Accidents

According to one very reliable source, these things happen in America every single day: 

240 people die as a result of medical errors 

144 people die as a result of an accident at home 

130 people die as a result of a traffic accident 

110 people die as a result of accidental poisoning 

62 people die as a result of a fall 

49 people die victims of a homicide 

28 people die victims of a drunk driver 

9 people die as a result of drowning 

Maybe we can learn something from these numbers. They say that doctors bury their mistakes so maybe that is still true? Perhaps people should really watch where they are going to avoid being victims of accidents? People should learn how to swim or wear life jackets always? Don't hang around people who might kill you? Don't put strange stuff in your mouth and maybe, just maybe, you won't poison yourself? Nobody dies as a result of starvation so I guess that's a good thing. 

Sinking again

Another ferry has been washed away in the Philippines. About 20 people are dead. This country is the most prone to passenger ship catastrophes than any other. I wonder why. They do not maintain their ships (ferries) and almost always overload them with people. Irresponsibility yields bad results. Will they ever learn? Nope. Not even this topless woman could ever convince them.

Weirdness

From a recent news story on the internet: “LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County coroner has ruled Michael Jackson's death a homicide, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press, a finding that makes it more likely criminal charges will be filed against the doctor who was with the pop star when he died. The coroner determined a fatal combination of drugs was given to Jackson hours before he died June 25 in his rented Los Angeles mansion, according to the official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the findings have not been publicly released. Forensic tests found the powerful anesthetic propofol acted together with at least two sedatives to cause Jackson's death, the official said. Dr. Conrad Murray, a Las Vegas cardiologist who became Jackson's personal physician weeks before his death, is the target of a manslaughter investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department. According to a search warrant affidavit unsealed Monday in Houston, Murray told investigators he administered a 25 mg dose of propofol around 10:40 a.m. after spending the night injecting Jackson with two sedatives in an unsuccessful attempt to get him to sleep. The warrant, dated July 23, states that lethal levels of propofol were found in Jackson's system. Besides the propofol and two sedatives, the coroner's toxicology report found other substances in Jackson's system but they were not believed to have been a factor in the singer's death, the official said.” No, no, no – this can’t be right. Even this topless woman knows there is something amiss here. This has something to do with the fact that Jackson’s insurance company has said that death due to the use of drugs was an exclusion in his policy. If, however, it can be shown that he was indeed rendered dead (not to say murdered) by an overdose, then the beneficiaries can collect. The good doctor will probably be charged with involuntary manslaughter or negligent homicide, then the insurer will pay up, then the charges will be dismissed for lack of evidence or it will be plea bargained to something like two years of probation. What do I know? Nothing…. I’m just speculating. What goes on behind the scenes, I wonder?

Insurance

Never underestimate the value of an insurance policy, whether it's for flying on a jet, or driving a car, or living quietly in a house. Look at what happened to all those Katrina people who had no insurance. The government had to step in to help them - helpless people are like borrowers who have nowhere to turn except other people who may be better off than they are. I remember the time my little sister got suddenly sick and my mom and dad had to take her to the hospital. He showed them an insurance policy but they couldn't accept it - it was a life insurance policy. Poor dad - he simply didn't know better. When I received a shipment from UPS that arrived in less than perfect condition, they were excellent about reimbursing me - the item was insured. Think about it - I know this woman will.