tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73028774215655809672024-03-13T02:34:13.858-05:00THE SECOND CHANCE SHEEPDOGThe Second Chance Sheepdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341477610473382509noreply@blogger.comBlogger744125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302877421565580967.post-46476302878423680602021-06-04T17:38:00.001-05:002021-06-04T17:50:42.919-05:00Rule 91 and the End of an Era<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>Rule 91 -</span></span></span></b></u></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>"When you decide to walk away, don't look back."</span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, <i>NCIS</i></span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> Season 18 Finale on CBS May 25th, 2021</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></b> <br /></span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Sheepdog's very first blog post hit the blogosphere on July 4, 2009. Since then, 744 more posts, including this one, have landed here and, as of today, they've been viewed over 318,000 times. Not bad for an amateur.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Back in December 2017, I announced I was retiring this blog (<b><a href="https://thesecondchancesheepdog.blogspot.com/2017/12/the-last-growl.html" target="_blank">here</a></b>). Then, 4 months later, I did my best Brett Favre imitation and un-retired it (<b><a href="https://thesecondchancesheepdog.blogspot.com/2018/04/just-call-me.html" target="_blank">here</a></b>). </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_-CDsqud5wGgOd6iZ_Mq8BNNNAACy1mTzV84t-IEnXn9wAVkKyX3nQbkkim9PRvJE3SNZ0pZ9kKtPl0hAUnQ0orApT5zunbBR_ra9R0c0-gcIMFMF6NgArIzsuuWEeANoURAkAGbXsA/s568/canvas2.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="568" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_-CDsqud5wGgOd6iZ_Mq8BNNNAACy1mTzV84t-IEnXn9wAVkKyX3nQbkkim9PRvJE3SNZ0pZ9kKtPl0hAUnQ0orApT5zunbBR_ra9R0c0-gcIMFMF6NgArIzsuuWEeANoURAkAGbXsA/w320-h282/canvas2.png" width="320" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">During the nearly 12 years the 2nd Chance Sheepdog has prowled the blogosphere, many of you have received my posts via a free email subscription service provided by Feedburner, owned by Google. A few weeks ago, I received notice from Google stating that the email service will end in July as they will cease supporting it. In other words, emails of my posts will no longer go out. </span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Over the years of writing this blog, whenever I've had a technical issue, Google customer service and assistance have been nonexistent. Plus, Zemanta, which I relied on, went away a few years ago, and now it's the Feedburner emails' turn, apparently. There's been numerous helpful widgets also go away during the blog's tenure. It's gotten frustrating, but since Blogger is free, Google has no incentive to make it a priority. I get that, and I'm ok with it. It's Google's platform - they can do with it as they wish.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've considered moving the blog to a different platform, such as Wordpress, but building a blog is a ton of work, and I'm honestly just not interested in doing it a 2nd time. So, with the latest notice from Google, I've come full circle to where I was in December 2017 - it's time to, in accordance with Gibbs' Rule 91, walk away and not look back. No Brett Favre-ing this time. My blogging career is over.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm eternally grateful to everyone who has faithfully supported this endeavor by reading, commenting, and providing input during it's lifetime. Some of you are family, some are friends, and some are fellow transplant recipients. Others are people I met through politics and advocacy for organ and tissue donation. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">A few others provided technical support 12 years ago that was vital in taking an idea and turning it into this reality. As I'm sure they'd rather remain anonymous, I'll only mention them by their initials here - AC & EE - thank you! This site never would've existed without you.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are things in the blog's history that I'm proud of and others that I'm not. If I could do it all over, most of the political posts would have never been written. I wish I'd spent more time writing about organ and tissue donation advocacy than that garbage. I wish the only political posts written would've been ones concerning legislation about organ and tissue donation. Politics as a whole is evil and destroying our country. Hatefulness, fighting, and arguing are at pandemic levels. All any of it does is fan the flames of division, and the political posts I wrote did a lot of fanning. I regret them tremendously.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">In fact, in full disclosure - over the last 15 months during the pandemic, I've had a few such posts written and was ready to click "Publish". Only thing missing was a final review and the inclusion of a picture. What I was gonna say in those posts needed to be said. No one else was saying it, but I realized those posts wouldn't change anything or anyone's mind but would just be more "flame-fanning". So, even though I'd spent hours writing them, I deleted them and held my tongue. Perhaps some others out there should try doing the same. Just because you have "free speech" and can say something, it doesn't necessarily mean you should.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9XvVAUebcX7tS0C_aluBlaJUUb6KjfbER8WBYfx3yG8AbcITAVs1nK8MmK8v160TYZspH1Vx2YDL2GsbGdoDc4qR1i0ynHE23Lj5O0Tm6ic-CBdgsxIUzlekfxbSM536L1ACI9lSMwY/s272/Capture.PNG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="272" data-original-width="268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9XvVAUebcX7tS0C_aluBlaJUUb6KjfbER8WBYfx3yG8AbcITAVs1nK8MmK8v160TYZspH1Vx2YDL2GsbGdoDc4qR1i0ynHE23Lj5O0Tm6ic-CBdgsxIUzlekfxbSM536L1ACI9lSMwY/w315-h320/Capture.PNG" width="315" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am very proud, however, of my organ and tissue donation advocacy posts. In fact, I know of one person who directly received a life-saving organ transplant due to contacts made through this blog. I hope and pray there have been other lives saved and/or improved, too. However, even if there was only one, the blogging hours were worth it.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Probably, the funnest posts were the Music Mondays. Those brought back a lot of good memories and often helped kickstart my week. I hope my readers enjoyed reading them as much as I did writing them.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm now 14+ years out from my heart transplant. I'm grateful every day for the additional time I've been given. I'm still doing great, and I think about my donor every day. He will forever be my hero.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you're not registered as an organ and tissue donor, please do so. Americans are still suffering and dying every day. One day you could be someone's hero, just like Kent (pic - above left) was for me. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCNsICVLnh8pr_Qp5VehcEY3IOe0PLao2J5J2YvPRo6wndYpNn5szJqSCvs0tjckjMQUDwUmON4zehXzyIJByofDOT0IWeqjyg77DlGII37Bt_vrJNWEagSqqKHHn6w8EY2oPTB-Srp8/s626/canvas.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCNsICVLnh8pr_Qp5VehcEY3IOe0PLao2J5J2YvPRo6wndYpNn5szJqSCvs0tjckjMQUDwUmON4zehXzyIJByofDOT0IWeqjyg77DlGII37Bt_vrJNWEagSqqKHHn6w8EY2oPTB-Srp8/w256-h320/canvas.png" width="256" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the short term, I'll post any comments I receive email notification on which follow <b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://thesecondchancesheepdog.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-sheepdogs-new-blog-policy-no.html" target="_blank">my comment policy</a></span></b>, but this is my last article. As I log out for the last time, I like to remind every one that I've been on Twitter (<b><a href="https://twitter.com/2ChanceSheepdog" target="_blank">@2ChanceSheepdog</a></b>) for a little over 2 years (<b><a href="https://thesecondchancesheepdog.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-sheepdog-on-twitter.html" target="_blank">here</a></b>). I'd love for you to come follow me there. I've continued my organ and tissue donation advocacy activities and other posts there.</span></span><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks again everyone for spending some of your valuable time reading my blog these last 12 years. I truly hope you enjoyed it. May God bless you all.<br /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sincerely,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Second Chance Sheepdog a.k.a. Johnny </span></span><br /></div>The Second Chance Sheepdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341477610473382509noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302877421565580967.post-64367442602211789612021-05-03T10:26:00.002-05:002021-05-04T09:29:39.753-05:00Are We Listening, Church?<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's hard to believe, but it's been over 18 months since a Music Monday post has hit this blog. Since I've been hearing today's featured song more and more over the last several months, I felt like today was it's turn. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm in my 50s, have been attending church since 9 months before I was born, and every time I hear this song, it makes me think. In fact, it makes me think a lot about how every day, we "Christians" throw stones at the rest of the world about how it lives and behaves. The truth is that we live in glass houses ourselves, and we desperately need to get them in order before we can effectively share the love of Jesus with others and see the world change. Until WE do, WE are hypocrites. <br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Casting Crowns, in their 1st appearance here on a Music Monday, deals with this very issue in "Start Right Here". The music video is embedded below and can also be enjoyed <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGvfagBOHJE" target="_blank">here</a></b>. