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And now, to start things off right: An un-American view of the war. Here’s what they’re saying:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_7080000/newsid_7086200/7086213.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&asb=1&news=1&ms3=54
Surprised?
Oh my! A positive note!
I can’t imagine British saying anything positive. They have 65 million people jammed up in an area a weeeeee bit bigger than Kansas!
On the other hand, maybe that’s why they are positive! hahahahaha!
Veterans Day Approaches and it is time to look at ourselves an see just how we “honor” our American heroes!!
I quote from the National Coalition of Homeless Veterans:
“It has been two years since the President and Congress declared ending homelessness in America within 10 years a national priority, and yet the number of homeless individuals and families continues to rise across the country. The ravages of homelessness now impact more than three million people every year, and few segments of the population are more at risk than America’s former guardians – her military veterans.
Tonight, nearly 200,000 veterans will sleep under bridges, in alleys and abandoned buildings because they have no home. They are this nation’s forgotten heroes – men and women who once proudly served in a military uniform. Though only 9% of the U.S. population have served in the armed forces, 23% of the homeless people in this country are veterans. One of every three homeless men served in the military. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates that more than 500,000 veterans will experience homelessness at some time during the year, and that its homeless programs will reach about 20% of those in need.
A successful local campaign to end and prevent homelessness depends on community partnerships and the compassion and involvement of its citizens. As an individual or as a member of a group or organization, you can make a difference in the lives of America’s former guardians. They answered the call to serve our nation in a way increasingly few Americans ever will, and they deserve the full measure of our support in their greatest hour of need.”
Please Wichita, Answer the Call!!
I hardly ever agree with the poster Max. In fact, I very strongly disagree with a number of what appear to be his basic premises. However, he occasionally really tries to do something positive on this board. As I recall, his tax proposal (which I did not agree with, but I respected) did not get much of a response except from JR. I thought his attempt to post points of agreement deserves a thought out response.
Max’s list, with my responses below:
1. Freedom, we all agree that people should be free. There are no excessive laws and controls on our lives, for every law passed restricts our freedom to some extent.
Me: I agree with the first sentence, but I think the second one is a little too simplistic. Some laws actually guarantee freedoms. Examples include the Bill of Rights and the Voting Rights Act. There are examples of federal laws passed to prevent state and local governments from infringing on citizen’s freedoms.
2. We agree that the rule of Law founded in the Constitution of the US is the foundation for all other laws and controls over our lives.
Me: Agreed.
3. A certain amount of Government is necessary to provide order in our society, to maintain the rule of Law, and to perform a basic role in ensuring the rights of people are protected.
Me: Well said.
4. We all believe that we should pay our own way in life, that no one should pay for us, that we need to pay our fair share to survive on this planet Earth. There are a few who will require support from others to survive and no one wishes anyone to starve to death, go homeless, due to certain incapacities someone may have.
Me: Agreed. However, with a cavaet. Max you seem to have an obsession with “redistribution of wealth”. Obviously, if government is going to support those who REQUIRE support from others, some “redistribution” is necessarily going to happen. I also would include those who because of what they do, don’t make enough money to get it. I have seen benefits, especially health insurance benefits, dry up for some very hard working people as the health insurance premiums became too expensive for the employer. Unfortunately, all too often those who can least afford to lose benefits are the first cut, even among public employers. One of the most pervasive myths is that most of the people who are on public assistance are unemployed.
5. We all desire to own our own homes, land, food, clothing, and other property necessary for life.
Me: Agreed.
6. We all desire to have a good job paying a wage commensurate with our effort and value added and job security. We believe we have a marketable skill to provide value to society.
Me: Unfortunately, not everyone believes that, but it’s a good ideal to strive for.
7. We desire a good education for our children.
Me: Agreed.
8. We desire affordable and available healthcare.
Me: Agreed.
9. We want a clean environment as pollution free as possible.
Me: Agreed.
10. We recognize that our economy requires energy and that we must in the long-term, find an economical, environmentally-friendly, and affordable supply of energy.
Me: Strongly agreed.
11. We recognize there is a finite supply of resources, Earth resources, Human resources, Economic resources, and that we must necessarily make choices and balance our resources in order to meet our needs. And not all of our wants will be satisfied. (Wants and Needs being clearly distinguished). A difficult task then is in allocating scarce resources.
Me: Agreed.
12. The US is a world power with certain responsibility to as JFK said, be a beacon of freedom for the rest of the world. While we cannot be the policemen of the world, we can and should help other nations whenever we can.
Me: Agreed.
Nice list Max.
Re: My comment about Max above: “I thought his attempt to post points of agreement deserves a thought out response.”
To clarify, what he was trying to do, I think, was post a list of points of near universal agreement between most of the people, “left” leaning and “right” leaning, who post on this board.
Do not ask me for details. I am trying to find them myself.
Julie was a casualty of this forum a long time ago. Those of you who do not know who I am talking about need pay this no mind and I cannot answer questions.
For those who do remember Julie, I ask on her behalf for your prayers, good hopes and wishes. It would not be fair to say more when I don’t know much. But Julie has long time friends here who should know that she needs their thoughts just now.
Thanks,
Jay
Randy, you hit it out of the PARK today with your column.
Too bad the beam sputtered out. So close, yet so far away…
“‘If I Had to Do It Over Again’
Condi Rice admits the U.S. should have understood Iraq better.”
http://www.newsweek.com/id/69092
Hmmmm . . .
AMD Unveils FireStream 9170 For High-Performance Computing
The microprocessor package features up to 500 GFlops, or 500 billion floating point operations per second.
http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=202804105
WOW!!!!!!!
Here is the prayer of a friend of mine and some of you and a long time but former poster to this forum. I offer it to inform you and to ask you.
Today, just today, use your blog time to do something kind for someone. Pray, hold a door, pick up trash in the park. It’s times like this we so want to do….something. PLEASE do something kind and send all good thoughts to our friend.
Jay
Prayer follows
Roy was taken to the ER yesterday around noon via ambulance. He has been admitted with the possiblity of pnuemonia, infection, blod clot – they weren’t sure.Well he has sepsis. He also has a staph infection in the blood. He’s also in acute renal failure and there is some major muscle breakdown occuring. They have him on a respirator.Will know more today hopefully. Still haven’t ruled out possible blood clot but the sepsis/staph/renal/muscle breakdown needs to get fixed first.May have to go in and clean out the knee area because they think the infection started in the knee but they aren’t sure yet.And no, I’m not ok. I’m barely hanging on – I’m trying so hard not to cry in front of the kids but I’m bawling as soon as they can’t see me.Dear Lord,I just want my husband fixed and back home with me. I want him around for a long long time.Please Pray and pass on to all the prayer chains you know of.Thanks,Julie
SO… is Randy FOR or AGAINST the Coal Plant??
