When I was very young there was an incident in my family where a child was bothered at a teaching hospital while the parent sat by. It wasn't really that big a deal. The parent was a very good parent, just a little overwhelmed by the situation. The other parent entered the room and called out the medical personnel almost immediately.
That story really had an effect on me. Because of it, I am always on guard when interacting with the medical community.
First example, when Tommy was 2 or 3 we went to Florida for Christmas. My late mother-in-law (who is dearly missed) lived on the west coast near Sarasota. Christmas Eve Tommy was nauseous and listless. We took him to the ER Now full disclaimer, I am a wicked snob about Boston being the hub of the medical world and if you are down there in "God's Waiting Room", well...... So anyway, we are in an exam room and a very pleasant young man comes in and begins checking on Tommy. Eyes, ears, heart, temperature. He tells us that the rectal thermometer isn't reading correctly and excuses himself. He comes back with another and tries again. He's still not happy. Now Tommy is sick and in a strange place and being prodded..... So when the nice young man says he has to get someone/something else to get this temp, I reply "Nope, you had two shots at it, put your hand on his head and guess. He feels bad enough already." LOL! My ex and this guy are flabbergasted! So there was some conferencing with the other medical people and they told us he had an ear infection. They gave us a script, which I threw away on the was out the door. Tommy hadn't touched his ear once. The next day Tommy was better and everyone else was sick. It was a 24 hour stomach bug. The script would have been useless. But even if it had been an ear infection, there is still no reason to treat a sick baby that way. And I didn't care if people in this hospital thought I was rude or abrupt.
Second example, Tommy again. Now he 3 1/2 and his cardiologist was ready to correct Tommy's PDA. Patent Ductus Arteriosis is a condition where a small neonate blood vessel doesn't close at birth. Everyone has the ductus arteriosis while in the womb, but in most people it closes. So when it doesn't close on it's own, it must be surgically closed. If there is no shortness of breath and the baby gains weight normally, they wait for the baby to gain enough weight/hit a certain age. So Tommy had no other symptoms and they had been doing this surgery since the '40s and never lost anyone. But that didn't matter too me. I read everything they gave me. This was 1985 - no internet. But there was one thing that I did know about; AIDS. 1985 was when they started screening the nation's blood supply. So I told them that we would be donating the blood for Tommy's operation. They tried to dismiss me but I held fast. Some people thought I was overreacting. But I stuck to my guns and made them screen us and take our blood. I KNOW they thought I was a pain in the ass. When we took Tommy in for his one year post-op visit, the doctor told me that I was ahead of the curve and everyone was donating their own blood. That the whole pre-op process was changed.
What's my point? I was pushy, bossy, aggressive and I'm sure some found me abrasive. In other words, no different than the Pelletiers. I was aggressive when advocating for my child. Reading their story is like finding out you have no brakes after you safely glide to a stop. I look back and realize the very same thing could have happened to me. As a matter of fact, according to the December 15th article on the case;
Sounds like me. There but for the grace of God.....
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Thursday, March 20, 2014
The Annual Updating Of The Blogger Profile
Today, the vernal equinox, I hit the update button to note my move from 52 to 53. Time I am grateful to have.
And I noted the addition in my life of the handsomest grandson evah!
And I noted the addition in my life of the handsomest grandson evah!
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Why Mireille Miller-Young & The Left Should Be Ashamed
UPDATE*****Mirielle Miller-Youmg is being charged for her assault on pro-life protester. I am happy*****
A few days ago an anti abortion group set up in the designated free speech zone at University of California Santa Barbara. They had literature to pass out and some poster with graphic photos of aborted fetuses. Their First Amendment rights were violated.
Mirielle Miller-Young, an associate professor of feminist studies, stole one of the posters and gave it to some students who verbally harassed two of the protesters. The protesters followed calling for the poster to be given back, asserting their 1st Amendment rights to speak and were met with such smug ignorance that I am shaking my head.
Can you imagine such uncouth and self righteous behavior being tolerated if this had been a pro-choice poster? Of course not.
There is no issue that allows the speaker to be touched. Period.
The two protesters were sisters Thrin & Joan Short. And considering that they were set upon by a grown woman, an associate professor no less, I find them very brave.
Thrin & Joan Short called out that their poster was taken and being carried away. Those helping Professor Miller-Young (who grins maddeningly throughout) tell the girls that Miller-Young can do this because she is a professor and besides the Short girls are not students, they "don't pay money to go here".
Perhaps these students should spend a little more time in a government class than in "feminist studies" class. And what does one do with a degree in "feminist studies" besides teach the same nonsense at other schools? What is the practical application?
It doesn't matter if Miller-Young is an associate professor, a full tenured professor, an administrator, a janitor or a student; she had no right to touch the poster, direct anyone to carry away the poster or, most of all, touch Thrin Short.
Assault charges should be filed. As well as petty larceny and destruction of private property. The police showed up and found the poster destroyed.
Now for the part I find bitterly amusing. The thing people are quibbling about. The thing this professor and her students seem to find justification in. The red herring.
The graphic images on the posters. What rank hypocrisy. The poster shows the reality of an abortion. It educates you about what a fetus really is and what an aborted fetus really looks like.
Now to those who would say that it's just for shock value and not education, let me ask you this -
What about the anti-smoking campaigns that show people who have trachs? Or are horribly disfigured? That's supposedly ok. It's very graphic but it's meant to educate on the dangers of smoking cigarettes.
What about the "Faces of Meth" campaign that shows people's booking photos to illustrate the ravages of meth-amphetamine abuse? They are graphic, but they are meant to educate.
What about the people who want you to stop buying from puppy mills or eating veal? They show us poor animals in horrible, stomach churning conditions.
There are people out there every day demanding that little elementary school student receive sex education and information on sexual orientation. Many before their parents want them to know about sex in such detail. But those parents concerns are pushed aside in the crusade to educate.
And what about the pro-choice protesters who never miss a chance to wave a bloody coat hanger at their rallies? That's pretty graphic. And the pro-choice people who brought used tampons and sanitary napkins to the Texas legislature to throw at those opposing that ridiculous Wendy Davis. Even if it was some other substance to make the tampons just look used (ketchup?), still gross.
But apparently when it comes to abortion, no education is necessary. People, that's how we end up with such fiends as Kermit Gosnell (no, I will not call him Doctor). Many of Gosnell's victims had no idea what the procedure would do to them and how they'd feel afterwards.
And before you dismiss me as "Republican" and "Catholic" and "conservative"; on abortion I am libertarian. You want one, have one. But don't involve me. I would never, it's my personal choice.
Just don't ask me to drink the Kool-Aid when certain people cry for education on all these things and often times in very graphic terms.....but not for abortion.
A few days ago an anti abortion group set up in the designated free speech zone at University of California Santa Barbara. They had literature to pass out and some poster with graphic photos of aborted fetuses. Their First Amendment rights were violated.
