing, and families, and "church", and feeling good, and sharing, and picnics, and rain, and sunsets, and flowers, and friends, and working, and reading, and "bull-sessions".... and just resting and "counting our blessings". And.... don't forget the "brotherhood" of God's people (link). Remember the "soul" that binds Godspeople together. Remember the sense of "caring", and understanding, and helping.... and remember the hope that Godspeople feel -- for each other, among each other, and with each other. This "caring".... this "love".... transcends and surpasses and over-rides all the evil that seems to pervade our living today. How do we marshall the strength and force of the "ties that bind"? We humans haven't figured it out. For us, it seems to be impossible. But, "For God, nothing is impossible." That's why the gathering of Godspeople, "the church", is so important. Anything that anyone can do to enhance the work of God -- through the hands of God's accepted people -- is worthwhile, and "good". Remember this, from Psalm 127: 1 (KJV) "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it. Except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." This tells me that unless God is involved with our plans and hopes, we cannot succeed; but that with God's help, we cannot fail. And this, too: 1 Corinthians 4: 7 (NEB) "Who makes you, my friend, so important? What do you possess that was not given (link) to you?. If then you really received it all as a gift, why take the credit to yourself?" Thank you for letting us participate with you in helping your church to grow. John and Phyllis Todd 6-2-W-93
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The Tuscaloosa Awake ! Editorial Comments concerning.... "God's Church" Is there a specific denominational church -- a "God's Church" -- that God "accepts" in preference to ALL others? by John N. Todd III, M. D. Click HERE for Easy-Print format of this opinion piece 8/01; 7/17/03 (This is an essay by John and Phyllis Todd. This was written in response to two articles that appeared in our local newspaper, in 1998. ) We feel sorry for all of us church-going "Christians" who do not "belong" to the Catholic Church, or to the Church of Christ. Apparently, a recent writer to the Tuscalosa (Alabama) News believes that her church, the Roman Catholic Church, is the one "true" church; and another writer believes that the Church of Christ represents the sole aggregation of individuals whom God has "accepted". Presumably, the implication of each of these two writers is that those who do not "belong" to their church -- that is, the church that each of these writers considers to be God's one "chosen" denominational church -- are irretrievably left out of God's favor; and hence are destined -- not to "salvation", and to the Kingdom of God (link).... but doomed to eternal exclusion from God. Gee, don't we Protestants wish that we had not listened to the spiritual mandates of our parents; or to the messages of God's Bible; or to what we were taught from the words and examples of God-Incarnate -- and don't we wish that we had ignored the pleas of our own doctrinal church.... so that we might have signed-up with the "right" church, and memorized their rules and regulations, and recited their "correct" creed, and knelt before their altars.... instead of going astray in what they call our "erroneous" beliefs. Many of us Christian "Godspeople" consider God's "true church" to be the aggregation of God's people (link) -- the "company" or "body" of those individuals who have been claimed ("chosen") by God to be His own.... those whom God has found acceptable, according to His own criteria.... wherever these "accepted" individuals are.... and to whatever denominational church they may "belong". But no, we "outsiders" are being told that we are misguided in our spiritual understanding, and in our choice of "churches". We are led to believe that our "righteousness", before God, is determined by our church affiliation. "They" seem to say that we humans are "justified" and "saved".... not by God alone.... but by God PLUS a specific institutional church. It's scary out here in this world, when you discover that, according to certain churchy human-beings -- you're condemned because you "joined" the wrong church. Fortunately, however, my Bible does give me a little hope, as follows:
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Editorial Comments about "Habakkuk" by John N. Todd III, M. D. CLICK HERE to SEE a personal comment about Habakkuk 10/01; 9/02; 1/03; 2/3/03 Habakkuk 2 (NEB) 1 I will stand at my post. I will take up my position on the watch-tower. I will watch to learn what He will say through me -- and what I shall reply when I am challenged. 