The Presidential election is swinging into full gear, and Michael Moore has a new documentary out. Throw the two in a blender and today’s topic to puree is healthcare.
Depending on who you talk to our nation’s healthcare system is either tops in the world, in a state of crisis, or just plain sicko. When it comes to healthcare, “experts” and lawmakers don’t agree on much of anything. That is except for the costs, which are unanimously agreed upon as: “exorbitant and increasing every day."
As a nation we spent $2.1 trillion on healthcare expenditures in 2006 according to estimates by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). And the buck doesn’t stop there. CMS projects expenditures will be over $4 trillion by 2015. Per person healthcare spending, currently around $7,000, is projected to be over $12,000.
Of perhaps more relevance, healthcare spending continues to increase faster than the overall economy (particularly when compared to GDP and wages). Since 1970, health care spending has grown at an average annual rate of 9.9% (about 2.5 percentage points faster than GDP). As a share of the economy, health care has risen from 7.2% of GDP in 1965 to over 16% of GDP today. Meanwhile, the national wage average has increased only 4.5% annually over that same interval.
Nonetheless, most corporate employees under the age of 50 nonchalantly shrug off those eye-popping figures; employers still pick up the lion’s share of their healthcare costs. A typical employee might see $30 - $60 subtracted from every paycheck. Employees also incur co-pays when visiting a doctor or paying for drugs, but it's typically a nominal amount. In turn, our $2 trillion healthcare tab doesn’t hit home for most white-collar Americans.
Also in the “not overly concerned” category are approximately two million young Americans who choose to be uninsured. Most lack year-round employment and access to insurance from an employer. This backpacking age group rationalizes that youthful vitality will carry them through any (sure to be minor) illnesses. $1200 a year for insurance hardly seems like money well spent when Advil cures 99% of maladies.
At the other end of the age spectrum are a set of retirees who vote and take their healthcare coverage extremely seriously. Lawmakers know this. Accordingly, the chances that elected officials will suggest that retirees pay noticeably more for their Medicare coverage are nil (about as likely as a congressman signing up for an exploratory mission to Neptune). Said another way, if our healthcare system is going to need an overhaul, the elderly shouldn’t be counted on to foot the bill.
Hopefully these examples show the starkly contrasting nature of the issue. Healthcare entirely depends on an individual’s needs, in conjunction with the onus to pay. For a young, employed American, healthcare is barely a blimp on their radar. For an elderly citizen or an uninsured, middle-age worker, there isn’t a single topic of greater importance. Now consider those realities in conjunction with the Zeus-like influence of insurance and pharmaceutical lobbyists; healthcare becomes a real-life (over-sized) Rubik’s cube.
And so with this and every election cycle, this divisive, multi-trillion dollar issue goes back under the microscope. Knowing as much, this entry will attempt to offer some historical perspective and outline the lay of the land. It will only scratch the surface. Later this week (part II), I’ll look underneath the hood of this political monster.
First things first. Why is health insurance so expensive?
The short answer is that health insurance is expensive because healthcare is expensive. If you only read newspaper headlines you might think that medical malpractice lawsuits, an archaic, poorly administered system, and profit-seeking insurance companies were entirely to blame. In truth those factors are important, leaving canyon-like room for improvement, but they represent only a fraction of our nation’s healthcare costs.
In reality the vast majority of our nation’s healthcare costs come from an increasingly sickly, aging population which wants access to the best doctors, the most specialized medicines, and the most technologically advanced medical equipment in the world (24-hours a day). That reality, in its current framework, just happens to cost more than $2 trillion on an annualized basis.
In 2004 Emory University researchers found that more than 25% of the growth in health care spending over the previous 15 years was attributable to obesity. Treatment for diabetes alone cost more that $150 billion in 2005 (affecting over 21 million Americans). Meanwhile, heart disease -- another condition which stems from controllable characteristics like high blood pressure & cholesterol, tobacco use, and poor nutrition – accounted for nearly $250 billion in healthcare costs in 2005.
I can't help but think of Occam in conjunctions with the $250 billion line items. More to the point, I think the best way to “improve our healthcare system” is also the simple answer: have less healthcare expenditures. In short, we need to become a healthier, better-informed nation of consumers. Not an easy prescription for an increasingly overweight, fast-food nation. Still, there isn’t a scenario under the sun whereby our nation makes a serious dent in healthcare inflation without focusing on preventive medicine, wellness, & healthier lifestyles.
How did the system become so expensive?
Now we’re getting to the heart of the matter. If employers could reverse any one decision over the last thirty years, they would rescind the employer-sponsored healthcare system. What started as an enticement to attract and retain employees has turned into a galactic nightmare for most large employers who face exorbitant legacy costs for aging employees and retirees. Ford Motor Company pays more than $1500 per vehicle in healthcare costs, that’s more than $700 more than they pay for steel.
Admittedly, the system wasn’t always so costly. In the late 1970s when employers began to sponsor healthcare coverage for their employees, the annual cost was less than $400 per person. Three decades later, corporations pay $3500 per person (the previous reference to $7,000 per person includes Medicare enrollees). In recent decades, entrepreneurial drug and medical device companies recognized huge opportunities for profits. Insurers, which have a not-so-altruistic reason to want healthcare costs to rise (more on this in Part II), were quick to bundle newly approved drugs and medical procedures into health insurance plans. The runaway costs sanctioned by insurers and the government were, and continue to be, a major contributor to our nation's ever-increasing healthcare tab.
General Electric is a great example. Using capital and clout, the healthcare division of the corporate giant has grown more than any other business unit. Today, GE Healthcare employs over 46,000 people worldwide, specializing in “medical information technologies, diagnostics, drug discovery, and biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies.” Not surprisingly, this cash-cow also contributes over $17B in revenue to the company’s bottom line.
It’s hard to fault GE for their capitalistic intentions while simultaneously bringing advanced products to market that improve lives. But therein lies the crux of the healthcare discussion for the coming decades: at what point will the supply/demand curve for superior products (at obese prices) prove too costly for the general populace? In turn, at what point will standardized insurance products be scaled back to cover primary and catastrophic care only, eliminating most specialty drugs and procedures in order to reduce costs? Finally, what will voters and lawmakers say about healthcare then?
