This Blog is created to stress the importance of Peace as an environmental directive. “I never give them hell. I just tell the truth and they think it’s hell.” – Harry Truman
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Photographer states :: Was happy to get a shot of the daytime lightning - the hail started almost immediately after this,should have paid more attention to the green in the sky
DENVER -- A tornado touched down in South Park, Colo., Tuesday afternoon as a band of thunderstorms quickly moved across the state. The tornado touched down at 1:20 p.m., near 11 Mile State Park. South Park is at 9,500 feet and it is rare to have a tornado hit at such a high elevation. However, it's just a testament to how strange this summer has been. No injuries were reported. There was only minor damage at the state park, park rangers said....
There are still significant remnants of "Ana" and "Claudette" to cause rains in the region.
Ana remnants may regain strength in Gulf of Mexico (click here) Wed Aug 19, 2009 8:28am EDT NEW YORK (Reuters) - As the remnants of Ana drift into the warm waters of the eastern Gulf of Mexico later Wednesday, there is a small chance it could regenerate into a tropical depression as it moves northwest toward the eastern Gulf Coast, weather forecasters predicted. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said the system, which was producing showers over the northwestern Bahamas, South Florida and the northwestern Caribbean Sea, had a low chance - less than 30 percent - of becoming a tropical cyclone again during the next 48 hours.... August 19, 2009 1349 gmt Gulf of Mexico Satellite
The 'eye' is a considerable distance from land, but, the outer bands aren't. The diameter of this storm places heavy rains over the islands. The storm is moving very quickly.
For 12 hour loop click title to entry - thank you.
One has to wonder if the Madoff empire has monies there. According to estimates reported in the International Herald Tribune (click here) the accounts hold upwards of $18 billion. . ...Switzerland's largest bank (click title to entry - thank you), UBS AG, is set to give the U.S. government information on 4,450 accounts suspected of hiding money from the IRS. In June, the U.S. and Swiss governments came to an information-sharing agreement after a six month battle over how much the bank would divulge. The Swiss government says it will fulfill a request for the information within a year....
The Republicans won't be joining us, with the exception of one or two in the Senate, in 'cleaning up' the health care industry in the USA. I think there are recommendations from one Republican Senator that have studied the subject and set a goal for reform before President Obama was even a candidate. That would be Senator Baucus. Unless the winds have shifted with him since this article in USA Today.
...Senator Baucus (click here): "Well, we are going to cut spending and that's the basic way we're able to come up with a way not to add to the national debt. People think it adds to the debt. But the dollars spent on health care will not add one thin dime to our national debt."...
...Senator Baucus: "Nothing is certain. But I think that this is a lot different than when President Clinton attempted health care reform. This time around costs are so high and second the major groups are on board."...
The President tried to reach out in bi-partisanship, but, for that effort there are Republicans such as Grassley that rather try to make a fool of Presient Obama for his trust placed with Senator Grassley. It is why I stated, Senator Grassley is incompetent. I defy any member of the Senate or Congress to come forward 'in good faith' to be an advocate and participant in bipartisanship only to laugh behind our President's back for acting in good faith in return. That isn't even politics. That is playing with the future of our nation. Grassley is incompetent. He might be a joker too, but, more than that he is a joke.
It's time for Obama to stop handwringing and put on the boxing gloves (click title to entry - thank you)
...It's beyond ironic that those rallying in rage at town hall meetings portray Obama as some malevo.lent tyrant driving a steamroller over them and their concerns. In fact, though, he's cripplingly starry-eyed about bipartisanship, dialogue and compromise when it's quite clear that his opponents see this as a weakness they can exploit....
Kyl is the Senate Minority Whip. It doesn't take any more words from the GOP to know they have every intention of ending a health care debate.
Secretary Sebelius mentioned the 'idea' of Health Care Insurance Co-ops as an alternative to a Government Option that was being proposed by the Senate. Well, she put faith in the "W"rong people. The Senators that were proposing such a 'competitive' option aren't going to anymore. They have withdrawn from any participation and are completely opposed to health care reform in the USA.
They don't care. It is better that the President, his staff, his cabinet and leadership in the House and Senate come to terms with the fact the only interest Republicans have in health care reform is to stall it as long as possible in hopes of defeating it.
I suggest the President ask Commerce and Treasury to convince any Democratic Senators and House members of the soundness of this measure while they linger in doubt today.
I'll tell you something, this House Bill is really 'dry' reading. From page 30 forward it spells out all the particulars in deployment of the bill after it is passed and how the administrative components will manifest. Sadly to some there is no additional salary to the members of any board. Traveling expenses, but, no additional salary to the one they already receive. In other words, the Surgeon General has to add this to his job description.
The bill requires 'plain language' by any insurance entities, it requires fairness in advertising and this is a good one, it demands timely payment of claims. There will definitively be data collection for the purpose of finding further efficiencies:
Page 43, Lines 19 through 24:
DATA COLLECTION.—The Commissioner shall collect data for purposes of carrying out the Commissioner’s duties, including for purposes of promoting quality and value, protecting consumers, and addressing disparities in health and health care and may share such data with the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Don't fool yourself to believe your insurance companies aren't already doing this for internal purposes such as finding greater profits. In addition, this is like the CIA and FBI sharing information. I don't know if that is a great analogy, but, at least the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the CDC won't be duplicating work. That is a savings all by itself. And the best part is that the data will be real and truthful, not derived statistically by a study group.
The bill provides for clear and concise language to be used that already exists within the USA health care industry. There is no trickery or anything up anyone's sleeve. The language in all documents between the government and any private entity or citizens themselves will reflect words already defined and used by the industry. The 'additional' definitions of the bill that does not exist in the industry today is due to the 'new' entity of that this bill produces.
The bill leaves open the ability of the Commission to consultation with any other entity, including attorneys general, NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners, regulators, appropriate state agencies, etc. The new Commission will be fluid and blend with existing authority without undermining any other authority that already exists. The new entity for our health care reform will consult with any state or federal agency to apply the new standards without misinterpretation.
There will be the creation by appointment of a Qualified Health Benefits Plan Ombudsman. This basically is a consumer advocate that receives complaints and administrates them. Most every state has at least one, especially when it comes to dealing with issues of the elderly. This is just a different level of government that will do basically the same thing to be sure there is equity in the administration of the policy set forward by the bill. As a rule, Ombudsman are blind to government when it comes to advocacy for citizens. The Ombudsman will receive complaints from individuals and not the industry alone. The Ombudsman will answer directly to Congress in oversight by annual reports. That removes any conflict of interest in administering any health care insurance or care.
