Congenital heart defects Each year 35,000 babies come into the world with congenital heart defects (CHD). The National Institutes of Health reports CHDs are responsible for more deaths in the first year of life than any other birth defects. Over a million Americans alive today were born with heart defects. If immediate family members are counted, that means five million people have been affected by CHDs. Also, each year 1.3 million people suffer heart attacks. About 30 million Americans have … [Read more...]
Heroes Create Problems–at least in some places
During a recent trip to Nicaragua, I heard one of the most compelling arguments I've ever heard against heroes. (Mind you, though, people don't run up to me every day to whisper anti-hero nasties in my ear.) A local guide explained that Nicaragua's largest city, Managua, confuses visitors because it has no street signs. He explained, "That means you or your taxi driver better know an important landmark near where you want to go. . .or you're up a creek." My mind transported me back to … [Read more...]
Know any Heroic Dogs, Cats or even Rats?
Have been looking at dog shelters and rescue centers of late – hoping to adopt another dog to replace loving Lucy who died six months ago. Discussions with dog experts and read-throughs of dog books got me thinking about the heroism demonstrated by man's best friend. . . and other so-called lower animals. Most owners would probably nominate their own dog as a hero. Just like the dedicated men and women who get hero awards for selfless service to others, most family pets match these heroes … [Read more...]
If you’re gonna attack our Celebrity Culture, go after the Grand Dame, the Oscars.
Offered without comment: Ethan Hawke has branded the Oscars “destructive” and “fake” in a scathing criticism of the Hollywood awards season just days before the movie industry’s biggest ceremony. The two-time Oscar nominee, who received nods for 2001′s “Training Day” and 2004 romance “Before Sunset,” fears the annual tradition of handing out prizes is detrimental to the industry because it encourages such a fiercely competitive culture. He is also convinced the Academy Awards have very … [Read more...]
Lance Armstrong, a Sociopath? Or a Psychopath on the order of O.J and maybe Oscar Pistorius?
Nothing new about a hero falling from grace and joining the ranks of the villainous or foolish. This site includes pictures of Babe Ruth, General Patton, and Charlie Chaplin who travelled this path in the eyes of many. The infractions of these three, besides a kind of un-American personal arrogance, included, respectively, abusing a wife, slapping a soldier, and engaging in controversial relationships and politics. What bothers many people about … [Read more...]
Heroes on the Front Lines in the Classroom–Violence in Taft & Newtown
Less than a month after a disturbed 20 year-old gunman killed 20 children and six adults in Newtown, Connecticut, authorities hailed California science teacher Ryan Heber and campus supervisor Kim Fields as heroes for talking a 16-year-old shooter into putting down his shotgun. The school personnel thus averted further carnage at Taft High School 30 miles southwest of Bakersfield, California where the shooter with a hit list had opened fire and critically wounded a student he … [Read more...]
Heroes, Villains and Fools: Mixes and Archetypes
Are any of the iconic figures in the slide show to the left a mixture of heroic, villainous and foolish? (Pause the show with your cursor or finger. If you can't figure out who's who, go to the PROMOTIONS page for the answers. In my opinion some of the icons in the slide show--and many who are not included in the show--are a mix. Why would this be? Well, many icons have been 'debunked' in modern life by journalists, biographers, and people “in the know.” For example, former hero and … [Read more...]