Mirielle Miller-Young, an associate professor of feminist studies, stole one of the posters and gave it to some students who verbally harassed two of the protesters. The protesters followed calling for the poster to be given back, asserting their 1st Amendment rights to speak and were met with such smug ignorance that I am shaking my head.
Can you imagine such uncouth and self righteous behavior being tolerated if this had been a pro-choice poster? Of course not.
There is no issue that allows the speaker to be touched. Period.
The two protesters were sisters Thrin & Joan Short. And considering that they were set upon by a grown woman, an associate professor no less, I find them very brave.
Thrin & Joan Short called out that their poster was taken and being carried away. Those helping Professor Miller-Young (who grins maddeningly throughout) tell the girls that Miller-Young can do this because she is a professor and besides the Short girls are not students, they "don't pay money to go here".
Perhaps these students should spend a little more time in a government class than in "feminist studies" class. And what does one do with a degree in "feminist studies" besides teach the same nonsense at other schools? What is the practical application?
It doesn't matter if Miller-Young is an associate professor, a full tenured professor, an administrator, a janitor or a student; she had no right to touch the poster, direct anyone to carry away the poster or, most of all, touch Thrin Short.
Assault charges should be filed. As well as petty larceny and destruction of private property. The police showed up and found the poster destroyed.
Now for the part I find bitterly amusing. The thing people are quibbling about. The thing this professor and her students seem to find justification in. The red herring.
The graphic images on the posters. What rank hypocrisy. The poster shows the reality of an abortion. It educates you about what a fetus really is and what an aborted fetus really looks like.
Now to those who would say that it's just for shock value and not education, let me ask you this -
What about the anti-smoking campaigns that show people who have trachs? Or are horribly disfigured? That's supposedly ok. It's very graphic but it's meant to educate on the dangers of smoking cigarettes.
What about the "Faces of Meth" campaign that shows people's booking photos to illustrate the ravages of meth-amphetamine abuse? They are graphic, but they are meant to educate.
What about the people who want you to stop buying from puppy mills or eating veal? They show us poor animals in horrible, stomach churning conditions.
There are people out there every day demanding that little elementary school student receive sex education and information on sexual orientation. Many before their parents want them to know about sex in such detail. But those parents concerns are pushed aside in the crusade to educate.
And what about the pro-choice protesters who never miss a chance to wave a bloody coat hanger at their rallies? That's pretty graphic. And the pro-choice people who brought used tampons and sanitary napkins to the Texas legislature to throw at those opposing that ridiculous Wendy Davis. Even if it was some other substance to make the tampons just look used (ketchup?), still gross.
But apparently when it comes to abortion, no education is necessary. People, that's how we end up with such fiends as Kermit Gosnell (no, I will not call him Doctor). Many of Gosnell's victims had no idea what the procedure would do to them and how they'd feel afterwards.
And before you dismiss me as "Republican" and "Catholic" and "conservative"; on abortion I am libertarian. You want one, have one. But don't involve me. I would never, it's my personal choice.
Just don't ask me to drink the Kool-Aid when certain people cry for education on all these things and often times in very graphic terms.....but not for abortion.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Please Support Ranger Up & Their Veteran Entrepreneurship Program!
From their press release:
Ranger Up, the fast growing North
Carolina-based apparel company owned by veterans of the United States Army
Rangers and Special Forces, today launched a crowdfunding effort on indiegogo.com: to support their successful Veteran Entrepreneurship
program which provides business training and seed investment to returning
veterans interested in entrepreneurship.
Recently recognized by Internet
Retailer as one of the Hot 100 e-commerce firms in the United States,
Ranger Up was started in an apartment just seven years ago by a duo of veterans
intent on providing the military community with its own brand. Now with a
Facebook following of over 250,000 and millions in annual revenue, Ranger Up is
equally focused on paying forward their success by working with and investing
in the business ventures of other veterans.
“Engaging veterans in
entrepreneurship is good for society. Small business is the driving force
behind our economy and veterans succeed at it more than anyone,” said Ranger Up
Founder and CEO Nick Palmisciano. “They come from a world where failure isn’t
an option; they are used to having a mission they have to complete.”
Palmiciano and Ranger Up COO Tom
Amenta have had their confidence in veteran entrepreneurial skills affirmed
watching inaugural Veteran Entrepreneurship Jon Walsh successfully launch a
Mixed Martial Arts training gym with the mentorship and investment capital of
Ranger Up. Walsh, a former Force Recon Marine and a Navy Cross recipient is now
the proud owner of Five Rings MMA, a fast-growing mixed martial arts gym in the
greater Camp Lejeune area.
While Ranger Up loves the program and is inspired to continue it, hopefully at a larger level, Palmisciano admits the program has a cost – in the case of Walsh, over $100,000.
“We have so much knowledge to share,
but at our revenue size, the program isn’t sustainable on an annual basis. We’re left with a choice: do it every two
years or look to our community for support.
So we’re asking for help.”
In order for the Veteran Entrepreneurship
program to expand and continue without hindering Ranger Up’s growing business,
Palmisciano and Amenta are turning to both the public and its loyal customer
base to support the next addition to the program. Costs of full-time employment
for the selected veteran during business training and the additional seed
capital that will launch the new company are expected to exceed $100,000 once
again.
A five-minute video featuring
Palmisciano and Walsh explaining the program has been posted indiegogo.com: where supporters from around the world will have the
opportunity to contribute to making another year of the Veteran Entrepreneurship
program a reality.
“I had 100% drive and zero percent
direction,” said Walsh of himself once he left active duty military service and
began thinking about starting his own company. “Ranger Up took me start to
finish and taught me how to run a business successfully -- from bookkeeping to
operations.”
Ranger Up is based in Durham, N.C.,
where a team of mostly veterans oversee every aspect of one of the fasting
growing apparel companies in America. Palmisciano and Amenta share ownership in
Ranger Up with decorated UFC fighter Tim Kennedy, who also served as a Special
Forces Army Ranger. For two consecutive years Ranger Up has ranked within the
Top 1000 e-commerce sites on the internet. For more information on Ranger Up,
patriotism, and veteran entrepreneurship, visit RangerUp.com.
Friday, February 14, 2014
Don't Be So Quick To Praise
*************
UPDATE: Ms. Frank has posted a reply to this post on her FaceBook page. I have put a screen shot at the bottom of the post. Apparently she purchased & resold stolen goods because *I* am old & divorced! LOL! I kid you not!
**************************
Yahoo is highlighting lovey-dovey stories on their front page in honor of Valentine's Day.
One in particular is about a New Jersey photographer, Kristen Frank. Ms. Frank is in possession of wedding photos and she is purportedly looking to find the bride in the pics. Yahoo is assisting in her efforts to use social media to accomplish her goal. Here's a link to the story,
In the story there is a link to Ms. Frank's business page on FaceBook. I followed the link to see if she had found the bride. Imagine my surprise when I saw this exchange!
So, before you buy her “I just died. I was like, ‘This is horrible that somebody is not going to get to see their pictures of their grandmother and of them walking down the aisle during the ceremony,”.... Remember this - Kristen Frank purchased stolen property; made no effort to find the rightful owner; bragged on her FB page that she knew exactly what she was doing; made a huge profit on the stolen property and now has received tons of free publicity from Yahoo.
