ukgaynews.org:
"LONDON, March 30, 2009 – More than 100 prisoners in Iraq are facing execution – and many of them are believed to have been convicted of the ‘crime’ of being gay, the UK-based Iraqi-LGBT group revealed this afternoon.
According to Ali Hili of Iraqi-LGBT, the Iraqi authorities plan to start executing them in batches of 20 from this week. There is, said Mr. Hili, at least one member of Iraqi-LGBT who are among those to be put to death.
And the London-based group, which believes that a total of 128 executions are imminent, is calling on the UK Government, international human rights groups and the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva to intervene “with due speed” to prevent “this tragic miscarriage of justice” from going ahead."
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
A Star on Earth
"The US has finished constructing a huge physics experiment aimed at recreating conditions at the heart of our Sun."
The Cost of Inaction
The Urgent Need for Health Reform
healthreform.gov
Intoduction
Americans across the country are demanding comprehensive health reform and cannot afford to wait any longer for Washington to act. Businesses and families are struggling as costs continue to skyrocket. More and more Americans find themselves uninsured. Those Americans fortunate enough to have health insurance often don't get the quality care they need and deserve. The Costs of Inaction highlights the flaws in the health care system and demonstrates the cost of maintaining the status quo. Organized into three sections - Escalating Health Care Costs, Diminishing Access to Care and Persistent Gaps in Quality - the report shows how the current system has failed millions of Americans and why we must enact comprehensive health reform this year.
Read Report
healthreform.gov
Intoduction
Americans across the country are demanding comprehensive health reform and cannot afford to wait any longer for Washington to act. Businesses and families are struggling as costs continue to skyrocket. More and more Americans find themselves uninsured. Those Americans fortunate enough to have health insurance often don't get the quality care they need and deserve. The Costs of Inaction highlights the flaws in the health care system and demonstrates the cost of maintaining the status quo. Organized into three sections - Escalating Health Care Costs, Diminishing Access to Care and Persistent Gaps in Quality - the report shows how the current system has failed millions of Americans and why we must enact comprehensive health reform this year.
Read Report
Monday, March 30, 2009
Voyage of the U.S. American
Subtitle: Dude, Your bumming me out.
At first Paul Krugman was the man. He put himself out front as a cheerleader for a Keynesian solution to our economic crisis. Which is exactly what we needed and still need.
Nobody knows what the right move is and if you do I'll find 50 people who will argue, more then smartly, that you are wrong. Our only hope is that we have a leader that will be smart, flexible and will put the well being of his crew as his top priority.
Paul Krugman, who I agree with more then I disagree, seems to be turning into the kind of guy that now that everyone is listening he need to be a critic and dwell on some of the details he doesn't agree with. Kind of like a crew member complaining after the ship corrected coarse that he doesn't like the color of the sails.
Spanish Inquisition
NY Times:
"LONDON — A Spanish court has taken the first steps toward opening a criminal investigation into allegations that six former high-level Bush administration officials violated international law by providing the legal framework to justify the torture of prisoners at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, an official close to the case said."
"LONDON — A Spanish court has taken the first steps toward opening a criminal investigation into allegations that six former high-level Bush administration officials violated international law by providing the legal framework to justify the torture of prisoners at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, an official close to the case said."
Class Warfare?
The difference in the treatment of the Auto Industry and the Financial is getting a little hard to avoid. In the financial industry employee contracts can't be broken and the leaders stay in place with very little oversight. In the Auto Industry Leaders have to go, contract need to be renegotiated and we need to see the plan first.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Torture was a Waste of Time
Washington Post:
"In the end, though, not a single significant plot was foiled as a result of Abu Zubaida's tortured confessions, according to former senior government officials who closely followed the interrogations. Nearly all of the leads attained through the harsh measures quickly evaporated, while most of the useful information from Abu Zubaida -- chiefly names of al-Qaeda members and associates -- was obtained before waterboarding was introduced, they said."
But how could that be Dick Cheney says
"I've seen a report that was written, based upon the intelligence that we collected then, that itemizes the specific attacks that were stopped by virtue of what we learned through those programs," Cheney asserted, adding that the report is "still classified," and, "I can't give you the details of it without violating classification."
Who do you trust?
"In the end, though, not a single significant plot was foiled as a result of Abu Zubaida's tortured confessions, according to former senior government officials who closely followed the interrogations. Nearly all of the leads attained through the harsh measures quickly evaporated, while most of the useful information from Abu Zubaida -- chiefly names of al-Qaeda members and associates -- was obtained before waterboarding was introduced, they said."
But how could that be Dick Cheney says
"I've seen a report that was written, based upon the intelligence that we collected then, that itemizes the specific attacks that were stopped by virtue of what we learned through those programs," Cheney asserted, adding that the report is "still classified," and, "I can't give you the details of it without violating classification."
Who do you trust?
Single Payer Introduced in Senate
Highlights of the bill include the following:
Patients go to any doctor or hospital of their choice.
The program is paid for by combining current sources of government health spending into a single fund with modest new taxes amounting to less than what people now pay for insurance premiums and out-of-pocket expenses.
Comprehensive benefits, including coverage for dental, mental health, and prescription drugs.
While federally funded, the program is to be administered by the states.
By eliminating the high overhead and profits of the private, investor-owned insurance industry, along with the burdensome paperwork imposed on physicians, hospitals and other providers, the plan saves at least $400 billion annually - enough money to provide comprehensive, quality care to all.
Community health centers are fully funded, giving the 60 million Americans now living in rural and underserved areas access to care.
To address the critical shortage of primary care physicians and dentists, the bill provides resources for the National Health Service Corps to train an additional 24,000 health professionals.