Your Taxpayer Dollars at Work (Medicare and Medicaid)
Medicare, a program administered by the U.S. government for people who are 65 and over, is like daddy’s gun rack in the basement: mess with it and you’re asking for a biggie size spanking. As previously mentioned the 65 and over demographic is a huge voting block (with similar feelings about healthcare as a four-year old has about Santa Claus). If an elected official even mentally ponders a curb on Medicare funding, the AARP sends a telepathic message with a byline from Dante.
The government’s current Medicare bill is in the neighborhood of $300B. Knowing what we know, it’s safe to say that tab is going to increase for decades to come (think about all those voting baby boomers about to retire). With life expectancy steadily on the rise and another prescription drug bill recently passing through Congress, it’s realistic to start thinking about Medicare in trillion dollar terms.
Medicaid, on the other hand, is targeted towards individuals and families with little income and resources. It is jointly managed (and funded) by all fifty states and the federal government. It is estimated that nearly 43 million Americans received health insurance through Medicaid in 2004, nearly 20 million of which were children. Medicaid payments assist nearly 60% of all nursing home residents and about 37% of all childbirths in the United States. Medicaid funding ebbs and flows with the political party in power, but the overall federal budget is currently in the neighborhood of $175B.
Consumer-Driven Healthcare
Consumer-driven healthcare is a marketing term created by insurance companies to describe a series of tax-advantaged healthcare plans that were passed by Congress. It is today's en vogue solution, designed for the private sector, in response to escalating healthcare costs. These consumer-driven plans combine a traditional health insurance plan (PPO) with a tax deductible Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA).
The primary goal of these plans, as argued by advocates, was to empower consumers -- allowing individuals and employers to fund a special (tax deductible) bank account to cover healthcare costs. The account could belong to the employee (HSA) or the employer (HRA), either of which would have the same tax benefits. These insurance plans were required by law to have a deductible of $1050 or more for an individual ($2050 for a family). Thereby, theoretically, enticing the consumer to make cost-centric decisions before scampering off to the emergency room for a checkup.
The inherent reality is that consumer-driven insurance plans do not address the underlying cost of care. Rather, they merely repackage a standardized plan with a tax incentive and a higher deductible. Still, these plans are being touted by the likes of Newt Gingrich as the way forward. Employers are also warming up to the plans as they look to defray additional costs onto employees.
If you haven’t heard about consumer-driven healthcare plans yet, you're likely to before long. Insurers and employers have been looking for creative ways to force healthcare costs onto employees. These plans look like their primary answer.
Some advocates suggest that the federal government should manage every American’s health insurance (called a single-payor system). Would this framework reduce our nation’s healthcare costs?
This is the most hotly contested question of the last twenty years amongst lobbyists and special interest groups. Having acknowledged as much, the short answer to the question is: “yes, yes (you bet your bottom dollar) yes!” The government could use its leverage to negotiate standardized rates with doctors and drug companies while administering each individual’s insurance in a cost effective manner. In doing so the government’s goal wouldn’t be to maximize profits (as is the case with today’s insurance companies), but to provide the best possible suite of healthcare solutions to the American public at the lowest possible price.
Not only that, but if every American received insurance from the government, the burdensome “risk-sharing” element of private insurance would be a non-issue. Currently, small employers and/or individuals who buy private insurance are unable to adequately spread out their risk: one sickly individual will always do a small group in (typically causing the group’s insurance premiums to be raised to the maximum allowed by law). Accordingly, these small employers (or individuals) always pay more than the average employee of a large corporation -- or worse, they are completely denied coverage by private insurers.
If the government bundled everyone into one system, the collective risk would be spread out across every American. Then, a portion of each individual’s premium would be set aside to cover expensive, outlier cases (like pre-mature triplets or kidney disease patients). It would be the ideal means to manage the nation’s cumulative health risk.
Unfortunately, a single-payor system is incredibly unlikely despite its merits. Later this week, we'll drill down into that and a variety of other politically charged issues and motivations.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
The Monthly Stew.......
20) A.M. Tropical Mango Gatorade
Gatorade's last dozen or so flavors have been farcical. Luckily, there’s finally reason for optimism. The new “Tropical Mango” flavor knocked my socks off. Refreshing, citrusy, thirst quenching – without reminding me of jungle juice (as was the case with the “Frost” flavors). Give it a go.
19) Off with his Head
China executed its former top food and drug regulator on July 10 for taking bribes to approve untested medicine. I think that sends a pretty clear message that Beijing is serious about the safety of Chinese products. But can you imagine how many U.S. officials we’d have to whack if bribery convicts were sentenced to death?
18) Boston
My pick for the most neglected classic rock band of the 1970s. To this day, every time I hear "More Than a Feeling" I crank up the stereo volume to an eleven (When I’m tired and thinking cold, I hide in my music forget the day, And dream of a girl I used to know, I closed my eyes and she slipped away-ay-a-a....).
17) Border Relations
As Washington fights over immigration legislation, Gustavo Arellano is serving up his own two cents on border relations. Arellano’s somewhat serious, highly comedic, uber controversial column in the OC Weekly “Ask a Mexican!” encourages readers to write in with questions about all things mexicano. The implied joke, with more than a hint of truth, is that most Orange County residents don’t know any Mexicans. It’s therefore Arrellano’s job to inform readers about traditions, customs, and perspectives on life in SoCal with the gabachos (according to Arellano, only gringos call gringos gringos).
Recent reader questions have led to the following article titles:
1) I bet they speak English during recess.
2) Why do Mexicans want my truck?
3) So how on earth (literally) did Mexicans end up making arroz a staple of their diet?
Arrellano and numerous factoids about the Virgin of Guadalupe are at: http://www.ocweekly.com/columns/ask-a-mexican
16) The Summer of Love
This is the 40th anniversary of the Human Be-In in Golden Gate Park which led to the Summer of Love and ignited the hippie counterculture in San Francisco. Reportedly, 100,000 young people from around the world flocked to the Haight-Ashbury that summer. Free food was available in Golden Gate Park, and a free medical clinic (whose work continues) was set up. And of course, there was mucho free love -- a theme begging for a sequel.
