The Corner Booth

News story on topic. Some interesting points for our political leaders to consider. You want to be a global community, U.S.? Start thinking that way. Maybe then the mentally ill, woman/rich-person/American life-hating folk won't come here to easily obtain weapons and kill. Maybe.... Nothing 100%, but at least it could reduce the probability these tragic acts of violence happen.... LONDON - The Virginia Tech shootings sparked criticism of U.S. gun control laws around the world Tuesday. Editorials lashed out at the availability of weapons, and the leader of Australia — one of America's closest allies — declared that America's gun culture was costing lives. South Korea's Foreign Ministry said the government hoped Monday's shootings, allegedly carried out by a 23-year-old South Korean native, would not "stir up racial prejudice or confrontation." While some focused blame only on the gunman, world opinion over U.S. gun laws was almost unanimous: Access to wea...

Another school shooting massacre, this time a college campus. Man walks into classrooms and shoots dozens of people - 33 dead in all. Some of the students say he "seemed trained" in using the weapon. Another example of why guns shouldn't be allowed. Yes, enter all the Second Amendment furvents and hunters who think otherwise, avidly preaching that it's not the "responsible, law-abiding" gun owners who commit these crimes. My question: HOW THE HELL DO YOU KNOW THAT? Maybe he hunted, and bought this weapon for hunting. Maybe he went hunting every year with with his father and brother growing up, getting training and leading up to the unforseeable mental breakdown and massacre at V-Tech. We must blame ourselves for this tragedy. We aren't a mature enough society to own guns, for whatever reason. At the same time., we're also not a mature enough society to make a stand and ban these killing machines. By doing that, at least you eliminate SOME of the risk...

A full week of using the new Cozmo. Cozmore. Cozmonitor. Insert name here.... Anyhow, I'm not the greatest fan. It'll have to grow on me - since infusing insulin for a week obviously isn't enough. I'd been on my Minimed (various versions from 508 to 515) for six years, since starting pump therapy back in my last year of college. So, this is probably just my reluctance of embracing a new gadget and having to part with a long-time partner in Dlife. Tentatively, here's my initial list of the differences as I've come across them in my starter week. a.) It has infrared beaming technology directly to the computer, complete with blood glucose monitor that attaches and shares all results with the FREE computer software. Deltec's Cozmo has Minimed beat in the dust on this one. This would be the main reason I switched from Minimed to this Cozmo. But there's caveats... b.) This case is bulky, and the clip doesn't easily come loose from its spot at the beltline....

Please look at this video snapshot of Neal Shine's funeral mass. He is a legend in this journalism industry - we'll never forget his inspiration, kindness, and impact. Also, a link to the tribute booklet that the Free Press has published (link wasn't working directly, so here's the main page from the paper.) Some experts of what's been said and written: "He knew the power of the written words. Words were who he was. From the day he died, was in hospital died, calling for pen and paper so that he could write what he was feeling." "He made a conscious effort to stop, and to look, and to see what might be needed. And instead of walking away, he did something. Many times, it was a very simple act. But how many people's lives have been changed by those simple gestures that Neal went out of his way just to be involved in." Also, please see a post last week on my stories pertaining to this great man.

Story's below, but here's the CNN link. WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Senate approved a measure that would roll back President Bush's 2001 limits on embryonic stem-cell research Wednesday afternoon, but the margin was short of the two-thirds needed to override a promised veto. Bush used the only veto of his presidency to date to kill a 2006 effort to loosen his policy on stem-cell research, which bars the use of federal funding for work that would destroy human embryos. In a statement issued after Wednesday's 63-34 vote, he said he would veto the new bill as well, saying it "crosses a moral line that I and many others find troubling." "I believe this will encourage taxpayer money to be spent on the destruction or endangerment of living human embryos -- raising serious moral concerns for millions of Americans," he said. But the president said he would sign a Republican alternative that would encourage other forms of stem-cell research without changing his 2...

