In France Medicine is Not A Business

In America anyone can write a diet book, including doctors. There can be no basis in fact or science, no studies to support whether the diet works, under what conditions, for how long, etc. In France, they actually expect a diet doctor to follow the rules, follow science and the ethical considerations in being a doctor, including not practicing medicine as a business. Wow, now that is novel. In America, isn't every doctor running a business? Every lawyer? We work at balancing ethics and doing what is right for the client or patient, and still earning a living to support our families. What if we were freed, paid a salary, and just practice our profession the right way. That is how medicine is practiced in France.

So, here we have the French diet doctor, Pierre Dukan, hawking his wares - his latest book, about high protein diets and the French medical society is accusing him of practicing medicine as a business, and not following science.

http://news.yahoo.com/french-medical-orders-target-diet-guru-pierre-dukan-173204743.html

Memories of Barcelona - Snowflake

Writing today with someone about traveling in Spain brought back some memories of Snowflake, the Albino Gorilla at the zoo in Barcelona. The Zoo itself was not much, very old-fashioned and small, but charming for a city like Barcelona. I always describe Barcelona as similar to San Francisco, set into a hillside overlooking a bay, very sophisticated and artistic, full of Gaudi architecture. A man who was brilliant and creative but clearly partaking of the recreational drugs of his day. I had the pleasure of climbing the temple de la segrada familia - his neo-gothic cathedral that was never finished. Somewhat unfortunately, the city is now trying to finish the structure, but it is fairly controversial as to whether it is faithful to Gaudi's plans as he had several different ones in process before his too early death.

As for Snowflake, I will have to find my photos and upload them as they are pre-digital. He was quite majestic and striking, as an albino gorilla is quite rare. In Africa they would suffer in the sun, and even with the shade he was provided in the zoo, Snowflake still became ill with skin cancer at the end in 2008. But he left a legacy of many people who cared for him, and visitors drawn to the zoo, his offspring, and his genetic legacy giving scientists the ability to study the genetic basis for his condition.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/snowflake-the-white-gorilla/snowflakes-legacy/278/

A Snowflake who was left a legacy, not fleeting and gone in seconds.

A another list of beautiful places for travel

Naturally France is in there with Bordeaux.

http://travel.yahoo.com/ideas/10-stunning-travel-destinations.html;_ylt=AuotMpxrEGc53OZWztcp6vTc6cB_;_ylu=X3oDMTI1M21kZnVoBG1pdAN0cmF2ZWwgSWRlYXMgQXJ0aWNsZSBib2R5BHBvcwMxNQRzZWMDTWVkaWFBcnRpY2xlQm9keVRlbXBBc3NlbWJseQ--;_ylg=X3oDMTNqbHQxYTYzBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDNDYyMTgxY2QtNjM2Yy0zODg0LWIzZTktNGQ1NWQ5YjRhMTk1BHBzdGNhdAN0cmF2ZWxpZGVhc3x0cmF2ZWxhcnRpY2xlcwRwdANzdG9yeXBhZ2UEdGVzdAM-;_ylv=3?page=all

How US fails to understand Europe

As we all know there appears to be a vast cultural divide between US and Europe. We are always thinking that their society means socialism and therefore bars capitalistic development. Instead what it really means is a more fair society, with tax structure and health care etc. Corporations don't run and own the government, unlike here. This article/segment from CBS Sunday morning has it right on:

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3445_162-57404104/how-gop-candidates-get-europe-wrong/?tag=exclsv

Learn French - move to Canada?

So maybe you can't immigrate to France, but Quebec wants immigrants, especially those who can speak some French.

http://news.yahoo.com/chinese-discover-backdoor-canada-though-quebec-203651920.html

A sad day in France with the Jewish school shootings

But the French police seem quite on top of it, searching nationally for several neo-nazi sympathizers they believe may be responsible. A horrible act of domestic terrorism. Even the Presidential candidates have suspended their campaigns while the investigation is pending. Can you imagine US candidates doing that?

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/envoy/french-police-hunt-sniper-four-killed-jewish-school-210439051.html

Sweden working to eliminate cash transactions

this is an interesting analysis. Sweden is working to eliminate all cash transactions and projects it can be done within 20 years. Only 3 percent of their economy is based on using bills or coins, while 7 percent of US economy is cash transactions. Sweden is tops in digital innovation in the world. We need to move along faster, that's for sure but can't if we don't improve our education system to allow for innovation and having a populace who can keep up with the changes.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57399610/sweden-moving-towards-cashless-economy/?tag=exclsv