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Author Archives: Jim deMaine
What Alcohol Does to the Body
From the moment you take a sip, drinking starts to influence your biology. Here’s an inside look. By Dana G. Smith, Illustrations by Montse Galbany – in the NYTDry January has come and gone, but Americans’ relationship with drinking is … Continue reading
Posted in Health
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Twin Cities tow truck driver returns abandoned vehicles to families after ICE arrests
By Ray Campos – CBS Minnesota (thanks to Pam P.) Juan Leon had only been running his Twin Cities tow truck business, Leo’s Towing, for a few months when he noticed a pattern that kept repeating itself. Cars were being left … Continue reading
Posted in Immigration, Kindness, Volunteering
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But it’s just a game!
Thanks to Mike Ca.
Posted in Uncategorized
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Dear World, We’re so sorry!
Thanks to John R.
Posted in Uncategorized
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A Valentine’s day tragedy & a reformist President
Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson Ed note: I’ve loved reading about Teddy Roosevelt–such a unique American personality. If you want a pretty complete picture consider the Edmund Morris Trilogy: The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt (covers pre-presidency), Theodore Rex (presidency), and … Continue reading
Posted in Government, History
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A letter to Pam Bondi
by John Pavlovitz – He is an American former youth pastor and author, known for his social and political writings from a liberal Christian perspective. (thanks to John R.) Dear Ms Bondi, I’m writing to you as an American citizen, … Continue reading
Posted in Essays
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New Medicare Changes in 2026: Prior Approval Required for These 17 Services — affecting those who have Original Medicare
Today I received an email from a friend in another CCRC who has need of a steroid injection for a very painful bulging low back disc and a facet joint cyst. Coverage was turned down by Virtix Health, a Medicare … Continue reading
Posted in Health, Insurance
2 Comments
Sugar, Bad Bunny and the Americas
Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson Last night’s thirteen-minute Super Bowl half-time show featuring Bad Bunny had more watchers than any other halftime show in history: an estimated 135 million watched live, while millions more have streamed it since. Rapper, singer, … Continue reading
Posted in Government, History
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I’m the Prime Minister of Spain. This Is Why the West Needs Migrants.
By Pedro Sánchez in the New York Times Mr. Sánchez is the prime minister of Spain. He wrote from Madrid. Imagine you’re the leader of a nation, and you face a dilemma. Half a million or so people who are crucial … Continue reading
Posted in Government, Immigration, Justice, Law, Morality, Social justice
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The Globalization of Canadian Rage
By Stephen Marche in the New York Times Mr. Marche is the author, most recently, of “The Next Civil War.” He wrote from Toronto, where he lives. The defiance against America that has consumed Canadian life for over a year now … Continue reading
Posted in Essays, Government, Law, Military, Politics
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A once-in-a-generation moment at MOHAI
Thanks to Mary M. This summer, MOHAI is proud to host the Freedom Plane National Tour: Documents That Forged a Nation. This landmark exhibit from the National Archives will bring some of the rarest and most important original documents in … Continue reading
Posted in Government, History
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Who‘s Really Behind the MAHA Movement?
Paul Offit in Substack (thanks to Ed M.) RFK Jr. rails endlessly against Big Pharm and Big Food. And, in many instances, for good reason. But there is one group that he never criticizes: Big Wellness. There’s a reason for … Continue reading
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Something to think about
Thanks to John R.
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David Brooks moves on to The Atlantic
In his final column in the New York Times, David Brooks sums up the way he views the decline of American culture–without providing much hope going forward. Here is his new adventure in academia (according to ChatGPT) As of February … Continue reading
Posted in Media
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Report from The Needling
Ed note: The Needling can be accessed here. Noting that they are Seattle’s Only Real Fake News. It’s a fun site, a bit like the Onion. Hope you all had a happy Geoduck Day and are acclimating well to our … Continue reading
Posted in Humor, In the Neighborhood, Politics, Satire
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Friday, February 6 at 11:00am – Health Care Lecture: How to Sleep Better in Retirement by Dr. Branon Peters-Mathews
Ed note: Hope to see you in the MBR Friday (tomorrow). Brandon is back by popular demand for his excellent presentations on sleep disorders and how we can deal with them. In addition to the common sleep disorders like sleep … Continue reading
Posted in Aging Sites, Health
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Finding Dignity, Hope and Healing at the End
Town Hall Seattle and Northwest Center for Creative Aging presentDr. Jim deMaine with Rebecca CrichtonFinding Dignity, Hope, and Healing at the End Mon 3/9 at 7:30PM | $10-$35 Sliding Scale | In-Person Join Dr. Jim deMaine, a pulmonary/critical care physician, … Continue reading
Posted in Advocacy, Aging Sites, end of life, Health, Hospice, Law
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American Democracy Will Not Die in Darkness
Paul Krugman (thanks to Diana C.) ICE in Minneapolis: Schools go remote as protests growBroad daylight, actually The Washington Post adopted the slogan “Democracy dies in darkness” in February 2017. Some found it pompous, but it reflected a widespread theory … Continue reading
Posted in Government, Immigration
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Update from Olympia – House Bill 2384-S
February 2, 2026 On Wednesday January 28th, the House Health Care and Wellness Committee passed on to the full House an amended bill, HB 2384-S, requiring actuarial reporting for some CCRCs to be reviewed by the Office of the Insurance … Continue reading
Posted in CCRC Info
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Trump Is About to Find Out What Every Bully in History Has Found Out
The New Republic and Michael Tomasky In 2025, Donald Trump scared people. And institutions. Go back in your mind to the way he came out of the gate, gunning the accelerator on every front. Pardoning the insurrectionists. Dismantling the executive branch. Firing inspectors general and heads and … Continue reading
Posted in Essays, Government
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