Friday, March 27, 2009
NH House Approves Gay Marriage
Huffington Post:
"CONCORD, N.H. — The state House on Thursday voted narrowly to make New Hampshire the third state to allow gay couples to marry.
The bill, which passed the House 186-179, next goes to the Senate, where its future is uncertain. Democratic Gov. John Lynch opposes gay marriage but has not said specifically that he would veto it _ a position that spokesman Colin Manning reiterated after the vote."
"CONCORD, N.H. — The state House on Thursday voted narrowly to make New Hampshire the third state to allow gay couples to marry.
The bill, which passed the House 186-179, next goes to the Senate, where its future is uncertain. Democratic Gov. John Lynch opposes gay marriage but has not said specifically that he would veto it _ a position that spokesman Colin Manning reiterated after the vote."
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Stupidest Press Conference Question.
Chuck Todd:"Some have compared this financial crisis to a war, and in times of war, past presidents have called for some form of sacrifice. ... [W]hy haven't you asked for something specific that the public should be sacrificing to participate in this economic recovery?"
I think the American People or maybe we should say the American Taxpayer, are sacrificing plenty.
A Gay Cure?
Reuters.com:
"LONDON (Reuters Life!) - A sixth of British therapists said they had tried to help gay, bisexual and lesbian patients become heterosexual, even though evidence suggests such therapies can be harmful, according to a survey released on Thursday.
Michael King of University College London, who published his findings in the journal BMC Pyschiatry, said the number of therapists who said they had tried to help a person change their sexual orientation was surprising.
"There is very little evidence to show that attempting to treat a person's homosexual feelings is effective and in fact it can actually be harmful," King said in a telephone interview. Such an approach could provoke greater anxiety and confusion.
The survey showed that 17 percent of therapists and psychiatrists working in Britain had sought to help their patients reduce "gay or lesbian feelings" through therapy, the researchers said."
"LONDON (Reuters Life!) - A sixth of British therapists said they had tried to help gay, bisexual and lesbian patients become heterosexual, even though evidence suggests such therapies can be harmful, according to a survey released on Thursday.
Michael King of University College London, who published his findings in the journal BMC Pyschiatry, said the number of therapists who said they had tried to help a person change their sexual orientation was surprising.
"There is very little evidence to show that attempting to treat a person's homosexual feelings is effective and in fact it can actually be harmful," King said in a telephone interview. Such an approach could provoke greater anxiety and confusion.
The survey showed that 17 percent of therapists and psychiatrists working in Britain had sought to help their patients reduce "gay or lesbian feelings" through therapy, the researchers said."
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
17yo Testifies for Gay Marriage in VT
Advocate.com:
"Seventeen-year-old James Neiley testified in Vermont Friday about the importance of legalizing same-sex marriage, getting to the heart of the issue -- inequality, violence, and discrimination.
“Without marriage equality, the boys in the locker room during gym class who harassed me are encouraged to believe that my sexuality means there is something different, wrong, and lesser about me,” he said. “They know I don’t have the same rights as they do, and they know I can’t have a big, tacky, expensive wedding filled with family and friends no matter how much I may want to.”
"Seventeen-year-old James Neiley testified in Vermont Friday about the importance of legalizing same-sex marriage, getting to the heart of the issue -- inequality, violence, and discrimination.
“Without marriage equality, the boys in the locker room during gym class who harassed me are encouraged to believe that my sexuality means there is something different, wrong, and lesser about me,” he said. “They know I don’t have the same rights as they do, and they know I can’t have a big, tacky, expensive wedding filled with family and friends no matter how much I may want to.”
The Face of Failure Cont'd
Washington Post:"To meet those goals, Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, said he would leave out new spending for Obama's proposed expansion of health care coverage, a program likely to cost in excess of $1 trillion over the next 10 years, as well as the president's proposal to make permanent an $800 tax credit for working families."
He'll protect rich farmer's subsidies but screw health care!
Shady AIDS Ad on NY Times
"Peter Taback's first reaction to the Center for AIDS Prevention's prominent advertisement on the New York Times' Web site [1] was jealousy. Taback, communications director for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation [2], was impressed another organization had cast its reach so far.
But on closer inspection, his envy shifted to outrage.
The Beverly Hills-based Center for AIDS Prevention has mobilized a nationwide fundraising campaign, but members of the tight-knit AIDS community in California have never heard of the group. Its history is shrouded in mystery, and even people who have interacted with the group are uncertain of its purpose. The Web site [3] offers incorrect information about AIDS prevention and treatment -- such as the suggestion that birth control pills prevent the spread of HIV [4] (PDF). The charity's proprietor also has ties to a for-profit company that sold ineffective herbal AIDS remedies to replace antiretroviral drugs.
The center is committing "public health malpractice," Taback said. "To have misinformation like that on the Web site is profoundly disturbing."
But on closer inspection, his envy shifted to outrage.
The Beverly Hills-based Center for AIDS Prevention has mobilized a nationwide fundraising campaign, but members of the tight-knit AIDS community in California have never heard of the group. Its history is shrouded in mystery, and even people who have interacted with the group are uncertain of its purpose. The Web site [3] offers incorrect information about AIDS prevention and treatment -- such as the suggestion that birth control pills prevent the spread of HIV [4] (PDF). The charity's proprietor also has ties to a for-profit company that sold ineffective herbal AIDS remedies to replace antiretroviral drugs.
The center is committing "public health malpractice," Taback said. "To have misinformation like that on the Web site is profoundly disturbing."
Seizing Financial Companies
The power that the Obama Administration is requesting is exactly the what we needed months ago when AIG's problems first surfaced. Just like the government goes in and takes over Banks. We could have gone in canceled outlandish derivatives and bonuses and sold off the pieces. saving us $180 billion to prop up the company.
Do the republican believe the FDIC is a power grab when it takes over insolvent banks? They seem to be preoccupied in being against Obama more then they are for a stable financial system.
