Random Thoughts: Recent Comments

Comment on The ER is not just for the uninsured

Joe Voicheck — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:57:24 GMT

Dave's comments hit the mark effectively. There are abusers of the ER facilities, guaranteed by the 1986 law signed by Ronald Reagan, but there are a lot of people in need when their normal doctors are not available, nor may have the proper medical skills to help them during evenings and weekends. I have had to use the ER in such an event, which is considered an emergency. As Dave has, my mother-in-law suffered from osteoporosis and was subject to problems at inopportune times when the ER was the necessary vehicle to correct her problems.
Dave, thanks for the article.

Comment on Who's in Charge?

Mike Hogan — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 21:23:14 GMT

Dave,

I can empathize. Our first child, Alexis, was born with Cornelia DeLange syndrome, and had a lot of medical complications as result. We were fortunate enough to meet a guy at Children's Hospital, Dr. Mark Magnusson, whose whole "thing" was being an in-hospital "super General Practitioner".

After a while, we became reasonably good at fending for ourselves (or fending for Alexis, really), but I'm not sure what we would have done w/o the help. We were just kids ourselves, grappling with a sick kid and everything that went along with having an "imperfect" first child.

She just turned 20 a few weeks ago. Very sweet in her own way, but still nearly dependent as a baby.

Comment on The Professor Henry Gates Controversy

Rebecca — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:09:32 GMT

The arresting officer's report is readily available online, so we actually do have Crowley's official story. Even if Prof. Gates acted EXACTLY as Officer Crowley described him, there is no law against being rude and yelling at or insulting a police officer in your own home (or on the street, for that matter). Officer Crowley BROKE THE LAW by arresting Prof. Gates for no legal reason. We are not a police state in which the cops can do as they wish -- they are supposed to follow the law, and Crowley did not here. Gates denies that he acted the way Crowley described, but even if he did, he has a legal right to be a pompous ass. Crowley does not have a legal right to arrest someone for being a pompous ass. (And, on top of all that, in the entire history of the city of Cambridge, I doubt that any white Harvard professor has ever been arrested in his own home for being a pompous ass, and believe me, a lot of them can be pompous asses.) End of story.

Comment on The Professor Henry Gates Controversy

Joel Vardy — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 01:11:15 GMT

Since some crucial facts are missing from this depiction I don't see how anyone (including our president) could make a judgment of the appropriate behavior. If either Crowley or Gates was particularly abusive or whether, when confronted with the facts, there was any attempt to lower the temperature of the situation. As I heard it Gates was particularly belligerent and refused to calm down, leaving the officer little choice but to arrest Gates. The same situation would result in the same results if any one of us was pulled over and we were particularly belligerent and refused to calm down. It is usually a good practice to let authority go through whatever they have to (unless there is a clear case of harassment -- which I don't believe was the case here). One of the arresting officers was black and everyone who was debriefed presented a consistent story. Once residence was established, the officer apologized for the intrusion (based on a complaint from a neighbor)and Gates resumed his tirade. Some leeway needs to be given the authorities to protect themselves (and to some degree to keep others from getting the idea that 'venting' at an officer on the scene is appropriate).