A night in Old Montreal

HDR Image in Old Montreal

My spouse and I are members of a photography group here in Montreal.  We recently decided to practice our night time skills.  The photo to the left is an HDR night shot in Old Montreal.  HDR means "high dynamic range" and besides the effect you see in this image, you can use it to get the most accurate image of a scene.  A great use of this skill is in Real Estate photography.  We've all seen those shots of a house or apartment with a glaring window and dark corners in a room.  HDR can fix that so you see all the room as you would if you were there and you can see out of the window - just as you would if you were standing there in the room itself.  I have just been practicing my photographic art over the year or so.  I had never thought of myself as an "artist" but when you pick up a camera and begin to see your surroundings in a different way and capture that moment, an artist is born.  Once you have been bitten by the shutter bug, your mind sees things in a new way.  Every scene be it a landscape or a person, becomes framed and composed in your mind.  Also, as any other blogger knows is that having an image in your posting helps the reader immerse themselves in your story.

Photography has become an enhancement to my mind-health.  What I mean by this is that a hobby, an artistic avenue for your mind to travel can be invigorating to ones mind.  Whatever your feeling can be worked through either by dissipating it from sad to happy or from happy to enlightened.

Slow shutter speed night shot

There are members of our group that have very expensive cameras and others who have a good point-and-shoot type camera.  All find satisfaction in practicing their craft, so don't let the type of camera you have deter you.  No matter what your artistic skill or style I encourage you to keep moving forward and learning more about what you do.  It will add to your life in ways that you can't imagine sitting here reading this now, but trust me, it will change you for the better.  If you're wondering, the image to the right is a night shot of a bus passing on the street - slow shutter speed captures the lights from the bus while the bus itself is nowhere to be seen.  Cool yes?

Technology is Great But...

I've always enjoyed gadgets and the latest technology.  Of course as a kid, it only took me a few minutes to figure something out, sadly these days it can take me a bit longer to understand the newest little gadget; and sometimes I do feel it mocks me when I have to actually look at the directions to understand it.  I want to talk today about one of my most favorite bits of technology. The GPS.  I am now and have always been "directionally challenged."  A draw back of a GPS is that the map is always out of date.  Even when you download the greatest and latest maps, they are out of date.

Today, I typed in "Zellers" which for you living in the U.S. it is much like a K-Mart, Shopko, or Target store.  The list appeared and I picked the closest one that happened to be about 17 miles from where I am starting out.  Not only did I find this when I got to the address - See below pic. 

(Notice no Zellers in sight.)

I later found that there was a Zellers just about 5 miles from where I was.  This all from the "latest map" that I paid $80 dollars for.  Okay, maybe this store was just torn down yesterday - but I know of a shopping center with major stores in it that remains invisible to my GPS and the shopping center has been there at least 17 years!  Gee, how the heck do they miss that?

This seems to happen a lot...and I mean a lot.  Now I would like to be able to tell you the town or city this pic was taken, but my GPS does not tell me that little bit of info.  Even with all this, I still would not trade my GPS for anything; unless of course it was another GPS with a bigger screen since my eyes are getting worse with each passing year it seems.  I have more pairs of glasses scattered around the house than you can shake that proverbial stick at. 

In the end - I have no idea how they update a GPS map.  But considering the way Google is updating their maps...maybe they need to get into the GPS market and I'll buy that one.  As long as they don't have a pic of my house with me sunbathing in the yard.

How Much Did You Pay For Your Senator?

Joe Lieberman - I could almost stop there and you would already know what this is about. He is a shining example, hell he is a dazzling, sparkling, blinding even, example of what a "bought and paid for" Senator looks like. It is absolutely clear that the insurance and pharmaceutical industries told him to kill health-care reform and he said, "yes sir, right away sir" and is carrying out their orders. I know I need the health-care now as Joe is making me sicker by the minute!

Today you see headlines like "Joe Lieberman Stands in the Middle of Health Care". The headline should read, "Joe Lieberman - Roadblock to Health Care". It is also claimed that he is in the political middle - again, not so. He is the Republican mole reporting back from Democrat committee meetings. He is the ears and eyes of the Republican party so they know each and every way to block health-care reform. Talk about wolf in sheep's clothing!

He does continue to shift directions - first he suggested the buy in to Medicare, and like a spoiled child once he got it he now says, "I don't want that either." There are remedies for spoiled children and the same goes for Joe. Let's just put him where he belongs - with the Republicans. Pull his Chairmanship away and he can see what the Republicans give him. It is never safe to leave a poisonous snake in a place where he can bite you, over and over and over again.

America's health-care reform is not something to be played with just to tickle his ego. Right now, some infer, he [Lieberman] is the tail wagging the dog, it's true and it needs to be stopped!

