Hope for the future--Thoughts after the State of the Union speech

"For the first time since the 80s, I am thinking it may be possible for my children to enjoy the successes possible through hard work that were obtainable in the past in this great country. Our economy is finally growing again, and in a big way! Optimism is back. Common sense changes are happening, like deregulation of job killing laws. Employment is up for minorities. Jobs are coming back to America that were leaving in the last several decades because of our more competitive corporate tax rates. Trade will no longer favor other countries more than the USA. So happy to see our country returning to what it used to be and the possibility of people thriving via hard work again. MAGA!"  Jennifer Rymer Krawsczyn

What is a Student’s t-test?

I’m taking a statistics course on line through Coursera, and this is quite a challenge since my last high school math was in 1955, and although this class is not “math,” the instructor certainly uses words like fraction, percentage and square root.  So I find myself often going to Google to find explanations.  Today (week 5 of a 6 week class) the instructor (who is from Cape Town and has a bit of an accent in English) told us about Student’s t-test.  The reason it’s called that is the man who came up with this test worked for a brewery, and had to publish anonymously. Since it is now known who he was, I don’t know why they don’t just call it the Gosset t-test. Maybe statisticians are a little OCD?

I’m using this video to flesh out what the instructor told us—I watched his video twice and still didn’t get it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTmLQvMM-1M

Watch for these symptoms

Flu symptoms for adults

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough—This is VERY important.  You think you’ve turned the corner, but you’ll fall in a hole.

William Yoder, father of my niece and nephew

B. William Yoder, 90, formerly of Goshen, died Jan. 20 in Tampa, Florida. He was born July 22, 1927 in Conway Springs, Kansas to Levi M. and Gertrude (Miller) Yoder.

He is survived by a daughter, Cynthia (Ron) Rees, Bradenton, Florida; a son, Gregory (Michalene) Yoder, Tampa, Florida; five grandchildren, Catherine and Christopher Rees, William, Jennifer and Rachel Yoder; one great-granddaughter, Alyssa Rees Pillsbury; sisters, Mary (Alvin) Miller, Goshen, and Gertie (Orvil) Christner, Wolcottville; and brothers, Alvin Yoder, Middlebury, and Lee Yoder, Thailand; and nieces, nephews, cousins and friends to mourn his passing. Following World War II, he served with PAX for several years in Europe building homes and infrastructure. Without a high school diploma, he entered Goshen College where he met and married Carol Corbett in 1960.

He graduated with an associate's degree. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol; sisters, Anna Troyer, Edna Troyer, Sarah Miller, and Polly Mast; and a brother, Samuel Yoder. William was a well-known livestock auctioneer for over 50 years in the Michiana area and in charge of organizing the Michiana Mennonite Relief Sale auctioneers for 38 years.

He was an assistant zone administrator for Parents without Partners. He was a member of 8TH Street Mennonite Church, Goshen Exchange Club, Elkhart Moose Lodge and National and State Auctioneers" Associations. Friends may call Sat., Jan. 27 from 9:30 until the 10:30 a.m. funeral service at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home.

Pastor Brenda Sawatzky Paetkau will officiate. Burial will follow at Violett Cemetery.

Note: in recent years Bill had been living in Florida with his son and daughter.

Bill with great granddaughter Alyssa a few years ago

How the LAPD stays fit

Our niece (foreground, white shirt) showing her fellow LAPD officers how to workout and push themselves to their full potential. Dripping sweat, pushing hard, lifting weights and heart rate up. She loves that!  Makes my 40 minutes on the treadmill at Lifetime Fitness look pretty tame. She's the mother of three, twins who are 3+ and a 15 year old. Her husband is also a police officer.

