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Don, the truth is better than withholding information. do you agree? are you wanting to dispute the value of signatures having some info about the sender? i am a pacifist. like Jesus, Gandhi, et al. i prefer not to fight. unless we are fighting for a cause. i am a strong advocate for honesty, truth as we see and feel it, justice and fairness. it has been quite a while since i put my essay "spunky" on the list, so here it is. what do you find to debate in it? Spunky People Our bodies 'wear out'. Take care that this process does not get accelerated by your 'indiscretions'. Chance will place you in harm's way many times on it's own. You are foolish to take chances - especially when the potential gain for you is insignificant compared to the hazard. In other words, poisoning your homeostatic system with booze, other drugs-chemicals to reduce inhibitions is foolish. There are ways to reduce your inhibitions harmlessly. Increased self-esteem will also decrease inhibitions. These often have partial origin in early-life-events when powerful-righteous adults told you to "Be Quiet!", "Shut Your Mouth!", or "You can't do anything right!". Several of my older friends are examples that more should emulate. They remain independent and are proud that they have made their own way. Not all are still able to accomplish every task they wish to do. The wise ones have accepted help, but they continue to care and do what they can - for themselves and others. They have learned-know that loving-caring is the essence of their personal happiness. I invite the reader to consider Professor Stephen Hawking. His body has been a 'disaster' for many years - due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease). He is a leading theoretical physicist and professor. The fear of dying may be part of the causes of the current phenomenon that is extant - much of one’s medical costs are paid during the last year of life. A second major factor is the "practice" of doctors to do all that can be done. I am compelled by my honesty and concern for the "common good" to say that greed appears prominent as motivator. The excuse of avoiding malpractice law suits is somewhat real, but integrity, honor, honesty, professionalism, et cetera and loving-caring should each be more important to a physician than is money! Living longer may be worth much, but wasting wealth is immoral at all times in our lives. It seems a poor bargain, for instance, that my father ‘lived’ his final ten weeks in pain and anguish in hospitals; with Mom and family being miserable in sympathy and frustration. "Spunky" people are young in spirit - pay little attention relatively to their body's age or complaints - grow every day - change for the better. We live, laugh, love, give, learn-change and remain happy - even euphoric. We hope to accept .. and complete .. the termination of life with dignity. -- Ron Vetter 1936, '84 PD dz [log in to unmask] http://www.ridgecrest.ca.us/~rfvetter