Author: scottpetersen

Lawyer, guitar player (the Blues), magic man, chess player, father, grandfather, husband, linguist, etc.

Fireworks

On By scottpetersenIn Fireworks, Fireworks - an editorialLeave a comment

So what do you think about fireworks? Firecrackers? Cherry bombs? Should they be legal?  I was in Wisconsin this last weekend and the fireworks stores seem to outnumber cows. And the weekend festivities were punctuated by the occasional staccato of firecrackers or boom of a larger “device.”  

When I was 9 years old (and on), I loved firecrackers and fireworks.  Loved that smell of cordite.  We used to break open firecrackers, shake out the fulmenite of mercury powder into cigar tubes with homemade fins, balance them on an incline and then light a fuse sending the “rocket” skyward (often with an enormous explosion).  We would pack match heads into the tubes, pouring in the powder for more incendiary displays.  It was wonderful!  🙂  Every guy had a supply of firecrackers, cherry bombs, M-80’s and such. 

I am keenly aware of all of the arguments of the armchair howlers  (“what about accidents?”  “they can blow your finger off!”) but I still feel that fireworks (at least firecrackers) have a place in a young boy’s life.  Wisconsin and 39 other states have got it right.  Illinois – as usual (with its ban) – is marching to the wrong drummer. . . . .

Blood Type and Health

On By scottpetersenIn Blood types and healthLeave a comment

Do you know your blood type?  You should.  Thousands of years of evolution have split human blood into four basic “types”: A, B, O and AB. Each has a postive (+) and negative (-) (called “RH”) component as well.   Roughly 43 % of us are type O; 40% type A; 12% type B; and 5% type AB with interesting geographic, racial and ethnic differences in blood type and RH distribution. 

While there is speculation that blood type predicts broad personality traits (especially in Japanese studies), there is strong indication that different blood types have different vulnerabilities — and do better with certain diets.  A recent Harvard study (reported in August) confirms that certain blood types are more prone to heart disease (see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19257876).   Where one blood type does well on a meat diet, others might suffer.   

Type O is the oldest blood type in the world with the most robust digestive system.  Needs animal protein for good health.  Has trouble with wheat and gluten.   Thrives on vigorous workouts.  Less prone to heart disease.  O negative is a universal donor.

Type A has a more fragile digestive system which has trouble tolerating animal protein.  This blood type might do well as a vegetarian.  Can be lactose intolerant and anemic.  For this reason, iron and Vitamin B-12 supplements may be helpful. 

Type B has difficulty with wheat and gluten though dairy is usually just fine.  Chicken is an apparent “red flag” which can turn into a serious health issue due to an agglutinating lectin which can adversely affect the circulatory system. 

Type AB is the new kid on the block having been around for perhaps 1,000 years.  Should avoid red meat especially smoked and cured meats as AB shares the low stomach acid of Type A and diminished stomach acid leaves one more prone to stomach cancer. 

An interesting website of author Dr. Peter D’Adamo with extensive discussion on the subject can be found at  www.dadamo.com

Dearie

On By scottpetersenIn Dearie, Julia ChildLeave a comment

I just finished Bob Spitz’s delightful biography of Julia Child — Dearie. You may scratch your head when I say it was hard to put down.  It was.  What a read!  And what an amazing story of success.

Julia Carolyn McWilliams was born in 1912 in Pasadena, CA.  She attended Smith College and worked for several years as a copywriter in NY.  When World War II came along, 6’2″ Julia was too tall for the WAC’s or WAVE’s so she joined the OSS.  She was posted in Asia where in 1944 she met Paul Child – a low level career diplomat.  They were married in 1946 and Julia followed Paul as he was transferred to Paris where she became bored by the lack of things to do.  She took up cooking and attended Le Cordon Bleu — the legendary culinary institute.   At the age of 39 she began teaching cooking to American women — in her small Paris flat.  And with two colleagues, she began writing a cookbook directed to American housewives.  After nearly ten years of writing and at the age of 49, her book Mastering the Art of French Cooking was published by Knopf.   Julia’s star began to soar.  A true outlier. . . . . 

In 1962, she appeared on Boston’s WGBH — a television program designed for the staid discussion of books.  Instead of sitting and talking, Julia arrived with food and paraphernalia (including a one burner tabletop stove) and — much to the consternation of directors — she insisted on cooking an omelette.   On camera!   The producers feared no one would ever watch WGBH again.  Of course, Julia’s appearance had the opposite effect.  Her success spawned her own show “The French Chef” and Julia became a household name.     

In 2004, Julia passed away at the age of 92.  Her kitchen was moved to the Smithsonian where it is on permanent display.   Bon appetit!  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNfSJIyFMVw&feature=related

Mandatory Retirement?

