...about 200 pages to go...it just seems so obvious something 'public' has to be done...

Baucas stated, "My job is to write a bill that the Senate will pass." No, sir, that is not your job. You job as majority leader is to have the Republicans on the committee understand you have to write a bill the country desperately needs and the President will sign !!!!

...I'm just scanning what I've read to date to be sure I didn't miss something, like the provision allows for free health care for Dick Cheney...Oh, that's right, Cheney gets his health care free anyway.

WASHINGTON — Supporters of President Barack Obama's drive to remake health care are pushing back against a dire report from the insurance industry warning of hefty new costs for consumers from the latest legislation.
AARP Executive Vice President John Rother told reporters Monday that he doesn't think the report is "worth the paper it's written on." He said if anyone believes it, that's a problem....

Here it is. I knew there was something about 200% of the poverty level, which works out to be about $35,000, I forgot to mention.

Page 789, lines 1 through 18:

SEC. 1733. REQUIREMENT OF 12-MONTH CONTINUOUS COVERAGE UNDER CERTAIN CHIP PROGRAMS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 2102(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397bb(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
‘‘(6) REQUIREMENT FOR 12-MONTH CONTINUOUS ELIGIBILITY.—In the case of a State child health plan that provides child health assistance under this title through a means other than described in section 2101(a)(2), the plan shall provide for implementation under this title of the 12-month continuous eligibility option described in section 1902(e)(12) for targeted low-income children whose family income is below 200 percent of the poverty line.’’.
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to determinations (and redeterminations) of eligibility made on or after January 1, 2010.

Page 801, lines 4 and 5 start a new section:

Subtitle F—Waste, Fraud, and Abuse

There is a lot of 'standard legislative' language here. As Senator Snow says, "Langauge that means what we want it to mean."

There are provisions to drop individual providers or entities if they are found in fraudulent status. Then it goes on to be specific that 'any' entity found to be eliminated from participation cannot receive monies through another entity, such as a health care clinic someone might own.

Page 807, lines 9 through 25 and page 808, lines 1 through 3:

SEC. 1757. MEDICAID AND CHIP EXCLUSION FROM PARTICIPATION RELATING TO CERTAIN OWNERSHIP, CONTROL, AND MANAGEMENT AFFILIATIONS.
(a) STATE PLAN REQUIREMENT.—Section 1902(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)), as amended by sections 1631(b)(1), 1703, and 1753, is fur15
ther amended—
(1) in paragraph (75), by striking at the end ‘‘and’’;
(2) in paragraph (76), by striking at the end the period and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (76) the following new paragraph:
‘‘(77) provide that the State agency described in paragraph (9) exclude, with respect to a period, any individual or entity from participation in the program under the State plan if such individual or entity owns, controls, or manages an entity that (or if such entity is owned, controlled, or managed by an individual or entity that)—

Those handling government payments and monies must be registered, Page 810, lines 11 through 13:

SEC. 1759. BILLING AGENTS, CLEARINGHOUSES, OR OTHER ALTERNATE PAYEES REQUIRED TO REGISTER UNDER MEDICAID.

There will be denial to payment if they are not registered, Page 811, lines 4 through 5 and 12 through 15:

(b) DENIAL OF PAYMENT.—Section 1903(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396b(i)), as amended by section 1753, is amended—
‘‘(26) with respect to any amount paid to a billing agent, clearinghouse, or other alternate payee that is not registered with the State and the Secretary as required under section 1902(a)(78).’’.

This is in regard to judicial review, page 812, lines 16 and 17 and page 813, lines 7 through 12:

SEC. 1760. DENIAL OF PAYMENTS FOR LITIGATION-RELATED MISCONDUCT.

...‘‘(B) to reimburse (or otherwise compensate) a managed care entity for payment of legal expenses associated with any action in which a court imposes sanctions on the managed care entity for litigation-related misconduct.’’.

What is a "Litigation Related Misconduct?" This is my take on it. Let's say the insured needs a kidney transplant. The insurance policy makes allowances for such procedures and practices provided the patient has a good chance of surviving the operation and meets any requirements the insurance company sees fit.

The obvious objection is that who is anyone in an insurance company to know what requirements should be to qualify as a kidney transplant patient. No one. The fact is the only person(s) qualified to order a transplant for a patient is an MD/Surgeon that has examined the patient and all necessary tests.

Also.

Who is to say whom will survive an operation? What is the sense in performing an operation if the patient is expected to die? Either way, if the patient has a better chance at living without the surgery, even a few days, no one is going to 'play God' and state that a transplant wouldn't save their life. Now, if a patient has multiple system involvement with an 'ejection fraction of 15% of his left heart ventrical' there might be a better candidate for the kidney because the patient probably won't make it to the operating table, yet alone survive the stress of organ transplant. As a matter of fact, someone with that poor a heart would probably never be a candidate for a kidney, however, they might be a candidate for a heart.

So, when push comes to shove and the insurance company is willing to litigate the payment for any reason and surgery or a procedure is not performed or a new medication isn't given that is called 'Delaying Patient Care.' For physicians and health care professionals that is an ethics issue and one taken seriously. Patients are supposed to be given relief from their symptoms in reasonable manner that benefits the patient.

But.

For insurance companies that provide coverage for health care they may see it as 'good prudent decision making' and not an ethics issue at all. So, if they decide there is no payment to be made and the patient 'seems' to meet all requirements according to their physician/surgeon, the insurance company is guilty of 'delaying patient care' and quite possibly cause the patient's death while the litigation is taking place.

That won't be allowed under this provision. Insurance companies will not be allowed to play with patient's lives and well being by delaying payment or approval through any litigation process.

Page 813, lines 16 and 19 and page 814, lines 4 through 14;

Subtitle G—Puerto Rico and the Territories

SEC. 1771. PUERTO RICO AND TERRITORIES.
(a) INCREASE IN CAP.—

‘‘(6) FISCAL YEARS 2011 THROUGH 2019.—The amounts otherwise determined under this subsection for Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa for fiscal year 2011 and each succeeding fiscal year through fiscal year 2019 shall be increased by the percentage specified under section 1771(c) of the America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 for purposes of this paragraph of the amounts otherwise determined under this section (without regard to this paragraph).

So, USA territories are going to receive an increase in their payments as well. I guess everyone is going to be treated the same across the spectrum of the USA Health Care Insurance Reform Bill. Sounds right.

The next section is called "Technical Corrections". Page 917, lines 24 and 25 and page 918, lines 1 through 3:

(d) TECHNICAL CORRECTION TO SECTION 605 OF CHIPRA.—Section 605 of the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (Public Law 111–3) is amended by striking ‘‘legal residents’’ and inserting ‘‘lawfully residing in the United States’’.

I believe the 'operative word' is "lawfully."

I believe the word, 'residing' is a bit questionable.

Legally residing does not necessarily mean a resident. Or does it? Let's see, if Tony Blair buys a house in Palm Beach, Florida and resides there, he is lawfully residing, right? Or is he simply 'at' his home in a non-resident country and therefore is 'occupying' the house and not truly residing?

Hm?

I think that word, depending on the court, would be ambiguous. The language needs to be cleaned up a bit, and the words that should be used is "Resident" as noted by the Immigration Service.

John Lennon had that frustration. He owned property in New York and I believe from time to time he was made to go back to Great Britain to renew the 'Visa.' I think that would be the 'operative' issue in any court decision. Whether or not a person was residing would be overridden by their 'Visa/Immigration Status.' I think the language should be cleaned up a bit. Then again this is exclusively about children and we even bring Iraqi children here for treatment, so, the language would stand. We'll be getting kids from other places though to receive treatment in the USA. I think this language needs a separate provision with more specifics as to what child qualifies as 'legally residing.' I believe that is inappropriate.

