A lot happened today. A lot.

The USA military advanced their position in Afghanistan to secure the nation from the Taliban. The campaign is mostly considered successful. I understand there are soldiers dead. I am sure there are unintentional consequences in civilian deaths.

Nothing that happens in war is good. Only necessary at times. There is no upside to any conflict. Not really.

Al Qaeda and the Taliban never put children first in New York City or on planes from Boston or those that might have been by chance in DC. They never put into perspective the civilian involvement in Afghanistan or Pakistan when they carried out their attacks in the USA and with our allies. They never stopped in remorse of their acts. Bin Laden and Mullah Omar continue to grovel for existence among the people of those countries using intimidation for their justification for living.

There is justification for the actions of the USA military. NATO has suffered significant deaths among the troops, but, it has also suffered significant deaths among its civilians. I can't justify second guessing General McCrystal and his decisions. I believe he acts in ways he feels necessary and the region of Afghanistan that was 'taken' by NATO and the USA military was justified. It is unfortunate any of this occurred due to the diversion of a war to Iraq. It is somewhat silly at this point to even reflect on that reality. The abandoned war and escalating corruption.

If NATO and the USA are to go forward to secure the nations they came to fight for, then the operations into Marjah were vital. Eliminating the training grounds and 'base' of Taliban and extremist operations had to take place and it was high time it did.

The Iraq Inquiry goes forward in Great Britain and in the USA we are still waiting for Obama nominations to take their offices to carry out necessary inquires. Unfortunately, it takes time to account for wayward directions of past administrations.

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The Olympics went forward after the venue committees determined outdoor competition was again safe to continue. How horrible was that and the opening seemed to admit there was a missing spirit when one of the flame wouldn't light.

What a loss that was. I am sure the rest of the events with be festive and provide for the experience of a lifetime for the rest of the contestants and their nations.

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And what is this Alabama thing all about? Anti-Depressants? Like the guy that knocked out over $20,000 worth of television screens. Bizarre stuff.

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No sense in discussing Congress, no one is happy no matter what they do. I actually believe Harry Reid did the best thing he could do by cutting down the size of the jobs initiative. I mean let's face it, all the 'bipartisan' Republicans have to contribute is pork. Maybe what the country really needs is to give in to the "W"rong minded Republicans for the sake of 'political peace.' I don't believe peace occurs in the USA without a Pow-Wow and Peace Pipe. Speaking of which it looks as though the Native Americans that have been snowed in without power might have been saved by Keith Olbermann (click here). That is like so cool.

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. It is a better day to read the Republican Health Care Bill.

Good night.

Congresswoman Michele Bachman along with collegues like Akin have today told the American people, "GO AWAY, NO HEALTH CARE ANYTHING FOR ANYONE."

The people that drafted this bill back in July 2009 as an obstructionist measure have told the American people they have declared the Constitution of the United States of America doesn't provide for wellness of its citizens. (click title to entry - thank you). IF THAT IS THE CASE then Ms. Bachman and all her peers should have brought Homeland Security to court to stop the administration of the H1N1 vaccine. The 'idea' that health and wellness of citizens is unconstitutional is the most hideous notion I have ever heard. If no one in the USA was vaccinated against H1N1 and it swept the country annihilating millions of people, whom would be left to govern? It is all nonsense. If citizens of the USA cannot provide for good health, then the sovereignty of the USA is lost.

The United States of America now and in the past has spent huge amounts of money on medical research to combat communicable diseases, there are Public Health Departments, there is The Center for Disease Control, the USA military innoculates soldiers for deployment, the employees of the federal government have health care available to them and the list goes on and on and on. The people that make these statements do not know what they are speaking about. In every venue of government, at every level of government there are issues of health care all the time. Children are required to be vaccinated to enter the public school system.

I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT ANYMORE. It is the biggest bunch of horse hockey I have ever heard in my life. This from the woman that said, "Oops, I can't attend the Tea Party Nation Convention because it is an ethical issue." THAT is an ethical issue, but, denying citizens quality and affordable health care is not. Wow!