Healthy sauteed cauliflower

I would leave off the turmeric.  Just can’t develop a taste for it. But if you like it, go for it!
http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=recipe&dbid=243

The World’s Healthiest Foods says:  “From all of the cooking methods we tried when cooking cauliflower, our favorite is Healthy Sauté. We think that it provides the greatest flavor, texture, and overall recipe success. Healthy Sauté—similar to Quick Boiling and Quick Steaming, our other recommended cooking methods—follows three basic cooking guidelines that are generally associated in food science research with improved nutrient retention. These three guidelines are: (1) minimal necessary heat exposure; (2) minimal necessary cooking duration; (3) minimal necessary food surface contact with cooking liquid.

Begin by cutting cauliflower florets into quarters and let sit for at least 5 minutes to enhance its health-promoting benefits. To Healthy Sauté cauliflower, heat 5 TBS of broth (vegetable or chicken) or water in a stainless steel skillet. Once bubbles begin to form add cauliflower florets (cut into quarters) and turmeric, cover, and Healthy Sauté for 5 minutes. Toss with our Mediterranean Dressing. For details see, 5-Minute Healthy Sautéed Cauliflower.”

One cup has 28.5 calories, and is very high in some important vitamins like C and B.  It’s available in white, purple, green and orange.

“While the U.S. is the world's largest producer of broccoli, when it comes to cauliflower, it is not remotely close to China or India, which produce 74% of the world's cauliflower. Given the remarkable nutritional benefits of cauliflower, we hope that this pattern will change over time and the cauliflower will become a more widely enjoyed cruciferous vegetable. "

Trump in Davos

Imagine taking the MCAT, entering a marathon, or facing another player on the tennis court, and believing you can't do your best and worse, announcing it to the other guys. Sort of like our last president.

"Trump has been making the rounds in Davos, holding bilateral meetings with other world leaders and conducting business roundtables." http://dailycaller.com/2018/01/25/european-ceos-trump/?

Eating sushi--the dangers

Mike Rowe features messages and stories from his mom.  This one is about eating sushi.

http://mikerowe.com/2018/01/tfm-a-5-foot-tapeworm/

Do you feel useless like you're wasting your life?

The gullible cook

I really do wonder about food fads.  There is no way you're going to convince me that ricing (crumbling up) cauliflower or "spiralizing" zucchini or butternut squash and charging 10X more for it makes sense.  It doesn't taste a bit different, and I love vegetables.

What President Trump has done for women

I'm not a fan of ruling by Executive Order, but it can indicate a direction if not illegal, just as the orders can be undone by the next president of a different political bent—as in DACA and the Paris “Accord.” Just how evil is the Trump record that women who were interviewed on the Jan. 20 march spoke of (when coherent)? They were having these marches all over the country, even in little Rockford. The were billed as addressing women’s issues (like MeToo), but in fact they were hate trump events.

"Over his first 100 days in 2017, Trump signed two executive orders that support women in business: the Promoting Women in Entrepreneurship Act, which encourages entrepreneurial programs that recruit and support women, and the Inspiring the Next Space Pioneers and Innovators and Explorers Act, which directs NASA to encourage women and girls to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics and to pursue careers in aerospace." (reported in Forbes, April 27, 2017)

This in addition to using his influence in a World Bank plan to encourage women in business. And all those raises, bonuses, promotions, stock sharing in the private sector due to the tax cut. They went to women, as well as fattening their pension plans.  A small pension is a problem for women who often do not have the longevity in the employment, and no one can live a normal retirement on Social Security alone, as the sugar daddy federal government pretends.

Women have traditionally voted Democratic, especially single women, because they want something like spousal assistance and safety net, without the cooking, cleaning and snoring. They are willing to go along with the abuses to their liberty in order to have the "security."

The flu. Mike Rowe, flying with his parents

Mike Rowe is the "Dirty Jobs guy," and is a very funny person, but often with serious messages.

"Flying to Chicago with the parents, who are recently recovered from the flu. The doctor allowed them to travel, but advised them to take every precaution…

Mom: Michael, will it embarrass you if we wear our surgical masks on this flight?

