Thursday, July 26, 2007

[1775 - Benjamin Franklin appointed Postmaster and US Postal system established by 2nd Continental Congress]

[1788 - New York votes to ratify the Constitution of the United States, becomes eleventh state]

[1847 - Joseph Jenkins Roberts declares Liberia an independent republic]

[1856 - George Bernard Shaw, Nobel Laureate, playwright, critic, born in Dublin, Ireland]

[1894 - Aldous (Leonard) Huxley, philosopher, satirist, author, born in Godalming, Surrey, England]

[1895 - Gracie (Grace Ethel Cecile Rosalie) Allen, comedian, actress, born in San Francisco]

[1908 - Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) founded by U.S. Attorney General Bonaparte]

[1922 - Jason Robards, Jr., actor, born in Chicago]

[1928 - Stanley Kubrick, director, born in New York City]

[1947 - President Truman signs the National Security Act]

Voodoo Medicine?

According to a survey published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, (July 2005 issue), fifty-five percent of doctors say their religious beliefs influence how they practice medicine. This news should concern us, whatever our religious persuasion. If one is seeking spiritual advice it matters little that a potential advisor has medical training. Similarly, if one requires the services of a neurosurgeon, one hopes that the doctor would leave his religious beliefs at home, and instead bring to the operating theater all his skill and knowledge of medical science, unencumbered by personal religious convictions.

William's Whimsical Words:

More than one religious group uses mind-altering drugs as an important part of ritual and spiritual experience. Should your doctor develop the munchies in the middle of your surgery, it may not be a good sign or a confidence builder.

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