Do the republican believe the FDIC is a power grab when it takes over insolvent banks? They seem to be preoccupied in being against Obama more then they are for a stable financial system.
John Kerry for Gay Immigration Justice
Huffington Post:
"Justice may be blind, but it sure ain't always swift.
That's why I have asked the Obama administration to help me speed up reuniting two of my Massachusetts constituents, Tim Coco and his husband Genesio "Junior" Oliveira, who have been separated through no fault of their own.
The case of Tim and Junior has attracted a lot of public attention - and rightly so. Their dilemma illustrates just how important it is to inject some justice and compassion into our immigration system and how important it is to overturn wrongheaded laws like the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and pass legislation that guarantees gay couples the same legal protections heterosexual couples are afforded. But in the meantime, I'm asking Attorney General Eric Holder to lend a hand to get Junior back home with Tim in Massachusetts as quickly as possible."
"Justice may be blind, but it sure ain't always swift.
That's why I have asked the Obama administration to help me speed up reuniting two of my Massachusetts constituents, Tim Coco and his husband Genesio "Junior" Oliveira, who have been separated through no fault of their own.
The case of Tim and Junior has attracted a lot of public attention - and rightly so. Their dilemma illustrates just how important it is to inject some justice and compassion into our immigration system and how important it is to overturn wrongheaded laws like the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and pass legislation that guarantees gay couples the same legal protections heterosexual couples are afforded. But in the meantime, I'm asking Attorney General Eric Holder to lend a hand to get Junior back home with Tim in Massachusetts as quickly as possible."
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Meet Our New Drug Czar... Hopefully
Washington Post:"Ten months after R. Gil Kerlikowske became Seattle's police chief, two of his officers arrived at the home of JoAnna McKee, where she ran a co-op giving medical marijuana to patients and teaching them to grow their own. Neighbors, the police told her, had been complaining. Soon, a "cease and desist" order was tacked to her door.
But instead of shutting down the Green Cross Patient Co-Op, Kerlikowske's director of police-community partnerships made a suggestion: Move it from her West Seattle house to a commercial area. She found a nearby storefront, and under Washington state's medical marijuana law, people could once again bring doctors' orders to get relief from pain. "The police could have come in here like gangbusters," McKee said. "But they didn't. It was a case of let's see whether we can work this out so everybody could get what they want."
But instead of shutting down the Green Cross Patient Co-Op, Kerlikowske's director of police-community partnerships made a suggestion: Move it from her West Seattle house to a commercial area. She found a nearby storefront, and under Washington state's medical marijuana law, people could once again bring doctors' orders to get relief from pain. "The police could have come in here like gangbusters," McKee said. "But they didn't. It was a case of let's see whether we can work this out so everybody could get what they want."
Barack "Sully" Obama
Maybe the question we should be asking ourselves is if our economic plane is going to crash who do you want in the pilot seat? Those who call our neighbors in foreclosure "losers" or who want to slash government spending when the people are in their greatest need?
Or someone who want to make sure we all survive?
Monday, March 23, 2009
Shuttle Dodges Space Junk
Washington Post:
"Space junk has been a recurring problem for the space station, especially recently. Earlier this month, the three space station residents had to take shelter in their emergency getaway capsule when another piece of orbital debris seemed like it might come too close."
Future Conspiracy Watch: UFO Crashes into Space Station.
"Space junk has been a recurring problem for the space station, especially recently. Earlier this month, the three space station residents had to take shelter in their emergency getaway capsule when another piece of orbital debris seemed like it might come too close."
Future Conspiracy Watch: UFO Crashes into Space Station.
Torture Memos are Coming
Newsweek:
"Over objections from the U.S. intelligence community, the White House is moving to declassify—and publicly release—three internal memos that will lay out, for the first time, details of the "enhanced" interrogation techniques approved by the Bush administration for use against "high value" Qaeda detainees. The memos, written by Justice Department lawyers in May 2005, provide the legal rationale for waterboarding, head slapping and other rough tactics used by the CIA. One senior Obama official, who like others interviewed for this story requested anonymity because of the issue's sensitivity, said the memos were "ugly" and could embarrass the CIA. Other officials predicted they would fuel demands for a "truth commission" on torture."
"Over objections from the U.S. intelligence community, the White House is moving to declassify—and publicly release—three internal memos that will lay out, for the first time, details of the "enhanced" interrogation techniques approved by the Bush administration for use against "high value" Qaeda detainees. The memos, written by Justice Department lawyers in May 2005, provide the legal rationale for waterboarding, head slapping and other rough tactics used by the CIA. One senior Obama official, who like others interviewed for this story requested anonymity because of the issue's sensitivity, said the memos were "ugly" and could embarrass the CIA. Other officials predicted they would fuel demands for a "truth commission" on torture."
Maddow on Deregulation
I think what is stunning and is important that everyone realize is that when those who preach deregulation got their way it only took 10 years to go from prosperity to depression.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Who Abandoned Who?
The Raw Story:
"A Maine woman fired while recovering from major surgery necessary for cancer treatment has filed a civil-rights lawsuit against her employer, Bank of America, and seems to be winning. This week, a U.S. District Court Judge recommended denying a motion filed by Bank of America lawyers seeking summary judgment, which would have kept the suit from becoming a full trial.
Holly Swift of Owls Head, Maine, was on the mend from her surgery in late July 2006 when she was contacted by the bank and told that she was fired. Asked the cause of her dismissal, Bank of America told her simply, “job abandonment.” She was confused. Her physician had complied with all of the bank's requests for information about her ongoing limitations and reasons for being out of work. Not only were all her papers in order; Swift was within the 26 weeks short term disability leave allowed under bank policy."