I got your message JR… will keep them in prayers!! Hang in there, and tell your friend there are those who do care!! let me know if I can be of any help there, ok??
JR
Julie will be in my thoughts and prayers.
We disagree on a lot, but some things – maybe most things that matter – transend silly politics.
Here is the prayer of a friend of mine and some of you and a long time but former poster to this forum. I offer it to inform you and to ask you.
Today, just today, use your blog time to do something kind for someone. Pray, hold a door, pick up trash in the park. It’s times like this we so want to do….something. PLEASE do something kind and send all good thoughts to our friend.
Jay
Prayer follows
Roy was taken to the ER yesterday around noon via ambulance. He has been admitted with the possiblity of pnuemonia, infection, blod clot – they weren’t sure.Well he has sepsis. He also has a staph infection in the blood. He’s also in acute renal failure and there is some major muscle breakdown occuring. They have him on a respirator.Will know more today hopefully. Still haven’t ruled out possible blood clot but the sepsis/staph/renal/muscle breakdown needs to get fixed first.May have to go in and clean out the knee area because they think the infection started in the knee but they aren’t sure yet.And no, I’m not ok. I’m barely hanging on – I’m trying so hard not to cry in front of the kids but I’m bawling as soon as they can’t see me.Dear Lord,I just want my husband fixed and back home with me. I want him around for a long long time.Please Pray and pass on to all the prayer chains you know of.Thanks,Julie
Sorry about that. I hit a wrong button.
As I will be out of Dodge tomorrow, I would like to extend a happy birthday wish to:
XXXSemperFi71Nathan
My Corps! Your Corps!..Our Corps!
http://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/holiday/usmc2006/playmovie.asp?isc=gdh1111
(http://downloads.feedroom.com/downloads/t_assets/20071018/dc1e23eff2cc73a23849c7e7f0060521a7ea2ff9.wmv)
And anyone else who can claim the title.
………………………………….FORTITUDE……………………………
The strength to persit, the courage to endure.
Semper Fi
I didn’t have to spell to enlist.
persist vice persit.
Second link was bad:
(http://downloads.feedroom.com/downloads/t_assets/20071018/dc1e23eff2cc73a23849c7e7f0060521a7ea2ff9.wmv)
The USMC is over 232 years of romping, stomping, hell, death and destruction. The finest fighting machine the world has ever seen. We were born in a bomb crater, our mother was an M-16 and our father was the devil himself.Each moment that I live is an additional threat upon your life. I am a rough looking, roving soldier of the sea. I am cocky, self-centered, overbearing, and I do not know the meaning of fear, for I am fear itself. I am a green, amphibious monster made of blood and guts who arose from the sea, festering on anti-Americans throughout the globe. Whenever it may arise, and when my time comes, I will die a glorious death on the battle field, giving my life to Mom, the Corps, and the American flag.We stole the eagle from the Air Force, the anchor from the Navy, and the rope from the Army. On the 7th day, while God rested, we overran his perimeter and stole the globe, and we’ve been running the show ever since. We live like soldiers and talk like sailors and slap the hell out of both of them. Soldier by day, lover by night, drunkard by choice, MARINE BY GOD!!!
And they have the deeds to match their words.
Happy Veterns’ Day.
You earned it.
“The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps!”
Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the United States, 1945
“You cannot exaggerate about the Marines. They are convinced to the point of arrogance, that they are the most ferocious fighters on earth- and the amusing thing about it is that they are.”
Father Kevin Keaney1st Marine Division ChaplainKorean War
“I have only two men out of my company and 20 out of some other company. We need support, but it is almost suicide to try to get it here as we are swept by machine gun fire and a constant barrage is on us. I have no one on my left and only a few on my right. I will hold.”
1stLt. Clifton B. Cates, USMCin Belleau Wood, 19 July 1918
There’s more where those came from. http://4mermarine.com/USMC/quotes.html
From the father of a Marine: Semper Fi, and Happy Birthday to the toughest sons of bitches on the planet.
Gomenasi! Trying one last time:
http://downloads.feedroom.com/downloads/t_assets/20071018/dc1e23eff2cc73a23849c7e7f0060521a7ea2ff9.wmv
(it’s motivating if it works!)
Except for me, right Capn?
According to you and your all knowing authority, I’m not a Veteran, nor disabled and I’m living off the government dole.
People only get your respect Capn when they agree with you 100 percent of the time, right Capn?
If not, you and your buddies can post their private information on this blog and harass them without a anything happening to them.
I must admit Capn, you got away with it. Phillip Brownlee did nothing to you. When I did it as a joke and even admitted to it, I got got a ban.
You however, Capn, can do even worse and evidently Phillip Brownlee is scared of you because he didn’t do anything to you or your gang of thugs.
I usually go to the cemetery on Veterans day and pay respect to my friends and former comrades.
But thanks to you Capn, I can save my gas and don’t need to go anywhere.
You have proved to me Capn, that to get on with life, you just have to be an asshole of your ilk and everything will be fine.
There will be no more flag waving at my house. I’ll tuck away my DD214s, because I wouldn’t want to be considered living off the government’s dole like you and your ilk accuse me.
I didn’t earn anything did I Capn, I’ll just take my military ID card and throw it in the trash.
After all, I can become a street person and stand in higher status according to your methods.
Thanks for converting me to a non-patriot Capn.
I’ll strive to become a full fledge, revenge seeking, pontificating asshole just like you.
That will make for a better world right?
I’m sure Phillip Brownlee will delete this post because I made it and probably will ban me.
That’s because Phillip Brownlee has two standards, one for the Capn and his crew who can post the identities of people on line and get away with it.
Then there is me, the lowlife.
Veterans day? Yeah sure, the Libs care only if you agree with them. Speak out against them, dare to raise the flag, talk about your sacrifice in the honor of this country and you can rest assure that Capn will chop you off at the knees.
I hope you and Phillip Brownlee have a nice life together. I don’t know what lies you told him, but evidently he believes you and holds you in high regard.
Pardon me, while I wipe Brownlee’s spittle from my face.
Well now I get to lift a glass and toast to the continued health and good fortune of my friend.May the next 232 years be as good as the first, Semper-Fi and my God bless “our” United States Marine Corps.
Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don’t have that problem.
Ronald Reagan, President of the United States ; 1985Marines I see as two breeds, Rottweilers or Dobermans, because Marines come in two varieties, big and mean, or skinny and mean. They’re aggressive on the attack and tenacious on defense. They’ve got really short hair and they always go for the throat.
RAdm. “Jay” R. Stark, USN; 10 November 1995
There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and the enemy. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion.Gen. William Thornson, U.S. ArmyFreedom is not free, but the U.S. Marine Corps will pay most of your share.