The USA isn't going to be the children's haven for every country on the planet. We can easily be a 'resource' for children needing care they cannot receive elsewhere and perhaps without cost. But. That is a State Department provision. Yep. Any children not a 'legal resident' that requires care needs to be qualified by the State Department and they can have their own provision. I think that is the best way to do it, regardless the country of origin.

This Health Insurance Reform Bill is for the people of the USA. Granted we are a compassionate people that like to extend our ability to help to all people, especially children, however there is a limit to the monies that can be appropriated for children from other countries that come here for treatment. It isn't right and adds undo fiscal burden to the USA Treasury.

First, we take care of our own. I am sorry, but, there has to be a limit and a deterrent. A 'wide open' provision such as that would cause undo fiscal burden on the cost of this legislation and a victim for scrutiny. I don't want this bill to be viewed as a poorly conceived document and allowed to be trashed in the future.

The bill and its programs have to stand as examples of the ability of Democrats and the President to legislate in a 'balanced' measure. I think there needs to be care in how compassionate this legislation is to extend benefits to those that might be here legally but not residents of the USA. There is nothing saying anyone that comes to the USA can't receive care or treatment, but, to the extent this bill provides for them should be clear and concise and limited.

Page 819, lines 22 through 25:

SEC. 1782. EXTENSION OF QI PROGRAM.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1902(a)(10)(E)(iv) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396b(a)(10)(E)(iv)) is amended—

Section 1902 of the SSI Act addresses subsidized health care. So any of the provisions within this section reflect changes to that subsidy.

QI is the Qualifying Individuals (QI) Program.

Page 819, lines 5 through 18:

(b) ELIMINATION OF FUNDING LIMITATION.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 1933 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396u–3) is amended—
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘who are selected to receive such assistance under sub10
section (b)’’;
(B) by striking subsections (b), (c), (e), and (g);
(C) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘furnished in a State’’ and all that follows and inserting ‘‘the Federal medical assistance percent age shall be equal to 100 percent.’’; and
(D) by redesignating subsections (d) and
(f) as subsections (b) and (c), respectively.

This particular 'section' of the Medicare Act has to do with Part B and the amount of reimbursement the States receive from the federal government to help pay for their programs to 'qualifying individuals.' This provision makes it easier on the States to pay for those individuals, because, the Federal government is going to provide total reimbursement.

Page 820 starts a very important section and will be read tomorrow. Lines 1 through 9:

TITLE VIII—REVENUE-RELATED PROVISIONS
SEC. 1801. DISCLOSURES TO FACILITATE IDENTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUALS LIKELY TO BE INELIGIBLE FOR THE LOW-INCOME ASSISTANCE UNDER THE MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM TO ASSIST SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION’S OUTREACH TO ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS.

...until then.

I do not believe the Pakistan authorities are so stressed for direction they are showing any signs of defeat...

...as the installations and targets of the criminals are unprotected.

These attacks aren't expected and there are no barriers to prevent these attacks.

It speaks loudly to the fact there isn't so much a since war within Pakistan so much as a 'police action' to bring regions of the country away from the oppressive influence of the Taliban. These acts of violence are more akin to the 'sectarian' attacks we witnessed in Iraq for so long.

...The FIA building was attacked on March 11 last year and Manawan Training School on March 30 this year. Thirty-six people had lost their lives in the two attacks.

In the end, all the 10 terrorists were dead (click here)— either killed by law enforcers or blowing themselves up after having been cornered — but they kept the city on tenterhooks for more than three hours. The entire security paraphernalia was mobilised and police, elite force, Rangers and the army were all roped in as the scale and magnitude of the attack became evident....

Obama signs Kerry-Lugar bill into law (click title to entry - thank you)
By Anwar Iqbal Friday, 16 Oct, 2009

The US president signed the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009, also known as the Kerry-Lugar-Berman bill, without fanfare before leaving on a trip to New Orleans.
The bill has come under fierce criticism in Pakistan, which dampened the US desire to showcase the bill as a major milestone towards establishing long-term partnership with Pakistan.
Although Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi told a news briefing in Washington on Wednesday that Obama would also attach a signing statement to the new law, the White House said that the president did not and had no intention to do so.
A signing statement underscores the way the executive intends to implement a law, which may differ from the text of the law itself. ‘This law is the tangible manifestation of broad support for Pakistan in the US, as evidenced by its bipartisan, bicameral, unanimous passage in Congress,’ White House spokesman Robert Gates said....

Two injured in grenade attack in Quetta (click here)
DawnNews Report Thursday, 15 Oct, 2009

The injured security personnel were shifted to the Combined Military Hospital for medical treatment, according to the police.

Earlier in the day, militants launched attacks in Lahore, and carried out bombings in Peshawar and Kohat.

Target Killings

Unknown gunmen also killed one person inside a shop and injured another, in what police are describing as a target killing.

The assailants shot the shopkeeper when Quetta’s Jinnah road was at its busiest. The attackers then abandoned the body of the victim and fled from the scene.

Quetta has been hit by four target killings in as many days, highlighting the precarious security situation in the city.

A poll in the "Dawn" Newspaper (click here)

Should western coalition forces negotiate with the Afghan Taliban?
Yes(46%)
No(49%)
Don’t know(5%)

It is very similar to the sectarian violence that spawned in Iraq. It is a matter of the local police to come to terms with how best to handle the mess. They know it is coming, they can identify the criminals when they enter the city. It is a matter of how do they control this? To confront the criminals is to spawn violence.

I don't believe a private security force is the answer. That will confuse the issue.

Huge blast strikes Peshawar, several injured (click here)
Thursday, 15 Oct, 2009

Preliminary reports suggest the attack was carried out by a car bomb, Peshawar’s CCPO Liaquat Ali told DawnNews.
The CCPO said that a car packed with explosives was parked at the scene, and that it was later detonated by remote control
Police cordoned off the area and the injured were being shifted to the Lady Reading hospital.
People trapped under the rubble were still being dug out, and sources told DawnNews that eight injured survivors and the body of a dead child were shifted to the Lady Reading Hospital.
Earlier, the city of Peshawar had been placed on high alert, after reports that terrorists had entered the city.
Residents interviewed by DawnNews said that they were unhappy with the security which had been provided by the government, and that they had been trying to arrange for private protection for some time.
Initial reports suggest that the bomb exploded outside the NWFP chief minister’s driver’s house.— DawnNews

Large explosive operations such as this are usually the work of al Qaeda. Here again it isn't the military that is in a quandry to respond to unexpected local attacks, it is the police trying to deal with these thugs. It sounds as though there is a considerable bit of confusion in regard to containing and responding to this issue.

TTP claims killing 11 in Kohat blast (click here)
By Abdul Sami Paracha Friday, 16 Oct, 2009

...The police station is in a high-security zone where official residences of Kohat region’s DIG, district police officer and district coordination officer, PAF officers’ mess and flats and a security checkpost are located.
According to officials, the light green double-cabin pick-up driven by a young man slammed into the main gate of the Saddar police station. The van carried about 100kg of explosives.
The powerful blast created a six-foot deep and 10-foot wide crater. Nearly half of the police station’s building and a boundary wall of the nearby officers’ mess collapsed. Eight vehicles were destroyed and a school building and several houses were damaged.
The place was strewn with parts of victims’ bodies and some parts were found even on roofs of nearby houses. The blast was heard in places as far as Darra Adamkhel.
A student who was going to school was among the dead. Hospital sources confirmed to have received 11 bodies. The three slain policemen who died were identified as constables Fayyazul Hassan, Mohammad Noor and Khursheed. The civilian victims are Javed, Tariq, Haji Baseer
Khan, Abdul Wali, Tahir-ur-Rehman and Arshad Ali. Two bodies were mutilated beyond recognition.
The injured, two policemen and a prisoner among them, were taken to the Combined Military Hospital....

