Hi folks...

From time to time I will be publishing certain items which I will simply refer to as "alerts". Simply, it will refer to some item I found on line, or some other media outlet. This one is a doozy. Ever heard of a Guidant Corp.? I have...too damn many times. The are a medical parts and service company. A few years back they had to stop making their Aortic stent. Seems people were up and dying right in the middle of surgery. In my case, a long time heart patient (I just love the sound of that... "long time"), I am the proud owner of eight of their coronary stents. Now...they make two kinds. Their first out of the gate in the mid nineties, was "non-medicated". The next incarnation, around 2000, was a supposedly better version with a "drug-coating". I've got three of the first and five of the other. The kicker? And this makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. "The medical community is now having second thoughts about about stents." The article I read came from the New York Times, and was reprinted in the Ft Worth Star-Telgram Saturday, Oct. 22. They are now saying that there is no evidence they will extend anyones life, and even goes on to say that "...The evidence indicates that overuse of stents may be a leading to thousands of heart attacks and deaths each year...". I have the article. You can go to the S-T, or NY Times web sites, or email me at deetjay@charter.net and I will try to get my scanner to work and TRY to send you a copy. NO GAURANTEES. Whatever you do, if you are seeing a doctor for any cardiac related problem or, like me, are proud owners as well, get them on the phone, make an appointment, and ask them what this newest information means to you and yours. This has NOT made my day...and I plan to act as soon as my doctor's door opens Monday. Take care...please...

Dave

Every damn word, thought, compliment, sexy description, etc. in todays media (name your poison) is, and has always been directed at "30-lessers". And you know...it really jacks my jaw!

I started this "blog" to act as a alternative to all the pure drivel that pervades this society.

Then there's the other "things" that make me even hotter under and over the collar. If you're over fifty, and gainfully employed, you are probably finding out that all those years of experience mean SQUAT! MY own brother's 27 years of solid work for a Dallas corporation (I wanted to name names, but some companies have whole buildings of lawyers just waiting to trash people like me!) was rudely ended when management told him his work was being terminated. Not him mind you, his work, they said. The very next damn day, a younger worker was given HIS desk and all that work they were "terminating". Naturally, my brother, after being alerted by his friends at work, filed suit against his former employer for age discrimination. He then discovered the many "joys" of working for ANY corporation in the state of Texas. One of which, and this trumps ANY rights you may have foolishly thought you had, is that they can pretty much treat you and your job, any damn way they please! Oh he got his pension (which they had held in "abeyance" pending the suits outcome-nice guys). The final judgement was actually trebled under Texas law. He also got his medical reenstated after much wrangling. It was the big payoff that got deep-sixed. "Punitive" damages, were...dismissed. After years of abuse, stonewalling, and one delay after another, it was simply...dismissed. My father worked for another incarnation of the same company for 35 years. That makes over 60 years of loyal service. Means zilch...nada...freaking nothing!

The Kenneth Lays of the world work a few years raping his own company and ALL of its employees and their families, blaming all the similarly indited co-conspirators, or denying it EVER happened. No remorse...no nothing. On that same note, I noticed yesterday while reading our local newspaper, a small blurb informing me that, due to Kenneth Lays death (thank God for blessed mortality), his conviction was being "set aside". It also seems Texas law trumps even death. A friend of mine who worked for Enron told me that the general consensus among his fellow unemployed and finacially ruined sisters and brethren was that they wished they could reanimate his body and each take turns killing him all over again! They added to that they would chose painful methods only. What a legacy to leave your friends and love-ones.

That's not the only examples of the mistreatment older workers and people in general. All of you who read my new blog know of many other examples of mans "inhumanity to man". There are very serious issues that affect all of us, of all ages. This will be a forum for all those and much more. This will not be a forum for religious, or political chest beating. Granted much of what we will discuss on this site relates to our own personal religious/political persuasions. But, as we well know, this form of dialogue, very often strays from the logically sublime to the purely pontifically ridiculous. If you post nonsensical political or religious rantings, your post will be deleted.

This will not be site where you may also feel free to discuss your sexual problems and/or proclivities. Though many of us have experienced certain shortcomings regarding the very touchy issue of sex and growing older, I would wish that you would mainly discuss this with your spouses, significant others, or your physician. TMI (too much information) rules the day on this site!

Before I am accused of embracing negativity, this will also be a site you may share the joys of life as well! I'm a grandfather, and damn proud of it. You have a good story about your own, tell us about it. You have an inspirational story that you would like to tell, then feel free to tell it! Mostly, I would like to just hear from you. The internet is great, but seems to separate more than bring together. I want to hear from friends and family, sure. But I want to meet new folks as well. In the final analysis, this site is about folks with and without the problems of being "over 50", and the very real possibity that someone out there might have an answer to a question. We have thousands of years of knowledge and experience out there. On this site...if no other...it will be respected and acknowledged.

Have a great day!

Davefromthecave