Ned Dolan
Thank-you all!!!
I remember reading somewhere that the thing the German High Command came to fear the most during WWII was not Allied Air Power, awesome as it was, but a scared, pissed-off 18 or 19 year old American with a rifle. It didn’t matter what branch of service, the results were the same.
Check this new Michael Yon photo from Iraq…could be a Pulitzer prize and rank up there with the Iwo Jima pic.
http://michaelyon-online.com/wp/thanks-and-praise.htm
Yon has been in Iraq as an independent reporter on his own dime and donations since it started. He has some of the best writing around. Check out his site and this picture.
See the Muslims and Christians putting the Christian church back together.
We should all remember that our freedom was bought at a price. It was paid for us by those who went before us and fought the hard fight so we don’t have to. Many thanks not only to the troops that fought but to their families who wait/waited for their return.
Many thanks and may we always remember to thank a vet. They deserve every benefit the government has promised and more. Help us as a country to recognize this.
On the one year anniversary of our ‘new’ congress we can look back at what they promised and what they have accomplished.
“Even worse, the Democrats have made clear all their talk about “fiscal discipline” is just that–talk. They’re proposing to spend $205 billion more than the president has proposed over the next five years. And the opening wedge of this binge is $22 billion more in spending proposed for the coming year. Only in Washington could someone in public life be so clueless to say, as Sen. Reid and Rep. Pelosi have, that $22 billion is a “relatively small” difference.
Let’s also be clear about what it means to roll back the president’s 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, as the Democrats want to do. Every income-tax payer will pay more as all tax rates rise. Families will pay $500 more per child as they lose the child tax credit. Taxes on small businesses would go up by an average of about $4,000. Retirees will pay higher taxes on investment retirement income. And now we have the $1 trillion tax increase proposed as “tax reform” by the Democrats’ chief tax writer last month.”
Anyone that reads this and doesn’t see that this next election is critical is missing the boat. No matter who you are: if you are a family man, a single parent, a retiree, a small business owner or just a working American you will be impacted by the tax hike the democrats want.
Happy Birthday to the US Marines!
From the cover of Flags of Our Fathers (highly recommended book by James Brady):
In February 1945, American Marines plunged into the surf at Iwo Jima—and into history. Through a hail of machine-gun and mortar fire that left the beaches strewn with comrades, they battled to the island’s highest peak. And after climbing through a landscape of hell itself, they raised a flag.
Now the son of one of the flagraisers has written a powerful account of six very different young men who came together in a moment that will live forever.
To his family, John Bradley never spoke of the photograph or the war. But after his death at age seventy, his family discovered closed boxes of letters and photos. In Flags of Our Fathers, James Bradley draws on those documents to retrace the lives of his father and the men of Easy Company. Following these men’s paths to Iwo Jima, James Bradley has written a classic story of the heroic battle for the Pacific’s most crucial island—an island riddled with Japanese tunnels and 22,000 fanatic defenders who would fight to the last man.
But perhaps the most interesting part of the story is what happened after the victory. The men in the photo—three were killed during the battle—were proclaimed heroes and flown home, to become reluctant symbols. For two of them, the adulation was shattering. Only James Bradley’s father truly survived, displaying no copy of the famous photograph in his home, telling his son only:
“The real heroes of Iwo Jima were the guys who didn’t come back.”
Last update – 10:02 09/11/2007
Israel seeks fresh Holocaust reparations deal with Germany
By Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz Correspondent
tags: Holocaust, Israel, Germany
Minister for Pensioner Affairs Rafi Eitan is seeking to reopen the 1952 reparations agreement between Israel and Germany.
Eitan, the minister in charge of the talks with Germany on reparations for Holocaust survivors and retrieving Jewish property, intends to discuss the matter with the German finance minister when he comes to Israel in two weeks’ time.
Eitan told Haaretz that the original reparations agreement, the Luxembourg Agreement, did not take into account many issues relating to Holocaust survivors and should therefore be reopened. That agreement stipulated that Germany would give Israel $833 million in money and merchandise, and Israel would look after the survivors, who would not be permitted to sue Germany directly.
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A state comptroller’s report on the treatment of Holocaust survivors, released this past August, said that in the 50 years between 1954 and 2004, the government had spent some $3.5 billion on the survivors, more than four times the sum transferred by Germany.
“We see Germany as responsible for the Holocaust survivors,” Eitan told Haaretz. “The agreements with them had many holes. Nobody estimated the high cost of the last stage of life in the modern era, or that people would live at least ten years longer on average than they did in the 1950s.”
The Luxembourg Agreement also failed to take into account the arrival of many additional survivors to Israel. “Nobody thought that 175,000 Holocaust refugees from the former Soviet Union would come to Israel,” Eitan said. “That changed the entire picture, even if the Germans aren’t interested.”
An agreement between the Israeli government and survivors’ organizations, which the cabinet approved earlier this week, provides for payments and benefits to survivors totaling NIS 2 billion over the next three years. The government undertook to finance the plan, but now expects Germany to contribute its share.
Over the last four months, while government officials were negotiating the agreement with survivors’ representatives, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and other ministers said in closed forums that Israel ought to ask Germany to cover the increased payments. However, this is the first time a minister has said so publicly.
The German weekly Der Spiegel reported this week that Eitan sent a letter to German Chancellor Angela Merkel in August, demanding that Germany waive an Israeli debt of 500 million euros, after which Israel would deposit this money in a fund dedicated to survivors’ needs. The German deputy finance minister rejected the idea, and Eitan told him: “So just give us the money,” Der Spiegel reported.
Eitan responded that he did not make demands of Germany, and that this was merely one of many ways in which Germany could finance the survivors’ stipends.
Sources in the Ministry for Pensioner Affairs said that Accountant General Yaron Zelekha was the one who thought of waiving the debt.
The Foreign Ministry is concerned that Eitan’s demands might damage the delicate relations between Israel and Germany. “I never denied that my approach is problematic, but it’s based on facts and the truth,” Eitan responded. “I’m acting for the good of Holocaust survivors.”
German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck is scheduled to visit Israel later this month, and the reparations issue will top his agenda. Steinbrueck will meet Eitan and, probably, representatives of the survivors’ organizations as well.
“It’s not enough to work with one minister or another,” Eitan said. “We told the Germans that we must set up a professional team to examine the issue in a professional way.”
A senior German Foreign Ministry source told Haaretz that Germany would accept some of the Israeli demands, and that Merkel had instructed officials to handle the matter “sympathetically.” However, the German treasury wants to avoid setting a precedent by reopening the reparations agreement.
Eitan is convinced that “ultimately, Germany will agree to the demands. They have their own ‘treasury boys,’ as we do, who guard the public coffers; they’re right from their point of view. They’re doing their job, and I’m doing mine.”
