MedWorm: Pediatricians

Happy birthday mama. and welcome, miss abigail

Dr.J's HouseCalls — Wed, 14 May 2008 12:29:00 +0100

I got a lovely e-mail this morning from a former AHS classmate telling me how much he enjoyed my blog. He spoke of his great respect for my Mother, Irene, who taught his children at Loflin school.I had some happy news for him: If you are a fan of my Mom, you will be happy to know that this morning, sometime after 3 AM, on her birthday no less, Mama became a Grandmother for the first time. The baby came in at somewhere over five pounds (I don't know exactly because I was a bit fuzzy when I got the call in the middle of the night). My brother kept saying, "She's a tiny little thing". And I could tell he's a Daddy now - I could hear the change in his voice. Apgars were 7 and 8.My brother and his wife have picked out the name Abigail. Mother and I have been making strong pitches to name the baby Mary Abigail (and call her by her middle name) - as Mary is a family name that goes back for generations on Mama's side. It is also Mama's first name.My brother has been resistant to family names - he got stuck with one spelled in such a fashion that got him teased. I understand that too, as when I was younger I was never enamoured of my middle name, "Helen". I got teased a lot during the "Walton" years: "Mary Ellen"/"Mary Helen", that kind of thing.But as I got older I began to appreciate that I carried a family name. I was named for my Father's Mother, Helen. She had three boys and wanted a girl something terrible. Alas, she was diagnosed with breast cancer before I was even a twinkle in Daddy's eye. By the time I arrived, she was dying (in an ugly and horrible way) and too weak to even hold me in her arms. But she loved me before I was born.I was also named for my Auntie Helen. As I stood in Arlington National Cemetery on the last day of December last year, I was very humbled and grateful that I carried her name.So I think these things matter.When my bother called me from the hospital last night to give me a bedtime update, I made the pitch again. I playfully told him that the fact the baby was going to be born on Mama's birthday was a "sign from God" that the child should be named Mary. I also laid a nice guilt trip on Tommie: I cannot have children (I've paid a terrible price for fighting back), and (as he has joked on many occasions) the responsibility for carrying on the family line (and family names) falls to him.It would be cool if the baby were named Mary. Mary (Abigail) Johnson. It's a fine name.And I could call her Mini-Me:)I just bet my Daddy is giving extra train rides to the angels this morning:)Whatever she's called, this child is going to be the most spoiled young-un on earth.Welcome Miss Abigail. I already love you and I have not even met you.Update: The final answer is Abigail Hope:) Oh well. It was worth a try (you gotta admit, it was a well-crafted "guilt-trip"). From the picture Tommie sent me via cell phone, Abigail looks like her Mother. She for sure did not get her thick head of hair from Tommie. And she IS tiny. I get to meet her tomorrow night.My Mama had a lovely day. (Source: Dr.J's HouseCalls)

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"none of the charms of a small town and all of its disadvantages"

Dr.J's HouseCalls — Tue, 13 May 2008 12:18:00 +0100

As noted over the weekend, I chimed in on this thread over at Kevin's and he actually posted the comments (for which I am grateful).It's really taken on a life of its own as more and more doctors (burned generalists and hospitalists - most posting anonymously) chime in about "Malignant Hospitals", particularly rural ones. In terms of advocating fighting back, I'm in the minority - for fairly obvious reasons. It seems to be the consensus that some revolving doors need to revolve until they spin off their hinges. Contrary to the spin offered up by the suits, it's NOT all about physician recruitment. How many of the doctors recruited have stayed? And what happened to those who were recruited? Why did they leave?In Asheboro, those reasons are not so "charming".Which leads me to this: A remark made by the original author stuck a chord: The city itself has none of the charms of a small town and all the disadvantages of one.As they attempt to cover themselves in religion, and trash a neighborhood for the extra cash, the powers-that-be in Asheboro are now trying to torpedo one of Asheboro's well-known (I think quite marketable) small-town "charms" . . . the fact that it is dry.Asheboro still has a chance. I really believe that or I would not have held on so long - I would not be blogging. But some things have to change - and they have to change soon.And some people really do have to go. The lies really do catch up with you. (Source: Dr.J's HouseCalls)

Measles rising - is the anti-vaccine movement to blame?

Parenting Solved — Tue, 13 May 2008 05:05:00 +0100

Measles is on the rise. The Centers for Disease Control reports 64 measles cases between January and April 2008, the highest number in recent years. Declining immunization rates and immigration are felt to be responsible and this has created the setting for a major outbreak. Britain is experiencing its worst outbreak in 20 years. London's Daily Mail blames the Andrew Wakefield and his debunked vaccine claims which resulted in an 80% plummet in MMR vaccinations. While the autism-vaccine connection has been disproven repeatedly, the prophets of the anti-vaccine movement are too caught up in their own opinions to understand that measles actually kills children. Consider this: Before introduction of measles vaccination in 1963, approximately 3 to 4 million suffered with measles annually in the United States; approximately 400 – 500 died, 48,000 were hospitalized, and 1,000 developed chronic disability from measles encephalitis. Those who fail to immunize selfishly put your children at risk. Responsible parents everywhere should be outraged. Image courtesy of the CDC. (Source: Parenting Solved)

The courier tribune now walking in the garden of faith

Dr.J's HouseCalls — Mon, 12 May 2008 11:43:00 +0100

My ex and I were conversing on the phone the other day and he laughingly told me that he could always tell when I had put up a "sizzler" on the blog - as the expensive and/or cutsie Randolph Hospital ads & articles in the Courier always crank up and seem to take over the newspaper like a malignant disease for the new cancer center to eradicate.I'm starting to see a new trend since I posted "Schmidly's List" . . . and have conversed on the despicable way Asheboro's religious community has been suckered and used by city leaders - as well as the leaders-behind-the-scenes who lead them around by the nose (as identified on Schmidly's list). At the Courier's website this morning, there are two articles designed to appeal to people of faith.One of the articles features Missy Rankin (like me, raised in Asheboro) traipsing around her garden talking about merging faith and environmental protection - as well as historical preservation (all admirable goals - not to mention current buzz words of political correctedness that Asheboro city leaders have pretty much trampled all over until now). She says that her church, First United Methodist of Asheboro is considering forming an environmental stewardship committee. Perhaps they should form one on community stewardship. If I'm not mistaken, many of the prominent names on Schmidly's list (many of the names that let Bob Morrison and Steve Eblin trample me) hail from First Methodist. Come the next drought, we can water the flowers with alcohol.The other article promoted a religious conference on the environmental stewardship to be held not in Asheboro, but in Salisbury.Now don't get me wrong, being a woman of faith myself, I've got no problem with the concepts promoted in the articles. But as I read this newspaper and listen to prominent people in good graces with David & Bonnie Renfro talk about faith and stewardship, I look back over the last ten years of a life and dream decimated for adhering to what my faith compelled me to do (including believe and trust in the system to protect me - a system that has so far perpetuated the professional rape). All of the people doing the talking (and publishing) are people who stood by on the sidelines and let two corporate bullies destroy everything I had ever worked for - two bullies who drove me from my home.I think some of these people need to take a long hard look at themselves in the mirror. If they want "healing" and "positive" vibes, they are going to have to take a long, hard painful look at their past and make amends. They are going to have to start acknowledging and telling the truth."Cheap grace" does not cut it.I'm glad Missy's psyche is shored up by walks in her garden. I have not had time to plant one - or enjoy it.And that speaks to everything that is wrong in Asheboro. I'm not the only one who sees it.We wish people would "just tell the truth". I think The One In Whom We Place Our Faith Commands it. (Source: Dr.J's HouseCalls)

Local wic program goes bpa-free

Parenting Solved — Mon, 12 May 2008 05:05:00 +0100

Maryland’s Howard County Health Department has taken the step of providing only bisphenol A-free products to its WIC (Woman’s, Infants and Children) Program. WIC provides supplies and supplemental foods to low-income pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children under the age of 5. According to Maryland Med, Dr. Peter Beilensen, Howard County’s top health official “hopes to turn BPA into another trans fat: legal but largely shunned by the public.” As far as I can tell this is one of the first WIC programs in the country to take a firm stand on BPA. But here’s the $64,000 question: Will the Howard County Department of Health restrict infant formulas packaged in BPA lined containers? And if you’re going to be BPA-free, how free do you need to be? While I respect Dr. Beilensen’s stand on the issue, his department’s broad statement on BPA is as likely to fuel public hysteria as it is to positively influence the indigent children of Howard County. And while I agree with their policy as it pertains to bottles, their commitment to go BPA-free will need to address the issue of when, where and how much is too much (aka, the packaging issue) as well as the real risk of non-oral exposure. And he will inevitably need to explain to the citizens of Howard County that there are more questions to be answered before public health policy can be chiseled in stone. (Source: Parenting Solved)

"i wish people would just tell the truth"

Dr.J's HouseCalls — Mon, 12 May 2008 01:12:00 +0100

It's been a lazy weekend "on call" . . . spent surfing and watching TV and napping and hiding from atmospheric badness in the bathroom. During the course of the weekend, I've had several phone conversations with friends and family - who are conversing with/getting feedback from other members of the community. A lot of eyes have been opened with regards to my situation.As the annexation wars wage back home . . . and the not-so-smooth moves to bring alcohol to my hometown reveal the real players/"government-within-a-government" behind the scenes . . . and the paper totally panders to & covers the tails of those powers-that-be . . . two prevailing/recurring themes seem to be playing out in the community:"My God, I cannot stand this newspaper." And . . .. . . "I wish people would just tell the truth." (Source: Dr.J's HouseCalls)

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Sunday afternoon coming down

Dr.J's HouseCalls — Sun, 11 May 2008 23:35:00 +0100

I take after my Father. He loved bad weather. He would stand in the middle of horrible thunderstorms - look up into the sky and defy the lightening to hit. It always scared the crap out of me. Mama and I would be screaming at him to come in.Me, I like a good storm - and have been known to go outside and dance in the rain. I've even ridden out a (minor) hurricane or two. But when it comes to really bad weather (i.e. the kind that spawns tornadoes), I don't so much shake my fist in the face of God as much as I know when badness is coming. I can literally smell it - I sense the barometric change. On occasion, some of my friends have thought me quite nutty - until it turned out I was right. It doesn't hurt to watch the cats either - better weathermasters than any human being or radar.That's the way it was this afternoon. I knew badness was coming - before it showed up. The TV had been on until I got sick of watching all three "Raiders" movies (liked the first and the third - hated the second), but it wasn't a channel that showed local news. I've been on the Internet on and off this afternoon, and knew storms were expected down East this afternoon, but wasn't really aware of the when or where.I was actually napping on the couch with TJ when I first startled to what I like to call "the electric buzz". I had the windows open. It was overcast and cool/breezy - but it had been all day. It did not look particularly ominous outside. But I just had very uneasy feeling. First I corralled the cats in the bedroom and turned on the TV - as I did so, the wind started really kicking up (and my furry bad-weather-detectors started paying attention - Sabine dived under the bed and it was quite difficult pulling her out). I put my babies in their carrier and then put the carrier in the tiny shower of the house where I'm staying (no basement - not sure I'd want to be in a easily-flooded basement down East). I turned off everything electric (including the TV). I did not feel I had time to retrieve my weather-radio from the trunk of the car. And I was right. As I finished what meager protective measures I could take, the storm suddenly hit - and it was pretty nasty. It got black outside. Trees were swaying. The rain was thick & pounding & sideways - and I heard hail on the roof. I grabbed a flashlight and a bedspread and my cell phone and literally sat on the cats' carrier in the shower for about fifteen minutes - staring out the window across the room as the storm raged and then (thankfully) passed. I just ventured out to turn on the TV. There are tornadoes touching down all over everywhere on Carolina's coast - but the danger seems to have passed here.It smells good now. I like how it smells after the rain. Hope nobody got hurt. (Source: Dr.J's HouseCalls)