On By scottpetersenIn Mandatory reitirement1 Comment

Donna came home after playing bridge and said the ladies were discussing the comment of a young college student that “all people must retire at 65 to give young people jobs.”   Pretty dramatic statement.  Easy for a twenty-something to say. . . . .  

Now if I had been given the “boot” from my firm upon turning 65 (last February), who would lose?  Me — sure.  But the firm too.  I have a knowledge base which has value.    The firm would be deprived of some work.  And the firm would lose one who is reasonably effective and efficient at his job – and one who provides mentoring for other – younger – attorneys.

I’ve read that commercial airline pilots must retire at age 60 (in Europe retirement age is 65).  Now if I’m flying along at 35,000 feet and there is a sudden major emergency, would I rather have Captain Chesley Sullenberger (who was on the verge of retirement when he landed in the Hudson) or a 28 year old “newbie” sitting in the left seat?  Most of us would choose “Sully” in a heartbeat.  Or perhaps a 64 year old Lufthansa pilot.     

Dealing with this question of mandatory retirement is complicated.  What about need?  What about the 68 year old Nordstrom’s saleswoman who desperately needs her job?   What about the small shop owner who is 74?   The small town doctor who just turned 80?  Much too will depend on the benefit of retirement.  For teachers, military and public workers, there is an incentive issue since they can get pensions after a number of years.  And perhaps get another job.  And retire again. 

From my perspective, there is no all or nothing conceptualization on this issue.  Much depends on the circumstances.  I’d love to be around to ask that college student his opinion on the subject when he turns 65.  If he is let go from his job, he’ll probably sue for age discrimination. . . . .    

Sidewalks

On By scottpetersenIn Sidewalk markingsLeave a comment

Sidewalks.   We walk on them – they serve their purpose.   Providing a durable and predictable path from Point A to Point B. 

When I walk to and from the train station, I keep an eye on where I’m walking — looking for cracks or holes in the sidewalk.  Or those slightly elevated slabs.   That habit has helped me avoid trips and twisted ankles and to find money, jewelry, wallets and such as I reported in my post of August 2, 2012.  While I walk, I also take note of those permanent stamped impressions identifying the contractor — and the year the sidewalk was laid down.

One stony sidewalk near my home bears the weathered yet clear date “1912.”  Wow!   A century.  As I walk from the train station to my office in downtown Chicago, I pass two such markings which go back decades.  One is 1935 — six years before the U.S. entered World War II.  Another is 1947 — the year I was born.  I think of my trips downtown — with my parents.  Years ago.  I’m sure I walked here.   Then.  My parents and grandparents and even great-grandparents probably walked on these same sidewalks.  And here I am today — sharing the same space.  Walking with purpose.  On the sidewalk.       

Being a Grandfather. . . .

On By scottpetersenIn Beethoven's Sonata Hammerklavier Opus 106, Being a Grandfather, I love this Grandfather business3 Comments

. . . . is wonderful.  Here is Eve and me. 

Eve has just finished playing Beethoven’s amazingly complex “Sonata Hammerklavier Opus 106.”  She missed perhaps four notes in the third movement’s adagio sostenuto (those darn F sharps).  This photo shows how she is delighted with her performance. . . .and the proud conductor’s approval. . . .

The Chicago Teachers Union – Part II

On By scottpetersenIn Chicago Teachers UnionLeave a comment

I heard from a close friend about my last post. He wrote that unions have served – and continue to serve – an important purpose in America.   He observes, however, that the ethic of unions has changed:   “I believe unions served a critical purpose.  Unfortunately, that purpose has begun to replicate the very greed and heartlessness that inaugurated them.  Look at the auto industry.” 

We are talking about a teachers union.  Teachers teach.  They serve as role models for our students.  And yet look at the image that is being projected by them as they strike:  they are degrading and demeaning to anyone who disagrees; they disrupt traffic;  they close streets; they use angry slogans; they have a 20 foot inflatable rat outside of school headquarters; look at and listen to their spokespersons.  And witness the demands.  Mercy!   Maybe it is that teachers unions have devolved and descended into that disappointing abyss of entertainers and professional athletes who simply “don’t care” that they are role models to young people.  It’s become obvious that education is not their primary interest.   But is it too much to ask for teachers to behave?    

What we need is respectful and ethical people on both sides.  Employers paying fair wages and workers making reasonable demands — and knowing what “fair” means.  

