There once was a little business that wanted to provide a service.  It was a great little business.  It researched and hired experts.  It acquired capital.  It opened its doors.

The little business grew quickly.  It built a little army of managers and administrators.  Its capital grew.

The little business succeeded.  In a short time it had grown to breathtaking proportions.  It was a multimillion dollar business.  It cornered the market.

Reveling in its success, the little business threw itself a conference.  A man came from the White House to speak at the conference.  He congratulated the little business and advised it, “Be efficient.  Be effective.  Listen to your customers.”  The little business patted itself on the back for a conference well done.

But then the little business was caught off guard.  Its customers revolted and set up a competing business.  You see, the little business never once listened to its customers.

The little business was indignant.  “Your business isn’t part of OUR business plan!” it insisted.  But the little business’ indignation went unheeded.  “We didn’t write your business plan,” replied the customers.  They liked their business better.

I am all for making life easier for the deaf and blind among us. But I don't like this new system. The automated system is unnerving. The repetitiveness is stifling. It caused me, one time, to feel claustrophobic.

"One-quarter of all Americans met the criteria for having a mental illness within the past year, and fully a quarter of those had a "serious" disorder that significantly disrupted their ability to function day to day, according to the largest and most detailed survey of the nation's mental health, published yesterday.

Although parallel studies in 27 other countries are not yet complete, the new numbers suggest that the United States is poised to rank No. 1 globally for mental illness, researchers said."

"Less than half of those in need get treated. Those who seek treatment typically do so after a decade or more of delays, during which time they are likely to develop additional problems. And the treatment they receive is usually inadequate."

Read the rest here..

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- Homeless people who set up a tent city to protest their plight pulled up stakes under police orders Friday and vacated their temporary home in a vacant city lot. Still homeless, they moved to a church's property.

"There was a little grumbling, but not a whole lot," Olympia police Cmdr. Tor Bjornstad said. "They did a really good job of packing, cleaning up and leaving."

Bjornstad said about 20 officers, along with city maintenance workers, approached the camp at about 6 a.m. and told residents they had to leave. No arrests were made, and no citations were issued, he said.

Read the whole article here.

The show doesn't begin until 1:02 into its playtime, so I recommend you turn off your speakers before hitting the "play" button and allow it to play to that mark first.