Deflection

The convention was over today at 12:00. After Lunch, I went through the Tampa Bay History Center. Since it feels like we are just dumped into the city, it is like we do not know what in this area. By going through the center, I have a much better idea on what this area is about. It started with the Seminole Indians, and the conflict with the European movement into this area and it ended with the Indians being moved to a reservation in Oklahoma. It is sad, since they really did not do anything wrong. The port was used for trade. Cuban tobacco leaves were shipped in to the city, and this was the largest producer of cigars. So, this area does have history. As I walk around the downtown area, there are plaques of the original fort, for example. This area was once wide open space, and now it is a plastic world covered with buildings, parking ramps, and concrete and asphalt paving. There is no way for the water to seep into the ground.

As for Saturday and Sunday, it rained almost continuously. Monday it did rain all day long, but I had to reason to walk down to the convention center. But, when it rains, it rains. I mean that a person gets drenched in just a few minutes. It was cloudy on Tuesday, and sunny on Wednesday and Thursday. But, if it was not raining, it was in the low 90s, and not much fun to be outside.

The biggest thing that I took away from the conversation was a big change in the VA medical. The new slogan is that the VA is for the veterans and not the bureaucracy. Veterans will find it easier to use local doctors and referrals to specialized doctors, as needed. The new secretary for the VA stated if there is a problem it needs to be fixed. This is really forward thinking by the new secretary.

Tomorrow I fly home. My plane leaves at 1:00, and I am back in Milwaukee at 5:00. The schedule does work out nice. But, I am ready to get out of here, since the weather is not good, and the conversation is over.

Roger