The current government in Pakistan is far from imploding. They are building alliances in the region to assist in stability. The more stability in the region, the less the criminals of the Taliban and al Qaeda can operate their killing campaigns.

Whoever expected Putin to show up on the scene? It is a good thing. There is more and more consolidation of effort between all the parties including The West. They will be contained. If there is anything Russia is BEST at, it is establishing 'stable government states' and containing chaos. If anyone can assist this to a peaceful end between India and Pakistan it will Putin. Absolutely.

It would be good if Kashmir was settled as well. I think a Saudi Price was asking Obama to intercede in Kashmir. I don't believe Obama will take up an active role with Kashmir, but, might include the issue with State Department initiatives. He and Secretary Clinton might seek to bring Kashmir to the talks.

Gilani, Putin agree to strengthen ties (click here)
By Shamim-ur-Rahman Thursday, 15 Oct, 2009

BEIJING: Pakistan and Russia agreed on Wednesday to re-launch their inter-governmental commission by the end of this year to revatalise bilateral relations, with focus on infrastructure development, energy, rail link, heavy industry and upgradation of Pakistan Steel.
The agreement was reached at a meeting between Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin held here on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
During the meeting which lasted about an hour and fifteen minutes, they agreed on the need for re-engaging relations, according to Pakistan’s Ambassador Masood Khan who briefed the media on the talks between the two leaders.
Mr Putin said his country would support Pakistan’s request for full membership of the SCO and indicated that he would back resumption of composite dialogue between India and Pakistan because reduction of tension between the two countries would facilitate improvement of Moscow’s relations with Islamabad....

Iraq is flying on its own. Hope for Afghanistan to do the same.

Iraq Prime Minister's Office, ho/AP Photo
In this image released by the Iraqi Prime Minister's Office, Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, right, shakes hands with his Turkish counterpart Receb Tayyip Erdogan, during a meeting in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009.

...Turkish-Iraqi ties have been warming since the 2003 (click here) U.S.-led invasion toppled dictator Saddam Hussein, but raids by Turkish forces pursuing Kurdish rebels who use northern Iraq as a stronghold have been a consistent sore point in relations.
Nouri al-Maliki delivered the message to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a meeting in Baghdad, the Iraqi government spokesman said.
"Iraq's prime minister reiterated that the government will not allow any forces to cross Iraqi borders," said Ali al-Dabbagh.
In a statement delivered later Tuesday by Erdogan as he stood next to al-Maliki at the end of the visit, the Turkish leader said Turkey respects Iraqi sovereignty but emphasized that the Kurdish rebels are a threat to its security and that it will continue to combat them in the future....

85,000 people are a lot of people. Some would say that is an underestimate. I probably is. In 2003, Fallujah was a city of 600,000 people in 2003. 85,000 seems like an underestimate. There are still those in refugee camps and the Iraqi government can't say for sure all their citizens are accounted for within all the dispersals over the years since March 2003.

Iraq says 85,000 violently killed (click here)
Page last updated at 17:24 GMT, Wednesday, 14 October 2009 18:24 UK
Just over 85,000 Iraqis were killed in Iraq between 2004 and 2008, according to the first estimate from the Iraqi government since the war began.
The figure is based on death certificates issued by the ministry of health and included 15,000 unidentified bodies.
It counts violent deaths of military, police and civilians, but does not include foreigners or insurgents.
Previous attempts to calculate the number of dead have been controversial.
Past reports have used a number of different methods to produce estimates ranging from more than 100,000 to well over half a million deaths since 2003.
The Ministry of Human Rights included the figure in a larger report into human rights in the country....

It would seem the Iraqi army and police are being loyal to their leadership. They are fighting and dying to secure their country.

FACTBOX-Security developments in Iraq, Oct 15 (click here)
Thu Oct 15, 2009 8:43am EDT
Oct 15 (Reuters) - Following are security developments in Iraq at 1230 GMT on Thursday.* denotes a new or updated item*
MOSUL - A roadside bomb killed one policeman and wounded another officer and three civilians in western Mosul, 390 km (240 miles) north of Baghdad, police said.*
MOSUL - A roadside bomb targeting an Iraqi army patrol wounded one civilian in eastern Mosul, police said.*
BAGHDAD - A roadside bomb killed an Iraqi soldier and wounded two others and one civilian in north Baghdad's Adhamiya district, police said.
KIRKUK - A roadside bomb wounded four Iraqi policemen in southern Kirkuk, 250 km (155 miles) north of Baghdad, a police source said.
TUZ KHURMATO - A roadside bomb wounded a member of the Kurdish security forces on Wednesday in Tuz Khurmato, 170 km (105 miles) north of Baghdad, police said.
RAMADI - An assailant attacked and wounded a local journalist on Wednesday in Ramadi, 100 km (60 miles) west of Baghdad, police said.


Returning to Iraq: Oregon Army National Guard soldiers on leave reenter the war zone (click here)
By Mike Francis, The Oregonian
October 15, 2009, 5:25PM
KUWAIT CITY – It feels like any commercial flight, this Ryan Air 767 out of Dallas. "Get Smart" plays on the movie screens in each cabin, and flight attendants walk the aisles, collecting napkins and plastic cups. And then the pilot turns on the intercom and delivers an ambivalent welcome. "We're sorry to have to bring you back, but hopefully we'll see you on another one of our flights real soon, when you're coming home for good."...



Exclusive: Army Brigade Will Not Go to Iraq in January as Scheduled (click here)
Move Frees Up an Additional Combat Unit That Could Be Sent to Afghanistan
By LUIS MARTINEZ
Oct. 15, 2009
In perhaps another sign of the improving security situation in Iraq, an Army brigade slated to replace a departing unit this January has received orders not to deploy, defense officials told ABC News....

And this time when we leave a war behind we are doing it the right way. We aren't leaving enough munitions in the country for them to start and conduct still another war. The USA is leaving and taking everything home. I would think the USA and its allies need most of it in Afghanistan.

Leaving Iraq Is a Feat That Requires an Army (click title to entry - thank you)
By MARC SANTORA
Published: October 8, 2009
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq — There is no more visible sign that America is putting the Iraq war behind it than the colossal operation to get its stuff out: 20,000 soldiers, nearly a sixth of the force here, assigned to a logistical effort aimed at dismantling some 300 bases and shipping out 1.5 million pieces of equipment, from tanks to coffee makers.
It is the largest movement of soldiers and matériel in more than four decades, the military said.
By itself, such a withdrawal would be daunting, but it is further complicated by attacks from an insurgency that remains active; the sensitivities of the Iraqi government about a visible American presence; disagreements with the Iraqis about what will be left for them; and consideration for what equipment is urgently needed in Afghanistan....

California comes out of the closet and Ahnold is no Girly Man. Will the USA follow?

...The highly contentious piece of legislation (click here) drew strong support from the gay community and ire from conservative groups. After vetoing a similar bill last year, and recently implying that he would veto all of the bills on his desk if the legislature did not agree on a water bill, Schwarzenegger surprised many with his decision to honor Milk....



