My engineering background has lead me to research the energy alternatives to oil. My opinion is that it will be very difficult to replace oil because the energy density of the substance is far greater than the alternatives except perhaps Nuclear energy. Solar Energy and Wind Energy will require vast tracts of real estate and large investments before they can come close to offsetting the energy demand from oil. It is still questionable whether the net energy gain from bio-fuels is economically feasible.
My recommendation is that we focus more on energy efficiency and energy conservation. Energy not needed has the greatest likelihood of decreasing our dependency on oil in the short run. I am sure that other experts have made this point already. The public needs to hear this argument over and over again at every opportunity.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
The Air Jamaica Brand
It is sad to learn that Air Jamaica is to be sold or merged with Caribbean Airlines. The Jamaican government, who owns the airline, has been trying to divest the carrier since 2007. Now that the negotiations are nearing completion, many Jamaicans are protesting the decision.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Health Care Reform
Health Care reform ought to have a number of free market characteristics for best efficiency.
Kaiser Permanente, as I understand it, is non-profit and membership based. A membership based or cooperative healthcare establishment might give ownership to the patient and therefore be more focused on serving the customer. I can imagine a membership based health care service provider that covers a region.
Access to health care can be expanded by creating a market for health care services that can be exchanged between healthcare service providers. In this case a health care service provider can invest in a specific set of specialties that can be offered to another health care provider’s patients. I can imagine a patient who needs care in California but is a member of a health care provider in Florida. The Health care provider in Florida could use the health care exchange to help cover the cost of the care obtained by the patient in California.
Another scenario is a patient who is a member of Provider A obtaining Cancer care from Provider B. In this case, Provider B, specializes in the Cancer Care while Provider A did not invest in that specialty. An open market for health care service can help providers to defray cost by exchanging services as a method of obtaining specialty care for their members.
Another suggestion is a public sponsored standards body that can create regulations and standards for administration and digital communication. This speaks towards the President’s idea for reducing administrative cost in the health care system.
In Summary, I believe that a membership based non-profit health care provider might be the low cost model that might provide good competition between providers. I believe that the creation of a Market or Exchange for health care services might allow health care providers a method to achieve an economy of scale by providing a vehicle for selling their spare or idle capacity.
A non-profit member-owned regional health care provider would be a more efficient alternative to a national public program. This type of regional provider would be more nimble with less administrative overhead than a national or state administrated public option. A non-profit member-owned regional health care provider is likely to be better received by conservatives who have more faith in private enterprise.
Kaiser Permanente, as I understand it, is non-profit and membership based. A membership based or cooperative healthcare establishment might give ownership to the patient and therefore be more focused on serving the customer. I can imagine a membership based health care service provider that covers a region.
Access to health care can be expanded by creating a market for health care services that can be exchanged between healthcare service providers. In this case a health care service provider can invest in a specific set of specialties that can be offered to another health care provider’s patients. I can imagine a patient who needs care in California but is a member of a health care provider in Florida. The Health care provider in Florida could use the health care exchange to help cover the cost of the care obtained by the patient in California.
Another scenario is a patient who is a member of Provider A obtaining Cancer care from Provider B. In this case, Provider B, specializes in the Cancer Care while Provider A did not invest in that specialty. An open market for health care service can help providers to defray cost by exchanging services as a method of obtaining specialty care for their members.
Another suggestion is a public sponsored standards body that can create regulations and standards for administration and digital communication. This speaks towards the President’s idea for reducing administrative cost in the health care system.
In Summary, I believe that a membership based non-profit health care provider might be the low cost model that might provide good competition between providers. I believe that the creation of a Market or Exchange for health care services might allow health care providers a method to achieve an economy of scale by providing a vehicle for selling their spare or idle capacity.
A non-profit member-owned regional health care provider would be a more efficient alternative to a national public program. This type of regional provider would be more nimble with less administrative overhead than a national or state administrated public option. A non-profit member-owned regional health care provider is likely to be better received by conservatives who have more faith in private enterprise.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
The Truth Continuum
"What is true and what is not true. Need we ask anyone to tell us these things. "
Plato and Robert Pirsig phrased these words about goodness. In another way they are also applicable to the truth. We humans seek this wisdom to guide us and comfort our life decisions.
The fact of the matter is that the truth is personal to each of us. What we believe to be true depends largely on our life experience and the perspectives those exposures bring.
Funny, that word perspective. Think of it and the truth like a sphere. Think of us looking at the sphere from different angles. The sphere is the truth about a certain topic and our perspective is the way we see that topic. The picture shows an simplified view of this concept. Each person can see only the colors on their side of the wheel.