Mothers new and young-at-heart

Dr.J's HouseCalls — Sun, 11 May 2008 15:59:00 +0100

If she stays on schedule, the newest edition to our immediate family is just days away from making her entrance. Mama will finally have her grandchild (the first of several I hope), and I will feel a huge sense of relief in that this branch of the family gene pool (if not a family first name - still hinting) will go on. I wish I could have contributed. Alas, it was not to be.Happy Mothers Day, Erica and Irene. (Source: Dr.J's HouseCalls)

"they will be held accountable"

Dr.J's HouseCalls — Sun, 11 May 2008 13:31:00 +0100

The N&R reports that just because the DA will not prosecute police officers accused of sexually assaulting a drunk colleague, "they will be held accountable". Of course, the Greensboro DA actually investigated this case - and seriously considered the pros and cons of prosecution . . . unlike our own Garland Yates (I was serious about a write-in candidate folks) who, for over five years, has sucked-up to the powers-that-be now conveniently identified on Schmidly's list.Wouldn't it be nice if the Randolph Hospital Board of Directors and/or medical staff would exercise some of the power they have via NC General Statute and REMOVE/FIRE Bob Morrison and Steve Eblin for their crimes against a local Pediatrician (a series of retaliatory acts leveled against her for standing up to them and saying NO!)? I particularly like this section of the act: As I read it, the North Carolina Secretary of State and Attorney General could do some serious cleaning-of-Randolph Hospital's house with a simple set of interrogatories if they wanted to (still working on that - glad I did not go the federal route) . . . completely dissolving the corporation if it can be proven that the directors or those in control of the corporation have acted, are acting, or will act in a manner that is illegal, oppressive, or fraudulent.We can certainly prove that. And it's far past the time that this "government-within-a-government" BS stopped . . . far past the time that this "non-profit" corporation - and this town - had people leading it who cared about something more than filling their own pockets/screwing their neighbors into the Mountain.Some accountability in Asheboro would be nice. It's simply time for Bob Morrison and Steven Eblin to pack up their under-handed schemes and "just go away".They can stop in Randleman for a bottle of booze on the way out. (Source: Dr.J's HouseCalls)

Free range kids and america's worst mother

Parenting Solved — Sun, 11 May 2008 06:00:00 +0100

Here's a new way to look at things. Lenora Skenazy, a columnist from the New York Sun, has initiated a movement against protectionism in parenthood. She calls it the Free Range Kids movement and it’s gathering some real momentum from the looks of thing. The free range philosophy supports the belief that we should spend less time coddling and more time letting go. Labeled “America’s Worst Mom” by some, I think she may be on to something. Check it out on her blog. My favorite quote: “Children, like chickens, deserve a life outside the cage. The overprotected life is stunting and stifling, not to mention boring for all concerned.” Via 43f (Source: Parenting Solved)

Heavies to the left of me, bean poles to the right

Parenting Solved — Sun, 11 May 2008 01:53:09 +0100

So I’m in the checkout line at the grocery store. In front of me is an overweight mother and child. Their cart is filled with refined carbohydrates, microwave food and snacks. Not a hint of vegetable or fruit. Not a whole grain to be found. Behind me is a mother and daughter with what appear to be balanced weight and height. Their cart is flush with fresh vegetables, meats, fish and the rare-but-appropriate smattering of sinful snack food. A remarkable contrast really. Every day I confront the parents of the dangerously overweight. And in many cases there’s a failure to ever recognize that habits and choices have even the smallest role in what’s making their children so sick. Obesity is complicated and its solution certainly goes beyond shopping cart critiques. But in many cases the solution’s most common denominator comes down to intake versus expenditure and the recognition that our actions can contribute to the problem. (Source: Parenting Solved)

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"malignant" non-profit hospital administrations - sound familiar?

Dr.J's HouseCalls — Sat, 10 May 2008 23:44:00 +0100

Kevin M.D. posts a "my take" submission from an anonymous primary care physician describing a "malignant" hospital administration monopolizing resources and abusing physicians in a mid-western town.The "advice" he's getting in the comments section is to pull up and leave.Sounds a lot like Asheboro.I'm not anonymous and I've submitted a comment. I'm going to give Kevin some time to post it before I post it here. (Source: Dr.J's HouseCalls)

Going postal

Dr.J's HouseCalls — Sat, 10 May 2008 23:00:00 +0100

Congratulations to the Postal Workers (Letter Carriers, Rural Carriers and Clerks), their Union and the Post Office itself for collecting 9575 pounds of canned goods in their annual food drive.The food will be donated to the Salvation Army, CUOC and SCUOC. (Source: Dr.J's HouseCalls)

Looking for "change" in randolph county: accepting ideas for a write-in candidate for randolph county district attorney

Dr.J's HouseCalls — Sat, 10 May 2008 20:33:00 +0100

Building upon a friend's suggestion (which actually came from a throw-away remark in the Courier Tribune), not to mention inspired by recent examples of democracy at work . . . and not wishing to be "moranish" or "waste" my vote, it has occurred to me that maybe the best way to deal with a local DA who holds grudges . . . a DA who plays favorites . . . and won't answer the phone calls/letters of people victimized by the high & mighty pro-boozing white-collars under his jurisdiction . . . a DA who kills investigations before they can start . . . a DA who won't cede jurisdiction to the NCAG (so that office can stop dodging) when conflicts exist . . . a DA running unopposed . . . is to start a write-in campaign for someone else.I mean, it's Asheboro. As Walker Moffit pointed out when my neighbors were grumbling about voting him out as soon as we are forcibly-annexed, how many votes would it really take to put somebody out of office?It would be a great way to remind some of these people about what they are supposed to be doing and who they are supposed to serve.I'd love to hear suggestions of someone to approach/write-in. (Source: Dr.J's HouseCalls)

I'll take an honest "moran" any day

Dr.J's HouseCalls — Sat, 10 May 2008 17:13:00 +0100

Focusing on my own blog and the hyper-local level, I have not been as active on the comment scene lately. But once a day, I still usually peruse Greensboro 101.My eye was drawn to a posting by Roch Smith, Jr, that once again demonstrated the very high level of dialogue and respect for the opinions of others as exercised by many of the Bush-hating Democrats in the GSO blogosphere.I heard about "Operation Chaos". As a registered Independent, I didn't participate. But I think it's hilarious. On top of being hilarious, even if it didn't work (and I think it did), it is/was an ingenious way for folks on the Republican side who feel disenfranchised by their options to stir things up a bit for the opposite party.It's America. You can vote for whomever you like Roch. Or not. I don't really care what you think. Where voting is concerned, I've placed a lot of loosing bets in my time - sometimes knowingly voting for "the looser" in protest of the status quo. I don't feel any vote was "wasted".On call far-from home, camped-out in a house-not-my-own, I'm sitting here watching "A Few Good Men", and pondering politics in the wake of my own horrific experience with the North Carolina Justice system.That experience has markedly affected my views on politics - especially related to some of the politicians (on the state and national level) that Roch would have the rest of us vote for/believe in.There's a great line from the movie delivered by Tom Cruise as Lt Daniel Kaffee, "It doesn't matter what I believe. It matters what I can prove!"A long time ago I came to Roch's precious blogosphere (at JR's invitation) because I can prove perjury, contempt and fraud (and a lot of other despicable behavior) on the part of "non-profit" executives supposedly charged with the public good. But what I can prove has never mattered to the Randolph Hospital Board of Directors . . . or their super-ethical/fantastic high-tech-bathed medical staff. It does not matter to Randolph County DA Garland Yates (running unopposed in his re-election bid) - or anyone in Asheboro/Randolph County law enforcement. What I can prove does not matter to the Asheboro City Council - or any of the other prominent citizens-who-know-best running Asheboro.What I can prove has never mattered to the NC Medical Board or the NC State Bar.And what I can prove does not matter to any of the elected officials in politics & law enforcement to whom I have appealed over the last five years - the same politicians (many of whom our Roch supports or has supported in the past) who are now all over the TV sets telling us how hard they will fight for ordinary people.ORDINARY PERSON HERE. EX-PUBLIC SERVANT BURNED IN THAT SERVICE, WHO TO THIS DAY CANNOT GET ANYONE TO HOLD RANDOLPH HOSPITAL ACCOUNTABLE FOR ITS UNETHICAL/AMORAL/ILLEGAL ACTS. I DO NOT BELIEVE ANY OF YOU!What I can prove certainly doesn't matter to the journalists at the Courier Tribune and N&R who live in the pockets of the institutions I challenge.And what I can prove for damned sure does not matter to the to Roch Smith, Jr.'s and Edward Cones of the GSO blogosphere - who are so much more intelligent that the rest of us.So I'll take some good-old-fashioned "morans" over these people any day.As long as they're honest about what they're doing. Operation Chaos was in-your-face grass-roots politics at work. Given what I've seen of politics-as-usual, I very much respect that.When I see REAL evidence of change I will believe."So this is what a courtroom looks like."I'm still waiting for a fair day. I wonder if Hillary will fight for me if she's elected.The movie is almost over. I'm going to put this puppy up and watch Col. Nathan R. Jessep go down. (Source: Dr.J's HouseCalls)

Alcohol and greensboro's finest

Dr.J's HouseCalls — Sat, 10 May 2008 15:46:00 +0100

I've been a bit "hyper-hyper-local" lately. Time to mix things up a bit.On Friday (as I understand it, journalistic trash day), the Greensboro N&R reported that the Guilford County District Attorney will not recommend criminal charges against three Greensboro police officers accused of sexually assaulting a female officer, according to a statement released Friday afternoon.The case is virtually impossible to prosecute successfully as the female officer was allegedly soused (Guarino has some commentary). If she was sexually assaulted by her colleagues, I am genuinely sorry for it. But for heaven's sake, the woman is a police officer! Intoxicated or not, she KNOWS what needed to be done to make a criminal case/disciplinary action stick.Blame it all on that pesky alcohol. And it's something for the citizens of Asheboro to look at very seriously . . . as some of Asheboro's most upstanding citizens peddle an alcohol referendum. If Greensboro's finest were themselves drunk & disorderly when this went down, it does not say a lot for society's ability to "control" what goes on when alcohol is readily available.Of course, wanting every story handed to him wrapped up in a bow and on a silver platter (in lieu of investigative reporting), John Robinson, Editor of the Greensboro N&R, is now imagining press releases for the Greensboro Police Department.It's not too bad until you get to the second paragraph. Anything that imagines City Manager, Mitch Johnson being on the up&up about anything related to the inner workings of the GSO police department indicates that JR might be smoking something that would merit police investigation.Here's a question for John to ask: After the David Wray fiasco WHY-O-WHY does "Mitch" still have a job?JR whines: The District Attorney releases his decision late Friday afternoon, which is the traditional time to release bad news. He is unavailable for comment. The police chief is unavailable for comment. The city manager is unavailable for comment. The mayor? MIA.Well, that's all the usual suspects (city council members pontificated in the article). But (looking at it from the other side), did JR or his reporters even try to contact any of the police officers for their reaction? Why is it that one must be a public official or a lawyer for this newspaper to pay attention?I've got no problem with the GSO DA's decision not to prosecute - and turf it back to Chief Bellamy. At least, the case was properly investigated.There's a case that's been sitting under JR's nose for five years that hasn't been. I know that lately the people of Asheboro (supposedly within the N&R's coverage area) are becoming wise to just how much they have not been told about the way things are done - in large part because our local daily newspapers blatantly pander to the powers-that-be.And JR wonders why circulation is down!?! (Source: Dr.J's HouseCalls)

