Author Archives: Jim deMaine

How fragile are we?

Thanks to Ed M. Massive and sweeping change will come and it will come swiftly. Whether or not it is healing and conclusive depends  on us…. The end of our country has loomed many times before. American is not as … Continue reading

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It’s Time to Shop for Medicare, and 2025 Brings Big Changes

By Mark Miller in the NYT Americans on Medicare will see big, and welcome, changes next year. The program’s prescription drug insurance will be much stronger — and easier to understand — as a result of the Inflation Reduction Act of … Continue reading

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Charlie Chaplin’s greatest speech

Thanks to Pam P. But before that comes this scene.  I’m looking at Putin.

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The will of the people

“Fellow-citizens,” Lincoln reminded his colleagues, “we cannot escape history. We…will be remembered in spite of ourselves.”   Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson I’m home tonight to stay for a bit, after being on the road for thirteen months and traveling through … Continue reading

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An Idaho health department isn’t allowed to give COVID-19 vaccines anymore. Experts say it’s a first

By  DEVI SHASTRI AP News (Thanks to Ed M.) A regional public health department in Idaho is no longer providing COVID-19 vaccines to residents in six counties after a narrow decision by its board. Southwest District Health appears to be the first in … Continue reading

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This Is Not the End of America

By McKay Coppins in The Atlantic (thanks to Alice W.) Everything about the staging of Kamala Harris’s “closing argument” rally Tuesday night on the White House Ellipse seemed designed to frame the upcoming election as a referendum on democracy. Flanked by … Continue reading

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Go-go times, then Slow-go times, then …..

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Kamala meets Kamala on SNL

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The Best Light Therapy Lamp

Ed note: In these dark days of winter with the very short days, sleep disruption and seasonal affective disorders are fairly common. So I break out my happy light and have it on the breakfast table for 30 minutes. Placebo … Continue reading

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Can’t Sleep? Try This Proven Alternative to Medication.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is considered the most effective treatment for people who continually struggle to fall or stay asleep. By Christina Caron in the NYT About one in four adults in the United States develops symptoms of insomnia … Continue reading

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Scary incident in the CDR

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Know your parasites

Thanks to Kate B.

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CDC recommends second dose of COVID-19 vaccine for certain populations

CDC now recommends a second dose of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine for two groups: The second dose of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine is recommended six months after the first dose. These groups remain at higher risk of severe COVID-19, and these … Continue reading

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Contemplating complications

Thanks to Pam P.

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A mask with many meanings

Thanks to Pam P.

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Buying a win with billions

Thanks to Mike C.

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Young Washington voters say cost of living is their top concern

For most residents 18-35, the dream of home ownership is dead, and rising costs of food and transportation hit hard as the state grows more unaffordable. by Nate Sanford/ October 31, 2024 in Crosscut Brandon Borg, 21, fills his gas tank in … Continue reading

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Gifting

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Hell yes! The Seattle Times edit board endorses Harris for president

By Frank Blethen and Kate Riley – Seattle Times publisher and Times editorial page editor As one of the country’s very few family-owned and -operated metro newspapers left, The Seattle Times is also apparently one of the few whose editorial board is … Continue reading

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The enemy?

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If You Think You Can Hold a Grudge, Consider the Crow

Ed note: Did you know s group of crows is called a “murder” – this is likely due to old superstitions associating crows with death and scavenging. Sure you may know a group of deer is called a herd, or a group … Continue reading

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Bezos and Musk in Fierce Contest to See Who Can Lose More Customers

Brendan Smialowski, Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images SEATTLE (The Borowitz Report)—A heated battle has erupted between two of the world’s richest men as Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk compete to see who can shed more customers, industry observers reported on … Continue reading

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Physician Altruism and Spending, Hospital Admissions, and Emergency Department Visits

Thanks to Rick B. Ed note: I don’t doubt that patients have a much better experience with an altruistic medical provider who offers listening, time and doesn’t feel economic pressure as they advocate for your care. The practical problem–how can … Continue reading

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“Floating pile of garbage”

Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson I stand corrected. I thought this year’s October surprise was the reality that Trump’s mental state had slipped so badly he could not campaign in any coherent way.  It turns out that the 2024 October … Continue reading

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Lessons for Industry from Boeing’s Wanton Self-Immolation

By James S. Russell in Post Alley (thanks to Ed M.) The 2018 crash of two airliners, one in Indonesia (in which 189 people died), the other in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which killed 157, underscore that America needs to revive … Continue reading

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