Mike: Not if you’re performing surgery.

Dad: Don’t be a smart guy. We’re strapped into a giant Petri dish. The doctor says these masks could save our lives!

Mike: Only if your wife actually puts the mask over her nose.

Mom: I don’t like it over my nose. It fogs up my glasses.

Dad: Then what’s the point? The germs will get up your nose if you don’t keep it covered!

Mom: But I can’t see the Sudoku if my glasses are all fogged up!

Mike: He’s right, Mom. If you’re gonna wear the mask, you might as well wear it properly.

Mom: But if it’s over my nose, I’ll be breathing CO2. That’s a deadly gas, you know.

Dad: Good grief, Peggy, do you think the doctor would tell us to wear a mask if it were gonna kill us!

Mom: What do YOU know, John? You’ve got your string wrapped around your hearing aid!

Dad: What?

Captain: Welcome aboard, everyone. We’ll be flying into a pretty stiff headwind today, but we’re still gonna do our best to assure an on-time arrival.

Dad: “Do our best?” What the hell does that mean? Don’t they always do their best?

Mom: He sounds sleepy, Michael.

Mike: Who, Dad?

Mom: No, the Pilot.

Mike: He’s not sleepy, he’s just bored.

Mom: I hope there’s a co-pilot. Do you suppose there’s a co-pilot up there?

Mike: Probably. Where else would they put him?

Mom: Do you think he’s wearing a mask?

Flight Attendant: Excuse me, can I get you two something to drink?

Dad: Pardon me?

Flight Attendant: I said, CAN I GET YOU TWO SOMETHING TO DRINK?

Dad: Yes, please, I’d like some orange juice.

Flight Attendant: I beg your pardon?

Dad: Some orange juice, please.

Flight Attendant: I'm sorry, sir, can you speak up?

Mom: John, take your mask off, she can’t understand you.

Dad: I’m not taking this mask off. She might be infected!!

Mom: So I guess you’ll be drinking your orange juice through the mask?

Dad: Maybe I will!!!

Mom: Well then, I’m not putting this stupid thing over my nose!!!

Flight Attendant: I can come back later…

Mike: To answer your question, Mom, no - this isn’t embarrassing at all…

His stories (Mondays with Mother) about his mother are hilarious. 

I won't be watching, but full disclosure, I never do.

"The National Football League rejected an advertisement for its official Super Bowl LII programs that urged players and people who attend the game to stand during the national anthem, according to American Veterans, the organization that submitted the ad.

Omitted from the programs was a full-page ad picturing the American flag, saluting soldiers and the words “Please Stand,” referring to the movement of NFL players protesting racial inequality and injustice by kneeling during the performance of the national anthem before the start of games." 

https://www.stripes.com/news/nfl-rejects-super-bowl-ad-from-veterans-group-that-asks-players-to-stand-during-anthem-1.507977

You know the drill.

For the ladies who marched Saturday

"Fast forward a year, and what was accomplished? Donald Trump is still your president (if you’re a U.S. citizen, that is) and had a pretty solid 2017. In the interim, we found out the most prominent abusers of women were, in fact, the Hollywood cohort of those same celebrities railing so diligently and incoherently against the president. And, last but not least, there’s a glut of cheap knit pussy caps on Etsy.

Having had such unparalleled success in achieving their aims, marchers reconvened across the country and globe this weekend, albeit to far lower attendance and interest. The media tried to put a pleasant spin on the reduced turnout; “This year’s march was less an assertion of outrage and shell-shocked solidarity than a goal-setting exercise,” The New Yorker’s Margaret Talbot assured readers, . . " Conservative Times, Jan. 21

What goals? Nothing. A dud.  Placing porn and dirty words in the hands of children like the posters showed hardly seems worthy.

