From The Window Seat

ISO What?

Microsoft recently published a new study about how searching health conditions online can sometimes lead individuals to make personal misdiagnosis. Techies callthis condition "cyberchondria."

What really intrigues me about this research is the way it underscores the point that "searching" is so core to our human story.  Early caveman searched for food.  Early explorers searched for new countries.  We search for the life on other planets, and for meaning of life on this one. And now we search online for everything from a reason why we're breaking out in hives to the cheapest gas price in our neighborhood. 

The computer revolution has granted us an ability to search and replace, conduct search histories, customize searches and even in the terms of one popular search-engine, just "feel lucky" with a random search.

Has all this enhanced searching led to more solutions, answers, or findings? Or just more questions? I guess I just answered that question.

Honoring our Veterans

Today we honor our Veterans.  This past weekend my husband and I spent several hours in Arlington National Cemetery, just 1 mile from our home.  As always, walking among the endless gravestones of individuals who gave their lives for our freedom is an emotional and somber experience. 

But this visit was marked by the discovery of something a bit more lighthearted - the Military Order of the Cooties.  Hundreds of men and woman dressed in matching red coats emblazoned with a bizzare bug logo, white pants or dresses, and silly pointed hats with dangling tassels were filing past the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  

I was dying to ask about their club but waited until I got home to do a little Internet research.  It Seems this group founded in 1920 as an offshoot of the VFW.  Their mission is to bring fun to hospitalized veterans, their widows and orphans. Thus the somewhat silly name and funny hats.

Among the rows of memorials to lives lost in miserable and often inhumane conditions, the folks in the funny hats are a welcome reminder of our humanity and the joys of life.

If you would like to see more pictures, visit our family Webshots page.

Retire the Rabbit Ears

This week the General Accounting Office (GAO) published a report on the top ten issues it suggests the new Administration and Congress make haste in addressing.  There were a few obvious suggestions, like the financial markets.  But there were some real odd balls as well, such as the potential crisis apparently just around the corner with the switch to digital television.

Honestly, is the fact that 19 million American households are estimated to be ill-prepared for this February '09 "D" Day really an impending disaster?  My initial reaction was, "Please!"  Then I started thinking about my Mom and all her fellow nursing home residents who rely heavily on their TVs to stay connected to the outside world.  I'm thinking there is a good chance those old-timey sets in institutional settings like hospitals and retirement facilities aren't digital-ready. 

So, I'm calling on the new Congress and President Elect Obama to take any penny left from their campaign coffers that didn't go into television advertising and spend a little coin to make sure Granny doesn't miss the next State of the Union. And I'll be looking for those Rabbit Ears on my next visit to the Smithsonian History Museum!

A New America

Last night over 100 million Americans cast votes and the majority pulled the lever to send Barack Obama to the White House, the first black President of the United States.  Honestly, I have fought the urge to get caught up on the "first ever" hype.  But as a colleague said this morning, this is a moment which we will never forget in our lifetime.  

After several months feeling that the economy is a real downer, I walked to work feeling rich today.

The promise of new thinking, new voices at the table and a renewed spirit of civic engagement makes me feel like a million dollars.  I know that the hard work of governing lies ahead, but for now the promise of equality, opportunity and hope has beat the politics of fear.  

Celebrating Election Day

On election day, I'm reminded of this incredible photo taken years ago by Carol Guzy of the Washington Post of South African voters walking on a hot, dry road to a polling center many miles away from their home. I can't find the photo now, but here is another cool one that demonstrates the lengths individuals will go for a say in their destiny. 

Judging by the morning news, a little speech about the American responsibility to vote seems, thankfully, unnecessary.  Hopefully all those exercising their right today will remember how fortunate we are.  Take a look at this map for a stark reminder of how much of the world (the area in red) still is denied the right to choose their leaders.  

Whatever your political persuasion - enjoy Election Day.  It is a day worthy of celebration, regardless of outcome. 

Courting the Female Vote

Today I attended a forum featuring NPR reporter Juan Williams at the Newseum on the hot topic dujour - the Presidential Campaign. Part of the discussion centered on undecided voters.  I wondered how could there possibly be any after what seems an endless season of campaigning and two starkly different candidates?

Turns out it is people like me - white women aged 45-64 - who comprise a significant portion of the undecideds.  A whopping 44 percent of us have not made up our minds yet.   According to AP, it is because we are "feisty, used to demanding answers and making choices," though that seems a bit non sensical if such a large percent of us are actually undecided.  And, according to AP, pocketbook issues are our number one priority since many of us write the bills, fill up the gas tank, and buy the groceries.

I decided to do some quick research to see how each candidate was trying to reach my voting bloc via their Website. Obama has a "women" section in his Website with virtually dozens of position statements considered to be of interest to us, but none directly address the economy. McCain doesn't include "women" in his issues list, but he has a page clearly directed to women with photos from his wife's travels on the Campaign trail, Sarah Palin's bio and tips on how to get involved. Nothing about the economy here either.  

No wonder so many of my peers haven't made up their minds.  It seems these candidates and their consultants haven't figured out what matters most.  Here's a hint from the Clinton Days:  It's the economy, stupid.