Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Embers of Patriotism Rekindled


Embers of Patriotism Rekindled

 

American Sniper hit a chord with a wide range of the public since its release. A resurgence of patriotic rhetoric was on display across much of social media as millions viewed a film disparaged by the left. Harmonious to those of us who always believed in the American Spirit, the movie made an impact on many quietly sitting on the sidelines waiting for the central nightmare to come to an end. Patriotism has been adrift in the caustic winds emanating from Washington which is doing its best to create a third rate America. Both at home and on the international front this country is no longer considered first rate in a wide spectrum of categories. Leadership has abandoned its post as minions of deceit hide their true agenda utilizing deceptive methods to keep the hierarchy afloat and the nation down. Tantamount to the broad cover up that surrounded the Nixon Administration, in the days of Watergate, there are a dozen of Obamagates waiting to be uncovered. Our reigning head of state continues to be absent on issues of substance which would strengthen the nation. Chris Kyle, American Sniper’s hero, has rekindled loyalties to a nation whose strengths are drawn from its people not the ash of a lost Democracy. Awakening from a deep sleep a national pride is returning to the front pages of American thought. Finally people are realizing we are our own worst enemy. Following the trail of deviance delivered by a narcissistic President flawed rationale has turned this country over to internationals whose ultimate goal is to dismember our nation. A smiling Chief Executive can be viewed bowing to chiefs in the Middle East as he apologizes for not moving quick enough on his destructive programs. America will never be secure as long as its people are made insecure by those who want to rebuild the nation from the ground up. America does not need to be rebirthed. Instead it must hold those responsible for bringing this nation to its knees. American Sniper displays that millions want the country reignited to its former glory. They see this nation is worth saving though its present political dynamos don’t. Embers of patriotism are being rekindled throughout this great nation regardless of the left who have exploited it for the green in their pockets. Nothing the present leadership can do will stop the forward positive forces we are seeing as patriotism takes hold again in a nation some thought was lost in the woods. The challenge now is to keep the fires burning before dark forces once again smother the flames. Collectively we will win back America which was temporarily sidelined by a historical deviance that should never be repeated.

 

Mark Davis MD, President of Davis Writing Services. www.daviswritingservices.com platomd@gmail.com

Monday, January 26, 2015

Death on Demand: A Physician's Role in Assisted Suicide


Death on Demand: a physician’s role in assisted suicide

 

Maryland Board of Physicians recent revocation of a physician’s license for assisting in the suicides of his patients was the correct decision. Physicians are neither trained nor licensed to take life. Death on demand is not the physician’s role in society. Euthanasia has been a controversial subject for decades. Government officials have not had the backbone to generate a regulatory structure to terminate the lives of those suffering extreme illnesses. I watched my own mother die a horrible death from a cancer that literally engulfed her body from inside out in the 1970s. No one brought up the subject of euthanizing her because we all knew it was morally and professionally wrong. Yet the debate on pulling the plug continues from that time forward without a resolution in sight. Self-appointed Kevorkians empower themselves, utilizing creative methodologies, to bring a life to a finite point.  Dr. Lawrence Egbert’s empathetic actions, may have been well intentioned, though inconsistent with his licensed authority and his moral obligation to his patients. Many across the gamut of the health professions have the knowledge to take life but few have acted in any perverse manner in this direction. Regulating authorities are not without compassion for those who have a brief period left on Earth. In Maryland and across the nation euthanasia has been debated to the nth degree moving no closer to a solution than our considerations 40 years ago. http://www.wjla.com/articles/2014/12/maryland-doctor-lawrence-egbert-accused-of-assisting-suicide-loses-license-110188.html

 

The question who lives and who dies received a slight lift from the legislative effort called the Affordable Care Act. Stories emanating from various sources indicate those facing catastrophic illnesses starting in their mid-seventies will not have access to cutting edge therapies. Why? Government entities are refusing to pay for them. A patient with metastatic cancer was recently told by a major university hospital in the region that chemotherapy costs would not be reimbursed because of his age. Death panels no, but cost panels yes. Is the government in a sense directing physicians to withhold therapies making them responsible for the outcomes, it seems so. Taken to a higher degree are physicians being forced to be stewards of death without their consent? Again, it seems so. Society must determine the appropriate circumstances in which one can bring his or her life to an end in the face of a terminal illness. Physicians must not take it upon themselves or be forced to decide when a life should terminate. I realize many have heard these words before. Unfortunately they have not penetrated the minds of some. The debate on a physician’s role in end of life planning should take place in an open forum for all to hear. Under no circumstances should a physician act in the shadows, playing the part of “Death,” no matter how empathetic he or she is with patients in his or her care.