Adventures at the gym

Today one of the instructors showed me how to use the machines. First I told her everything I didn't want to do and any health problems. So in addition to the treadmill, which I've been using about 3 weeks, she showed me five machines, 4 of which were in a special section called "physical therapy." I decided not to argue with her when she told me two sets of twenty on each machine.  I've known this body a lot longer than she has and if I do 5, I'll be pleased.  Even after a demo, I came home and took a hot shower and some Advil.  She told me she used to weight 220 lbs. and looks like she might be 115 max. now.  It's always cold there, even though I see a lot of people sweating.  So I went to Wal-Mart and bought myself some new work out clothes with longer or mid-arm sleeves.

My on-line statistics course through Coursera

In the statistics course I'm taking (online) I'm definitely way beyond the normal distribution and beyond the 3rd standard deviation in age.  The instructor kept assuring us we didn't need math, but since he talks about percentages and decimals and uses funny little Greek symbols, and my last math class was 1955, I sort of smile when he says that. There's some very, very basic math that I probably learned in 4th grade that I no longer remember.  When I don't understand I look it up on Google and add the word Khan (online academy for children). But I did get 100% on the Week 3 quiz--after the 2nd try. 

Now I'm in week 4, and not even sure what to Google!

Why were women marching on January 20?

I had lunch with my friend Nancy at Houlihan’s today and on the way home turned on the radio.  Dennis Prager (talk radio) runs 12-3 p.m. and had been asking for comments about the Women's March of Jan. 20. Interesting—although I didn’t hear it all.

One woman said she is an artist, and she and her husband the only conservatives among their social set and have to be quiet about it. Dennis observed they are "Marranos" (Jews who pretended to be Catholics during the Inquisition). Most of the women she knows went to the march. Dennis' first question was, "Are they happy people." She thought a bit, and said, "Well, they're very well educated, and very deep." "That's not what I asked," he said. "Are they happy?" "No. For some reason they believe they are victims." "Of what?" he asked. "I don't know, and they don't either--I've asked but they turn on me if I ask for facts."  And then she went on.  “Most are not married, or if they are, they don’t have children.”  I think there has been research that single, Democratic women look to the government to take care of them since they don’t have a spouse or children.

Another woman called in who had been on public transportation in DC and watched large numbers of women headed for the march. She observed and heard the obscenities and the gross signs they were carrying. "How can they object to Trump being crude," she asked, "when they are behaving so badly in public?"

Bill on the economy

Bill and I went to high school together; don't think I ever talked to him then.  He has an email list made up of Mt. Morris people, and people he knew in business.  Here's what he says about the current economy.

"April earnings are driven by two factors.  The economy is growing at AROUND 3 % AND THE WORLD ECONOMIES ARE GROWING but at not a 3% rate, but growing.  Corporate taxes will be down substantially.  The 21% is the announced rate but some will be less.  Also corporations can now expense  capital expense 100% immediately which is huge.  Normally that write off takes a few years.   People's incomes are now growing.  Wages were up 2.5% a few months ago and will be higher when announced at for the time period December 31.  Obama put 10 trillion of debt on the country.   The Trump administration has avoided debt at this point.  The total size of government is now lower as all cabinet members have reduced their areas of responsibility.  All the bitching by the lefties over the state dept. cutting back is real as the hiring freeze for all departments work.  The lefties feel this is a negative while those of us who worked in the private sector understand how cut backs in bloated organizations make them more efficient and better communicators.  The lowest cut back I have hear is 1% while the biggest cut back I heard was 6%, but again all participated.  Never heard of the size of the U.S.A. government going down, amazing. I wonder if the country and the U.S.A. voters will ever realize the private sector people in government as opposed by career politicians and academia is very much different as to accountability and results. "  

                                                                                  Bill

John Corby, 61, dies

https://www.10tv.com/article/610-wtvn-radio-host-john-corby-dies-61

What a shock.  He's been on Columbus radio for years--obviously not as long as we've lived here (50 years), but I can't remember when I didn't listen to him, usually in the car, usually he was talking about the local scene, what restaurants were good, and "how about those Buckeyes." He had a great audience rapport and kept up the banter taking phone calls.