111th CONGRESSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

1st SessionCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

H. R. 3400CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To provide for incentives to encourage health insurance coverage, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

July 30, 2009CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Mr. PRICE of Georgia (REPUBLICAN) (for himself, Mr. AKIN (REPUBLICAN MISSOURI), Mr. ALEXANDER (REPUBLICAN LOUISIANA), Mr. SCALISE (REPUBLICAN LOUISIANA), Mrs. BACHMANN (REPUBLICAN MINNESOTA), Mr. SOUDER (REPUBLICAN INDIANA), Mr. MILLER of Florida (REPUBLICAN FLORIDA), Mr. BURTON of Indiana (REPUBLICAN INDIANA), Mr. JORDAN of Ohio (REPUBLICAN OHIO), Mr. GINGREY of Georgia (REPUBLICAN MEDICAL DOCTOR GEORGIA), Mr. ROE of Tennessee (REPUBLICAN TENNESSEE), Mr. CASSIDY (REPUBLICAN LOUISIANA), Mr. LAMBORN (REPUBLICAN COLORADO), Mr. FLEMING (REPUBLICAN LOUISIANA), Mrs. LUMMIS (REPUBLICAN WYOMING), Mr. WAMP (REPUBLICAN TENNESSEE), Mr. MARCHANT (REPUBLICAN TEXAS), Mr. ROONEY (REPUBLICAN FLORIDA), Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado (REPUBLICAN COLORADO), and Ms. FALLIN (REPUBLICAN OKLAHOMA)) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and Labor, Oversight and Government Reform, the Judiciary, Rules, the Budget, and Appropriations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned...

Georgia (Ranked 38th in the number of doctors with 217 doctors per 100,000 people)

Missouri (Ranked 29th in the number of doctors with 242 doctors per 100,000 people)

Louisiana (Ranked 15th in the number of doctors with 267 doctors per 100,000 people)

Minnesota (Ranked 10th in the number of doctors with 287 doctors per 100,000 people)

Indiana (Ranked 40th in the number of doctors with 215 doctors per 100,000 people)

Florida (Ranked 27th in the number of doctors with 243 doctors per 100,000 people)

Ohio (Ranked 17th in the number of doctors with 264 doctors per 100,000 people)

Tennessee (Ranked 18th in the number of doctors with 264 doctors per 100,000 people)

Colorado (Ranked 21st in the number of doctors with 259 per 100,000 people)

Wyoming (Ranked 47th in the number of doctors with 184 doctors per 100,000 people)

Texas (Ranked 42nd in the number of doctors with 212 doctors per 100,000 people)

Oklahoma (Ranked 49th in the number of doctors with 172 doctors per 100,000 people)

For these legislators that is an average of 235.5 doctors per 100,000 people which places this group in the average range of 30th in the nation.

To complete the perspective Number 1 is Massachusetts which has legislated and mandatory health care for all its citizens. The number of doctors per 100,000 people is 462.

Idaho is 50th in the nation with 169 doctors per 100,000 people.

Massachusetts median income per household ranks 7th at $62,635 US.

Idaho is ranked 34th in median income per household at $46,253 US.

And 30th rank is Indiana at $47,448 US.

I do not believe this is a good representative group of legislators for the purpose of reform for the USA health care system or insurance industry. There should not be this type of disparity in the number of doctors per 100,000 people across this country. There absolutely should not be this spread of difference.

One of the provisions in the Health Insurance Reform Act that was passed by the House provided for the education of more doctors, especially in General Practice as Family Medicine folks.

I'll continue to read the bill, but, considering this was an obstructionist bill by legislators with an average ranking of 30th in doctors per 100,000 I don't really expect much in the way of sincere reform. Why? Because educating doctors costs money and I doubt any of these folks spent money to facilitate equity across the USA.

I'll remain open minded.

Statistical source (click here)

Tomorrow.

Vancouver and Climate Change. Is this the face of the Olympic Games?

There have been injuries directly related to high winds and rain followed by freezing weather. I really think the authorities in Vancouver need to assess these venues with care.

Sympathies to the Georgian delegation. This is really, really tragic.



Nodar Kumaritashvili of Georgia is seen at the start during the first training run of the day for the men's singles luge at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics in Whistler, British Columbia, Feb. 12, 2010. Kumaritashvili crashed during the second run and was taken to the hospital. Men's and women's training was canceled Friday because of poor weather conditions. (Elise Amendola/AP Photo)

Vancover weather has caused higher costs to the venues.

Weather's Great In Vancouver, Just No Snow (click here for video)

...Vancouver has had record high temperature with the average temperature in January reaching 7.2 degrees. This has meant that in the resort of Cypress Mountain there is a distinct lack of snow. The resort, which is the highest if the North Shore Mountains, is due to hold the freestyle events and the snowboarding but so far has had almost no natural snowfall.