The way I see the Ombudsman is as a critical component in the first year or two of the new law until everyone gets used to it. The volume of its work will probably diminish as time goes by and there is better understanding of the law.
The House bill goes on to state this new law will not interfer with any previous government health insurance already existing. There is also a provision that laws regarding state laws and their application to any circumstance when providing a greater benefit. I have to mention here that it is my opinion, the passage of this bill help relieve some state budgets of their current health insurance initiatives. There is a good chance that 'charity care' or whatever other verbiage one wants to call it may very well be something of the past if people currently uninsured now find themselves insurable and a member of a plan. That will assist many states with budget issues they are facing today.
There are provisions that prevent discrimination. That is something never addressed by any entity anywhere in the government, except, at some state agencies that administer their own plans. But, that is a vital part of this bill. It will be the first time Americans cannot be discriminated against for any reason in applying for and using the health care industry in this country. It will literally be a brave new world when this bill is passed. Nice. I think that is very appropriate for the USA. Absolutely. It is a matter of civil rights.
There is also protection for Whistleblowers, too. That is always a good thing. No misbehaving by anyone.
This may be one of the big reasons Republicans simply cannot get their minds around reform:
Page 53, Lines 9 through 14
SEC. 154. CONSTRUCTION REGARDING COLLECTIVE BARGAINING. Nothing in this division shall be construed to alter of supercede any statutory or other obligation to engage in collective bargaining over the terms and conditions of mployment related to health care.
See, if anyone can get Kyl to say 'Collective Bargaining' without fainting. If you do, get it on tape, it will be a once in a lifetime chance.
Page 53, Lines 21 and 22 start talking about 'Ensuring Value and Lower Premiums.' Wow.
Subtitle G—Early Investments SEC. 161. ENSURING VALUE AND LOWER PREMIUMS.
Ready for this one. Sit down you won't believe this one. Seriously, sit down for this one. Ready? We get money back. This that flyin' amazing or what?
‘‘SEC. 2714. ENSURING VALUE AND LOWER PREMIUMS. ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Each health insurance issuer that offers health insurance coverage in the small or large group market shall provide that for any plan year in which the coverage has a medical loss ratio below a level specified by the Secretary, the issuer shall provide in a manner specified by the Secretary for rebates to enrollees of payment sufficient to meet such loss ratio.
Why don't I end there on a good note. I don't care how long it takes to get through this bill. It has its upside in actually reading this and writing about it. I think it is a historically great document. In sincerely do.
We now have sane transportation with no tropospheric insult.
What would have happened to the Volt if we didn't save GMC? Americans have every reason to be proud of their leadership in saving the American Auto Manufacturer. Look, we all knew it wasn't going to be cheap taking the country back from decades of corruption. This is the future of our children. I think it is worth it. Very worth it.
I don't want to hear about the $40,000 sticker price either. The vehicle will pay for itself in one year or less, on fuel savings alone.
Now, if we could just stop those stacks from emitting !
Further war was completely destroy any economy that still exists in the Autonomous Kurdish Region. A general view of Dukan Resort, where three American hikers were last seen, near Sulaimaniyah, 260 kilometers (160 miles) northeast of Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Aug. 3, 2009. Iranian authorities have given no word on three Americans detained after reportedly wandering across the border with Iraq last week during a hike in the Iraqi Kurdish region. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
There are free elections being conducted in the region. It explains much of the violence there.
Kurdish Candidates in Iraq Campaign in Final Hours before Election (click here) By Edward Yeranian Cairo 24 July 2009 ...A number of independent parties are also competing in the election to determine the composition of Kurdistan's 111-seat parliament, and its next president. Challengers to the two main parties stand to gain seats, but appear unlikely to gain a majority....
The USA has no right to interfer. The USA will only propagate violence. Troops home now! Iraq May Hold Vote On U.S. Withdrawal (click title to entry - thank you) As American Focus Turns to North, Troops Could Be Forced to Leave Early BAGHDAD, Aug. 17 -- U.S. troops could be forced by Iraqi voters to withdraw a year ahead of schedule under a referendum the Iraqi government backed Monday, creating a potential complication for American commanders concerned about rising violence in the country's north.... ... The Maliki government's announcement came on the day that the top U.S. general in Iraq proposed a plan to deploy troops to disputed areas in the restive north, a clear indication that the military sees a continuing need for U.S. forces even if Iraqis no longer want them here....
U.S. troops may be sent to Iraq's Arab-Kurdish 'trigger line' (click here) ...Their goal, he said, would be to build trust between Iraqi security forces representing the Baghdad government and Kurdish militia answerable to the Kurdish regional government at a time when an increase in bombings attributed to the militant group Al Qaeda in Iraq has sent tensions between the two administrations soaring....
Pentagon 'very nervous' about Arab-Kurdish feud (click here) By Adam EntousWASHINGTON, Aug 11 (Reuters) - The Pentagon said on Tuesday it was "very nervous" about ethnic tensions in Iraq between Arabs and Kurds despite initial talks between their leaders, and a top U.S. commander warned the feud over land and oil could still turn violent. While the sectarian fighting that nearly ripped Iraq apart has died down, the row between northern Iraq's largely autonomous Kurdistan region and its Shi'ite Arab-led government in Baghdad is seen by Washington as one of the greatest threats to the country's fragile stability....
...Asayeesh Reported to Torture Prisoners Chawder newspaper reported that according to a report published by the Ministry of Human Rights for April, May, and June 2009, the Kurdish secret police, Asayeesh, in Bardarash Sub-district used torture against four prisoners. In related news, Rozhnama newspaper reported that one prisoner was beaten by four police officers at the Sulaimanyah Police Station. Also Rudaw newspaper reported that the Youth Empowerment Organization published a report, in which it said that police and Asayeesh are still using torture against prisoners in many forms from assault to rape. The report added that human trafficking is present in Kurdistan Region....
These are local crimes. This has nothing to do with war. The local authorities have to solve their own problems. It would appear as though the Iraqis have many 'rights' organizations policing their government and prisons.
Regional tensions are not new.