"A Maine woman fired while recovering from major surgery necessary for cancer treatment has filed a civil-rights lawsuit against her employer, Bank of America, and seems to be winning. This week, a U.S. District Court Judge recommended denying a motion filed by Bank of America lawyers seeking summary judgment, which would have kept the suit from becoming a full trial.
Holly Swift of Owls Head, Maine, was on the mend from her surgery in late July 2006 when she was contacted by the bank and told that she was fired. Asked the cause of her dismissal, Bank of America told her simply, “job abandonment.” She was confused. Her physician had complied with all of the bank's requests for information about her ongoing limitations and reasons for being out of work. Not only were all her papers in order; Swift was within the 26 weeks short term disability leave allowed under bank policy."
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
AIG is Suing Us
NYTimes:
"A.I.G. sued the government last month in a bid to force it to return the payments, which stemmed in large part from its use of aggressive tax deals, some involving entities controlled by the company’s financial products unit in the Cayman Islands, Ireland, the Dutch Antilles and other offshore havens.
A.I.G. is effectively suing its majority owner, the government, which has an 80 percent stake and has poured nearly $200 billion into the insurer in a bid to avert its collapse and avoid troubling the global financial markets. The company is in effect asking for even more money, in the form of tax refunds. The suit also suggests that A.I.G. is spending taxpayer money to pursue its case, something it is legally entitled to do. Its initial claim was denied by the Internal Revenue Service last year."
"A.I.G. sued the government last month in a bid to force it to return the payments, which stemmed in large part from its use of aggressive tax deals, some involving entities controlled by the company’s financial products unit in the Cayman Islands, Ireland, the Dutch Antilles and other offshore havens.
A.I.G. is effectively suing its majority owner, the government, which has an 80 percent stake and has poured nearly $200 billion into the insurer in a bid to avert its collapse and avoid troubling the global financial markets. The company is in effect asking for even more money, in the form of tax refunds. The suit also suggests that A.I.G. is spending taxpayer money to pursue its case, something it is legally entitled to do. Its initial claim was denied by the Internal Revenue Service last year."
One Third of Birds in Danger
"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Nearly one-third of all U.S. bird species are endangered, threatened or in significant decline, with birds in Hawaii facing a "borderline ecological disaster," scientists reported on Thursday."
Thursday, March 19, 2009
A Good Step
Huffington Post:
"WASHINGTON — Attorney General Eric Holder signaled a change on medical marijuana policy Wednesday, saying federal agents will target marijuana distributors only when they violate both federal and state law.
That would be a departure from the policy of the Bush administration, which targeted medical marijuana dispensaries in California even if they complied with that state's law."
"WASHINGTON — Attorney General Eric Holder signaled a change on medical marijuana policy Wednesday, saying federal agents will target marijuana distributors only when they violate both federal and state law.
That would be a departure from the policy of the Bush administration, which targeted medical marijuana dispensaries in California even if they complied with that state's law."
Unfair Competition
There are Republican who argue that a government run option to our health care crisis would represent unfair competition to private insurance companies.
So please explain what's so unfair? Private Insurance should have no trouble competing against socialized medicine. Right?
So please explain what's so unfair? Private Insurance should have no trouble competing against socialized medicine. Right?
Seize AIG
How about for once we do something that actually benefits the people?
Seize AIG
Cancel any crazy financial diarivatives.
Review Insurance instiments for other financial institutions. "We're sorry you not covered. You gave the keys to idiots"
Use AIG infastructure to create a National Insurance Pool. "Cheap Insurance for everyone!"
Seize AIG
Cancel any crazy financial diarivatives.
Review Insurance instiments for other financial institutions. "We're sorry you not covered. You gave the keys to idiots"
Use AIG infastructure to create a National Insurance Pool. "Cheap Insurance for everyone!"
Conservatives are So Against Obama, They're for AIG
Media Matters:
"Summary: In the wake of Rush Limbaugh's defense of AIG, several conservative media figures -- including Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, and Michelle Malkin -- have joined him in condemning criticism of the company's employee retention bonuses."
"Summary: In the wake of Rush Limbaugh's defense of AIG, several conservative media figures -- including Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, and Michelle Malkin -- have joined him in condemning criticism of the company's employee retention bonuses."
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Sounds Good to Me.
McClatchy News:
"WASHINGTON — A top White House official threatened Tuesday to use a congressional rule to force some controversial proposals through the Senate by eliminating the Republicans' power to block legislation.
Peter Orszag, the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, said the Obama administration would prefer not to use the budget "reconciliation" process that allows measures to pass the Senate on simple majority votes."
There is actually two advantages to this strategy. Not only does it stop the Republican threat of a filibuster it also makes some of those "Blue-Dog" Democrats irrelevant as well.
Sounds good to me.
"WASHINGTON — A top White House official threatened Tuesday to use a congressional rule to force some controversial proposals through the Senate by eliminating the Republicans' power to block legislation.
Peter Orszag, the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, said the Obama administration would prefer not to use the budget "reconciliation" process that allows measures to pass the Senate on simple majority votes."
There is actually two advantages to this strategy. Not only does it stop the Republican threat of a filibuster it also makes some of those "Blue-Dog" Democrats irrelevant as well.
Sounds good to me.
OK, One Last Time
If The "Great" David Gergen. The Bipartisan advisor to 5 Presidents can't be trusted to give us the facts and not just the conservative talking points. What chance do we have?
