Author: Rex Nipper

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IT and Healthcare

In 2015 we saw some of the largest breaches in internet security related to health records.  While I have heard many discount the danger of having their medical records breeched it evidently hasn’t occurred to them that it is also their personal information such as their names, addresses and social security numbers that have been accessed.  While the media makes a huge deal when credit card data is used, this is nothing compared to the threat of identity theft on the millions of people who now have to worry that someone is walking around as them taking Disney vacations and buying big screen TVs.

To say that the back office processes at physicians’ offices and hospitals is antiquated is being kind.  Many of them still keep paper records and record medical notes by hand, writing so quickly that it’s almost impossible for their 98 year old transcriptionist to translate the notes with their IBM Selectric.  Just last week I had a doctor’s appointment at a large clinic and filled out a simple paper form that was almost impossible to read because it had been copied so many thousands of times that the text was no longer legible.  It made me curious about how updated my care would be.

I’ve heard medical professionals tell me that paper is still the best and most secure way to keep information.  No…not really.  Just like anything else, the more times information touches hands the more opportunity there is for mistakes.  This is why my doctor’s office thinks I’m a 75 year old woman with varicose veins and a goiter.  Paper is not the way to go.

Too often the health industry chooses to be behind the technology curve.  Technology managers who develop for the medical industry are constantly challenged with moving forward with a more secure solution while still trying to build for customers who are using 15 or even 20 year old technologies.  Just recently Microsoft announced it will no longer support Windows XP or IE 8.  However the medical industry still sees hospitals using Windows XP with IE 6.0 and even Palm mobile devices.  Does anyone even remember Palm?  This is on top of server technologies that manufacturers stopped supporting over decade ago.  With that being the case it’s safe to say our medical information is not secure. 

Back 30 years ago business leaders could take their time evaluating the next best thing.  It wasn’t unheard of for a company to take three to five years to evaluate a product decision.  Now that time’s been whittled down to a few months.  No sooner has someone built a more secure time saving money saving solution than someone else has improved upon it.  I’m not saying a company should try to update their business technology every few months, but they should at least be able to do it every two years.  To wait five is negligent.  Waiting for ten or more is nothing less than criminal.

The United States has the most expensive healthcare system in the world.  While political pundits argue about how good it is, no one can deny that the price tag is ridiculous.  With that being the case you would think the infrastructure of the healthcare and health insurance industries would be of better quality.  If we are to achieve an era of higher security and greater medical outcomes, certainly we must also consider how our records are kept.  To do nothing less is to be negligent in how we provide care.

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Losing Market Share

Turn on the news and you find out that the Republican far right crazy is afraid.  They’re terrified. They can barely leave their homes without wondering if they’re going to be shot, bombed, mugged or raped by some middle eastern ten-year-old with an Uzi.  For the love of God you might even run across some Muslim at the drug store!  How frightening!  On the other hand, Democrats are afraid of Republicans.  You can barely go to the doctor without some right wing Christian extremist wanting to kill you because he thinks your vagina is their very own personal battle ground. 
The truth is the likelihood of being hurt or killed by a Muslim extremist in this country is dramatically less than being killed by a Christian. Evangelicals think if they do something wrong all they have to do is ask for forgiveness and they get a free do-over.  Every week millions of Evangelicals screw over their neighbors and then ask for God’s forgiveness on Sunday and all is better.  Then they go out the next week and screw them over again.  Even murderers and child molesters are forgiven.  At least the Muslims have the integrity to chop their heads off.
Oh Gomer, do you really think a Muslim terror attack is how you’re going to go?  Then you better sell that diesel dually and put down the pork rinds.   It’s more likely you’re going to die in a car wreck or eating that bacon cheeseburger deep fried in pig lard and smothered in gravy.  It also might be a good idea to sue that Christian Montessori home school you attended. You suck at math, not to mention science, English, history, government (oh…I’m sorry Gubment), civics, and of course humanity.
I have never understood how someone can be so afraid that they can barely leave the kitchen without an assault rifle. Last week some poor girl came home from a night out only to be shot in her kitchen.  “Was that a Muslim!?!”  BANG! BANG! BANG!  Oh…nope …it was only our daughter coming home for dinner.  Funeral Thursday. 
Seriously, I would love to see a realistic commercial for all these guys who want to buy a gun to protect themselves from the latest boogie man.  It would go like this:  “Are you a pussy?  Did you just realize that you’re not the badass you were in high school?  Is your penis so small that the only way you feel like a man is if you have a gun in your pants?  Then come over to Big Gun Bob’s!  We have a big stick to replace your little dick!”
To keep the fear alive Evangelicals will tell you that the Quran is a book of evil.  It talks about how Muslims are to go out and kill those who don’t follow their faith.  Well…perhaps you better pick up that Bible you’re thumping and actually read it.  I hate to tell you this but it says you are to do the same…damn…thing.  The Bible is a book of war and has been used to justify a whole host of inhumanity to man (and woman) from bigamy, slavery, rape, molestation, murder, theft, sodomy, patricide, infanticide, and incest.  “But that’s the old testament” you say.  Yep…the same one you use to justify your hatred of Muslims, gays, Mexicans, Africans, Indians, you know…everyone. 
I’m sure the majority of conservatives are not right wing nut jobs just like I know that the majority (or even minority) of liberals want free stuff.  The fact is that hate is not a conservative value.  Conservative values are about hard work and perseverance.  Republicans have morphed them into ignorance and bigotry.  But perhaps there’s something else going on here.  Maybe the worries Evangelicals have are a little more real?  Perhaps someone is actually here to take all their belongings.  Think about it.  What would happen if they started losing more followers? With all the money floating around in the name of God maybe it’s just that the Joel Olsteen’s of this country aren’t willing to give up market share.
Happy New Year!