Governor OKs Harvey Milk Day, marriage bill (click title to entry - thank you)
Wyatt Buchanan, Chronicle Sacramento Bureau
Tuesday, October 13, 2009

...The governor signed the measure late Sunday along with new laws to help gay and lesbian people in the state, including a measure giving same-sex couples legally married in other states all the rights of marriage in California.
While the governor vetoed the bill honoring Milk last year, President Obama's awarding Milk the Presidential Medal of Freedom and an Academy Award-winning film about Milk's life moved Schwarzenegger to sign the bill, spokesman Aaron McLear said.
"The bill is symbolic of the importance of the gay community to California, which is why he signed it," McLear said, adding that Schwarzenegger wanted to "honor that community." It is the only such day of recognition for a gay or lesbian person in the United States.
The measure was among 478 bills signed by Schwarzenegger on Sunday, the deadline for him to act on legislation passed by the Legislature before its session ended Sept. 11. The governor vetoed 229 bills....

Obama: "I will end Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

As noted in The NYTimes - "It is what the Afghan Constitution call for and there are two qualified candidates."

Musadeq Sadeq/Associated Press
A billboard for the candidate Abdullah Abdullah towering over a broom seller in Kabul, where many voters said they were leery of a presidential runoff.

Democracy is not always perfect. I am confident in the early years of the USA's thirteen original colonies there was a lot of 'stumbling' when elections were held.

Democracy and the Afghan Constitution is not the enemy to the people, it is corruption that is the enemy to freedom. They cannot abandon the document that brings them qualified candidates to their democracy. They must seek to 'perfect' the process and root out the corruption.

No matter whom wins the 'runoff election' Afghanistan will be in good hands. I believe there will be less corruption than the first election. There are only two candidates, there is less opportunity for dishonest results.

Corruption is fought when there is loyalty to the 'idea' of law and not the current threat of warlords. It is very important the elections go forward and democracy under the Afghan Constitution is 'honored.'

Either candidate is more than qualified. The Afghan people have been well served to date by having two qualified candidates resulting from the first election. They should have fun with their political loyalties and seek to perfect their election process. This is a second chance to practice perfection. It should get easier and easier to master 'the task' each time. Loyalty to the Constitution is the demonstration of the bravery of people deserving of a good life.

The Afghans are very intelligent people. I couldn't make a broom like that.

The Iranian Picture is finally taking shape. I congratulate Secretary Clinton for exposing all the details.

Basically, I think the world is saying, "Let's not get this wrong."

IAEA, Iran Settle on Date for Qom Inspections
Inspectors Will Arrive on October 25
by Jason Ditz, October 04, 2009
In a move that one can only assume will end the constant international “demands” for Iran to provide access to its Qom facility, IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei has announced that the agency has finalized talks with Iran and will visit the site on October 25....

Kindly note, this is Al Jezeera making this noteworthy title. There is such a thing as International Law developed by International Treaties. If every country on the planet ignores it and/or walks all over it, the meaning and purpose is lost. I sincerely doubt the Arab nations want a nuclear Middle East. I am sure they would rather have all countries disarm from it.

IAEA: Iran on wrong side of law (click here)
Mohamed ElBaradei, the head of the United Nation's nuclear watchdog, has said that Iran was "on the wrong side of the law" by not declaring it had developed a second uranium enrichment plant before last week.
The comments from ElBaradei, the director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), came a day before talks in Geneva between Iran and six world powers over Tehran's nuclear programme.
Iran disclosed the construction of the second plant to the IAEA after Western intelligence agents reportedly discovered its existence....


U.S. boosts spending on bunker-buster bomb (click here)
Last Updated: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 1:27 PM
CBC News
The Pentagon is speeding up the deployment of an enormous bomb designed to destroy hidden weapons bunkers buried deep underground, one that would be the largest non-nuclear weapon in the U.S. arsenal.
The 13.6-tonne massive ordnance penetrator (MOP) carries about 2,400 kilograms of explosives and is so heavy only one can be carried aboard a B-2 Stealth bomber.
The U.S. Department of Defence's decision to award the $51.9 million US contract to Boeing Co. earlier this month signals a renewed commitment to the weapon, which began testing in 2007 but had languished for two years because of budgetary issues. It is being designed jointly by Boeing and defence contractor Northrop Grumman....

D5W-NS - Myoglobin - High Energy Virus - Give the virus what it wants.

The Swine Flu is NOT to be thought of as simply 'another' virus. The victims are completely atypical. These are young healthy adults in their 30s, they don't usually die from the flu. This is different. I have spoken with a young woman that had the virus and she stated while recovering from the virus she sustained two different bacterial infections as well. She was treated outpatient, but, was quite ill for more time than one would expect. The treatment probably needs antibiotics at the onset as well as fluid support for body organs. It sounds like shock to me. Like, a 'Septic Shock.'

I am completely guessing here, but, it sounds as though the virus hungers for 'high fat content' and results in attacking muscle and releasing myoglobin.

I can't help but wonder what kind of blood tests medical doctors are using to ward off the effects of H1N1. We know this virus loves an obese environment, therefore, it probably has a rapid and high demand on the body for energy at the time of infection. If the body doesn't deliver the energy in high amounts that would be found in the obese immediately it begins to attack muscle tissue in search for its 'best' environment and thus creating artificially what it cannot find otherwise.

By establishing itself inside the body of an organism and establishing a food source such as fat or muscle, it then rapidly replicates and send the victim into shock. There has to be acknowledgement by the populous that once they have the virus they do not 'stay at home' and eat chicken soup. The public should seek immediate medical attention upon realizing they are infected.

There ? can ? be a trend in the 'body types' most heavily effected by this virus. It was stated it has an etiology from a Mexican pig farm. What happened to the pigs? Did they have a sudden collapse or did they go undetected for a period of time? Some of the trend found at the source of the infection might reveal some clues about ultimate treatment, however, we might be seeing mutated strains as the coarse of this virus continues.

Are the people infected with this virus, that die, depleted of healthy body tissue? Are they coming in very sick or slightly sick?

My thoughts are that if the virus has everything it needs by infusing D5 or even D10 it will leave the body tissues alone. The NS will continue to infuse the kidneys and maintain body pressure without compromising the integrity of the myocardium. I can't help but expect most of these folks are autopsied until more is revealed about the virus. Autopsies should include microscopic examination of heart tissue and kidney tissue to find if the virus is setting up its best environment first in those organs.

Both the kidney and the heart have their own supply of adipose tissue that protect them from friction and the like, is it those tissues the virus also finds attractive and therefore effects the outcome of the patient, no different than Vioxx was found to remove fat tissue from around the heart then leading to heart attack and heart failure.

There is a reason for this trend and to 'feed a virus' exactly what it wants might help save the person.

Good luck.

...South Florida hospitals see some of the same trends. (click title to entry - thank you) ``We're finding it in a huge variety of populations,'' said Dr. Lillian Abbo, assistant professor of infectious diseases at the University of Miami Medical School/Jackson Memorial Hospital. ``We're seeing it in young healthy adults we wouldn't expect to get as ill as this.''
The Canadian study looked at 168 swine flu patients in 38 adult and pediatric intensive care units. The patients who arrived at the hospitals with severe cases of flu had an average age of 32.2 years. Thirty-three of them died within 90 days of being admitted to the hospital.
``Our data suggest that severe disease and mortality in the current outbreak is concentrated in relatively healthy adolescents and adults between the ages of 10 and 60 years,'' wrote the study's chief author, Dr. Anand Kumar of the Health Sciences Centre and St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg....