"With deep shock and sadness we report that long time afternoon host John Corby on News Radio 610 WTVN died unexpectedly Saturday morning. January 20th, 2018. He was 61." 610 WTVN

Request for reviews is up

I'm not up on publishing cycles, but yesterday I received at least 10 review offers, including children's books, interview opportunities, contemporary music, and one Phd student who needs more for her survey (it was for journalists, so I wrote back and told her a blogger is not a journalist and I was too old). Is this the Trump Bump or is it always like this in January and I've forgotten? A selection of the offers:

. I'm writing to introduce author, presidential expert, and leadership-architect Cash Keahey and his new book EIGHT LEADERTYPES IN THE WHITE HOUSE. 

Kids are growing up in a technological environment, and knowing how to make the best use of good tech is a critical part of preparing them for their future lives. Important 21st century skills such as problem solving, communication and creativity can also be improved with the use of great tech.

launch of author Kim Chaffin's new book  'Simply Blessed: Finding Joy in the Little Things

www.wycliffe.org/community  Yes, its a 7-day digital devotional released as part of the "A Call to Community" campaign for Q1, the landing page 

Donald Lee Sheppard quickly rose through the ranks of major international benefits consulting companies before launching his own employee communications firm, Sheppard Associates. In his new book  The Dividends Of Decency: How Values-Based Leadership will Help Business Flourish in Trump’s America 

In Road Rules for Retirement, Mark shares the many challenges you will face getting to and through retirement. He reveals the many risks you must know about and account for to make sure you never outlive your money. 

Having worked for thirty-five years as a cameraman and producer for every major U.S. television news network and the Foreign Press Corps, Tim Ortman understands firsthand the television news production process with over three decades of experience shooting, lighting, editing, writing, story editing, and producing.   Newsreal: A View Through the Lens When… [Incorgnito Publishing Press, May 2018].

This spring, the University of Notre Dame Press will publish Flannery O'Connor and Robert Giroux: A PublishingPartnership by Patrick Samway, S.J. Flannery O'Connor is considered one of America's greatest fiction writers.

AMIE Cut for Life is a page-turning work of suspenseful fiction that tells the truth about human sex trafficking and female genital mutilation.   At least 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone ritual cutting.  Currently, there is an alarming rise of female genital mutilation in America.

I appreciate you're busy but I just wanted to follow up on the email I sent you the other day; a copy is included below for reference. Here’s the link - http://ammo.com/articles/founding-fathers-quotes

Please let me know if you would like to interview the contest coordinators or need additional giveaway details. https://gives.rockyridgetrucks.com/.  

Dr. Ward is available for an interview, to write an article or to provide commentary on this topic.  Please let me know if you are interested. 

MacDuffie just finished narrating “Unf*ckology” by humorous advice columnist Amy Alkon, which is slated for release this month. She also narrated a documentary about leopards, which will air on the Smithsonian channel later this year. She will soon be narrating Sue Monk Kidd’s latest book, “Dance of the Dissident Daughter: My Journey from Christianity to the Sacred Feminine”; followed by a collection of sharp and elegant essays on faith, values and history by Pulitzer-Prize and National Book-Award-winning novelist Marilynne Robinson.

As it turns out, the old, tired trope that "single life sucks" has passed its expiration date and is ready to be washed down the drain. In her new book, SINGLE GIRL PROBLEMS: Why Being Single Isn't a Problem to be Solved, relationship expert and co-host of Canada's award-winning, beloved national talk show The Goods ANDREA BAIN shares her fresh, insightful, and humorous voice to spill the beans on single life. 

Friday meme--fun to play

CAN YOU FILL THIS OUT WITHOUT LYING?

This was on Facebook, so links may not work for you.

HT Jane Baird Lathem, a Methodist pastor’s wife—would she lie?