Rex
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My CNN Debate Analysis

What I watched of the debates was not complete or comprehensive.  I have to say I couldn’t stomach much of what was said, except maybe Rand Paul, who I actually like from the perspective that I think his foreign policy of getting the hell out of the middle-east is pretty spot on.  I always have had a Libertarian view of foreign policy.  In my humble opinion we either need to get the hell out of there, or we wage war on any country where the terrorists hide.  We’re not good at surgery.  However, we’re great at mass destruction.  If we take the position that if your country houses and funds terrorism then you’re the terrorists and we will attack your capital perhaps we’ll get some local support.  If not then we have our own solution.  We can give them a carrot, or a very, very big stick.

With that said, listening to some of the candidates just makes my head hurt.  Let’s start with Chris Christy.  He’s an idiot.  Actually, I don’t think he’s an idiot, I think he’s playing to the crowd, and he’s being silly.  With that said do not elect a person that thinks attacking Russia is a good plan.  They’re clueless.  Our enemy is not Russia.  We tried the strategy of invading the country that didn’t attack us.  It didn’t work out so well.  Attacking a country that has a military and nuclear capability equal to ours is just bat…shit…crazy!  There’s a reason it was a Cold War and not a hot one.  The grownups knew what would happen.  These children are ridiculous.  So far we have been playing the neighborhood bully.  Which is why they all hate us by the way.   A war with Russia or China will mean not a few thousand dead, but millions of dead Americans.  We might win, but Russia has the capability to bomb New York and Washington D.C., and China has a solid mass of so many people their sheer numbers could wipe us out before our technology made a difference.  These would be real wars.  We would lose much more than we would gain.
Ben Carson is still an idiot.  I watched his one question and then had to turn him off.  The question:  “Could you really order a strike on ISIS that could result in children being killed as collateral damage?”   His answer was yes.  The commentator went on to reiterate that his decision would kill innocent women and children only to be booed by the crowd.  What he was trying to do was push Carson to understand the ramifications of the answer.  He wanted to make sure that Carson knew that his actions could kill innocent people and was he OK with that.  Evidently, he is.  However, I think it just showed that Carson, like many Republicans react rather than reflect.  You have to think of the consequences of your actions.  You know…like going to war with a country because they threatened Daddy might not turn out the way you want.

The Donald wants to shut down the Internet.  I would fault him for this idea, but neither he, nor anyone else on the panel really understand how the Internet works.  I barely understand it, and I’ve worked in high tech for 20 years.  However, I do understand enough to know that you can’t shut it down for a particular region, at least not easily.  However, what you can do is get companies like Facebook, Yahoo, Twitter, and Google, to deny access within those regions.  However, tell them they’re giving up revenue and the Republican Party will hop up to say that that’s just un-American.  Kind of like telling terrorists they can’t have guns.  Evidently the gun lobby won’t even deny a terrorist a firearm.  It’s their God given right to protect themselves while we try to keep them from killing us.

Jeb Bush.  I think he and Rand Paul were the only grownups on that stage.  I don’t agree with a lot of their policies, but I think they are at least logical in their approach.  They understand how the world works, and are capable of addressing issues in a fashion that was more professional than anyone else.  They are thoughtful of how their actions can have global repercussions and that’s what you want from a leader.

