Babble-On 29

Wherein my faith in the human race waxes and wanes ... (mostly wanes)

Much Ado About Mammograms - Kids, Kids! Can we all settle down and stop shouting? I haven't met the woman yet who likes getting mammograms, who clamors for the right to get them at the earliest possible age. Even so, the announcement from some panel somewhere suggesting that women wait to start regular yearly testing until age 50 drew outrage from numerous interested parties. I say 'parties' since I am guessing most individual women under the age of 50 met the news with a sigh of relief and an easing of dread. But I'll bet the mammography business is concerned about these new guidelines and have the troops mobilized in earnest. Including, surprisingly, Health and Human Services Secretary, Kathleen Sibelius. Does anybody in government talk with each other about these things before they are pronounced to the general public? I can't wait for the memo on colonoscopy.

Fox News Vs The White House - Is there anything the White House can do to get some positive press out of Fox News? Appoint Rupert Murdoch Ambassador to Australia? Wait, he's from there. And even if they did throw something Rupert's way, it wouldn't be enough. Fox seems to truly have it in for the Obama administration, giving a never-ending series of Republican representatives and think-tankers an uncritical platform for sniping. The 'reporting' is most definitely not 'objective', unless by 'objective' you mean some sort of goal or agenda. But Fox may be shooting itself in the foot. What would they do for news if a Republican administration was back in the White House?

Airborne Maneuvers - I've been flying around the country a lot lately, and I must say overall the experience has boosted my attitude about people around this great country. Today though, I witnessed the sleaziest example of petty self-indulgence I've ever seen while traveling. It was almost enough to erase that attitude boost. You know what I'm talking about - you, the woman and her companion traveling from Houston to Austin who scammed your way into the early boarding group by falsely claiming you were accompanying the young minor girl who was in line in front of you. Was it worth trading integrity to board a few minutes earlier? You pulled it off with great aplomb, though. I don't know what you do for a living now, but consider a new career on Fox News. And a colonoscopy ...