Media Matters:
"Summary: David Gergen forwarded the false Republican talking point that "a lot of small-business people, you know, pay taxes as high-income taxpayers. They're in the $250,000-plus. So, there are a number of them who felt like they're going to be facing crushing taxes." In fact, according to data from the Tax Policy Center, only about 2 percent of families reporting small-business income in their 2007 tax returns are in the top two income tax brackets, which include those expected to pay more in federal income taxes under president Obama's proposal"
Media Matters:
"Summary: David Gergen forwarded the false Republican talking point that "a lot of small-business people, you know, pay taxes as high-income taxpayers. They're in the $250,000-plus. So, there are a number of them who felt like they're going to be facing crushing taxes." In fact, according to data from the Tax Policy Center, only about 2 percent of families reporting small-business income in their 2007 tax returns are in the top two income tax brackets, which include those expected to pay more in federal income taxes under president Obama's proposal"
Be Fruitful and Die
aljazeera.net:" The Roman Catholic pope has come under renewed criticism after saying that condoms are not the solution to Africa's HIV epidemic.
Pope Benedict XVI made the remarks as he started a seven-day tour of the continent on Tuesday.
An estimated 22 million people in Africa have HIV, the virus that leads to Aids.
Three-quarters of all Aids deaths in 2007 were in sub-Saharan Africa.
"You can't resolve it [Aids] with the distribution of condoms," the pope said. "On the contrary, it increases the problem."
Pope Benedict XVI made the remarks as he started a seven-day tour of the continent on Tuesday.
An estimated 22 million people in Africa have HIV, the virus that leads to Aids.
Three-quarters of all Aids deaths in 2007 were in sub-Saharan Africa.
"You can't resolve it [Aids] with the distribution of condoms," the pope said. "On the contrary, it increases the problem."
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Medicare DisAdvantage
In full diclosure I should say that I am currently on Medicare. My HIV/Aids status has made me eligiable for Medicare.
I have tried a Medicare Advantage plan and it can be a major rip off. It part of my care to get periodic blood tests to asses how my meds are working. One time after a test the Insurance company sent me a letter saying that I'd had the test to frequently (according to them) and my test would not be covered. BAM I now have a $1200 bill. Also concider that if I want to go see my HIV doctor I have to go to a primary care doctor ($15.00 co-pay) to get a referal to go to my Regular Infectious Disease Specialist ($30.00 co-pay) for a total of $45.00 But when I now go to my doctor directly using straight Medicare it cost me $12.00
Huffington Post:
" Medicare Advantage plans have long been targeted by Democrats, who argue that deceptive marketing practices trick patients into shoddy coverage that the government overpays for. The insurers don't explain what the holes in the benefits are or that they may no longer be able to go to their same doctor, pharmacy or hospital. But with Bush in the White House, the plans were safe.
On average, the government pays about 14 percent more for a Medicare Advantage plan than a regular Medicare plan. Obama hopes to wring billions in savings by reducing that premium. He'll then reinvest the savings - an estimated $177 billion over ten years -- in his push for universal healthcare. The plans cover some 11 million patients. The news that the profitable plans were under fire sent health insurance stocks tumbling.
On Tuesday, Office of Management and Budget chief Peter Orszag told a gathering of AHIP (the lobby for America's Health Insurance Plans) that the administration was set on cutting the program. "It won't be popular," Orszag told the insurers. And indeed it wasn't. A low level murmur and discontented rustling interrupted the otherwise polite meeting."
I have tried a Medicare Advantage plan and it can be a major rip off. It part of my care to get periodic blood tests to asses how my meds are working. One time after a test the Insurance company sent me a letter saying that I'd had the test to frequently (according to them) and my test would not be covered. BAM I now have a $1200 bill. Also concider that if I want to go see my HIV doctor I have to go to a primary care doctor ($15.00 co-pay) to get a referal to go to my Regular Infectious Disease Specialist ($30.00 co-pay) for a total of $45.00 But when I now go to my doctor directly using straight Medicare it cost me $12.00
Huffington Post:
" Medicare Advantage plans have long been targeted by Democrats, who argue that deceptive marketing practices trick patients into shoddy coverage that the government overpays for. The insurers don't explain what the holes in the benefits are or that they may no longer be able to go to their same doctor, pharmacy or hospital. But with Bush in the White House, the plans were safe.
On average, the government pays about 14 percent more for a Medicare Advantage plan than a regular Medicare plan. Obama hopes to wring billions in savings by reducing that premium. He'll then reinvest the savings - an estimated $177 billion over ten years -- in his push for universal healthcare. The plans cover some 11 million patients. The news that the profitable plans were under fire sent health insurance stocks tumbling.
On Tuesday, Office of Management and Budget chief Peter Orszag told a gathering of AHIP (the lobby for America's Health Insurance Plans) that the administration was set on cutting the program. "It won't be popular," Orszag told the insurers. And indeed it wasn't. A low level murmur and discontented rustling interrupted the otherwise polite meeting."
The 2% Deception
Media Matters:
"Summary: The Politico and the AP forwarded the false Republican talking point that President Obama's proposals to let the Bush tax cuts for wealthy taxpayers expire and reduce the tax rate at which wealthy taxpayers could take itemized deductions would increase taxes on a large percentage of small businesses. In fact, according to the Tax Policy Center, just 2 percent of tax returns that reported small business income in 2007 are in the top two income tax brackets, which include all filers with taxable incomes that would be affected."
"Summary: The Politico and the AP forwarded the false Republican talking point that President Obama's proposals to let the Bush tax cuts for wealthy taxpayers expire and reduce the tax rate at which wealthy taxpayers could take itemized deductions would increase taxes on a large percentage of small businesses. In fact, according to the Tax Policy Center, just 2 percent of tax returns that reported small business income in 2007 are in the top two income tax brackets, which include all filers with taxable incomes that would be affected."