Ms. Frank is accepting praise on her FaceBook page for reuniting the family and the photos. When in reality, they likely would have been returned much sooner had Ms. Frank turned her $5 purchase into the police. The camera was reported stolen. Instead, she made her profit and now ten years later reaped another reward.
Yeah, my heart is not so warm.
***********************************
Here is Kristen Frank's reply -
UPDATE: Ms. Frank has posted a reply to this post on her FaceBook page. I have put a screen shot at the bottom of the post. Apparently she purchased & resold stolen goods because *I* am old & divorced! LOL! I kid you not!
**************************
Yahoo is highlighting lovey-dovey stories on their front page in honor of Valentine's Day.
One in particular is about a New Jersey photographer, Kristen Frank. Ms. Frank is in possession of wedding photos and she is purportedly looking to find the bride in the pics. Yahoo is assisting in her efforts to use social media to accomplish her goal. Here's a link to the story,
In the story there is a link to Ms. Frank's business page on FaceBook. I followed the link to see if she had found the bride. Imagine my surprise when I saw this exchange!
So, before you buy her “I just died. I was like, ‘This is horrible that somebody is not going to get to see their pictures of their grandmother and of them walking down the aisle during the ceremony,”.... Remember this - Kristen Frank purchased stolen property; made no effort to find the rightful owner; bragged on her FB page that she knew exactly what she was doing; made a huge profit on the stolen property and now has received tons of free publicity from Yahoo.
Ms. Frank is accepting praise on her FaceBook page for reuniting the family and the photos. When in reality, they likely would have been returned much sooner had Ms. Frank turned her $5 purchase into the police. The camera was reported stolen. Instead, she made her profit and now ten years later reaped another reward.
Yeah, my heart is not so warm.
***********************************
Here is Kristen Frank's reply -
Kristen Frank Photography Hello "BOSTONMAGGIE". I would love to hear what YOU would have done in this situation.
Maybe you are not familiar with how NYC police do their jobs, but I am. There is no way they would have found these people at that time,10yrs ago, as there was no such thing as "social media", nor would they have cared as much as I did for they had to many murders, rapes and other crimes to investigate. I held onto that camera back for a whole year and I had NO IDEA it was stolen, because, as the article reports if you had paid attention to what you were reading, the woman told me she found it on the subway train! After deciding what to do with it and having had zero leads, finally, I made the decision to sell it. A choice I do not feel one ounce of regret for making. That money helped me pay my rent that month because I was only making a measly $8.50 an hour at that photo lab. I was almost homeless back in 2004 when I lived in Queens, NY. I had absolutely NO IDEA I would ever find the couple. NEVER did I expect any compensation, or financial gain by doing what I did. I AM a professional photographer. I would lose my credibility as an honest business person!! Maybe no one has ever done anything nice for you out of the goodness of their heart. Maybe you could never see yourself doing the same for anyone else. Maybe you are jealous, just want to steal the spotlight from a good Samaritan, and are just trying to drive more traffic to your lame blog that no one has even heard of. I don't know.
Next time GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT before you judge someone on doing a good deed. You should be ashamed of yourself. A woman of your age should know better. You are no better than the trash you write. I'm not surprised by your cynicism , there are always going to be a few haters. Bitter, old divorcees who have been beaten down by life. God bless you with a chance to stop your bitchy ways.
Maybe you are not familiar with how NYC police do their jobs, but I am. There is no way they would have found these people at that time,10yrs ago, as there was no such thing as "social media", nor would they have cared as much as I did for they had to many murders, rapes and other crimes to investigate. I held onto that camera back for a whole year and I had NO IDEA it was stolen, because, as the article reports if you had paid attention to what you were reading, the woman told me she found it on the subway train! After deciding what to do with it and having had zero leads, finally, I made the decision to sell it. A choice I do not feel one ounce of regret for making. That money helped me pay my rent that month because I was only making a measly $8.50 an hour at that photo lab. I was almost homeless back in 2004 when I lived in Queens, NY. I had absolutely NO IDEA I would ever find the couple. NEVER did I expect any compensation, or financial gain by doing what I did. I AM a professional photographer. I would lose my credibility as an honest business person!! Maybe no one has ever done anything nice for you out of the goodness of their heart. Maybe you could never see yourself doing the same for anyone else. Maybe you are jealous, just want to steal the spotlight from a good Samaritan, and are just trying to drive more traffic to your lame blog that no one has even heard of. I don't know.
Next time GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT before you judge someone on doing a good deed. You should be ashamed of yourself. A woman of your age should know better. You are no better than the trash you write. I'm not surprised by your cynicism , there are always going to be a few haters. Bitter, old divorcees who have been beaten down by life. God bless you with a chance to stop your bitchy ways.
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Thursday, February 06, 2014
Dear Massachusetts Voters
Just some facts for you -
Massachusetts State Rep.Carlos Henriqez, D-Dorchester was convicted on two counts of assault against his ex-girlfriend. Rep Henriquez is currently serving six months in Billerica HoC.
He has been asked to resign by many of his fellow Democrats, including Gov. Deval Patrick. But he declined. So the Legislature was forced to call for a vote on expelling him.
Today Rep Henriquez came before the Massachusetts State Legislature in shackles to plead his case. During the discussion, State Rep Russell E. Holmes, D-Boston brought forth an amendment to only censure, not expel the Honorable Mr. Henriquez (it's weird to use that word for a man who beat and terrorized his ex-girlfriend as he drove her around, but it is proper for his position). Ten representatives voted for the censure only option, but it was otherwise soundly defeated.
At the end of the day, 146 representatives voted to expel and some abstained, but five voted not to expel.
Who voted NOT to expel?
State Rep Russell Holmes D-Boston
State Rep Benjamin Swan D-Springfield
State Rep Carl Sciortino, D-Medford
These three are bad enough, but the next two are women. Really? Disgusting.
State Rep Gloria Fox D-Roxbury
State Rep Denise Provost D-Somerville
Oh, and can you see any pattern/commonality among these five?
Massachusetts State Rep.Carlos Henriqez, D-Dorchester was convicted on two counts of assault against his ex-girlfriend. Rep Henriquez is currently serving six months in Billerica HoC.
He has been asked to resign by many of his fellow Democrats, including Gov. Deval Patrick. But he declined. So the Legislature was forced to call for a vote on expelling him.
Today Rep Henriquez came before the Massachusetts State Legislature in shackles to plead his case. During the discussion, State Rep Russell E. Holmes, D-Boston brought forth an amendment to only censure, not expel the Honorable Mr. Henriquez (it's weird to use that word for a man who beat and terrorized his ex-girlfriend as he drove her around, but it is proper for his position). Ten representatives voted for the censure only option, but it was otherwise soundly defeated.
At the end of the day, 146 representatives voted to expel and some abstained, but five voted not to expel.
