Potpourri101

Conrad Murray Verdict: GUILTY

by L Parker Brown on November 7, 2011·General

This is It! This is It! This is It! Michael Jackson supporters chanted that title to one of Jackson’s hit songs, and what would have been the billing for Jackson’s last concert tour, as the crowd anxiously waited outside of the LA County Courthouse, following the announcement that the jury had reached a verdict in the case of Dr. Conrad Murray. Reportedly, a heavy police presence was available as crowds for and against Murray gathered around the building.

Anyone who has not been in a propofol coma during the past few months knows that Michael Jackson’s doctor has been on trial for involuntary manslaughter following his indictment in the icon’s death. Jackson died of acute propofol intoxication on June 25, 2009.

The seven men and five women jury deliberated for about 10 hours following closing arguments last week. The twelve had the weekend off and came back today with a guilty verdict.

Murray faces up to four years in prison and the loss of his medical license.

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The Big C

by L Parker Brown on November 5, 2011·General, Technology

“Cancer is the leading cause of death in economically developed countries.” That disturbing statement from the March/April 2011 issue of the Global Cancer Statistics report is in itself unsettling, but although the report attributes the increase in cancer to the “aging and growth of the world population,” what it fails to mention is that one of our greatest assets – technology – is a huge contributor to the growing number of cancer cases.

While the GCS report references the numerous forms of cancer and suggests that cancer could be prevented through the application of diverse control factors including adhering to a healthy diet and regular exercise, the report makes no mention of cast-off electronic gadgets that could be a contributing factor to the disease.

An article recently published in The Washington Post is a real eye opener, “Replacing Old Smart Phones with Newer Models Creates Environmental Problems.” Read it. It may rock your world as it did mine.

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A Boomer’s Introspection on The Purpose

by L Parker Brown on November 4, 2011·Religion, The Way I See It

“You are not an accident. Even before the universe was created, God had you in mind, and he planned you for His purposes. These purposes will extend far beyond the years you will spend on earth.” Those thought provoking words are from Rick Warren’s book The Purpose Driven Life.

As Baby Boomers come closer to the end of our road, some are pondering our objective for being here. Although I once had a firm conviction about purpose, I am beginning to question my own thinking on that subject.

For years, I have been among those who believe that every individual was created by our maker for a specific purpose; and I suspect that our personal goals are secondary to the purpose for which we were born. I also wonder, are our personal goals commingled – unbeknownst to us – with our purpose for being here? And, if we do all have a purpose and the purpose of some people is to do basically good things – like strive for world peace or, on a smaller scale, improve a chaotic society – then what is the purpose of evil doers?

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