The Perfect Storm

In 1991 there was a storm, some called "The Perfect Storm". So intense was this storm that it was even made into a motion picture.

The NOAA people who are responsible for the forecasting of such events defined it as "a collision between a high pressure system, a low pressure system and the remnants from a dying hurricane" that created immense waves averaging 50 feet or higher with great waves as high as 100 feet on occasion. In its wake it devasted fishing off the Nova Scotia coast and cost the lives of several people.

It may sound odd, but I have always likened myself to the Perfect Storm. I am, at heart, a dying hurricane that creates pressure systems around me. It may sound strange but this has been the case a long long time. Since nature made me, as it created that storm, I hold no ill will towards myself, but often have to look back at the devastation I leave in my wake as I pass though. Much as a storm does, only I seem to be extraordinarily good at it and hence become in my mind "The Perfect Storm".

If ever you watch the news after a storm like this passes through, and maybe Hurricane Katrina is a good example, you will find there are people who "feel they have lost everything, feel they have to start again. Those who accept the storm and commit to rebuilding, those who recognize it is a force of nature that is unchangable and accept their present situation with resolve. There are also those who blame the government as though somehow they created the storm or are completely responsible for the aftermath".

A storm is a force of nature. It is neither good nor bad at its core. It is only put on a path that can lead it directly into harms way, or sometimes out into the harmless ocean.

In my case, most of my life is spent in the ocean, blowing around where there are no people. I am content with that, and since nature put me there, I accept that direction. But sometimes, I am turned inward toward land and when I hit it starts as a rain shower, grows to a thunderstorm, then to me. In my wake, I often leave little left to salvage. If I could control nature, I would prefer it sent me into the ocean all the time. But it is unrealistic to think a human being can spend a life isolated from people. Unless that choice is made consciously. I have made such choices in the past, but have hit the great natural resistance any storm would face if it had the ability to change its course or dimensions. It would cease to be itself. Nature returns its stability by turning it back into what it wanted it to be in the first place, a storm. In the case of "The Perfect Storm" in human form everything is exactly the same, only it gives up trying after a while to battle nature to change. Nature then makes it stronger. The results can be acceptable or devasting depending of where and when and who is affected.

I am that Perfect Storm in human condition. I leave destruction in my path most time when I go through, but there are some who accept THAT I am WHAT I am. That aside from a lot of blowing wind and tough structure, I am unchangable and consisitent when conditions are right."

It is fancy way of saying I fail more than I succeed, but being a product of Nature I can only act myself and cannot change who I am. It is also a fancy way of saying that most of my life has been isolated from those who can't see me for who I am or dismiss me outright. But that is Nature, and who am I to argue with things more powerful than I am.

In the End I am unsure where I belong. I no longer have the strength to fight nature and accept whatever direction it points me in.

From Hesiod of Ancient Greece

Behold, thou mayest choose vice very easily,
even in heaps; for the path is plain, and she dwells very near.

But before excellence the immortal gods have place the sweat and toil;
long and steep is the road that leads to her, and rough it is at first;
but when you reach the height then truly is it easy,
though so hard before.

Thoughts of Closeness

Thinking does many things to a person. I don't mean academics but thoughts of purpose. Of what we are here for, what we hope for, what we endeavour to have. I struggled a bit with this one, but wrote what I thought how it came with, naturally, a poetic attempt. Its about being close to someone. I haven't a poetic title to give it. It just seems that it is might not be what most people think, when they think at all about what ultimately is important. I hope it makes sense...

True closeness does not originate from decreasing distance.
True closeness does not demand to see and touch one another.
Somebody can be right next to you and yet be not close to you at all.
Just as somebody far away still can be so close to you.
The opposite of loneliness is not togetherness but intimacy.
Real closeness is closeness between two hearts.
Yet real closeness cuts both ways.
At no time you are as vulnerable as you are when loving somebody.
Nobody could betray you the way your best friend could.
Nobody could ever hurt you as much as the people closest to you.

True closeness knows nothing about barriers and armors.
True closeness knows nothing about secrets.
True closeness reveals all weaknesses, exposes all sore points, total access to heart and soul.

In a way defenseless, at the mercy of the people you love.
True friends however recognize and protect your weaknesses.
Their closeness to your heart is the shield to protect you,
Their knowledge about your sore points is the sword to fight for you.
Heart to Heart
Back to Back protecting one another
twice as strong together and being close forever...

This is what I feel everyday. I am not a sentimental person in most aspects of my life. But I am practical. This covers both aspects I think.

Egyptian 20th Dynasty 1205 -1100 B.C.