The southpaw is indisposed at the moment. Instead, my writing is on hiatus as is most tasks requiring the use of my typically-used left hand. A morning reaction is to blame. After a late-night of writing and exploring about church, religion and the origins of Easter and Lent, the eyelids lost their battle and closed. Awakening some time later in the morning, I migrated to the bedroom from the green recliner where the cat rested near my feet. She wasn't happy, but I was tired and it didn't matter. A thought crossed my mind about a night-time blood test, but I shrugged it off. The clock in the bedroom hovered somewhere near 4:30 a.m. So, I climbed under the warm covers to seek shelter from the outside world for a brief set of hours. Enter apple-juice boxes that have - if you've read my past blogs - been known to "pee" on occasion. Flashing in and out of consciousness, but not recalling it at the time, I can now vividly recall the images of juicebox straws being forc...

When do we get to a point where our diabetes control is like the 3 a.m. hour? When, no matter how much coffee we drink, music we drown ourselves in, or activities we occupy ourselves with, sleep comes crashing down and covers us like a blanket. Tonight, I find myself asking this question. The comparison to diabetes is unmistakable - rigorous blood tests eight times a day, calculating each carb, recording every result to fill up the blank spots on the log sheet... It goes on. But eventually, you get to a point where the need to crash is overwhelming. You just want to pull that blanket over your head and forget about the diabetes for a little while. I've lived that life for too long and let myself pull that blanket over my head much too often. Every couple months, excitement clouds the brain and I begin a renewed journey of rigorous blood testing. A new log sheet erases all traces of what had come and gone, past testing triumphs and trials. Another chance to halt the neuropathy and p...

Cozmo has arrived. It arrived by UPS at the wife's work this morning, and she brought it home at dinnertime. Now, the chess game of learning and adjusting to a new pump begins - or does it? Despite previous thoughts, I've not yet reached checkmate in the decision-making arena. Maybe it's the newness... But there's hesistation on my part. I'm having a tough time on this first night to embrace the excitement of a new pump and part with my long-time companion of the Minimed species. I've played with the Cozmo. Looked it over. Pushed the buttons, explored the user manuel. Held both pumps in my hand, add ed them to my waist and experimented with how they look and feel. My main draw to the Cozmo is the integrated blood meter with infrared capability with computer software. The most alluring point. However, this little clip that attaches to the back limits the use of the clear, not-same colored holster. The black case makes it look identical to a cell phone, and it...

UPDATED APRIL 12: Here's the Detroit Free Press coverage of his funeral . Also, a link to the fabulous, tear-inspiring tribute they put together. Very touching. Neal Shine. Former Detroit Free Press publisher, who had to retire twice to officially get away from his newspaper. But even that didn't keep him away. We sadly learned of his death Tuesday, from respiratory failure, at age 76. Word from the Free Press is they learned through an email that began... "With sadness, we need to let everyone know.... " Shine was one of the most inspiring journalists I've met, and his life story goes to the heart of rising from the bottom to the top. He entered the J-world in 1950, as a 20-year-old trying to fulfill his lifelong dream of working at the Detroit Free Press. He started as a copyboy before working his way up to reporter, columnist, various editor spots, and ultimately publisher. I remember hearing his stories about this in J-school, listening wide-eyed to his storie...

It's on the way.. Will get it Thursday. Just like the one to the right, except "volcano" black. Got the news today. I'm shocked how quickly Delte (a.k.a Smith's Medical) moves. Doc sent in the paperwork yesterday afternoon, followed by my insurance form this morning, and alas - all good by Noon. And the best part? It's FREE! Our insurance pays 90 percent, meaning we're responsible for the remaining 10 percent. However, Deltec has an upgrade program where you can trade in your old pump (whatever the bran) and receive a $500 credit. So, after all this, our 10 percent payment will be covered and leave us with another estimated $100 for future orders. Outstanding! Pump is being sent UPS to the wife's work, so she'll be able to receive and sign for it later this week. That night, we'll be playing and exploring the new pump in all it's glory. Amazingly, that wasn't even the best news today! Found out (well, knew it already, but confirmed ...