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> This song is truthful, so Church, I gotta ask - are we listening? </span></span><br /></p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wGvfagBOHJE" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>The Second Chance Sheepdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341477610473382509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302877421565580967.post-66445738938095814902020-12-31T17:07:00.002-06:002020-12-31T17:07:25.683-06:00Open Letter to Bill Lee, Governor of Tennessee<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">To the Honorable Bill Lee, Governor of the Great State of Tennessee:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm approaching my heart transplant's 14th anniversary. Thousands of my fellow Tennesseans and Americans currently need a life-saving transplant, but only a few will ever be fortunate to receive one. After an 11-year battle with heart disease prior to receiving mine, I know it is a tremendous blessing, and one I do not take for granted.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdn2YSX3ZZ4Ut_X3ssGg0ABEgQpnAtuorrLr9j5fbuHqEvbV3P-rPccf5wEr3EMbYF4HPR6EwasRrv-4HK0a6rTaNo9eCYWjOL17yVzwbOZiH2XS-6838RAXd4jNAooHKCIgY_Vb4-_zs/s558/DSCN0795+-+Copy.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="558" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdn2YSX3ZZ4Ut_X3ssGg0ABEgQpnAtuorrLr9j5fbuHqEvbV3P-rPccf5wEr3EMbYF4HPR6EwasRrv-4HK0a6rTaNo9eCYWjOL17yVzwbOZiH2XS-6838RAXd4jNAooHKCIgY_Vb4-_zs/w320-h310/DSCN0795+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Due to my transplant, I'm required to take immunosuppressants the rest of my life to ward off rejection, which places me into the COVID high risk group along with the elderly and others with pre-existing health conditions. I have, therefore, severely reduced my activities outside my home by order of my doctors since March 17, 2019 - over 9 months. Therefore, when I do venture out, it's mostly for outdoor activities, such as walking in my neighborhood or going to a park with my wife where I can distance myself from others. I have only eaten in a restaurant once since early March. I cannot take my wife out for a "date night". I've seen my 80-year old parents twice since Christmas 2019. As a Christian, I've been going to church since 9 months before I was born, but I have now not been able to attend church since the last Sunday in February.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I do not share all that in order for you to feel sorry for me. I know I am fortunate, because myself, my wife, my family, and most of my good friends have avoided COVID to this point. I pray everyday we stay well and thank the Good Lord for His protection, as I know that thousands of my fellow Tennesseans and millions of Americans have not been as fortunate. Currently, approximately 590,000 Tennesseans have fallen ill with about 7000 of them losing their life to the virus (<b><a href="https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html" target="_blank">here</a></b>). Nationally, the numbers are much higher as things are getting worse instead of better.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">To this point, you have not issued a statewide mask mandate. Your position has been that you prefer to allow local officials to make that decision for the counties and cities where they are in charge. I can respect that - government closer to the people is best. However, it's not working. Most local officials refuse to issue a mask mandate, and many of the ones who have, such as here in Wilson Co., have not allowed for any enforcement action. Therefore, it's the same as not having such a mandate which makes it worthless.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Some Tennesseans feel mask mandates violate their freedom. Well, what about the freedom of us in the high risk group to be able to leave our homes and safely go about our usual activities? Does our freedom not matter since we're sick or old?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Besides, Tennesseans already have to follow safety mandates every day with seatbelt and helmet laws. Both of which are enforced by law enforcement via citations and the associated fines. So, what's the difference between those state law implemented safety measures and a mask mandate during a pandemic? All have the same purpose - enhanced public safety. <br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Some argue that masks "don't work anyway". There's been studies that support such a viewpoint, but for each one of those studies, another can be found that shows that masks do help prevent the spread of illness. If mask wearing saves the life of one Tennessean, then isn't it worth it?<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">COVID patients with more severe cases feel like they're suffocating. I have an idea of what that feels like. Do you? I spent several years battling heart failure prior to my transplant. Each night when I'd lay down to try to sleep, I'd feel like I was suffocating. It's a horrible, helpless, scary experience. So, when doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals all across our state beg for a statewide mask mandate as they continue to be overrun with sick, suffering, and dying Tennesseans, they should be listened to. After all, they are the experts.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Some have incorrectly claimed that you do not have the authority to issue a statewide mask mandate. While it is true there is nothing within the state constitution allowing it, there is also nothing within it prohibiting it. However, state law DOES provide you such authority within Tennessee Code Annotated section, "Emergency Management Powers of the Governor", 58-2-107(e)(11). It states that, in addition to your other powers, you may, "Take measures concerning the conduct of civilians". Therefore, you would be legally within your purview as governor to issue the mask mandate.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Over the last few weeks, I've learned of more and more COVID+ cases among people I know personally and their families. I have friends within the healthcare field who are exhausted and stressed. Businesses and livelihoods continue to suffer as Tennesseans can't provide for their families. The suffering and dying has gone on too long already. A statewide mask mandate should've been done months ago. In fact, you said back in July that if we'd had a mask requirement in March, we might not <b><a href="https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/health/2020/12/18/tennessee-covid-mask-mandate-governor-bill-lee/3958965001/" target="_blank">"have had to close everything down".</a></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Governor - it's not too late, but the clock is ticking.<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Like you, I'm a Conservative, but I 100% support President-Elect Biden's plan for masks nationwide. I have no doubt you will have opposition to a statewide mandate and maybe a price to pay at the polls. However, good leaders are the ones who have the courage to do the right and needed thing even when it's difficult and unpopular. Tennessee needs you to be that guy right now. We cannot continue to wait on a vaccine as a cure or on a large enough number of Tennesseans to voluntarily put masks on outside their homes to curtail COVID spread. It hasn't worked for 9 months. It's not sustainable, and if you continue to not issue the mandate, it will most certainly result in thousands more Tennesseans suffering and dying from this horrible virus leaving grieving loved ones. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Please governor - 2021 doesn't have to be like 2020. Issue the statewide mask mandate. Also, give it some teeth with penalties for law enforcement to use to enforce it vigorously. Lives are at stake.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sincerely,</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Second Chance Sheepdog <br /></span></span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <br /></span></span></p>The Second Chance Sheepdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341477610473382509noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302877421565580967.post-78581333841856478492020-08-21T13:59:00.000-05:002020-08-21T13:59:25.720-05:00Freedom Can Be a Double-edged Sword<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyqplXTPrl14xhzo-5N5xaqeYIGfNWxbkTaYR7iRA-BRNCeomPY1aRYGkkSLFzeTTxUonk7wei4gsbONOsR0s-cCyiKD7qm4utDmHxHpxo9ifvSlaqQ2dqe1P_9oos4gOmx71r183TAc/s960/free.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="706" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyqplXTPrl14xhzo-5N5xaqeYIGfNWxbkTaYR7iRA-BRNCeomPY1aRYGkkSLFzeTTxUonk7wei4gsbONOsR0s-cCyiKD7qm4utDmHxHpxo9ifvSlaqQ2dqe1P_9oos4gOmx71r183TAc/s640/free.jpg" /></a></div><p></p>The Second Chance Sheepdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341477610473382509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302877421565580967.post-58673728612208783192020-06-16T15:03:00.000-05:002020-06-16T15:03:51.426-05:00Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ever heard, "say what you mean and mean what you say?" I sure have. Heard it many times, and it's the theme of today's post which has been gnawing on me for about a week. Hang with me as you start reading as I'm probably not going where you think I am.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've got 3 questions for you, and here's the first two:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Do you believe that "Black Lives Matter"?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Do you believe that "All Lives Matter"? </span></li>