Monday, March 16, 2009
Gay Partner Immigration
Washington Post:
"THE UNITING American Families Act would allow gay and lesbian Americans and permanent residents to sponsor their foreign-born partners for legal residency in the United States. The bill, introduced last month in the Senate by Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and in the House by Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), would add "permanent partner" and "permanent partnership" after the words "spouse" and "marriage" in relevant sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act. If passed, it would right a gross unfairness. "
"THE UNITING American Families Act would allow gay and lesbian Americans and permanent residents to sponsor their foreign-born partners for legal residency in the United States. The bill, introduced last month in the Senate by Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and in the House by Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), would add "permanent partner" and "permanent partnership" after the words "spouse" and "marriage" in relevant sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act. If passed, it would right a gross unfairness. "
Another Missed Opportunity?
It's absolutely unbelievable to watch democrats once again being the cause of their own failure. Members of Congress are digging in are willing to bring the whole thing down because of their narrow self interests. Democratic senators from farm states are ready to go to the mat to protect farmers making over $500,000 a year (which is mostly big corporate farms) from cuts in farm subsidies. Members from smoke stack states are willing to bring everything down to protect their industrial polluters.
We missed an opportunity to reform health care in the Clinton Administration because democrats inability to work together in a spirit of shared sacrifice and a common good.
Unless President Obama is able to bring about a unprecedented ground swell of public support and pressure on congress, this will be another opportunity missed.
We missed an opportunity to reform health care in the Clinton Administration because democrats inability to work together in a spirit of shared sacrifice and a common good.
Unless President Obama is able to bring about a unprecedented ground swell of public support and pressure on congress, this will be another opportunity missed.
My Question for Dick Cheney
I was watching Dick Cheney being interviewed by John King yestarday morning and one question was screaming out in my head.
Q. Hey Dick, You put two fucking teenagers in Guantanamo. Any regrets?
Sunday, March 15, 2009
The Biggest Balls of All
"WASHINGTON — The American International Group, which has received more than $170 billion in taxpayer bailout money from the Treasury and Federal Reserve, plans to pay about $165 million in bonuses by Sunday to executives in the same business unit that brought the company to the brink of collapse last year."
HIV/AIDS in D.C.
Washington Post:
"So urgent is the concern that the HIV/AIDS Administration took the relatively rare step of couching the city's infections in a percentage, harkening to 1992, when San Francisco, around the height of its epidemic, announced that 4 percent of its population was HIV positive. But the report also cautions that "we know that the true number of residents currently infected and living with HIV is certainly higher."
"So urgent is the concern that the HIV/AIDS Administration took the relatively rare step of couching the city's infections in a percentage, harkening to 1992, when San Francisco, around the height of its epidemic, announced that 4 percent of its population was HIV positive. But the report also cautions that "we know that the true number of residents currently infected and living with HIV is certainly higher."
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Set in Stone
If Republican governers are refusing stimulus to expand unemployment because it would require that they change their laws and then would be on the hook when the money runs out.
Why couldn't they just change the laws back after the money runs out?
Why couldn't they just change the laws back after the money runs out?
Friday, March 13, 2009
Pot of Gold
rawstory.com:"House Bill 3247 would direct the state to establish and operate a marijuana production facility," reported Oregon's KGW-TV. "The state would control potency and pharmacy distribution."
"Many patients have no assurance that their marijuana is not laced with pesticides or other toxic chemicals," Rep. Jim Thompson (R-Dallas), told The Oregonian. "If passed into law, this legislation will implement safe standards to dispense the drug through a tightly-controlled system."
Obama's Gay Partners
NYTimes.com:
"Now, Mr. Obama is in a tough spot. If he supports the personnel office on denying benefits to the San Francisco court employees, he risks agitating liberal groups that helped him win election. If he supports the judges and challenges the marriage act, he risks alienating Republicans with whom he is seeking to work on economic, health care and numerous other matters. "
"Now, Mr. Obama is in a tough spot. If he supports the personnel office on denying benefits to the San Francisco court employees, he risks agitating liberal groups that helped him win election. If he supports the judges and challenges the marriage act, he risks alienating Republicans with whom he is seeking to work on economic, health care and numerous other matters. "
"It's Not Working!"
I'd like to know how any human being can go on television with millions of people watching and say "the Obama stimulus plan is not working"?
What's it been like two weeks? Somebody in this conversation is retarded and I don't think it's Us.
What's it been like two weeks? Somebody in this conversation is retarded and I don't think it's Us.
The Face of Failure
Should we fail to seize this opportunity to make the changes that Barack Obama has outlined in new budget and the changes that most of us voted for in health care, energy and education it will not be because of the Republican or a popular ground swell of opposition. The face failure will be a Democratic Senator from a state of 600,000 people.
The Face of Failure will be Sen. Kent Conrad N.D. (D)
C.E.O. with a Heart.
Boston.com
"He watched the people who polish the corridors, who strip the sheets, who empty the trash cans, and he realized that a lot of them are immigrants, many of them had second jobs, most of them were just scraping by."
"He watched the people who polish the corridors, who strip the sheets, who empty the trash cans, and he realized that a lot of them are immigrants, many of them had second jobs, most of them were just scraping by."
Thursday, March 12, 2009
What if We Crash?
This is a short list of what the government should do if the economy crashes.
- Halt all forclosures, everybody get to stay in their home to ride out the collapse.
- Pump money into the states for everything that helps people. Unemployment, Health care and Law Enforcment.
- Open vacant retail locations as shelter for the homeless.
Drug Treatment, Not Jail
Washington Post:
"The White House said yesterday that it will push for treatment, rather than incarceration, of people arrested for drug-related crimes as it announced the nomination of Seattle Police Chief R. Gil Kerlikowske to oversee the nation's effort to control illegal drugs."
"The White House said yesterday that it will push for treatment, rather than incarceration, of people arrested for drug-related crimes as it announced the nomination of Seattle Police Chief R. Gil Kerlikowske to oversee the nation's effort to control illegal drugs."