...Patients admitted to hospitals in the Canadian study with severe symptoms usually had low levels of oxygen in the blood, fluid in the lungs and, in the most serious, multisystem organ failure, the study said. The patients worsened quickly after being admitted, most being transferred to intensive care units within two days. Most survived after intensive, long treatment....

Will the Private Insurance Companies GUARANTEE their rates won't go any higher than that by 2019? They are suppose to skyrocket far more that that!

I am just a little tired of the hypocrisy already. The USA Senate and House are settling this hideous circumstance the American people have to face from now into eternity and the health care insurance industry is expected to be charging far more than THAT prediction by 2019.

...The finance panel bill calls (click title to entry - thank you) for sweeping insurance market reforms, requires most individuals to obtain medical policies and provides tax subsidies to help people afford coverage. The bill also would tax high-cost insurance plans and would place a $500,000 limit on the amount of executive pay that health insurance companies could deduct from taxable income....

If the current 'trends' in Health Care Insurance continues without legislative intervention, the companies will be charging more for their insurance and be insuring far fewer people.

The legislation should 'help' the insurance companies simply because it requires all people of the country to be insured. It is why the government has to supply a public option to 'contain' the cost of health insurance to the nation.

Any health care insurance company always 'does better' with their 'bottom line' with more subscribers and less liability for payments. Mandating that all Americans carry health care insurance will broaden the base of their enrollment, increase the amount of dollars they receive into their treasuries, therefore, increasing the support for the individuals that have chronic and devastating health care issues.

Example:

If within a 'populous of the insured' there are 100 people being treated for cancer and that treatment costs $25,000 each those costs have less of an impact if the enrollment is 100,000 enrollees rather than 10,000.

That is a simple illustration of what will occur when the Senate and House pass their health care insurance reform bills.

Each private health care company will have increased enrollments of people that they have to accept and their liability for the costs will be shared better than if they continue to limit the populous of their enrollees to few and few individuals. Their 'methodology' makes no sense. The problem they are having is maintaining their exploitive profit margin. That will probably shrink, but, there will still be stockholders to receive payments quarterly.

The reason there has to be a public option is because without it the health insurance companies will exploit the American people for higher and higher profits. Health care is far too important to leave up to the private sector now or in the future. The people of this country have been wounded enough by corrupt practices with unnecessary deaths and those that could not achieve adequate care until they were disabled and on Medicare.

There has to be government regulation of the health care insurance industry so the 'same' practices don't continue to plague this country. They are untrustworthy. Their statements here are lies designed to alienate the electorate from the passage of these bills. They will be regulated and there will be a public option to control costs. Just that simple. This is an example of the ruthlessness of the industry and the extreme disregard they have for the well being of the people of this nation.

Basically, there are no accurate estimations from the insurance company lobbies. Why? Because their current enrollments are askewed. The majority of young people in this country are without health care insurance and as soon as they are added to the rolls the premiums should plummet and not escalate. The good news is, the young people within that population that need health care insurance will have it and they can still pursue the American dream without it being dashed to oblivion because they are diagnosed with an illness they didn't expect.

Young people in the USA need their health insurance no different than older Americans. They need to develop good habits when they are young and carry them through into older adulthood. The 'truth' is the health care insurance industry has no clue to what their cost to income ratio will be because they are so corrupted by faux values and standards they hold so dear now !

Bush financed the reconstitution of the Taliban and now the Pakistani military is rejecting aid Pakistan linked to social programs to reverse damage

Al-Qaida threatens to attack China (click title to entry - thank you)
(China Daily)Updated: 2009-10-08 08:56
DUBAI: A prominent Al-Qaida militant on Wednesday threatened to attack Chinese targets in "reprisal" for the July 5 riots in Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.
He urged Uygurs in Xinjiang to "make serious preparations" for a "holy war" against the Chinese government and called on fellow Muslims for support.
Abu Yahya al-Libi, in a video posted on an Islamist website yesterday, called for "a true return to their (Uygurs) religion and ... serious preparation for jihad in the path of God the Almighty and to carry weapons ..."

Those responsible for the uprising in Uygars state they are losing their culture. I doubt that is the case, although any terrorist entity that would be seeking the use of nukes might try that as a propaganda tool. There is a provision in the UN Charter that defines genocide and that includes the loss of culture as well. There has been no history of China leadership seeking to destroy the culture of its people.

Impoverishment and oppression is an enemy to any government. People living with impoverishment are easily swayed to believe anyone that they are better off in uprising than in living their lives painfully filled with daily struggle. It is why the USA's social fabric seeks to advocate for freedom peacefully obtained through elections and why corruption is an enemy.

There were 200 people killed during the rioting and the Chinese military has control. I strongly suggest the Chinese rehabilitate the region before al Qaeda creates a Talibanesque influence within the Chinese borders. China must maintain a benevolent presence in the region and seek to educate and build an economy for the people there. I do not hold the Chinese government for this problem, but, do hold them responsible for the empathy toward this region of China that must follow this traumatic event.

China gives death sentence over Uighur brawl case (click here)
Sat Oct 10, 2009 6:12pm IST
BEIJING (Reuters) - A court in southern China has handed out a death sentence to a man involved in a brawl in July blamed for being the trigger to deadly riots in the restive far western region of Xinjiang.
State media said the fight erupted between a group of Han Chinese and ethnic Uighur workers from Xinjiang at a factory in Shaoguan, Guangdong province, after a rumour spread that some Uighurs had raped two women.
The courts in Shaoguan also gave another man life imprisonment, and nine others got sentences ranging from five to eight years in jail, the official Xinhua news agency said.
Two Uighur workers were beaten to death in the fight, and three others were severely injured, the report said.....


Pakistani soldiers in Qila Abdullah near the Afghan border. Photograph: Matiullah Achakzai/EPA

Basically, Musharraf was a terrorist. The Taliban and al Qaeda were his buddies and he made more of the 'tribal area' as an uncontrollabe problem because it was convenient to allow the growth of Taliban extremism. Reconstituting the Taliban, if McCann had been elected, would have put a 'handy dissendent military' within the Pakistan rhelm of influence to attack India.

Bush had no desire to stop the escalation of the Taliban, his 'political clout' revolved around the Iraq War. Bush and Cheney figured 'that region of the world' was hopelessly lost to extremism. The fact of the matter is they never bothered to place importance on 'settling' the region into civilization as we know it. It was also costly. Imagine what $700 billion would do to stop al Qaeda? Hm? Bush and Cheney were incompetent and the figure heads to their cronies.
5.30pm GMT
Up to 70% of US aid to Pakistan 'misspent' (click here)
Declan Walsh in Islamabad
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 27 February 2008 17.49 GMT
America's massive military aid package to Pakistan has come under scrutiny after allegations that as much as 70% of $5.4bn in assistance has been misspent.
Since 2002, the US has paid the operating costs of Pakistan's military operations in the tribal belt along the Afghan border, where Taliban and al-Qaida fighters are sheltering.
Pakistan provides over 100,000 troops and directs the fight; the US foots the bill for food, fuel, ammunition and maintenance. The cash payments — averaging $80m a month — have been a cornerstone of US support for President Pervez Musharraf.
But over the past 18 months, as militants seized vast swaths of the tribal belt and repelled a string of Pakistani offensives, the funding has come under the microscope....


There are problems in Pakistan.

The Old Musharraf regime isn't allowing the reverse of the 'social trend' of the Taliban. They demand for the Pakistani government refuse USA aid linked to anti -terror measures.