Civilizations existed in entire regions of the world long before the birth of Christ, which symbolizes our modern Calendar. I am currently studying the worlds civilization that are of note since time began. Or, at least, when man began recording time. Occasionally there are items of interest, not academic, that grab my attention. In the 20th dynasty of Egyptian civilization when artist poetry began, there was recorded the following which grabbed my attention...

The love of my beloved leaps on the bank of the stream.
A crocodile lies in the shadows;
Yet I go down into the water, and breast the wave.
My courage is high on the stream,
And the water is as land to my feet.
It is her love that makes me strong.
She is a book of spells to me.
When I behold my beloved coming my heart is glad,
My arms are spread apart to embrace her;
My heart rejoices forever...since my beloved came.
When I embrace her I am as one who is in Incense Land,
As one who carries perfumes,
And I am made merry without beer.
Would that I were her Negress slave who is in attendance on her;
So should I behold the hue of all her limbs.

It is intriguing that over 3000 years ago, the thought process of this civilization with war all around, evolving intelligences, that they still found time to express themselves as such.

21 Insights

21 Lessons to Live I try to live by...

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills w ill be as important as any other.
THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
FOUR. When you say, "I love you," mean it.
FIVE. When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.
SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.
EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dream. People who don't have dreams don't have much.
NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.
TEN.. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.
TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.
THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"
FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
FIFTEEN. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.
SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and responsibility for all your actions.
EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
TWENTY-ONE. Spend some time alone.

Stem Cell Research

Stem Cell Research

To begin a discussion of a topic like Stem Cell research one must first look to the past and the accomplishments of man within the concept of the human body and more specifically that involving areas and elements of conception. There are those in our world today who condemn Stem Cell research under the assumption that man is on the verge of playing God as such research is refined.

It is a fact that similar controversy existed during the 1970's when invitro-fertilization was first introduced for infertile couples. At the other end of that spectrum we find the argument, ever continuing in society, regarding Abortion. These two extremes have to be explored as well if we are to speak of Stem Cell research. Specifcially Embryonic Stem Cell research. Why embryonic? Simple answer. There are two types of stem cells, embryonic and adult. It is these distinctions and these topics I wish to speak of as well as the future of medicine and how I believe it is in great perile should any society abandon the study of embryonic stem cell research because of religious or conception based beliefs.

The first fact any individual must acknowledge in Western society, since we embrace the belief that a woman's body is her own and her choice to do with it as she sees fit. This goes to the heart of two aspects of this research. Abortion involves the destruction of an embryo, and is in our society of the west a LEGAL procedure. Embryonic stem cell research requires embryos in order to further its potential.

What is embryonic stem cell research and what does it mean? How does it differ from adult stem cell research? These answers are simple, but to explain we must define the cellualar development of the human body.

Everyday our body creates and destroys cells. A simple example is the thirty day cycle within which the entire epedermis (or skin) of a human being will re-create itself as it abandons cells by creating new ones. This includes the healing of cuts, sunburns, abrasions, and simple everyday replenishment by nutrtional requirements. Our skin is the largest organ of the human body and, as I mentioned, replenishes itself by killing and growing new cells every month. It is fair to say, then, that it is a natural process that the human body will create and destroy cells as it needs to. This is not a man made event, not even a Godly event. It is a biological function of our bodies.

During the process of Abortion, we are eliminating an embryo that is capable of creating a human being. Even without the introduction of sperm for the purpose of creation, a woman's body will monthly destroy an embryo during menstration. This is, again, a biological fuction. Abortion is only introduced in the event that sperm has penetrated this embryo and created the "potential" for creation. Of which, even with such penetration, only a thirty percent chance of actual conception will occur. The destruction of this event during Abortion relieves the woman of that thirty percent possibility. Abortion is considered legal and safe since it has never been agreed upon as to when fertilization of an embryo is actually considered the creation of a human being. However, it is generally accepted that a human being does not come into form until the third trimester of pregnancy. This is why, up to that time Abortion is considered a legal medical procedure. It is also these probilities and time that make human life so sacred.

What if that embryo cited for destruction could be saved and used for medical research? This is question not easy to answer unless I write a book, but it does introduce the idea that if embryo's slated for Abortion were saved, there would be a great deal of material available for research. It might also serve to expand the idea of freedom of choice by adding a "positive" to the end of this current legal medical procedure. Many women wonder later if they made a mistake having had an abortion. Others that might just be relieved to know that they are, at least, doing something to futher medicine. Afterall, currently the embryo is destroyed and discarded after the abortion is complete. What if it could help cure someone of an injury or birth defect? Someday maybe it can. This is only possible with stem cell research.