Who voted NOT to expel?
State Rep Russell Holmes D-Boston
State Rep Benjamin Swan D-Springfield
State Rep Carl Sciortino, D-Medford
These three are bad enough, but the next two are women. Really? Disgusting.
State Rep Gloria Fox D-Roxbury
State Rep Denise Provost D-Somerville
Oh, and can you see any pattern/commonality among these five?
Wednesday, February 05, 2014
Why North Korea Is The Way It Is.....
....here's a hint - It's not what this guy thinks.
So this morning on my FaceBook feed there was a link to "North Korea is not changing with the times Only getting worse and for what you ask?" by "An Average American Patriot".
I was reading it and thinking "Uh huh. Uh huh." as the author laid out all the frightening things about the threat. Because it is a very troublesome to me. But then halfway down I read "Remember we were talking about a story line that was front and center because of President Bush's Bullying and war mongering." I'm sorry? What? Does the author realize that "W" has retired to Texas to be a grandfather? Except when he is painting buildings in Africa? Yeah, and Kim Jong-Un didn't even come into power until "W" had been gone for years?
That's when I realize that I have been rick-rolled into reading another post from a jamoke who believes if only America would behave..... fill in the blank with your concern.....would be solved.
No, the instability in North Korea is not because of joint American/South Korean military exercises. And even responding to North Korea's temper tantrum makes about as much sense as responding to a two year old's temper tantrum. North Korea knows damn well that these exercises/war games pose no threat to them. They've been going on for years and they go on in other parts of the world.
Mind you, we already have scaled back "Key Resolve" and that's bad enough.
And even if I did want to sip a Coke and sing "America the Beautiful" in some obscure language and indulge Kim Jong-Un.......do you really think Kim is going to say "Thanks" and start planting wildflowers by the side of the road?
Do you really want to live in a "Twilight Zone" episode where Billy Mumy decides what you can do?
The author also makes the assertion that China could fix north Korea but can't be bothered. Au contraire mon frere! China cares. Deeply. Because when North Korea does collapse or do the unthinkable and attack South Korea, China knows where all those refugees are headed. Oh they care.
But all is not hopeless Dear Reader! North Korea is allowing family reunion visits later this month. And some North Koreans are employed by South Korean companies near the DMZ. And most hopeful of all, North Koreans love their children just like parents around the world. When those South Korean companies give their employees snacks, the North Korean workers sneak them home to their children. Humans, they're not so bad.
So this morning on my FaceBook feed there was a link to "North Korea is not changing with the times Only getting worse and for what you ask?" by "An Average American Patriot".
I was reading it and thinking "Uh huh. Uh huh." as the author laid out all the frightening things about the threat. Because it is a very troublesome to me. But then halfway down I read "Remember we were talking about a story line that was front and center because of President Bush's Bullying and war mongering." I'm sorry? What? Does the author realize that "W" has retired to Texas to be a grandfather? Except when he is painting buildings in Africa? Yeah, and Kim Jong-Un didn't even come into power until "W" had been gone for years?
That's when I realize that I have been rick-rolled into reading another post from a jamoke who believes if only America would behave..... fill in the blank with your concern.....would be solved.
No, the instability in North Korea is not because of joint American/South Korean military exercises. And even responding to North Korea's temper tantrum makes about as much sense as responding to a two year old's temper tantrum. North Korea knows damn well that these exercises/war games pose no threat to them. They've been going on for years and they go on in other parts of the world.
Mind you, we already have scaled back "Key Resolve" and that's bad enough.
And even if I did want to sip a Coke and sing "America the Beautiful" in some obscure language and indulge Kim Jong-Un.......do you really think Kim is going to say "Thanks" and start planting wildflowers by the side of the road?
Do you really want to live in a "Twilight Zone" episode where Billy Mumy decides what you can do?
The author also makes the assertion that China could fix north Korea but can't be bothered. Au contraire mon frere! China cares. Deeply. Because when North Korea does collapse or do the unthinkable and attack South Korea, China knows where all those refugees are headed. Oh they care.
But all is not hopeless Dear Reader! North Korea is allowing family reunion visits later this month. And some North Koreans are employed by South Korean companies near the DMZ. And most hopeful of all, North Koreans love their children just like parents around the world. When those South Korean companies give their employees snacks, the North Korean workers sneak them home to their children. Humans, they're not so bad.
Saturday, February 01, 2014
Blind Outrage
I don't get it.
Now don't get me wrong, I can get pretty steamed at things. My Marine calls me the "Queen of Outrage". But it's not because I want to be outraged. It's not as though you can't reason with me......most of the time.
But out here in the blogosphere and on FaceBook, I keep running across people who want to be outraged. They will find a story somewhere and post it; then they and all their friends get all riled up. So far, I'm with them. You read the sensationalized headline and rip apart the human failings of those involved.
But then someone, like me, spoils all that fun by actually reading the story and pointing out facts. Now like my friend Stella says, the back and forth between people of different political views; backgrounds; upbringing; religion, etc., makes for interesting discourse. And that's all good. But it's disheartening when someone on one side or the other just wants to hold onto their outrage.
For example - "Church closes food bank because it attracts poor people" Now I can't give you a link to the actual story from the Ottowa Citizen because the story doesn't appear in their archives. However, most people agree it was an actual story because a follow up story can be sourced from the archives of Canada's CBC.
But then you read the story and the only one using the words "poor people" is the author. The people in both stories talk about how some (not all) of the clients of the food bank caused problems. The pastor said that there were "safety concerns". But internet critics didn't want to acknowledge that was possible. They wanted to hang onto their bitter contempt of the church leadership. They made sneering comments about Jesus and how disappointed he'd be with this church. They accused me of having disdain for poor people because I pointed out that sometimes, along with the working poor, your food bank attracts drug addicts and people with psych problems. The church also has a duty to protect vulnerable parishioners from the bad element. Because I dared to defend the church I was labelled as "delusional". I was told my only charitable activities were "dropping off your designer clothes at some drive to support the arts".
I pointed out that attacking me didn't negate the facts. But I realize, they just wanted to be angry. That if the facts beyond the headline didn't support their narrative, they would just attack anyone pointing out those facts. They chose blind outrage over reasoned thought.
It's not the first time. A short while ago I wrote about legislation being proposed in Virginia that would keep a pervert on the sex offender registry and keep other sexually deviant persons in custody. But a militant element of the gay community was fighting it.. The words "sodomy" and "Republican" appearing together in one article can only mean one thing to these people, homophobia. Facts be damned, if a Republican is legislating anything with the word "sodomy" it's an attack on gay rights. Even if it isn't.
So despite the best intention of people like Stella, discussion between opposing viewpoints isn't always possible. Some people just don't want to have the discussion. They only want to be outraged.
Now don't get me wrong, I can get pretty steamed at things. My Marine calls me the "Queen of Outrage". But it's not because I want to be outraged. It's not as though you can't reason with me......most of the time.