2 Then the LORD made answer: "Write down the VISION -- inscribe it on TABLETS, made for a herald to carry with speed. For there is still a VISION for the appointed time. At the DESTINED hour, it will come in breathless haste. It WILL NOT fail. If is delays -- WAIT for it.... for when it comes will be NO TIME to linger." To me, personally, the above Biblical reference is another splendid message from God, to God's people (link)..... everywhere. Read it again.... and "parse" the words and the phrases that are stated.... then decide how YOU perceive this Biblical message to apply to you.... and to the rest of us humans.... all of us who hope that we have been included by God, among His accepted (chosen) individuals. My personal feelings are as follows. I find myself, at times, wondering (and asking myself) whether or not I am "doing" what God wants and expects me to do. (Haven't we all felt that way, periodically?) Sometimes, within me, there seems to be a "lull" in spiritual attraction..... and in "service" for God. At those times, I wonder if it is just myself, experiencing "normal" psychological variations.... or whether, indeed, God Himself has instilled these "restive" feelings into me.... perhaps as His mechanism to awaken, or change, or re-direct me. A basic part of my spiritual understanding is that each of God's people functions and achieves precisely what God has intended and planned..... and that each of us "succeeds".... in the eyes of God. My perception is that when we "Godspeople" sag in our zeal, or in our accomplishments (in the "ministry" which God has assigned to each of us).... then God steps in, in ways that He chooses, and allows us to have these feelings of dissatisfaction, and spiritual "malaise".... and "wondering". It is in this context that the above scripture from Habakkuk takes on great meaning.... to me. At certain appropriate times, we Godspeople do "stand at our (assigned) posts", and "watch to learn what God will say", through us. It is at these times, I believe, that God responds to our bewilderment; and awakens us.... with instructions ("visions"), and energy, and guidance.... for the duties that we are being directed to undertake. This kind of "advice" from God, in my opinion, is intensely personal.... and varies greatly with the individual.... and with the circumstances that God is "imposing" upon us, individually. I feel that the sensations of encouragement, and/or discouragement.... caused by "circumstances", or by comments from friends and family, or by "advice" from preachers and churches.... may all be a part of the mechanism that God uses for changing and re-directing us. (See link: Stepping-stones, laid out by God.) At this point, let me
interject a few other scriptures that bear on this
same point, about God's guiding and directing us. Read these
out loud, so that you may "hear" the words of God: Isaiah 30: 20 (NRSV) Though the Lord may give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction -- yet your Teacher will not hide Himself any more; but your eyes shall see your Teacher. 21 And when you turn to the right, or when you turn to the left..... your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." I strongly relate to this quotation from the "Old Testament" prophet Habakkuk. I have always enjoyed the thought of how we humans -- those of us who consider ourselves to be God's people (link) -- "stand at our posts on the watch-tower", as we await the directions we will receive from God. Many times, in our lives, as we watch and wait, we are indeed already actively serving and responding (link) to God -- even when we don't realize it.... as we touch and influence those who are placed into our lives -- and as we, ourselves, are being "re-directed". Then.... at other times, we consciously (perhaps strongly) feel ourselves to be under the immediate influence of God.... fulfilling a special "assignment", or "vision", or mission. In addition, I enjoy, in this scripture from Habakkuk, the reference to "YOUR TABLETS" (In Moffatt translation, below).... especially when I remember my naming this website.... with the DUAL intention of referring not only to my having PRESCRIBED "medicinal tablets" for my patients.... but also to my purpose, in this website, of INSCRIBING "spiritual tablets".... which are intended to bear a message. (Naturally, I would never be so "assuming" as to refer to my writings as a "vision" -- the term that is used in this reference from Habakkuk.) Furthermore, in these verses from Habakkuk, it is a fun thought for me to consider that the words (in the NEB translation, above): "made for a herald to carry with speed", could refer (in today's world) to my use of the INTERNET as a "herald" to deliver with speed the written "tablets" of this website.... wherever these tablets are read. Same reference, from "Moffatt" translation On my watch-tower I will stand, at my post upon the turret, watching to see what He will say to me.... what answer He will offer to my plea. 2 Then answered the Eternal, "Take down this oracle on YOUR TABLETS, plainly, that one may read it at a glance. 3 The vision has its own appointed hour. It ripens.... it will flower. If it be long, then wait; for it is sure.... and it will NOT be late. |
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Editorial Comment concerning..... Rules of "treatment".... in this life A comment by John N. Todd III, M. D. ( www.terrific-tabs.com ) 7/8/98; 8/13/01; 2/22/04 My wife, Phyllis J. Todd (a Registered Nurse), asked me to put into our "Website" the 3 cardinal "rules" of medical therapy. She and I have noted, through the years, that these "rules" can apply not only to "medical" matters, but also to other problems, and challenges -- which all of us humans may "bump-into", from time to time -- in this life. In addition, there is a "fourth rule" -- I call it "The PJT Rule" -- which PJT began to incorporate into our thought-processes, years ago.... whenever we considered "decision-making" on any serious subject. Now, there is a 5th "rule" (below), which we have included recently. We feel that consideration of these "RULES" can be useful to everyone.... in a variety of LIFE'S circumstances. The "rules of treatment".... (1.) "FIRST.... do no harm." (Prima, non nocere.) (2.) If what you're doing is succeeding.... continue it. (3.) If what you are doing is not accomplishing what you expect, or require.... do something different. (4.) ("The PJT Rule") Don't "do something, just to be doing something". Sometimes.... there is nothing else that can be done. It is most important to recognize this fact.... when that point has been reached in a given situation. (5.) STAY-away from surgeons.... whenever possible. (6.) AVOID the "Do-something-even-if-it's-wrong" thesis. In the practice of medicine, this "rule" is frequently violated.... especially when surgical remedies are contemplated. |
