A Newsletter of Scientific and Civic Literacy. December 2008

HAWKHILL NEWS

Sorry for the long wait but it couldn't be helped. The wait, that is, for this edition of the Hawkhill News and for the announcement it brings about our new series DEMOCRACY: THE BASICS.

As I wrote last May the reason for all the delays has been health, my wife's and my own. A year ago Jane came all too close to death after a horrendous auto accident here in Madison. Then I came equally close from a nasty staph infection that I got from my hospital stay which itself was due to a hip broken on the tennis court. Now more than a year later we are both finally back to 98% normal. (Still not playing tennis, but we did get some good golf in this past summer).

In grateful acknowledgement I think it appropriate here to give two thumbs up for the much maligned US health care system. Thank you, thank you, thank you to the skilled and compassionate doctors, nurses and hospital aids at two great hospitals here in Madison that treated and helped bring both of us back to health. Kudos also to the skilled nursing homes and home health providers who proved equally skilled and compassionate.

Now on to Media News First, I want to make sure you know that this is our 35th year as a family- owned and operated educational media business. In celebration we are offering our entire library of videos and DVDs at a flat 35% discount. No exceptions, no fine print conditions. Go to our web site: www.hawkhill.com to access the entire library. You can read complete scripts there to most of our programs and see sample video clips to some of the most popular ones. If you use the web order blank it will automatically reduce the total cost of your order by the special 35% discount. You can also fax your order to 608-251-3924 and we will make sure you get the discount. Second, I want to officially announce the release now of our three brand- new programs in civic and scientific literacy in the new series DEMOCRACY: THE BASICS.

New DVD Program
CAPITALISM AND DEMOCRACY

Capitalism, like democracy, is under siege today. Students will learn in this new DVD program how and why capitalism is necessary for democracy, but not sufficient. In two parts, Part One explores the origins of both capitalism and democracy. Part Two explains the connections between capitalism and democracy today and the prospects for tomorrow. Includes exclusive on- site video from over 35 countries on all continents as well as archival art works and photographs to illustrate these connections and prospects. Click here to read the entire script on our website.

New DVD Program
RELIGION AND DEMOCRACY 		Radical Islam is on the march today attacking democracy. The Christian world for the most part is democratic today. Students will learn in this new DVD program how religions have helped (and how they have hindered) the paths to democracy in the past and in the present. The program traces the early history of how both religion and democracy began in tribal societies on all continents. It stresses the importance of enduring ideas of western civilization that first arose in Greece, in Rome and in the Judeo-Christian tradition. Program explains how these ideas were profoundly modified in the western world's Renaissance, Reformation and Enlightenment. And why this is so important today. Includes on-site video from over 35 countries on all continents as well as archival art works and photographs to illustrate the beginnings of religion and democracy. Click here to read the entire script on our website.
New DVD Program
SCIENCE AND DEMOCRACY 		One of democracy's most important allies is science. Students will learn in this new DVD program how science, like capitalism, is necessary for democracy but not sufficient. The program traces the early history of how both science and democracy began in tribal societies on all continents. It stresses the importance of the western world's Renaissance, Reformation and Enlightenment when modern experimental science was born. Program explains why this is so important and so often misunderstood today. Includes on-site video from over 35 countries on all continents as well as archival art works and photographs to illustrate the beginnings of science and democracy. Click here to read the entire script on our web site.
Physician's Opinion of Financial Bail Out Package Old-time customers and readers of Hawkhill newsletters remember the off- beat humor I sometimes provided. Here is one recent medical communication I got from an Internet friend that might amuse if not enlighten you.

The Allergists voted to scratch it, and the Dermatologists advised not to make any rash moves.

The Gastroenterologists had sort of a gut feeling about it, but the Neurologists thought the Administration had a lot of nerve, and the Obstetricians felt they were all laboring under a misconception.

The Ophthalmologists considered the idea shortsighted; the Pathologists yelled, 'Over my dead body!' while the Pediatricians said, 'Oh, Grow up!'

The Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness, the Radiologists could see right through it, and the Surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing.

The Internists thought it was a bitter pill to swallow, and the Plastic Surgeons said, 'This puts a whole new face on the matter.'

The Podiatrists thought it was a step forward, but the Urologists felt the scheme wouldn't hold water.

The Anesthesiologists thought the whole idea was a gas, and the Cardiologists didn't have the heart to say no.

In the end, the Proctologists left the decision up to some assholes in Washington."



Have a good holiday. Bill Stonebarger, President Hawkhill


Editor: Bill Stonebarger
Hawkhill Associates, Inc.
125 East Gilman St.
Madison, WI 53703
billjane@hawkhill.com