Vana_Roth's Xanga

Been very busy!

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 03:35:37 GMT

I've been away for awhile but hope all are doing well.

Never in a millions years did I ever think I'd being getting involved in politics. It's not like I don't have political opinions, I've just never thought anyone would be particularly interested in hearing them.

Between my book and how it relates directly to present day Health Care Reform discussions...politics has kept me quite busy. As it turns out, many of my readers are sending their copies of "A Nation of Expendables" to their government representatives...Senators and Congressmen alike.

It's not like I've sold a million books...I'm not even close but I do find it extremely flattering that those who have read the book were moved enough to forward their copies to their representatives in order to make a point.

Politician Database

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 09:24:59 GMT

I've been watching individuals being named as candidates for cabinet positions and such, and have become thoroughly convinced there needs to be a "Dirty Laundry" database.

Every politician and all their skeletons placed neatly in a database so histories can be researched prior to any attempt at appointment or for that matter, running for office. They could all be graded from 1-10, with ten being for the worst of offenders and offenses. This would eliminate all the drama, wasted time, money and embarrassment.

Or, maybe the database should be for politicians not guilty of any improprieties. It seems to me this database would probably be a much smaller.

Plummeting Barrel Prices?

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 04:15:15 GMT

One of today's Associated Press headlines stated: "Oil prices plummet more than $6 amid economic fear."

I understand what this statement means in relation to the stock market and current pricing. I guess it's all relative but a "plummet" in my world would be if barrel prices dropped back down to $86.00.

Balloon Flowers

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 07:25:52 GMT

I took these photo's for Autumn, so she could see them before they turned into deer food...lol!

Various stages of blooming.

The New AmericaN (America with an 'N') Alliance

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:46:48 GMT

The other day I was asked by a reader whether the organization in my book called "New AmericaN (America with an 'N') Alliance" (or NAA for short), was real.

The answer is "NO".

The name of the organization, the groups activities and goals are fictitious. It's made up and they DO NOT exist. If such an organization or group does exist, I'm not aware of them and do not know what they're called.

Please do not confuse the made up group in the book with "THE NEW AMERICA (without an 'N') ALLIANCE" made up of Latino business leaders based in Texas. There's absolutely no similarities whatsoever between the two groups. If anything you can say, if my group did exist, they're at opposite ends of the pole...lol!

It's funny how a little type-o can change the outcome of any interent search. Since I have poor hand control, I make more than my fair share and know how easy it is to do.

Although I appreciate all the comments received and think it's pretty cool that readers are taking the time to look stuff up, please remember the book is fiction.

By definition of fiction, the story’s made up. It’s an embellishment or exaggeration of what could or couldn’t be real.

To put everyone's mind at ease, please read the second page of the book. For those who haven't bought the book yet, the second page clearly states:

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any person or persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental. The author and publisher recognize and respect any trademarks mentioned in this book by introducing such registered titles either in italics or with a capital letter.

Backyard Buck

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 22:38:21 GMT

Here's a photo of a buck who was hanging around our house last year. I was standing about 15 feet away when the picture was taken . A lot of the deer in the area are accustom to people, it's sort of like having a bunch of big pets! They've been known to bang on door-walls to get your attention in hopes that you'll feed them. I guess knocking on the door is their idea of placing a take-out order.

Life in The Woods

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:57:42 GMT

This is the only flower in the yard the deer haven't eaten yet this summer!

It's just a matter of time before they realize it's here. I had to grab the shot before it disappeared in the middle of the night!

Wal-Mart's Discount Drug Program and Brand Named Drug Prices

Tue, 27 May 2008 05:41:59 GMT

I realize many have various issues with Wal-Mart but I'd personally like to thank them for the initiative taken in respect to the $4.00 generic prescription drug program. Since Wal-Mart started the program, many retailers and pharmacies have followed their example. This has resulted in a wide variety of medications being made available to millions of people who might not otherwise be able to afford them.

I read a comment by an individual who stated he would give praise to Wal-Mart when they made more name brands drugs available at much lower prices. Although Wal-Mart may have better bargaining power based on volume purchases from the manufacturer, Wal-Mart can only do so much when it comes to lowering prices on name brand pharmaceuticals. It's the manufacturer and/or patent holder who sets the price and as long as the manufacturer and/or patent holder makes periodic improvements to a drug they retain these rights which prohibits the manufacture of more reasonably priced generics.

I understand this individuals frustration as I myself have been waiting for a particular medication to be produced as a more affordable generic. The current price for one inhaler is $164.00 and I usually require two per month. I consider myself fortunate because I pay $59.00 each per month because of Medicare's Prescription Drug Program. Before this medications patent rights expired, the original owner sold the global rights in 2004 to another pharmaceutical company for $200 million plus monthly royalties on net sales. The new owner immediately made improvements to the way the drug is administered making it more ozone friendly. As a result of this improvement, the new owner retained the patent rights which has prohibited the medication from becoming available in generic form. Now both the new owner and old owner are making millions from sales of this particular drug. I have no idea when the new patent will be up for review or expire and have lost hope in a generic being made available any time soon.

Rather than being upset with Wal-Mart for not being able to secure deeper discounts on name brand drugs, I'm more upset with owners of the patents who do everything in their power to prevent medications from being made available in generics for the sole purpose of maintaining their healthy profit margins. Since profit is definitely the motivator here, why can't these same owners/manufacturers make the drugs available in generic form themselves? You'd think they'd make millions more off individuals who currently don't purchase their required medications because of the name brand cost.

My husband is now a walking advertisement!

Tue, 27 May 2008 03:42:56 GMT

I've been trying to think of ways to promote my book. I've been mailing postcards, emailing the masses, passing out business cards and I've now resorted to turning my husband into a walking advertisement!

He's much more conservative than I am so for him to agree to walk around in this tee-shirt is absolutely monumental. He hasn't worn any tee-shirt with graphics on them since high school and that was over 30 years ago.

Here's the front. The book cover came out a bit grainy and I wish it were darker but I think it still shows up all right.

Here's the back. I think it came out great!

He's been awfully good about humoring me. His only complaint which really wasn't much of one, was that it didn't have a pocket.

I never knew front pockets were all that important on tee-shirts and I figured whatever he usually put it there could easily fit in one of the four he has in his jeans.

If I have anymore made for him, I'll make sure they have pockets!

Is the glass half full?

Sat, 10 May 2008 05:20:20 GMT

I'm not a pessimistic person by nature. I prefer to think of my glass as being half-full, that there's a light at the end of the tunnel and it's always darkest before the dawn...yada yada yada.

But I tell ya...all the gloom and doom is really starting to get on my nerves. It seems like everywhere you turn including, television, newspapers, and chat sites are spawning nothing but skepticism and negativity. It's as if so many have taken a defeatist attitude before ever get started on so many issues. Sure, there's the war, gas prices, global warming, food prices, the real estate slump, this years presidential election and health care costs to name a few but if everyone started using all the negative energy and applied it in a positive proactive, productive manner, wouldn't it have a reverse effect?

I see this time as being a challenge but refuse to believe it'll be the end of civilization, as we know it. People are smart, resilient, talented and capable and we should have a little faith in humaity, each other and our ability to overcome adverse situations in spite of those who believe otherwise.

In my world, there has to be more good than bad!