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/922252.html
To ensure the Marines of Iwo Jima are not forgotten, I have 8 x 10 photos of BOTH flag raisings on Iwo Jima, proudly displayed in my office at work.
One is not PC, has a Marine holding a rifle guarding those who are raising the flag.
No one in my office so far, has dared to complain.
To all my Marine Brothers I send my best on this great occasion. You are all in my prayers (the ones that end with “God bless Chesty Puller”).
My special best to GMC’s son who is currently defending our nation.
The few,The proud,The Marines!
Semper Fi,Do or die.
Thanks ksagnostic for your post above.
You confirmed that we have some common beliefs. Not sure about everyone else.
I’m tied up today, a little busy hiring 35 people this month. I’m an evil employer forcing High School graduates into entry-level positions earning $26,000/yr, plus $500 to $1,000/month incentives, a 401k matched $1 for $1 up to 6%, and company paid pension, Health/Dental/Vision insurance, and 20 days off their first year.
There was one sad story this week. I made a job offer to one applicant, and she asked for more then $26,000 to start. Why? Because her unemployment paid almost that much.
I told her no, we don’t negotiate employment offers. She has yet to get back to me to accept the job offer.
Sometimes I guess it’s better to be unemployed.
Gotta go force some more people to work now.
I wondered what happened to Julie, I met her a few months ago. My thoughts and prayers go to her and her family, and I wish her husband godspeed in getting well.
Max I once offered a full time job to a lady who was working part time for me. She turned me down because even though she would be making twice as much money she would lose her state paid child care and health card.
We offered all the benies but she wanted to hang onto the state ones so if she ever decided not to work she would still have them. I guess that’s planning for the future.
Actually, there was a typo in #1 from the 12 point list above. Might change the meaning for some.
Corrected:
1. Freedom, we all agree that people should be free. There are excessive laws and controls on our lives, for every law passed restricts our freedom to some extent.
Ksgrm, I’ve had 3 full-time employees, who after receiving a merit pay raise, requested to go part-time because they were making to much money to qualify for Section 8 housing support.
The world is upside down.
Hey Max, what kind of a job is that that pays so much $$$ to kids fresh out of high school?? Your list of fringes sounds a little bit like a military recruiter???
I know someone that is a registered nurse but limits her working hours so she can obtain subsidized loans for a home, food vouchers, health wave for her son and other assistance. That’s just wrong.
Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah!Fap Fap Fap Fap!Pardon me, while I wipe Brownlee’s spittle from my face.
Posted by: Kansas | November 09, 2007 at 10:38 AM
Sore loser.
Financial Services Chas.
Office work.
The biggest danger is a paper cut.
An Environmentally Friendly and Economical Burial Solution. Good for the garden, and also helps solve global warming.
California Tree Trimmer Dies After Being Pulled Into Wood ChipperThursday, November 08, 2007
TUSTIN, Calif. — An Orange County tree trimmer feeding branches into a wood chipper was pulled into the shredding machine and killed.
Police called to the residential area just after 4 p.m. found the landscape worker’s body inside the wood chipper. It isn’t clear if the victim was a man or a woman.
Wood chippers shred branches and tree trimmings into mulch.
Thirty-one people have been killed in wood chipper accidents between 1992 and 2002, according to a 2005 Journal of the American Medical Association report.
Health Care ExcusesBy Paul KrugmanThe New York Times
Friday 09 November 2007
The United States spends far more on health care per person than any other nation. Yet we have lower life expectancy than most other rich countries. Furthermore, every other advanced country provides all its citizens with health insurance; only in America is a large fraction of the population uninsured or underinsured.
You might think that these facts would make the case for major reform of America’s health care system – reform that would involve, among other things, learning from other countries’ experience – irrefutable. Instead, however, apologists for the status quo offer a barrage of excuses for our system’s miserable performance.
So I thought it would be useful to offer a catalog of the most commonly heard apologies for American health care, and the reasons they won’t wash.
Excuse No. 1: No insurance, no problem.
“I mean, people have access to health care in America,” said President Bush a few months ago. “After all, you just go to an emergency room.” He was widely mocked for his cluelessness, yet many apologists for the health care system in the United States seem almost equally clueless.
We’re told, for example, that there really aren’t that many uninsured American citizens, because some of the uninsured are illegal immigrants, while some of the rest are actually entitled to Medicaid. This misses the point that the 47 million people in this country without insurance are an ever-changing group, so that the experience of being without insurance extends to a much broader group – in fact, more than one in every three people in America under the age of 65 was uninsured at some point in 2006 or 2007.
Oh, and finding out that you’re covered by Medicaid when you show up at an emergency room isn’t at all the same thing as receiving regular medical care.
Beyond that, a large fraction of the population – about one in four nonelderly Americans, according to a Consumer Reports survey – is underinsured, with “coverage so meager they often postponed medical care because of costs.”
So, yes, lack of insurance is a very big problem, a problem that reaches deep into the middle class.
Excuse No. 2: It’s the cheeseburgers.
Americans don’t have a bad health system, say the apologists, they just have bad habits. Overeating and teenage sex, not the huge overhead of America’s private health insurance companies – the United States spends almost six times as much on health care administration as other advanced countries – are the source of our problems.
There’s a grain of truth to this claim: Bad habits may partially explain America’s low life expectancy. But the big question isn’t why we have lower life expectancy than Britain, Canada or France, it’s why we spend far more on health care without getting better results. And lifestyle isn’t the explanation: the most definitive estimates, such as those of the McKinsey Global Institute, say that diseases that are associated with obesity and other lifestyle-related problems play, at most, a minor role in high U.S. health care costs.
Excuse No. 3: 2007 is better than 1950.
This is an argument that baffles me, but you hear it all the time. When you point out that America spends far more on health care than other countries, but gets worse results, the apologists reply: “Sure, we spend a lot of money on health care, but medical care is a lot better than it was in 1950, so it’s money well spent.” Huh?
It’s as if you went to a store to buy a DVD player, and the salesman told you not to worry about the fact that his prices are twice those of his competitors – after all, the machines on offer at his store are a lot better than they were five years ago. It is, in other words, an argument that makes no sense at all, yet respectable economists make it with a straight face.
Excuse No. 4: Socialized medicine! Socialized medicine!
Rudy Giuliani’s fake numbers on prostate cancer – which, by the way, he still refuses to admit were wrong – were the latest entry in a long, dishonorable tradition of peddling scare stories about the evils of “government run” health care.
The reality is that the best foreign health care systems, especially those of France and Germany, do as well or better than the U.S. system on every dimension, while costing far less money.