Turkey marks 25 years of Kurd rebellion (click here) By CHRISTOPHER TORCHIA (AP) – 3 days ago ISTANBUL — Turkey marked 25 years Saturday since the first Kurdish rebel attacks, with political leaders calling for reconciliation, though the government has yet to offer a new plan for ending the conflict. Fighting has died down since the 1990s, but the Kurdish conflict remains a drag on Turkey's drive to modernity and an obstacle to the country's joining the European Union. The fighting began on Aug. 15, 1984, when separatist rebels attacked police and military units in the southeastern towns of Eruh and Semdinli before fleeing to bases in northern Iraq. Since then, some 40,000 people have died as the rebels seek autonomy for Kurds concentrated in Turkey's southeast. Kurdish activists held a festival Saturday in Eruh, where extra security forces were deployed. Speakers appealed for peace, and crowds listened to traditional music at an open-air concert. Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Sahin called for reconciliation with the country's Kurdish minority. "I see a great advantage in putting aside all prejudice," he said on Turkish television, dismissing nationalist claims that allowing Kurds to have more rights would "divide Turkey."...
Arrest of US hikers mars Iraqi Kurd tourism boom (click here) By YAHYA BARZANJI and ERIC TALMADGE (AP) – Aug 4, 2009 SULAIMANIYAH, Iraq — In Iraq's Kurdish region where three American hikers fell into Iranian custody, the attractions for intrepid hikers and travelers are many. Visitors shop for crystal glasses and enjoy long walks in lush mountain resorts renowned for their pistachio groves. Safety is a big selling point — tourism promoters boast not a single foreigner has been killed or kidnapped since 2003. Still, in a region without a well-marked border, going off the beaten path in Kurdistan is very risky — as the three Americans discovered after they apparently wandered down the wrong side of a mountain last week and were taken into custody by Iranian border guards. Other than a frantic call to one of their friends, they haven't been heard from since. The three — Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Joshua Fattal — were under arrest in Iran on Tuesday for illegally entering the country, and an Iranian lawmaker said that authorities were deciding whether to accuse them of spying. The U.S. State Department rejected the allegation, and relatives and Kurdish officials said they were merely hikers who got lost. The case is the latest source of friction with Washington at a time of political crisis in Iran. Kurdish tourism officials are trying to keep the incident from drying up a budding business with the West....
The upcoming Presidential elections favor four candidates, the incumbent Hamid Karzi, the former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah, the former Finance Minister Ashraf Ghani and a populous favorite Ramazan Bashardorf. None of these candidates are pro-Taliban. The disruption of the elections serve only one purpose and that is to undermine any attempts at democracy for the Afghan people.
"The Christian Science Monitor" makes this observation:
High voter turnout this spring (click title to entry - thank you) Mr. Hamidzada pointed out that large numbers of Afghans this spring defied the dangers and showed up to register for the elections. "We have every reason to believe they will show up on election day and will not be deterred," he said. He added that he sees a positive side to the challenges: "This will give us an opportunity to demonstrate our resolve." Like the car bombing Saturday at the ISAF headquarters, Tuesday's car bomb appeared to be quite large, knocking out windows in a 1,000-foot radius. The bomb struck within hundreds of feet of a British military compound, and also near the Independent Election Commission, the United Nations, and a US military base. Eyewitnesses described a Toyota Corolla ramming into a convoy of foreign troops. "I fell unconscious for a moment. When I woke up ... I saw people lying in the road and I tried to help," says Mohammad Ullah. "Later ISAF arrived there and surrounded the area and wouldn't allow anybody inside." An hour after the blast, ISAF continued to keep out even Afghan Army and police units. At the scene of Saturday's blast, ISAF forces turned away the Kabul police chief in charge of security for elections....
The Monitor points to the fact there were similar dangers in other elections and the people of Afghanistan came to vote regardless the dangers they faced. Basically, the tactics of The Taliban don't work. They have to know they don't work, so why persist? I makes no sense.
Afghanistan has known nothing but war for a very long time. The people of that nation have been visited by every international criminal that is still alive to hide in the mountains and plot against civilization. They have hosted warlords of Poppy cultures, so another turbulent election cycle is nothing for them. Unfortunately, it is nothing for them. I admire these people. I always have. They live their lives in contentment of serving tea to passing guests and bringing to their family new children to love and hold in their arms until tragedy takes them away.
Nothing will deter the vote tomorrow.
And tomorrow services to be a historic Presidential election. For the first time since the inception of the new republic there may very well be a viable challenge to the current President Karzai. All four candidates are worthy, all are concerned for the people of Afghanistan, but, as in any multi-candidate election there will more than likely be a split vote propelling the top two candidates to a final vote later this year.
This may be the year President Karzai will not achieve more than 50% of the vote and that is the sincere challenge of the Afghan people tomorrow. Will they elect a steadfast figure for another five years, or will they elect the two most admired candidates in the country to a run off and still yet another democratically free election in Afghanistan?
I look forward to the results once again of the 'people of conscience' of Afghanistan. It will prove to be an exciting day with promise of more elections or a return to steadfastness of leadership. I wish them all good luck in achieving yet another democratic election with peril so few other democracies have to face. I admire them beyond their knowledge. I look forward to the outcome.
Since the USA has returned to the battlefield in Afghanistan there has been increasing stability of the region, including Pakistan.
There are some fascinating documentaries within the talents of this organization. There is a very good video on Australia and the West Bank.
In a Drying Land, a Constant Struggle for Water PHOTOGRAPHS BY STEFANO SERRA Story by Sarah Haughn Circle of Blue Reports Perched between the sea and the desert, Israel and Palestine are facing more than five years of drought-like conditions. The summer of 2008 was particularly harsh, as drought engulfed much of the Middle East in one of the driest years on record. Italian photographer Stefano Serra spent October of that year documenting the drought. Traveling through the West Bank, he photographed its effects on the region and its people.
I'll take the conservative approach and continue to estimate that "Bill" will follow a path along the islands. It is very near the Lesser Antilles already. If "Bill" starts to swing north it will lose its velocity. Central Presssures are at 963 and falling. I don't know, I think we still have a chance to see a repeat of the late season of 2007 with this storm. August 18, 2009 1415z UNISYS water vapor GOES East satellite (click title to entry for 12 hour loop)
Add "Bill" to the mix with a still burgeoning tropical system again seemingly consolidating off the African coast and there is a very active troposphere trying to rid itself of heat into its oceans.