 

Mark Davis MD, President of Davis Writing Services www.daviswritingservices.com platomd@gmail.com

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Tragedy hits Paris: was it avoidable


Tragedy hits Paris: was it avoidable

 

Death came to many in Paris, in the last few days, as radical Muslim extremists vented their anger over a satirical portrait of their religious icon. In the aftermath 12 people were murdered at the publication Charlie Hebdo with another dozen wounded. Violence jumped from this site to several other areas including a kosher deli where 4 more people were killed. Numbers of casualties are fluid which may rise as reports are revealed to the public. Three of the 4 terrorists were killed with a female counterpart remaining to be apprehended. Provocation for these horrific acts was rooted in the themes this weekly magazine expressed. Negative characterizations of religious figures were one of its specialties. Media hype around the World, for the most part, sided with the editorial staff at Hedbo believing freedom of speech allows publications to denigrate religions and their leaders. Some have suggested that by portraying the most holy Muslim leader in such a manner violence was automatically invited upon on this magazine. Muslim leaders across the World were slow to condemn this vicious act. High profile Muslim clerics went so far as to praise the attack with a righteousness hard to define by western standards. Consequently President Obama condemned the attack without directly blaming the Muslim community. Many facets of these violent acts have yet to be defined. Atheistic rhetoric demeaning religion was regular fodder fed to Charlie Hedbo’s audience. The media speaks of free speech rights which they believe gives them a license to incense billions with their religious bigotry. The question is: Where do these rights end and propriety of mind begin? Muslim culture in Europe has not merged with the culture of the countries that invited them in. Instead many of them live in enclaves separated from the general population. Hate has not capitulated itself as Middle Easterners  moved across borders. Western thoughts and traditions are an anathema to many from the Middle East. With this clash of cultures it is only a matter of time before other cities in Europe and this country must defend themselves from such assaults. Will we surrender to the Muslim hammer, merge with them or evict this crawling terrorism before it becomes unmanageable? One thing for sure, time is not on our side.

 

Mark Davis MD, President of Davis Writing Services, www.daviswritingservices.com platomd@gmail.com

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Monday, January 5, 2015

New Year Old Themes


New Year Old Themes

 

Years come and go yet some themes linger long after wearing out their welcome. Blanketing the media in 2014 were racism and terrorism along with Ebola to keep the population on edge. President Obama’s irreverence to the Constitution emerged as a hot topic as the year came to a close. In 2015 look for minimal change as the year unfolds. Congress demonstrated its inability to cope with the President’s overreach by his modulating immigration laws without their consent. Entering his last quarter Obama must face a Republican majority in both houses who are hungry for change. Yet, as we have viewed, lame does not begin to describe the leadership of the House and Senate as they approach illicit executive actions. John Boehner and Mitch McConnell have displayed their willingness to lean left to enable the President. Their style of mismanagement was ever present in processing the federal budget. As the new Congress takes their seats both want to lead but which path will they take? Illicit actions by the White House must have consequences. Yet Congress cowers refusing to dispense the services they promised the electorate. Unable to contain a wayward President harsh reality will confront leadership as membership take their oaths of office. Obamacare was “fully” funded along with the ability for our government to support a mass migration from south of the border. Boehner was nowhere to be seen as Obama placed millions on a path to citizenship without a single vote cast by the legislative branch. The Speaker was too busy making holiday plans to condemn a clearly illegal act by Obama. Where Boehner and Congress failed a coalition of states have instituted a legal action against Obama’s reckless disregard for immigration law. Without change at the top 2015 will look eerily analogous to 2014. Conditions are ripe to impede the President’s pen by bringing challenges to the White House steps. Congress also has pens and phones, which should be in use 24/7 to move the headlines in a different direction than seen in 2014. Will Congress have the backbone to remove leadership or does the country remain stagnant for another two years under their tutelage? Stay tuned!

 

Mark Davis MD, President of Davis Writing Services. www.daviswritingservices.com platomd@gmail.com.

Dr. Davis latest book, Obamacare: Dead on Arrival, A Prescription for Disaster.

For media requests please use the email address.