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"TRACKING"... in Alabama's PUBLIC Schools Selected from the on-going INTERNET BOOK, "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets" ( http://www.terrific-tabs.com ) by John N. Todd III, M. D. (link)
Posted here 5/2/02; slight revisions 5/20/02; 7/02; 9/02; 10/02; 12/02; 1/03; 3/1/03; 3/03; 7/03; 10/03; 12/03; 8/04; 9/04; 2/10/04 See related titles, from this website, linked below: SEE: PUBLIC SCHOOLS in Alabama (link) AND: TAJ MAJAL Public Schools (link) AND: EBONICS and ALBONICS (link) AND: MORE Local TAX from productive citizens (link) AND: RACISM, and anti-Racism (link) AND: SANTA CLAUS and ROBIN HOOD; what would they do about TAXES? (link) AND: MUTUAL Involvement FOUNDATION for Education (M.I.F.F.E.D.) (link) AND: A+ COALITION for Education (link) AND: LABORATORY-public school, managed by a college (link) AND: The INTELLECTUAL CAPACITY LINE (link) CLICK HERE to go to the "FRONT PAGE" of "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets" CLICK HERE for ALPHABETICAL INDEX of this entire WEBSITE CLICK HERE to EMAIL your thoughts to the author OR.... Email your comments directly to the author's office.... JNT@terrific-tabs.com The following opinion-piece, by John N. Todd III, was published in the Tuscaloosa News, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in 1993 (slightly modified for this Internet version). I want to respond to the T. News article (5-20-93) concerning Ms. S.T.'s address to the NAACP, in which she criticized "tracking" of students in public schools. Ms. S.T. was quoted as referring to "tracking" as "legal segregation"; because, in her opinion, more "black kids" than "white kids" were found in the "low-ability" group. She stated that "equal educational opportunity" should be the goal.... rather than "educational excellence". (Gee whiz!) My points are as follows: "Tracking" has nothing-at-all to do with skin color. (See link RACISM, and anti-Racism.) "Tracking" has evolved in schools, all over the world, in order to benefit students, according to their capabilities..... not to punish them. Schools are designed and utilized to educate students -- not to entertain them; and not to serve as "day-care centers", or reformatories.... or political institutions for "social change". Evaluation and ranking of scholastic achievement is not cynically designed, by public schools, to low-rate the students of a certain "color". "Tracking" is utilized universally, in the evaluation of any group of individuals, whether in K-12 public schools.... or later, in college.... or in the work-place, where the reality of genuine ability is necessarily ascertained. There is a sad deceit in any system that attempts to convince an individual (of any "color") that he is a superior achiever, if indeed he is only ordinary. Like it or not: "tracking" is a part of this life.... in this world. In all schools, there will be "tracking-up"; or there will be "tracking-down". "Tracking down" requires that talented students gaze out the window, and twiddle-their-thumbs.... while they wait for slower students to catch-on.... and catch-up. (Isn't it obviously true, as someone awkwardly stated: "A mind is a terrible thing to waste.") Intellectual and vocational skills, like physical characteristics, vary widely. Everyone readily accepts athletic "tracking" in our public schools. (Otherwise, there would be more "white" basketball players.) Tracking is also encouraged in order to enhance musical talents, and various art forms.... and tracking is obvious in ALL professional training. Ms. S.T. should realize that we human-beings are not all the same. We cannot (and should not) be "batched" together into one rigid mold. What remedies does Ms. T. suggest in consideration of this wide "diversity" of talents and capabilities among us humans? |
Gobbledegook. That's what many of your readers are saying about Dr. Bauch and her "anti-racism" program, as portrayed in her article in Sunday's Tuscaloosa News. Thank goodness a number of well-known University professors conspired to compose a rebuttal to Dr. Bauch, and to her plan to hire "Crossroads Ministry" to instruct the "white" members of the University faculty in how they should "atone" for their "sins" of racism. I was fascinated to read that, according to Dr. Bauch and "Reverend" Barndt, "racism is exclusively a disorder of white people." Apparently, Dr. Bauch is planning to "reform" the discriminatory attitudes of the University faculty, during the next 10-20 years -- by employing "Crossroads Ministry" (at taxpayers expense). Presumably, after this "reformation", the newly-awakened and edified faculty will inculcate all University students with the doctrine of "Reverend" Barndt, the