With a redirected effort under the new leadership in Pakistan the military is attempting another coup. The Pakistani military has a horrible reputation of 'going it alone' outside the influence of its leaders. I strongly suggest the new government replace its military leadership and bring less decent regarding the new Pakistani government and its ally, the USA.

US Congress votes to triple aid to Pakistan (click here)
Legislation aimed at quelling anti-Americanism heads to President Barack Obama for his signature
Associated Press
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 30 September 2009 20.54 BST
Legislation to triple US aid to Pakistan and stem the tide of radicalism and anti-Americanism within the Asian country cleared Congress today and moved to President Barack Obama for his signature.
The bill, approved by a voice vote in the House of Representatives, would provide Pakistan with $1.5bn (£938m) in aid a year over the next five years focused on democratic, economic and social development programmes.
"The United States has an enormous stake in the security and stability of Pakistan," said House foreign affairs committee chairman Howard Berman, a Democrat. "We need to forge a true strategic partnership with Pakistan and its people, strengthen Pakistan's democratic government and work to make Pakistan a source of stability in a volatile region."...

Bad habits die hard ! This level of anarchy within the Pakistan military that see The Taliban as a legitimate authority among the people has to stop. Controlling the rebuilding of Pakistan to stop the Taliban influence is wrong and the people will side with those that improve their quality of life. It is time get started. The people of this region live in large refugee camps that have existed for over three decades. They are tribal because they don't have cities, education and an economy. It is time to break the back of the Taliban camel.


Pakistan's military rejects US aid bill (click here)
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-10-09 08:10
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's powerful military rejected US attempts to link billions of dollars in foreign aid to increased monitoring of its anti-terror efforts, complicating American attempts to strike Al-Qaida and Taliban fighters on the Afghan border.
Although the US-backed government of President Asif Ali Zardari has the final say on whether to accept the money, the unusual public criticism threatens to force its hand and undermine military cooperation with the Americans just as the Pakistani army prepares for what could be its most important offensive against extremists since the US-led anti-terror campaign began exactly eight years ago.
Any breakdown in intelligence sharing and other types of cooperation would hurt the American fight against a resurgent Taliban in Afghanistan. US and NATO commanders say the war there cannot be won unless Islamabad does more to tackle extremists on its side of the border.

In Washington, President Barack Obama met with his national security team for a strategy session on Afghanistan after signaling that he was not considering a troop withdrawal. The session came amid new polls showing waning support for the war in the United States.
The military's criticism of the bill came in a brief written statement that said senior commanders, including the army chief, "expressed serious concern regarding clauses impacting on national security."
Among other strings, the bill conditions US aid on whether Pakistan government maintains effective control over the military, including its budgets, the chain of command and top promotions.
Some analysts said the military's statement had little to do with genuine dislike of a bill that stands to help crumbling schools, roads and hospitals. They said the army was sending a message to the Pakistani and US governments about the limits of civilian control in a country that's been subject to military rule for about half of its 62-year history....

It is about time someone spoke up. FOX controls their content to 'specific' tones and event and they lie. It isn't journalism.

FOX is well endowed enough fiscally to be able to 'buy' their eyewitness and experts. As a result they frequently have content others do not and others have to purchase FOX footage which in turn pays for the 'high end' exclusivity of their content.

However, the reason FOX does this is to 'entrap' viewers into believing their point of view is the most correct and the most informed. They do this to exploit air time with 'commentators' that exploit the issue by lacing it with lies as 'commentators' are not journalists and are not bound to any ethical standard.

In other words, FOX fits the facts to the crime rather than other way around. I don't watch them. I listen to local broadcasts whenever a radio is nearby to stay up on the exploitation of their 'airwaves' so I know 'what they are up to.' But, I don't listen for facts. If there are any events broadcast on FOX that is news, I always turn to a better source for 'the truth.'

Twenty-four years ago, Murdock gave up his Australian citizenship to build a better empire. As an Aussie he was limited to the extent he could play politics within the content of news. He wanted 'a hand' in the big game. Australia had and has small wars compared to the extent the USA can be involved. He wanted to 'wheel and deal' power and he didn't care who was who in politics. He felt he should and could back anyone he chose and push them into power and he was successful doing exactly that in Great Britain. Tony Blair was elected as a Labour Party candidate because Murdock threw in with him, either by Blair's consent or not.

This desire of Murdock's News Corp. to 'play politics' with the news is 'his style.' He doesn't care. He wants to be King of the World and that is exactly what he sets out to do. He is dangerous and he does not play by the rules. He has news media control on three 'fiscally significant' continents on the planet; Europe, North America and Asia.

He dines with heads of state on personal levels and relishes the moment. Like what? It is corruption and anyone that is within the realm of government found dining with Murdock should be on the front page of The National Enquirer. He is a dangerous person and quite frankly The Wall Street journal was obtained by him to control 'the markets.' The Wall Street Journal, in all honesty has become another Murdock rag. It is exploitive and now 'sponsors' Right Wing extremists such as Rove on a regular basis.

I am sure Murdock would say, "At least they can come to us when no one wants to hear what they have to say." Really? That is important? We need to hear from former government officials that have run illegal wars, destroyed the global financial infrastructure and 'play head games' with the electorate of a ? democracy ? I don't think so.

There is a huge difference between 'the tone' of a newspaper's reporting and its 'siding' with a particular party. Since Murdock existed in the media business in Australia he has done nothing but 'play politics' with the power of journalism and the media. He takes sides and espouses particular vernaculars of speech and structuring. His 'commentators' are disciplined in 'towing the line.' They are paid well for it.

FOX isn't a reliable news reporting station, it is a news entertainment station and so are their radio stations. They toy with fantasy more than facts and their listeners and viewers like it and 'go along for the ride' because there is usually a 'bottom line' in it for them.

One might say, people have a right to conduct themselves and their businesses as they see fit, but, when a 'news entertainment' media portrays themselves as 'real and factual' there are all kinds of problems in the greater world. Climate Change and the profound denial by 'corporate' entities and how that translates into power over the electorate is a 'clear danger' and no one bothered to stop it.

Facts are facts and when they are 'clouded' with innuendo and 'covert purpose' it effects the outcome to people that isn't at all in their best interest, nor, the national security of any country.

I don't like him.

I think he is a jerk.

And reminds me of a child out of control with a very powerful tool he has no intention of being responsible 'to' or 'for.'

In the hands of a 'quality corporation' News Corp could be a miracle worker rather than a war rag.

There is definately a pattern and the White House is exactly correct. The question is what are they going to do besides talk about it.

Take the flu shots. The Swine Flu deaths in the USA are escalating and this is only October.

16 Kids Die of Swine Flu in 1 Week (click here)
By MIKE STOBBE,
AP
ATLANTA (Oct. 9) - Health officials said Friday that 76 children have died of swine flu in the U.S., including 16 new reports in the past week — more evidence the new virus is unusually dangerous in kids.
The regular flu kills between 46 and 88 children a year, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.



Symptoms of Swine Flu (click title to entry)
-Fever,
-Cough,
-Sore throat
-Runny nose
-Body aches
-Headache
-Chills
-Fatigue.
-Many people with swine flu have had diarrhea and vomiting.
-Nearly everyone with flu has at least two of these symptoms.

With the symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea comes fluid depletion of healthy body fluid balance. Anytime there is diarrhea and/or vomiting there is loss of 'electrolytes.' The loss of fluid and electrolytes from the body cause higher chances of severe illness, hospitalization and death.