It does not make any sense to get emotional or argumentative when our acquaintances don't see the truth the way that we do. It might be rather helpful to listen. Attempt to see and understand an alternate perspective. That is the path to ultimate enlightenment.
By embracing all perspectives we can possibly see more of the truth and work together. That may be an ideal outcome but we are all mostly invested to our own version of the truth.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
E-Mailed Graphics
We all know by now that email is a chore waiting to fill your day with interruptions. if you have it set up right then most of the messages you receive each day are from sources to which you might give your attention. But then what about the embedded graphics in HTML formatted email?
All my email accounts have Spam filters. Most email servers block out referenced images to protect your privacy. Now when you get a message formatted with HTML and a referenced image from an external web server you get a blank image instead. Someone tell me why any legitimate email sender would include an image in there HTML messages.
If you sending email messages formatted with HTML. spare myself and yourself the aggravation. Please leave the images out.
All my email accounts have Spam filters. Most email servers block out referenced images to protect your privacy. Now when you get a message formatted with HTML and a referenced image from an external web server you get a blank image instead. Someone tell me why any legitimate email sender would include an image in there HTML messages.
If you sending email messages formatted with HTML. spare myself and yourself the aggravation. Please leave the images out.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Never Give Up
"Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up."
To be successful in your life and business is is essential to remember to follow:
"The pessimist sees the problems in every opportunity. Whereas the optimist sees the opportunity in every problem"
"Never give in, never give in, never; never; never; never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense"
To be successful in your life and business is is essential to remember to follow:
"The pessimist sees the problems in every opportunity. Whereas the optimist sees the opportunity in every problem"
"Never give in, never give in, never; never; never; never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense"
Thursday, December 21, 2006
AFC Playoff Contenders
Over here in Southern California we get to see San Diego play quite a lot. Their offence with LaDainian Tomlinson seems to be able to score at will especially against the weaker defensive teams. Early in the season against, Baltimore and Pittsburgh, LT was held without a touchdown. San Diego's pass attack is flawed by aging or inconsistent receivers and inexperience at quarterback. Their only serious receiving threat is tight end Antonio Gates. San Diego has a pretty decent defense. However, they can be scored upon with a balanced attack that keeps the pass rush at bay. The San Diego Defense is ranked 7th against the rush and 11th against the pass.
For me Baltimore has the best balanced team in the NFL thus far this year. When Jamal Lewis and the rushing offence is on their game, Baltimore is hard to beat. Steve McNair and the pass offense is versatile. The Raven's have high quality receivers as good as can be assembled in the NFL. The Baltimore defense is awesome. They are ranked 1st in the league, 2nd against the run and 6th against the pass. The Raven's can be beat by a team with a quality passing game who can build a good lead. When you stop or neutralize the run and force McNair to pass the offense balance is lost. Baltimore has not shown itself to be a quick strike team. The scary part is that the Baltimore offense seem to be vastly improved in the second half of the season. This indicates that McNair has become completely familiar and comfortable with the offense and the players in the scheme. The QB fumbles, sacks, and interceptions are down to zero in the last three games.
The Colts run defense seems flawed. The general consensus is that losses at defensive tackle combined with poor tackling at linebacker has exposed the safeties to unacceptable injuries. We are now down to the 5th and 6th safeties in the depth chart. I fully expect Dungy and the coaching staff to make final adjustments on defense to make us competitive should we make the play-offs. If coach Bill Belichick can modify the defensive scheme to match the available players, I don't understand why the Colts brain-trust cannot make appropriate adjustments until we find something that works. There is still 3 games left in the season. The Tampa 2 works but if an alternate can be played situationally lets at least try it before we have to compete for the Superbowl. Being consistent in execution is required to win a championship, but being predictable or one dimensional will also hurt our chances.
Finally, Dungy and the coaching staff need to find a way to motivate the Colts players for the play-off run. If not, the players themselves need to dig down deep and make a supreme effort for 3 or 4 straight games. The difference between a good team and a great team is heart and consistent effort. If you want examples of heart and supreme effort review Robert Horry during the NBA championship series when San Antonio Spurs last won the championship. See Eddie George in the NFL playoffs against Baltimore in 2003 when he came back into the game after a shoulder injury to seal the Titan's win. Management and coaches put you in position to compete for a championship, but players win the games.