</ol>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6yLeEkPx96RPNNARpDU4UoSNXhBs-7XGJTT4W8vm3AvnZW0gwizzHFwmyJvvS9PIHEWzzHlGJTv7ciYpLXtjsDeHj-Of6T54xvXvDakgpkydgAMHrvkGvWPByTZJdMnH6CdfUwUXC9WE/s1600/kitty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1504" data-original-width="1125" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6yLeEkPx96RPNNARpDU4UoSNXhBs-7XGJTT4W8vm3AvnZW0gwizzHFwmyJvvS9PIHEWzzHlGJTv7ciYpLXtjsDeHj-Of6T54xvXvDakgpkydgAMHrvkGvWPByTZJdMnH6CdfUwUXC9WE/s640/kitty.jpg" width="473" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Did you answer "yes"? If so, is that a truthful answer? Better be sure, because the truth will be revealed in question #3 later in this post.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've been reviewing the transplant waiting list statistics. Those "statistics" are not just numbers. They represent real people - sick people with spouses, children, families, and good friends. These folks need help.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Currently, across the country, about 122,000 organs are needed for transplant, and organ failure doesn't discriminate based upon the color of a person's skin. In fact, the national waiting list is made up of approximately 40% white and 60% minorities (29% black, 20% Hispanic, and 11% other - click <span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/data/view-data-reports/national-data/#" target="_blank">here</a></span></b></span>, then "category" = waiting list, and then "organ by ethnicity" to see the data). <i>Everyone</i> on the list has one thing in common - a slow, suffering death is imminent if a matching donated organ doesn't come available in time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Each day in the U.S.:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">someone is added to the list every 9 minutes (160 per day) (<b><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/" target="_blank">here</a></span></b>),</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">95 transplants are done (<b><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/" target="_blank">here</a></span></b>), and </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">22 people die running out of time waiting on a match (<b><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.donatelife.net/" target="_blank">here</a></span></b>).</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: large;">Those numbers amount to a net increase of 43 (160-95-22) added to the waiting list each day. The list just keeps growing even though surveys show that 95% of Americans support organ donation. The problem is that only about 60% of Americans are actually registered organ and tissue donors (<b><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.donatelife.net/national-donate-life-registry/" target="_blank">here</a></span></b>). Instead of being part of the solution, the 40% of Americans who are NOT registered are why 22 Americans needlessly die waiting for an organ every day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">TWENTY-TWO!!!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.donatelife.net/register/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.donatelife.net/register/" border="0" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="309" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9o4gfD82uhvuEdEBOOKv86954UFR0_cZFoVMainMtQqrfeEsKBqlk8lZxxBm61tu0DaB29kN_PxkmKzroCDdH1Mf8I0SqLk9XcRFH_J8Ly_fiQ_8FXTiT-gpOamUOpF4zcfDKDWl8Ctk/s320/Donate+Life.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Courtesy : </i></span></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.donatelife.net/register/" target="_blank">Donate Life America</a></span></i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Question #3 - are you registered as an organ and tissue donor? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some of you just answered "no" to #3, but also said, "Yes, I believe Black Lives Matter / All Lives Matter." Since 60% of the need for life-saving organ transplants is within minority communities, are those really truthful answers? Think about it - how can "lives matter" to you when you're not registered as a donor? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The honest truth is that if you're one of those people, then you do not mean what you say. If you did, you'd already be registered as a donor. Actions speak louder than words.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can be part of the solution, though, instead of part of the problem. Just click on the "Donate Life" logo within this post. You'll be taken to a page where you can register in about 2 minutes. Then, one day you may save as many as 8 lives. Be sure to tell your family of your decision. Get them to register, too, if they have not.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Most of us want to make a positive impact in our community and our country. Organ and tissue donation is one way that we can all do just that. </span>The Second Chance Sheepdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341477610473382509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302877421565580967.post-21285789102146990852019-09-23T16:20:00.000-05:002019-09-23T16:20:04.223-05:00In Memory of Ric Ocasek<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last week, Ric Ocasek, lead singer of The Cars passed away. As a teenager growing up in the '80s, I listened to the band's music frequently. Their 1984 album <i>Heartbeat City</i> was one of the first albums I ever owned. I added it to my cassette tape collection very soon after it's release.</span></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGhCu7lHY6wOLLmIVO7JeBg9aMGwtJB0HQRchJX4vFra9yEIbwTWBb7bKP8_5J5Io0TFP4JSik7_qEpy9PXIpT3bfYRaBckGa9dz6Y-BZAMKXReN0sN0F0kfaBr_qzXhTMluHZQiPA7w/s1600/thecars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGhCu7lHY6wOLLmIVO7JeBg9aMGwtJB0HQRchJX4vFra9yEIbwTWBb7bKP8_5J5Io0TFP4JSik7_qEpy9PXIpT3bfYRaBckGa9dz6Y-BZAMKXReN0sN0F0kfaBr_qzXhTMluHZQiPA7w/s400/thecars.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Courtesy : <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heartbeat_City" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a></i></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today's Music Monday video is "You Might Think" from <i>Heartbeat City</i>. The song was the band's first #1 single on the Mainstream Rock Chart. It also won MTV's very first "Video of the Year Award". Additionally, it won 5 awards at the 1984 Billboard Video Music Awards and 4 more at the 1985 Monitor Awards. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ric Ocasek left us a ton of good music. He will be missed. Today's Music Monday is dedicated to him. Video is embedded below or can be watched by clicking <b><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dOx510kyOs" target="_blank">here</a></span></b>.</span></span><br />
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The Second Chance Sheepdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341477610473382509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302877421565580967.post-39011145913517400722019-08-07T13:47:00.002-05:002019-08-07T13:47:40.366-05:00THE Answer<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.</span></span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV) </span></span></b></i></span></div>
The Second Chance Sheepdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341477610473382509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302877421565580967.post-34484997623288601862019-07-30T14:46:00.000-05:002019-07-30T14:46:09.698-05:00Minnesota Man Gets Second Chance to Watch His Kids Grow Up<iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315px" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" src="https://play.syndicaster.tv/v1/widgets/b39f1f10-9afe-0135-1587-0242ac110005/player.html?vid=7543832&tags=&vertical=News&volume=100&autostart=false&autonext=false&share_link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kimt.com%2Fcontent%2Fnews%2FHeart-Transplant-A-Second-Chance-at-Life-513207581.html" style="height: 315px; overflow: hidden; width: 560px;" width="560px"></iframe>
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Read More: <i>www.kimt.com</i> Article Titled <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.kimt.com/content/news/Heart-Transplant-A-Second-Chance-at-Life-513207581.html" target="_blank">"Revived Man Receives Heart Transplant, Second Chance at Life"</a></span></span></span></b> The Second Chance Sheepdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341477610473382509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302877421565580967.post-10433378013264225382019-05-27T20:46:00.000-05:002019-05-27T20:46:38.271-05:00Remembering Those Who Gave All<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One thing I like about the band Five Finger Death Punch is the gratitude and respect they show the U.S. Military. Those who have followed my blog over the years know that I try to post something every year on Memorial Day to honor the men and women who have given their lives protecting our freedom. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SFqk2jkuqCxFSQ7NeUyinig2z5OcZnxqVvdv1aP765flN6ZN5DF40glFjZi7IpuMqSeXIzfIP3cUo1f6I693_kHhyphenhyphenHqi3JxRERGpFwzoI6MFvyjBaarjmAi51j7TMxJUMrBeJeYWs7A/s1600/flag.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="90" data-original-width="161" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SFqk2jkuqCxFSQ7NeUyinig2z5OcZnxqVvdv1aP765flN6ZN5DF40glFjZi7IpuMqSeXIzfIP3cUo1f6I693_kHhyphenhyphenHqi3JxRERGpFwzoI6MFvyjBaarjmAi51j7TMxJUMrBeJeYWs7A/s200/flag.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After running across today's video of Five Finger Death Punch's cover of "Gone Away", I knew there was nothing I could write that would be anywhere near as powerful as what the band has done with this video.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They've shown us the reality and lasting effects of what it truly means when an American serviceperson "gives all". The video grabbed me and brought forth a few tears when I first saw it reminding me again as to why the fallen must be remembered and their sacrifice never forgotten or taken for granted. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today, with the help of Five Finger Death Punch, The Sheepdog salutes and thanks all who have given their all. The video is embedded below or can be watched by clicking <b><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIQK4-9YFW0" target="_blank">here</a></span></b>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BIQK4-9YFW0" width="560"></iframe>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The next time you see someone disrespect the military and / or the flag they fight to protect, show them this video. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">God Bless America. </span></span>The Second Chance Sheepdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341477610473382509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302877421565580967.post-3186083705308726242019-04-12T17:23:00.000-05:002019-09-23T16:21:57.891-05:00An Idea for NFL Realignment<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Recently, college football has undergone conference realignment, and I don't like it. Previously, conferences had been arranged mostly based upon geographical location. Now, with the push toward bigger conferences and the "Power 5", we've got teams from completely different parts of the country matched together in conferences. For example, Maryland moved from the ACC to the Big 10, and Texas A and M has moved from the Big 12 to the SEC. West Virginia in the Big 12 doesn't work for me, either. It makes no sense.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The NFL has a similar problem with teams playing in divisions outside their geographic region. So, it got me to thinking about how I might realign NFL divisions to fix the issue if it were up to me. In doing so, I used the graphic below, which shows the location of the 32 NFL teams, as a guide.