15) Phil & Paul > Le Tour de Fraudulence
The Tour de France heads for Paris this week after a grueling 3 weeks and 2200 miles of racing. Unfortunately, the race is overshadowed yet again by doping. The latest casualty (merely hours ago) is pre-race favorite, Alexandre Vinokourov, who tested positive for a banned blood transfusion after winning last weekend's time trial. The result prompted his entire Astana team to pull out of the race.
The Tour continues to prove incapable of riding out of its own, dark shadow. If it weren’t for Tour announcers Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen, I might be tempted to stop watching coverage. But the duo’s enthusiastic, witty banter about all things correlated to the Tour, and their remarkable on-air chemistry, outlasts the scandals and derailments.
During Saturday’s coverage Liggett remarked that Vino was “riding like a man with four legs.” And the Liggettisms don't stop there. On any given day Tour riders are apt to be “pedal dancers” or “bronze gods with huge pistons, capable of putting each other into extreme difficulty.” Occasionally a rider will “turn the first pedal in anger” when attacking or “dig into his suitcase of courage” on an ascent in the mountains. Finally, there’s the reality of wearing the yellow jersey: “once you pull on that golden fleece, you become two men.”
14) Grand Teton National Park & John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
In 1927 philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, Jr. founded the Snake River Land Company and purchased more than 35,000 acres of land near Jackson, WY with hopes that the National Park Service would administer it. 15 years of opposition by ranchers and a refusal by the Park Service to take the land passed before Rockefeller sent a letter to U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt telling him that if the federal government did not accept the land that he intended to make some other use of it.
Soon afterward, in March of 1943, the President declared 221,000 acres of public land as Jackson Hole National Monument. However, more controversy over the Rockefeller gift made it impossible to officially include the land. The Rockefeller land wasn’t transferred to public ownership until December of 1949, when it was integrated with Grand Teton National Park.
The scenic highway that extends from the border of Grand Teton National Park to the southern entrance of Yellowstone National Park was named the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway to recognize Rockefeller's contribution to protecting the area.
13) Ginormous
It’s official: ginormous is part of the lexicon. The folks at Merriam-Webster found it in their hearts to include ginormous in the 2007 edition of their best-selling dictionary. Apparently, ginormous was the favorite word in 2005 when survey participants who were asked for potential additions. Other noteworthy newbies to the 2007 edition include: crunk, speed dating, DVR, sudoku, and my personal favorite, smackdown.
12) Ask and Ye Shall Receive
I was eating at Dagwood’s in Bloomington last month when I saw a contraption which looked like the Olympic Ski jump. In actuality, it was a napkin dispenser (functioning perfectly!!!). A singular napkin protruded from the end exactly where a skier would make his jump, making it super easy to grab a single napkin.
The same sandwich shop that brought us the “special sauce” has upped the ante & won last month’s entrepreneurial challenge. The morale to this story: never, ever doubt Btown.
11) Three Amigos
Most avid readers are familiar with the acclaimed British authors Christopher Hitchens, Ian McEwan, and Martin Amis. Less well known is the fact that they’re also close friends (I'd like to be the 4th at that dinner party). All have new books out.
Hitchens, the dogged neoconservative, has a new book on Godlessness entitled God is not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything (so much for appealing to America's conservative base). McEwan follows up two blockbusters (Atonement & Saturday) with another critically espoused novella, On Chisel Beach. Amis, a personal favorite, writes about a former gulag inmate is his latest novel, House of Meetings; reviews have been all over the board.
10) Invasor
Another sad note from thoroughbred horse racing: Invasor, the 2006 Horse of the Year, was retired unexpectedly last month after cracking a bone in his right hind ankle during a workout at Belmont Park. Fortunately, the injury was not life-threatening.
The Argentine bred Invasor won 11-of-12 career races and was undefeated in North America. In my opinion Invasor belongs alongside Ghostzapper, Awesome Again, Skip Away, and Cigar as the best dirt colts of the last fifteen years.
9) A Solemn Declaration
Over the 4th of July holiday, I took a few minutes and read the Declaration of Independence in its entirety. Most of us are familiar with the Preamble, but the Conclusion affected me just as much.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
8) The First Degree of Kevin Bacon
TV is having a good year. I’m a regular viewer of Heroes, October Road, Friday Night Lights, and more recently, The Closer (TNT: we know closure). I was also a regular Grey's viewer but had to hit the eject button when it turned 100% soap opera.
I’m particularly thankful for The Closer which is cranking out new episodes this summer while other shows head for the beach. The star of the show, Kyra Sedgwick (Kevin Bacon’s wife), is outstanding as Los Angeles’ chief investigative interrogator.
7) I Knight Thee Sir Rushdie
Author Salman Rushdie was awarded knighthood status last month in Great Britain. Rushdie is most known for being exiled from Iran in 1989 after the publication of The Satanic Versus. After its publication Iran’s Ayatollah called a fatwa on Rushdie and his publishers, sentencing him to death for the book’s attacks on Islam. Rushdie’s knighthood is likely to spark additional controversy, the timing of which coincides with additional terrorist plots in Britain.
6) Cocktails & Dreams
My brother and I caught Cocktail on the tube last week: a video library “must have” for any serious collector. Coughlin’s laws are irrefutable, and the chemistry between Shue and Cruise succeeds in a signature, feel-good-80s display of sophomoric love.
My favorite moment occurs when Coughlin first introduces himself to Brian (played by Cruise):
“Douglas Coughlin, Logical Negativist. Flourished in the last part of the 20th Century. Propounded a set of laws the world generally ignores, to its detriment.”
On a personal note, that entire quote, even its rhythm and syncopation, reminds me of Aaron Metelko.
5) June 29, 2007
If the resurgent Chicago Cubs make baseball’s playoffs, June 29th might be viewed as the season's fulcrum. The Cubs gave up five, first-inning runs against the division leading Brewers but clawed their way back into the game. Still trailing by one with two outs in the bottom of the 9th, Aramis Ramirez hit a two-run walk-off homerun into the left field bleachers.