1. What was the last thing you put in your mouth?
-water-

2. Where was your profile pic taken?
-home of Jeanne Poisal-

3. Worst physical pain you’ve experienced?
-giving birth-spinal block, but mouth surgery is a close 2nd

4. Favorite place you've been?
-Italy-

5. How late did you stay up last night?
-11:00 p.m.- (This is really rare.)

6. If you could move somewhere else, where would you move to?
-Not sure—nice vacation/retirement places in Missouri--

7. Which of your Facebook friends lives the closest to you?
-Jan Bradley/Joyce Johnson (both neighbors)

8. When was the last time you cried?
-don’t remember-

9. Who took your profile picture?
-Jeanne Poisal or maybe Joanie Poynter-

11. What's your favorite season?
-Summer-at Lakeside, of course

12. If you could have any career, what would it be?
-Researcher, sort of what I do now-

13. What was the last book you read?
-Worst Hard Time- book club selection, didn't like it

14. If you could talk to ANYONE right now who would it be?
- My Mother, d. 2000-

15. Are you a good influence? –relative to what or whom?-

16. Does pineapple belong on a pizza?
-oh yes, if there is ham and cheese on it--

17. You have the remote, what channel will you choose?
- HGTV, Fox if Tucker is on-

18. 2 people who you think will play.
-Dianne, Dave-

19. Last concert you attended?
-New Year’s Eve Jazz concert at UALC-

20. Favorite type of food
-my mother’s-plain, Midwest, comfort, and especially her pies-

California's poverty rate--highest in the nation

"It’s not as if California policymakers have neglected to wage war on poverty. Sacramento and local governments have spent massive amounts in the cause, for decades now. Myriad state and municipal benefit programs overlap with one another; in some cases, individuals with incomes 200 percent above the poverty line receive benefits, according to the California Policy Center. California state and local governments spent nearly $958 billion from 1992 through 2015 on public welfare programs, including cash-assistance payments, vendor payments, and “other public welfare,” according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Unfortunately, California, with 12 percent of the American population, is home today to roughly one in three of the nation’s welfare recipients. The generous spending, then, has not only failed to decrease poverty; it actually seems to have made it worse."

City Journal

For the musicians in my life

The president's health and the media

"President Donald Trump's in-house doctor reported Tuesday that the President is in excellent health and mentally fit to perform the duties of his office. This is unconditionally good news for the country, but a setback for non-doctors in the media who have been pronouncing our duly-elected President a “neo-fascist sociopath” or at least a “sick man” who is “not mentally stable.” " Wall St. Journal, James Freeman

And now, fat shaming.

"President Trump gets a physical and is found to be in very good health. He even takes a test to measure his cognitive ability and is found fit. Good news, right? Well, evidently the MSM thinks there MUST be a mistake. They questioned the doctor thoroughly. They asked, “since he is obese don’t you find that concerning?” The doctor replied that Trump is not obese. They wanted to know if the cognitive test covered signs of early stages of Alzheimer’s. They doctor assured them his mental capabilities are fine. They just wouldn’t stop. President Obama smoked and drank but those things NEVER came up in a briefing about his health.....now, why is that.....hmmmmmmm!!!" Jane Baird Lathem, blogger and Facebook friend.

Another sign the Democrats are losing it, along with their cronies in the media. But obviously, it's never going to stop. They are the crazy ones. Next, it will be the color of his ties, or his hair comb over, or his time on the golf course, oh wait, they've done that one.

Sanctimony and smears

"Foul-mouthed journalists get to pronounce on Trump’s “vulgarity,” pundits who wish him dead comment on his “hate-filled” heart, and pols and celebrities who announce their desire to beat him up are nevertheless treated as experts on presidential “temperance.” "

https://spectator.org/government-by-sanctimony-and-smears/?

California has the highest poverty rate in the country!