</span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9e1CL77Npos1g7hVbwAtVfNIU8-R0BGgsYNqyos1NQF6D-qM54tFaB8cRe9m_2K0gY7LzMP8SCVWLfamFbOk_3TL_IzqvmG6i1M9pmLXStnHpmY3C1ELjvk8Brk7ALPTQnnE-sio-hU/s1600/nfl-map-complete.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="1324" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9e1CL77Npos1g7hVbwAtVfNIU8-R0BGgsYNqyos1NQF6D-qM54tFaB8cRe9m_2K0gY7LzMP8SCVWLfamFbOk_3TL_IzqvmG6i1M9pmLXStnHpmY3C1ELjvk8Brk7ALPTQnnE-sio-hU/s640/nfl-map-complete.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Source: <a href="https://sportleaguemaps.com/football/nfl/" target="_blank">Sport League Maps - NFL</a></i></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've been percolating today's article in my head for some time. With the NFL Draft 2 weeks away, now seems like as good a time as any to unveil it. It's a departure from my usual writing. I simply did it for fun out of my love for the game of football. I'm sure some will take issue with it, and that's ok, because it's only my opinion as to how I might do it. I'm sure others have ideas as well. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had a few goals in mind. In order of priority, they were:</span></span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Group teams together in 4s by geographic proximity.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Group teams in the same state into same division when possible.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Keep teams in same conference when possible.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Keep teams in same division within same conference when possible.</span></span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Even with these goals in mind, when I finished this project, 10 teams, or 31.3% of the NFL changed divisions. Of those, 8, or 25% of the NFL, also changed conferences. I will confess - the fans of some teams, the Dallas Cowboys come to mind, will not like "The Sheepdog's Proposed NFL Realignment". The only division to emerge unscathed with no changes is the NFC North - Chicago, Detroit, Green Bay, and Minnesota stay put. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now, why do this:</span></span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">To facilitate local rivalries. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">To make it easier for fans to attend more of their favorite team's games, because they are played closer to their home.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">To reduce team travel time. Doing so would enable players to spend more time with their families and allow for more healing, recovery, and physical therapy time regarding injuries between games.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">To reduce team travel costs.</span></span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now, with the intro out of the way, here's the proposal.</span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
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<i><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">AFC East</span></span></span></b></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I grouped the 4 teams from the upper Northeast part of the U.S. here, including all 3 New York teams. So, it becomes New England, Buffalo, N.Y. Jets, and the new edition - the N.Y. Giants. </span></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">AFC North</span></span></i></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The division almost emerged unscathed. Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Cleveland remain. The one change is moving Indianapolis here from the AFC South, because they just don't belong in the South. Tennessee fans will be happy since Andrew Luck has had their number - beating them like 12 straight times. I thought about moving Philadelphia here in order to have both Pennsylvania teams together, but it worked better to leave them in the NFC East. So, where did Baltimore go? Hang on. I'll get there. </span></span><br />
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<i><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">AFC South</span></span></span></b></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've got a feeling that here's where some of the screams and eye rolls are gonna happen. Tennessee and Houston stayed here, but there are 2 new members in this division - Dallas and New Orleans. Sorry Cowboys fans, but they do not belong in the NFC East based upon geography. New Orleans belongs in a South division, but I had to move them to the AFC to make the realignment work. Look on the bright side, Saints fans - at least your team won't get punked by my Bucs in the Superdome in the opener anymore.</span></span><br />
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<b><i><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">AFC West</span></span></span></i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This division is the one spread the farthest apart and will require the longest travel times for divisional games. It was mostly untouched with Denver, Kansas City, and Oakland / Las Vegas staying, but I did go a little old school by returning Seattle to this division where it played from 1977-2001. Where did the LA Chargers go? Let's just say they will be playing in California a lot more. </span></span><br />
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<b><i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">NFC East</span></span></span></i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This division would look significantly different under my realignment proposal. Washington and Philadelphia remain. Dallas and N.Y. Giants are gone with Baltimore and Carolina moving into their spots. Washington and Baltimore fit perfectly here, since both teams are based in the state of Maryland. Carolina was a bit of a plug. I could have left them in the NFC South, but they just fit better here due to being based near the East coast. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Since I've already addressed the NFC North not changing, I'll move on to the NFC South.</span></span><br />
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<i><b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">NFC South</span></span></span></b></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I made some significant changes here, too. Tampa and Atlanta stayed, but I've grouped all 3 Florida teams here now. So, joining the division are Jacksonville and Miami. You are welcome, Dolphins fans. No more twice-a-year floggings at the hands of Coach Billicheat and Pretty Boy Brady. Fans of Florida's NFL teams would now be able to see their team play multiple times each year without ever leaving the state.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: blue;">NFC West</span></i></b> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">With my proposal, division could be known as the "NFC California Division". With Oakland slated to leave for Las Vegas in 2020, I would move the LA Chargers here. The division would then contain Arizona and also the other 2 California teams - LA Rams and San Francisco. One could even call this group the "NFC Southwest Division", since it would have 4 teams from the most Southwest corner of the U.S. This group would also be great for instate NFL fans of the 3 California teams - they would be within driving distance of at least 6 of their teams' 8 division games every year.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Remember the graphic showing the location of all 32 NFL teams I showed earlier? Here it is again in a finished version showing the groupings.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxp6pqM0RyHEgV7qQb2mUmcqSg1V8qzAHgMNCnvk3r6jSDlNt0aLGy4y6qlpAulBne34tVLCDzSG1Rg3gd0gk96xG5sZ_PFZRNvl9qeIoDzwCoGdXSaEHUf5cpRcMBgAQTHU4RoImEwdE/s1600/nfl-map-complete+-+Copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="1324" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxp6pqM0RyHEgV7qQb2mUmcqSg1V8qzAHgMNCnvk3r6jSDlNt0aLGy4y6qlpAulBne34tVLCDzSG1Rg3gd0gk96xG5sZ_PFZRNvl9qeIoDzwCoGdXSaEHUf5cpRcMBgAQTHU4RoImEwdE/s640/nfl-map-complete+-+Copy.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Summary</span></span></i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, NFL fans, there you have it. My proposed NFL division realignment based upon one thing and one thing only - geography. Take it with a grain of salt, because as I said - it's just a proposal as to what I would do if I was the one making the decision. Since I'll never be NFL Commissioner, It's basically fiction. However, if anyone would like to forward it on to Roger Goodell, I'd be much obliged. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Is it football season yet? </span></span><br />
<br />The Second Chance Sheepdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341477610473382509noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302877421565580967.post-6122187303424486042019-03-28T15:43:00.001-05:002019-03-28T15:43:14.049-05:00The Reality of Socialized Medicine and Medicare for All<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We've heard talk lately about "Medicare for All" - the most recent proposal in which the federal government provides so-called "free" healthcare insurance to all Americans. It's just another version of socialized medicine modeled after Canada's. </span></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9B1IUKRbS35qbU0TKocOShEcCCGWezuE62dr0HwevAUDIMSHrU79bS5gYa5dGWWWaWB4Ah3CN9jWdgZuILr2R4KLbB_pPWzmaNNCe9EyY0ZzKkM4lEkbxNnnoRd3tvFZ1Ku7Q4VR2g4I/s1600/1920px-Flag_of_Canada_%2528Pantone%2529.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9B1IUKRbS35qbU0TKocOShEcCCGWezuE62dr0HwevAUDIMSHrU79bS5gYa5dGWWWaWB4Ah3CN9jWdgZuILr2R4KLbB_pPWzmaNNCe9EyY0ZzKkM4lEkbxNnnoRd3tvFZ1Ku7Q4VR2g4I/s400/1920px-Flag_of_Canada_%2528Pantone%2529.svg.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Courtesy: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada#/media/File:Flag_of_Canada_(Pantone).svg" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a></span></i></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Previously, I've posted about my dislike for socialized medicine and why I feel the way I do. The question now is, what is the reality of socialized medicine? A recent <i><b>Forbes.com</b></i> titled <b><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/johngoodman/2019/03/05/what-socialized-medicine-looks-like/#32cc5001625b" target="_blank">"What Socialized Medicine Looks Like"</a></span></b> answers that question by sharing details about Canada's program. I hope you will read that entire article. However, below are some of the highlights:</span></span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Primary care doctors in Canada provide fewer services than their counterparts in the U.S. forcing people to go to ERs more often. Average Canadian ER wait = 4 hours.