But the best way to counter scare talk about socialized medicine, aside from swatting down falsehoods – would journalists please stop saying that Rudy’s claims, which are just wrong, are “in dispute”? – may be to point out that every American 65 and older is covered by a government health insurance program called Medicare. And Americans like that program very much, thank you.
So, now you know how to answer the false claims you’ll hear about health care. And believe me, you’re going to hear them again, and again, and again.
——-
Gee, Max, for that kind of money, I would apply for a job with your outfit!! LOL GOOD pay!!
The biggest danger is a paper cut.
Posted by: Max
I have to back Max up on this. In the KC metro area the girls hired to work in the telephone answering center make 13 dollars an hour starting. And great healthcare benefits. I’ll even be specific. Credit Union.
There is a billboard on I-35 advertising entry level jobs at $12 an hour. Additionally, at the turnpike entrance along I-35 they are advertising for TOLL BOOTH WORKERS at 12 bucks an hour.
Hey, AmWay, those turnpike workers would fall under State Employee status… They get a good pension (KPERS) and great health/medical coverage from the State!! IOW, they get paid with yours and my tax dollars!! LOL
Two more my better half just reminded me of: a major cell phone company customer center (telephone answering center) and a medical mailorder pharmacy. Both are 13 bucks starting plus bennies. Reason we know these: people left her work to go to these neighboring office building employers for MORE MONEY!
not to sound like an asshole but isnt veterans day the 11th?
Didn’t know that Chas, here I thought that money I dropped into the toll booth machine was paying for their salary. If you are correct, I’m going to start throwing pennies!
Sure is Tom P. Today is Kristalnacht — the day in 1938, when Hitler’s thugs tore through jewish neighborhoods, breaking glass, etc., and started the beginnings of the Holocaust.
Tonight, the Synagogues will burn with the lights of Shabbat, in honor of the “Night of Breaking Glass”
Your name is a pain….
But you would be correct. The posters above, I think were referring to the USMC Birthday, which is tomorrow. Uhhhhh
I guess you had to be there to understand.
Yep AmWay, Turnpike workers are State employees!
JR, I just told Mrs. Writerdog that “Mountain man” was in the hospital and Julie and the whole family are in our prays.
Well, now we got in one post for the Jewish Memorial Day today as well as for the USMC…
Check this new Michael Yon photo from Iraq…could be a Pulitzer prize and rank up there with the Iwo Jima pic.
http://michaelyon-online.com/wp/thanks-and-praise.htm
Yon has been in Iraq as an independent reporter on his own dime and donations since it started. He has some of the best writing around. Check out his site and this picture.
See the Muslims and Christians putting the Christian church back together.
It is interesting that Kansas’s behavior, attitudes, and apparently his entire life is solely controlled by CapnAmerica and Phillip Brownlee.
“Pull the string and he’ll wink at us, He’s their puppet,He’ll do funny things if they want him to, he’s their puppet,Mm. He’s theirs to have and to hold Darlings, they’ve got full control of their puppet.”
Apologies to Marvin Gaye.
Mr. Max,
Due to your admitted wreckless negligence concerning the potential for paper cuts in your business, which clearly maintains sub-standard conditions, you are immediately ordered to:
1. Provide steel mesh gloves for all employees regardless of title or position.
2. Steel mesh gloves will be required work gear and must be worn at all times by all employees and visitors on the premises. This includes data entry personnel, who must wear protective clothing while performing data entry on computer keyboards.
3. Because of the possibility of biohazardous material (human body fluids, specifically, blood from a paper cut) being released into the environment, you must:
a. Provide tyvek bio-hazardous body suits to all employees and visitors on the premises and require the be worn at all times while on the premises, and within 500 feet of the property.
b. Provide respiratory masks compliant with OSHA code 700NSN – 500 c2, which must be worn at all times while on the job, including those who answer the phone.
c. Conduct within 30 days a full environmental impact study concerning the release of biohazardous material. Study must be conducted by a US governement licensed, certified environmental impact company with appropriate endorsement to deal with your particular challenges of paper-borne blood products which can become air-borne.
d. Secure within 10 days a special license for handling biohazardous material. The license certificate can be obtained after attending a certification school which will be taught next August, 2008, in Portland Oregon.
e. Within 7 days produce and provide a comprehensive procedure manual detailing:
1) the dangers of paper cuts
2) how to protect yourself from paper cuts
3) what to do if you are cut by paper, including legal action that can be taken against the employer who was negligent in not providing a work environment safe from paper cuts.
f) Within 2 days, you will provide for all full and part time employees 6 hours of employee education on the risks and dangers of paper cuts, how to avoid, and what to do if you discover you have a paper.
You will provide certified, notarized copies of documents to our office in Washington DC no later than the deadlines stated above. Failure to do so will result in the immediate closure of your business, fines, and possible confiscation of your corporate and personal assets. We will perform a follow up inspection in 20 days to evaluate your progress in complying with these orders. If we determine you are not acting in a timely manner to come into compliance, we will immediately close your business. We will make unannounced and unscheduled inspections of your company for the next five years until we are confident you can maintain a safe working environment. Failure to comply with any aspect of this order will result in immediate confiscation of all assets, corporate and personal.
We exist to serve and help you and your employees and see that all Americans have safe, comfortable working environments. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.
Sincerely,
OSHA
Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah!Fap Fap Fap Fap!Pardon me, while I wipe Brownlee’s spittle from my face.
Posted by: Kansas | November 09, 2007 at 10:38 AM
Sore loser.
Posted by: XXX | November 09, 2007 at 11:57 AM
Okay XXX, here’s a deal for you.
You, Capn, cosmos, JR and whoever was in on the collusion post their real names, emails and home addresses on this blog and see how much you like it.
If not, you are not a marine, but another sad sack that hid in his hootch all during Nam playing cards and smoking grass.
David you work for OSHA?
And all this time I thought you just wrote diet books!
“kansas” you do NOT want to fool with me today. And no one wants to hear your pity party. Indeed you have no idea how you are laughed at around here. If there is the tiniest bit of humanity in you I ask you. NOT today.
For all those waiting news while we hope and pray, here is an update from Julie.
They started MM on dialysis this morning. I’m trying to keep everybodyas updated as possible. Thank goodness for blogs and emails – gets theword out quick.Still playing the waiting game. Should know by Mondaywhether or not the antibiotics are working.I’m pleased they starteddialysis because it will help flush some of the toxins out and hopefullykickstart the kidneys into working again.Prayers are working. I’m muchcalmer today than I was yesterday. I still have my bouts of incontrollablesobbing but I’m keeping it together much better today.Thank you allfor your kind words and most of all your support.I appreciate y’all morethan you’ll ever know.Thank you. Posted By Julie
How did all those guys learn your real name? On a anonymous blog the only way one can learn any personal info about you is to post it yourself. And many people post under their real names without out any probelms.