guru of Crossroads Ministry. The people of Tuscaloosa wiil probably then be next in line, if the "whites" ever admit their ignorance, sins, and misconceptions; and adopt the University's new, informed understanding of "anti-racism", and sophisticated multiculturalism. I regret to inform Dr. Bauch and "Reverend" Barndt that their thesis is pure nonsense (baloney). Perhaps they should awaken, and try to grasp that "prejudice", intolerance, and/or discrimination among and between human-beings is only peripherally related to skin-color. Other factors predominate, including.... cultural variations; intellectual capacity; personal habits; individual behavior; interpersonal jealousies; "family" characteristics; social status; age; schooling and education; ambition and energy; "substance" use-and-abuse; economic disparities; marital status; "religious" beliefs; sexual "persuasion"; health; geographic location; political proclivities; language/communication barriers; physical attributes (personal appearance); psychological quirks; disabilities; and on and on. Each of these factors is just as much a part of the discrimination-intolerance "WEDGE" -- as is skin-color. If Bauch and Barndt were to imagine that, in this world, all human-beings are "people of color"..... one identical color, such as orange.... they would quickly ascertain that all our other humanly prejudices would be precisely as evident as they are now. A college campus "orientation" about "blacks" and "whites" -- and their various differences -- will define only a single issue.... and can only complexify all the other universal factors. The Bauch and Barndt conclusion that skin color is the sole-source of racial intolerance, is such a shallow understanding, that I am frankly stunned that "erudite" academicians can arrive at such a flimsy perception. And beyond that.... for anyone to proclaim that only those of "white" skin are responsible for a unilateral intolerance among "races", is patently preposterous. A final point: who, at the University of Alabama, ordained this wasteful and harmful expenditure of the taxpayers' money? Let each of us guess! END |
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Editorial Reply concerning..... ALCOHOL & Alcoholism An Essay by John N. Todd III, M. D. Click HERE for Quick-Print format of this tablet This opinion-piece was published in its entirety in the Tuscaloosa News, Tuscaloos, Alabama. Posted here 12/6/00. An article entitled "A few drinks a day improves health", appeared recently in the Tuscaloosa News. That article, supplied by the Associated Press, quoted a study reported in the British Medical Journal, indicating that "people who enjoy a couple of drinks a day are 40% less likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke", when compared with non-drinkers. The implication of the article, of course, is that a few drinks a day will magically protect a drinker's health. That's all we need -- another insidious lure for the young, and for the poor and ignorant and unsuspecting -- to be duped into believing that there can possibly be anything "good", or protective, from the consumption of alcohol. Now hear the truth. I must tell your readers, here and now, without equivocation. that the harmful "health" effects, and the potentially devastating "social" and financial results of alcohol consumption, immeasurably outweigh any conceivable health benefit. I base that conclusion on my 35 years of experience in treating "private" medical patients, from all walks of life -- and on statistics gathered from my recent review of several reports from the medical literature (some of which I will quote, below). Let me state another obvious truth: there has never been -- not once, in all of history -- a human individual who started consuming alcohol, with the deliberate plan of causing himself to become an "alcoholic". And yet, in the United States, today, there are at least 15 million overt alcoholics -- and many, many more "borderline alcoholics". Let me repeat: not one of today's 15 million alcoholics ever considered, when he or she took the first drink, that they would ever become addicted to alcohol. And, similarly, not one of them ever started "drinking" for the purpose of "protecting" his health. Addiction to alcohol "happens", insidiously -- to young and old -- to males and females alike. Alcoholism is the devastating result of a flippant public attitude toward "social drinking". And, as we all know, "social drinking", even when not associated with alcohol-addiction, is the source of a huge array of physical, financial, emotional, and societal side-effects. (It is a parenthetical point, but in the Clinton administration's recent health-care "reform" package, the political "spin" on the financing of reform was that the plan could be paid for by a tax on tobacco products. How ludicrous! And just think, no mention was made of additional taxes on alcohol, the major scourge of the world's "health". Hopefully, many Americans will understand the "politics" of why alcohol and drunkenness were neither attacked, nor taxed -- by the Clinton's health reform scheme.) Alcohol is by far the most frequently used harmful "drug", in the U.S. There are many more addicts to alcohol than to cocaine, "crack", heroin, marijuana, etc. And yet, we glamorize the use of alcohol, on TV and in movies. We openly advertise the sale of alcohol. Contrariwise, we imprison other "drug" users, and peddlers. Can anyone rationalize that? In many instances, alcohol is the initial "drug" addiction (a so-called "gateway" drug) -- leading consequently to a combined addiction, involving other substances. Consider the following statements, and related statistics:
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The Tuscaloosa Awake ! Editorial Comments concerning..... "Ebonics" & "Albonics" An Essay by John N. Todd III, M. D. ( www.terrific-tabs.com ) Click HERE for Quick-Print format of this essay This opinion-piece responds to an editorial in the Tuscaloosa News, Tuscaloos, Alabama. Posted here 12/10/00 In the Tuscaloosa News (12-22-96), the editorial-page-editor presented an interesting editorial about "Black English", euphemistically referred to as "Ebonics" ("Ebony" -- black; plus "phonics"). (Da editur done a pritty-good job, but I seen a buncha stuff dat wuz lef' out.) Recent news stories report that the Oakland, California School Board has unanimously approved "Black English" as an alternative "second-language" for students in the public schools. Presumably, federal funding will now be sought to pay for this additional instructional burden on the Oakland teachers. (One would suspect that the grammatical rules of "Black English" have not yet been agreed-upon, and published.) The editor's article failed to mention "Albonics" (Latin albus, "white"; plus "phonics"), which is my coined-word for today's U.S. version of "White English" (not to be confused with "The King's English"). Furthermore, it must be emphasized that there is a seldom-mentioned derivative of "Albonics", which I shall refer to as "Southern Albonics" -- to avoid using the term "Redneck Albonics", or "Plowboy English". As the reader will quickly discern, I am a self-designated bilingual "authority" in both Albonics and Ebonics -- as I was born and bred in "The Deep South", and "grew-up" in the red-clay sections of Alabama and Georgia -- with both "black" and "white" playmates and friends (indiscriminately). I learned "Primitive English" -- a mixture of Ebonics and Southern Albonics, from my companions and their families. Only later, after 12 laborious years of repetitious, forceful, hammering of "Real English" -- into my brain -- by devoted, diligent, knowledgeable (and "mean") public-school teachers -- did I ever shake many of the bad habits of Southern Albonics, and Ebonics. I have still never mastered "Yankee-Talk", especially the Brooklyn variety (which I am not certain should be called "English"); and I do not currently plan to abandon my sophisticated linguistic achievements -- to adopt "Yankee-lingo". There are yet other derivatives of "Albonics", which can be referred to, loosely, as "Radio, TV, and Movie English". And, don't forget the foreign-sounding "English" that we are exposed to in "Rap-Music" -- sometimes heard even on Albonics-speaking radio and TV shows. Here's my question: Whatever happened to "real" English. What happened to the teaching and learning of participial phrases, and principal parts of a verb; and "conjugation of verbs"; and "diagramming" of sentences, and "parsing" of a word or phrase? Whatever happened to the understanding of gerunds, and gerundives -- and infinitives, and subjunctives; and the proper use of "who" and "whom"? Who is being taught that clauses and phrases can be "subjects" and "objects" of verbs? Who is being required to learn nominatives, and objectives, and possessives -- and to understand propositions, and objects of prepositions? Do today's students understand the absolutely essential importance of "English" -- and have teachers informed their students that "English" includes not just grammar, and sentence-structure, but also "vocabulary", and orthography ("spelling"), and orthoepy ("pronunciation"), and "reading", and English "composition"? No "American" can master any method of communication,,,, except the "language of the street" -- without comprehending and utilizing all of these proper elements of "English". English is the world's language. No one who is unskilled in "real English" can expect ever to "climb the ladder of success". You and I will never see a highly-paid manager or executive who is able to communicate ideas and instruction -- either in speech, or in writing -- without the facile use of correct grammar and sentence-structure..... and "syntax". My conclusion is this: Success in the learning of any subject depends on the combination of good teachers, paired with attentive and teachable students. If a teacher understands only the rudiments of a subject, how can that teacher convey sophisticated concepts? How can talented and receptive students enhance their skills, if they are seldom exposed to "advanced" knowledge? Contrariwise, if a student is intellectually or socially incapable of learning, then the skill of a superior teacher will be wasted, or grievously ineffective. Could it be that we now have, in many public schools, a combination of talented teachers -- intermixed with inadequate teachers...... both groups attempting to impart much-needed information unto a cross-section of students -- many of whom are ill-prepared, or unresponsive, or incapable of learning? To summarize..... it is obvious, today, that "The King's English" is not being taught and spoken and learned -- as it must be. It should be understood that "English" is THE stepping stone without which no diligent and ambitious individual can succeed. There ain't no short-cuts.