The Wrigley Field crowd went bonkers. I mean bonkers. 41,000 fans refused to leave. Sportscenter led with the victory celebration (infer pandemonium) in the bleachers. Thanks to my friend Suneet, I was sitting 20 rows behind home plate; one of the most exciting sporting moments I’ve ever witnessed.
4) The Warren Zevon Quote of the Month
“You don’t have to firebomb Dresden to prove you can fly a plane.”
3) H2O
While the market for most soft drinks is declining, the market for bottled water (purified and flavored) is booming. Unfortunately, over 90% of the environmental impacts from a plastic bottle happen before the consumer opens it (oil for plastic, oil for refrigeration and shipping, etc.). Five major U.S. cities (New York, Boston, Seattle, San Francisco, and Portland) have tap water which passes inspection as needing “little or no filtration,” and most major cities are making clean water a priority.
Nutritionists recommend eight glasses of water a day, which would cost over $1500 a year if every glass were bottled. The real question then becomes: are environmentally savvy shoppers willing to abandon water bottles (very much en vogue) for the good ole tap?
2) On Turning 30
On the one hand I feel like Strom Thurmond (in his latter Senatorial terms, not the first fourteen): my appendages are numbing and the TV dinners a la wheelchair look mighty edible. On the other hand life is eerily similar to last week, and the decade ahead is begging for a smackdown. Let’s hope the latter wins out.
1) Hokie Nation
College football practice starts next week. In the wake of the tragic shooting in Blacksburg last April, the Virginia Tech Hokies will assume the role of America’s team (in the same vein as the New Orleans Saints in the wake of Hurricane Katrina). Virginia Tech hats were everywhere last April, a simple and genuine display of support. Look for them in mass this fall as college football fans watch with hopeful anticipation as the Hokies and their “lunch pail” defense take the field.
Gatorade's last dozen or so flavors have been farcical. Luckily, there’s finally reason for optimism. The new “Tropical Mango” flavor knocked my socks off. Refreshing, citrusy, thirst quenching – without reminding me of jungle juice (as was the case with the “Frost” flavors). Give it a go.
19) Off with his Head
China executed its former top food and drug regulator on July 10 for taking bribes to approve untested medicine. I think that sends a pretty clear message that Beijing is serious about the safety of Chinese products. But can you imagine how many U.S. officials we’d have to whack if bribery convicts were sentenced to death?
18) Boston
My pick for the most neglected classic rock band of the 1970s. To this day, every time I hear "More Than a Feeling" I crank up the stereo volume to an eleven (When I’m tired and thinking cold, I hide in my music forget the day, And dream of a girl I used to know, I closed my eyes and she slipped away-ay-a-a....).
17) Border Relations
As Washington fights over immigration legislation, Gustavo Arellano is serving up his own two cents on border relations. Arellano’s somewhat serious, highly comedic, uber controversial column in the OC Weekly “Ask a Mexican!” encourages readers to write in with questions about all things mexicano. The implied joke, with more than a hint of truth, is that most Orange County residents don’t know any Mexicans. It’s therefore Arrellano’s job to inform readers about traditions, customs, and perspectives on life in SoCal with the gabachos (according to Arellano, only gringos call gringos gringos).
Recent reader questions have led to the following article titles:
1) I bet they speak English during recess.
2) Why do Mexicans want my truck?
3) So how on earth (literally) did Mexicans end up making arroz a staple of their diet?
Arrellano and numerous factoids about the Virgin of Guadalupe are at: http://www.ocweekly.com/columns/ask-a-mexican
16) The Summer of Love
This is the 40th anniversary of the Human Be-In in Golden Gate Park which led to the Summer of Love and ignited the hippie counterculture in San Francisco. Reportedly, 100,000 young people from around the world flocked to the Haight-Ashbury that summer. Free food was available in Golden Gate Park, and a free medical clinic (whose work continues) was set up. And of course, there was mucho free love -- a theme begging for a sequel.
15) Phil & Paul > Le Tour de Fraudulence
The Tour de France heads for Paris this week after a grueling 3 weeks and 2200 miles of racing. Unfortunately, the race is overshadowed yet again by doping. The latest casualty (merely hours ago) is pre-race favorite, Alexandre Vinokourov, who tested positive for a banned blood transfusion after winning last weekend's time trial. The result prompted his entire Astana team to pull out of the race.
The Tour continues to prove incapable of riding out of its own, dark shadow. If it weren’t for Tour announcers Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen, I might be tempted to stop watching coverage. But the duo’s enthusiastic, witty banter about all things correlated to the Tour, and their remarkable on-air chemistry, outlasts the scandals and derailments.
During Saturday’s coverage Liggett remarked that Vino was “riding like a man with four legs.” And the Liggettisms don't stop there. On any given day Tour riders are apt to be “pedal dancers” or “bronze gods with huge pistons, capable of putting each other into extreme difficulty.” Occasionally a rider will “turn the first pedal in anger” when attacking or “dig into his suitcase of courage” on an ascent in the mountains. Finally, there’s the reality of wearing the yellow jersey: “once you pull on that golden fleece, you become two men.”
14) Grand Teton National Park & John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
In 1927 philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, Jr. founded the Snake River Land Company and purchased more than 35,000 acres of land near Jackson, WY with hopes that the National Park Service would administer it. 15 years of opposition by ranchers and a refusal by the Park Service to take the land passed before Rockefeller sent a letter to U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt telling him that if the federal government did not accept the land that he intended to make some other use of it.
Soon afterward, in March of 1943, the President declared 221,000 acres of public land as Jackson Hole National Monument. However, more controversy over the Rockefeller gift made it impossible to officially include the land. The Rockefeller land wasn’t transferred to public ownership until December of 1949, when it was integrated with Grand Teton National Park.
The scenic highway that extends from the border of Grand Teton National Park to the southern entrance of Yellowstone National Park was named the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway to recognize Rockefeller's contribution to protecting the area.
13) Ginormous
It’s official: ginormous is part of the lexicon. The folks at Merriam-Webster found it in their hearts to include ginormous in the 2007 edition of their best-selling dictionary. Apparently, ginormous was the favorite word in 2005 when survey participants who were asked for potential additions. Other noteworthy newbies to the 2007 edition include: crunk, speed dating, DVR, sudoku, and my personal favorite, smackdown.