“Steven Davis” –
Me oh me oh me oh my,
It’s James and Bobby Purify.”
Not Marvin Gaye.
Health insurer tied bonuses to dropping sick policyholders
By Lisa Girion, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
November 9, 2007
One of the state’s largest health insurers set goals and paid bonuses based in part on how many individual policyholders were dropped and how much money was saved.
Woodland Hills-based Health Net Inc. avoided paying $35.5 million in medical expenses by rescinding about 1,600 policies between 2000 and 2006. During that period, it paid its senior analyst in charge of cancellations more than $20,000 in bonuses based in part on her meeting or exceeding annual targets for revoking policies, documents disclosed Thursday showed.
Full story at:http://tinyurl.com/2yh4o9
Hey, Max, I do office work.. Can I get one of your really good paying jobs??
“It’s James and Bobby Purify.”
“Not Marvin Gaye.”
OK. Sorry, that was a little before my time, though I thought Marvin Gaye did a cover of it.
Sure J R, here’s a Bible verse just for you. Ezekiel 8:18
That is a terrible verse selection, Kansas, even for you!!
Those folks are hurting!!
I thought kansas was banned. If not, what the hell was all the whining about?
Pathetic. Just pathetic.
Freedom Isn’t Free
I watched the flag pass by one day.It fluttered in the breezeA young soldier saluted it, and thenHe stood at ease.I looked at him in uniformSo young, so tall, so proudWith hair cut square and eyes alertHe’d stand out in any crowd.I thought how many men like himHad fallen through the years.How many died on foreign soil?How many mothers’ tears?How many Pilots’ planes shot down?How many foxholes were soldiers’ graves?No Freedom isn’t free
I heard the sound of taps one night,When everything was still.I listened to the bugler playAnd felt a sudden chill.I wondered just how many timesThat taps had meant “Amen”When a flag had draped a coffinof a brother or a friend.I thought of all the children,Of the mothers and the wives,Of fathers, sons and husbandsWith interrupted lives.I thought about a graveyard at thebottom of the seaOf unmarked graves in Arlington…..No — Freedom isn’t free!!
…Cadet Major Kelly StrongAir Force Junior ROTC
Ezekiel 8:18 –
“Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them.”
I thought all the personal information was about JM, and kansas swears he is not JM, so what gives? Either he is or he isnt. And where is that police report on vandalism? It’s interesting that ksgrm appears when kansas reappears. I wonder when the sock puppet ballet will begin again?
Terrible verse selection for people who are hurting, huh, monkeyhawk??
You noticed that about ksgrm too, eh, JM?? things just get curiouser and curiouser…
Ahem. This is my best Bevis and Butthead imitation.
“I AM CORNHOLIO! ARE YOU THREATENING ME?”
Is kansas taking over the blog like he promised? This must be the beginning of the terrorism he promised.
Pitiful. Just pitiful.
kansas has no pity for anyone but himself. And boy, does he have pity for himself.
Fitting though Chas, don’t you think?
I learned to pray in private and I will pray for Julie and her husband.
Some people like to make threats and then ask for prayers.
But if you’re a non-Christian like some, you can make up your own rules as you go along right?
There is no God of convenience right Chas, I mean you cannot switch him off and on like a light switch.
But maybe people can Chas? The light switch God, click here for convenience – except in time of politics or blogging, then He doesn’t exist.
It still isnt a nice verse for folks who are hurting — I dont think Julie and her MM have hurt you any, Kansas.
TONS of things are more important that politics and blogging!!
“that” = than keyboard cant type today!! LOL
May the grandchildren of the CONs suffer the most from what their fathers have wroght.
Posted by: JM | November 08, 2007 at 12:28 PM
I thought so and posted it as well yesterday. but never got a response.. from the other bloggers..
DNFTT
I doubt Julie is reading this blog right now and besides the verse was directed at J R, not Julie.
He’s getting email, not praying at the bedside of the afflicted. He’s not at the chapel of the facility praying.
If I could ask the Lord to spare the life of Julie’s husband and take mine, I would do so. But I know God doesn’t make such arrangements. However, I will try to make the prayer request.
I dont much care who the verwse was aimed at, it wasnt very nice aimed at anybody who might be hurting!! Sort of callous….
Somebody already did that dying gig for others, but sometimes I dont think that one worked too good either!!
For all of the people who deny the solid science of anthropogenic global warming, and insist that there is no need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“Because we don’t think about future generations, they will never forget us.” Henrik Tikkanen
That’s a BIG AaaMen Cosmos!!
Since drug companies became really active in advertising their prescription products directly to the public, have you noticed health care costs began to rise quickly? There are obviously other factors involved, but the correlation seems to be partially causative.
Chas, if your talking about my post. it was directed at your post agreeing that there is allot more things important than this Blog. let me post the entire thread. it was a response to what JM said about Grandchilder suffering. nothing about Julies condition.. I’m not heartless. full post listed below..
May the grandchildren of the CONs suffer the most from what their fathers have wroght.
Posted by: JM | November 08, 2007 at 12:28 PM
apparently JM doesn’t have children, parents don’t wish anything bad upon others peoples children, no matter what their views are.that is just a hateful post that added nothing to the conversation..
Posted by: BG | November 08, 2007 at 01:11 PM
Yes Cosmos, you are guiltless. You don’t even drive a car, use natural gas to heat your home, take warm showers, or buy goods from stores that bought them from off of a carbon emitting semi truck. Right? Or am I mistaken about your stern belief in all those things being the direct cause of global warming?
Kansas, dude . . . seek help before it’s too late. You’re coming unglued.
Now for something important–
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/11/09/iraq.children/index.html
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — The head of Iraq’s main humanitarian group said an 18-year-old approached him with a baby suffering from leukemia. The desperate mother said she’d do “anything” for treatment for her child — and then offered herself up for sex.
Said Ismail Hakki breaks down in tears as he recalls that story. Leukemia can be treatable to a degree in much of the world, but not in Iraq. The baby died two months later.
The plight of Iraq’s children is nearing epidemic proportions, he said, with mothers and fathers abandoning their children “because they’re becoming a liability.” The parents don’t do it out of convenience, they do it out of desperation.
Hakki says Red Crescent has the monumental task of treating and feeding more than 1.6 million children under the age of 12 who have become homeless in their own country. That’s roughly 70 percent of the estimated 2.3 million Iraqis who are homeless inside Iraq.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1107/6772.html
BG–
Maybe JM simply meant this:
Rep. Bob Inglis (R-S.C.), once a skeptic of global warming, got a hint that the political winds might be shifting when a longtime supporter warned that he might vote against Inglis if he “didn’t clean up his act on the environment.”
