First, I want to warn everyone that the video to which this article is linked is a dramatization; it is particularly difficult to watch; but it demonstrates what can happen, so it is important.

This very sobering video link made its way into my in-box today, and although it is rare, this one had the desired effect and hit home for me.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rTwZ_6bymI[/youtube]

It’s not like I haven’t seen the horror and toll car crashes take on families. I have spent the last 25 years in the in the insurance and legal industry and have seen it up close and personal. However, this vignette served as a wake-up call to me as a father of four children, all driving, including two 17yr old twins. I plan to watch this video with my kids tonight and give this issue a little more than the typical yada yada yada lip service I likely have used with them in the past.

Yes, I have read the stories setting forth the dangers of texting and driving.

Yes, I recall hearing it is the equivalent, or worse than, driving impaired.

Yep, I have seen the political machines try to make it a banner waiving platform agenda item.

Now, for me, this video link amongst the plethora of other links we all get and delete somehow resonated more than all those other stories and information combined. I guess I saw my daughters in this video and I felt the imaginary pain and fear. Then the sad reality hit me that for other families, the families who have suffered the loss or injury of loved ones in car wrecks caused by distracted driving, the loss, suffering and pain are all too real.

I hope this post might also resonate with others so that this issue and video breathes life into a subject that truly intends to keep the breath of life into those we love.

Finally, trust me I know this is not at all a “kid” issue. It is a reminder to all of us, professionals, and mom’s and dad’s to set the right example. I guess this is one time I am glad I slowed down and simply didn’t hit delete key, as I tried to clear my in-box at the start of a another busy day.

Here’s to wishing all of us a renewal, and remembrance, of the immeasurable value of the lessons of safe driving. It truly is a matter of life and death for the ones we love. Be careful, be cautious, take care out there.

Like it or not, the Food & Drug Administration is in a constant conflict of interest.

The FDA “supervises” a multi-billion dollar drug industry; an industry which is also the largest source of the agencies’ funding.

So, for FDA employees (including the people who ultimately approve or withdraw drugs), they are putting bread on their families’ tables by trying to control the companies putting bread on their families’ tables.

It is a perverted system in many ways. Can it continue to work? I think this is the only way it is going to work; certainly for the foreseeable future. It simply does not make sense to dedicate government funding to the FDA that will make up for the industry funding – at least not in these economic times.

Essentially, drug manufacturers perform clinical studies under the approval process of the FDA. The manufacturers report the results of the clinical studies to the FDA. The FDA tries to make sure the results reported comport to the data they have received and approve or disapprove the drug.

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Let me first warn the reader that this article may be difficult to read and many may want to stop now. I have struggled with whether to publish the article, but as the title says, this is about getting justice for victims who, without all of us, have no voice.

What does it say about a society that fails to protect the least amongst us? What does it say about humans that there are those among us that victimize the kindest, the least inclined to fight back?

I subscribe to a website that one might think can only be for those who enjoy suffering, but I can not help myself. Pet-Abuse.com notifies you about cases of animal abuse; about the cowards who abuse; and the punishment meted out to those who abuse animals.

In a word, our society’s punishments for these crimes are just, well, sad.

Our pets wait for us to get home because they see us as a part of their pack – a part of their family. They do not hand this out casually; they award us this position because they are willing to trust and willing to love unconditionally. I have always been around animals – I will always be around my pets because no one else in my life (read into here: except my loving wife) will give me the sort of unconditional love and devotion that I get from my dogs and my cats.

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You lost your job.

You worry you will lose your house.

You receive the letter: Dear Homeowner, you have failed to pay your mortgage payments. We do not care why. We are foreclosing on your home.

Is it fair for a mortgage company to foreclose a mortgage because the homeowner has not made the mortgage payments? Well, it is sad, tragic, but they, of course, have the legal right to foreclose.

But, shouldn’t the mortgage company be required to do everything the law requires in accomplishing the foreclosure? Damn right they should. It should not be simple, easy or quick to take someone’s home. You should have to jump through all the legal hoops – ALL the legal hoops – in order to take a home from a family.

Recently, it has become clearer that many mortgage companies, either intentionally, or through error, tried to take shortcuts. This was not an occasional misstep or an isolated occurrence. These shortcut attempts, now discovered, have resulted in the halting of foreclosures in 23 states, including in areas of Florida:

” Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, and Ally Financial (formerly known as GMAC) halted foreclosures in 23 states after employees admitted in sworn depositions that they didn’t verify information in thousands of foreclosure documents.”

Let’s think about it. We, the tax payers, helped to bail these companies out of hot water after they victimized people by seducing loans they should have known were going to be difficult for the homeowner to repay. After saving many of these institutions from certain bankruptcy, they thank tax payers by trying to take illegal shortcuts to regain ownership of homes and dispense mortgages.

So, why wouldn’t mortgage companies try to work with homeowners? Why won’t mortgage holders look at reworking loans with reasonable modifications or simply forbear foreclosures for a period of time to allow the homeowner to get back on their feet?

Why? Because a tiger can not change its stripes. They are mortgage companies. They loan, they receive money and if they do not receive money, they foreclose. That is what they do. No room for thinking outside the box. No room for compassion. No room for considering new, but good, business practices that might reap beneficial results for an individual homeowner and the economy as a whole.

Nope. It is all about them. All about TODAY’s balance sheet; without regard for tomorrow’s fallout.

To the mortgage industry I say: enough is enough. Return the favor to the very people who kept you solvent. Consider modifications. Lower interest rates on mortgages as long as they stay at a reasonable level. Fix rates on adjustable loans; as long as they remain good long term investments. Look to tomorrow. Think outside of the box.

To homeowners: don’t let them do it without effort. Ask for modifications of mortgages – in writing. Offer alternatives to foreclosure – in writing. Call your legislators – write to your legislators. Seek legal advice before they serve you with foreclosure papers. Do not walk away from your home without a fight – or at least until it makes sense to you to do so.

During the course of our lives we have all been faced with situations in which you can take a couple of paths. Neither path is the wrong one, but one of them will let you bring light into the life of another. Sometimes the choice can cost you, but often the rewards are worth the cost.

That was what one of our very own did. Debbie Knapp has been a long time employee of our firm and she has always been an example to each of us. Debbie works hard; she cares about our clients; and she has a good heart; she is simply a good person. If I die tomorrow, I would be thrilled if people could say the same about me.

Debbie donated her childhood home to Habitat for Humanity. This is a home that Debbie grew up in and a home to her father. Although her father is presently bedridden, he was a war hero in WW II, after being shot down by enemy forces and surviving days in the sea. Debbie’s father received a medal for bravery and, now, he has demonstrated love of others by giving his and Debbie’s home to others in need of a good home.

Debbie’s childhood home will now provide memories to the three sons of single mom, Jomekeyia McNeil.

Ms. McNeil put it better than I could:

“We’re part of his history, having his legacy go on. His home is not torn down or abandoned. There’s a family here that really needed it and I thank God my family was chosen for his home,” she said.”

We are thankful to have many employees, like Debbie Knapp, who give back to those in need.