12) Ask and Ye Shall Receive
I was eating at Dagwood’s in Bloomington last month when I saw a contraption which looked like the Olympic Ski jump. In actuality, it was a napkin dispenser (functioning perfectly!!!). A singular napkin protruded from the end exactly where a skier would make his jump, making it super easy to grab a single napkin.
The same sandwich shop that brought us the “special sauce” has upped the ante & won last month’s entrepreneurial challenge. The morale to this story: never, ever doubt Btown.
11) Three Amigos
Most avid readers are familiar with the acclaimed British authors Christopher Hitchens, Ian McEwan, and Martin Amis. Less well known is the fact that they’re also close friends (I'd like to be the 4th at that dinner party). All have new books out.
Hitchens, the dogged neoconservative, has a new book on Godlessness entitled God is not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything (so much for appealing to America's conservative base). McEwan follows up two blockbusters (Atonement & Saturday) with another critically espoused novella, On Chisel Beach. Amis, a personal favorite, writes about a former gulag inmate is his latest novel, House of Meetings; reviews have been all over the board.
10) Invasor
Another sad note from thoroughbred horse racing: Invasor, the 2006 Horse of the Year, was retired unexpectedly last month after cracking a bone in his right hind ankle during a workout at Belmont Park. Fortunately, the injury was not life-threatening.
The Argentine bred Invasor won 11-of-12 career races and was undefeated in North America. In my opinion Invasor belongs alongside Ghostzapper, Awesome Again, Skip Away, and Cigar as the best dirt colts of the last fifteen years.
9) A Solemn Declaration
Over the 4th of July holiday, I took a few minutes and read the Declaration of Independence in its entirety. Most of us are familiar with the Preamble, but the Conclusion affected me just as much.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
8) The First Degree of Kevin Bacon
TV is having a good year. I’m a regular viewer of Heroes, October Road, Friday Night Lights, and more recently, The Closer (TNT: we know closure). I was also a regular Grey's viewer but had to hit the eject button when it turned 100% soap opera.
I’m particularly thankful for The Closer which is cranking out new episodes this summer while other shows head for the beach. The star of the show, Kyra Sedgwick (Kevin Bacon’s wife), is outstanding as Los Angeles’ chief investigative interrogator.
7) I Knight Thee Sir Rushdie
Author Salman Rushdie was awarded knighthood status last month in Great Britain. Rushdie is most known for being exiled from Iran in 1989 after the publication of The Satanic Versus. After its publication Iran’s Ayatollah called a fatwa on Rushdie and his publishers, sentencing him to death for the book’s attacks on Islam. Rushdie’s knighthood is likely to spark additional controversy, the timing of which coincides with additional terrorist plots in Britain.
6) Cocktails & Dreams
My brother and I caught Cocktail on the tube last week: a video library “must have” for any serious collector. Coughlin’s laws are irrefutable, and the chemistry between Shue and Cruise succeeds in a signature, feel-good-80s display of sophomoric love.
My favorite moment occurs when Coughlin first introduces himself to Brian (played by Cruise):
“Douglas Coughlin, Logical Negativist. Flourished in the last part of the 20th Century. Propounded a set of laws the world generally ignores, to its detriment.”
On a personal note, that entire quote, even its rhythm and syncopation, reminds me of Aaron Metelko.
5) June 29, 2007
If the resurgent Chicago Cubs make baseball’s playoffs, June 29th might be viewed as the season's fulcrum. The Cubs gave up five, first-inning runs against the division leading Brewers but clawed their way back into the game. Still trailing by one with two outs in the bottom of the 9th, Aramis Ramirez hit a two-run walk-off homerun into the left field bleachers.
The Wrigley Field crowd went bonkers. I mean bonkers. 41,000 fans refused to leave. Sportscenter led with the victory celebration (infer pandemonium) in the bleachers. Thanks to my friend Suneet, I was sitting 20 rows behind home plate; one of the most exciting sporting moments I’ve ever witnessed.
4) The Warren Zevon Quote of the Month
“You don’t have to firebomb Dresden to prove you can fly a plane.”
3) H2O
While the market for most soft drinks is declining, the market for bottled water (purified and flavored) is booming. Unfortunately, over 90% of the environmental impacts from a plastic bottle happen before the consumer opens it (oil for plastic, oil for refrigeration and shipping, etc.). Five major U.S. cities (New York, Boston, Seattle, San Francisco, and Portland) have tap water which passes inspection as needing “little or no filtration,” and most major cities are making clean water a priority.
Nutritionists recommend eight glasses of water a day, which would cost over $1500 a year if every glass were bottled. The real question then becomes: are environmentally savvy shoppers willing to abandon water bottles (very much en vogue) for the good ole tap?
2) On Turning 30
On the one hand I feel like Strom Thurmond (in his latter Senatorial terms, not the first fourteen): my appendages are numbing and the TV dinners a la wheelchair look mighty edible. On the other hand life is eerily similar to last week, and the decade ahead is begging for a smackdown. Let’s hope the latter wins out.
1) Hokie Nation
College football practice starts next week. In the wake of the tragic shooting in Blacksburg last April, the Virginia Tech Hokies will assume the role of America’s team (in the same vein as the New Orleans Saints in the wake of Hurricane Katrina). Virginia Tech hats were everywhere last April, a simple and genuine display of support. Look for them in mass this fall as college football fans watch with hopeful anticipation as the Hokies and their “lunch pail” defense take the field.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
New York State of Mind.....
A disclaimer to start this entry: Chicago’s a great city. It’s livable. It’s authentic. It’s affordable as big cities go. And it’s a crucible for all things Midwest.
Having said as much, Chicago is to New York as Barney Fife is to Andy Griffith. Chicago is the amiable sidekick that is a few tacos short of a combo meal. Meanwhile, it’s abundantly apparent which metropolis wears the sheriff’s badge.
Yes, I spent last weekend in New York. And I’m currently simmering on high in a New York state of mind. Not surprising after a pulsating “bright lights, big city” weekend. Still, I think my affection for NYC is more than a momentary crush.
