question because I'm feeling pensive

If someone refers to someone as "the colored girl", is the person being racist? Is the person a racist intentionally or is the behavior ingrained that it's just comes out naturally? Is the ingrained behavior inherently racist? If they are able to change their wording, are they still racist (if they were in the first place)? If they have these issues of race flying through their minds when confronting an issue, does that make them evil or bad? Does it then make you evil or bad if you love that person (wife, mother, father, husband, boyfriend, cousin, brother, sister, grandfather, etc?)

I overheard that statement (about the "colored girl") at church last Sunday, and I don't think it was meant with any ill-intent, but the only way this person knew how to describe the girl in question. But it brought up all sorts of questions I asked to myself, which is why I'm posting it here.

I guess the question is "where does racism begin and end?"

George Carlin

I still find him pretty damn funny.

meh

I don't really believe in fate or mystical roadsigns, but I feel like I'm being nudged by events to do something for cancer prevention or cures or advocacy, or even advocacy in general for patients.

Dad's Health - More

I doubt I'll update regularly about him, but every once in a while I'll post something.

Yesterday he had a port put in, a biopsy, and a feeding tube inserted into his stomach. Right now he's uncomfortably resting with the help of morphine, though I doubt it's enough. I'm lucky I didn't have surgery like that.

When the doctor says words like invasive, infiltrative, or metastatic, it's rarely a good thing. "Hey, guess what! You've got metastatic esophogeal cancer! Ain't life grand? Now shut up and empty your feeding tube." They still aren't sure if surgery is the right option on the tumor in his neck, but they are pretty sure about radiation and chemotherapy. Most likely an aggressive treatment of chemo and radiation in the same day, every day (or breaks from chemo). He'll be transported from the VA daily for treatment to Philadelphia. I don't know which hospital, but my guess lies with either UPENN or Jefferson. I guess there is a special arrangement with the VA about insurance.

Since my dad retired early, he hasn't had "insurance". He signed up for a health "insurance" saving plan or discount plan, but it didn't cover CT Scans or anything important. He isn't eligible for Medicare until November. However, that could change. Since he was in the army (late sixties), he was eligible for VA care. So that's where he is.

He is nervous, and his main concern is to be able to take his (oldest) grandson fishing this summer.

Ascendancy

Just going through my geneology. . . I found a folder of geneology stuff that was sent to me by a distant relative about twelve years ago.

So I am Brett M, son of Frank R (Joan), son of Russell (Rose), son of Isaac Saunders (Mary Francis), son of James (Mary), son of Frederick (Phebe), son of Henirich Faber (Elizabeth), who was born in Germany (Pfalz-Rhineland) in 1721 and entered Philadelphia in 1747. Two of his sons - one being Frederick - fought in the Revolutionary War and are listed in the Pension Rolls.

That is all.