I hear the bugles sounding
Ominously giving us warning
 
Raising the passion of the young, and
The fear of the old in our homeland
 
There is talk of an incursion
A neighbor is thinking of invasion
 
In a far distant land
Against it, is our responsibility to stand?
 
But we've been there and seen it all
When someone makes a cautionary call
 
The warnings, alarms, and fears of war
And how it could affect us all, by far
 
Everyone cries; this could be bad
But is it ours? Or we're being had?
 
Why are we involved, I cannot see
I could not sleep, as it haunted me
 
We scream, this is insanity
As it will involve all humanity
 
Like a wildfire, it could spread
It must be stopped, we should look ahead
 
We've seen and heard it in the past
As we were told and left aghast
 
And how it all came to pass
After many gave their lives in mass
 
As the politicians were talking and planning
Our soldiers were praying and dying
 
So we hope and pray for some relief
Oh Lord, please save us from this grief
 
It is a great storm coming our way
We feel powerless and can't keep it at bay
 
NOW, just think if there were no borders
No walls or fences to push us to corners
 
Mankind would be truly free
Of anguish and torment, we can all agree
 
But is that too sensible? I swear
Hence as doctors, we need to prepare
 
For, our way, the wounded will come
Our heroes, with unforeseen outcome
 
At some point there must be an awakening
To give reason, some enabling  
 
That this world is too small to be divided
And expect that all be provided
 
Let's give all, some hope and room
Do away with fear and gloom
 
Freedom for mankind, then will be true
If we share our wisdom through and through
 
Only then can life have some meaning
Of liberty, choice and wealth of being!
 
Reza Ghadimi
 February 2, 2022

Presidents' Day is celebrated in February. Though only Washington and Lincoln are mentioned, two others were also born in this month.  William Henry Harrison, born February 9, 1773, and Ronald Reagan on February 6, 1911.
 
But in February we celebrate the birthday of several other people as well, who were responsible for altering the course of history, or added to its importance. Here are a few, whom in my humble opinion, made a profound contribution to history:
 
February 4, 1902 - Aviator Charles Lindbergh, who flew solo across the Atlantic Ocean, first.
February 11, 1847 - Thomas Edison, who invented the light bulb and other electronic devices.
February 15, 1564 - Galileo Galilei, who invented the telescope.
February 19, 1473 - Nicolas Copernicus, who theorized that the earth rotates around the sun and accurately predicted the cause of seasons.
February 27, 1902 - John Steinbeck, winner of the 1962 Nobel Prize in Literature.
And many others.
 
And a sad note of immense importance to remember; It was on February 29, 1692 - in Salem, Massachusetts that several girls were first accused of witchcraft.  A practice that led to the demise of many innocent women in the most appalling manner.
 
Today's uncertain politics and conflicts around the world generate many emotions that, left unchecked, could easily lead to atrocities.  Just last Sunday (2/13), a preacher in Tennessee, claimed he knew of six witches in his church.  Which begs the question; have we really learned enough from our past to build a better tomorrow? The events of the past few years sure don't show it to be so. Fortunately, today's information technology helps us iron out much of the mayhem.  All is needed, is our desire to use it to build bridges and do away with walls.

February's intention
Is to keep the world in retention
To make us all rejuvenate
While all sleep and recuperate.
Makes you be in awe
 
Sleep, as we sleep
Dream, as we dream
Of the sickle moon
And gardens in June
Makes you question all
 
The beauty of life
Awaits, in peace or strife
After a calm, rain, or a storm
To bring anew, a rebirth and reform
Makes you marvel how
 
After the cold February nights
Behold the passion
Passion of spring
Spring of nature's renewal
Renewal of all that is tender
Tenderness of all that is warm
Warmth of all that will return
Return of the time of harvest 
Harvest of all our labor
For nature will renew all.
 
Wonder not!
 

"Warm Bodies in White Coats" was the title of an article on June 9, 1975, of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).  Written by Robert C. Derbyshire, MD, Secretary of New Mexico Board of Medical Examiners. The article objected to foreign graduate doctors and people of color practicing medicine in the U.S. Stating: "Of primary concern is the foreign medical graduate, with inferior education and limited knowledge of English, who does not qualify for regular licensure in the United States but who, because of acute manpower shortages, is placed in a position of authority in a state hospital."
What was surprising was the fact that JAMA actually printed it.  It received one of the highest numbers of protest letters to the article.
 
What is even more shocking is that AMA is still struggling with its more than 175 years of racist history.  For it was just in 2018 that AMA finally acknowledged its shortcomings on racial injustice and, as its report to AMA's House of Delegates, described it: “rooted in white patriarchy and affluent supremacy.” Such racism has been detrimental to the health of many minority communities.  As it was reported by Usha Lee McFarling in STAT, it further states: How AMA has excluded black, brown, and Native American physicians, espoused racism, and harmed people of color its members take an oath to not harm. The report further serves as AMA's reckoning with its racist past and its refusal to engage with many of the issues now roiling medicine and the country at large.
It goes on to say, “As a national leader in health care, it is incumbent on us to lean into our influence and play a more prominent role in the current national reckoning on equity and justice.”
Here, we can, sarcastically say: "NO, You think?"
 
In looking back at the last couple of centuries, one notices discrimination at all levels by all people.  Though white man's bias stands out, others are found to be just as wrong.  After all, white man wronged himself too.  We have to remember that it was their hatred for the less fortunate that sent thousands of - so-called - criminals to the colonies in America and Australia. And in their fateful crimes executed upon others, none were worse than the genocidal wars upon the native people of these new lands.  When Columbus landed in the Americas, there were more than one hundred million Native Americans here, today, there are less than two million.  So it is with great regret to still be witnessing the incidents of the past few years and the horrifying event of January 6, 2021.  It brings to surface the resentment of what it's like to feel prejudice and the extent people can go when feeling threatened.  It is satisfying though to notice such awakening, worldwide. Perhaps now will come a time of recognition that the progenies of Adam are of one seed and that there is only one race on this small planet, and we are all members of the HUMAN RACE!