American Medicine vs French Medicine, part 2

August 19, 2011

Once “melanoma” was diagnosed,  I was directed by the dermatologist to the big public Hopital Saint Louis of the assistance publique system that is stigmatized as  “socialized” medicine and dreaded by the Americans – an irrational fear, rather like fearing the devil, and constantly fed fuel by politicians who are obedient  to their masters in [...]

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The Girl on the Train

August 16, 2011

The decals of instruction on how to break the windows and escape from the TGV carriage in case of a wreck have upset a little boy sitting across the aisle. The graphic shows a figure striking the window. He tries to peel off the decals with his little fingers. His mother struggles with him, a [...]

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French medicine vs American Medicine, part 1

August 14, 2011

Vanity to the rescue.   I decided to inquire about the price of removing a large “age spot” on my face. Feeling lightly embarrassed by my interest in such a project: men of my age are expected to have such things, badges, if you will, of life spent.  ”Age spot” had been the diagnosis, without bothering [...]

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Paris is the World. Suffering

August 11, 2011

Paris, 10 August 2011 The day dawned fair, first good day in weeks. The white lines left by airplanes , like chalk marks, crisscrossed the perfect blue of Parisian sky. I would go, in the afternoon, after some writing done, to the great western forest, the Bois de Boulogne. Climbing out of the metro at [...]

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Paris is the world. Insane and How Not To Be

August 9, 2011

I started the day thinking about what it means to be insane and ended up going the park. The question about insanity came up because the defense attorney for the Norwegian mass murderer called his client “insane,” as if that would not only explain his action but would also minimize its significance. I think that [...]

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