Mitt the Moderate

There is less substantive difference between Mitt Romney and our current President Barack Hussein Obama than dear old Mitt would like to have you believe. Romney is also the only Republican candidate who can not criticize Obamacare with a straight face, having imposed an almost identical program on those in Massachusetts. Romney even lacks the foreign policy and military background of the last GOP nominee who failed, Arizona Senator John McCain. If nominated, Romney will be hard pressed to differentiate himself from Obama as both are progressive, Big Government, anti-gun, and pro-gay. When conservatism would win, why nominate a candidate who is only claiming greater competence than Obama as the strength of his campaign?

Escaping the Saint

(Note: This column has nothing whatsoever to do with the Roger Moore series from the Sixties.) My Father has finally been discharged from St. Thomas. He is now in the hands of "skilled care" but remains critically ill, weak, and in mortal danger. Dad is in a "Christian" facility about five miles from our home. I thank those who have supported us and declare prayer has helped immensely and is still urgently requested.

Another Unbelievable Day

The situation becomes intolerable when medical professionals charged with saving life become cavalier or worse yet, antagonistic to that mission. This goes beyond offending the families of patients to actually compromising patient safety. Suffice it to say since my Father's admission to St. Thomas in Nashville, Tennessee, these have become the most trying days of my life.

Now New Hampshire

A state that should be statistically-irrelevant due to lack of population alone has suddenly taken on enormous importance- that state being New Hampshire- and the reason being that it is the first state where the actual votes count as it is a primary rather than an arcane caucus. New Hampshire used to be a bedrock of traditional values but still with a libertarian streak and a great deal of independence-mindedness. Now, the state has become somewhat infested with hippy types from Massachusetts and New York state who found their former states of residence too constraining for their "live free" lifestyles. These new New Hampshire voters may participate in the GOP primary because they wish to throw a monkey wrench into the Republican works or because they are actually simpatico with Ron Paul's radical libertarianism. No serious impediment exists in the Granite State to break Mitt Romney's momentum as he was the Governor of a neighboring state and has expended considerable time and resources in New Hampshire to hold his support there. As New Hampshire lacks Christian conservatives in large numbers, the primary does not look promising for Rick Santorum. Jon Huntsman is playing all or none in the state but even if his finish is better than predicted, his campaign is doomed to crash in South Carolina and Florida, Southern states that will not abide a moderate. Newt Gingrich does not seem to be striking accord with voters, and Ron Paul will continue to attract the "troubled twenty" percent of conspiracy theorists and Jew-haters. I think Romney romps when the ballots are all counted later this week.

A Friend Passes

Johnny Bacon died last night. We did not have the privilege of his acquaintance until his stay in St. Thomas Hospital, that turned out to be his last. His family are among the most welcoming, generous folk we have ever met, and I know they are devastated. We will keep Johnny and his lovely wife Judy, and wonderful (now adult) children in our prayers.

A Sleepless Saturday

Some distressing events have transpired during my Dad's stay in Nashville's St. Thomas Hospital. We tried to stay positive but have reached the point where what is happening to my Father (and the rest of the family) is no longer tolerable. We will be transferring to a different facility as soon as possible.

Not So Good

While many staff members have been diligent and professional in the care of my Father, others have been less so. Certain physicians have discouraged us all along from further intervention to preserve Dad's life and even questioned what my Dad had left to do, leaving us to justify his continuing existence. One physician said he could deliver Father "a gentle exit", which to me is precariously close to euthanasia. One nurse has compromised my Dad's prospect for recovery, if not survival, missing a scheduled blood sugar check on Sunday, allowing Father's sugar to fall to thirty-four (34) in an intensive care unit, causing or worsening his situational psychosis and leaving the door closed to his room, enabling him to extricate himself from soft restraints and detach both his trache collar and tube later that same day. The same registered nurse treated him today, and we had further issues. I pray we make the right decisions regarding my Father's future treatment but I see no way to remain at St. Thomas.