Marco Rubio, and good God, Ted Cruz have immigration policies that are kind of sad.  Both are children of immigrants, but neither like immigrants.  It just seems rather silly to me.  I’m not a fan of Cruz as the darling of the Tea Party.  However, I think with some growing up Rubio might actually be a viable candidate one day.  However, he needs a little more seasoning. 

Carly Fiorina.  If feel about her the way Republicans feel about Hilary Clinton.  Nothing that comes out of her mouth can be trusted.  Her quote “If you want something talked about, ask a man.  If you want something done, ask a woman,” is just stupid.  I will admit if you want something done there are a whole host of women that work quicker and more efficiently than men.  However, that doesn’t make them any better, or lesser decision makers than men.  What you want in a President is a person that can analyze a problem and provide a solution.  The Republican Party has too many people who think that “do something…anything!” is a good strategy.  It is not.  One of my pet peeves in business is when managers want you to “act with a sense of urgency.”  If I have to always “act with a sense of urgency” then I’m failing.  I plan so I don’t have to act with a sense of urgency.  All you have to do is see how Fiorina ran HP into the ground to know that she has no ability to analyze a problem and just flails her arms in hopes of anything she does might work.  We’ve had too much of that in our country and it’s killing us.

And last, but not least, from the kid’s table there is Lindsey Graham.  He had some good lines last night, which shows he has some great writers.  He needs some training on his delivery, however.  He’s like a guy who’s trying to act a part, but has never had an acting lesson.  It’s hard to watch.  I think the reason he’s still at the kid’s table is because he is terrible at speaking.  However, I do like that he is running away from the crazy.  He’s acting like the grownup we need in the Whitehouse.  I don’t agree with his policy of more troops in Syria.  However, he’s at least not thinking we need to start WWIII.

Now at the beginning of this piece I implied that if we are going to go to war, then we need to do it full tilt.  I still feel that way.  However, that doesn’t mean that I want to go to war.  Especially with some back-water desert sheep herders who are of no more threat to me than the sheep they herd.  Republicans have made an industry out of fear and that’s why their followers need so many guns to go to the bathroom.  It’s a poor way to win an election.

However, mark my words, if we do go to a full out war with say Russia or China thinking that will make us feel better, our lives will be much different.  I really want you, and the candidates to read what it was really like the last time we had a World War.  It’s wasn’t pretty.  Millions of people died.  If we do it now it will be billions.  Industries will fail, and you won’t get that fancy new SUV next year because GM and Ford will be making military vehicles.  It won’t matter anyway because you won’t be able to buy gas or tires, or food for that matter because everything will be rationed.  That fancy new cellphone will be a memory too since communication will be dead due to all the bombings on American soil.  The Internet won’t even matter.  This is not to mention that we will all of a sudden be afraid of every neighbor because not only will we think they could be Muslim, but now they could be a Russian.  Because you see…like us…most of them are white. 

 

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Change is Good!

Most of what we hear come out of The Donald’s mouth is what one might hear at a southern truck stop diner in the 1950s not a candidate for the 2016 presidency.  His sentiments and those of his followers are so ridiculous as to become cartoonish.  One would think no reasonable human being would give him any consideration.  The problem is that the Republican Party hasn’t been reasonable for quite some time.

Early on in this campaign year it was looking like the Republican candidates were having a contest to see who could be the biggest lunatic.  The problem is that Donald is the real deal.  Acting like a lunatic will always pale in comparison.  It’s hard to compete with that.  Now, thankfully, they are all running the opposite direction.  It may however be too late.

It’s hard to feel sorry for Republicans.  They created the crazy.  Then they refuse to own it.  They throw matches at a bucket of gasoline and then act surprised when the house burns down!  Historically, the core of the Republican strategy, on any issue, has always been to make people afraid.  They are afraid of minorities, they are afraid of women, they are afraid of education, they are afraid of non-Christians, they are even afraid of the poor.  Republicans have been so good at selling fear their base can’t leave the kitchen without being armed with an assault rifle and flak jacket. 

Now they are reaping the fruits of their labors and struggling for a way out.  They embraced the Christian right only to find that they are neither Christian, nor right.  The group is one step above the hood wearing KKK that birthed them.  Then they embraced the Tea Party, only to find that their economic agenda is economically ridiculous.  They want government out of their lives, well, except when it comes to invading your privacy, funding their Social Security, and expanding their Medicare.  Their house is on fire and they’re surrounded by the flames with no way out and the bucket they could use to douse the fire is still full of gasoline. 

Suffice it to say that the party leaders are not very happy with the current situation.  If Donald makes it past New Hampshire, it will be a rough few months.  They’re very nervous.  They’ve become an International punch line, and it doesn’t look like they’re in on the joke.  They’re doing their level best to change the message, but it may be too late.  This juggernaut is moving pretty fast.