America is not his toy box and he needs to know it right now. Lieberman has clearly shown that hypocrisy is a flag to be waved and gotten away with. He stood with John McCain for President, he bashed Obama the Democratic candidate at the Republican Convention, he is a Republican through and through.

The President said in his recent meeting with his former Democrat colleges of the Senate, "...not to let ideological purity undermine the legislation." Tell me, how is this different than bending to the far right of the the Chamber?

The conservatives of the Senate are using health-care reform to legislate around Roe v. Wade and a woman's right to choose by not allowing funding of any kind via insurance policies. Odd how the poor are going to be the ones affected, once again, by the conservatives in the Senate and the Democrats will have let them steam roll their way right over those same poor who voted for change - who voted for a better life - who voted for a voice in Congress.

As far as I'm concerned, this Congress is about to betray those same citizens. They are willing to strip the bill of anything truly remarkable and helpful to the poor just to get it passed so they can say, "Look what we did". Lovely - you just passed not only a meaningless bill, but a bill that will crush the poor and stuff the pockets of the insurance and pharmaceutical industries even more!

This is not a time to let conservatives run rough-shot over the Democrats and this health-care reform bill. Doubly so, it is not a time to let Joe Lieberman make the Democratic party dance like someone is shooting at their cold feet! If this bill is passed in a form to only stuff the coffers of corporate America, then let's not bother - we've already paid them enough!

BlueCross BlueShield - Ally of Labor: Really?

I recently received my copy of "Labor Matters", a newsletter from Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS). It states it is a publication for, "...anyone working in or with organized labor".

In this fall issue, their front page story explains why a "public option" is a bad idea and that it, "...would undermine the ultimate goals of reform and unravel the existing employer-based system...”

On the AFL-CIO's website concerning Health Care Reform, it posts this following information:

The Washington Post reports that in the spirit of “Harry and Louise”—the phony couple created by the health insurance industry to spread lies and fear to help defeat health care reform in the 1990s—is set to reappear in North Carolina. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina are set to launch a similar misinformation campaign. The main goal? Defeat public insurance plan option. The storyboards paint pictures of months-long waits for care, rationing and other horror stories.

Chet Burrell, President and CEO of CareFirst/BlueCross BlueShield said in their 2008 annual report:

‘We expect 2009 to be challenging as the Obama Administration and Congress give priority to health care issues and as the industry prepares for a profoundly changed landscape. In this environment we seek to be a constructive force for change and to reach higher levels of service to our 3.4 million members and the larger community we serve.’

I find it strange that while BCBS claims to have the best interests at heart for those of us with and within the labor community - their actions parallel the for profit insurance companies. In the 2008 annual report, they showed in 2007 total revenue of 6.1 billion dollars with a profit of 180.5 million dollars. In 2008, they showed revenues of 6.6 billion and at the time of the report a profit of 9.3 million dollars. It is unclear how complete the 9.3 million dollar figures are. You can check out the summary of the report here: (2008 Annual Report)

How can such a "claimed ally" work against one of the fundamental pieces of healthcare reform? Without a public option, insurance companies will enjoy a feeding frenzy of profit unknown to them in their entire history. Their coffers will be bursting at the seams - due not in a small way to the mandate of the Federal Government. Without a public option, there will be nothing to stop them from ratcheting up the cost of healthcare year after year. We already see the results of similar deals. The pharmaceutical industry has already raised its prices so it has an even higher starting point down the road. This too is an industry that will experience never before seen profits. With all of America covered, Americans will now be able to see their doctor without fear of what it will cost - their doctor will prescribe medications and this will be compounded across the country.

Another huge boon to the pharmaceutical industry. One should question, when is enough -- enough?

Communications Workers of America, a labor union that proudly serves members in communications, telecommunications, newspaper, television, law enforcement, flight attendants, public workers, printing industry and others totaling approximately 650,000 members have this to say about a “Public Insurance” option.

Everyone should be able to select from several private health plans, as many can do now through their employer, and have the option of choosing a public health insurance plan similar to Medicare.

• Public health insurance plans control costs much better than private health insurance companies because of reduced administrative costs and stronger bargaining power with providers.
• A public health insurance plan will create competition in a private insurance market that is highly concentrated today.
• A public health insurance plan will give consumers another insurance choice, provide a wide choice of providers, and provide a guaranteed backup so that everyone can obtain quality health care. (See it all here)

I believe that this fight is one of the most important struggles of the American Labor Movement’s recent history. It will be another defining moment – just as Labor brought us the weekend, the 40 work week and an end to child labor, it can also bring us true healthcare reform that is the right of all societies. The labor movement is defined by its moral compass – it leads us down the path of social and economic justice. This journey can be more keenly defined as simply a path for equality. Equality for every human being on this planet. We are not just fighting for those people who are union members, we fight for all people. Labor understands and knows in the deepest recesses of its heart that making things equal for all people is the only way to lift society together, leaving not one person behind.