August 18, 2009
1217gmt
Tropical Atlantic Ocean Satellite
"Ana" is still a diffuse storm system now over Cuba. And htere is a clock-wise circulation system over the Gulf which is assisting in an accumulation of between Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula. I don't believe any of these storms can be completely discounted as minor. August 18, 2009 1443 gmt Gulf of Mexico Satellite
..."At 1:00 p.m. Moscow time [09:00 GMT], it was found 300 miles off Cape Verde islands. The crew is alive. They were taken to the Ladny frigate," Anatoly Serdyukov said....
Hm? Odd.
August 15, 2009 Santa Rosa Sound, Florida Photographer states :: ...in passing...
August 15, 2009 - Saturday Destin, Florida Photographer states :: Storm coming ashore over the Destin Beach Saturday evening.
Updated 8/17/2009 12:14AM ...They check in daily to the Forest Service's (click title to entry - thank you) command center in this north-central Texas town, no days off, waiting for the call that puts them into the teeth of another galloping, 1,500-degree wildfire. A typical summer wildfire season begins in June. This year, they've been fighting fires since early February.... A worker points to a map of Texas with locations for fire staging areas at the Fire Operations Center. The Texas Forest Service, which set up a command center in this Texas town, about 75 miles west of Dallas, has brought in 229 firefighting personnel from around the country, from Oregon to Arizona and Florida, to help fight the fires.
The charred remains of a car which started a 20-acre grass fire sits alone in Steele Creek, Texas. Gov. Rick Perry has issued disaster proclamations for 167 counties due to wildfires and issued burn bans on 152 counties. Gov. Rick Perry has issued disaster proclamations for 167 counties due to wildfires and issued burn bans on 152 counties.
Property owner Ray Fahnders walks aside a smoky ravine on his ranch in Steele Creek, Texas. A drought that started in late 2007 and has broiled central and southern Texas has been the main impetus for the wildfires, said John Nielsen-Gammon,. the state climatologist. Record-breaking, triple-digit heat combined with low humidity and very little rainfall has created the tinderbox conditions, he said.
A piece of construction equipment that was used in preparing fire breaks ultimately fell victim to the grass fire in Steele Creek. "Texas has the perfect storm lined up for fires," says Stewart Turner, a fire behavior analyst working with the Texas Forest Service. "We're looking at extreme fire conditions."
One hundred and seventy-three people died in the Australian fires in February. Facing continued drought, the report about the inadequate fire response is due today. There is no doubt the fires were fueled by extreme drought of which the Australian people have yet to see any relief.
Australia's fire system 'flawed' (click title to entry - thank you) By Nick Bryant BBC News, Sydney An official investigation into Australia's wildfires earlier this year has called for sweeping changes to the warning system and evacuation policy. The fires, which swept through a number of towns in Victoria state, killed 173 people. Many died trying to defend their homes from the flames. The report urges a rethink of the stay-and-defend approach and identifies failings in the emergency response....
Evacuate children from fire zones (click here) Darren GrayAugust 18, 2009 CHILDREN should not be involved or present during the defence of a property under attack from a bushfire, the Bushfires Royal Commission has recommended. In recommendations concerning the controversial ''stay or go'' policy, the commission's interim report said that ''families with young children, older people, and disabled people'' should plan to relocate to safety early. During the hearings the commissioners were clearly saddened by the number of children who were killed in the fires. Royal commissioner Bernard Teague told a hearing in June that more than 20 children had been killed. A further 17 children under 18 lost one or both of their parents in the blazes. To help protect the safety of school children during future bushfires, the royal commission has urged the Department of Education to review all refuges in schools located in areas that are at risk of bushfires. This was one of three important recommendations made in the interim report concerning schools, kindergartens, childcare centres, preschools and early learning centres....
Climate change fuels forest fires: Greenpeace (click here) August 14, 2009 Greenpeace has warned of an imminent "global emergency" as climate change fuels forest fires that have already destroyed tens of thousands of hectares in southern Europe this year. "Climate change is driving a new generation of fires with unknown social and economic consequences," said Miguel Soto, Greenpeace Spain forests campaigner. Spain, Italy, France, Greece and Portugal have been among the countries worst hit by wildfires that swept across southern Europe in July amid sizzling temperatures and fierce winds. Europe as a whole has lost some 200,000 hectares of forest to fires so far this summer, far more than the whole of 2008, when 158,621 hectares were destroyed, the EU said on Monday. In Spain, fires have ravaged about 75,000 hectares of land this year, almost double the number for the whole of 2008, the Government in Madrid said. "Forest fires are becoming more intense and out of control in Spain and across southern Europe, as well as in other semi-arid regions such as California and Australia," Soto told reporters on Thursday at the launch of their report on the issue....
Scientists: Australian Aboriginal Knowledge Could Curb Carbon Emissions (click here) By Phil Mercer Sydney12 August 2009 ...Since the European settlement of Australia the aboriginal fire management practices have faded. But Scott Heckbert, an environmental economist at Australia's national science agency, the CSIRO, thinks that aboriginal knowledge can help reduce carbon pollution. "Being able to go out in the early dry season when fires that are lit don't turn into massive infernos, they can create a mosaic of patchiness in the fuel that exists on the ground. In the late dry season, large wild fires that will inevitably start do not carry for thousands of kilometers across the landscape, as would happen in a completely unmanaged situation," he said. Heckbert notes that wildfires account for about three percent of Australia's carbon emissions. Scientists have estimated that the widespread use of traditional fire management methods could cut the country's greenhouse gas emissions by up to five million tons. Offsetting these reductions under a proposed carbon trading system could generate millions of dollars for indigenous communities, which are some of Australia's most disadvantaged. Some aboriginal groups are considering renting out their woodlands and plains to store carbon as part of giant sequestration programs. Those plans aim to harness the ability of trees and soil to soak up carbon dioxide....
In addition to the tropical storms in this late season, Des Moines, Lincoln and Topeka are getting some significant weather today. There is also a significant low pressure system that has formed in the last 12 hours in the Gulf of California. Maybe there will be relief from those western fires after all. "Ana" is taking a path along the islands without a well defined 'eye.' Both these storms will bring the Gulf Coast of the USA considerable flooding. Bill is skirting a bit north, but, unless it finds a better source of water vapor, the eye will not contract enough to sustain a strong storm. The 'eye' is wobbling a bit, but, that has become standard for these storms. They struggle to maintain their velocity due to sparcity of water vapor.