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Number of Canadian women to never have a mammogram = double the number of American women. Has led to the breast cancer mortality rate in Canada being 25% higher than U.S. rate.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Less than 20% of Canadian men have ever been screened for prostrate cancer. 50% of American men have. Has led to Canadian prostate cancer mortality rate being 18% higher than the U.S.'s.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Canadian adults who've had a colonoscopy = 10%. American adults = 30%. Canadian death rate from colorectal cancer is 13% higher than U.S.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Americans are more likely to get treatment for kidney failure (i.e. dialysis or transplant) than those in countries with socialized medicine - 5 times more likely if under 85 years old and 9 times more likely if over 85. People who do not get such treatment will DIE.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Average Canadian wait time after referral from primary care doctor until get to see specialist = 21 weeks (over 5 months).</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Average Canadian wait time for CT scan = 4 weeks.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Average Canadian wait time for MRI = nearly 11 weeks (nearly 3 months).</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Average Canadian wait time for ultrasound = nearly 4 weeks. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At 21% of Canadian hospitals, a woman must wait over 3 weeks for a biopsy to confirm a possible breast cancer diagnosis. Only 1% of American hospitals have a wait time that long.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At half of Canadian hospitals, a 65 year old must wait over 6 months for a hip replacement. No American hospitals have wait times that long.</span></span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Additionally, in Canada, the powerful and rich have more access to specialists and services, more choices, and shorter waiting times. In fact, the poor, non-elderly white population is 22% more likely than similarly situated Americans to be in poor health.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The <i>Forbes.com</i> article also tells of problems within Britain's socialized medicine program. However, I chose to focus on Canada here primarily because it is our next door neighbor. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">Some Americans support socialized medicine. Generally, the ones who do are healthy. However, one day each of them could fall victim to illness, accident, or injury they never expected. If that day comes, that's also the time they will fall victim to the pitfalls of socialized medicine as it's generally the sick and weak who have their care rationed in order to save money, because socialized medicine plans are expensive to administer. The cost is also the main reason socialized medicine plans usually fail. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">So, knowing what you now know, do you really want socialized medicine and / or "Medicare for All" in the U.S.?</span></span><b><span style="color: blue;"> </span></b></span></span>The Second Chance Sheepdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341477610473382509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302877421565580967.post-46885708372623523882019-03-08T16:45:00.002-06:002019-03-08T16:45:39.382-06:00Living Donor Protection Act of 2019<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last month, I shared with my readers (<b><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://thesecondchancesheepdog.blogspot.com/2019/02/kansas-law-would-prevent-discrimination.html" target="_blank">here</a></span></b>) about a new, proposed Kansas law that would ban discrimination against living donors by health and life insurance companies. At that time, I also called on Congress and President Trump to pass a similar Federal law.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQc3ufoRrAK3ZvVYzVG6eDKsHiiYo4J3Y8-o7Gs2ZpG8o5pjZh1FeLaTbC8mHtgeMm0ZixSflpHB1XVxuPbiXHbnOiIY1tYH4JBymRVisb9B0OJ7WCrDWCGJyCviKSWOqDAqia4HGTy4/s1600/Aerial_view_of_the_Capitol_Hill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="523" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQc3ufoRrAK3ZvVYzVG6eDKsHiiYo4J3Y8-o7Gs2ZpG8o5pjZh1FeLaTbC8mHtgeMm0ZixSflpHB1XVxuPbiXHbnOiIY1tYH4JBymRVisb9B0OJ7WCrDWCGJyCviKSWOqDAqia4HGTy4/s400/Aerial_view_of_the_Capitol_Hill.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've since learned that such a law is in process. Known as the Living Donor Protection Act of 2019, the legislation is sponsored in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D- NY) and Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA). It's sponsors in the U.S. Senate are Sen. Kirsten Gilibrand (D-NY) and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The legislation will do 3 things:</span></span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life, disability, and long-term care insurance companies would be prohibited from charging higher premiums to, or denying or limiting coverage to living donors.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) will be amended to include living donation as a serious health condition. Therefore, employee absences for living donation at both public and private employers will now be covered under that law. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">U.S. Dept. of Human Services will be instructed to update all it's materials concerning organ donation to reflect the new requirement. DHS will also have to encourage people to be organ donors.</span></span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found the actual text of this legislation <b><a href="https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr1224/BILLS-116hr1224ih.pdf" target="_blank">here</a></b>, and I see one problem with it - it does <u><b>NOT</b></u> address health insurance. Health insurance <u><b>MUST</b></u> be included as part of #1 above. If it's not, living donors will get hammered by the health insurance industry. You say, "But ObamaCare's pre-existing condition clause has that covered." What if ObamaCare was to get "repealed and replaced" at some point? What then. I'll tell you what - living donors will get screwed by health insurance providers claiming "pre-existing condition". Mark it down. It's a safe bet.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1224/text" target="_blank">Here</a></b> is all the information about the bill on the Congressional website. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm glad this law has been proposed. It's way past time. It needs to be passed into law promptly, but with the amendment described above. Once properly amended, it should be a no-brainer, quick vote. All 535 members of Congress should be able to vote 'yes' and President Trump then sign it. This legislation transcends party lines and politics, because it's simply the right thing to do.</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Read More: <i>PRNnewswire.com</i> article titled <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/american-kidney-fund-urges-congress-to-make-2019-the-year-living-donor-protection-act-becomes-law-300798242.html" target="_blank">"American Kidney Fund Urges Congress to Make 2019 the Year Living Donor Protection Act Becomes Law"</a> </span></span></b>The Second Chance Sheepdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341477610473382509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302877421565580967.post-31499265502844416202019-02-25T16:25:00.000-06:002019-02-25T16:25:50.555-06:00Heart Month Music Monday<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">February is designated as Heart Month each year. It is also the month I received my heart transplant of which I celebrated the 12th anniversary of last week. So, it is a special month for me.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back in 2012, I posted a Music Monday series featuring Heart and a number of their most popular tunes. It was also in 2012 that Heart gave a special performance of "Stairway to Heaven" at the Kennedy Center Honors for Led Zeppelin. In my opinion, it was an unforgettable, legendary performance of one of rock 'n roll's iconic tunes by one of my favorite bands. It will be hard for anyone to ever top it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I read somewhere after Heart's performance that usually the members of Led Zeppelin do not like it when their music is performed by other bands. However, in this case, they really enjoyed it. I think that is evident in the video.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you have not scene it, today's your chance. It is embedded below or can be viewed by clicking <b><a href="https://vimeo.com/104287711" target="_blank">here</a></b>. Enjoy. I sure did.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/104287711?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe>
<a href="https://vimeo.com/104287711">Heart "Stairway to Heaven" (Live)</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/hamiltonpost">Hamilton Post Production</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.The Second Chance Sheepdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341477610473382509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302877421565580967.post-63264907946396260482019-02-15T16:33:00.001-06:002021-01-07T13:12:32.418-06:00Kansas Law Would Prevent Discrimination Against Living Donors<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Kansas legislature is currently considering a bill that would ban any type of insurance industry discrimination against living donors. Simply put, it would prevent insurance companies from charging living donors higher premiums on life, health, disability, or long-term care policies.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgMVKD-uQ_9OW3E09xM_IHG4P9wSc8SdYicCH9_ogqDC6Eyst-XHryNAwL33EaCB4fRet-WSLQcU7ZW8HrKNL2wCjPdBc_cLEGlmc-7guNRnyPlREGNCeuq8bgWQOFIgz09XhgT3QOyA/s1600/600px-Seal_of_Kansas.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgMVKD-uQ_9OW3E09xM_IHG4P9wSc8SdYicCH9_ogqDC6Eyst-XHryNAwL33EaCB4fRet-WSLQcU7ZW8HrKNL2wCjPdBc_cLEGlmc-7guNRnyPlREGNCeuq8bgWQOFIgz09XhgT3QOyA/s320/600px-Seal_of_Kansas.svg.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The legislation would also prevent insurance companies from denying living donors coverage or canceling their policy just for being a living donor.