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Auntie em's no fool

Dr.J's HouseCalls — Sat, 10 May 2008 14:21:00 +0100

Only a "damned Yankee" writing for the New York Times would think John Edwards is keeping anyone guessing about anything. The Attorney-General wannabe is about as transparent as transparent gets.We in North Carolina figured 'em out long ago. My deepest regret about this campaign (and it's not deep at all) is that team Edwards did not stay in it long enough to run against Obama in the primary here. Then perhaps even the New York Times could figure it out. (Source: Dr.J's HouseCalls)

Annexation on hold: "democracy at work" or just another diversion/scam?

Dr.J's HouseCalls — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:19:00 +0100

Perhaps seeing lawyers in their immediate future, last night the Asheboro City Council voted to delay, by one month, their final vote on the annexation of Dave's Mountain. Once again, Linda Carter was the only real standout - telling her colleagues that the plan should be discarded all together.Council member Eddie Burks (who made a motion to delay the vote by sixty days - but withdrew it after being told that such a delay would effectively kill the city's plan altogether) told residents to contact their state reps and "light a fire".With regards to the man whose fingerprints are all over the city's strategic plans, that's what several outside DA's looking in told me to do a long time ago - that's what this blog is for.Unrepentant liars and cheats should not be leading us. They should not be getting a free pass from local law enforcement or from John Ogburn & company.I gotta tell you, to get the state to move to do the right/ethical/moral thing by anybody, you've got to mount a fricking BONFIRE. And God know, the Feds are a lost cause.I simply do not understand what it takes for Asheboro city leaders to see how thoroughly they've been "handled" and scammed and bamboozled by just a few people (who think they own this town) for years and years - and why they don't do something to show them the door (in the case of Bob Morrison & Steven Eblin, the door to a jail cell).Meanwhile the city is going to do a feasibility study. More consultants. More good public money after bad.Walker Moffit, the opportunistic schemer who helped build many of the roads on the Mountain to "minimum standards" (roads that are now crumbling), is plotting to pacify residents with a a less-invasive, low-pressure sewer system.Residents happy with their working septic systems (if I had to hazard a guess that would be everybody but the two or three pro-boozers who spoke for annexation at the last Council meeting) would not be required to connect to (or pay for) sewer services.Everyone who connected would have to buy a pump!?! We'd still be getting taxed. Oh, and we'd need FOUR MORE pumping stations in the area.This is MORONIC. Let's say that the Mountain is annexed. What does being in the city, but not being connected to a sewer line do for our re-sale value?Here's a suggestion: Why not do a feasibility study on how to get the contractors and developers who built the Mountain's now-beyond-substandard roads to clean up their own messes - without placing the burden on residents or taxpayers?How about some REAL accountability?I guess we'll keep lighting those fires.Update (Afternoon): The paper, of course, and as per usual, did not report everything (at least online) that happened at the council meeting. A little bird told me this morning that Pastor/Dr. John Rogers, of First Baptist Church, made an appearance - and took a stand - against the dishonesty & deceipt that have unfortunately become a hallmark of the way our mill-town does business . . . against the elitist "government within a government" tactics being used by the powers-that-want-to-be-at-the-expense-of everyone-else in our town.With this act of supreme moral courage, John may have just brought a lost sheep back into the fold.I hope Dr. Rogers will share his remarks. I'd be happy to publish them here.Update (PM): Continuing upon the themes of "government within government" and "lies and deceipt", there is a rumor floating around that (if true) speaks to just how underhanded and fundamentally devious the powers behind the "Asheboro 20/20" effort actually were. I am attempting to flesh it out and will post on it if I can. (Source: Dr.J's HouseCalls)

Woe be unto whistle-blowers: this one is dedicated to everyone who suggested i "just sue" the feds

Dr.J's HouseCalls — Fri, 09 May 2008 01:00:00 +0100

Today a story on MSNBC caught my eye because it speaks to a road not traveled. Many, many people have suggested that I, as an NHSC whistle-blower burned, sue for restitution from/via the Federal government. At one point, even Howard Coble touted federal whistle-blower protection.Turns out Howard's faith in that "protection" was misplaced, and (as my gut told me) it would have been an expensive/soul-sucking dead end.Federal agents raided the office and home of U.S. Special Counsel Scott Bloch on Tuesday while investigating whether the nation's top protector of whistle-blowers destroyed evidence potentially showing he retaliated against his own staff . . .The raids mark the latest twist in what critics describe as Bloch's bizarre tenure at the head of the federal agency responsible for protecting the rights of federal workers and ensuring that government whistle-blowers are not subjected to reprisals.He has been on the hot seat since he took office in 2004, in part for closing hundreds of whistle-blower cases allegedly without investigating them.Shades of Randolph County DA Garland Yates. So why isn't anybody in Raleigh climbing up his butt?"It's like finding out that your town fire chief is an arsonist," said Jeff Ruch, executive director of Public Employees for Environmental Protection, a whistle-blower group . . . Of course, my hometown's hospital CEO is an unrepentant liar/unconvicted felon who supports all the benefits alcohol can bring to a community. "The fact is, this office is not functioning, this office does not protect whistle-blowers and this office is not meeting its mission," said Debra Katz, an employment lawyer representing the Special Counsel employees who filed the 2005 complaint (against Bloch).I am sitting here tonight trying to wrap my head around all of the people in government employment or public service (including me) whose lives and careers were irrevocably altered - or even destroyed - because they tried to do the right thing. If anyone wants to talk to me about "change", talk to me about changing that.And let's be clear, the problems whistle-blowers face did not start with the Bush administration. My story of woe began on Bill Clinton's watch.I hear Michelle Obama is a hospital administrator. I wonder if she is for threatening doctors for expressing genuine concerns about quality of care/physician behavior . . . or firing them after they save a life?Sounds "relevant" to me. And I didn't have to attend "citizen-journalism" academy to figure it out.Save the $25.00. Go to a movie instead. In the movies (as opposed to real life), the whistle-blowers are vindicated after the journalists step in to save the day. (Source: Dr.J's HouseCalls)

Does your baby need a bpa-free high chair?

Parenting Solved — Thu, 08 May 2008 17:59:36 +0100

The evolution of the bisphenol A witch hunt is interesting. What started in bottles has evolved to toys, formula containers, and most recently high chairs. Sites and blogs are building reputations by being the ‘first to the press’ breaking resin disclosures on the latest products. While providing a valuable service in many cases, it runs the risk of creating unnecessary stress for parents desperate to do the best for their children. And the question of toxic high chairs represents a great example. To understand whether a high chair puts a child at unnecessary risk, we have to understand how BPA gets into children. Eating High Chairs All peer-reviewed research on this issue currently supports the idea that bisphenol A’s primary route of entry is through ingestion. Bottles, teething toys, cups and food containers containing BPA would appear at this time to represent exposures that should be avoided when possible. Contact exposure does not appear to warrant practical concern unless you are putting your high chair into liquid suspension and applying it to your child’s skin for prolonged periods of time. Even then, transdermal migration is quite low. This fact is supported by studies cited in the November 2007 NTP-CERHR Expert Panel Report. Consequently, concern over high chairs, automobile interior molding, decorative elements in your home, Halloween costumes, seats on carnival rides, grocery store displays, etc. shouldn’t be a primary source of your attention as a parent unless your child persistently sucks, chews, and eats these items. How Free Do You Need to Be? So how BPA-free do we need to be? Do we need to dump our high chairs and castigate a manufacturer who happens to use BPA in the grommet fitting of an exersaucer? Do we need to sell our cars, fire our daycare and move out of our homes? Probably not. We do, however, need to recognize that BPA is one of many compounds of concern in our personal environment. And this concern needs to be approached with an understanding of the real risks. When BPA meets its likely fate, there will be suiters in the wings ready to take its place. While there may be those who suggest that the BPA in a high chair represents unreasonable risk, I’m currently not one of them. As a pediatrician, I try to balance the voices of those special interest groups representing the plastic industry with those special interests profiting from BPA madness. That would make me the lone man out. But based on the words of frightened parents desperate for truly objective information, I’m definitely not alone. (Source: Parenting Solved)

Care for a drink? tonight's the night the fun begins

Dr.J's HouseCalls — Thu, 08 May 2008 11:52:00 +0100

My Dave's Mountain neighbors made the Courier today. I am very proud of them for standing up to the greedy bullies on the Asheboro City Council (Linda Carter being the notable exception - the only council member who cares enough to listen to sound arguments that have their basis in fact rather than fool-hardly fantasy).Of course, I protested long before protesting in Asheboro was considered "cool" . . . or newsworthy.I'm not newsworthy because (according to a little bird) the Editor of the Courier Tribune (who continues to leave just enough out of of his news stories to paint the Mountain crowd as greedy and selfish) cannot stand to hear my name. He cannot stand to hear my name because I've told the truth about his newspaper's despicable games to shore up and protect the liars/unconvicted felons running Randolph Hospital.Maybe if the paper changed it's ways and started reporting the local news (instead of deciding what the news should be) . . . maybe if the boys who run the Courier did not behave like a bunch of selfish, five-year-old school-yard-bullies . . . I'd have something more "positive" to say.Right now, I'm positive that they're not playing fair.John Grey's association with the project is NOT the only conflicted interest. Bob Morrison, CEO of Randolph Hospital chaired the Asheboro 20/20 effort - and his kingly fingerprints are all over every recommendation. Rest assured folks, this plan and this vote has its beginnings and motivations in the plot to bring alcohol to Asheboro - a plot that the CEO and VP and Chairman of the Board and PR Queen at our local hospital were identified as supporting when "Schmidly's List" was published.Of course, I hear Morrison is back-tracking now . . . rumor has it that a memo when out to the hospital crowd in which Morrison said it was not his intention to be associated with Schmidly's efforts (or some such drivel).It's classic Morrison. He's been caught.Given the misery that alcohol brings to a community ("just business" . . . and dollar signs . . . for Morrison & Eblin), I am amazed that these people have the cheek to show their face. I wonder what all the volunteers (especially those church ladies) and donors are thinking of them now. I wonder what they will think as my story (and its consequences to the community) becomes more widely known . . . no thanks to our local newspaper kings.The annexation vote is tonight. Mark my words, there will be consequences if the city plows through with this plan. I hope the city has a good lawyer (psst . . . friendly advice from a client burned . . . don't pick Schmid).Just like I am resolved that there will be consequences to the apathetic & passively corrupt jerks supposedly responsible for institutional/medical/legal "oversight" in the state of North Carolina . . . jerks who let a good doctor swing.FYI, I've changed the layout on my sidebar a bit. People want to be able to find/pull up some of my recent posts a little easier. Hope it helps. (Source: Dr.J's HouseCalls)