Chicago is a two-night town. You’re more likely to run into Sasquatch than a lively Chicago nightspot mid-week.
New York, on the other hand, is an eight-night town. When you think the week is over, another day emerges and the whirlpool sucks you back in. I need only reference my twelve hour stint at Le Souk in the East Village this past Sunday as evidence. Pulsating house music and a vibrant, attractive crowd gathered mid-afternoon, and good vibes carried hundreds of the enthusiasts (myself included) well into the morning.
And the weekend didn’t stop there. On Monday night we hit The Hudson Hotel, which hosted a 4-hour after work session with Ben Watt on the turntables (Watt is known for being half of the duo Everything but the Girl). Over 500 people showed up for the gathering, and the crowd would have gladly gyrated for another four hours had the tunes kept cranking. Apparently, there was some consideration for the hotel guests.
New York’s 24-hour “open for business” sign applies to more than its night scene. As assortment of retail stores and eateries are open around the clock. Personally, I was partial to Famous Ray's Pizza on 3rd Avenue (or was it Original Ray's?). Regardless, whether it's a food craving or a late night haircut you're after, a store will be open to service you. Rest assured, another New Yorker with the same intentions will already be in line.
Of course there is another side to the big apple’s insomnia. When you want peace and quiet, or merely an interval of solitude, it can be tough to come by. Part of the NYC contract is agreeing to cohabit with a slew of international neighbors who operate at every imaginable hour of the day (some of which will reside in very, very close proximity to you).
For many that’s a highly acceptable trade off for living in the cosmopolitan center of the universe. Yes, there’s also the requisite $1500 a month (or more) to live in a tiny apartment with an above ground tub and a kitchen that doubles as your living room. But if you can stomach that reality, the reward is a city whose style, diversity, culture, sexuality, food, and energy are found in New York and New York alone. You get glimpses elsewhere, but in aggregate, it’s New York or else.
Still, New York's cornucopia of offerings isn't enough on its own; you still need friends to share in the fun. Thanks to my good friend Jason Warth, who accompanied me on the last-minute sojourn to NYC (we bought airline tickets on Friday at 2 pm), by Monday night we'd rounded up an impressive assemblage of new friends for our dinner table. Our NYC companions wasted no time making us feel at home as we shared lurid stories of personal satisfaction and deconstruction. I can't wait to cross their paths again.
Which is another thing I fundamentally like about New York: the residents are there because they want to live in New York City. Chicago is a feeder city. Collegiate graduates from the Midwest migrate in mass to Chicago once they grab their diploma.
New York is the opposite. It’s a smorgasboard of people and personalities, most of which have very little connection to each other when they arrive in NYC. Admittedly, some New Yorkers are set in their own ways and doing their own thing. But millions of others are willing to expand their circle. They too were once a newcomer to the city which Alistair Cooke called "the biggest collection of villages in the world."
Which is all to say: New York isn’t for everyone, but it might be for me. It’s going on the list. Write it down next to Buenos Aires and Floyds Knobs as locales I’d like to call home for some period of time before the sun sets.
And if anyone can find another person with sights on those three cities (granted, the Knobs lacks certain attributes which we generally associate with “cities” – but its other advantages make up for the divergence), send them my way.
That cat and I need to grab a beer.
Having said as much, Chicago is to New York as Barney Fife is to Andy Griffith. Chicago is the amiable sidekick that is a few tacos short of a combo meal. Meanwhile, it’s abundantly apparent which metropolis wears the sheriff’s badge.
Yes, I spent last weekend in New York. And I’m currently simmering on high in a New York state of mind. Not surprising after a pulsating “bright lights, big city” weekend. Still, I think my affection for NYC is more than a momentary crush.
Chicago is a two-night town. You’re more likely to run into Sasquatch than a lively Chicago nightspot mid-week.
New York, on the other hand, is an eight-night town. When you think the week is over, another day emerges and the whirlpool sucks you back in. I need only reference my twelve hour stint at Le Souk in the East Village this past Sunday as evidence. Pulsating house music and a vibrant, attractive crowd gathered mid-afternoon, and good vibes carried hundreds of the enthusiasts (myself included) well into the morning.
And the weekend didn’t stop there. On Monday night we hit The Hudson Hotel, which hosted a 4-hour after work session with Ben Watt on the turntables (Watt is known for being half of the duo Everything but the Girl). Over 500 people showed up for the gathering, and the crowd would have gladly gyrated for another four hours had the tunes kept cranking. Apparently, there was some consideration for the hotel guests.
New York’s 24-hour “open for business” sign applies to more than its night scene. As assortment of retail stores and eateries are open around the clock. Personally, I was partial to Famous Ray's Pizza on 3rd Avenue (or was it Original Ray's?). Regardless, whether it's a food craving or a late night haircut you're after, a store will be open to service you. Rest assured, another New Yorker with the same intentions will already be in line.
Of course there is another side to the big apple’s insomnia. When you want peace and quiet, or merely an interval of solitude, it can be tough to come by. Part of the NYC contract is agreeing to cohabit with a slew of international neighbors who operate at every imaginable hour of the day (some of which will reside in very, very close proximity to you).
For many that’s a highly acceptable trade off for living in the cosmopolitan center of the universe. Yes, there’s also the requisite $1500 a month (or more) to live in a tiny apartment with an above ground tub and a kitchen that doubles as your living room. But if you can stomach that reality, the reward is a city whose style, diversity, culture, sexuality, food, and energy are found in New York and New York alone. You get glimpses elsewhere, but in aggregate, it’s New York or else.
Still, New York's cornucopia of offerings isn't enough on its own; you still need friends to share in the fun. Thanks to my good friend Jason Warth, who accompanied me on the last-minute sojourn to NYC (we bought airline tickets on Friday at 2 pm), by Monday night we'd rounded up an impressive assemblage of new friends for our dinner table. Our NYC companions wasted no time making us feel at home as we shared lurid stories of personal satisfaction and deconstruction. I can't wait to cross their paths again.
Which is another thing I fundamentally like about New York: the residents are there because they want to live in New York City. Chicago is a feeder city. Collegiate graduates from the Midwest migrate in mass to Chicago once they grab their diploma.