Studies have shown that approximately 1/4 of living donors endure such discrimination, and, in my opinion, it's just as wrong as discrimination based upon race, national origin, etc. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When someone decides to give of themselves in order to save the life of another, they should be encouraged for doing so instead of receiving a form of punishment by way of financial hardship from the insurance industry.
I doubt that Kansas is the only state where this law is needed. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Therefore, I'm calling on Congress and President Trump to put an end to such discrimination once and for all by passing a federal law banning discrimination against the heroes in this country who have chosen to give the gift of life through living donation. Washington is in the news all the time with Trump and Congress arguing and bickering over things that aren't a matter of life and death while this discrimination and the needless dying of Americans on the waiting list for life-saving organ transplants continues.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In fact, Sue Herndon, who in 2009 donated a kidney to a friend, stated it best when she testified that, "Everything we do to help encourage living donation saves lives." She is 100% correct. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Read More: <i>cjonline.com</i> article titled <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.cjonline.com/news/20190123/kidney-donor-asks-kansas-legislators-to-block-insurance-discrimination" target="_blank">"Kidney Donor Asks Kansas Legislators to Block Insurance Discrimination"</a></span></b> </span></span>The Second Chance Sheepdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341477610473382509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302877421565580967.post-92197984861553827262019-01-16T16:33:00.001-06:002019-02-13T12:05:21.824-06:00A Holiday Gift of Life<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Marilyn Walto of Dalton, MA suffered from an autoimmune disease known as Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) since the 1980s. PBC is a progressive, chronic disease which destroys the liver's bile ducts. It can cause swelling in the feet and legs, abdominal pain, and other issues.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht00OZDiw6Rvy5nEVK3tPuNcJqBqFeZqUDGn5JCCYqiOrs5vXlVLxABQ-VjkvJPk7dhco_DQmSqmClx30uBwr-mkeUxOm8i8yGazf2AxIUYQrfireZZ8XyYSJVCfUZjyPJvTKSTsqKIvk/s1600/640px-Primary_biliary_cirrhosis_intermed_mag_much_cropping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="640" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht00OZDiw6Rvy5nEVK3tPuNcJqBqFeZqUDGn5JCCYqiOrs5vXlVLxABQ-VjkvJPk7dhco_DQmSqmClx30uBwr-mkeUxOm8i8yGazf2AxIUYQrfireZZ8XyYSJVCfUZjyPJvTKSTsqKIvk/s400/640px-Primary_biliary_cirrhosis_intermed_mag_much_cropping.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>By Nephron - <a href="https://www.blogger.com/By%20%3Ca%20href=%22//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Nephron%22%20title=%22User:Nephron%22%3ENephron%3C/a%3E%20-%20%3Cspan%20class=%22int-own-work%22%20lang=%22en%22%3EOwn%20work%3C/span%3E,%20%3Ca%20href=%22https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0%22%20title=%22Creative%20Commons%20Attribution-Share%20Alike%203.0%22%3ECC%20BY-SA%203.0%3C/a%3E,%20%3Ca%20href=%22https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7815265%22%3ELink%3C/a%3E" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a></b></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Back in the summer, Marilyn's health suddenly deteriorated necessitating a life-saving liver transplant. After her daughter posted on Facebook about her mom's need, scores of willing people, including family members and friends, came forward offering to be a living donor. Unfortunately, none of them were able to do so, either due to pre-existing health conditions or simply because they were not a match.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then, on Thanksgiving Eve, Marilyn received the call that a liver match was available. She received a transplant and is now doing great. In fact, she just celebrated her 68th birthday.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Marilyn's story tells of how organ donation provides people with hope and the opportunity to reach milestones they never would have otherwise. It saves lives, including mine nearly 12 years ago. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you have not registered as an organ and tissue donor, please do so as about 20 Americans will die today waiting due to a lack of registered donors. To register in the state where you live, please visit the Donate Life America website by clicking <b><a href="https://www.donatelife.net/register/" target="_blank">here</a></b>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Read More: <i>www.BershireEagle.com</i> article titled <a href="https://www.berkshireeagle.com/stories/with-her-family-a-mom-celebrates-a-birthday-she-never-thought-shed-see,561283" target="_blank">"With Her Family, A Mom Celebrates A Birthday She Never Thought She'd See"</a></b> </span></span>The Second Chance Sheepdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341477610473382509noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302877421565580967.post-52955847708948225622019-01-08T10:13:00.000-06:002019-01-09T07:52:17.914-06:00The Sheepdog On Twitter<span style="font-size: large;">After announcing about 2 weeks ago that The Sheepdog's Facebook page would be going away (<b><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://thesecondchancesheepdog.blogspot.com/2018/12/bye-bye-facebook.html" target="_blank">here</a></span></b>), I began thinking about other ways to make my blog posts more conveniently accessible to my readers, since that had been my goal with the Facebook page.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiql_W3qbxCGxkJpw7nPKIwoi0QCDkimTptCzYNeuFu8ygl1kMkz0Ri112nohRSyartOMPMC4-DVgYMbuoMEvirwEVrynOo5tq4t7bMt4NVUHcJ91N_XhTJ8LtyLGgdW91xI2TAFY0Pomw/s1600/1280px-Twitter_bird_logo_2012.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="1280" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiql_W3qbxCGxkJpw7nPKIwoi0QCDkimTptCzYNeuFu8ygl1kMkz0Ri112nohRSyartOMPMC4-DVgYMbuoMEvirwEVrynOo5tq4t7bMt4NVUHcJ91N_XhTJ8LtyLGgdW91xI2TAFY0Pomw/s200/1280px-Twitter_bird_logo_2012.svg.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Courtesy: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter#/media/File:Twitter_bird_logo_2012.svg" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a></i></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After some research and input from friends, and in keeping with that goal, a few days ago I set up a Twitter page for this blog. It can be found by searching Twitter for "The Second Chance Sheepdog" or at Twitter handle "<span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="https://twitter.com/2ChanceSheepdog" target="_blank">@2ChanceSheepdog</a></b></span>". </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope the new Twitter feed becomes a useful tool for my readers. My blog posts will be shared there along with other things I run across involving organ and tissue donation, sports, music, and my other interests. Thank you all for your continued support of this blog. </span>The Second Chance Sheepdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341477610473382509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302877421565580967.post-33902314916089680562018-12-31T14:41:00.000-06:002018-12-31T21:53:07.807-06:00Think Twice In 2019<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One day last week, when I had SiriusXM playing in my truck, I heard today's Music Monday song for the first time in several years. It got me to thinking - thinking about how we Americans treat each other. There's way too much arguing, and yelling and screaming over politics, sports, how our food is or is not prepared when we go out to eat, over how poorly someone else drives, and so many other things that, as my mom used to say, "don't amount to a hill of beans". It also led to me wondering, "what if we tried doing things differently in 2019?"</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJiibBM8aZEFJMuxFV7DvrNTwJNVZDhaNsE63doUjttlu5YdkaKCJ0YRq4Ja_bZDLqNWpB2S6SX_zW5qhXJ_yKxedxpSbft8Elnt5tJrTRiurHvDr1LRDdvBtWjvHTvNsD54Sk8rQvL0/s1600/2019.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="697" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJiibBM8aZEFJMuxFV7DvrNTwJNVZDhaNsE63doUjttlu5YdkaKCJ0YRq4Ja_bZDLqNWpB2S6SX_zW5qhXJ_yKxedxpSbft8Elnt5tJrTRiurHvDr1LRDdvBtWjvHTvNsD54Sk8rQvL0/s400/2019.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today's Music Monday is Phil Collins' "Another Day In Paradise" from his 1989 album <i>... But Seriously?</i> Interestingly, both the song and the album went to #1. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The song is about the plight of the homeless, but as I listened to it the other day, the lyrics got me to thinking about it's application to other hardships. For instance:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The woman who is a victim of domestic violence.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Just another day in paradise.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The man who's just been diagnosed with terminal stage 4 cancer.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Just another day in paradise. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The soldier's wife whose husband just left for a year-long deployment.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Just another day in paradise.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The woman whose husband of 50 years just passed away.