Ben Bernanke TIME’s Person of the Year

s-ben-bernanke-time-largeSo, TIME magazine has selected Ben Bernanke as their person of the year. Two posts down, I make my personal case for or against all the contenders. I wrote that I believed that Bernanke and others in the top echelons of the banking industry ought to be in prison for what they did to destroy the economy and the savings of so many average Americans; all while paying themselves record bonuses. I admit, I haven’t yet read the issue to see what about this man was worthy of the recognition. Nonetheless, I doubt anything they write will change the contempt I feel for the man. How about you? What do you think of Ben Bernanke and his recognition as “Person of the Year”? Sound off in the comments.

Poem “Invictus” Inspires Movie

invictus_smallposter2There is a new movie out called Invictus starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. The movie takes its title from a poem of the same name, “Invictus,” the best-remembered work of British poet William Ernest Henley (1849-1903). Invictus is a Latin word meaning “unconquered,” and the poem was written in 1875 as a demonstration of the poet’s resilience following the amputation of his foot due to tubercular infection. Freeman plays Nelson Mandela in the movie and the poem was recited by Mandela daily for motivation during the thirty years of his political imprisonment in South Africa. Click through to read more about the movie and the poem that was its inspiration.   Continue reading…

TIME’s Person of the Year

person-of-the-year3This morning, managing editor for TIME magazine, Rick Stengel announced the short list of contenders for this year’s TIME Person of the Year issue.  As in the past, recipients of this recognition are not always recognized for good works.  Sometimes they are recognized for the very damaging or disruptive actions they may have taken to propel themselves into the forefront of the collective psyche.  Follow me over the fold for the list, my thoughts on each person named and the opportunity to share your thoughts. Continue reading…

Don’t Let Heartburn Hurt Your Holidays

Guest Blogger – Zippi Dvash, Asst. VP of Public Affairs for Long Island College Hospital

heartburnHeartburn is a “burning” problem for over 60 million Americans each month. Recent surveys show that 66% of people experience heartburn symptoms after splurging on food and alcohol, such as the large meals, rich desserts and alcohol consumed around Christmas and New Year celebrations.  Do you suffer from this problem?  Follow me below the fold for some useful information. Continue reading…


The Compromise of the Compromise

compromise1Late last night, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced that a breakthrough deal had been reached on the contentious healthcare reform bill the President has been asking for.  But have they compromised away the core of the reform in this bill?  Did they deal away the part that really would have put some competition into the market to bring down the absurdly high rates people are faced with to maintain their coverage?  Will it make an insurance option available to those for whom today’s coverage is already priced beyond reach? Continue reading…

Avoid the Top 10 Job Interview Blunders

job-interviewFortune Magazine and CNN Money recently put together a list of the top 10 blunders, screw-ups, missteps and SNAFUs made by candidates at employment interviews.   The currently high  unemployment rate has made it even more difficult than usual to land a job with about six job seekers for every available position.  In normal economic times, there are about 2-3 seekers for every offered job.  The list below the fold, adapted from the Fortune magazine list, was compiled by hiring managers from companies across a wide range of industry sectors.  These are the folks who see hundreds of candidates each week.  They see all kinds of applicants; the good, the bad and the ugly.  Take their advice if you’re currently seeking gainful employment. Continue reading…

Vaccinated Burger With Cheese Anyone?

in-n-out-animal-styleAccording to the New York Times, the beef industry has initiated no less than 52 recalls of beef for contamination with E. Coli and other harmful bacteria.  It seems like we hear stories with more startling regularity about how our food supply is inadequately monitored leading to sickness and death.  Remember the tainted spinach last year?  The deadly burgers from Jack in the Box the year before?  Well, there are some interesting developments on the horizon that may make your double double “animal style” a little less likely to kill you.  Follow me over the fold for the “meat” of this story (sorry, couldn’t resist on a Friday afternoon). Continue reading…

This Holiday Season, Give the Gift of Blood!

blood-driveGuest Blogger – Zippi Dvash Asst. VP of Public Affairs Long Island College Hospital

Our blood supply needs constant replenishment, since the need for blood never takes a vacation.  Statistics say that nine out of ten people will need blood some time in their lives and that one out of every ten hospital patients requires a transfusion. 

Long Island College Hospital, in conjunction with the Brooklyn /Staten Island Blood Center will hold a blood drive on Monday, December 7th, 2009.  More information about times and locations after the jump. Continue reading…


Music Video Supports Breast Cancer Awareness

pink-glovesEmily Somers created, directed and choreographed this awesome music video in Portland last week for her Medline surgical glove division as a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness. This was all her idea to help promote their new pink gloves. I don’t know how she got so many employees, doctors and patients to participate, but it started to really catch on and they all had a lot of fun doing it. Follow me over the fold for a really groovy video… Continue reading…

Get Your H1N1 Vaccine NOW

h1n1-vaccine Guest Blogger – Zippi Dvash Asst. VP of Public Affairs Long Island College Hospital Young, healthy people don’t get sick very often.  But the flu is different.  In fact, the difference between a little bit of fever and a flu is like the difference between a bird and a gorilla.  This flu, the H1N1 virus, has claimed more young victims than any other in recent memory.  So if you hadn’t considered getting vaccinated before – think again.  Follow me below to read why you ought to vaccinate and where you can get it today.  Continue reading…