The Chicago Teachers Union

On By scottpetersenIn Arab Spring on education, Chicago Teachers UnionLeave a comment

They are outside my window at work.  Across the street from my building.  It’s hard to talk on the phone because of the banging on drums, the yelling, car horns, the loudspeakers, the chanting and the noise.  It’s difficult to get from point A to point B because the demonstrators in their red shirts have locked arms and forced streets to be closed.  Public transportation is disrupted.   There is a sense of entitlement that it’s okay to interrupt everyone else’s day.  And they are oblivious to the 350,000 Chicago school children and their parents who suffer.           

Chicago teachers are the highest paid in the nation (see  http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/06/12/how-much-do-chicago-public-school-teachers-make ) and they work among the shortest hours in the world.  Elementary school teachers have 5-3/4 hour days and work 170 days a year (both stats are less than the national average).  While at the mountaintop of compensation and the basement of hours worked, they want more.  And less.  Chicago teachers are on strike.  They are demanding a 16% increase in pay (how many private sector workers get this?) and push back on the need for more school hours and teacher accountability.    The unions want to control the schools.  Hiring.  Firing. Expectations.   Oppose charter schools.  Oppose magnet schools.  No performance standards (as is found in every other occupation).  More money.  Less work.   Protection of the worst teachers.   And it’s all for “the children.”  Right. 

We spend the most money on public school education and we get dismal results.  Our children are losing.  Every day, they are falling behind the rest of the world.  We desperately need to educate our children.   We need great teachers.  Yet the Chicago Teacher’s Union is blocking the door.   Maybe an “Arab spring” on dealing with teachers unions is what it will take.

The Albatross

On By scottpetersenIn Albatross, Double Eagle, Erskine Park G.C.Leave a comment

I have spoken about my near miss of a hole-in-one.  And I’ve mentioned my not-so-secret passion for par 3’s (“Five Feet from Glory”).  I’d love to have a hole-in-one.  But what I’d really like is to score the rarest of golf shots — the “Albatross.”  The double eagle. 

A double eagle is 3 under par on any given hole.  It is a hole-in-one on a par 4 and a “2” on a par 5.  They are a rarity — even on the PGA Tour.  The first double eagle on record was scored by Tom Morris, Jr. (1870 British Open – Prestwick).  The longest albatross was scorred by Andy Bean on a 663 yard par 5 (no. 18; Kapalua) in 1991.   The longest double eagle/ace was by Robert Mitera on a 447 yard par 4 (1965). 

Double eagles are not child’s play.  Yet the youngest golfer to score one was a 10 year old girl.  Line Toft Hansen scored one in 2010 in a Danish juniors’ competition (419 yard; par 5).  In tournament play, 602 doubles have been scored since the first in 1870.  The last one I watched on t.v. — Louis Oosthuizen on April 8th this year on number 5  at the Masters.  The only Tour player to have scored two in Major tournaments was Jeff Maggert (’94 Masters and ’01 British Open). 

Only one golfer is known to have scored a hole-in-one and a double eagle in one round.  Coach John Wooden of UCLA did it in 1939 (Erskine Park G.C. South Bend). 

I’ve read that the odds of a double eagle are one million to one (judging by the score of my last round, I should’ve had one. . . .).  A hole-in-one is a mere 40,000 to 1. 

I’d love that hole-in-one.  But I’d love a double eagle even more.  Maybe if I play from the ladies’ tees. . . .    

Global Warming — Commentary

On By scottpetersenIn Global warming1 Comment

      I remain a wee bit skeptical about global warming.    

     From what I have read, there has been no noticeable change in land-base thermometric readings except in large cities where temperatures have risen slightly.  Neither of the other measured medium (high air/atmosphere) show temperature change.  With the popular hypothesis that there has been an ongoing natural warming and cooling of the earth, I question the angry trumpets about man’s dominant role in global warming.   I tend to view much of the clamor as political.  After all, there is big money (and political currency) in the “business” of sounding the claxons on global warming.    

     Hypothesis in science (though not in politics) requires testing and investigation.  So far, “advocates” of global warming observe that some glaciers have thawed and conclude that there is global warming (did you know that the Antarctic ice shelf is growing?).  Bad weather is blamed on “global warming.”   We have descended into science by consensus or worse — speculation.  The tragedy is that anyone — even scientists — who want to test, disagree, question or discuss is demonized, criticized and slandered.  

     I continue to believe that this issue should be examined and discussed by people smarter than me.  Dispassionately.  Productively.  Conclusions should be reached by experts – not politicians or journalists.  And certainly not by those with agendas.   We ought try to calculate what percentage of global warming (if it is determined to exist) is attributable to man and what percentage is attributable to natural causation.  However, we should continue to be ever-vigilant about conserving energy, water, soil, natural resources and our environment.  We should recycle.  And we should declare global war on pollution.