August 17, 2009 1430z UNISYS water vapor GOES East satellite (click here for 12 hour loop) PENSACOLA BEACH, Fla. — Hurricane Bill picked up strength (click title to entry - thank you) in the open Atlantic as it churned on a path toward Bermuda, while what was left of Claudette brought rain to the southern U.S.... August 17, 2009 1217 gmt Tropical Atlantic Map
...It's an epic brawl between the heaviest of heavyweights (click title to entry - thank you). As in 1945, when Harry S. Truman first proposed a national health-care system, the battle is on between a Democratic White House that wants changes, and conservatives and health-care industries that oppose them....
A lot of the anger expressed by right wing voters is cultural. A man isn't a man unless he's out to kill off the opposition. No lie.
On a right wing radio station they are now playing this as their theme, "...I hope this sparks a revolution...."
Today, going down the road was a black pick-up truck with North Carolina license plate CN1761, with a slogan written on the rear cab window of the truck stating, "When the revolution begins you better remove the Obama bumper sticker from your Subaru."
The issues surrounding the loud mouths at the town halls have to do with culture and not politics. It is why no one can ever 'reach' these people while expecting any American to be reasonable. They are 'locked into' a culture they want and will live within that culture forever. It is about masculinity and femininity and the roles they play in their own lives.
No sense to try. Nothing will move them and they will be a ball and chain on the USA forever. The people that are the movers and shakers in this country that want health care reform, climate policy and are brave enough to stand up for change will have to overcome the 'old culture' of the Republican mind speak. They will never change. They love to hate and they love to think about killing other people that aren't rubber stamped out of the same mold. I would not under sell their ability to actually kill others either. I believe some of these bubbas and that's what I wrote, bubbas are so 'invested' into their cultural roles and identity they would be forced into carrying out their threats, form militias and seek to demonize the government.
Yep.
They are cowards, hide behind an identity rather than living a real life and are too scared to allow change to enter their lives. These same jokers will bankrupt a country in order to save their sorry hides for the greed they sought under a 'user friendly' president.
Real 'jerks' that wouldn't know compassion or logic if it big them in the behind actually still do live and thrive in the year 2009 in the USA. Morons. Basically. They are easily swayed and follow any populous moment they can identify while stereotyping everyone along the way. Amazing this is the year 2009 and we still have Americans that can't get out of their own way to find progress to the future. Absolutely amazing.
"PUBLIC HEALTH INSURANCE OPTION.—The term ‘‘public health insurance option’’ means the public health insurance option as provided under subtitle B of title II.
I think Senator Specter has it mostly right. The town hall sessions with screaming people are not representative of the people of the country. (click here) His town hall sessions were completely shameful. There were people there that acted as if they were persistent enough the Senator would have to speak the words they wanted to hear. It was a beautiful moment when after being brow beaten by a participant in the town hall session he stated, "I won't sign a health care reform bill that adds one dollar to the deficit." The brow beater expected a groveling explanation after his fit, what he got was sanity. Didn't expect that.
I mentioned yesterday the particulars of 'cost sharing' in that an individual's maximum would be $5000.00 and a family's maximum would be $10,000.00. I should have listed the definition that appears on page 8, lines 11 and 12 and 9, lines 1 through 3.
COST-SHARING.—The term ‘‘cost-sharing’’ includes deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, and similar charges but does not include premiums or any network payment differential for covered services or spending for non-covered services.
So that is the limit on any 'fees' a health insurance company can apply to an insurance policy. It is important to address cost sharing because it limits today and in the future the extent a subscriber will have to pay. It makes it reliable. Cost sharing is necessary to contain the price of health insurance, but, also to deter abuse. So, these are additions to the cost of the health insurance coverage itself, such as deducibles and copayments no different than most policies that are employer based today.The primary differences are the limits on cost and the lack of cost of preventive care. Most folks won't notice any changes in their coverage or costs except for the lack of charges on preventive care and new limits on their copay or deductible responsiblity. Most folks will want to keep their current coverage, but, with greater assurances that costs will not increase in the future.
I wanted to be sure I mentioned that and didn't gloss over it. I think it is important for Americans to realize their legislators are making definitive moves to construct a health insurance reform that is realistic and not idealistic. The 'tone' among the 'angry' in the country is that this is 'another' big Democratic spending bill.
You know, they are trying to 'sterotype' the legislation as a big spending program that will cause all kinds of problems to the country's deficit. That is not the case. The bill sets limits on what insurance companies can expect from their members in the way of 'out of pocket' expenses. But, the bill also holds accountable Americans to carry their own weight in subscription fees and copays, etc. up to the limit the law allows.
The legislation for Health Care Reform is not a give away program, however, it will take care of people and allow for expenses beyond the 'preventive medicine' that is to be without cost. It allows for reasonable cost sharing of services that are needed if diagnosis require same. The legislation is no joke and should be taken seriously. We need this in this country to 'STABLIZE' a grossly unstable industry that robs people of their right to treatment to enhance their profitability. This bill will require health insurance corporations to treat their members with respect and not as if they were chattel.
With that reality comes the understanding, at least from my perspective, as to why there needs to be a public option. We don't want health insurance companies forming cartels and acting in unison against the citizens of the USA so to effect increased profits. A Public Option hinders such exploitation and keeps costs reasonable.
Changing the subject just a bit is the 'idea' of portability of health insurance coverage. No. I don't see that any health insurance company should have a corner on the market. As things stand now, each state has their own companies that provide coverage to people. That is not a bad idea. The differences will become more homogenous with the passage of federal laws, but, there is no reason for any one company to hold the entire market in one state while conducting business in all fifty. That will remove competition. Not only that, but, if everyone bought health insurance from a South Carolina company it would reek havoc with economies on other states where companies would be closing their doors and laying off workers. The entire delivery system would be bogged down by only a few insurance carriers. I do not believe in cross border insurance reform. I don't believe portability is a good idea. It will slow down care and damage economies. Just for the record.