I heard this on the radio today and couldn't believe it, but here it is in the Orange County Register.
https://www.ocregister.com/2017/09/25/california-leads-the-nation-in-poverty/

How can it be that a state which is (I've heard) the 5th largest economy in the world, that has the film and TV industry locked down, that has the tech businesses controlling our lives, that is a lovely tourist attraction both artificial and natural, that has a fabulous climate, gracious purple mountain majesty as well as the amber waves of grain, or at least broccoli and garlic fields, that has all the diversity of race and creed that we are always told is desirable. How? Why?

While the rest of the country is blossoming under President Trump, California is dead last in business expansion. Socialism on the cusp. Environmentalism and climate change hype run amuck. Regulations stifling business out the wazoo. And governor Moonbeam.

Victor Davis Hanson explains how this has happened incrementally.  https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/20/mismanagement-in-california-means-heavy-price-for-/

Oregon's assisted suicide law by Joni Eareckson Tada

Joni Eareckson Tada, Agoura Hills, Calif., Jan. 16, 2018
http://www.joniandfriends.org/blog/oregon-assisted-suicide-law/

"Ever since the 1990s when Oregon passed its Death with Dignity Act, I've been working to de-grease its slippery slope. Under the law, physicians may give lethal drugs to patients with terminal illnesses who want to end their lives. The law's proponents have insisted it could only be offered to those who had 6 months or less to live, and was a safety valve when nothing else could be done to alleviate suffering. But not so anymore.

"The Oregon Health Authority (which studies and keeps records on the Death with Dignity Act) now says, 'the law is best seen as a permissive law... it does not compel patients to have exhausted all treatment options, or to continue current treatment.... If the patient decides they don't want treatment, that is their choice.' In an eerie tone, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) said the law is 'silent on whether the patient must exhaust all treatment options.'

"This spells bad news for people with chronic conditions such as muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, ALS, or even diabetes. Many people with chronic conditions rely on medication or other supports to enable them to live for decades. But what if people with disabilities begin to despair of their condition? What if insurance runs out? Citing an example, the OHA said that if you are a diabetic in Oregon and decide to forgo insulin injections, you could qualify for a lethal prescription under the state's physician-assisted suicide law.

"It is true that no one with diabetes has yet taken advantage of this new interpretation of the law, but the door is now open, inviting any Oregonian despairing of his disabling condition to test the law's new interpretation and request assisted suicide. Such cases are already successful in Canada and in Western Europe, showing how slick the slope is in Western industrialized nations.

"This is one reason why I recently revised my book When Is It Right to Die? I wanted to give Christ-followers a keen understanding of the arguments surrounding physician-assisted suicide, as well as give them language for articulating a biblical worldview on life, no matter how disabled or elderly one's life might be. People are not 'better off dead than disabled,' and life is worth living until God decides it is time.

"Christians can provide life-encouraging alternatives to assisted suicide by providing hands-on support to persons with disabilities who are despairing of their lives. Christians can ascribe positive meaning to a person's affliction, prevent social isolation, help them deal with depression, provide spiritual community, and, in short, be a friend. This is compassionate care; not the administration of lethal drugs.

"In 1997 the US Supreme Court ruled that there was no inherent 'right to die' in the U.S. Constitution. But that did not stop states from creating legislation based on people's perception of a 'right' to die. Oregon was the first state to legalize physician-assisted suicide for mentally competent people with terminal illnesses. California, Colorado, Vermont and Washington also have enacted similar laws based on the Oregon model (Montana's Supreme Court ruled that nothing in state law prevents physicians from helping terminally ill patients end their lives).

"People who feel overwhelmed by their chronic medical conditions do not need assisted-suicide; they need treatment for depression, good pain management, social community, support, help, hope, and a purpose for living. Christians have the message that gives life meaning, and helps people grasp that life is worth living. I pray Christians will do all they can to expose the dangers behind this new and chilling interpretation of a terminal illness."