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Just another day in paradise.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The man who's been outta work for 6 months and is in danger of losing his home and being unable to feed his family.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Just another day in paradise.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The lonely teenager who needs a friend.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Just another day in paradise. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The one who's in the hospital running out of time waiting on a life-saving organ transplant.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Just another day in paradise.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I could go on and on with this, because nearly every one is struggling with something. So, let's put aside all the anger, selfishness, and hostility and try helping someone(s) in 2019, because what we've been doing simply ain't working. What would daily life in the U.S. look like if we did?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2019 and our chance to "think twice" and do something different that makes a difference begins tomorrow. We hear talk about "change" all the time. For once, let's make a change that actually does some good. Shall we? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The music video is embedded below or can be watched by clicking <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt2mbGP6vFI" target="_blank">here</a></b>. </span></span><br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Qt2mbGP6vFI" width="560"></iframe>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy New Year everyone!!</span></span>The Second Chance Sheepdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341477610473382509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302877421565580967.post-31672453255913232072018-12-28T17:51:00.000-06:002018-12-29T11:31:58.160-06:00Bye, Bye Facebook<span style="font-size: large;">Back in April, The Sheepdog announced the creation of a new Facebook page for this blog. With most people using Facebook daily, I felt it would make reading my posts much more convenient for some of my readers.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQJdfDyAPhrri9Pi2diN5wF51w6_LAB2_AusM9TCzfziTZQswmto6KoutMOwwvcBBb5y2FxXAQwPLTfwSAGNMHe0gSX2ytNOpyj5fWeVCSgPnEQkDEJLoEICBvm9B74VoZokjZOWatDk/s1600/Facebook_user_page_%25282014%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="219" data-original-width="390" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQJdfDyAPhrri9Pi2diN5wF51w6_LAB2_AusM9TCzfziTZQswmto6KoutMOwwvcBBb5y2FxXAQwPLTfwSAGNMHe0gSX2ytNOpyj5fWeVCSgPnEQkDEJLoEICBvm9B74VoZokjZOWatDk/s320/Facebook_user_page_%25282014%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook#/media/File:Facebook_user_page_(2014).jpg" target="_blank"><i>Source : Wikipedia</i></a></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Over the last few years, we have learned much about what Facebook does with the information we put on our Facebook pages. However, I wondered how extensive the "information sharing" actually was.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then, last week, it was revealed that Facebook shared some of it's users private messages with it's business associates, including Netflix and Spotify. Read more <span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/dec/19/facebook-shared-user-data-private-messages-netflix-spotify-amazon-microsoft-sony" target="_blank">here</a></b></span>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This news was the last straw for me. So, I have decided to delete The 2nd Chance Sheepdog Facebook page. If you have "Liked" it and follow it, I thank you. I'm also sorry to have to terminate the page. It's just that Facebook has gone too far, and my concern is "what additional information are they gathering from people when they visit my page?" The page will be deleted sometime in the next couple of days. </span>The Second Chance Sheepdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341477610473382509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302877421565580967.post-79358871086428927982018-11-12T16:11:00.001-06:002018-11-12T16:11:27.179-06:00A Sheepdog Salute<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwWRURWRlK3mn-_7eiGpAXH-md6UT0eaHRhj9-cpK5AkRXEkP_tpB4LXGxrft0dRovfbxlyl0Qk-vGVjA8MWHnZQFMziWBAr9g4Yho0OpxSFmVp6jqrGu7rnbKLXc3WAdQduEzcfnwCs/s1600/v3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="800" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwWRURWRlK3mn-_7eiGpAXH-md6UT0eaHRhj9-cpK5AkRXEkP_tpB4LXGxrft0dRovfbxlyl0Qk-vGVjA8MWHnZQFMziWBAr9g4Yho0OpxSFmVp6jqrGu7rnbKLXc3WAdQduEzcfnwCs/s640/v3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />The Second Chance Sheepdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341477610473382509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302877421565580967.post-43376764597954129372018-11-01T18:22:00.000-05:002018-12-31T14:42:58.434-06:00Wrong for the Job<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I thought long and hard about whether or not to write this post. I've been hesitant to do so, because, like most of us, I'm sick of the political garbage. However, as an advocate for organ and tissue donation, my great state is in danger of electing a U.S. Senator who is totally the wrong person for the job, particularly for Tennesseans who are transplant recipients or donor family members. </span></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWNt7fu4BQWB4Fs1hHZ7pkuCESgL-LR5hfn6Ajt0IzwkjKv8rDdpES2bcEtfoP6KVVdYAAoPUdd75XVz59Sx_xH49unuhzkM-t1zMXvLvErtxRb1EyVx0XRko1-fcbTiD5H9UM7WIlbA/s1600/500px-Flag_of_Tennessee.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWNt7fu4BQWB4Fs1hHZ7pkuCESgL-LR5hfn6Ajt0IzwkjKv8rDdpES2bcEtfoP6KVVdYAAoPUdd75XVz59Sx_xH49unuhzkM-t1zMXvLvErtxRb1EyVx0XRko1-fcbTiD5H9UM7WIlbA/s400/500px-Flag_of_Tennessee.svg.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Courtesy : <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennessee#/media/File:Flag_of_Tennessee.svg" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a></span></i></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The mere thought of Phil Bredesen as U.S Senator from Tennessee makes me ill. I don't care for him at all. I endured 8 years of him as Nashville, TN mayor plus 8 years of him as Tennessee Governor. In fact, his time as mayor is one of the reasons we moved out of Davidson County in 2005, because I got tired of my property taxes going up. I could list many more reasons as to why I don't like Bredesen, but there is one that trumps them all, and it has nothing to do with politics.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While he was governor, the Tennessee Governor's Highway Safety Office (GHSO), ran a series of anti-drunk driving PSAs. Sounds great, right? No one wants intoxicated drivers on the roads. Honestly, the PSAs were good, until one titled "Harvest" aired.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It starts off talking about an emergency surgery. Then, Bredesen points to an open operating room and explains that a "harvest" (organs being recovered for transplant) is taking place in there due to a young girl being killed by a drunk driver. First of all, he should have used the proper terminology. We use the term "recovery" now. However, that mistake was the least of the problems with the PSA.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I saw the PSA for the first time, I was initially in shock that a <i>governor</i> would be so insensitive. Next, I got angry. Why? Because to me the underlying theme of the ad is not that drunk driving is bad and people shouldn't do it - it's that drunk driving causes people to become organ donors and that organ donation is the penalty for drunk driving. He connected a life-saving positive with a senseless, tragic, no-regard-for-human life negative. Organ donation and drunk driving should NEVER be connected to each other in such a way and doing so was cold and heartless.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now, do some life-saving transplants come about due to tragic drunk driving accidents? Yes, they do, unfortunately. However, think about this. Imagine being a donor family member whose loved one was killed by a drunk driver and when watching TV one evening this PSA airs. Can you imagine re-living that tragedy and the grief associated with it due to the insensitivity of someone like then Governor Phil Bredesen?</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The following morning, I contacted both the GHSO and Governor Bredesen's office by email. I brought to their attention how insensitive the ad was, requested it be discontinued, and that an apology be issued to donor families across the state due the insensitivity with which organ donation had been portrayed. Instead of the organ donor in the PSA being portrayed as a life-saving hero, they were portrayed as a by-product of and just part of the cost of drunk driving. No mention of the lives this hero would save and change. None. Nada. Zilch. Inexcusable.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In my email, I also mentioned that if Bredesen was truly interested in organ and tissue donation, myself and others would be happy to have him join us in advocacy for the cause. We would be thrilled to train and teach him how to do it the right way, too. Wanna guess what Bredesen's reply was? Well, first of all, there was no mention of helping the cause. He only said he stood by the PSA. Plus, instead of discontinuing the PSA, it seemed it's air time increased as I saw it several more times on TV. I also heard that it aired on the big screen at a Tennessee Titans game. No apology was ever issued to Tennessee donor families, either.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'd be willing to bet, though, that if Bredesen had offended a racial minority or the LGBT community and received a complaint, he would have apologized faster than a Tennessee fan can cry "Fire Coach (insert name)" after getting smoked by Alabama ... again. As for the transplant community - well, it was obvious to me from his reply that he didn't give a damn about it, about how it's members feel, or what they think. Guess we're not a big enough voting block. The fact of the matter is that everyone matters regardless of how many votes they represent.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My "displeasure" with the PSA was not so much about being a transplant recipient but more about the lack of dignity and respect shown to donor families. This PSA did not treat their loved ones, who are responsible for many of us being alive today, with the honor they deserve. Donors are as much of a hero as public safety personnel and our military. They should be regarded as such, but instead of doing so, Bredesen completely blew it disregarding their selfless gifts of life. Worse yet, when called on the carpet and given a chance to make it right, he passed. He didn't give a damn. Period.</span></span><br />