What the leadership (and apparently anyone with a clue) understands is that if Donald wins the nomination there is no way in hell he will become President.  He doesn’t have the votes.  While he has a 30% approval rating among Republicans, his popularity in the rest of the country is non-existent.  They will definitely lose the Presidency, and likely most of Congress.  I’m not sure that’s a bad thing.  It might give them four years to reflect on how they might update their strategy.  I doubt it though.  They’re conservatives.  They don’t seem to like change all that much.

Rex
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Please Oly…Go to Switzerland!

I recently read a post that stated that Switzerland required every citizen to own a gun and that they had the lowest instances of gun violence than any other country in the world.  Therefore we should allow everyone to own a gun.  Well…as with EVERYTHING pro-gun on the internet, this is mostly bullshit.  It turns out that after researching how the Swiss handle guns in their country the truth is something a little different and a lot more intelligent.  You know…intelligence…that virtue the gun lobby lacks. 

First of all in Switzerland everyone between the ages of 20 and 30 must join the militia and obtain military weapons training.  For those of you who can read, gun possession in a militia is what our own Constitution guarantees, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”  It doesn’t say you get to have a gun no matter what.  That would be crazy.  You know…like you are.  Switzerland’s militia laws are actually where the uneducated idiots of the gun nut group get their idea that everyone must own a gun.  I guess in their world Switzerland is really Logan’s Run. 

In Switzerland when you are conscripted (that means you don’t have freedom of choice) into the militia your personally issued weapon is kept at home.  Here’s the interesting part.  You don’t get to keep the military issued ammunition at home.  However, you can purchase private ammunition for the weapon.  However…and here’s another interesting piece of information left out of the discussion…you have to have a gun license to own the ammunition.  That’s right, to own the ammunition, you have to have a license for the weapon for which you are purchasing said ammo.  Let’s see THAT law get passed in the U.S. 

Now, to make things more interesting, when you are discharged from the militia after age 30 (34 if you are an officer), you can then apply for a private license.  However, these are usually only issued to people who work in some type of security service where a weapon is needed for the job.  In other words, not just any Joe Schmuck can own an assault weapon.  In short, it is actually HARDER to own a gun in Switzerland than in the U.S., not easier.  Also, you are almost guaranteed that the person with the gun has the training and expertise to use the damn thing.  Not like in the U.S. where any knuckle dragger who can put an X in the signature box, and barely obtain the brain power to stand erect. 

Once a person has been released from the Militia, they can keep their military issued weapon if, 1.  They have applied for AND received a private weapon’s permit (not easily obtained), and 2. The weapon is turned into a single shot rifle from an automatic weapon.  Also, keep in mind that to get ammunition for the weapon they must have a permit for the weapon because as mentioned before, you cannot buy ammunition for a gun you do not own.  You have to produce a permit for that weapon to get the ammo for it.  This would definitely keep down the deaths from guns purchased at gun shows where there are no background checks. 

There are 3 main reasons why there are fewer gun deaths in Switzerland than in the U.S.  They are likely difficult for you to comprehend, but I’ll try. 

Reason One:  In the United States it is legal for anyone to own a firearm as long as they are not a felon.  You can still be a complete moron.  You don’t need a permit to actually own a gun either.  You need the permit to conceal it.  Given that any yahoo can own a firearm, you get a lot of uneducated and untrained people handling firearms.  This means a lot of people are killed and injured each year just through being an idiot.  It also means people on no fly lists (a.k.a. known terrorists) can own firearms as well.  You also get the mentally ill, mentally incompetent, and judgmentally challenged.  All too many people who should not be anywhere near a gun. 

Reason Two:  Switzerland’s economy is such that crime is lower than the U.S.  They have one of the highest per capita incomes in the world.  They don’t have the poverty we do.  Their system provides healthcare to everyone, economic programs for the needy, and they make sure everyone that can work is working.  Their population is also smaller than any of our major cities, making it easier to manage economic stress. 

Reason Three:  They don’t poke their noses into the business of other countries.  Since before WWII Switzerland has been the land of neutrality.  They don’t get a lot of people pissed at them because they try to dabble in the daily economics and political battles of places they don’t belong.  We’re the kings of pissing off the world because we can’t mind our own business.  This makes us vulnerable to attack from people who want nothing more than to be left alone.

Now Oly, if you still think that you will have more gun freedom if you go to Switzerland, then let me know.  I’ll be happy to open a gofundme page for you so you can go there.  It will make it safer for everyone if for no other reason than your level of ignorance will be there and not here.

Rex