But out here in the blogosphere and on FaceBook, I keep running across people who want to be outraged. They will find a story somewhere and post it; then they and all their friends get all riled up. So far, I'm with them. You read the sensationalized headline and rip apart the human failings of those involved.
But then someone, like me, spoils all that fun by actually reading the story and pointing out facts. Now like my friend Stella says, the back and forth between people of different political views; backgrounds; upbringing; religion, etc., makes for interesting discourse. And that's all good. But it's disheartening when someone on one side or the other just wants to hold onto their outrage.
For example - "Church closes food bank because it attracts poor people" Now I can't give you a link to the actual story from the Ottowa Citizen because the story doesn't appear in their archives. However, most people agree it was an actual story because a follow up story can be sourced from the archives of Canada's CBC.
But then you read the story and the only one using the words "poor people" is the author. The people in both stories talk about how some (not all) of the clients of the food bank caused problems. The pastor said that there were "safety concerns". But internet critics didn't want to acknowledge that was possible. They wanted to hang onto their bitter contempt of the church leadership. They made sneering comments about Jesus and how disappointed he'd be with this church. They accused me of having disdain for poor people because I pointed out that sometimes, along with the working poor, your food bank attracts drug addicts and people with psych problems. The church also has a duty to protect vulnerable parishioners from the bad element. Because I dared to defend the church I was labelled as "delusional". I was told my only charitable activities were "dropping off your designer clothes at some drive to support the arts".
I pointed out that attacking me didn't negate the facts. But I realize, they just wanted to be angry. That if the facts beyond the headline didn't support their narrative, they would just attack anyone pointing out those facts. They chose blind outrage over reasoned thought.
It's not the first time. A short while ago I wrote about legislation being proposed in Virginia that would keep a pervert on the sex offender registry and keep other sexually deviant persons in custody. But a militant element of the gay community was fighting it.. The words "sodomy" and "Republican" appearing together in one article can only mean one thing to these people, homophobia. Facts be damned, if a Republican is legislating anything with the word "sodomy" it's an attack on gay rights. Even if it isn't.
So despite the best intention of people like Stella, discussion between opposing viewpoints isn't always possible. Some people just don't want to have the discussion. They only want to be outraged.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
January 14, 1964
Fifty years ago today.
Jacqueline Kennedy thanks the nation for condolence letters.
In the aftermath of the assassination of President Kennedy, people from all over the world wrote to Mrs. Kennedy and her children expressing sympathy and respect. On January 14, 1964, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy appeared on television with Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and Senator Edward M. Kennedy to thank the nation for the condolence letters she and her children received, and to let the public know that their letters would reside at President Kennedy's presidential library.
Follow this link to watch the video at the JFK Library website.
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Dear Militant Gays,
....when you hear the word "sodomy" it doesn't always mean we are talking about you.
Why I dislike "headline readers" part 2,734.
Mad Mike posts
"GOP State Senator Wants Emergency Bill to Make Anal and Oral Sex a Felony"
Why I dislike "headline readers" part 2,734.
Mad Mike posts
"GOP State Senator Wants Emergency Bill to Make Anal and Oral Sex a Felony"
Garrett is attempting to resurrect Virginia’s “crimes against nature” statute. Cuccinelli, as Virginia’s AG, tried to convince the U.S. Supreme Court that the law was both necessary or constitutional. He failed.
Of course, the goal behind the bill is to make sex between two people of the same gender more consequential. The bill does not make penile-vaginal sex between minors a felony, because that’s not a “crime against nature.”
OK, really? Well if that's the case I'm mad. Lawrence v Texas took care of this years ago. People need to give this up. You know all I ask is that you shut the fucking door! When I want to watch someone make out, I will pop in a DVD and watch John Wayne kiss Lana Turner and then smoke a cigarett.. I don't want you doing it in public or in a parade or at Chick-fil-A. Smoke what you want. Drink what you want. Kiss, lick, suck who you want. Just be two or more consenting adults and shut the door.
Once the door is shut, it's no one else's business. Period.
So if Garrett or Cuccinelli are trying to criminalize adult behavior between two consenting adults of any persuasion, I don't want to hear it.
However, I don't just "share" or "like" stuff on FB that I don't check. So I check.
Turns out this has NOTHING to do with gay people. Some creep named William Scott McDonald at age 47 was creeping on a 17 year old girl. McDonald forced, coerced, whatever, oral copulation. McDoanld was tried and convicted, in part under the Virginia Unnatural Acts law. Now McDonald is appealing his case on the grounds that Lawrence v Texas nullified the sodomy law in Virginia. Which it did, for two consenting adults. Not for you, ya diddler! So Cuccinelli and Garrett are trying "clarify" this statute to say it's not about two consenting adults, it's not even about two consenting teens. It's about sodomy between pervs and underage persons.
Oh but gay rights activists are howling about Garrett and Cuccinelli. It's all a big trojan horse so they can go after gays. Seriously? Do you nitwits actually believe that somehow they got this creep McDonald to file an appeal, so they could fight it, just to sneak in laws that hurt gay people???? Who told you this? The Smoking Man?
Get a grip. The only thing this case is about is punishing diddlers as much as humanly possible. They can't lock them away in a dank, dark place until the 12th of never. So they use whatever tools are at their disposal. Let them.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
RIP Corporal Farrell Gilliam, USMC
Corporal Farrell Gilliam, USMC.
On January 5, 2011, our 25 year old Farrell stepped on an IED while on a dismounted patrol with his unit, (3/5 Marines, Lima Co.) in the Sangin District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He suffered many catastrophic injuries, including the amputation of both legs above the knee and several open fractures of his right arm including a 6 inch segment that is missing bone and tissue. His worst injury however was to the right side of his chest and abdomen, which took the full impact of the explosion, and left him completely eviscerated as a result of the blast.
With the help of Hospital Corpsman HM3 Brown, HM3 Gojar, Cpl Griff, and Lcpl Gutierrez, lifesaving measures were immediately undertaken to stop his bleeding in the field. He fought for his life in the back of the Marine transport truck which raced him back to camp. He fought for his life as he was Medi-Vac'd from base camp to a hospital in Kandahar where he underwent 9 hours of damage control surgery. He fought for his life as he was medi-vac'd again to Bagram Hospital in Afghanistan, where he underwent further damage control surgery. He fought for his life as he was flown to Landsthul Germany, where he underwent further surgery and again as he was flown to the US, arriving state side, on Janury 9, 2011 at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda Maryland (outside Washington DC), with trips to the OR continuing every other day since then. But Farrell is a fighter! The Doctors have said that to survive an abdominal wound like his is one in ten million - they rarely see them because nobody ever survives them.
We are sad to say that earlier this week Farrell succumbed to further injuries from which he did not recover. We pray for the family and ask for God's peace. We also pray for the brothers and sisters left behind. You know who you are!! Pick up the sword - be the heart, be the love and be the voice. As long as you stick together and remain as one nothing can beat you! You will make a difference!!