The warning came from Inglis’ eldest son, Robert Jr., now 22.
His daughter was no less blunt about the congressman’s refusal to embrace the view that global warming was being caused by human actions and that a serious response is needed. “I have three more kids coming up — and they seem to share the same view,” Inglis said.
Family pressure worked. Inglis traveled to Antarctica and, most recently, to Greenland to witness the effects of rising CO2 levels and temperatures. He now believes the science behind global warming. And he believes the politics are equally conclusive: Republicans will “get hammered” if they do not reckon with the issue soon.
And he believes the politics are equally conclusive: Republicans will “get hammered” if they do not reckon with the issue soon.
Posted by: JM | November 09, 2007 at 02:28 PM
Yes, forced down your throat “politically motivated science.” Resist it at your own peril.
And besides, where else can you get rich unless you buy into the “Ponzi” schemes of buying carbon credits. Clear conscious with no sacrifice. Pollute all you want, just buy some carbon credits on the other side of the planet and your conscious can be cleared.
To gmc70 (1:25 poster)
While I appreciate you choice of poem, and it is quite appropriate on the eve of Veteran’s Day and the birthday of the USMC (even if penned by a member of the “chair force”) . . .
I’d note that your chosen “nic” is taken, and has been for a quite a while. At times this nic has posted what appeared to be disruptive items under “my” nic (sorta), this obviously isn’t that sort of posting.
But I’d appreciate it, and thank you, to choose another “nic” in the future. Other than that, welcome; I hope you can put up with this bunch of miscreants.
Thanks in advance.
You know, Kansas, if you were to stop denigrating everyone who disagrees with you, you might find some intelligent conversations going on here. As it is, you come on threads with an attitude, and then cry when someone calls you on it.
You got some really thin skin. Quit making woman-like noises and start enjoying life.
B-b-but, I thought you’ve been saying “just respond to the post and ignore the nic” for quite a while now, haven’t you, GMC?
Yeah . . . it’s irritating when it happens to you, ain’t it?
And btw, I’m not doing it.
Julie,I hope and pray mountain man pulls through. Both of you are people I really enjoy my time with. Damn, girl, the man’s too big to be down. Get him on his feet and kicking butt.
You know, Kansas, if you were to stop denigrating everyone who disagrees with you, you might find some intelligent conversations going on here. As it is, you come on threads with an attitude, and then cry when someone calls you on it.
You got some really thin skin. Quit making woman-like noises and start enjoying life.
Posted by: J M Walker | November 09, 2007 at 03:15 PM
Incorrect.
I ‘cry’ when people post my personal data on the blog without my permission and nothing happens to them.
I challenge those who posted my personal data on the blog to post their own personal data on the blog so we can be on equal footing.
If not, then they are the cowards.
JM,
Thank you for the politico link at 2:28 PM. Anthropogenic global warming may be a big factor in the Nov 2008 election, especially if Arctic sea ice melts more than this year, and other factors…
A very good read on the energy issue,Climate: Making Sense and Making Money, (462 KByte) http://www.rmi.org/images/PDFs/Climate/C97-13_ClimateMSMM.pdf
For example, see “Time to Dump the Myths” on page 25 (PDF pg 30)
Indicted Kerik Launches Legal Defense TrustLike Scooter Libby and Tom DeLay before him, former NYC Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik is using his indictment as a tool to fundraise from the right-wing base.
A grand jury issued a 14-count indictment against Kerik yesterday. But Kerik knew it was coming. “Several weeks ago,” the Kerik Legal Defense Trust had already sprung into action and launched a website to raise funds for the embattled Kerik.
The defense trust’s website contains a page entitled “About Bernard B. Kerik” that notes he was nominated to serve as secretary of Homeland Security, “but neglects to mention he was forced to withdraw in disgrace in December 2004 over tax issues related to a nanny he employed.”
The site lauds Kerik’s “heroism” and “distinguished service” with laudatory quotes from Rudy Giuliani (”An excellent Police Commissioner and Courageous Leader on 9/11?) and Tony Blair (”You are an inspiration to all of us”).
The defense trust informs potential donors that, “Any contribution you make to the Trust will be treated as a gift to Mr. Kerik to be used at his discretion.” Potential donors should note, however, that Kerik is under indictment because he has been accused of misappropriating his finances. Ellis Henican writes in Newsday:
But I’m still a little confused about why Bernard Kerik needs money from me. The man lives in a mansion in New Jersey. He got that $4.4 million stock bonanza for sitting on the Taser board.
How’s Bernie so broke? He’s barely paid for his first cup of coffee, and since he left city government in 2003, he’s been positively raking it in.
He’s been a partner in at least two highly lucrative security firms, one with Rudy Giuliani and one that he ran. Like giant vacuum cleaners, he and Rudy have been sucking huge fees from corporations and foreign governments eager to hear tough-guy 9/11 anecdotes.
And the man needs a hundred bucks from me?
The website does not report its board members or its contributors. Some questions for Kerik’s good friend Rudy Giuliani: Are you formally participating in the defense trust, and do you endorse it?
Several University of Maine students complained that leftist associate professor Paul Grosswiler offered extra credit in the History of Mass Communications class for burning the American flag or U.S. Constitution – and confirmed the offer as serious.University spokesman Joe Carr said students should not take a professor’s biased comments seriously, and said no extra credit is currently being offered to flag burners.- – -
My father was a soldier stationed in the Philippines at the end of World War II, where landing craft were being readied for the mainland invasion of Japan, while Japanese women and children were being trained in sneak attacks and counter assaults to be used against Allied troops. The world was spared that.Having seen something of what the world is like, when freedom, the American way of life, and our homes and families are attacked by the largest armies and navies of Europe and Asia, I think my father would have something serious to say to Professor Grosswiler, given the chance.Our military veterans preserved our freedom, and wrote large our nation’s character as well as history, with their blood, sweat, and tears. We shall not see their like again, but for the unmerited favor of our Creator upon our soil and souls.May God bless America again.Happy Veteran’s Day.
Did anybody check that story out? Or is it just another of Parkay’s weirdnesses?
JM – re: your 3:16 post.
Not remotely the same thing, and you know it, JM. Your issue with Kansas wasn’t over stealing nics at all; that had long since gone away. You just couldn’t let it go because he dared to post opinions you didn’t like, and it was easier to just keep poking at that old wound than challenge his point of view.
You created your own flame wars, I’ll not get involved in them. But if Kansas’ claims that his personal data was posted are true, he’s entirely justified in his obvious anger. And the “everybody’s JM” campaign was childish in the extreme. Nothing more than “do as I say, not as I do.”
So if you’re looking at me to now suddenly “understand,” or to join some sort of “club,” you’re SOL.