A Hard On for Pelosi
The Republicans are saying that the Dems are trying to Make Rush Limbaugh the face of the Republican Party.... Gee I wonder where they could have picked that up?
"The documents cover the period from January 2007 to November 2008 and show that Pelosi made the equivalent of 20 round-trips between Washington (Andrews Air Force Base) and San Francisco. That's an average of less than one round-trip per month. In contrast, former Speaker Hastert traveled home to his Illinois district virtually every weekend and, his former aides tell ABC "
"The documents obtained by Judicial Watch also disprove another frequently repeated rumor about Pelosi's travel: that she regularly flies home to San Francisco in an Air Force C-40, the military equivalent of a Boeing 737. According to the documents, Pelosi did not make any domestic trips on a C-40 during the 23-month period from January 2007 to November 2008. Her trips to San Francisco have all been on smaller executive aircraft, usually an Air Force C-20 (the equivalent of a Gulfstream G-3) or a more plush C-37 (a Gulfstream G-5). "
Oh Micheal, I really wish we could'a got to know you better.
from the Huffington Post:An Interview of Micheal Steele(M) by Lisa Depaulo (L)
L: Are you saying you think women have the right to choose abortion?
M: Yeah. I mean, again, I think that's an individual choice.
L: You do?
M: Yeah. Absolutely.
M: Yeah. I mean, again, I think that's an individual choice.
L: You do?
M: Yeah. Absolutely.
Oh and it gets so much better! Now read how he supports Celibate Gay Priests
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Thank You Jesus
USA Today:"The percentage. of people who call themselves in some way Christian has dropped more than 11% in a generation. The faithful have scattered out of their traditional bases: The Bible Belt is less Baptist. The Rust Belt is less Catholic. And everywhere, more people are exploring spiritual frontiers — or falling off the faith map completely. "
Economist on Drugs
The Economist:
"A HUNDRED years ago a group of foreign diplomats gathered in Shanghai for the first-ever international effort to ban trade in a narcotic drug.
On February 26th 1909 they agreed to set up the International Opium Commission—just a few decades after Britain had fought a war with China to assert its right to peddle the stuff. Many other bans of mood-altering drugs have followed. In 1998 the UN General Assembly committed member countries to achieving a “drug-free world” and to “eliminating or significantly reducing” the production of opium, cocaine and cannabis by 2008."
On February 26th 1909 they agreed to set up the International Opium Commission—just a few decades after Britain had fought a war with China to assert its right to peddle the stuff. Many other bans of mood-altering drugs have followed. In 1998 the UN General Assembly committed member countries to achieving a “drug-free world” and to “eliminating or significantly reducing” the production of opium, cocaine and cannabis by 2008.""Nowadays the UN Office on Drugs and Crime no longer talks about a drug-free world. Its boast is that the drug market has “stabilised”, meaning that more than 200m people, or almost 5% of the world’s adult population, still take illegal drugs—roughly the same proportion as a decade ago. (Like most purported drug facts, this one is just an educated guess: evidential rigour is another casualty of illegality.) The production of cocaine and opium is probably about the same as it was a decade ago; that of cannabis is higher. Consumption of cocaine has declined gradually in the United States from its peak in the early 1980s, but the path is uneven (it remains higher than in the mid-1990s), and it is rising in many places, including Europe."
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
et tu democrats
Nytimes.com:
"Billions in savings from cutting government subsidies to big farmers and agribusinesses? No dice, said Senator Kent Conrad of North Dakota, who heads the Senate Budget Committee."
Thank God someone is looking out for Archer Daniels Midland's billion in federal subsidies
"Billions in savings from cutting government subsidies to big farmers and agribusinesses? No dice, said Senator Kent Conrad of North Dakota, who heads the Senate Budget Committee."
Thank God someone is looking out for Archer Daniels Midland's billion in federal subsidies
Chimps Plan Ahead
"Keepers at Furuvik Zoo found that the chimp collected and stored stones that he would later use as missiles.
Further, the chimp learned to recognise how and when parts of his concrete enclosure could be pulled apart to fashion further projectiles.
The findings are reported in the journal Current Biology."
Further, the chimp learned to recognise how and when parts of his concrete enclosure could be pulled apart to fashion further projectiles.
The findings are reported in the journal Current Biology."
A Fair Shake
No matter where you stand on the Health Care issue that we are gearing up to debate I think you will notice one important side will never get a fair shake. Single Payer. It will be mentioned from the right once in a while as the demon "socialized medicine", you will hear about "rationing" and "waiting lists" as if that would be something foreign to our system. Our system uses the most brutal form of rationing, access. Our system is not even currently set up to handle normal health care access to millions more Americans.
With out a doubt single payer is the most efficient us of health care dollars. A not for profit single pool of shared risk with a single set of forms and data collection and no profit added on top or C.E.O's making tens of millions of dollars a year. The only people making a profit in a single payer system should be the doctors and they should be paid very well especially in the beginning when we will need a big increase in primary care access.
With out a doubt single payer is the most efficient us of health care dollars. A not for profit single pool of shared risk with a single set of forms and data collection and no profit added on top or C.E.O's making tens of millions of dollars a year. The only people making a profit in a single payer system should be the doctors and they should be paid very well especially in the beginning when we will need a big increase in primary care access.
Monday, March 09, 2009
OMG! It's Tril-zilla
Is the media's preocupation with making the numbers, in the stimulus and the first Obama Budget outline, seem unimaginablly large going to scare the public and make it more difficult or virtually impossible if we need a second stimulus package?
Pop the Clutch
This a Blue Print for a final $1 trillion stimulus push to get the economy moving.
$400 Billion: $1000 for every man, woman and child (some restriction may apply :) plus an increase in personal income tax exemption to offset any Cap and Trade consumer price increases.