Semper Fi,
The Boys of 3/5
With the help of Hospital Corpsman HM3 Brown, HM3 Gojar, Cpl Griff, and Lcpl Gutierrez, lifesaving measures were immediately undertaken to stop his bleeding in the field. He fought for his life in the back of the Marine transport truck which raced him back to camp. He fought for his life as he was Medi-Vac'd from base camp to a hospital in Kandahar where he underwent 9 hours of damage control surgery. He fought for his life as he was medi-vac'd again to Bagram Hospital in Afghanistan, where he underwent further damage control surgery. He fought for his life as he was flown to Landsthul Germany, where he underwent further surgery and again as he was flown to the US, arriving state side, on Janury 9, 2011 at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda Maryland (outside Washington DC), with trips to the OR continuing every other day since then. But Farrell is a fighter! The Doctors have said that to survive an abdominal wound like his is one in ten million - they rarely see them because nobody ever survives them.
We are sad to say that earlier this week Farrell succumbed to further injuries from which he did not recover. We pray for the family and ask for God's peace. We also pray for the brothers and sisters left behind. You know who you are!! Pick up the sword - be the heart, be the love and be the voice. As long as you stick together and remain as one nothing can beat you! You will make a difference!!
Semper Fi,
The Boys of 3/5
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
LETTERS OF CONDOLENCE TO FARRELL GILLIAMS FAMILY -
For anyone who is interested in sending a private letter or card of condolence, peace and well wishes. Please mail them to the following address and we will make sure they get to the family. Semper Fi!
The Farrell Gilliam Family
c/o The Honor Group
3555 Taylor Road, Suite C
Loomis, Ca. 95650
c/o The Honor Group
3555 Taylor Road, Suite C
Loomis, Ca. 95650
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Happy New Year!
2013 had it's ups and downs. But I will forever be grateful because this is the year my beautiful grandson Frankie came into my life.
And 2014 with Frankie and my family and friends can only get better!
Monday, December 09, 2013
Thursday, December 05, 2013
Mandela
Back in the day, before social media, people like me pushed our issues by writing "Letters to the Editor" and sending "The Hell with Shell" messages with our pagers, lol! We bought Little Steven's "SunCity".
I clearly remember getting up at some crazy hour (you know how I love my sleep) so that I could be in front of the TV to watch Nelson Mandela walk out of Victor Verster prison. And feeling the great and historical significance of the moment right there on my couch in the US. I had my cup of tea and my afghan on that cold February morning.....before DVRs and On Demand, lol! Totally worth it. An amazing man and an amazing life.
Years later I recall being further amazed by South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission which Mandela established. That sort of forgiveness is beyond my ken.
I was agog at the presentation of former LTCol Hentie Botha, Former, South African police. He was sitting on the panel at the 2006 EPIIC, "The Politics of Fear", calmly discussing the abuses he had visited on South African blacks. Botha explained the policies that called for these atrocities and his compliance with that system. No shame. I looked around expecting some visible sign of outrage. But Mr. Botha had been through the Truth & Reconciliation Commission. So all is forgiven.
Intellectually, I get it. In my heart I don't. But fortunately for the world.....Mandela got it, and believed in it and gave such forgiveness to the world. I say sincerely, Mandela was a man will not see the like of again.
I clearly remember getting up at some crazy hour (you know how I love my sleep) so that I could be in front of the TV to watch Nelson Mandela walk out of Victor Verster prison. And feeling the great and historical significance of the moment right there on my couch in the US. I had my cup of tea and my afghan on that cold February morning.....before DVRs and On Demand, lol! Totally worth it. An amazing man and an amazing life.
Years later I recall being further amazed by South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission which Mandela established. That sort of forgiveness is beyond my ken. I was agog at the presentation of former LTCol Hentie Botha, Former, South African police. He was sitting on the panel at the 2006 EPIIC, "The Politics of Fear", calmly discussing the abuses he had visited on South African blacks. Botha explained the policies that called for these atrocities and his compliance with that system. No shame. I looked around expecting some visible sign of outrage. But Mr. Botha had been through the Truth & Reconciliation Commission. So all is forgiven.
Intellectually, I get it. In my heart I don't. But fortunately for the world.....Mandela got it, and believed in it and gave such forgiveness to the world. I say sincerely, Mandela was a man will not see the like of again.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
The Reason I Blog
So you don't miss stories like this.
From the blog "I Drive Warships" this heartbreaking & heartwarming post "A Sailor's Dying Wish".
From the blog "I Drive Warships" this heartbreaking & heartwarming post "A Sailor's Dying Wish".
After signing my Pop, EM2 Bud Cloud (circa Pearl Harbor) up for hospice care, the consolation prize I’d given him (for agreeing it was OK to die) was a trip to “visit the Navy in San Diego.”
I emailed my friend and former Marine sergeant, Mrs. Mandy McCammon, who’s currently serving as a Navy Public Affairs Officer, at midnight on 28 May. I asked Mandy if she had enough pull on any of the bases in San Diego to get me access for the day so I could give Bud, who served on USS Dewey (DD-349), a windshield tour.
The next day she sent me an email from the current USS Dewey (DDG 105)’s XO, CDR Mikael Rockstad, inviting us down to the ship two days later.
Go and read the rest.! You will be moved and proud. Bravo Zulu to all involved.
h/t Mr. Wolf
Thursday, November 14, 2013
I Thought This Clown Was Supposed To Be A Constitutional Scholar?
Last month, some GOP Congresspeople tried to get up support to amend the ACA, aka #ObamaCare. Most notable were Senators Ted Cruz & Mike Lee. The President, Harry Reid, and the rest of the Democratic Party said, "No, it's the law. And furthermore, we won't even discuss it. Period."
The government shuts down and in an incredibly shameful move, the Administration makes the shutdown as ugly and painful as possible. They spend time and taxpayer money on scumbag moves like closing down the WWII Memorial.
Incredibly, the Administration and the Main Stream Media blamed Cruz, Lee, Republicans and the Tea Party! Seriously? Anyway, the #ACA is law deal with it.
Fast forward a few weeks - the Healthcare.gov website doesn't work. Why? It isn't ready, insufficient testing. Why did you open it? Sibelius says "We had to, the law said so." Buzz! That's a lie, the ACA law says the Secretary (Sibelius) can open it any time they wish. But deal with it, it's the law.
Fast forward another few days - Numbers start coming out. Few can sign up. Rates and policies don't appeal to anyone except those getting Medicaid. Democrats & MSM explain this is because Republicans want the #ACA to fail. Ummm, what? Well anyway, the #ACA is law, deal with it.
Then the individual market cancellations started coming in. I'm sure this is also the fault of Republicans somehow. Anyway, it's the law, deal with it.
And today,
"Insurers can extend current plans that otherwise would have been canceled in 2014," Obama said.
Ahhh, the President does not have that power. The Executive Branch does not just call out changes to law. I thought Obama was the smartest man ever to be President? Not only would it not be possible for him to make such a change to the law, it can't happen no matter how hard he wishes. So what was this? Smoke & mirrors. President Obama just wants you to redirect you frustrations America. Don't fall for it.