The organisers have resorted to using snow cannons when possible and bringing in snow from other areas, sometimes as far a s 150km away, using helicopters and trucks. This new snow is being laid down on top of over 1000 bales of straw that are replacing the base that should have built up since the beginning of the season...

Vancouver, British Columbia was chosen for the Winter Olympics 2010 because it normally has huge deposits of snow and ice. In the judgement of the Olympic Committee the outdoor venues were safe for competition.

Well, due to Climate Change the venues are under supplied with snow and ice.

Go figure, huh?

All this while people have died in the USA in Maryland while on the highways and caught under nine feet of snow and ice. I guess we know where the Arctic Ocean went.

There are some weather systems coming to Vancouver this week, but, that does not make up for the time previous to this week when the snow was already suppose to be there. What luck, the skiers didn't have good snow pack to begin with and now they have the worst weather high carbon dioxide levels can provide.

FOG happens because warm and cold air mix. Below is from Wiki. Fog is found in valleys because cold air sinks.

"The foggiest place in the world is the Gran Banks off the island of Newfoundland, the meeting place of the cold Laorador Current from the north and the much warmer Gulf Stream from the south. The foggiest land areas in the world are Menomonie, Wisconsin, Point Reyes, California, and Argentia, Newfoundland and Labrador, all with over 200 foggy days per year. Even in generally warmer southern Europe, thick fog and localized fog is often found in lowlands and valleys, such as the lower part of the Po Valley and the Arno and Tiber valleys, as well as on the Swiss plateau, especially in the Seeland area, in late autumn and winter."

Snow, fog, rain wreak havoc with Olympic downhill courses, and the elements are not done yet (click here)

By AP

February 11th, 2010

Whistler’s weather is living up to its billing

WHISTLER, British Columbia — The weather is living up to its billing in Whistler: The Olympic downhill courses are now home to snow, fog and rain.

The difficult conditions already have claimed two downhill training sessions. The opening men’s practice was canceled Wednesday and the women wiped out Thursday.

More rain is forecast through the weekend, raising fears that one of the Olympics’ signature events — the men’s downhill — could be postponed.

With its location near the Pacific Ocean, Whistler has a long history of bad weather. The World Cup ski circuit visited Whistler for three consecutive years in the mid-1990s and failed to get off a single race each time.

Dylan Ratigan had a really good show yesterday evening. Loved it. You need a white board not just a black board. Rove is a bigot. Compete.

He even has a red phone so Glen Beck can call. It is all narcissism. "I" the voter am so important I can pull the strings of a President. BUT, I cannot do it without the powerful media to embarrass him.

Yesterday, Beck on his radio program was talking about a Republican that had surged in the polls and believed her success was somehow linked to being a "911 Truther."

That is hokey stuff that CAUSES the issues we face today.

Rather than making 'status' remarks about the fact that the terrorists that killed nearly 3000 came from across the pond and used the very infrastructure American technology and investment worked so hard at perfecting, Beck stated, "You know if I were her I would not worry about property taxes so much, but, if I was a 911 Truther I'd get that right, because, that is pure evil she is talking about."

The rant about 911 Truthers went on and on with absolutely no real information or news or facts, but, simply rhetorical nonsense that is intended to facilitate moronity.

In this day and age of 'personal social networking' when people are used to being imposed upon for 'silly belief' systems, Beck doesn't bother seeking 'the best' of 'us' to bring his viewers an 'honest' self reflective view, he allows their fears to run rampant.

The Republicans, including the ones that are elected, have anchored themselves in the middle of rhetorical politics and have themselves painted so far into the corner they can't get out anymore.

Even the new and younger 'edition' of the RNC are taking the same 'silliness' into their politics. There is no hope for the RNC. There can't be. We have witnessed in DC the ability of these adverse politicians to cause huge issues in the ability to legislate. Now, the Senate has to pass legislation to limit the Filibuster (a time honored tradition) because when the nation needs health reform and economic stability, the Senators from the RNC have sequestered 'the power of the minority' and are causing a lot of problems.

How can we move forward to return our economy to viability if all this mess continues and it is only the wealthy of Wall Street that will have influence?

The clock is running and the RNC is hoping to undo the 'higher good' that is now present in the White House. President Obama is trying his darnest to bring out the best in everyone and the Right is simply interested in getting back the power. They don't care about all of us. They care about their personal wealth, therefore, Wall Street and the impact on the wealthy is a priority.