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</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="500" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTvjeRDSuszzSV9Wp6rXbqliWqYl-a3gZbTwTGXsGKOhT713Jhi7M1YdjQWbh6Zt_IRgxvwhFLrvcv2pl8L7iCybkZ4z-K4EIKnyRAJfShyphenhyphenvgOQBv2MoYdNNWBdgwyoQlqn_LnVO3o4Y/s640/bredesen.jpg" width="640" /> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Since my transplant in 2007, I have tirelessly promoted organ and tissue donation. I know how it changes lives for the better. I also know that 20 people across the country will die today, because a life-saving organ match doesn't come in time. Furthermore, I know how difficult it is to get folks who haven't registered as donors to do so. A knucklehead like Bredesen running a PSA, like this one, makes the work even more difficult by putting a negative spin on it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I actually wrote about this PSA on this blog back in 2009 <b>(<a href="https://thesecondchancesheepdog.blogspot.com/2009/07/transplant-zeros-part-1.html" target="_blank">here</a>)</b>. Even though I had a copy of the PSA on my PC back then, and still have it now, I will not post it, because unlike Bredesen, I have the utmost respect for donor families. However, if my railing against this deplorable PSA is ever questioned, I have the evidence to prove my viewpoint. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you are an organ recipient or donor family member in Tennessee, or know a recipient or donor family member, I implore you to <u>NOT</u> vote for Bredesen as your next U.S. Senator. The "Harvest" PSA showed me that he does not care about the organ donation community, donors, and their families in particular. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Therefore, I believe Phil Bredesen is not only the wrong person for the job but he's actually unfit to be a U.S. Senator or serve the public in any leadership position.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have never voted for him for anything and never will, and I hope everyone that reads this won't either. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>The Second Chance Sheepdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341477610473382509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302877421565580967.post-30235029522150945932018-10-08T15:49:00.002-05:002018-10-08T15:49:20.192-05:00A Transplant Record<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Back in April, a new Guinness World Record was achieved. On that day, in Chicago, IL, a group of living donors gathered for a "Living Donor Rally" at "The Bean" Cloud Gate sculpture in Millennium Park. With enormous media coverage on hand, the 410 living donors who gathered, set the world record for the largest gathering of living donors ever.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7S_kkqRhcRaPcGjyKFz04jMR_QkFpv5tjoXh6UV7nOknifr4xH3r5XQN9o8BnLAV8X5ojjegUa9oUgxqagWvqoJnAe1_eweayYM2wZqyFd9TLa-nebzfRV5xLvbjIY87C5AS7J3Q-41s/s1600/Cloud_Gate_%2528The_Bean%2529_from_east%2527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="377" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7S_kkqRhcRaPcGjyKFz04jMR_QkFpv5tjoXh6UV7nOknifr4xH3r5XQN9o8BnLAV8X5ojjegUa9oUgxqagWvqoJnAe1_eweayYM2wZqyFd9TLa-nebzfRV5xLvbjIY87C5AS7J3Q-41s/s400/Cloud_Gate_%2528The_Bean%2529_from_east%2527.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cloud Gate - Credit: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_Gate" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a></span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The event's purpose was two-fold. First, according to event co-organizer Laurie Lee, a living kidney donor, the group wanted "... to share the important news about how people can save lives through organ donation - and they can do it without dying first. So many still have no idea that they can go beyond donating organs upon their death. Raising awareness saves lives and making this kind of impact is rewarding."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Second, the event raised over $32,000 for a Northwestern Medicine living donor fund. These monies will be used to help living donors defray any living donation expenses that health insurance does not cover. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kudos to all who put in the time and effort to make this worthwhile event happen. For more information about living organ donation, please visit Donate Life America's website by clicking <b><a href="https://www.donatelife.net/types-of-donation/" target="_blank">here</a></b>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Read More: <i>Patch.com</i> article titled <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://patch.com/illinois/algonquin/local-woman-heart-guinness-record-organ-donor-gathering" target="_blank">"Local Woman at Heart of Guinness Record for Organ Donor Gathering"</a></span></b></span></span> <br />
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<br />The Second Chance Sheepdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341477610473382509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302877421565580967.post-58383707461182281502018-08-03T09:25:00.001-05:002018-08-03T09:25:45.716-05:00A Great Tennessee Night<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPUa5jNNT8wHxVY5gyklJwXzrMuBo12zB-K9fI7_xlFKQsNrvnGcquM17Jl2UbrFB7IN77-4Gu_4KFWSKhK8lfdcni8iJRfLjfU5YlFm47tMcuROwfLlHLCO6F24rq_qSHrq6gKeOn5w/s1600/putin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="620" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPUa5jNNT8wHxVY5gyklJwXzrMuBo12zB-K9fI7_xlFKQsNrvnGcquM17Jl2UbrFB7IN77-4Gu_4KFWSKhK8lfdcni8iJRfLjfU5YlFm47tMcuROwfLlHLCO6F24rq_qSHrq6gKeOn5w/s400/putin.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />The Second Chance Sheepdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341477610473382509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302877421565580967.post-51268020325385408292018-07-25T14:11:00.000-05:002018-07-25T14:11:45.043-05:00Tennessee's GOP Wiseguys (and Gals)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />The Second Chance Sheepdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341477610473382509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302877421565580967.post-7688563162801687922018-07-24T14:27:00.000-05:002018-07-25T14:12:49.384-05:00Smart Raccoon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />The Second Chance Sheepdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341477610473382509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302877421565580967.post-29748663071600994032018-06-25T16:55:00.000-05:002018-06-25T16:55:52.352-05:00Music Monday's A Breeze<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1GBdq7z6M3H2si-9PmLRcWa7SC9JvI2P_pnSWJ5KYsM6W0E7JKqLcsAc9NvQ66THEvn_FYCiJldg4SzIKrxZg2BJ9niiKJmJ-IlPhyphenhyphengqtmlDyhB0-xkVs6lVtkweW7W0vU74a4tftN8/s1600/Lynyrd_Skynyrd_%25281977%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="566" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1GBdq7z6M3H2si-9PmLRcWa7SC9JvI2P_pnSWJ5KYsM6W0E7JKqLcsAc9NvQ66THEvn_FYCiJldg4SzIKrxZg2BJ9niiKJmJ-IlPhyphenhyphengqtmlDyhB0-xkVs6lVtkweW7W0vU74a4tftN8/s400/Lynyrd_Skynyrd_%25281977%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
It's been a little while since The Sheepdog posted, and today I'm in a music kinda mood. Specifically - a Southern rock kinda mood, and you can't talk about Southern rock without using the words Lynyrd Skynyrd.<br />
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Skynyrd announced earlier this year that they would be headed out on the road one last time in 2018 for their Farewell Tour. I feel like Southern rock as a genre is taking a hit this year with both Skynyrd and Third Day on such tours. However, their music will live on forever.<br />
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So, for today's Music Monday, let's journey back to 1976 for some live Skynyrd with "Call Me The Breeze". Video is embedded below or can be watched by clicking <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hn5j40ansCA" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><b>here</b></span></a>.<br />
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Thanks for the music and memories, guys. You will be missed.
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hn5j40ansCA?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
The Second Chance Sheepdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07341477610473382509noreply@blogger.com0