The government shuts down and in an incredibly shameful move, the Administration makes the shutdown as ugly and painful as possible. They spend time and taxpayer money on scumbag moves like closing down the WWII Memorial.
Incredibly, the Administration and the Main Stream Media blamed Cruz, Lee, Republicans and the Tea Party! Seriously? Anyway, the #ACA is law deal with it.
Fast forward a few weeks - the Healthcare.gov website doesn't work. Why? It isn't ready, insufficient testing. Why did you open it? Sibelius says "We had to, the law said so." Buzz! That's a lie, the ACA law says the Secretary (Sibelius) can open it any time they wish. But deal with it, it's the law.
Fast forward another few days - Numbers start coming out. Few can sign up. Rates and policies don't appeal to anyone except those getting Medicaid. Democrats & MSM explain this is because Republicans want the #ACA to fail. Ummm, what? Well anyway, the #ACA is law, deal with it.
Then the individual market cancellations started coming in. I'm sure this is also the fault of Republicans somehow. Anyway, it's the law, deal with it.
And today,
"Insurers can extend current plans that otherwise would have been canceled in 2014," Obama said.
Ahhh, the President does not have that power. The Executive Branch does not just call out changes to law. I thought Obama was the smartest man ever to be President? Not only would it not be possible for him to make such a change to the law, it can't happen no matter how hard he wishes. So what was this? Smoke & mirrors. President Obama just wants you to redirect you frustrations America. Don't fall for it.
Thursday, November 07, 2013
Sara's Dog Is Going To Love Me To Death
I'm miserable!
Monday, November 04, 2013
Dr. Ezekial Emanuel - It's Not An Effin' Car
Dr. Ezekial Emanuel has been described as President Obama's "Chief Architect" for the Affordable Care Act. He has been hitting all the media outlets defending the #ACA and attempting to explain away the individual policies that people are losing all over the country. Dr. Emanuel wants you to know that it's not a bad thing that Americans are losing insurance coverage that they liked; that they felt they could afford.
And to illustrate this, Dr. Emanuel repeatedly draws comparisons to purchasing a new car.
This morning on FoxNews Sunday -
"The second thing is, just as we have safety standards for cars, you can't buy a car without a seat belt. You can't buy a car without an air bag. You can drive them, we're not going to take you off the road. But if you're going to buy a new car, you have to have safety"
It's not a car. It's healthcare insurance.
Healthcare insurance that you are mandated by law to obtain and pay for.
If you don't want a new car, you don't have to buy a new car. The law doesn't say that you "must" buy a car. The IRS will not penalize you if you don't buy a car.
Stop comparing it to a car.
So, you may ask - "What kind of guy would try to mislead people this way?"
Well, I'm glad you asked! I give you, Dr. Ezekial Emanuel, "bioethicist".
Obama's Health Rationer-in-Chief
White House health-care adviser Ezekial Emanuel blames the Hippocratic Oath for the overuse of medical care.
Sounds nice, doesn't it? "Overuse" because your doctor is paying attention to his Hippocratic Oath and taking care of you and not society as a whole. Yeah, the "Complete Lives System". I don't know about you, but as a Multiple Myeloma patient who at times has required chemo costing over $22,000 in the space of one month.....this isn't the guy I want anywhere near my healthcare.
And to illustrate this, Dr. Emanuel repeatedly draws comparisons to purchasing a new car.
This morning on FoxNews Sunday -
"The second thing is, just as we have safety standards for cars, you can't buy a car without a seat belt. You can't buy a car without an air bag. You can drive them, we're not going to take you off the road. But if you're going to buy a new car, you have to have safety"
It's not a car. It's healthcare insurance.
Healthcare insurance that you are mandated by law to obtain and pay for.
If you don't want a new car, you don't have to buy a new car. The law doesn't say that you "must" buy a car. The IRS will not penalize you if you don't buy a car.
Stop comparing it to a car.
So, you may ask - "What kind of guy would try to mislead people this way?"
Well, I'm glad you asked! I give you, Dr. Ezekial Emanuel, "bioethicist".
Obama's Health Rationer-in-Chief
White House health-care adviser Ezekial Emanuel blames the Hippocratic Oath for the overuse of medical care.
Sounds nice, doesn't it? "Overuse" because your doctor is paying attention to his Hippocratic Oath and taking care of you and not society as a whole. Yeah, the "Complete Lives System". I don't know about you, but as a Multiple Myeloma patient who at times has required chemo costing over $22,000 in the space of one month.....this isn't the guy I want anywhere near my healthcare.
Friday, November 01, 2013
A Little Affordable Care Perspective
*******UPDATE*****
On FoxNews Sunday, Dr. Ezekial Emanuel just used the 50 million number, which is false on it's face.
I guess I'm feeling ambitious. I don't know why, lol. It's 72 here in the Shenandoah Valley and I am on the deck getting some Vitamin D.
But as I sit here I read and have to listen to people talk about how heartless Republicans are. We fought ObamaCare. We want it to fail. Not cause it's a boondoggle mind you....no, because we never cared about the uninsured. Didn't we understand that 50 million people in America were uninsured in 2008? More than 16% of the population! Read the census!
Well, did you? Did you go read the 2008 census they are/were citing? Cause I did. And a few others did. They tried to tell you. I told everyone who would listen, including my sons who stopped listening, lol! "Yeah, yeah Ma. We know. They are playing with the numbers. Can I get back to what I was doing?"
But it was more than a headline. It was more than a soundbite. People didn't have the time or inclination to fact check. So they were fooled by the whole "50 million Americans have no healthcare!" Never mind healthcare is not health insurance. Word games, numbers games, whatever.
From the 2008 census the number of uninsured in America - Page 20, Table 7. "People Without Health Insurance Coverage by Selected Characteristics: 2007 and 2008"
Number of uninsured in 2008; 46,340,000. Not 50,000,000. OK, so they rounded up a little.
Number of uninsured people whose household income was over $75,000 per year; 9,725,000. Did they need saving? No, more likely they decided they could pay out of pocket and not bother with insurance.
Number of uninsured people whose household income was over $50,000 per year; 8,034,000. Some might have struggled in that bracket depending on their location, but most? No, I don't think so. Again, I believe the majority made a conscious choice to abstain.
Number of uninsured people with a household income under $25,000 per year; 13,673,000. Now again, this number represents something that is not being discussed. It includes a great deal of people who qualify for insurance /Medicaid /Medicare /VA coverage and they are not obtaining it. Why? Well some just aren't aware. Some don't understand the process. Some don't want to be "in the system" whether out of fear or stubbornness. And in all categories, again, there are those who just don't want to opt in. I want outreach to help those who qualify get through the process and get coverage through existing avenues. Don't tell me that there wasn't an easier lest costly way to help this demographic.
Number of non-citizens who do not report health insurance? 9,511,000. Ok, now there are many differing views on what this number represents and how much we should care. This number does not represent a solid block of malnourished, abused, illegal immigrants living in abject poverty. And while you may disagree, I do not think we should be turning 1/6 of our economy to make sure they have insurance.
