Is Lautenberg Too Old?

Slightly more than half of New Jersey’s voters think U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, 83, is too old to serve another term, according to a Quinnipiac University poll.
He would be 84 if he ran next year, and 90 at the end of his six-year term.
The same poll found 41 percent approved his performance, 32 percent disapproved. And 7 percent favored him over an unnamed Republican opponent.
Ironically, age was a minor issue in his favor when Lautenberg first ran for the senate in 1981. His opponent, Republican Millicent Fenwick, 72, was 10 years older.
But aging and views on aging have changed in the last 25 years.
For his part, Lautenberg says he is in excellent health and has no intention of hanging it up.
“The issue is effectiveness,” he said.
It’s difficult to imagine any Democratic move to dump Lautenberg. Dems presumably will be heavy favorites in a presidential election year. Republicans haven’t carried the state for president since 1988 and the last Republican elected to the senate was Clifford Case from 1955 to 1979.
Lautenberg, who served from 1982 to 2001, “retired,” was bored, and came back in 2003, has $2.9 million in his campaign fund.
Republican state chairman Tom Wilson says age will definitely be an issue if Lautenberg runs.
Your comments?

Updating Three Previous Blogs

Some interesting developments in previous blog topics Katie Couric, greed in higher education and the smoking ban on the Cape Regional Medical Center “campus.”
As usual, your comments would be appreciated.
I had wondered at Couric’s relative lack of success anchoring the CBS Evening News and at my own reluctance to watch her.
That was months ago.
CBS continues in third place and now there are hints that Katie is herself dissatisfied and could move on.
In a New York Magazine interview, she said the show’s “biggest mistake” had been “trying new things,” most of which were subsequently abandoned, and the return to a “more traditional broadcast” made the job “less appealing” to her.
As for my own 6:30 p.m. viewing, should you care, as a news junkie, I am intrigued at the toe-to-toe (neck and neck?) battle between ABC’s Charles Gibson, definitely old school, and NBC’s Brian Williams for first place.
I am more familiar with and trusting of NBC’s correspondents in the trenches, but ABC is coming up with more exclusive stories. As a result, I switch back and forth.
Does trusting your reporter, whether on TV or in your local paper, mean much to you? Do exclusive stories?
The latest higher education disappointment occurred at Eastern Michigan University where the administration lied to the news media and, more important, to the parents of a female student who was raped and killed. They said there was no fowl play. Then police arrested a suspect and it all came out.
Three administrators, including the president, were forced to resign. How sad that officials in a position of trust would try to cover up a murder to spare their university’s reputation.
Finally, I wrote when about the medical center’s “smoke-free campus” that the policy would be “as good as its enforcement.”
I regret to say the policy has been little-publicized and I have seen no signs of enforcement, and numerous signs of lack of enforcement.

Keep Smoking Out of Films?

Reaction to my blog a couple weeks ago about Cape Regional Medical Center extending its smoking ban to include the hospital grounds, parking lots, company vehicles, vehicles parked in the lots and adjacent sidewalks surprised me.
Five who commented were upset, saying the hospital had gone too far and was inflicting its views on others. Only three celebrated the new rules. And one pleaded for security guards not to be blamed.
I wonder what will be the response to this: The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) could give a higher rating to new films that “glamorize” smoking.
Puffing on a Marlboro would be right up there with violence, sex, profanity and drug use as the MPAA determines what rating to use in advising parents or restricting admissions.
Many have had great fun with this. What’s next: meat, mink or Mr. Softee? asked Philadelphia Inquirer movie critic Steven Rea.
But Amy Jordan at the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Public Policy Center says tobacco use has increased in films and too many teenagers continue to become addicted to it.
I detest smoking, but a part of me also resists censorship.
The argument that people should be allowed to make their own choices is philosophically persuasive. But without rules, and enforcement, how many would not fasten seatbelts or wear safety helmets as they ride motorcycles?

If I Werer Your Pastor...

Were I your pastor — Protestant or Catholic — I would do some things differently.
These policies would be aimed at summer visitors, who swell church attendance.
First, I’d forget the usual advice to dress appropriately for a church. It does no good whatsoever. Many people nowadays don’t know the meaning of appropriate,
Second, I’d have a sign at the entrance: CHILDREN WELCOME in large type. But beneath it, in slightly smaller type, “If they are too young to be reasonably quiet and attentive, please take advantage of our Children’s Room.”
Third, I’d have an usher at each door collecting a $10-per-family cover charge. After all, if they are here, they are not contributing at home. A vacation doesn’t mean a vacation from giving.
Many churches, especially on the islands, have small year-round attendance. But they are built to accommodate crowds of summer visitors who find beautiful churches, air-conditioned and fully staffed. And God.
I’d accept cash and checks, but no credit cards.
What do you think?

Pity the Poor Doctor?

Intense pressure and workplace stress.
High overhead.
Low satisfaction.
Sound like a job description for CIA director or restaurant owner?
Actually, according to features in the May issue of “Physicians Practice” magazine, it’s the situation for many of today’s doctors.
And you ought to read the letters to the editor from doctors. Example: “Is it OK for physicians to take it lying down when the world wants us to provide top-quality care with total liability for people’s lives while giving us K-mart reimbursement?”
Patients’ problems with doctors usually focus on long waits and poor communication. Putting the shoe on the other foot, many doctors are questioning their career choices.
If, for example, you are unhappy with the whole health insurance situation, imagine how unhappy the physician is.
According to an article in the magazine, many physicians have personality traits that put them at greater risk for burnout. They chose medicine because they are idealists with a strong desire to help people. They are inclined to be perfectionists. They’re not likely to seek help.
It may be difficult for most of us to imagine a physician having money worries, but the fact is, some do.