We must not let the spirit of greed possess the soul of equality.

Together, we are a mighty force for change. If you are a person who is covered by BCBS, send them a message and let them know that as customers, we do not want them fighting against us and the public insurance option. I was unable to locate an email address for them both, so write a great letter to Chet Burrell, President and CEO of BCBS and send an e-mail to Bonnie Summers, Executive Director of the National Labor Office, send the letters to their offices below:

Chet Burrell, President and CEO
CareFirst – BlueCross BlueShield
1501 S. Clinton Street
Baltimore, MD 21224

Bonnie Summers, Executive Director
National Labor Office
1310 G Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20005
bonnie.summers@bcbsa.com
202.626.8635

In Solidarity – We shall overcome!

Compare Health Care

Okay. Let's compare some Canadian healthcare to American healthcare. Click the Maple Leaf and watch.

Letter to My Representative

My letter to my Congresswoman, Donna Edwards.

October 28, 2009

The Honorable Donna Edwards
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Representative Edwards:

My name is Lawrence Smoot, I am a constituent and supporter of yours. I pen this missive to you today to impress on you the importance of supporting H.R. 3200. I believe that you understand how vital it is that we bring our country to the same high level of health care that other industrialized nations cherish.

It is my belief this can be done without adding to the cost of our healthcare plans – an excise tax on health plans will ratchet up the cost for the employer and decrease the benefits the workers currently value and enjoy. I myself recently underwent the placement of a stent to clear blockage in a major artery leading to my heart. Without the current level of benefits I have I may not have been able to afford the surgery and would instead be living on borrowed time – an expensive and or fatal heart attack just waiting in the shadows.

I’m asking at this very moment, that you pledge to support affordable, quality health care for everyone that:

Doesn’t tax the benefits of working families like mine.

Requires every employer, except the smallest ones, to either cover their workers or pay into a fund.

Gives people a choice of private and public health insurance plans.

The concerns mentioned above are part of H.R. 3200. I know you have been a vigorous defender of working people in the past. That is why I voted for you and will continue to do so in the future. Please make this bill as strong as you possibly can.

If done right – this historic health care reform will lift this country and its people into a more secure future. FDR knew and understood this when he mentioned a “…second bill of rights…” in his historic State of the Union Address in 1944. Sixty five years have passed since that day – the American people have waited far too long for “the right” of health care.

Please – let’s make history again.


Sincerely,


Lawrence R. Smoot Jr.

Lieberman - No Friend To "The People"

Why is Joe so happy?

Maybe it is because he just got another hefty contribution from a pharmaceutical company. Yes, Joe gets some rather hefty money from companies like "Purdue Pharma LP". They happen to be a privately held pharmaceutical company founded by physicians. It makes him absolutely giddy! Purdue Pharma says that they are "...focused on the needs of patients".

Considering they gave Joe $105,100.00 in the 2010 campaign cycle and another company called "United Technologies, 'they make drugs too'"gave him $138,850.00 in the same campaign cycle and Joe is fighting Health Care reform any way he can, says something.

It says he is for "the people", as long as you are a "people" who own a drug company.

Now, I can see Purdue Pharma giving Joe a bucket-O-money - after all they are from the state that he represents. But most of his money comes from those outside his state. United Technologies is from California -- hmmm, I wonder what they want him to do for that bucket-O-bucks?

Oddly enough - his other big donors (those in the top ten) are from the companies that make war machines and investment firms. This should not be a shock to anyone since our buddy Joe is a ranking member on the Armed Services Committee! Gee, I wonder what they want for their money?

Today, Joe Lieberman announced that he would stand with Republicans to filibuster the health care bill if it had a "Public Option". He claims it has to do with what this will cost "us the taxpayer" but we know better Joe. What you are worried about is "what it will cost the drug companies".

What you're not telling us is that a Public Option will bring down the costs of health care. It will act like the steam vent on a pressure cooker - when it gets to costly, it will vent and keep things safe and secure for us all.

It will insure against drug and insurance companies raping the American public. Without a Public Option to protect us - these companies will just belly up to the feeding trough known as our savings accounts and shove it down their gullets like a starving dog! But you see, Joe doesn't care about any of this. He just needs to be sure his election coffers are busting at the seams from contributions supplied by these same companies.

Have you ever noticed our fair weather friend Joe. He's on our side when it doesn't really matter, but when the chips are down and you need him the most he is nowhere to be found...well, except for the bottom of his shoe as he kicks you down deeper and deeper into the quicksand of debt.

So - once again Joe Lieberman has failed those that he is supposed to protect. Joe, take a look man. The writing is on the wall. We will get you voted out of office and be done with you. We are tired of not being able to depend on you. (See where Joe gets his money.)

Equality March

Simply put -- It's time.