From the fingertips of Pompous (Former) Pre-med

My dearest Nora, wherever thou mayst roam,

Brace yourself for what you're about to read. This comes from a young man who calls himself a Christian and who, for quite some time, was passionate about becoming a physician. I think that, after reading this, you'll agree that his abandonment of that goal (to pursue some sort of business degree, no less) was a good decision.

These words came via a social networking site when a mutual friend expressed his desire for the passing of the health care bill. Our mutual friend is not a terribly intelligent guy by any stretch of the imagination, but he's got a heart of gold and a mind completely absent of hate. Easily one of the nicest, friendliest people I've ever met. He radiates a sort of pureness and goodness, and you just can't help but like him.

At any rate, here is what my flatmate had to say in response. I highlighted...well, the highlights (poor spelling, paranoia, unnecessarily mean and belittling statements...).

"This is about more than just taxes, this is about the government taking a piss on the constitution. This is about them stripping us of our rights every day. This is about you wanting things and not wanting to pay for it. And even if this was a good idea and would make healthcare better (which it wont) we cant afford it and it will drive our country into bankruptsy. I am not surprised you want it though, you blame all your problems on someone else and expect others to take care of you and pay for everything. The responsibility to take care of yourself is on the individual, when the government has countrol they have all the power and can litterally decide who lives and who dies. This bill will change the fundementals of our country and alow them to take more of our God given rights away.

But it gets worse, in the bill they are changing education. If this is passed you will no longer be able to take a student loan from a bank but willl have to go through the government. They will then be able to decide who gets an education and who doesnt. You should be alright though bc you are in the bottom of the intelectual poole and they will certainly take care of the dumber, less fortunate portion of the country and make thoughs who worked hard find their own way. But they wont be able to bc they took away private funding.

This bill is the first movement to a socialist country, a style of government that millions have fought and died to get away from. But that doesnt matter to you, you just want a free lunch no matter what the real cost of our liberties is.

Oh, and maybe you should do a little research and see that Obamas sad stories about ppl dying with no healthcare are a bunch of lies. Most of them were taken care of and died of natural caused, something that is sad but will always happen"


I love the one about God-given rights being taken away. Is not health a God-given right? Obviously not to him. His terrible comments to our friend about him being at the bottom of the intellectual gene pool (and HE'S one to be talking with 3rd grade grammar and spelling like that!) and such left me incensed and I really wanted to tear into him. I thought better of it, however. Our friend didn't respond negatively, either. I knew he wouldn't.


Heh, had I been in the apartment when the bill passed I bet I could've witnessed a heart attack or two. My present company, gracious enough to put me up for the evening after a great day of golf, are uninterested in American politics and we've spent our time watching Jim Furyk win at Innisbrook, sipping fantastic tea, and having grand conversations. It's a nice little life they've carved out for themselves.

In unrelated news, I met with my advisor last week to discuss the term, what the future terms will hold, and how I'm feeling in general about the road to medical school. She paid me some high compliments, best of which was that I'm a strong, lively, and memorable presence...that I have a way with words, good sense of humour, make great eye contact, and generally exude an air of relaxed confidence. ...wow. I felt myself turn bright red when the compliments started raining down. If I didn't know better, I'd have thought she was hitting on me. Those are not things that I hear very often about myself, and I don't even know if I believe most of them to be true. However, she seemed convinced that as long as I can construct a good story, I'll have no problem with medical school admissions committees. I reckon I'll know for sure in two years' time.

May the grace of He keep you always,


J.O. Morris