Robert K Stephen (CSW)

Passage of the Day: “Sickening: How Big Pharma Broke American Health Care and How We Can Repair It”

“Obviously, there is no single source of the dysfunction in our health-care system, but the most powerful force driving this toxic combination of poor health care and high costs is Big Pharma’s influence on American medical care. And the reason the pharmaceutical industry has been able to achieve this” tail wags dog” position is thatContinue reading “Passage of the Day: “Sickening: How Big Pharma Broke American Health Care and How We Can Repair It””

“Andrij the Orphaned Ukrainian Rescue Dog ” : Chapter 8: Waiting for President Zelensky’s Address to the United States Congress: Do I Embarrass Myself Biting a Russian Hockey Player?

I am feeling alone and frightened being in a strange country in a line of limousines surrounded by heavily armed men on my way to the White House. The only strength I have is that our President has asked me to do this for our country. Big and brave words but I am but aContinue reading ““Andrij the Orphaned Ukrainian Rescue Dog ” : Chapter 8: Waiting for President Zelensky’s Address to the United States Congress: Do I Embarrass Myself Biting a Russian Hockey Player?”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 17August1973: Heidelberg, Germany: The German Militaristic Character? Getting Thrown Out of a Bar

Up early to avoid the rush of the bright eyed and bushy tailed Europe on $5 and $ 10 a Day crowd. I get bad vibrations from this place. They seem obsessed with order and precision at this youth hostel. I feel like I am in military barracks and somewhat like a caged animal. ButContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 17August1973: Heidelberg, Germany: The German Militaristic Character? Getting Thrown Out of a Bar”

“Andrij The Orphaned Ukrainian Rescue Dog” :Chapter 7: Some Advice from CNN Newscaster Jim Prosciutto: I Want to Shit on the Lawn of the Russian Embassy in Washington

Chapter 7: Some Advice from CNN Newscaster Jim Prosciutto: I Want to Shit on the Lawn of the Russian Embassy in Washington I am on the CNN corporate jet with veteran newscaster Jim Prosciutto as we head from Poland to Washington. He is asleep as we take off from Warszawa and I am on theContinue reading ““Andrij The Orphaned Ukrainian Rescue Dog” :Chapter 7: Some Advice from CNN Newscaster Jim Prosciutto: I Want to Shit on the Lawn of the Russian Embassy in Washington”

RKS Wine: Last Bottle Standing

While at a Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) outlet I noticed a lonely bottle of Domaine Lafage 2019 on the shelf which was blessed by a knowledgeable LCBO Vintages consultant who had not tried the 2019 vintage but had tried previous vintages to his delight. I am always willing to take advice from aContinue reading “RKS Wine: Last Bottle Standing”

“Andrij the Orphaned Ukrainian Rescue Dog” : Chapter 6: I Want to Stay and Fight the Russians: Zelensky Has Different Ideas! I Am on Team Ukraine with Reggie the Egyptian Rescue Dog and Dylan the Westie

I might have been a bit rude growling at our President but I did it in a gentle way and perceptive as the man is he understood completely my preference to stay here and fight. I can carry messages, sniff out bombs and Russians and their mercenaries and spies. President Zelensky tells me Ukraine couldContinue reading ““Andrij the Orphaned Ukrainian Rescue Dog” : Chapter 6: I Want to Stay and Fight the Russians: Zelensky Has Different Ideas! I Am on Team Ukraine with Reggie the Egyptian Rescue Dog and Dylan the Westie”

“Travels to a Different Time”: 16August1973: Sinsheim and Heidelberg, Germany: Lots of Beer and Food at Sinsheim

Up at 9 to bread, honey and coffee for my German friends and lemonade for me. Three hours on the road and we were in Sinsheim where most of them lived. We had a big meal of sausage and potatoes with beer. Germans drink gallons of it! We went to the family brewery for aContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time”: 16August1973: Sinsheim and Heidelberg, Germany: Lots of Beer and Food at Sinsheim”

“Andrij The Orphaned Ukrainian Rescue Dog”: Chapter 5: Rallying the Troops and Big Plans for Me That I May Not Like: Am I Going to Canada?

In a few days I am up and walking with a bit of a limp. Time seems to be running short. Our troops are bashing the Russians with Stinger missiles and we have shot down their MIGS with a late delivery of Patriot missiles. Why oh why hasn’t NATO pounded that stupid long and vulnerableContinue reading ““Andrij The Orphaned Ukrainian Rescue Dog”: Chapter 5: Rallying the Troops and Big Plans for Me That I May Not Like: Am I Going to Canada?”

RKS Wine: The 97 Point Challenge: La Causa from Chile: Exile Me to Algeria for Rehabilitation

Some may run like lemmings for those wines scored in the mid to high 90’s especially if they are affordable. When I see a wine that is in this range I take up the challenge to see what the hype is about unless of course it is rated by Mr. Sky High Luca Maroni. InContinue reading “RKS Wine: The 97 Point Challenge: La Causa from Chile: Exile Me to Algeria for Rehabilitation”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 15August1973: Bled to Munich: Mega Ride with My German Friends: Pizza and Beer in Munich

The hitchhiking Gods have been extra special to me today. Up at 5:30 for a hot shower and then gobbled down breakfast and thumb out by 7 a.m. Half an hour later picked up by the German kids that had taken me to the ferry to Hvar in Yugoslavia and asked me to join them.Continue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 15August1973: Bled to Munich: Mega Ride with My German Friends: Pizza and Beer in Munich”