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Retail clinics officially circle the drain

Parenting Solved — Wed, 07 May 2008 22:21:44 +0100

Here’s some shocking news: “Retail Clinics Likely to Slow Their Growth” according to today’s Wall Street Journal. Retail clinic operators from Wal-Mart to CVS are shuttering many of their clinics due to slow growth. Apparently the private equity firms and venture capitalists that backed this half-baked concept “failed to appreciate how complicated and expensive the clinics are to operate.” This is especially true when the patients never actually show up. As I predicted in 2006 the retail model of health care delivery is appropriately doomed. If nothing else we’ve learned that for even their simplest health needs, providing for children is actually different than peddling corn nuts and disposable razors. (Source: Parenting Solved)

Say "no" to lactose-free formula

Parenting Solved — Wed, 07 May 2008 06:00:00 +0100

Let’s put an end to lactose-free formula. Babies just don’t need it Here are the facts: babies go through a very transient period where their production of lactase (the bowel enzyme necessary for digestion of lactose) is subpar. Beyond this very early and temporary period, babies tolerate lactose just fine. There are a handful of babies in recorded medical history who have been born without lactase. And unless you’ve birthed one of these half-dozen babies, your baby shouldn’t need a lactose-free formula. One exception: viruses may injure the lining of the small bowel to the point where lactase can be temporarily lost. While some pediatricians will recommend going lactose-free during this time period, there’s little evidence that it actually improves a baby’s course of diarrhea. And soy formulas for generations have covered the waterfront just fine – they’re lactose-free. And while there will always be those who claim that lactose-free formula “saved their baby’s life”, there will also be those who suggest that switching from Similac to Enfamil had the same impact. Infant formula urban legends are complicated and what some parents report is truly hard to reconcile. I can say this as a father and a pediatrician. As someone who makes a living caring for babies with fragile tummies, I can attest to the fact that presence of lactose-free formula on grocery store shelves serves to confuse parents. And in some cases this confusion fuels the game of formula roulette. While I won’t go so far as to call the marketing of lactose-free formula irresponsible, I will suggest that it should go the way of low-iron formula. It represents a market-driven product that doesn’t serve the needs of its customer, the baby. Further, its empty promise of soothing “colic” serves only to bamboozle desperate parents who think that it might make a difference. Let’s put an end to lactose-free formula. Babies just don’t need it. (Source: Parenting Solved)

On motivation and incentive

Dr.J's HouseCalls — Wed, 07 May 2008 00:27:00 +0100

I am cheered today by (1) my Dave's Mountain neighbors who protested all over downtown Asheboro today (more on that later . . . we'll see if it makes the local newspaper), and (2) North Carolina voters finally seeing through a Clinton. I guess John Edwards now knows who he needs to suck up to in order to get appointed U.S. Attorney General (I rolled my eyes at that interview).Maybe the populace is clued into what I learned the hard way a long time ago. A Clinton is not going to fight for anyone but himself/herself. "The Village" is not all it's cracked up to be. And some of its citizens just play dirty.I guess Mike Easley's endorsement (demonstrating his keen eye for what the voters in NC want) didn't count for much. Speaking of Attorney Generals, I got a letter from a Special Deputy NC Attorney General over the weekend. It's one of those cross-roads moments:Dear Dr. Johnson,By letter dated January 6, 2006 Senior Deputy Attorney General Ann Reed and Special Deputy Attorney General R. Marcus Lodge informed you that the prosecution of criminal charges such as those you allege is the responsibility of the appropriate District Attorney, or in the case of certain federal charges, the United States Attorney. That remains the case today. Your April 24, 2008 fax message contains no new allegations beyond those already brought to our attention. The Attorney General has no original jurisdiction over the matters about which you complain and cannot provide you with the relief you seek.James A. WellonsPlease note he'd not saying that I'm not right (about the irrefutable evidence I've presented for perjury, contempt and fraud committed by local "non-profit" hospital executives). He's just dodging jurisdiction. And it's an argument that, as a doctor formerly in public service to North Carolina, I do not buy. Mr. Wellon's assertions are somewhat contradicted by an e-mail I got yesterday in response to an inquiry I posed to the the State Auditor's office:. . . all nonprofits must file a request fora nonprofit status at both the federal and state level.If an nonprofit operating in North Carolina or one of its executives broke laws, then the state or local legal jurisdiction would have the responsibility of pursuing legal sanctions. If the nonprofit is receiving state grant funds, then the NC Attorney General's Office would also be notified.I, of course, got loan repayment through the NC Office of Rural Health. That would be the same department that did not lift a finger to help me save my practice when I begged and pleaded for help . . . the same department that set me on this course years ago - via its determined apathy and neglect.Moreover, it I had to hazard an educated guess, Randolph Hospital does plenty of "business" with the state. One would think that, as it does the people's business, the state of North Carolina would care that the hospital's senior executives are liars and cheats.I expect the people of North Carolina expect the state to care. I know I did/do.And here's a thought for Elizabeth Edwards to ponder as she fawns over "women who run" and pontificates about her concern for healthcare. Who is going to stand up for patients if doctors ARE AFRAID TO? It does not matter if you have access to healthcare if the healthcare is bad. Yet neither she nor her husband have given a rat's tail about A WOMAN WHO STOOD UP TO THE BOYS AND DID NOT RUN!Today I responded to Mr. Wellons by e-mail:Mr. Wellons,I want to thank you for your response to my letter, dated April 16th, sent by certified mail . . . which I had to FAX to your attention on April 24th, because no one in your office knew where it had been "routed". I can only hope this e-mail is not deleted.Incredibly, once again you are denying that the Attorney General's office has any jurisdiction in this case.Repetition of the same misinformation will not make false statements true - and does not negate the obligation of the state and federal governments to protect those in its service from retaliation and criminal behavior. As review, I was recruited to Asheboro by both the National Health Service Corps and the North Carolina Department of Rural Health, and received loan repayment from both the state and federal governments in return to service to an under-served area. In fact, the NC Department of Rural Health is involved in approving sites for both programs. The Attorney General of North Carolina represents the Department's interests - and enforces its agreements. Yet from the time my problems began ten years ago (when I was threatened, then fired for expressing concern about quality of care issues - and was actually forced to intervene in a neonatal case being mismanaged by another physician - saving the baby's life), NO ONE in state or federal government - from Tom Tucker all the way to Donna Shalala in Washington did anything to help me protect the practice I had built with that assistance. The State of North Carolina had the power to stop this from day one.The State of North Carolina also has clear jurisdiction over the behavior of "non-profit" entities - particularly if they get any assistance from the state. Between the Attorney General's Office and the Secretary of State, I am quite certain something could have been done about the perjury, contempt and fraud of Randolph Hospital administrators LONG AGO.Instead, I was left to fend for myself in a civil court system that proved to be corrupt. And the state has abandoned me to the habitual intemperance of Randolph County District Attorney, Garland Yates - who has REFUSED to meet or speak to me about these allegations for over FIVE YEARS - and who clearly bears me a grudge.Every politician everywhere, from Mike Easley to John Edwards to Hillary Clinton is touting this kind of student-loan-repayment-for-public-service-program as a means to bring doctors to patients in North Carolina. Yet when a good physician comes under attack for fulfilling his/her duty, NONE of these politicians are anywhere to be found.Scandal after scandal - from "disproportionate share" to the mental health fiasco to dentists mutilating children to scam Medicaid prove that something is very wrong with health care oversight in North Carolina. And if you want to know why more people do not blow the whistle - all you have to do is look at me.Again, I want to thank you for your response - and providing all the incentive I ever needed to sue the state of North Carolina. I am sick of writing letter after letter appealing to the better angels of state officials who harbor none. If the state refuses to hold these liars and cheats accountable for their behavior, I have no choice but to hold the state accountable.The state of North Carolina does not protect or defend the duties it requires of physicians. I cannot tell you how disppaointed I am in your office.Sincerely,Mary H. Johnson, M.D., FAAPAsheboro, N.C.Some decisions in life get made for you. (Source: Dr.J's HouseCalls)

How do bedroom televisions impact children?

Parenting Solved — Tue, 06 May 2008 17:21:46 +0100

I knew there was a reason why our kids don’t have TVs in their rooms. A study from the University of Minnesota published in the journal Pediatrics last month compared the characteristics of teens with televisions in their rooms to those without. Here’s what they found: “Adolescents with a bedroom television reported more television viewing time, less physical activity, poorer dietary habits, fewer family meals, and poorer school performance.” Wow. The link is here but I think my cited conclusion is all you need to know. (Source: Parenting Solved)

Not voting for any of the self-serving (insert derogatory explicative)s

Dr.J's HouseCalls — Tue, 06 May 2008 11:20:00 +0100

One of my Yas did the early voting thing. She voted for Hillary. For reasons well known to readers, I cannot go there (of course, there's the extra added "benefit" that Governor Sleazely supports her) . . . even if it conforms to a a right-wing conspiracy to keep the Dems duking it out until they kill one another's chances in November. Even John Edwards is keeping his mouth shut (just like years ago, when he was never going to ditch North Carolina to run for President, the trial-lawyer in John thinks we're all too stupid to figure out that he wants that AG slot REAL BAD - and he'll take it from whichever former opponent he had to broker for at the convention).I wonder who Schmidly is voting for? We used to talk about stuff like that . . . before the big sell-out to the big shots on his precious list.Although I have stated a preference for McCain in the past, for the first time in my life since having the right to vote, I am considering not voting in the general election in November. What's the point? Garland Yates for DA (running unopposed)? Howard Coble for Congress (might as well be)? Harold Brubaker (self-serving snake who has to "live in this town" for the NC House)? The same old screw from the same people covering the tails of people more important than I that has me seriously considering suing the state of North Carolina - because God knows a politician/law enforcement official in this state cannot do anything simply because it's the right thing? There's got to be something in it for them.God help us. How did we come to the choices we have? (Source: Dr.J's HouseCalls)

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Where are the doctors on bisphenol a?