New York is the opposite. It’s a smorgasboard of people and personalities, most of which have very little connection to each other when they arrive in NYC. Admittedly, some New Yorkers are set in their own ways and doing their own thing. But millions of others are willing to expand their circle. They too were once a newcomer to the city which Alistair Cooke called "the biggest collection of villages in the world."
Which is all to say: New York isn’t for everyone, but it might be for me. It’s going on the list. Write it down next to Buenos Aires and Floyds Knobs as locales I’d like to call home for some period of time before the sun sets.
And if anyone can find another person with sights on those three cities (granted, the Knobs lacks certain attributes which we generally associate with “cities” – but its other advantages make up for the divergence), send them my way.
That cat and I need to grab a beer.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Half-time
Well K-mart shoppers, we’re halfway through 2007. I decided to take a brief hiatus from these pages in conjunction with the year’s mid-point and 4th of July week. Every blogger needs an occasional breather.
Not to worry, I’ve got plenty of petrol in the tank for the second half of the year. As always, you’re guaranteed to hear about all my happenings in this forum or on Court TV (contract rights pending).
But before we hurl ourselves forward, a look back at the year’s first 185 days. I will attempt to grade myself a tad along the way.
Four months have passed since my time south of the equator, but my affinity for all things Buenos Aires has not waned. Not in the least. That trip could be my best decision to date in life. Ahora debo volver (now, I must return).
I’m hoping my next sojourn to Buenos Aires will be of the extended variety. I’ve been practicing my Spanish with aspirations of utilizing my second, underdeveloped tongue. Readers: hold me to Argentina. As you know, there’s nothing like a good gay foam party.
It has been a good year for me and horse racing. Wagering has been profitable, but more importantly, I’ve spent a respectable amount of time along the rail. I even visited two international tracks down Argentina way. Plus, it was a terrific Triple Crown season, capped off by Rags to Riches historic Belmont victory. In short, there’s plenty of reason for excitement as the ponies head for the far turn in ‘07. It’s five weeks until the Arlington Million and from there the Breeder’s Cup banter will begin. Stay tuned.
I’m especially pleased with the time spent with friends and family this year. I’m old enough to have attended too many unexpected funerals. One is too many, and I’m already in the “greater than one” column. All the more reason to prioritize loved ones in the now. My travels this year to the Knobs, Miami, Indy, and Michigan have been ultra rewarding. Not to mention all the terrific times in the windy city. Still, there’s no reason to rest; another worthwhile excursion is always right around the corner. We can take the midnight train going anywhere.
On the flip side, I have failed miserably in an important category this year: momentum. Momentum in life is everything. It’s critical to feel life consistently edging forward (whatever the implications may be). I’ve had plenty of acceleration this year, but I haven’t figured out the sustainability angle. I’m the Golden State Warriors of the NBA: hitting on all cylinders one day, getting blown out of the gym the next. I’ve got to do better in this category in the second half of the year.
On the national scene there’s an unending war and a presidential race on the horizon. Frankly, I’m surprised that more elected leaders haven't demanded a near-term withdrawal from Iraq. I realize it’s a mess and that leaving isn’t going to be easy. But will it ever be? At what point does a Congressman or Senator say enough is enough?
There are no right answers in war, but it surprises me that as a nation we are still rather passive in calling for retraction. 3606 Americans have been killed in Iraq. That’s 600 more than died in the twin towers. But most of us don't visualize the roadside bombs that kill everyday soldiers. Their deaths don’t haunt us at night.
That’s all I’m going to say on the war. I’m not looking for a debate. I do think that Ronald Reagan was onto something when he said that “history teaches that war begins when governments believe the price of aggression is cheap.” I also side with Plato in agreeing that “only the dead have seen the end of war.”
Regardless, war will resurface again; it is a constant for all ages. Misplaced or otherwise.
The election, on the other hand, is a topic which I find entirely worthy of discussion. As some of you know, I worked on Barack Obama’s Senatorial campaign in 2003 and 2004. In March of 2004 I hosted a fundraiser for Barack in a small pub in downtown Chicago. Three meteoric years later, he’s a viable candidate for the White House. In actuality, Barack’s political ascent doesn’t surprise me. I’m planning to dedicate an entire blog entry to my first encounters with the good Senator from Illinois and my take on his political future.
I’ll also devote an entire entry to New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg -- a man who will influence the Presidential race in a significant and unprecedented manner. There will be a deluge of editorials about Bloomberg in the coming months. Many will hone in on a singular question: is he a king or a king-maker?
Incredibly, I think he might be both.
Finally, I’ll argue a case for admiring the rejuvenated career of Newt Gingrich as a political juggernaut and Washington personality. I have an admitted fascination with Newt. I also think he genuinely understands the problems, and more importantly the realities, facing our nation’s healthcare system. Don’t kid yourself: voters care about their healthcare. This issue (and Newt) will affect the presidential race.
Regardless of your political persuasions, I’ll make you a guarantee: by the end of 2008 you will wish Congress had passed meaningful campaign finance reform laws. The amount of advertising and canvassing is going to reach unprecedented levels. This will be a billion dollar presidential race. That is a boatload of 30 second ads. Set your Tivo now (for everything!).
In another realm, as a group we need to direct our positive ions towards the intersection of Waveland and Addison Avenues in Chicago (Wrigley Field). We must will the Cubs into the post-season. September and October are glorious months in their own right (can anyone say “College Gameday”), but they are near perfection when your baseball team is in the playoffs. The NL Central is bordering pathetic levels this year; it’s time for the Cubs to cash in (just don’t whisper the names “Mark Prior” or “Kerry Wood” in my vicinity unless you want to swim with the fishes).
Finally, I’m less than two weeks from birthday numero 30. Where have all the flowers gone? I’m guessing there will be plenty of contemplation in the Chowder as my third decade goes bye-bye. At the same time, I’ll be submitting a proposal to everyone I know that will read something like this: “From this moment on we collectively agree to stop counting the years (Sign on the dotted line or prepare for a bloodbath. Humbly Yours, Michael Fields).”
