Column for January 6, 2005

Ringing in the new year. We are all alive in 2005. I do remember back in the 1950s going out on the front porch ringing the bells, banging the pots and pans, making noise, jumping up and down, a new year was and still should be special.

Try to stay alive in 2005 should be the smart thing to do. Everyday I see people 100 pounds over weight, even 200 pounds. I see people puffing away on cigarettes that cost $5 a pack. I know people who get mad and scream and yell everyday. I know people who can't relax. People who don't hug there kids and loved ones everyday. I see people driving like race car drivers while talking on the cell phone. Rush rush rush, go go go, all at the same time. Multi tasking must be the thing to do.

I multi task. I am sitting here typing the column, trying to get healthy, eating a bowl of Cheerios with bananas, melons and nuts, mixed right in. The idea being the nuts have that good fat stuff, fruit is supposed to do something for your heart and the Cheerios are supposed to help lower your cholesterol. So if you lose a few pounds, lower your cholesterol and blood pressure it should help keep you alive in 2005.

I see Jerry Orbach, the Law and Order TV star passed away from prostate cancer at age 69. Every Wednesday from 5 till 7pm I do the "Ask the Doctor" radio show on WPON am1460. Every week Doctor Franklin tells the listeners get your mammograms, colonoscopy, PSA prostrate test. Be smart, listen to your body and talk to your doctor. You can see romanfranklinMD.com.

Andy Rooney on the 60 Minutes TV show had an interesting idea. The government should start a "Smart Cabinet." Get some of the smartest people in America. Ask them to serve a two year term. Kind of an official think tank to advise the president on all the important matters of the day. Their recommendations would be only that, official suggestions from smart people. But the suggestions would be also given to the media. So if the smart people said we should be or not be in evolved in a specific problem and if the president didn't follow their advice, people might look closer at the cause and effect. I remember hearing some advise from a smart guy one time. He said you don't have to be smart, just do what the smart people do.

So for 2005 remember the smart things you learned in kindergarten. Slow down, mind your manners, don't lie or cheat. Treat others the way you would want them to treat you. Eat your Cheerio's and never miss an opportunity to do a good deed, to be the good guy.

To reach Ben E. Jet call (313) 730-1627 via e mail benejets@aol.com and see the web sites www.bennyandthejets.com and www.reverendguitars.com.