For me Baltimore has the best balanced team in the NFL thus far this year. When Jamal Lewis and the rushing offence is on their game, Baltimore is hard to beat. Steve McNair and the pass offense is versatile. The Raven's have high quality receivers as good as can be assembled in the NFL. The Baltimore defense is awesome. They are ranked 1st in the league, 2nd against the run and 6th against the pass. The Raven's can be beat by a team with a quality passing game who can build a good lead. When you stop or neutralize the run and force McNair to pass the offense balance is lost. Baltimore has not shown itself to be a quick strike team. The scary part is that the Baltimore offense seem to be vastly improved in the second half of the season. This indicates that McNair has become completely familiar and comfortable with the offense and the players in the scheme. The QB fumbles, sacks, and interceptions are down to zero in the last three games.
The Colts run defense seems flawed. The general consensus is that losses at defensive tackle combined with poor tackling at linebacker has exposed the safeties to unacceptable injuries. We are now down to the 5th and 6th safeties in the depth chart. I fully expect Dungy and the coaching staff to make final adjustments on defense to make us competitive should we make the play-offs. If coach Bill Belichick can modify the defensive scheme to match the available players, I don't understand why the Colts brain-trust cannot make appropriate adjustments until we find something that works. There is still 3 games left in the season. The Tampa 2 works but if an alternate can be played situationally lets at least try it before we have to compete for the Superbowl. Being consistent in execution is required to win a championship, but being predictable or one dimensional will also hurt our chances.
Finally, Dungy and the coaching staff need to find a way to motivate the Colts players for the play-off run. If not, the players themselves need to dig down deep and make a supreme effort for 3 or 4 straight games. The difference between a good team and a great team is heart and consistent effort. If you want examples of heart and supreme effort review Robert Horry during the NBA championship series when San Antonio Spurs last won the championship. See Eddie George in the NFL playoffs against Baltimore in 2003 when he came back into the game after a shoulder injury to seal the Titan's win. Management and coaches put you in position to compete for a championship, but players win the games.
The Value of Time and Friends
To realize the value of a sister or brother, ask someone who doesn't have one.
To realize the value of ten years: Ask a newly divorced couple.
To realize the value of four years: Ask a graduate.
To realize the value of one year: Ask a student who has failed a final exam.
To realize the value of nine months: Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
To realize the value of one month: Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.
To realize the value of one week: Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize the value of one minute: Ask a person who has missed the train, bus or plane.
To realize the value of one-second: Ask a person who has survived an accident.
To realize the value of a friend or family member: LOSE ONE.
Time waits for no one. Treasure every moment you have.
You will treasure it even more when you can share it with someone special.
Remember, hold on tight to the ones you love.
On Tony Dungy and the Indianapolis Colts
Tony Dungy has been one of my heroes for a long time. His diligence and consistency has helped the Colts to be as successful as they have been these past 5 years. The way he treats his players and staff in public is a great example for all leaders. Funny how that wisdom comes from Solomon and the book of Proverbs.
Jim Irsay, Bill Polian, Tony Dungy, and the entire Colts staff have brought a quality product to the market. SuperBowl or no SuperBowl. If Pittsburgh had not kept Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher around for as long as they did how many Superbowls would they have won? The Colts organization is a shining example for how corporate leaders should behave and Dungy is the face of the franchise.
Winning a Superbowl requires good players, a consistency system, and great individual effort in the play-offs. By my count the Colts missed good chances in 2003 and 2005 to make the superbowl. Those chances were missed mostly because individual players did not make the supreme effort. By supreme effort let me call your attention to Nick Harper against PittsBurgh in 2005 playing with a stab wound. Remember Eddie George against Baltimore in 2003. Eddie made the supreme effort despite a shoulder injury sustained during the game. Remember Emmit Smith willing Dallas to the Superbowl in 1992 despite significant injury. These players have or will have productive lives after football because the community remembers their contribution and opportunities are afforded.
Management, coaching, and the system of play provide the opportunity to challenge for the Superbowl each year. Players win the games. Perhaps Mike Vanderjagt might take a lesson from this rather than walking around with a chip on his shoulder during those years after calling out Peyton and Dungy in 2002. Perhaps in 2003 Edgerrin James might also taken the example of Emmit Smith instead of worrying about his contract when we were challenging for the AFC championship.
Despite the injuries and the players lost this 2006 year, The Colts are still in a good position to win. Dungy and his coaching staff have put together a winning system of play, Polian and his management staff have assembled a quality group of players, and Irsay and the Indianopolis community has provided the funds to make it happen. Now its up to the players to make that supreme effort to win 3 or 4 games straight. The individual players who step up to the task will be heroes for the rest of their lives.
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