Sounds reasonable, right?
In truth, I’m hoping for continued health and happiness in the coming decade (that extends to everyone I know). I’m also hoping to get that momentum piece figured out. I need more balance and steadiness to my days.
For now, I want to sign off by thanking everyone who frequents this site. Thanks for listening to me ramble. Thanks for writing in with comments, whether correlated to haberdasheries or horse racing. Thanks for sticking with me through three decades of life on the planet. And a final thanks in anticipation, because I know our coals will burn even brighter over the next thirty years.
Not to worry, I’ve got plenty of petrol in the tank for the second half of the year. As always, you’re guaranteed to hear about all my happenings in this forum or on Court TV (contract rights pending).
But before we hurl ourselves forward, a look back at the year’s first 185 days. I will attempt to grade myself a tad along the way.
Four months have passed since my time south of the equator, but my affinity for all things Buenos Aires has not waned. Not in the least. That trip could be my best decision to date in life. Ahora debo volver (now, I must return).
I’m hoping my next sojourn to Buenos Aires will be of the extended variety. I’ve been practicing my Spanish with aspirations of utilizing my second, underdeveloped tongue. Readers: hold me to Argentina. As you know, there’s nothing like a good gay foam party.
It has been a good year for me and horse racing. Wagering has been profitable, but more importantly, I’ve spent a respectable amount of time along the rail. I even visited two international tracks down Argentina way. Plus, it was a terrific Triple Crown season, capped off by Rags to Riches historic Belmont victory. In short, there’s plenty of reason for excitement as the ponies head for the far turn in ‘07. It’s five weeks until the Arlington Million and from there the Breeder’s Cup banter will begin. Stay tuned.
I’m especially pleased with the time spent with friends and family this year. I’m old enough to have attended too many unexpected funerals. One is too many, and I’m already in the “greater than one” column. All the more reason to prioritize loved ones in the now. My travels this year to the Knobs, Miami, Indy, and Michigan have been ultra rewarding. Not to mention all the terrific times in the windy city. Still, there’s no reason to rest; another worthwhile excursion is always right around the corner. We can take the midnight train going anywhere.
On the flip side, I have failed miserably in an important category this year: momentum. Momentum in life is everything. It’s critical to feel life consistently edging forward (whatever the implications may be). I’ve had plenty of acceleration this year, but I haven’t figured out the sustainability angle. I’m the Golden State Warriors of the NBA: hitting on all cylinders one day, getting blown out of the gym the next. I’ve got to do better in this category in the second half of the year.
On the national scene there’s an unending war and a presidential race on the horizon. Frankly, I’m surprised that more elected leaders haven't demanded a near-term withdrawal from Iraq. I realize it’s a mess and that leaving isn’t going to be easy. But will it ever be? At what point does a Congressman or Senator say enough is enough?
There are no right answers in war, but it surprises me that as a nation we are still rather passive in calling for retraction. 3606 Americans have been killed in Iraq. That’s 600 more than died in the twin towers. But most of us don't visualize the roadside bombs that kill everyday soldiers. Their deaths don’t haunt us at night.
That’s all I’m going to say on the war. I’m not looking for a debate. I do think that Ronald Reagan was onto something when he said that “history teaches that war begins when governments believe the price of aggression is cheap.” I also side with Plato in agreeing that “only the dead have seen the end of war.”
Regardless, war will resurface again; it is a constant for all ages. Misplaced or otherwise.
The election, on the other hand, is a topic which I find entirely worthy of discussion. As some of you know, I worked on Barack Obama’s Senatorial campaign in 2003 and 2004. In March of 2004 I hosted a fundraiser for Barack in a small pub in downtown Chicago. Three meteoric years later, he’s a viable candidate for the White House. In actuality, Barack’s political ascent doesn’t surprise me. I’m planning to dedicate an entire blog entry to my first encounters with the good Senator from Illinois and my take on his political future.
I’ll also devote an entire entry to New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg -- a man who will influence the Presidential race in a significant and unprecedented manner. There will be a deluge of editorials about Bloomberg in the coming months. Many will hone in on a singular question: is he a king or a king-maker?
Incredibly, I think he might be both.
Finally, I’ll argue a case for admiring the rejuvenated career of Newt Gingrich as a political juggernaut and Washington personality. I have an admitted fascination with Newt. I also think he genuinely understands the problems, and more importantly the realities, facing our nation’s healthcare system. Don’t kid yourself: voters care about their healthcare. This issue (and Newt) will affect the presidential race.
Regardless of your political persuasions, I’ll make you a guarantee: by the end of 2008 you will wish Congress had passed meaningful campaign finance reform laws. The amount of advertising and canvassing is going to reach unprecedented levels. This will be a billion dollar presidential race. That is a boatload of 30 second ads. Set your Tivo now (for everything!).
In another realm, as a group we need to direct our positive ions towards the intersection of Waveland and Addison Avenues in Chicago (Wrigley Field). We must will the Cubs into the post-season. September and October are glorious months in their own right (can anyone say “College Gameday”), but they are near perfection when your baseball team is in the playoffs. The NL Central is bordering pathetic levels this year; it’s time for the Cubs to cash in (just don’t whisper the names “Mark Prior” or “Kerry Wood” in my vicinity unless you want to swim with the fishes).
Finally, I’m less than two weeks from birthday numero 30. Where have all the flowers gone? I’m guessing there will be plenty of contemplation in the Chowder as my third decade goes bye-bye. At the same time, I’ll be submitting a proposal to everyone I know that will read something like this: “From this moment on we collectively agree to stop counting the years (Sign on the dotted line or prepare for a bloodbath. Humbly Yours, Michael Fields).”
Sounds reasonable, right?
In truth, I’m hoping for continued health and happiness in the coming decade (that extends to everyone I know). I’m also hoping to get that momentum piece figured out. I need more balance and steadiness to my days.
For now, I want to sign off by thanking everyone who frequents this site. Thanks for listening to me ramble. Thanks for writing in with comments, whether correlated to haberdasheries or horse racing. Thanks for sticking with me through three decades of life on the planet. And a final thanks in anticipation, because I know our coals will burn even brighter over the next thirty years.
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