Parenting Solved — Tue, 06 May 2008 03:12:28 +0100

I love to learn where parents get their information. If you are in my office and you quote a statistic, I’ll ask where you got your information. Not in a confrontational way but in a curious way. And when it comes to BPA, here’s what’s interesting: It seems everything parents know about plastic safety is from the Internet. Doctors, it seems, are less apt to confront the edgy material that parents buzz about. It’s Google, not Dr. Spock, that’s empowering this generation of parents. The handouts and instruction sheets on ear infections and constipation that have been disseminated in pediatrician offices for generations are still everywhere. They’re the yellowed remnants of a time when doctors smoked more cigarettes, made more money and controlled information. What you knew was what your doctor told you. But for better or worse, when it comes to the latest information on BPA, it seems parents are very much on their own. For now. I suspect that the final version of the NTP Brief on Bisphenol A which is due this summer will force the issue further. And if the NIH doesn’t shape professional opinion, the market will. The Internet is something of an information free market – and ultimately the wisdom of the mob has to be respected. For now, those of us are who are coming up to speed on the issue are finding few professional resources to help us. We too are on our own and we’re depending on the same resources now available to inquiring parents like yourself. If Dr. Spock could see us now. (Source: Parenting Solved)

A filly falls

Dr.J's HouseCalls — Sun, 04 May 2008 01:52:00 +0100

Two years ago I fell in love with a horse. Today, I made a conscious decision not to watch the Kentucky Derby.I really cannot believe this. It is so sad. Breaks my heart. (Source: Dr.J's HouseCalls)

Schmidly's list: on alcohol in asheboro - i love it when a conspiracy theory comes together