I also wanted to mention this 'thing' the press has against Hillary speaking her mind while in Africa. I thought she was great. It was a demanding schedule, but, I simply loved her remarks about the 2000 Election in the USA. Is there anyone besides Walker Bush and Jeb that can state it was a fair election? I mean really. The Secretary of State of Florida, what's her name, disenfranchised thousands of black voters before the elections. She did it deliberately to effect the vote in favor of Walker Bush. Somebody had to say it. I loved the moment Hillary took to 'example' the way a democracy can be derailed by corruption at the highest levels of government. I love that Al Franken is a Senator, too. You know what I mean?
After realizing there are now limits to copays and deductibles and all that mess the government has taken the 'cost' of membership seriously and doesn't leave it to chance. Page 21, beginning with line 1 there are "Insurance Rating Rules" that will help the health insurance companies ask fair market prices for their services.
On page 24, beginning with line 4 the government states that in order to be called a health insurance company there has to be a sufficient provider network. As example, with a health insurance company named Great West, the nearest primary care physician might be seventy miles away. That's ridiculous and places undo expense on the insured to find an 'in network' primary care physician. Well, that mess is going to stop or the consumer has the right to find other insurance even with pre-existing conditions.
On Page 24, line 17 the bill starts to address an understanding of establishing 'value' and 'lower premiums.' It is based upon a medical loss ratio that insures the company is meeting expectation of its subscribers while providing for reasonable costs to their members in the way of subscription costs. There will be entities within the government to assist in that reality. If it is found the insurance company is charging too much for their actual loss by its enrollees there might have to be an annual rebate of costs. Imagine that, a healthier group of enrollees that didn't occur the costs the company anticipated and actually provided a lucrative bottom line for the year. Well, those savings would be passed on. That's how I read that one. So much for exploiting the American consumer based on their wellness. It keeps a check on costs in the face of better health of the insured. Contains costs to consumers.
See the costs to Americans isn't going to be served 'straight up.' The bill provides a 'dynamic' of cost to care. It is a very fluid bill whereby people that are well actually will be rewarded in their premiums. It's interesting. The bill is a living dynamic. There are no hard and fast costs here EXCEPT where maximums will apply. This bill is not an easy spread sheet kind of thing. There are a lot of aspects to it that are as dynamic as their subscribers. It's pretty cool stuff.
It's nearly 11:00 PM my time, so I think I'll end it for tonight and pick up again somewhere around page 35 if there is anything significant to note.
This weekend the new media has decided the National Health Insurance Bill is dead. They decided that President Obama no longer was standing firm on The Public Option and there would be no more change in the health insurance industry.
At the title to the entry is an article by CBS which seems the least offensive of the media services. Secretary Sebelius never stated there would not be a Public Option. She stated it is 'not the essential element.' She never stated it wasn't to be an element at all. The media is not trustworthy. They are more scared than the people of the country are and it shows.
They hear what they want to hear. They write what they want to write. They say what they want to say. I have said it over and over. The people of the country are so confused as to the truth regarding this bill there is no getting through that barrier. The media is responsible for a good part of that confusion. Darn shame.
Is that amazing or what?
I waited to see David Gregory with the assistance of Rachel Maddow set the record straight and he didn't. He screwed up worse than anyone in the business. Meet the Press will never be the same.
I thought Representative Rangel had a lot to say and his focus was never addressed by Gregory. Instead, Gregory was trying to get concessions to his point of view and that was that the health care debate was dead and the President was retreating.
Whatever.
President Obama trying to make a point at a town hall meeting (the last of the three) stated, "...with or without the Public Option there was still a lot to this bill. He stated, the Public Option was a small piece of the legislation."
Well. That is all the press needed to hear and they were off and running. It went like this, "Obama is conceding there is no public option that will be a part of the health insurance reform bill."
"W"rong !!!!!!! Everyone got it "W"rong. But, then I really thought media was interested in the truth, not the manipulation of the truth. I forgot they struggle with their own inability to achieve 'ratings' without highly exploitive behavior. There was not one media service yesterday or today that didn't fail at bringing the 'real' message to the American people. Not one. I've lost complete faith in them.
What President Obama was saying is that the Public Option is only a small piece of this legislation. He stated the words, 'with or without' as a point of discussion to the degree the public option was a piece of the legislation. He never, ever implied there would be no public option in the legislation. He was attempting to illustrate how 'over blown' the concern of that aspect of the legislation was being portrayed in the media and otherwise. He never stated he was waving a flag of surrender.
How come I know that and no one that is holding a microphone, or camera or pen and paper knows that?I have absolutely no faith in the media services of this country anymore. They are exploitive and want to cause harm to political careers even where there is nothing to cause harm. They absolutely hate President Obama and are attempting to drive him into oblivion. They don't belong anywhere near him, yet alone have the right to set in ink an analysis of something as complicated at The National Health Insurance/Health Reform Bill. Their grappling for power in a struggle against a great President is shameful.
With that said, I need to continue to review the bill that is tenatively written by the House of Representative.
There is one thing I believe about the health insurance/care legislation now being written by the House and Senate, and that it is vitally important to achieve a bill to protect the people of the USA. If one more year goes by there will never be legislation written and that would be tragic for this country. The media circus alone is doing incredible damage to a vital part of the American Landscape. We need health care legislation and we need it now. I do believe there are powerful people that want to stall this long enough to stop it. We must be doing something right.
It is almost an injustice to go through this bill page by page, line by line, because the beauty of it that there is considerable ground covered. There are rules about a Health Insurance Exchange, there are parts of the bill that address Medicare and Medicaid, Shared Responsibility with health insurance companies, improving health care value, reducing health disparity and on and on. How many people understand the 'idea' of 'reducing health disparity?' How much has that been in the media? Not at all.
Okay. Let's see if we can make sense of this vast bill. Not that we should, really. We elected people to office to work to protect the people of this nation, not to cower to their frenzied state of mind following eight years of an administration that never deserved trust.
Last week everyone was fixated on Hurricane Guillermo in the Pacific above. It is still there. Hawaii will probably some larger than average waves. Surfers will have a good time.
August 16, 2009 2117 gmt Tropical Atlantic Ocean Map
There is another 'tropical wave' behind Bill. Bill could be headed for the South Carolina coast. Not as far north as Wilmington. I don't know about the velocity. I don't have a lot of confidence in higher velocities with northern moving storms. There isn't enough surface water vapor at those latitudes to support higher category storms. I'll venture a guess of Cat 1 - 2 to the South Carolina coast.