What is the distinction though and why can we not just use existing adult stem cells? This answer is simple. An adult stem cell has already received instructions during the creation process to become a part of the body. An arm, a leg, a lung, a spinal cord etc.
Embryonic stem cells have not yet received any such instruction. This is why they are the only hope for specific medical treatment. If such cells could be told to become an arm, a leg, a lung or a spinal cord then we might just be able to supplement or create the necessary cells that would cure ( CURE! ) the maladies of so many human beings that we could never count that high. This would be without the use of medications, invasive procedures, or surgery. Simply the planting of cells and the stimulation to have them create, repair, or replace defective cells in all aspects of the human body. Imagine for a moment a person dying of cancer, but having the ability to grow new cells to replace those cells being killed. Maybe a person who is compelled to stay in a wheel chair the rest of their life might rise and walk again. Someone born blind or blinded by diabetes can be made to see again? Maybe diabetes could be illiminated. Maybe Aids. Maybe...maybe...maybe.
Is that not the ultimate purpose of medicine? Or is it playing God as some simple minds would define such research. To me, it would be tradgedy and against the natural wishes or nature and/or God to allow these people to suffer. We complain daily how God allows so much suffering in the world? This might just relieve some of that. People die everyday and we think nothing of it. Maybe, just maybe, we would learn again to treasure life.

During the time when invitro-fertilization was first introduced, many suggested the medical profession was playing God. Yet today, it has allowed people incapable of conceiving a child to do precisely that. To raise a family. It has become a normal, routine part of child birthing options for infertile couples. Is that playing God? By planting sperm in an embryo? Not by today's standards, but in the 1970's it was precisely that. It was a science that succeeded amidst a bombardment of protest.

Today, we can clone just about anything we want. From Dogs, to Goats, even plants. There are those who think we can even clone a human being. Not to mention that during the cloning process we can genetically alter them anyway we choose. New plants with odd shapes and colors. Animals with various skin tones ( like the pig with green feet and nose ). The only unanswered question of cloning is how long a clone might live and in what condition. This will take time to discover, and we will, but presently that answer is not available.

Dolly, the first cloned sheep for example is currently showing signs of arthritis. Given this clones age, it is unusual for a sheep to have arthritis at this time in it's life cycle. What other elements or defects of clones will present themselves, only time will tell. Besides which, it is tough enough to transplant organs that one would consider a clone a medical solution to most of the solutions stem cell research would solve.

But what is a Stem Cell and how does this whole thing work. In her book ...

Human Embryonic Stem Cells: An Introduction to the Science and Therapeutic Potential

Ann Kiesling discusses in detail the concept of Stem Cell research. Its medical and ethical implications and ultimately what it can mean for medicine. To simplify; Stem cells are primal undifferentiated cells which retain the ability to differentiate into other cell types. This ability allows them to act as a repair system for the body, replenishing other cells as long as the organism is alive.

Medical researchers believe stem cell research has the potential to change the face of human disease by being used to repair specific tissues or to grow organs. Yet as government reports point out, "significant technical hurdles remain that will only be overcome through years of intensive research.". This is the crux of what it can do and what such research should allow it to do.

To summarize in ways much better than I can, I would suggest you read the article in Wikipedia.com on Stem Cells. It is a basic introduction to this research and I would encourage anyone, whatever your beliefs, to educate yourself and decide for yourself.

Follow the link and read objectively. There are enough fools in this world, too much believe that although God gave the human mind the ability to come up with concepts like this that we should not use them. If it is man's destiny to replace God, if he truly exists, than as far as I am concerned this was his intention to begin with. As a parent lets a child go, it is time for man to move beyond the supernatural and use nature for our own benefit. Unless you believe that things like Chemotherapy and Wheel Chairs, not to mention pharmaceuticals are natural, then YOU need therapy.

I am sure God would prefer we use the tools nature provided, under scientific discovery to help ourselves. It was enough that we invented atomic weapons, that we should ever be prevented from allowing stem cell reasearch to continue in the right way. Here in the west are the tools, money and expertise that will provide the quickest deployment of the medical use of stem cells. Imagine a world without disease...because it is possible to anyone who has the imagination and the intelligence to understand that we are within the grasp of what may be the intentions of nature and the almighty.

Today in the United States, the country best suited for this research, embryonic stem cell research is not being conducted since only so many cells were made available and they ended up being contaminated. They need help, it is up to the rest of the world to step up to the plate and force this issue. People die, that is a fact of life, but let us at least try to make it as natural a death as possible. For me, disease is an aberration and not something we need deal with. If we can unlock the power of the very universe with our weapons of war, we can illiminate disease and in doing that help many others to get up, see, and benefit.

LET YOUR GOVERNMENT KNOW WHERE YOU STAND ON EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH


Here is the link to Wikipedia...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem_cell