The goal of the Republicans is to run out the clock.

It looks like Haiti will have to wait a little while for Former Presiden Clinton to help.

It is rare for 'venous graphs' to be diseased. It does occur on rare occassions. Perhaps the chest pain is simply angina or it could be an artery that has not received a by pass graph.

I wish him well and speedy recovery. A little set back.

It is nice to see a little bipartisan concern by FOX. I was wondering where our Secretary of State was. I imagine she is beside herself.

I worry about Hillary. She and Bill have lived their lives in dedication to this country. When the quake occurred in Haiti I already know it broke their hearts.

You know, the public has gotten to the point where they treat these folks as if they were wind-up dolls and impervious to any injury except political. That isn't so. The Clintons are good and decent people and give tirelessly of themselves.

I am grateful she was not overseas somewhere, but, only had to leave from Washington.

Updated February 11, 2010

Hillary Clinton Leaves Washington for New York to Be With Husband (click here)

AP

Clinton left Washington and is heading to New York to be with her husband, former President Bill Clinton, who has been hospitalized.

Why would Al Gore show up? He already won his Nobel. Perhaps Inhofe needs to work on his own.

Sen. Jim Inhofe's family and the igloo they built behind the Capitol building. The sign on top reads: "Al Gore's Home."

H.R. 3400 - The Repbulicans Bill for Health Care (click title for link )

Half of U.S. Adults Want Healthcare Reform in Next Two Years (click here)

The rest are split between "no" and "not sure"

Feb. 11, 2010, 10:00 a.m. EST
NEW YORK, Feb 11, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- A new Harris Interactive/HealthDay poll finds that reducing unemployment and creating new jobs are clearly considered the top immediate priorities for President Obama and Congress, but healthcare reform is still important. Half of U.S. adults say it will be a "bad thing" if there is no major reform of the healthcare system in the next two years....
...The Republicans in Congress and the healthcare industry are seen as mainly to blame for failure to pass a healthcare reform bill now -- not President Obama. Obviously, this is less true for Republicans, who blame the Democrats in Congress. There are very large differences between Republicans and Democrats on all these issues, with Democrats much more strongly in favor of pushing hard for major reforms...

I find this poll interesting as it holds the Republicans currently holding office primarily responsible for the failure to pass an acceptable bill. It would explain clearly why they are trying to ride Brown's coattails. The incumbents are running scared and will lie and lie and lie in order to stay in office. Their track record to date is very clear, they are obstructionists and seek to satisfy their cronies. They don't have the best interest of the people at heart. You know the Democrats that wanted health care reform were among those that opposed it as it came out of the Senate.

The Democrats should not take it for granted that reform is favored by all, they still have disgruntled, scared and confused independents that want to understand the exact reform they are getting. They also want costs contained through competition. Not necessarily easy packages to deliver considering Republicans are too afraid to move out of the Brown corner.

Official Summary (click here)
7/30/2009--Introduced.Empowering Patients First Act...

The bill as presented here amends several different bills according to the summary.

It amends the Internal Revenue Code, Amends the Public Health Service Act , Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2009, Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), Amends title XXI (Children's Health Insurance) (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA), Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2009 and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

I don't understand how recently addressed legislation can be amended so soon. SCHIP was just amended to include more children, and the (HEALTH) Act of 2009 and ARRA of 2009 were just passed. It will be interesting to see exactly what they disliked about the recent laws just passed or changed to benefit the people of the USA. I find that odd. Those bills were just passed and changed, like what the heck?

It was introduced in the House on Jul 30th. That was just before summer break and why the bills were NOT passed by August as the President had requested long before July 30th. I basically see that as a move by obstructionists to HAVE A REASON to stop forward motion of a well prepared House bill that later passed. It didn't make sense until now as to why the House would postpone a well researched and well written bill that was ready to go as soon as the majority was ready to act. Now, it makes sense.

The House Republicans played around with HR 3400 sending it through all the necessary committees until October 22nd.The House passed their bill on November 7th. The Republicans could not obstruct it any longer.

There are 285 pages and I'll start reading the content tomorrow. Right now I have too much steam coming up from my collar to be rational. You know people die daily because they don't have health care. Everyday and these clowns decided to postpone good legislation. Counting to ten won't work right now.

What does President Obama hope to gain with his Summit? Cooperation? These are the people he is going to try to garner cooperation from. They don't care about the people of this country. They didn't then, why would they now?