Kim Jong Un has nothing to lose by setting off an atmospheric nuclear test the size of the last hydrogen bomb test.

The area of the Pacific that could accommodate such activity has shipping lanes throughout it. That was not the case 38 years ago. China has the greatest exposure to such an extreme show of power.

Considering the heat release into the troposphere of such an explosion the global community should consider such an act, one of war with the rest of the world.

Maybe that is what Un wants. Maybe he wants to make a huge expression of aggression against the world so there will be no doubt about the plans of his regime.

I would take the threat seriously, measure the outcomes and act on that.

Where does it stop?? Oops, Un wasn't aiming for Japan? Or China? Or Russia? Or South Korea? Or the very people of North Korea?

His scientists don't have the capacity to control such an outcome, the idea the global community would tolerate such an act of hate and confrontation is hideously permissive of a regime.

With all the activity in the Pacific Ocean these days, there is no way of protecting everyone. And when will it be safe again? It is a ridiculous idea. We already know these weapons are a hideous reality of where men have gone for control of fear.

The nuclear issue is not about what we know, but, when would they ever be appropriate to use? Non-proliferation is the only method forward. To think a nuclear release to protect life is appropriate is absolute insanity. The brinkmanship is laughable. There are nearly 8 billion people on Earth. Earth's fisheries are under assault by heat and overfishing.

The fisheries will be damaged and where will the food come from? This is unthinkable. I think the United Nations needs to realize if they are going to set North Korea on a suicide path with sanctions it may have an outcome no one expects.

To the left is the storm record for 2017 thus far in the West Pacific (click here). What is going to happen with such a release into the troposphere? It will never be contained. Are the leaders of Russia and China and The West willing to gamble with the lives of millions that there will be no adverse effect? Don't lie to yourselves. 

It is time to assign a special commissioner to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Former Governor Mitt Romney seems to have the interest Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands need. This is not an easy assignment. But, a former governor might be exactly what is needed.

President Trump should put this assignment on the front of the help to our most troubled Americans.

I am not surprised Former Secretary of State Clinton has become involved in trying to spur help to the islands, including Puerto Rico. I remember as I am confident she does, Haiti and the earthquake that took place very early in the Obama administration. I thank her and former Governor Romney for taking interest in a place where all previous support is falling apart.

September 25, 2017

By Nik DeCosta-Klipa

President Donald Trump (click here) has yet to use his social media platform to raise awareness for hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico. Meanwhile, Mitt Romney is among a number of high-profile political figures stepping in to fill the void.

In a tweet Monday afternoon, the former Massachusetts governor called on political leaders in Washington, D.C., to set aside political difference to “rescue” Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The two U.S. territories — home to a combined 3.5 million American citizens — have been devastated this month by Hurricanes Maria and Irma.

Romney said he had spoken with former Puerto Rican Gov. Luis Fortuño, who said the island is on the “brink of humanitarian disaster.”...                    

Thank you, US Senator Collins for voting no for the latest version of a health care bill. I thought your involvement seemed a bit out of character. I am sure being a Senator with constituents this upset kept you very busy up to now. Thank you, again.

As long as the bill is still moving forward I will continue to read it.

Health care and government monies as an investment. I think I agree. The idea is to have a healthy work force.

The American demonstrators regarding the Cassidy bill are absolutely correct. People will die from the loss of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

I wish Lindsey Graham and others would stop talking about Medicaid as if it were Social Security or Medicare. Medicaid is not funded from a trust fund.

Medicaid is a 'paid for' insurance coverage, no different than regular health care insurance, except, the provider is the USA Government.

So, up to now, the people that disdain Medicaid have lied to the public about it's cost and who pays for it.

The Medicaid program (click here) is jointly funded by the federal government and states. The federal government pays states for a specified percentage of program expenditures, called the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP).

FMAP varies by state based on criteria such as per capita income. The regular average state FMAP is 57%, but ranges from 50% in wealthier states up to 75% in states with lower per capita incomes (the maximum regular FMAP is 82 %). 

FMAPs are adjusted for each state on a three-year cycle to account for fluctuations in the economy. The FMAP is published annually in the Federal Register....

This is the bill the US House passed, now before the US Senate in committee where Americans are pleading for their own lives.

In reflection about Graham's statements, I suppose Senator Graham simply might not know the difference between Medicaid and Medicare.

