NIght of the Jaguar- Enticing Read

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I just finished listening to “The NIght of the Jaguar” by Michael Gruber. Books on CD is my favorite way to pass the long hours driving to and from my family home 7 hours away.

NIght of the JaguarThis novel has it all; murder mystery, philosophy, psychology, contemporary geo-political ideas, clash of ancient and modern culture, you name it.

The top few characters develop nicely, learning from and integrating their experiences to grow from them.

The gist surrounds mysterious murders by a giant jaguar, which we know from the beginning is a little Columbian Indian who transforms into this god like beast, his own god, in fact. All this seems too implauseable, and we hear that from several characters, including the main character, Jimmy Paz, who retired as a cop after solving some bizarre voodoo killings years before. But over time, he begins to piece events together, all of which lead him to re-constitute some of his heritage, expressed in the character of his shamanistic Cuban mother.

In my favorite parts, the various characters discuss the scientific plausibility of spirits, their powers, their effects on the real world. It sound like Gruber did his homework, since the conversations seem well researched and make sense.

Gruber broaches tricky territory trying to convince us that spirits can take shapes not scientifically possible. But with all those philosophy of science and psychology discussions in the book, he set the leap up fairly well.

During Jimmy Paz’s defining moment, he realizes that it is simply not possible to be able to understand all workings of the universe, and that believing so hampers one’s ability so sense and respect the unknowable, the mysterious aspects of the workings of mind and matter which we may never fully grasp, no matter how much research is done. His wife, a psychiatric MD, and friend, a brilliant scientist, are not convinced. Much like the world we live in, there are the believers and the skeptics. But Jimmy brings us along with him in his transformation into a believer, at least in Jaguar spirits who take real form to kill.

All in all, a great read, or listen, in my case. This book on CD was read by Jonathan Davis, who does a fantastic job of rendering all the different characters voices and accents, from Brit to American to Florida Cuban.

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Unethical

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I just had a frustrating conversation with an employee of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance company. I cannot believe what I was told.

Anthem has paid for only 7 out of a possible 12 yearly covered visits to a chiropractor. Yet, the insurance company will not cover further treatments for me this year, claiming that my yearly quota has maxed out.

This makes no sense, since they have only covered 7 out of 12. The reason for the discrepancy? I made several visits, paid out of my own pocket, to a chiropractor outside Anthem’s preferred provider list. So what? Since Anthem refuses to cover those expenses, I should be okay, right? Wrong!

Because I dared submit a claim, even though they didn’t pay a cent, Anthem Blue Cross counted them against my allowable benefits! Anthem penalized me for simply asking for their help and then being refused. How absurd! How blatantly unethical. Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield has unethical business practices.

After telling the employee how wrong this policy was, she said she would not discuss the immorality of Anthem policies. I asked her if she enjoyed working for Anthem, and she answered she loved her job and would never leave it. She stated that if I had not submitted those claims, it wouldn’t have been a problem. I can’t believe she could say that to me with a straight face (I assume). Be quiet and you’ll be okay. That is the message.

Anthem is a shameful company. I’m sure that Anthem and other American Insurance Industry companies implement this bait and switch trick on thousands of unsuspecting customers who dutifully pay their insurance bills.

A Republican Mayor, Jerry Sanders, votes for Gay Marriage

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San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders explains his eleventh hour switch in deciding to sign a city resolution legitimizing full marriage rights for Gays in San Diego.

He explains with great emotion that civil unions are not an acceptable alternative, because they are a “separate but equal” right. US history has shown that those kinds of compromises are not up to the standards of the US Constitution.

Mayor Sanders’ almost embarrassing emotion betrays his deeply felt conviction in making this decision. Sanders states he followed his heart in this choice. He will undoubtedly suffer serious political consequences from the far Right for this decision. However, he may also be heralded as a leader of a broader movement supporting equal rights for all proud American citizens who wish to commit to a life together in marriage.

Separate is not Equal

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This note is from a 23 year old nephew of a friend of mine. He just moved to San Francisco from Maine to allow him to find himself. He is gay and out and as you will see from this note, very outspoken. I reprint this here because it reminds me of myself when I was a lot younger. I believe youth can teach us a lot. In this case, I am reminded that I have grown accustomed to being bland (“balanced and fair”) about the issue of marriage rights for our gay population. Marriage must be allowed between ANY TWO HUMAN BEINGS WHO LOVE EACH OTHER AND ARE COMMITTED TO THAT LOVE FOR LIFE.

I want you to take a moment and listen to something very basic I don’t believe most people understand….

As I watched the debate last night the only thing both candidates agreed upon (except unconditional support of Israel, which of course is because otherwise they would have no financial backing for their campaigns) is an agreement on the definition of marriage being between a man and a women.

The core issue here is not gay rights, or the rights to see sick loved ones when in hospital, or be beneficiaries of marriage in a way most people understand. Marriage is an institution sanctioned by the government heterosexual people can enter into as an expression of commitment, love, and a common understanding excepted by society.

It has been shown through SUPREME COURT RULINGS separate is not equal. If you agree that a different water fountain for blacks, regardless if it still provides water to people, is a fair ruling than you won’t understand the issue. If you agree that separate schools for non-whites, even with the same books and materials, is a noble idea, than you miss the point. If you think we should again segregate buses and living spaces and create all together different institutions in society for each group of people then yes, gays should not get married. IF YOU ARE A BACKWARDS, MISINFORMED, IGNORANT PERSON who does not realize the way forward is for constant reevaluation of the standards in which we live and how we treat our neighbors, nurses, the teacher that teach our children, and our families, than you agree that a “union” or a “contract” is fair. How is separate but equal fair???

All I ask is when this topic is brought up, DON’T SAY “WHAT OTHER PEOPLE DO IS THEIR BUSINESS”, DON’T BE PASSIVE ABOUT THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE ISSUE. THE RIGHT FOR HOMOSEXUALS TO MARRY IS THE SAME RIGHT AS NON-WHITES HAVE TO ATTEND PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL, FOR THE BLACK KID IN THE HALLWAY TO SIP FROM THE WATER FOUNTAIN, AND FOR ALL OF YOU TO LIVE AS EQUALS IN A FAIR AND JUST SOCIETY.

If GOD is your reasoning, let him judge for himself on an individual basis, don’t force feed me your religion through public policy!

ITS SICKENING!

Thanks for reading, it means a lot.
Mark