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Sun Dec 21 00:24:04 GMT 2008

What an incredible year.     For me this year was  dominated with news and 
memories of China, DeBakey, Political  campaigns, Hurricane Ike,  the election, 
and the  economy.    Certainly more many more issues have affected many of  
you individually and each will have their own memory.    In  addition, have some 
pretty scary predictions for 2009, but those projections  will not be cited 
today or here right now.   

For me, the announcement of China as a modern nation to be reckoned with  was 
the number one story.    Long before the Olympics, China was  in the news 
this year.   Demonstrations, a major flood, the Yangtze  Dam and then the 
Olympics.     All together, this was an  expression that China belongs to the League 
of Nations, and is able to hold its  own in organizing and implementing a 
vision.     And then  the glorious Olympics with its records, was a entertainment  
spectacle.      I was glued to the television during  the opening and closing 
ceremonies.     I was given a Chines  produced DVD by the local Chinese 
Consulate regarding these ceremonies and they  were 1000 times better and more 
impressive than the TV  coverage.     

Dr. Michael E. DeBakey died 8 weeks before his 100th  birthday.    Probably 
the most significant doctor (certainly  surgeon) of the 20th century, he made 
huge contributions to medical education,  research, NIH, Library of Medicine, 
Military Medicine, Surgery for  arteriosclerosis, and the training a master 
surgeons that dotted the  world.      He initiated two historic events to bring  
himself and Dr. Cooley back together about 8 months before his  death.    

The two year long political campaigns for President was a  memory.    
Personally, I was hopeful that both political parties  would have picked different 
persons that those that were  running.    With the mess in today's news, one 
would question as  to why anyone would want this job.   So many critiques could 
be made  about the campaigns, the candidates, and enough comment has occurred 
cause us to  just leave it alone right now.     

Hurricane Ike was very different from Katrina.   Most homes  in Houston were 
two weeks without electricity and every tree in Houston was  damaged.    A 
major medical school (UTMB) was significantly  dismantled, as were major sections 
of Galveston.   Current debate  exists as to whether or not Galveston will 
ever return to its former  glory.    

Regardless of ones political leanings this years political election was  
historic.      Now changes will begin, but no on agrees  as to just what changes 
are necessary for what  programs.      Things will be different.   

Everyone has been affected by the economic downturn.     Certainly GREED 
played a  big part in causing both Enron collapse and all  subsequent wall street 
or business failures.   AND it is not over  yet.      Each of us would have 
some editorial comment  regarding just who and what caused this mess, but the 
fact remains, we mow have  the problem to deal with.   AND it is going to affect 
health care  delivery.      

Do have a happy Holiday season and a healthy new year.  

k
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