I know this TPM Cafe blog doesn't do much on medical sciences. (I always enjoy Maggie Mahar when she posts here) but the SCHIP vote not to override the BUSH veto on children's health, to me, begs the question about the capability of fundamentalists or some other conservatives to exhibit and exercise the potential trait of human compassion.

As a physician I have been recently reading the work of John Jost from NYU. While John Jost would not totally agree with my argument, I urge you to look at his extremely stimulating publications.

My contention is that early rigid childhood "neuro-tapes" are laid down before the age of 5 or so and may be immutable? For that premise I will assuredly be called a bigot. So be it.

In religious fundamentalist homes these tapes are extremely rigid and actually preclude open-mindedness, tolerance for others views, and-most ironic of all, true compassion in my opinion.

My hope is that you read the work of David Boulton who may very well give us hope for the future of our species in crises.

David Boulton's proposal for worldwide healthy early childhood education may very well be our best last hope. I would add early healthy education and literacy MUST include a large component of arts education.

Dr. Rick Lippin

http://medicalcrises.blogspot.com

Southampton, Pa