Fluid depletion in children make any illness far worse and more likely to cause hospitalization of the child.

From Web MD (click here):

Who is at highest risk from H1N1 swine flu?
Most U.S. cases of H1N1 swine flu have been in children and young adults. It's not clear why, and it's not clear whether this will change.
But certain groups are at particularly high risk of severe disease or bad outcomes if they get the flu:
Pregnant women are six times more likely to have severe flu disease than women who are not pregnant.
Young children, especially those under 2 years of age
People with cardiovascular conditions (except high blood pressure)
People with liver problems
People with kidney problems
People with blood disorders, including sickle cell disease
People with neurologic disorders
People with neuromuscular disorders
People with metabolic disorders, including diabetes
People with immune suppression, including HIV infection and medications that suppress the immune system, such as cancer chemotherapy or anti-rejection drugs for transplants
Residents of a nursing home or other chronic-care facility
Elderly people are at high risk of severe flu disease -- if they get it. Relatively few swine flu cases have been seen in people over age 65.
People in these groups should seek medical care as soon as they get flu symptoms.
A striking number of adults who developed severe swine flu complications have been morbidly obese. However, obesity itself does not seem to be the issue. The vast majority of extremely obese people suffer respiratory problems and/or diabetes, which seem to be the underlying reason for their severe flu complications....

Obesity is a 'co-morbidity' with this virus because 'genetically' it has two components of swine, one of human and one of avian. It is the avain part of the virus that is making it more virulent, in my opinion. Obesity doesn't mean it predisposes a person to the virus, but, once having been infected the illness will have a greater severity due to the 'double measure of swine' component to the virus.

Viruses are nasty things. They aren't autonomously able to reproduce, they use the host's cells RNA to replicate. So, obese people have a more 'homey' environment to this virus and find it easier to replicate and cause more stress on the host.

With escalating deaths this early in the season it will increase exponently and there is absolutely no reason to 'play' with thing. Take the regular vaccine for The Flu and take the Swine Flu vaccine when it is available.

I realize it is a new vaccine and the absolute outcome is unknown, but, what is known is that people are beginning to die from this virus in numbers that should be a red flag.

US, other nations stop counting pandemic flu cases (click here)
By MIKE STOBBE (AP) – 1 day ago
ATLANTA — U.S. health officials have lost track of how many illnesses and deaths have been caused by the first global flu epidemic in 40 years.
And they did it on purpose.
Government doctors stopped counting swine flu cases in July, when they estimated more than 1 million were infected in this country. The number of deaths has been sitting at more than 600 since early September. Health officials had previously counted lab-confirmed cases, though the tally was skewed because many people who got sick never were tested.
Other nations have stopped relying on lab-confirmed cases, too, and health officials say the current monitoring system is adequate. But not having specific, accurate counts of swine flu means the government doesn't have a clear picture of how hard the infection is hitting some groups of people, said Andrew Pekosz, a flu expert at Johns Hopkins University....

I liked what Mike said. I know a real man when I hear from one. We are a little tired of war. But. For eight years the Right ravaged the world.

It is going to take some time to 'right' it again. One has to believe that the world wants peace. If one doesn't believe other nations are sincere, there can be a door left open to debate about the Nobel Peace Prize.

I know the world wants peace. I am confident the world wants peace. How? Easy.

The United States and Russia have been moving toward this venue of peaceful coexistance for quite some time now. It has been difficult through the years of The Cold War to stop both the USSR and the USA from posturing at each other. It was such a joke. The Cold War was like throwing stones at each other and it didn't make sense. The only thing The Cold War did was to allow the growth of hatred and fuel the industrial complexes of war machines. It is insane.

The USA and Russia share a program where by missiles armed with uranium are disarmed and the uranium is returned to be processed into fuel for energy. We have been doing that a long time.

The USA and Russia has been sharing the International Space Station as 'comrades' for a long, long time.

There are former leaders of Russia (at the time it was the USSR) that teach in the USA. They are friends to our society and stand as examples of vast outreach to bring understanding to us and to the leaders such as Prime Minister Putin and the current President Dmitriy Anatolyevich Medvedev.

China has never truly been confrontation to the USA. They have been allies of Russia since at least the year 2000 and more like for as long as they shared a border. There has never truly been a threat from China so much as they securing their own borders. Countries are allowed a 'National Defense Strategy.'

In many ways, that is what Iran is doing. They are solely the only major Shi'ite nation on Earth and they want to be 'as homeland status' no different than Israel. The Shi'ites had it very tough under the rule of Hussein. They will feel more comfortable when the USA footprint in Iraq is gone or near gone and they can feel as though their people will be secure on Earth as well. The problem with the Iranian issues is somewhat the same as with North Korea, Pakistan and India and Israel in that they should NOT have nuclear weapons. And of course, Israel will deny it. Someday Israel too will have to face the fact that their 'National Security' is better served without these weapons.

There are only five 'legal' nuclear countries and they have the right to 'contain' the growth of proliferation. It was an agenda before all this mess got out of control and out of control it is. Absolutely. It isn't as though President Obama has some strange and foreign 'pie in the sky' idea. This is a path that was abandoned for the past eight years. It is a well worn path for most of the major nations of Earth. It is time to return to that path, but, it had to be 'secured' by the words of the President of the USA. If we aren't a partner in Non-Proliferation, no one else will be either.

What is so incredibly unbelievable about the aggressive demands of the Bush/Cheney years is they claim to be Christians. There is such a thing as "The Christian Doctrine of Peace" (click here). The Neocons of the USA liked to bask in the light of their religious zealotry, but, they never wanted to practice it. They had no plans to, they wanted the domination of the world's resources. China was never viewed as a country to trust with ouR debt, it was viewed by the Neocons, the Right Wing, the Republicans as a National Security Issue now that they carried so much of the USA debt.

The willingness of China to extend the USA credit was viewed as a weakness by the Republicans and their people a place for fiscal exploitation by The West. There is the belief by many that have money, it takes war to obtain more. More control, more resources to exploit, more domination of the 'world forum' and the ability to do exactly what occurred last year at the end of the Bush White House.

Some lessons are learned hard in this world. It is my sincere hope and desire the people of the USA find the confidence they need again to believe peace and prosperity are possible. They have to demand it through their elections. What is so unbelievable is that people still think they did the right thing by lying to so many others as demonstrated by the health care issue and defaming the Democrats and the President when everything they stated was true. The Right Wing of the political system of the USA likes to say, "Who drank the Kool-Aid?" They need to look in the mirror and realize how victimizing they are, how out of touch they are and how misdirected their value system truly is.

But, I like Mike's letter. It is sincere as is most of his life. He has been pivotal stopping the unfettered escalation of hate in the USA and leanings toward violence. "Bowling for Columbine" is an absolutely magnificent portrayal of the extremes of violence in the USA culture and how it fuels permission for our out of control military industrial complex that needs justification by the act of war. He opened my eyes. I, no different than he, no different than many others in the USA want the wars to end. But, we have to believe in a man in the White House that sincerely wants peace and the end of violence just as much if not more than we do.

I'll say it again. President Barak Obama is a man of peace. He is not a man of 'weakness.' He has been walking this path for many, many years. He has dedicated himself through achievement that should have set him on a different path, but, he never left us. We never knew he was coming. But, he was determined to arrive.

It is too good to be true. But, now that it is true, we need to embrace what is rightfully ours to embrace that we have advocated and marched and died for along the way. Those students at Kent State would be proud of their President and now we can more proud of them than ever before. We need to remember whom we are in this world and we need to trust the men and women that have never been deterred from the path.