Dr.J's HouseCalls — Sat, 03 May 2008 08:12:00 +0100

For over a week, I’ve been pondering what to say about last Friday’s story in the Courier Tribune that the Father-Daughter lawyer team of Steve and Brooke Schmidly were going to ask for a special Asheboro City Council meeting in May to initiate the process that would put an alcohol referendum on the ballot. Steve says it won’t be presented as “new business” at the upcoming regular city council meeting (where the city will vote on the annexation of Dave’s Mountain) – because he doesn’t want to appear to be doing anything behind the Mayor Jarrell’s back (the last I heard, the Mayor opposes the sale of alcohol in Asheboro). We’ll see if Steve and the pro-alcohol brigade honors their word and keeps it all above board. But based on past experience, “the word” of some of the people we’re going to be talking about is not worth the paper it’s printed on.First, a disclaimer: This a long one folks. Before you start, you might need to stop and get a cup of coffee, or some Coke, or even an ice cold beer.Schmid wants it all: malt beverages, fortified wine, and mixed drink sales as well as the establishment of ABC stores in the city.As most folks familiar with my story know, Steve Schmidly is the lawyer who represented me in the litigation against Randolph Medical Associates & Randolph Hospital. I once called him friend. I don’t anymore. And as I weave my impressions of his latest endeavor with his handling of a past one (where I wound up legally victorious but lost & adrift just the same), I am going to be measuring my words very carefully. But I’m not going to be holding them back.Schmidly’s published remarks on the proposed alcohol referendum allude to progress, “We intend to ask the council to begin the implementation of the 20/20 Strategic Plan that was formulated by the council with the input of a lot of people.”It’s long been my theory that the Asheboro 20/20 effort . . . as well as the push to forcibly annex Dave’s Mountain . . . was all and only about getting alcohol in Asheboro.It appears that time has proven my “paranoid”/”silly” “conspiracy theory” right. And this week “Schmidly’s List” made it perfectly clear who the conspirators are.In Friday’s article, Schmid promised that “a lot of people” were supporting this endeavor and they would become known as time went on. As I read, I suspected that these people were “the usual suspects” . . . in my case, quite literally. It’s funny how, when I drove home (four hours one way) back in 2006 to attend two of the four Asheboro 20/20 meetings, I did not see most of the people who allegedly contributed to the effort. What I did see was an expensive hired-gun consultant putting on a show and going through the motions . . . so later-on the city could say it asked for input from the ordinary “Who’s Nots” of Asheboro. The truth is that most of this 20/20 business took place under-the-radar of public scrutiny. And it was a done deal pretty much before it even started.This is a strategic plan that (like the annexation of Dave’s Mountain) was carefully plotted by Asheboro’s powers-that-be . . . and it’s been at least several years in the making. It has all the stylings of consultant-loving (Randolph Hospital executives) Bob Morrison and Steven Eblin all over it . . . along with the smug, two-faced machinations of Keith Crisco, David Smith and Walker Moffit. I mean, do these guys really believe that all of us are that stupid?It’s not so much “fun” Fec (Happy Birthday), if you’re on the receiving end of the screw.We did not have to wait long to find out who the suspects were. The pro-alcohol newspaper coverage continued Tuesday, with Schmidly proudly announcing (in a “press release”) that the “Committee for the Future of Asheboro” had been formed. Schmid released a list of 39 people who support the alcohol referendum. This distinguished “committee’s” less-than-visionary contention is that Asheboro’s future depends on booze. Quoting Schmid, “As the community can see, the makeup of this committee is a who’s who of business and community leaders who believe deeply in Asheboro and its future.”These days Schmid and I see things very differently. For instance what I see on his list concerned community “leaders” are two unconvicted felons . . . as well as a veritable “who’s who” of the prominent names who’ve served on “non-profit” Randolph Hospital’s governing Board of Directors (Bossong, Colberson, Davis, Matney, McCrary, Redding, Pugh, Shaffner, Toledano, Trogdon) . . . all so-called “honorable men” ethically and legally responsible for the actions of these “non-profit” (what a farce!) executives – who nonetheless fell all over themselves to look the other way while contracts were breached, state & federal agreements were violated, resources were monopolized, laws were broken, and a home-grown Pediatrician was stomped into the dirt . . . because she stood in the way of Bob Morrison’s plan for total economic dominance of the medical landscape.These fine, upstanding community leaders could not be concerned with medical ethics or morals or even simple common courtesy . . . turning my life & practice into a bump in their road was “just business”.Despite the fact that it was HIS JOB to know who he was running down and why . . . at least one hospital board member on Schmidly’s list was annoyed when I tried to contact him directly . . . whining indignantly that he did not know who I was.So it was bad business. And I am not going to “just go away”.As I perused the names on Schmidly’s list, it occurred to me that at least a third of these very important people do not live within the city limits of Asheboro. Right now, neither does Schmid. A number of the people on the list are of the Country Club set that has ready access to alcohol anyway. And a good portion of them are not native to Asheboro . . . they’re corporate carpetbaggers who found a small southern town where they could be kings. And for the last decade, they’ve certainly behaved like a bunch of little Henrys.As I understand it, if the alcohol referendum is allowed to proceed by the Board of Elections (with whom our Schmidly is tight), only those citizens living within the city limits will be able to vote. The annexation of Dave’s Mountain will not play into a referendum because Mountain residents will not be able to vote until the effective date of annexation next June.So I am not quite sure what Schmid’s game is here. Perhaps it suddenly dawned on Schmid and the city council members who strongly support alcohol in Asheboro (if I had to hazard a guess, Crisco, Smith & Moffit) that proceeding with the forced annexation of Dave’s Mountain was a HUGE tactical error – and they’ve alienated an entire voting block – smart, savvy now-REALLY-PISSED-OFF professionals who will vote NO on alcohol just for spite.David Renfro, publisher of the Courier Tribune, is also on Schmidly’s list. No big surprise there. When it comes to the news coverage of local events, Mr. Renfro has never met a conflict of interest he could not blithely ignore if it got Asheboro where he & his wife, Bonnie (of the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation) wanted it to be. Our local newspaper barely pretends anymore to be fair or balanced in its coverage of the issues – or the people behind the issues.Many of us who are not in “the club” can testify that the Courier Tribune stopped being a “hometown paper” long ago.It’s just a sad, sorry mouthpiece for the people on Schmidly’s list now.The only doctors on Schmidly’s list are the Director of the North Carolina Zoo and a retired dentist. I’ll be the first to admit that there are some bad apples in medicine (who like their sauce) but most medical doctors are generally pretty keen as to what easy access to alcohol really means and brings to a community. I know many of them are grateful that, medically speaking, they don’t have to deal with quite so much of it. I expect a lot of the doctors in Asheboro also realize that a good portion of the patients they serve vehemently oppose alcohol sales here – and it would be bad for business to admit they support it.Of course alcohol-based trauma and pathology just means extra business for the hospital, so it’s quite logical that the hospital-based suits on Schmidly’s list (Morrison/Eblin/Thornton/Shaffner) are going to “proud” to embrace it. They’re also going to tell gullible city leaders that not having alcohol in Asheboro is one of the reasons they’re having trouble recruiting young medical professionals to the community.It’s an easy deflection from the REAL reasons medical professionals are not flocking to Asheboro . . . reasons with which Steve Schmidly is very familiar.Back in 1994, when I did my original interviews with Randolph Medical Associates, Bob Morrison and Steven Eblin (the aforementioned unconvicted felons proudly peacocking on Schmidly’s list) were confidently telling potential new-hires that there were new sheriffs in town (i.e. the aforementioned carpet-baggers that they palled around with) and they fully expected alcohol to be voted in on the next referendum . . . as if that was a big selling point to doctors looking for a family-friendly burb where they could build a nice practice and raise their kids. Having lived here all my life, I knew better . . . and (as I expected it would be) alcohol was voted down.I remember not being terribly upset about the outcome – and, in fact, being pleased that “ordinary folks” had beaten the smug, “we-know-what’s-best-for-our-mill-town” crowd back.Since then there have been several ill-fated, back-alley schemes to sneak alcohol in over the years – all of them have failed. Like Fec said in his comment on my last post, it’s been fun to watch . . . to see the plotters and schemers handed their hats by simple people who could see through the ruse.I think that the pastors and religious leaders opposed to alcohol in Asheboro (some of whom I’ve conversed with on the subject) are genuine in their piety and concern for the “evils’ that seem to be permeating our town. I hope they will be more bold in standing up and saying so this time – in organizing and mobilizing their flocks to act against those evils - now openly advocated for the sake of profit by the people on Schmidly's list.There's an old line from Star Trek that comes to mind (an admonishment to Captain Kirk by my childhood hero, Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy): "Careful Jim. Evil usually wins unless Good is very, very careful.As Fec alluded, Asheboro's biggest problems clearly lie with some of the people sitting in these church pews. It is at refreshing, at least, that some of those people attending the prayer breakfasts while supporting alcohol on the sly now at least have the spine to sign their names.They never have before.Of course, I’ve heard some rumors wafting along the Mountain’s crumbling streets that Morrison and several of “the Who’s” on Schmidly’s list were doing some back-tracking after being publicly named. They were not too keen on being publicly identified as “pro-alcohol”. It's bad for PR.Immediately after my appearance at the April 10th Asheboro City Council meeting addressing the annexation of Dave’s Mountain (ironically speaking immediately after Schmidly) . . . I joked to my Mother and the YaYas that I had quite unexpectedly become the “unofficial leader” of Asheboro’s “anti-alcohol” brigade.Let’s review how that came about by looking at how I closed my remarks to the Council on April 10th:Finally, if the God-fearing, anti-alcohol residents of Asheboro (who have been in the voting majority for my entire lifetime) knew the truth about the way January’s “Sacred Assembly” got off the ground, your seats would be very hot indeed. Local pastors were approached by city & business leaders and asked to consider supporting an alcohol referendum – for the “economic good” of the community. The forced annexation of Dave’s Mountain is ALL AND ONLY about quick money and alcohol – about David & Bonnie Renfro’s carpet-bagging notions of what our small town should be. It’s about ensnaring the 200-plus Dave’s Mountain homeowners and their families into something the vast majority of us do not want – taxing the crap out of us – and then expecting us to reward Asheboro with a “go” for alcohol on the next referendum (because the Council assumes that alcohol is what well-educated, successful professionals want).I have a suggestion for all of the Dave’s Mountain residents in this room. If our neighborhood is annexed against our will – and with no consideration for our happiness or welfare – with no care for what our voices are telling these people that we never voted for – then I suggest that when that alcohol referendum finally rolls around, we all vote NO.And we vote NO FOREVER.Because we can.You should have seen the looks on some of those council faces when I spoke on the machinations behind the “Sacred Assembly”. For those who are not regular readers and don’t know, local business & city leaders had actually had the cahoones to approach local pastors and ask them to support an alcohol referendum! The pastors balked and instead our fearless “leaders” got a prayer service (I am still amazed that lightening did not strike some of these money-changers down when they graced the pulpit). As I made the connections during my prepared remarks, council members visibly squirmed . . . and I remember seeing David Smith go absolutely white at the council table.For me that was worth showing up.I expect Mr. Smith never imagined that some of us are not so gullible as to believe the pee on our shoes was rain.As I made my “speech” to the council, I had my back turned to the assemblage. I did not know what was going on behind me. Afterwards, I was told that Schmidly (who I’m told was there not only to support annexation, but also to offer “moral” support to a hospitality tent for VIP’s at Copperheads games – the request was approved - opening a whole nuther can-of-worms) got up during the first part of my presentation and left the room . . . grinning like a hyena.In stark contrast, when Steve addressed the council, I had sat quietly and listened to him make his statement. When she was told about what Schmidly had done, my Mom was pretty put out, “That’s just wrong. He should have had the class to sit there and listen to you. You listened to him.”Of course, I listened to him once before. But I’m getting ahead of myself.In the interest of full disclosure, there is considerable irony in this turn of events (i.e. my opposition to alcohol sales in Asheboro), in that the bulk of this commentary was conceived and written last Saturday night as I sipped & savored my own special invention . . . a Margarita-lemonade concoction . . . in the privacy of my own home. While I myself am a “once-in-a-while” drinker (mostly for medical reasons . . . I seem to have a paucity of the enzyme that metabolizes alcohol . . . and more than one or two drinks can really ruin my day), I enjoy entertaining my friends who suffer no such physical restriction. And, like many Asheboro residents, I have a cabinet & baby refrigerator especially dedicated to spirits hard and soft. I also have a wine rack well-stocked with the fruits of “the-little-winery-that-could” in Duplin County.For those on the Asheboro City Council and Schmidly's List who tout alcohol as a solution to all of a community’s problems, economically speaking, the Duplin Winery is doing very well, but the county notsomuch.The celebrations & rituals of Ya often include adult beverages. Indeed once, we even tried to summon green fairies with an exotic emerald elixir that tasted like burnt licorice . . . brought in from a country far, far away.Alas, the fairies did not grace us with their presence. I was mightily disappointed. But then again, alcohol does not always deliver what it promises.These things being acknowledged, even the liveliest YaYa events are relatively tame compared to the legendary bashes thrown at Steve Schmidly’s house. Schmid is big on the baseball/Copperhead scene. I’ve heard some pretty wild stories.Of course, I helped pay for his deck.I am compelled to note that one of the differences between my parties and Schmid’s is that the YaYas can have loads of fun without setting fire to their Queen’s back porch. From what I’ve heard through the community grapevine, Steve Schmidly almost became an alcohol statistic. Yet he can still push for this referendum with a straight face? I don’t get it.The point of "full disclosure" is to acknowledge that I know “alcohol is here”. I know full well it’s “brought in”. But the biggest difference between me and Schmid is that I’m content for alcohol to be here without it being everywhere here – without inflicting it on the good, very concerned townspeople who care deeply about Asheboro’s future and don’t want it around.I very much respect these people. I don’t think the 39 "Who's Whos" on Schmidly’s list do.I/many others are not so gullible as to believe that the civic “revenue” from the sale of alcohol in Asheboro will offset the misery that will most certainly come with it . . . the increase in crime and motor vehicle accidents . . . the seediness and inevitable decline of older/poorer neighborhoods . . . not to mention the medical pathology and aberrant/irresponsible behavior.I also think that the notion of throwing some of that lovely civic revenue towards “alcohol education” is a cop-out . . . a balm to soothe the guilty consciences of the well-named people on Schmidly’s list.Anticipating criticism for my position, I don’t find it “hypocritical” to be a Pediatrician (or even a “lapsed” Baptist) and enjoy the occasional adult beverage (after all, I am a responsible adult exercising that free will) . . . yet to oppose the sale of alcohol in Asheboro. It might not be “cool”, but I like Asheboro without alcohol sales. I think it’s unique and charming – an example for other towns to follow. And despite what the people on Schmidly’s list would have us believe, I’ve done some research and the truth is (economically) Asheboro IS growing and prospering without alcohol.If it’s not, then a lot of the 39 people on that list have some explaining to do – for if things are so awful, maybe we need new leaders with better eyesight.I also think that a truly smart, progressive, “visionary” city council would figure out ways to market what makes Asheboro truly different from every other North Carolina hamlet (that has booze readily available) . . . and what makes it truly “family friendly”.Asheboro is already a “destination” for many people. We are a stone’s throw away from a pottery-lover’s paradise (a paradise I miss regularly cruising). We are home to a world-class, state-of-the-art zoological park. We are surrounded by the greenery and beauty of the oldest mountain range on the North American continent. Just up the road is a newly-minted lake (although the machinations behind that are a whole nuther story) that has been stocked with fish that presumably will eventually draw sportsmen and sportswomen. We are home to two prominent Baptist camps. We have our own little speedway – as well as both a motorcycle & aviation museum. Richard Petty’s museum is right up the road (even if his racing operation isn’t anymore). Baseball is big here. We don’t need the booze to bring people in.We do need, however, to be proud of who we are. And we don’t need to apologize to any of the big-shot “Whos” on Schmidly’s list. It's also my opinion that so many of the ordinary people in this town should stop being afraid of them too.If the majority on the Asheboro City Council gets its way, the “demographics” of Asheboro proper are set to change a great deal – and Schmid (who lives on Dave’s Mountain and is in the very small minority of residents who want to be annexed in) knows it. I expect the pro-boozers on the city council were planning to wait and capitalize on that change – until the annexation effort turned sour.It does not take much reading between the lines to understand that the powers-that-be on Schmidly’s list will also be playing to stereotypes in this campaign . . . and are counting on the Hispanic and Catholic vote to turn water into wine (those “changing demographics” again). The very sad truth is that once again, the powers that be plan to use and manipulate people of Hispanic descent . . . and of faith . . . to their own ends. After all, they’ve been doing it for years.These people looking for a better life don’t even realize they are pawns.I think that those who now want to ram alcohol down the throats of a community that for decades has said, “WE DON”T WANT BOOZE HERE!”, take much for granted . . . and have nothing but disdain for the deep-fried history & religious tradition of our small Southern town. It’s a history and a populace that I deeply fond of – for all that I have been unable to safely return and serve the people and children of Asheboro for ten years – because of what some of the prominent people on Schmidly’s list did.Of course, as many older citizens can tell you, we’d have a lot more “history” to see in Asheboro if the city fathers had not approved so much if its physical destruction in the name of “progress”.As a life-long resident of Asheboro, I don’t care at all for the undertone in Schmid’s published statements on his planned “aggressive” push for “opportunity” and “progress” . . . for moving into “this century”. Schmid and his “Who’s”, as they run their “positive" campaign have already started to portray those who oppose alcohol as backwards, stupid, ignorant hicks who do not care about Asheboro’s future. It’s not even subtle.Nothing could be further from the truth.As my sainted Mother and I sat in Chili’s on Saturday afternoon and conversed over iced tea and their most-excellent spinach-avocado dip, Mama asked me if I thought any of the other people in the (nearly full) restaurant looked like they needed or wanted alcohol with their meal. I looked around to see several young couples . . . a few families (one with a big fat adorable baby) . . . some groups of friends . . . and table full of what appeared to be businessmen . . . all enjoying their meals and one another’s company.And so, the answer was no.I am also a frequent customer at Rockola. I know for a fact that the management is quite happy not to have to deal with the booze and the drunks and all of the liability issues that alcohol brings. This very nice restaurant is thriving. They don’t need alcohol.There are several other very nice restaurants in town that allow brown-bagging. So if you want a touch of alcohol with your fancy dinner, there are ways to have it in Asheboro.I cannot envision my hometown with booze in every grocery store and bars on all the predicable corners. I think it’s a good thing that people have to pause and think about taking a drink . . . about how and where they are going to go to get it. I think it’s good that the Yas have to talk about designated drivers before we drive to Randleman to get the booze . . . or to Greensboro for that fancy, expensive dinner (we usually just stay at the palace).While we’re on the subject, I wonder. Has anyone advocating the sale of alcohol as the be-all and end-all of civic progress and success bothered to really look at Randleman or Greensboro? Randleman has sold the booze for years – but that has hardly turned the town into a bustling metropolis. And does anybody in Randolph County really want the mess that Greensboro has on its hands . . . with vice and corruption permeating the city council and police department?Of course, we already have a pathetic, vindictive, grudge-holding coward for a District Attorney - whose office shamelessly panders to the VIP's on Schmidly's list. Justice for the "little people" in Randolph County is a sorry joke. Unfortunately, we're stuck with Garland Yates because no one ever runs against him.If gangs & crime are on the upswing now, I shudder to think what things might be like with alcohol readily available.The pro-alcohol brigade like to smugly admonish those religious “zealots” who oppose drinking for any reason that even Jesus Christ turned water into wine for a wedding celebration. They harp on hypocrisy if Christians drink in the comfort and privacy of their own homes. But that’s just another diversion Our Lord was big on moderation and personal responsibility. Drinking was not the sin – drunkenness was.A number of religious denominations in the Asheboro area recognize that many, many people are not capable of moderation – and it is reflected in their creeds & approach to a Godly life by avoiding alcohol altogether. These beliefs have been reflected in the laws governing our town. These people of faith recognize that with freedom comes responsibility (particularly when it comes to parenting), and there are very goods arguments to be made that Asheboro should not make it easier for those who are not capable of moderation to get alcohol.Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) reports that nearly 18,000 Americans died in alcohol-related automobile crashes in 2006. I wonder. What will Schmidly (or any of these other important well-named people) say to grieving parents and friends when the first car-load of kids meets their Maker on prom night . . . after sucking down the six-packs they got at the local Asheboro grocery . . . or an innocent dies in the path of a drunk who got in the car after having one too many at a local eatery?More of the ugly statistics on alcohol can be found here. Now this is a list that the people on Schmidly’s list will not be circulating as, in their "concern" for the community, they push this referendum forward.Finally, study after study has proven that, for many individuals prone to addiction, alcohol is ALWAYS the first step on the path to illegal drugs. I wonder (not wishing to leave any crack covered or stone unturned) what Schmid’s position is on that?As I said in my precious post, here’s the thing that really grates about Schmid’s big headlines in the Courier. Back in the good-old-early-lawsuit days – when I really needed some front-page print-space to counter the under-handed corporate dirty tricks Randolph Hospital executives had pulled to drive me out of town (and eliminate both the criticism and the competition), Schmidly & his law firm did not rate a story or a quote . . . not even when I sued the hospital’s “controlled affiliate”. I’m not sure a “press release” was even issued.Oh, over a year later there was the obligatory “fair play” article . . . after the humiliation of the hospital SLAPP-suing me (ultimately unsuccessfully) for “libel”. But from day one, it was crystal clear whose side the Courier Tribune was on.When the boys ultimately ran from an open battle in the courtroom, the Courier covered their tracks by reporting my legal “victory” as a second-page short take. Once again, Schmid did not rate the front page.But Schmid rates bigtime when he talks about alcohol. In his Sunday (April 27th) Editorial, Ray Criscoe announced that “It is time” for another vote on alcohol. Criscoe basically re-mouthed Schmid’s pro-alcohol talking points. It was clear our local daily is not just for today’s residents having their say in a referendum (which is the way the editorial was styled).The Courier Tribune clearly wants residents to say, “It’s time for alcohol”.I think “it’s time” now for a little background information. Steve Schmidly was not my first lawyer. I went through two to get to him. The first was Jane Redding – an old high school chum – who I consulted immediately after getting the “warning” letter from the higher-ups who were so concerned with “care you can trust” that they felt compelled to tell me to shut up or else. The infamous nursery incident a couple of nights later made it clear that Morrison & Eblin had set conditions that were incompatible with the practice of good/responsible medicine. I was not about to roll over and hang up the phone on frantic LDRP nurses when a baby was dying due to another doctor’s ignorance and arrogance. And I wasn’t about to say “bygones” either . . . to cover up the mess.Alas, gentle Jane was not quick enough on the draw, and I wound up fired before she could even get a nasty, “you-need-to-rethink-your-approach” letter out to Elbin & company.Jane immediately referred me to a local lawyer (with Schmidly’s firm), Andrew McVey, who specialized in employment law. I quickly found out that in North Carolina, a physician might as well be a night-shift janitor at one of the local mills. No offense to the night shift janitor . . . but unlike other “mill-town” employees, doctors train FOREVER to do what they do, and swear Oaths, and are licensed to meet obligations that the great state of North Carolina IN NO WAY protects or defends.Andy left the firm shortly after I filed my lawsuit against Randolph Medical Associates (the one the Courier did not report one word about to the general populace). He left me to the care of his senior partner, Steve Schmidly.Over time, in a situation like this, one’s lawyer is one’s lifeline – one finds oneself sealed in a box . . . instructed to talk to no one about one’s case. Short of a therapist (which I could not afford because I was consumed with making the mortgage and paying the attorneys fees that built Schmid’s deck), the lawyer becomes the only person to whom you can really pour your heart and soul . . . and your anger.I was very, very angry about what Randolph Hospital did to me. I still am. It never should have happened. It never should have been allowed to continue or compound. Many of the well-named, so-called “concerned citizens” on Schmidly’s list could have AND SHOULD HAVE moved to stop it. They could have exercised some of those “small town values”, and made their executives play fair. They did not.I have no use – no respect – for any of them now. And I think, that as they play their games, more and more people are coming to the same opinion.I digress. My parents and friends were not entirely enamored of Andrew’s “hand-off” . . . or of Schmid’s representation. They postulated that Schmidly’s bar stool at the Country Club was clearly in danger if he too aggressively represented the Pediatrician that Randolph Hospital’s suited goons wanted to “just go away”. They did not appreciate the occasional not-so-subtle hint Schmid dropped that I should just accept my lot in life and move away from Asheboro.But I trusted “Schmid”. He was affable and had an easy-going good-ole-boy charm about him that I found very appealing. He knew the players and I had been told he was very good in the courtroom (not that I ever go to see it). Over time, I learned to overlook our political differences (Steve is a Democrat greatly enamored of John Edwards and Bill Clinton, while I am descended from a conservative Republican who sat just to the right of Jesse Helms), and I even began to consider my lawyer my friend.That was naïve and stupid, as the “simple country lawyer” played both ends against the middle. In the end, Steve Schmidly wasn’t my advocate at all.For if he had been my advocate, Steve Schmidly would have gotten those tax returns – the ones that Morrison & Eblin lied under Oath about being “confidential” – and thoroughly reviewed the profits/losses/salaries with me BEFORE he presented a beyond low-ball settlement that IN NO WAY reflected my true losses. He would not have even entertained or relayed the, “But we’re nearly bankrupt” line offered up by the hospital’s trial lawyers . . . the same lawyers who filed those false answers on behalf of Morrison & Eblin. He would not have brazenly LIED to me about punitive damages not being taxable. He would have insisted my attorney’s fees were paid in full by the hospital that filed that despicable SLAPP suit.Finally, if Steve Schmidly had been a true advocate, when I finally figured it all out – he would have MOVED to fix his mistakes. He did not.But something has always gnawed at me. Steve Schmidly was too smart to make those kinds of mistakes. The painful truth is, Steve, my lawyer and my “friend”, sold his client out. For you see, Schmid was for Schmid. The goal was to appease me, yet let the boys at Randolph off cheap . . . a “win-win” for him in terms of membership in that elusive “club” . . . and forever securing a seat at their bar.The truth dawned on me after one of many “inflammatory” e-mail exchanges with Bob Morrsion after the settlement (as I fought to gain my footing and found every door slammed in my face) . . . when let it slip that he was going to convey a message to Steve personally. Schmid had always led me to believe that he and Morrison were casual acquaintances (through things like Rotary and such), and that he had no use for the hospital crowd.But Morrison tipped that hand. He gave Schmidly up.I vividly remember the moment at the keyboard when the truth dawned. A line from Shakespeare came to mind - and all ironies apply.Flash forward to the present day. Just a few weeks after my appearance at an Asheboro City Council meeting – where my “conspiracy theory” put all of the pieces together in terms of the real motives behind the annexation of Dave’s Mountain – Schmidly gets the Courier’s front-page treatment – and he’s rubbing elbows with all of the big names who did me wrong.So is his daughter. Brooke is an ex-public servant too. She did some time in the military (I forget which branch) – and if memory serves, she’s an ex JAG lawyer. Schmid was very proud – as he should be. My parents – lifelong residents of Asheboro without Country Club memberships – were proud of their daughter too. But when I did my turn in public service, I was thrown out on the street for putting a patient first . . . for doing my job the way it was supposed to be done. Every hometown dream I ever had was destroyed. In stark contrast, when Brooke was done, she came home and joined her Father’s firm.Brooke's is the classic American success story that was supposed to have been mine as well. Now there are a number of oversight issues that I will likely be taking up with the state of North Carolina soon – if they do not shortly take action to hold Randolph Hospital accountable for what it did to me (again, perjury has not statute of limitations – and restitution is possible through the prosecution of a criminal claim) . . . but a large part of the reason why I am not practicing in Asheboro today has to do with the fact that Brooke’s Father did not fight hard enough to give me and my parents what he wanted and got for his own daughter.My Dad died before he could see his daughter truly vindicated and restored and back in Asheboro. I understand that some of my neighbors will be protesting the annexation of Dave’s Mountain downtown this week. While I cannot attend, I will be with them in spirit. Several of them (knowing that I have some experience with that kind of thing) have asked for my advice.Those conversations have brought back some very strong memories . . . of navigating the series of machinations on the part of Asheboro's City Manager (over parade and building permits – really absurd stuff – a real affront to free speech that made it crystal clear city leaders were in cahoots with the hospital). It all culminated in me standing before the Asheboro City Council on April 8, 2004 to tell my story of woe.One of those memories is of my Dad, a very proud man, standing up after I spoke and pleading with city council members to exercise their influence to right a wrong and help bring his daughter back home. He was my hero.Of course, the council turned a deaf ear – and subsequently appointed Bob Morrison to chair its 20/20 efforts. Chosing this unrepentant liar to lead them into the future could not have been a bigger slap in the face. And it spoke volumes about what the Asheboro City Council really values.The other memory is of Pops, who feared for my safety (we all knew the city & powers-that-be were turning the screws tightly – to push the buttons and make me so angry I might do something that would get me arrested) coming to walk with me when I protested.After he was done walking, he went across the street to just watch – standing alone in his Railroad cap and dungaree jacket – with his hands in his pockets – silently daring anyone to mess with his daughter. It is a picture permanently branded in my mind. And I am so grateful for it.I’ve said a lot here. It’s time to close. But before I do, I’ve got news for the people who think they're very important on Schmidly’s list (news that will likely never make the Courier):ASHEBORO IS MY HOME TOO (YOU AND “THE BOYS” ON YOUR LIST NEVER GOT THAT, SCHMID)."IT'S TIME" FOR SOME OF YOU TO GET REAL AND CLEAN UP YOUR ACT.YOU DO NOT KNOW BEST. IN FACT, YOU ARE DEAD WRONG. ASHEBORO, NORTH CAROLINA DOES NOT NEED OPEN ALCOHOL SALES IN ORDER TO THRIVE AND TO GROW.YOU WILL BE STRONGLY OPPOSED. AND YOU WILL LOSE . . .. . . EVEN AND ESPECIALLY IF YOU “WIN”. (Source: Dr.J's HouseCalls)