Shown Here:

Passed House amended (05/04/2017) (click here)

American Health Care Act of 2017

TITLE I--ENERGY AND COMMERCE

Subtitle A--Patient Access to Public Health Programs

(Sec. 101) This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to eliminate funding after FY2018 for the Prevention and Public Health Fund,

Shown Here:

Passed House amended (05/04/2017) (click here)

American Health Care Act of 2017

TITLE I--ENERGY AND COMMERCE

Subtitle A--Patient Access to Public Health Program

(Sec. 101) This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to eliminate funding after FY2018 for the Prevention and Public Health Fund,

It is a little late for the defunding, isn't it?

FY 2018 is from October 1, 2017, through September 30, 2018. (click here)

Ya get the feeling this Congress doesn't know what it is doing? I hear their answer to a poorly comprised health care bill is to pay off a couple of female Senators in order to pass it. Really?

which provides for investment 

I have never once thought about health care as an investment. I think of investments as options for placing money believing it will have a return of some percentage of the original money paid. But, if health care has to be an investment then it is an investment by the government for a healthy workforce, especially when it comes to Medicaid. See, without Medicaid the poor, working poor and lower middle class have a difficult reach to become healthy and a good employee. We all know poverty breeds poor health if not death.

We all do know that, don't we? We know the poor die prematurely. Right? We also know allowing that FACT to exist without recognition is immoral, right? We do know it is immoral, right? I don't care if the wealthy hate paying taxes because they believe they should not have to pay for others health or food or otherwise, like housing. I DO NOT CARE if the wealthy, boo-hoos over their tax dollars. DO NOT CARE! Why, because, the people that belly ache over their taxes don't care about this country or it's future!

I am sure the wealthy have hankies to dry their tears when they pay their taxes.

in prevention and public health programs to improve health and restrain the rate of growth in health care costs. Funds that are unobligated at the end of FY2018 are rescinded.

Rescinded?? I am confused. Block grant funding has no ability to be rescinded. Medicaid monies unspent in a fiscal year can be rescinded. So, if the Republican law wants to rescind funding unspent by the states that creates an entirely different bureaucracy. We want another bureaucracy? We are going to be auditing the states? OMG.

State and federal budget pressures, (click here) rising health care costs, and new waiver initiatives have prompted debate over restructuring Medicaid at the state and federal levels. There are many aspects to this debate -- Medicaid provides coverage and long term care services to more than 50 million people; it affects virtually every aspect of the nation’s health care system; and it is an economic engine in communities throughout the country. The consequences of a major overhaul of Medicaid are far-reaching and substantial....

...In its Fiscal Year 2004 budget, the Administration proposed replacing that system with capped allotments under what is sometimes described as a “block grant.” The proposal provoked a debate over the future of Medicaid and the differences between a block grant program in which federal funding is capped and an “entitlement” program in which federal funding is provided on an as-needed basis. Since labels can inform or obscure the discussion, it is important to be clear about the key aspects...
 
Has anything changed with the GOP since 2004? No? That might explain a few things. This is ideology. Ideology rarely does well in reality.

(Sec. 102) The bill amends the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 to increase funding for community health centers.

When Cassidy spoke about the "Jimmy Fallon Test" the day after this bill was introduced he stated CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program) (click here) was still in force to take care of children. In this Section 102 of this bill it discusses increasing the funding for CHIP for COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS. That completely changes CHIP as it stands today. So, Cassidy lied. Again. It places children's health in question.

(Sec. 103) For one year, certain federal funds may not be made available to states for payments to certain family planning providers (e.g., Planned Parenthood Federation of America).

I have visited this before. The funding to family planning providers save womens' lives. It is just that simple. The idea of removing that funding equates into deaths. That is a fact and the digital age has not changed that fact.

I am finished for today. I'll take this up tomorrow. Probably tomorrow evening. This is the worst piece of legislation regarding the health of Americans ever written. BUT, if Republican Senators aren't really interested in American health care this is going to be the result.

Later.

Oh, yeah, whatever happened to "Trump Bad Lip Reading?" Is it proving impossible?

He really is a lousy president. Who ever picks on the NFL?

September 24, 2017
By Manuela Tobias

A vehicle plows (click here) into a group of counter-protesters marching in Charlottesville.

President Donald Trump (click here) blamed low National Football League ratings and attendance on unpatriotic players.

"NFL attendance and ratings are WAY DOWN. Boring games yes, but many stay away because they love our country. League should back U.S.," Trump tweeted on Sept. 24, 2017. 

This is the year 2017, nearly 2018 and there are still White Supremacist demonstrating, killing people and of all places, holding office in Congress. I think the NFL has it's head screwed on straight. Trump has a long way to come to get his screwed on straight.

FOX News wants the NFL to lead a constructive conversation about race. Really? Why not start with Heather Heyer's mother and the people assaulted in Charlottsville, Virginia.

There is actually something to dialogue about? I don't think so.