Peace.

The Nobel Peace Prize isn't about politics, it is about the lack of it !

The Right Wing is attempting to 'game' the award for political gain.

It won't happen. Granted the Obama award is about government and its role in the world, it puts weight in his favor in 2012, however, the Nobel Peace Prize wasn't awarded to President Obama because of his accomplishments to date. It was awarded to him because of his Doctrine.

Why am I not surprised the Neocons are mocking a peace doctrine? It might actually cut into the profits of the USA Military Industrial Complex and the cronies of the party. The Republican Party and Michael Steele are making fools of themselves.

A United States of America President is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for advocating Nuclear Non-Proliferation at the very time Iran is a ticking time bomb and Michael Steele and the Republican Bozos are mocking the effort.

Dear God, what next?

They ought to be ashamed of themselves. Both for the insult it pays this country to the world and using it as a marketing tool. What as the GOP come to?

President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize win mocked in GOP fundraising letter (click here)
BY Samuel Goldsmith
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Updated Saturday, October 10th 2009, 3:02 PM
The GOP is using President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize as a fundraising tool, by mocking the award in a send-money letter to Republicans.
Russia's president congratulated Obama on Saturday for the surprising honor, and even Cold War foe Fidel Castro said he was happy for him.
But Republican National Committee head Michael Steele is bristling with outrage, saying in a letter that Obama won the prize "for awesomeness."
It shows "how meaningless a once honorable and respected award has become," he wrote, asking for contributions of $25 to $1,000 for the RNC....

Where did anyone get the idea that being super wealthy was okay? Bill Gates?

Tax on those that earn more than $200,000 is more than appropriate and protects the Middle Class from exploitation of the entites that are 'too big to fail.' If the wealthy are going to play the game Elizabeth Warren explains so well here and demonstrated by Former Secretary Paulson, then it is up to them to fund their own failures, NOT The Middle Class of the USA !!!!

On the path to a sustainable nuclear free world.

President Obama addressing the United Nations.

There have been other USA Presidents that have won the Nobel Peace Prize, but, NONE with less than a year of time in office. Barak Obama is a remarkable man. A brave, truthful and sincere leader.

I could not be more proud of our country at this moment. He bravely stepped 'out of the box' and put it on the table. There will be peace and there will be non-proliferation. Isn't that what the USA is all about?

I also don't believe we can foresake the peace of the people of Afghanistan either. Peace sometimes comes with a price and it sometimes means securing the USA away from any future 'infrastructure' failures, while, building alliances that will perpetuate a future of our children and Earth.

From the New York Times:

In Surprise, Nobel Peace Prize to Obama for Diplomacy (click title to entry - thank you)
...The award cited in particular Mr. Obama’s effort to reduce the world’s nuclear arsenal. “He has created a new international climate,” the committee said....

From the Chicago Tribune:

Obama: Nobel Prize for Peace
Posted October 9, 2009 7:55 AM
by Mark Silva and updated
President Barack Obama, who has pledged to place diplomacy ahead of confrontation and reached out to a skeptical world with offers of mutual understanding, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize today for what the committee called "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples."...

From the Washington Post:

Barack Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize (click here)
By Debbi Wilgoren and Scott Wilson
Washington Post Staff Writers Friday, October 9, 2009; 9:44 AM
President Obama was awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize Friday for his work to improve international diplomacy and rid the world of nuclear weapons -- a stunning decision to celebrate a figure virtually unknown in the world before he launched his campaign for the White House nearly three years ago....

From the Los Angeles Times:

President Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize (click here)
The Nobel committee notes 'his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.'
By Mark Silva Los Angeles Times
October 9, 2009 4:46 a.m.
Reporting from Washington — President Obama, who has pledged to place diplomacy ahead of confrontation and reached out to a skeptical world with offers of mutual understanding, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize today for what the committee called "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples."
Obama is only the third sitting U.S. president to win the Nobel Peace Prize -- President Theodore Roosevelt won the award in 1906, President Woodrow Wilson in 1919....

From the Houston Chronicle (It wasn't their lead story - click here. I mean what?):

President Barack Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize (click here)
By KARL RITTER and MATT MOORE Associated Press
Oct. 9, 2009, 8:12AM
...Nobel observers were shocked by the unexpected choice so early in the Obama presidency, which began less than two weeks before the Feb. 1 nomination deadline.
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Obama woke up to the news a little before 6 a.m. EDT. The White House had no immediate comment on the announcement, which took the administration by surprise.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee decided not to inform Obama before the announcement because it didn't want to wake him up, committee chairman Thorbjoern Jagland said.
"Waking up a president in the middle of the night, this isn't really something you do," Jagland said....

From the Miami Herald:

In a surprise, Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize (click here)
..."Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future," Jagland said.
Obama's election and foreign policy moves caused a dramatic improvement in the image of the U.S. around the world. A 25-nation poll of 27,000 people released in July by the Pew Global Attitudes Project found double-digit boosts to the percentage of people viewing the U.S. favorably in countries around the world. That indicator had plunged across the world under President George W. Bush.
Still, the U.S. remains at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. Congress has yet to pass a law reducing carbon emissions and there has been little significant reduction in global nuclear stockpiles since Obama took office.
"So soon? Too early. He has no contribution so far. He is still at an early stage. He is only beginning to act," said former Polish President Lech Walesa, a 1983 Nobel Peace laureate....

I don't believe Walesa was ever nominated.

From the Boston Globe:

In a surprise, Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize (click here)
By Karl Ritter and Matt Moore
Associated Press Writers / October 9, 2009
...The award appeared to be a slap at Bush from a committee that harshly criticized Obama's predecessor for his largely unilateral military action in the wake of the Sept. 11 terror attacks. The Nobel committee praised Obama's creation of "a new climate in international politics" and said he had returned multilateral diplomacy and institutions like the U.N. to the center of the world stage.
"You have to remember that the world has been in a pretty dangerous phase," Jagland said. "And anybody who can contribute to getting the world out of this situation deserves a Nobel Peace Prize."...

I am pleased to see the newspapers are covered by AP, but, there needs to be some legislation somewhere that helps revitalize the art of journalism. Freedom of Speech also includes having newspapers as our Fourth Arm of Government, but, if that 'speech' boils down to 'one voice' regardless of how correct and benign that voice is there is danger to our right under the First Amendment.

The USA is just about the most powerful nation in the world by military standards. When their leadership makes a clear stance for the pursuit of peace, when even 'the concept' hung in the balance of extinction before, that speaks loudly of the people of our nation as well as our 'incubator' for leadership.

President Obama has reaffirmed the USA as a benevolent nation and one centered on justice and peace. He has taken the question of our ability to govern with peaceful intent out of question. He is a great man that looked into the future and saw a world of colleagues and not enemies. It is possible, very possible for the world's leaders to rid this planet of any malice, either through sovereignty, sustainability and environmental. It is possible.

President Obama took on the challenges he faced when entering the White House with determination and energy. He has brought the hopes and dreams of the International Community to life and within the realm of possibility. He has many years in his ambitions to accomplish some of the greatest tasks any USA President has adopted to his administration. Let there be no doubt, it will happen.

I can't say it enough, Barak Obama pursued a path to greatness and never before in history has a man of this caliper graduated as President of Harvard Law Review, shrugged off the opportunities to wealth and embarked on venues of change working with the grassroots of our society. He is an incredible individual with unmistakable vision and commitment. I am proud of him, his journey to date and the future he is promising.

Thank you, Barak.