Not enough information regarding the new wave off Africa. It might be that Bill will dissipate quickly as it moves north. That would lend to higher velocity to the new tropical wave off Africa.
This season is similar to 2007. The season started very late as the sun was traveling back toward the Southern Hemisphere. There were two late season hurricanes that devastated Central America. Both Dean and Felix manifested intoCat 5 storms using the water vapor off the Intertropical Convergence Zone. Both Dean and Felix started east of the Antilles to gain their higher level of vorticity.
There were two late season hurricanes that devastated Central America. Both Dean and Felix manifested intoCat 5 storms using the water vapor off the Intertropical Convergence Zone. Both Dean and Felix started east of the Antilles to gain their higher level of vorticity.
This year is a little different. The near shore storm in the Gulf of Mexico is not really new for this 'heated' troposphere. We have seen these 'near shore' storms before. They are powerful storms even as a Tropical Storm or Cat 1. The problem has been when the near shore storms occurred along the eastern USA they lingered and repeatedly battered the shore line. It was the temporal element that prolonged the damage to the shoreline.
It currently looks as though TS Claudette has the potential of being a prolonged storm at the Florida panhandle if it is pinched between a vortex system easily noted on water vapor to the east of Florida and a ridge of colder air from the north. Currently, it is that air ridge from the north that is fueling the water vapor as the two temperature air masses meet. The air turbulence along that ridge is probably signficiant.
These 'Heat' storms that manifest almost overnight are different than a '? regular ?' storm or regular hurricane in that they tend to oscillate. In other words they wax and wane in vorticity depending on available heat. So, even if Claudette seems to be moving on, it might 'skip' back again only to continue its dynamics. These unusual storms have to completely dissipate from any collective structure before citizens can let their guard down.
Don't sell Ana short. Ana will probably follow the island chain into the Gulf. Once there Ana can take a more northwest path and make landfall over the Gulf Coast, possibly Louisana. There is a north west 'injection' system coming through the Yucatan Channel. If that air mass is still present when Ana finds the Gulf it will drive the storm northwest.
August 16, 2009 2140z UNISYS Enhanced Infrared Satellite of southeast USA (click title to entry for 12 hour loop - thank you)
August 16, 2009 0916z UNISYS Enhanced Infrared Satellite of southeast USA (click title to entry for 12 hour loop - thank you)
Right there on the "Committee for Education and Labor" website is full access to not only the House bill, but, all the standard questions regarding the bill. The link to the bill is entitled, "America's Affordable Health Choices Act." Not hard to find. I think it is called transparency.
As expected with any 'document' that is legal and binding, this one starts with an enormous effort to 'define' terms. The reason that occurs is to be 'clear' to the understanding of the law and who it impacts. It is responsible legislation and it is done quite well. I am not saying it makes it easy to read, I am simply saying it is a comprehensive legal format that anyone reading such documents recognizes. There are no attempts to confusion the issue or provide a barrier to understanding, these early words in the bill are standard and necessary.
The numbers in the left hand column of any page are there for only one purpose and that is to reference a written phrase or paragraph. There is no other reason for those numbers. It is correct and concise use of 'space' on a page quite frankly. Literally, a legislator can speak to a particular subject within the legislation by stating, "Page 14, lines 14 through 24." Easy. That by the way is the citation for the statement that begins this historic document as noted below.
Right off the top, the legislation states clearly the purpose of this lengthy document. It sets 'the tone' of the legislation. I preceive it as a benevolent tone.
TITLE I—PROTECTIONS AND STANDARDS FOR QUALIFIED HEALTH BENEFITS PLANS
Subtitle A—General Standards
SEC. 101. REQUIREMENTS REFORMING HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE.
(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this title is to establish standards to ensure that new health insurance coverage and employment-based health plans that are offered meet standards guaranteeing access to affordable coverage, essential benefits, and other consumer protections.
Establishing standards is what government does.
Some of the most historically significant legislative acts in the USA were regarding health, a long time ago. The first legislative venture to protecting American's health began with The Air Pollution Control Act of 1955. It later was modified and tightened up over the decades to The Clean Air Act. Some of the legislation regarding this act took us to the place we find ourselves today regarding dangerous carbon dioxide levels. The Clean Air Act Amendments provided for protections from acid rain, tropospheric ozone depletion, prohibited high levels on ground ozone and even entertained the idea of emissions trading.
So, when an American stops to think about health care and setting standards it can be realized we have been at this a long, long time and it has been successful. American legislators know their business and pass very effective legislation on behalf of the people of this country.
There are going to be some changes to the way Health Insurance Companies will be writing their policies to whomever their members are. It is provided for under the "American's Affordable Health Care Choice Act." Such changes has several sound reasons. The "American's Affordable Health Choices Act" (let's just call it AAHCA) demands that affordable health care for all is not simply 'coverage' but 'qualifies' as health care at all. I think the bill says it better than I. Page 15, Lines 1 through 6.
(b) REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALIFIED HEALTH BENEFITS PLANS.—On or after the first day of Y1, a health benefits plan shall not be a qualified health benefits plan under this division unless the plan meets the applicable requirements of the following subtitles for the type of plan and plan year involved:...
Those six lines on Page 15 tell me I can't be conned into believing I am paying for health coverage only to find out later, when I need it, that the policy has a huge gap from what I expected.
Those six lines will provide for 'qualifications' to call a health insurance policy to be what it is.
That 's never been done before.
Nowhere in any legislation in the history of the USA has a legislative body set pen to paper to DEFINE what QUALIFIES as health insurance. Do you know how valuable that is? Six lines when voted into law in the United States of America will demand EVERY health insurance carrier to qualify as to what they actually claim they are. That is priceless, to us, to our children. We cannot be conned by a company that will take money right up to the point where you need coverage, but, 'Ooops, it doesn't cover that.'
Think about it. There is NOTHING in any legislation in this country that protects citizens from exploitation right to the point where denial of coverage sends a subscriber to the grave. Nothing on the books that will protect anyone in this country. Six lines on Page 15 of the AAHCA will set the demands for identifying a health insurance company according to qualifications by their government. Invaluable and that is just the beginning of this document.
To just contrast as to 'what goes on' now? The health care insurance people now have a 'contract' with its members. It falls under contract law. Consumer protection agencies can act to protect citizens when insurance companies aren't living up to the letter of the 'contract' but any state or federal agency or court cannot provide coverage or demand it regardless of circumstances if it is not written in the contract.