Did anyone see the name of our new baseball team?The Wichita Wingnuts! Can you think of anything more perfect for our beloved Doo-Dah?ROFL!!!!
Did anyone see the name of our new baseball team?The Wichita Wingnuts! Can you think of anything more perfect for our beloved Doo-Dah?ROFL!!!!
Posted by: mrcontroversy | November 09, 2007 at 05:01 PM
:)
A hat and t-shirt designer dream come true no doubt. Perhaps even jewelry items -accessories available at your hardware store or your local Political hall.
Yea -
Whatever one’s political inclination; somebody needs to rethink that one . . .
Max, you might want to see Flags of Iwo Jima, you might want to take the poster down afterwards though.
The Wingnuts should certainly support the home team.
Yeah, GMC, I agree; someone definitely needs to rethink that one.
Kansas, I can see it now at the local hardware; a jewelry counter complete with the latest in local sports team accessories for sale, on the way to pick up the latest screws, nuts (wing and other), washers, etc.
Is Dubai going to give the U.S. some payback, if we won’t let them buy our ports, they won’t buy our planes! http://biz.yahoo.com/rb/071109/airbus_dubai.html?.v=1It’s amazing that considering the value of the dollar airbus can compete having to pay most of their expenses in euros. Bet they are taking a hit on the deal, if the report is accurate.
Julie,I just said a prayer for you and your husband. My fervant hope is that your husband gets better and you find the strength you need to get through this.
“Did anyone see the name of our new baseball team?The Wichita Wingnuts! Can you think of anything more perfect for our beloved Doo-Dah?”
…
I think I’m speechless.
Julie…your “mountain man” is in my prayers. I’m thinking really positive thoughts toward his speedy recovery. Hang in there.
For reasons that are abundantly clear above, I am being very discreet in what I say about Julie and her situation. I’ll post nothing personal and certainly not her email address.
I HAVE emailed her and let her know folks are praying and sending good thoughts. I know she appreciates it as you could read for yourself.
I Have a New Problem with President Bush
I have a new problem with President Bush’s war thingy in Iraq. First, it is not a war. It is an occupation. A war requires an enemy force. The opposition we are “fighting” has no Army, Navy, Air Force, Central Command Post, or specific chain of command.
We are fighting a few smart terrorists who recruit Iraqi patriots to expel the infidel invader. Early we had military leaders who bragged we could not lose because OURS was the true God. Blow that up on an Al Qaeda recruitment poster and see how many enlist.
We rave that we are fighting them there so we don’t need to fight them here. Absolute bull fodder, created by a public relations guy. Remember the part about no Army, Air Force, or Navy. That is still true. Unless we sell them tickets on commercial aircraft or ships, they just can’t get here.
Sure, a few can walk in through Canada or Mexico because Homeland Security sucks. We spend $500,000 a second to fight smoke in Baghdad. If we brought our troops home we could use a pittance of that to seal our borders, which should have been done long ago.
Now I learn we are paying Johnny Commando types to escort diplomats and guests in the Green Zone. Earnings in excess of a hundred thousand dollars per annum per mercenary are reported. Risk is minimal compared to our sons and daughters serving in the hot spots for peanuts. Why don’t we reverse roles? Let Johnny Commando really earn his greenbacks. Let our kids roar through Baghdad in armored Humvees.
Basically, Bush and his war is a figment draining taxpayer dollars to a few cronies. Impeach or imprison those who created this monster!! 2008 is drawing near!!
tonight I Was surprised to see an ad for a prescription drug as part of the previews at Northrock Cinema ….
Was it the Rx form of No Doz??? LOL Sorry, couldnt resist!!
Dear friends of Julie and family,
Here is her latest info.
Keep those prayers and good thoughts coming.
Roy has the MRSA strain of staph infection. This is the really nasty staph that’s been in the news around Wichita lately. He also has sepsis and from what Dana (cousin) can tell from internet research it’s caused by the staph infection.He also has what is called Rabdo (it’s actually part of a big long fancy medical term but is commonly referred to as Rabdo). It’s basically muscle breakdown like after you exercise really really hard after long period of inactivity or laying around for a while. I’m thinking that because of his knee surgery and other health concerns that have made him virtually bedridden – that’s whay may have ‘helped’ this along. The enzymes involved in Rabdo can act like a plug to the kidneys and make them work harder or in this case – combined with everything it’s making them basically shut down.His medications are:Fentyal drip for painXygris – high powered antibiotic but he’ll only be on it for 96 hours because that’s when the maximum benefit is and if on it too long it can actually damage because it can cause a drop in platelet count and cause excessive bleeding (um yeah, not good).So far he’s had 19 units of Saline. Along with bicarbonate (baking soda). They are trying to reduce the acidity caused by the infection and Rabdo and pumping him with saline and bicarbonate is supposed to do this.He’s also on bancomycim which is another antibiotic. He’ll stay on this and the dosage will increase after he’s off the Xygris.He’s also on drips for Calcium, Potassium and Magnesium – his levels are a bit low and they’re just adding a bit to help him.He’s being sedated (because of respiratory and feeding tubes) by Profaolal.We really won’t have results to see how the meds are working until tomorrow or Sunday.But I am very optomistic. WE ARE NOT LOSING GROUND WE”RE JUST TREADING WATER!!!!!!!!!!!! This in itself is a minor victory. As long as we stay the same for now – it’s a baby step. He’s keeping his blood pressure at good levels and his heart rate is good.Roy can communicate by nodding or shaking head and squeezing hands. He’s gonna fight this stuff and has communicated to me and others that he’s gonna get better and come back home.I honestly believe that prayer is working. Y’all keep it up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I thank each and every one of you and appreciate you so very much.Love,Julie
I emailed Julie and let her know of the many thoughts and prayers directed her way. DO keep that up.
Jay
Good Night; Good Luck; and God bless, whatever you conceive God to be!!
Blessings All!!
I’m laughing my ass off at GMC70 whining about gmc70. And no, I’m not doing it either. But GMC70 has been scolding others for not just ignoring the nic stealing.
And GMC70, the troll boy stole captain’s nic just this week. Hardly in the distant past.
It’s just fine until it happens to you?
Ok. Back to your all kansas all the time blog. Nice work Phillip letting him back in. Why dont you just turn the blog over to him?
Oh, that’s right. You just did.
JM don’t you just hate when your well laid plans go astray. Hang in there the blog may be saved yet.
What I love is that when kansas comes back, so do his hundreds of alternate nics.
But according to GMC, we should just ignore it. Like he did I guess.
Kansas, I think kfg is still waiting on you to pay up on the $5000 bet.
You wouldnt be a lowlife who entices with a bet and then doesnt pay off now, would you?
I guess that is his military integrity that allows him to back out on a bet he made.
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