$300 Billion: To smaller local and regional banks to facilitate increased lending and to finance mortgage recapture and restructure at current home values and current fixed rates. Also the FDIC should move in and take over the larger financial mega-institutions, cancel any crazy derivative based contracts and sell of the rest in pieces. To big to fail? Never Again!
$300 Billion: Increase Infrastructure and Investment priorities in the first stimulus package.
And with that I think We should be done... one way or the other.
$400 Billion: $1000 for every man, woman and child (some restriction may apply :) plus an increase in personal income tax exemption to offset any Cap and Trade consumer price increases.
$300 Billion: To smaller local and regional banks to facilitate increased lending and to finance mortgage recapture and restructure at current home values and current fixed rates. Also the FDIC should move in and take over the larger financial mega-institutions, cancel any crazy derivative based contracts and sell of the rest in pieces. To big to fail? Never Again!
$300 Billion: Increase Infrastructure and Investment priorities in the first stimulus package.
And with that I think We should be done... one way or the other.
A Different Kind of War
There are many things that make Iraq and Afghanistan two different kinds of War. In Iraq we have an immoral war of choice, initiated at a time of crisis by a group of radical neo-conservatives as a first step toward a new "Pan-American" century. In Iraq at the time of our invasion there was a largely secular society, albeit imposed by force, and a fairly established middle class. What followed our invasion in Iraq was a civil war for control fought by people with centuries old scores to settle. So I don't have too much of a problem walking away from Iraq. First we never should have went so the only way to make it right is too leave and second the people of Iraq need to work out their problems themselves.
In Afghanistan we have a primitive people living in a society radicalized by decades of war and foreign occupations. We also are fighting an enemy with the ability to retreat into a home field mountain range, you can never defeat that kind of opponent and we should just leave.
But what makes Afghanistan different, in my mind, is what kind if existence are we condemning woman too if we just leave? What about the generations of girls that will never go to school or the woman that will live in virtual slavery? Can we really walk away leaving half the population to live in a world of total oppression?
So I have an Idea for a different kind of War. Announce that we will be leaving in two years and that during those two year any female or mother with children that makes a request for help will be offered safe passage out of the country and be given the opportunity for a new life in a new country.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
War Time President
A question for Republicans:
What happen to the days when you would attack and destroy anyone for criticizing a sitting "War time President"? Isn't Rush Limbaugh just like the Dixie Chicks, just much worse?
More Earmarks
Sorry John McCain but I don't agree with the all earmarks are bad argument, especially when we are in the mess we are in right now. What better way to insure that money is spread around to all congressional districts for projects that the people in those areas feel they need most?
Mind Set
I think it's important to understand that people on Wall Street do not think like normal people. They live in a world where everything is judged by it's impact on the bottom line. Throw a thousand people out of work... that's a good thing. Cut people from Medicaid so you can cut my taxes... even better.
They think We're Idiots
Every time you hear a Republic try to blame our economy on Obama they are saying that they think you are an idiot.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Who is Rush Limbaugh?
"Following the disclosure of detainee abuse at Abu Ghraib, Limbaugh claimed in 2004 that the U.S. military personnel involved were just "having a good time," and that their actions served as an "emotional release." Limbaugh called the abuse "hazing," referred to it as "an out-of-control fraternity prank," and agreed with a caller that the abuse "was like a college fraternity prank."
Wait! there's more.
Too Stupid for Prime Time
Message to Bobby Jindal, If your going to stand before millions of people and say that the government spending $300 million on more fuel efficient cars is not stimulative then you have just discounted anything you may say in the future. Because that just too stupid for prime time.
Illegal Refugees
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico is deeply worried about an explosion of drug gang killings on its border with Texas.
WWID: What Would I Do as President.
WWID: What Would I Do as President.
- Order the National Guard to the Boarder to try and prevent spill over of violence into this country.
- Call for the decriminalization of Drugs and make drug addiction treatment mandatory for all health Insurance policies. both public and private.
- Increase funding for educating students and the public about the dangers of addiction.
Where it might get real interesting is if Mexico spirals into War and a total breakdown of Society what will our response be to refugees from the violence?
I can just hear Lou Dobbs now "Mexican using violence as an excuse to subvert our immigration laws"
Back from the Past
Sunday night on the leading edge of a snow storm our plane touched at the Philadelphia Airport bringing Joe and I back to the 21st century from our trip to Marshall Texas for Joe's parents 50Th Wedding Anniverary. Yes even in the gay world you have to deal with the in-laws.
Going to Marshall is like going back to the 1950's, it's a town of about 25k dominated by an old boy network of the white and wealthy whose idea of affirmitive action is to let the blacks play high school football and who tilt the cities finances to benefit themselves at the expense of the pesky poor.
Take the example of roads. Texans like to drive fast, very fast. So when they do work on a roads it's not like going in tearing up and putting in a new road in Tx you just come in every few years and throw down a new layer of asphalt, pretty fast too, and your off to the races.
In Marshall if you live in one of the poorer sections your roads are total crap while the downtown gets million dollar facelifts and exclusive resturants and the high school gets a football stadium that would make many small colleges jealous.
Well anyway, we're back!
Going to Marshall is like going back to the 1950's, it's a town of about 25k dominated by an old boy network of the white and wealthy whose idea of affirmitive action is to let the blacks play high school football and who tilt the cities finances to benefit themselves at the expense of the pesky poor.
Take the example of roads. Texans like to drive fast, very fast. So when they do work on a roads it's not like going in tearing up and putting in a new road in Tx you just come in every few years and throw down a new layer of asphalt, pretty fast too, and your off to the races.
In Marshall if you live in one of the poorer sections your roads are total crap while the downtown gets million dollar facelifts and exclusive resturants and the high school gets a football stadium that would make many small colleges jealous.
Well anyway, we're back!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)