After I make what I consider to be reasonable adjustments, who is left of those 46,340,000?
Well, I don't want to count anyone making than $75,000 or more per year. If there is an extenuating circumstance, chances are there is a corresponding charity. If not, it must be possible to fix that on a small scale.
So we're down to 36,615,000.
Next category is those making between $50,000 and $74,999. Conceding geographic location, I'll give you half. How's that?
Down to 32,598,000.
What's left is people with incomes under $25K. I'll give you a third of them - 4,557,667. Again, I think that's more than generous. So I'm subtracting two thirds, 9,115,333 people.
Non-citizens? I don't want to count any of them. My Federal tax dollars should not be taking care of you. Go home to your own country for care. Or pay the bill. Taking them completely out would cut the number drastically , but there is no telling where they fell in the income breakdown. So I can't take any off. But you know darn well some of them are represented in the numbers for households making over $25,000 and less than $49,999. And I'm leaving that group whole.
Now our number is 23,482,667. I won't quibble about people who chose not to be insured, as is their right. But where does this leave us? Less than half of what the Affordable Care Act's proponents cried about.
23,482,667 people represent not quite 8% of the 301,483,000 counted..
Now let's watch and see how many people who were responsible and had a policy in 2008 will lose what they had. And I don't mean just the people getting letters that their individual policies are cancelled. You know the ones who per this link on Forbes -
"On Tuesday, White House spokesman Jay Carney attempted to minimize the disruption issue, arguing that it only affected people who buy insurance on their own. “That’s the universe we’re talking about, 5 percent of the population,” said Carney."
So Jay Carney doesn't think *those* 5% are any big deal. You know, it's not like it was 8% or anything.
However, in addition to the people who had individual policies and will lose them.....let's add people whose employers lost or dropped coverage. And what about people who lost access to their employee insurance coverage when employers cut their hours?
So at the end of the day, you will have disrupted far more than 8% of the population. You will have moved them out of policies that were adequate. You will have forced people who simply paid their own way into purchasing insurance they didn't want. Because the ACA also forces insurance companies to drop bare bones policies to offer policies with bells and whistles that some Americans neither needed nor wanted. You will have people moving from adequate plans to plans with higher deductibles and out of pocket costs.
In the big picture you will have a net loss of coverage.
On FoxNews Sunday, Dr. Ezekial Emanuel just used the 50 million number, which is false on it's face.
I guess I'm feeling ambitious. I don't know why, lol. It's 72 here in the Shenandoah Valley and I am on the deck getting some Vitamin D.
But as I sit here I read and have to listen to people talk about how heartless Republicans are. We fought ObamaCare. We want it to fail. Not cause it's a boondoggle mind you....no, because we never cared about the uninsured. Didn't we understand that 50 million people in America were uninsured in 2008? More than 16% of the population! Read the census!
Well, did you? Did you go read the 2008 census they are/were citing? Cause I did. And a few others did. They tried to tell you. I told everyone who would listen, including my sons who stopped listening, lol! "Yeah, yeah Ma. We know. They are playing with the numbers. Can I get back to what I was doing?"
But it was more than a headline. It was more than a soundbite. People didn't have the time or inclination to fact check. So they were fooled by the whole "50 million Americans have no healthcare!" Never mind healthcare is not health insurance. Word games, numbers games, whatever.
From the 2008 census the number of uninsured in America - Page 20, Table 7. "People Without Health Insurance Coverage by Selected Characteristics: 2007 and 2008"
Number of uninsured in 2008; 46,340,000. Not 50,000,000. OK, so they rounded up a little.
Number of uninsured people whose household income was over $75,000 per year; 9,725,000. Did they need saving? No, more likely they decided they could pay out of pocket and not bother with insurance.
Number of uninsured people whose household income was over $50,000 per year; 8,034,000. Some might have struggled in that bracket depending on their location, but most? No, I don't think so. Again, I believe the majority made a conscious choice to abstain.
Number of uninsured people with a household income under $25,000 per year; 13,673,000. Now again, this number represents something that is not being discussed. It includes a great deal of people who qualify for insurance /Medicaid /Medicare /VA coverage and they are not obtaining it. Why? Well some just aren't aware. Some don't understand the process. Some don't want to be "in the system" whether out of fear or stubbornness. And in all categories, again, there are those who just don't want to opt in. I want outreach to help those who qualify get through the process and get coverage through existing avenues. Don't tell me that there wasn't an easier lest costly way to help this demographic.
Number of non-citizens who do not report health insurance? 9,511,000. Ok, now there are many differing views on what this number represents and how much we should care. This number does not represent a solid block of malnourished, abused, illegal immigrants living in abject poverty. And while you may disagree, I do not think we should be turning 1/6 of our economy to make sure they have insurance.
After I make what I consider to be reasonable adjustments, who is left of those 46,340,000?
Well, I don't want to count anyone making than $75,000 or more per year. If there is an extenuating circumstance, chances are there is a corresponding charity. If not, it must be possible to fix that on a small scale.
So we're down to 36,615,000.
Next category is those making between $50,000 and $74,999. Conceding geographic location, I'll give you half. How's that?
Down to 32,598,000.
What's left is people with incomes under $25K. I'll give you a third of them - 4,557,667. Again, I think that's more than generous. So I'm subtracting two thirds, 9,115,333 people.
Non-citizens? I don't want to count any of them. My Federal tax dollars should not be taking care of you. Go home to your own country for care. Or pay the bill. Taking them completely out would cut the number drastically , but there is no telling where they fell in the income breakdown. So I can't take any off. But you know darn well some of them are represented in the numbers for households making over $25,000 and less than $49,999. And I'm leaving that group whole.
Now our number is 23,482,667. I won't quibble about people who chose not to be insured, as is their right. But where does this leave us? Less than half of what the Affordable Care Act's proponents cried about.
23,482,667 people represent not quite 8% of the 301,483,000 counted..
Now let's watch and see how many people who were responsible and had a policy in 2008 will lose what they had. And I don't mean just the people getting letters that their individual policies are cancelled. You know the ones who per this link on Forbes -
"On Tuesday, White House spokesman Jay Carney attempted to minimize the disruption issue, arguing that it only affected people who buy insurance on their own. “That’s the universe we’re talking about, 5 percent of the population,” said Carney."
So Jay Carney doesn't think *those* 5% are any big deal. You know, it's not like it was 8% or anything.
However, in addition to the people who had individual policies and will lose them.....let's add people whose employers lost or dropped coverage. And what about people who lost access to their employee insurance coverage when employers cut their hours?
So at the end of the day, you will have disrupted far more than 8% of the population. You will have moved them out of policies that were adequate. You will have forced people who simply paid their own way into purchasing insurance they didn't want. Because the ACA also forces insurance companies to drop bare bones policies to offer policies with bells and whistles that some Americans neither needed nor wanted. You will have people moving from adequate plans to plans with higher deductibles and out of pocket costs.
In the big picture you will have a net loss of coverage.
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