The AAHCA ends all that and provides means for health insurance companies to 'qualify' as such and then provides standards for 'quality, affordable health care.' It is a necessary bill. Vital actually.
Page 19, beginning with line 15 the bill states clearly the 'guarantees' Americans can expect from their health insurance companies. It guarantees people with pre-existing conditions can obtain affordable health insurance, it guarantees people will keep the health insurance of choice through renewal processes. Those pre-exisiting conditions also include mental health and substance abuse rehabilitation.
The bill also protects health insurance companies stating they can reject claims that are fraudulent. This is not completely a one-sided, consumer takes all bill. AAHCA protects health insurance companies as well, recognizing fraud can occur within the health care industry and where it occurs it won't be tolerated.
Within AAHCA there is recognition of the need for studies that provide profiles of consumers. The bill looks to find where services are used, where they are needed and how that impacts cost. In other words the bill provides for continuous quality improvement. I am sure everyone that works in this world understands that concept. Well, the bill doesn't drop the ball at the fifty yard line for a lucky punt in hopes that its length will cover all necessary topics, it remains a 'living' document to follow Americans in their needs and access. It seeks improvement and doesn't leave it to chance. The bill actively wants to be a partner to any health insurance company to assist in containing costs while supplying coverage.
Page 26, lines 16 through 20. An American will receive appropriate and necessary care.
(c) NO RESTRICTIONS ON COVERAGE UNRELATED TO CLINICAL APPROPRIATENESS.—A qualified health benefits plan may not impose any restriction (other than cost sharing)unrelated to clinical appropriateness on the coverage of the health care items and services.
This removes the health care insurer from making decisions best left to a doctor and patient. The health care insurers cannot state what is appropriate or inappropriate when a physician/surgeon is treating a patient. The health insurers can seek cost sharing initiatives to bring down cost, but, not to the point where it is detrimental to the patient's outcome as perscribed by a physician.
Page 26, line 21 begins to describe "ESSENTIAL BENEFITS PACKAGE" which has to include hospitalization, physicians, medications and basically everything an average American would expect to find in a health care policy.
Page 28, line 22 begins to discuss 'cost sharing' in regard to what the limits are for any health insurance company and any 'insured entity' be it an individual, family, parent and child, partner, etc. The Cost Sharing isn't as generous as one might expect. There is to be absolutely no cost for preventive items and services. That is significant, because, it is the entry point where costs are reduced and quality of care is improved. By supplying a cost free service to all Americans at this basic level it opens the door to improving our health care system at every turn. It is vital and necessary.
Page 29, lines 9 through 16 definitively gives everyone a reason to maintain their health with wellness check ups. Page 29, lines 9 through 16 also sets a limit on the cost anyone is expected to pay on an annual basis for their 'interventional medicine' (my words, not theirs). It ain't cheap, but, it is affordable if people are prepared for the worst.
(B) APPLICABLE LEVEL.—The applicable level specified in this subparagraph for Y1 is $5,000 for an individual and $10,000 for a family. Such levels shall be increased (rounded to the nearest $100) for each subsequent year by the annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index (United States city average) applicable to such year.
It is the kind of thing that one needs a savings account for and NOT necessarily a health care savings account UNLESS one knows there are certain procedures expected in any given year. It is a prudent measure to contain costs to the government and provides for an incentive to save monies with anticipation of perhaps needing them someday. No one will lose their homes over an illness either.
I have to say, I approve of these parameters. It prevents abuse of our health care system while containing the cost to any individual. If a family were 'in need' I can easily see myself running a community benefit to help those that cannot afford the $10,000. It is a reasonable amount. It is not open ended. And here again, it is not mandatory depending on the health insurance company one subscribes to. It is just that it cannot go any higher on any given year.
Page 30, line 11 is the beginning of discussing "The Health Benefits Advisory Committee." It is chaired by The Surgeon General. Thinking back, I wouldn't mind someone like C. Everett Koop setting standards and expectations of our health care system.
It is NOT a 'Death Panel.' As a matter of fact...well, I want to review the words first. These are the words from Page 30, lines 11 through 21:
(b) DUTIES.— (1) RECOMMENDATIONS ON BENEFIT STANDARDS.—The Health Benefits Advisory Committee shall recommend to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this subtitle referred to as the ‘‘Secretary’’) benefit standards (as defined in paragraph (4)), and periodic updates to such standards. In developing such recommendations, the Committee shall take into account innovation in health care and consider how such standards could reduce health disparities.
In reading these words, it is my opinion the Health Benefits Advisory Committee will go to every means possible to prolong life. Let me explain.
The new President has made his mark in many areas of health care already, besides this bill. He has opened up the field of 'investigational' areas of medicine. He has authorized the investigation of genetic medicine to stop diseases such as diabetes and Alzheimers. Etc. Etc. Etc.
How many times in my lifetime have I heard a patient say, "I can't get that procedure because my health insurance won't cover it." Lots. Americans have died when a procedure such as a bone marrow transplant would have saved them.
It is my opinion The Health Benefits Advisory Board will 'require' certain investigational procedures and medications to be covered by any health insurance provider. In other words, when a child with leukemia can be saved by the transplant of bone marrow there won't be the ability of a health insurance company to say 'no' to proven treatments or those treatments currently engaged in places such as The Cleveland Clinic under the auspices of the CDC.
I don't believe we need to be afraid of The Health Benefits Advisory Board. It will be a benevolent addition to our health care system and will reassure nervous insurace providers that indeed the procedure or medication has been reviewed by the CDC and is proven to have a benefit. It is the extent of the benefit of the medication or procedure that is in question and is why more use of investigational medicine is better than less.
It isn't the kind of thing where people will be required to be guinea pigs either.
In the world as it exists today for Americans that are faced with desperate health outcomes, the 'option' of trying an investigational medication or procedure already approved by the CDC is a matter of consent. It is like going into surgery. The consumer has to be made aware of any and all side effects or dangers linked to the investigational procedure. It is frequently the frustration of physicians or surgeons to be limited in their scope of possibilities in providing care to patients. It is my firm opinion, The Health Benefits Advisory Board will enhance the quality of care in the USA. I like it.
I am going to end here for today. I might simply take Sunday off. I wish you all well and keep your chin up. I trust President Obama. Sincerely. He's a good man, Charlie Brown.