Video's worth seeing - paul vs hillary

Tales from the Womb — Fri, 02 May 2008 21:22:00 +0100

I have to say that the more I read about the Paul versus Clinton case, the more I think she needs to do what Obama has had to do with Reverend Jeremiah Wright. She has to address it. These You Tube pieces are incredibly damaging. Are they true? Clearly some aspects of this law suit are true. People within Hillary's senatorial campaign have already been found guilty of violating campaign finance law. And he has a tape recording that definitely puts her in the center of it, because of a phone call she made. Perjury. Tax evasion. Imprisonment of an enemy in a Brazilian prison to foil a law suit? It is pretty amazing if it is true. It make our current despot's renditions of suspect muslims sound so petty in comparison. It's pretty amazing even if only some of it is true. And now he is about to have his day in court. Hmmm, what timing. Whether you love her or hate her, you've got to look at this and wonder. What the hell has happened to American politics?Watch and see what you think.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xq8aopATYyw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMfUajhL24I (Source: Tales from the Womb)

The nc state bar cannot afford dirty lawyers

Dr.J's HouseCalls — Fri, 02 May 2008 00:47:00 +0100

You learn something new every day.According to this N&O article on Chapel Hill lawyer, John McCormick, who embezzled/stole over one million dollars from clients, the State Bar is obligated to pay debt accrued by the lawyer's indiscretions.The Bar has been settling with those tangled in McCormick's affairs. So far, it has paid $19,952 to six parties left with bills McCormick should have paid from his trust account.The Bar blew its annual fund dedicated to closing out the practices of misbehaving attorneys. The Bar budgets $25,000 annually. It paid $53,000 to hire a lawyer and paralegals to settle McCormick's affairs, said Root Edmonson, director of the Bar's Client Security Fund.This certainly explains a lot.It certainly is quite an incentive NOT to discipline dishonest lawyers. (Source: Dr.J's HouseCalls)