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Editorial Reply concerning..... "The Baptists" hope to convert "the Jews" An Essay by John N. Todd III, M. D. ( www.terrific-tabs.com ) Click HERE for Quick-Print Format of this editorial This opinion-piece responds to an editorial in the Tuscaloosa News, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.... and was published in its entirety, in June 1996. (Posted here 12/10/00.) We Methodists love the "Southern Baptists" -- but sometimes the zeal and fervor of the Baptists may seem, to us "outsiders", to be a bit "pushy". Last year, after their annual convention, the "Southern Baptists" adopted a resolution apologizing to the Black citizens of America for 200 years of mistreatment of Blacks -- presumably by American Baptists. Before that, in 1993, an article entitled "Baptists count the lost", appeared in a Birmingham newspaper. The gist of that article was that the Alabama Baptists had counted the "Christian" church-goers (the "saved") in Alabama, and subtracted that number from Alabama's total population -- and had come up with a huge number of Alabamians that the Baptists decided were "lost". At that time, many of us non-Baptist "believers" smiled at the smugness of a doctrinal church that would arrogate to itself the right to decide, for God, who is "saved", and who is "lost" -- based on the Baptists' presumption that their interpretation of what God has allowed us humans to understand, is correct -- and that all other denominations and religions are wrong, in the sight of God..... and hence "lost", and excluded from God's favor. Now this: recent articles in the New York Times and in the Tuscaloosa News report that at the 1996 annual convention of Southern Baptists, a resolution was passed "calling for efforts to convert Jews to Christianity". The Baptist "domestic missionary agency has appointed a missionary to undertake such work." The plan is to "direct our energies and resources toward the proclamation of the Gospel -- to the Jews." Jewish spokespeople have responded predictably, with remarks like, "The Baptists should talk about a mission to the Christians, because it was in Christian Europe that the holocaust occurred." A rabbi speaking for the American Jewish Committee on interreligious affairs is quoted as saying, "Singling out Jews as a target for conversion is a great disservice to Christian-Jewish relations." My reason for writing this response is to pose a few questions for readers of the Tuscaloosa News, as follows: Is the Baptist "Christian" doctrinal variation correct, in the eyes of God? Are Baptists the only ones who are accurate in their interpretation of the Bible -- and the "truth" of God? If so, should the rest of us then conclude that, for example, the Roman Catholics are left out? What about the Presbyterians, the "Mormons", the "Eastern Orthodox" Church, the Church of Christ, or the "Assembly of God"? Are some of these church-groups "in" -- and the others "out? Is there a solitary doctrine that God accepts.... to the exclusion of all others? What about various alternative "Protestant" doctrines? Are those of the Arminian persuasion correct in their beliefs? If so, are the followers of Calvin, or Luther wrong -- and thus omitted from the salvation that comes from God (linked)? The readers of this article, and I, may think that we know the answer to the next question, but I will ask it anyway: Are the Muslims, the world's largest "religious" group (who are also "children of Abraham", and whose mantra is "There is but one God") irretrievably "lost".... because they do not agree with the Baptists? Here's the big question: Who are we humans to decide whom God can accept, or "choose" -- and "save"? Do human-beings have the authority to force our earthly restrictive "religious" doctrines on other humans -- or on God? I am not a Jew, and I am not a Baptist, but I can understand Jewish disdain when a non-Jewish organization tells the Jews what "religious" beliefs they should accept. Turn the insult around -- suppose the Jews told the Baptists that the Baptists were wrong, and that they should accept the Jewish beliefs, and rites, and ceremonies. Can you just imagine how the Baptists would respond ! Many God-fearing "spiritually-minded" individuals would declare that it is God alone who decides who is acceptable to Him, and who will enter the Kingdom of God -- irrespective of the divergent opinions of humans.
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