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A non-profiteer bites the dust

Dr.J's HouseCalls — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:04:00 +0100

Tell me again that "non-profit" executives cannot be held accountable for their actions . . . that what I've been asking for since 2003 is impossible or not completely within the letter and intent of the law.Bob Morrison and Steve Eblin lied. Not just to me, but the community they bullied and swindled out of two good Pediatricians who wanted to stay. Neither they nor their hospital get a free pass. (Source: Dr.J's HouseCalls)

On alcohol & annexation: steve schmidly gets a reprieve from att.net

Dr.J's HouseCalls — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:18:00 +0100

Some folks say you should not blog when you're angry . . . or drunk (although I'll take a drunk Fec over some of the sober folks in this blogosphere any day). I'm one out of two today, and I'll let my readers figure out which one.Since I am on the road a lot, I pay several of my fixed-price bills 6 months to a year ahead of time. One of those bills was, until today, to AT&T Worldnet Service. My AT&T address has been my e-mail address since the day I brought my first Compac laptop home over a decade ago. I hung on to AT&T phone service way past the time it became practical or made any fiscal sense - simply out of loyalty to the company which had always served me well.Eventually I switched everything over to other companies (namely Verizon and Time Warner), but I continued to pay AT&T $5.95/month for simple e-mail access. I wanted to keep my address (which everybody had), and I needed an account which faciliated relatively easy/accessible emergency dial-up access in the parts of North Carolina where technology still has not permeated. I have long maintained another e-mail account (with Time Warner), and until recently had only given it to family and close friends - kind of like a private phone number.The AT&T e-mail address functioned as my "public-phone-book" address. I put up with the spam - and sometimes being classified as spam - just to keep a small sense of continuity (I don't have a lot of that in my life).Earlier this month, I was caught off guard by a rate increase (to 7.95/month), and the account briefly fell behind - but I called AT&T and clarifed the rate/error, and then promptly sent in a check to cover the account through the end of December. AT&T got the check and applied it to the account - so I actually had a credit.Over the weekend, I noticed that my Outlook Express program was not connecting to AT&T. As I was enjoying the first truly long weekend at home that I've had in nearly five months, I shrugged it off and attributed the problem to a software or network glitch - electing not to investigate until later. Today, when I got to work, I tried webmail (from an office computer) and could not log on. I could not log into AT&T's "member services" either, so I started making calls. I did the "hold" dance and the "transfer to another department" dance.Insert explicatives.I finally found an outsourced human with an American "name" and a thick Indian accent who could tell me what the problem was. A "system requirement" had suddenly kicked in. AT&T needed a credit-card number on the account (since my defection to Sprint, and then Time-Warner, they could not link the account to an AT&T-billed home phone number). He acknowledged that my account was up-to-date and had a credit, but it did not matter. He would not re-activate the account until I gave AT&T a credit-card number.I demanded to speak to a supervisor, and after another extended session on hold, got one. The supervisor would not budge either. In order to get services I had already paid for, and even though I have been an AT&T customer FOREVER, I had to give him a credit-card number. Knowing that there were e-mails I needed to see today, I gave him the number, but told him not to bill it. I arranged to have the account cancelled as of the next billing cycle (May 4th), and to have the money I had already paid refunded.AT&T had just lost a customer. Like they cared.I then e-mailed friends and family and told them that I had left AT&T forever. I gave them my broad-band address.When I was able to access the AT&T account, I discovered that any e-mails that had been sent to me in the last couple of days were lost to the vacuum.Insert expletives.Here's the second part of the story. One of my neighbors on the Mountain . . . in the thick of the anti-annexation effort . . . e-mailed me after my announcement, and told me that dumping AT&T was a good thing . . . because my e-mails had lately been bouncing back as undeliverable.My neighbor wanted to catch me up and shared a communication with City Council member, Keith Crisco:"I know that any change and particularly a change of this magnitude is disruptive. However, after consulting with many leaders of the medical and other professions in the community of Asheboro I have been given encouragement that the changes we are making in the "profile" of Asheboro will generate a city and community that will in fact be more attractive to the medical and professional communities of the future. More emphasis on the arts, an improved down town, more parks, more walkways, addressing the alcohol issue and, yes, a progressive annexation policy will be and are being done with the objective of doing a better job of attracting that creative class of well trained better educated individuals that can help lead us into a successful future. By doing all this I know we will loose some people, however, on balance, I and many others believe Asheboro will be much more attractive and that these efforts are absolutely required if we are to compete successfully and flourish in today's environment."Now, it's my opinion that, during his long career in local politics, Mr. Crisco has demonstrated a real knack for self-serving, two-faced double-talk. Make no mistake, Keith Crisco wants annexation and he wants alcohol and no amount of reason or common sense or just plain truth is going to sway him. He's just going through the motions - like the rest of a city council that made this decision long ago - probably before "Asheboro 20/20" had its PR-savy moniker. Mr. Crisco is going to push these things through because (like so many others who think they know what best for the rest of us) he can. And when this young professional is forcibly annexed in, she's going to vote for anybody but Mr. Crisco. It's crystal clear from the afore-referenced quote who Mr. Crisco has been talking to. And it's also crystal clear he's not listening to those of us who are telling him that he's dead wrong about many things . . . particularly where recruiting young professionals (especially medical professionals) to our community is concerned. Here's what I told my neighbor (with some embellishment for the blog): Forgive me, but (ask any of my friends) I am an extremely creative, very classy, highly-educated individual - and home grown at that. Maybe if Bob Morrison and Steven Eblin did not treat so many people in the medical community like bovine-barnyard-excrement, Randolph Hospital could recruit more doctors. Randolph Hospital fired a good Pediatrician for refusing to cover up all the messes - after she stood up to Eblin's threats and saved a baby's life. Randolph Hospital tossed out an entire department of Anesthesia because the doctors would not dance to their profit-mongering tune. Until it couldn't anymore, Randolph Hospital pandered to an OB who aborted his own child. These are just a few examples. People move to small towns all the time - because they are small towns. I knew what Asheboro was when I came home - so did so many other young medical professionals - my good friends - who were treated abhorrently by this hospital administration - whose departures were written off by clueless hospital board members as merely "routine turnover". We found great potential in Asheboro as it was . . . a family-friendly small town. That potential was shattered by in-your-face arrogance and greed on the part of some of the "medical leaders" (I'll just bet NONE of them were doctors) Mr. Crisco now relies upon for his information. The problem with medical recruitment to Asheboro is NOT about art or alcohol or annexation. The word is out on this hospital and these people. The smart newbies will not touch this place with a ten foot pole - and the training centers will not send young professionals here to be done dirty (like I was). If the big guns in Asheboro want to improve medical recruitment, Randolph Hospital needs to fire the way-overpaid goons who have run so much into the ground and so many people off. I've given them a very good reason to do it . . . for perjury is illegal - not to mention unethical & bad-faith business practice - a very good reason that, in any other town I've worked in, would merit an executive's termination-for-cause. Just not in Asheboro - the small town whose current leaders value something besides small-town values. You will notice that the Courier has yet to report one word of what I said about Morrison and Eblin at the city council meeting. This newspaper does not play fair. And it does not want the ordinary God-fearing people of Asheboro & Randolph County (many of whom are alarmed about what is happening to our town but don't have the power to stop it) to know what is really going on as these changes get rammed down our throats.So there. That's how dumping AT&T as my e-mail provider comes back to my battle with Randolph Hospital. And hold on tight folks. I've found great irony in that, back when I needed a local headline to counter the contract-breaching/federal & state mission-shattering/career-trampling garbage Bob Morrison and Steven Eblin had dished out, my lawyer, Steve Schmidly, could not rate a headline from the Courier until after the hospital sued me (ultimately unsuccessfully) for "libel".But now that Schmid and his daughter (warmly welcomed home from her own public service gig and currently working in his law firm) are pushing for an alcohol referendum in Asheboro . . . good-ole-progress-loving Schmid is on the front page of the Courier and blessed by its Editor.Alcohol is more important to the powers-that-be than doing right by a home-grown Pediatrician done fundamentally wrong.Make no mistake, Mr. Crisco, THIS is Asheboro, and THIS is why so many young medical professionals are taking a pass. It's so NOT about art or alcohol or greenways. That's just an over-paid consultant's easy appeasement to the people paying the consulting fee.I'm going to have more to say about Schmidly and the proposed alcohol referendum in a day or so. I was hoping to get that post up today. You could say that today Schmid got a reprieve from AT&T. (Source: Dr.J's HouseCalls)

Don't waste your pulpit

Mavistown 3.0 — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 02:02:00 +0100

(Source: Mavistown 3.0)

"twitter"

Dr.J's HouseCalls — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 13:25:00 +0100

From CNN, an inspiring story about what blogs can be and do for individuals.It's kind of what I had hoped to find when I answered the "citizen journalism" call and dived into the GSO blogosphere three years ago . . . people motivated to look beyond what they were being spoon-fed by the local MSM . . . people who could/would mobilize to inform the public and right wrongs.Notsomuch. But I plod on. (Source: Dr.J's HouseCalls)

Watching and waiting on the nc medical board

Dr.J's HouseCalls — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:18:00 +0100

Earlier this month, I commented on "progress" in a case I reported to the NC Medical Board over two years ago - and alluded to the fact that the doctor involved would finally be doing the dance with the Board in a hearing later in the month.He's dancing now. No word up yet on the Board's website as to outcome. Still, I cannot shake the very sad, heavy feeling that, for some of the innocents who found themselves caught in the crossfire of dueling lawyers, whatever the Medical Board does now is too far little, far too late. The doctors on the front lines who want to help protect patients by taking on badness, can't.We get fired - or we get sued. None of the politicians or law enforcment agencies or physician advocacy groups in North Carolina have moved one inch to fix what's wrong.It really is a sad example of how this society has become "Overlawyered".P.S. To a reader/freind who was going through "withdrawal" (i.e. no posts in a week). Hold on tight. (Source: Dr.J's HouseCalls)

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Tell me again, mr. clinton, that i need four more years

Dr.J's HouseCalls — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:55:00 +0100

In honor of Slick Willie's visit to Asheboro today, I am linking an oldie but goodie entitled "On Public Service in the Village."Bill and Hill have done very well for themselves $ince leaving the White House. This former indentured servant to healthcare under Clinton's administration notsomuch. After all, the fat-cat healthcare executives that the politicians generally cozy up to (for the lovely money) all think that good Pediatricians are "a dime a dozen". And the truth was (or is it "is"?) never a top priority for our Bill. He had no qualms about lying under Oath either. (Source: Dr.J's HouseCalls)

Pb&n

girl MD — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:44:00 +0100

GirlTuesday may eat Oreo's for breakfast, but I prefer peanut butter and nutella sandwichs first thing in the am. Truth be told, I usually have coffee for breakfast, but when post-call, I need more sustenance. Luckily, our resident call room is stocked with huge tubs of peanut butter and, occasionally, a small jar of nutella. (For the uninitiated, nutella is chocolate hazelnut butter and the reason why so many girls from the U.S. gain 20 pounds when studying abroad in France.) (Source: girl MD)