Iraq suicide bomb kills at least 125 - Feb 28, 2005

Headlines: Opening statements in the Michael Jackson trial to start today; Million Dollar Baby is the "best picture," Hillary Swank is the "best actress," Morgan Freeman is the "best supporting actor," and more than 125 people died in Iraq in the "best insurgent attack" since the start of the Iraq war. What story do you think will lead your local newscast tonight?

CNN.com - Iraq suicide bomb kills at least 125 - Feb 28, 2005: "In the deadliest single insurgent attack of the Iraq war, a suicide car bombing killed 125 people Monday in Hilla where police recruits were waiting to get physicals, Iraqi government and health officials said."

Critics decry drivers license bill

Well, back in the saddle. Just a casual browsing of MSNBC brings this:

MSNBC - Critics decry drivers license bill: "These opponents say the measure, passed by a 261-161 vote last month and supported by the White House, even could make it possible for the government to monitor people's movements in the country through a chip in a license."

First of all, it wasn't "last month," it was this month. February 9, 2005, to be specific. Second, it's H.RES.71 if you care to look it up. And here are the YEAs and NAYs. But, if you don't want to click it, aside from the "not voting" it was a party line split, except for one Democrat (Davis, from TN) that voted with the Republicans.

I'm still diggin' the performance...

I suppose I should keep this more updated than I have. It's just that Melissa's performance has given me a chance to take a few days off as sort of a 'breather' from politics, and quite frankly, I've enjoyed it. It's been nice to have something else to focus on. It also gives me a bit of perspective on my life. No matter how bad things get, I don't have cancer, and for that I am grateful.

This come from an article on CNN.com. I wonder if Melissa is getting used to her new role as "cancer survivor." She probably enjoys the respite from "lesibain rock star who's kids are fathered by David Crosby" as much as I enjoyed the respite from politics. Of course, given the choice, I'm sure Melissa would rather still be talking about her queerness.

CNN.com - Breast cancer: The path traveled and road ahead - Feb 24, 2005: "Melissa Etheridge's powerful performance at this month's Grammy Awards rocked and resonated with the thousands in attendance and millions more watching on television. Her distinctive voice and hard-strummed guitar echoed throughout the hall, as did her energy."

Out on the streets....lookin' GOOD

Damn, what can I say? Melissa Etheridge is amazing. I might be a tad biased. I've been a fan for years. In a couple years, I can say I've been a fan for decades.

Last night's performance on the 2005 Grammy awards was awe-inspiring. I've heard Melissa sing "Piece of My Heart" numerous times. But last night she gave new meaning to "a woman can be tough."

Melissa is my hero.

We Urgently need...a Principals level discussion on al Qida network

This is a memo dated January 25, 2001, to Condoleezza Rice. Sent five days after the swearing in of GWBush. No meeting until September 4.

We need a democratic controlled congress in 2006.

Bush Administration's First Memo on al-Qaeda Declassified: "'We urgently need . . . a Principals level review on the al Qida network.'"

75 Killed in Iraq as Violence Continues After Elections

What you missed while you were preparing for the Superbowl this weekend.

Democracy Now! | Headlines for February 7, 2005: "75 Killed in Iraq as Violence Continues After Elections
In Iraq, at least 75 people have died over the past three days in violence across the country. Earlier today, in Mosul a suicide bomber blew himself up outside a hospital killing 12 police officers. In Baqouba a car bomb targeted the provincial police headquarters. 13 people died in the attack and 18 others were injured. On Sunday, 22 Iraqi security forces were killed when a police station south of Baghdad was attacked. On Saturday at least 33 Iraqis died including a member of the Baghdad city council. Meanwhile on Friday the Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena was kidnapped while reporting near Baghdad University. The 56-year-old woman writes for the Italian daily Il Manifesto. In other Iraq news, the New York Times is reporting that leading Shiite clerics are pushing for the new Iraqi constitution to be based on Islamic law. Early election results show the Shiite coalition backed by the Grand Ayatollah Sistani have a commanding lead over the secular Shiite ticket headed by interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi. Time Magazine is also reporting a new scandal has emerged at the U.S-run prison Abu Ghraib. According to the magazine, U.S. jail officials allowed amputations to be performed on detainees by nondoctors. Medical personnel also recycled chest tubs from the dead to the living. And in at least one case, a medic was ordered to cover up a homicide. "

Healthcare in the good ol' US of A

Yahoo! News - Healthcare Overhaul Is Quietly Underway

From this article:Supporters of the new approach, who see it as part of Bush's "ownership society," say workers and their families would become more careful users of healthcare if they had to pay the bills.


Why doesn't anyone talk about holding the insurance companies responsible for the rising cost of health care? I've said it before and I'll say it again, I don't see ONE insurance company folding up and moving out. Why is that?

So, how will those that can barely afford health care now get any medical care if they have to bear the full responsibility for it? It should be fairly common knowledge that the greater the pool the lower the risk the lower the cost.

I don't think that I'd be able to purchase my own health care plan in Bushes great "ownership society" for the same cost that the company for which I work could. Bulk rates, ya know?

So, is $800 a month for a comprehensive paln too much? Is a "catastrophic plan" with a $2000 deductible going to be my opion? Just what would I be "more careful" with? Let's see...wouldn't get a mammogram, wouldn't get a pap smear. Men wouldn't get routine prostrate cancer checks. Why should we?

Somehow, the "lawsuits" and bushes plan got melded together. They are two separate issues. Capping lawsuits WONT lower medical costs, because most lawsuits are PRODUCT LIABILITY suits, not medical malpractice suits.

What Bush is really talking about in this "ownership society" of his is corporate control -- corporate control of health care, corporate control of social security. He's already given the prescription drug plan to the pharmeceutical companies.

Interestingly enough, after that Yahoo news article yesterday, there was this on CNN/Money today:"Among those whose illnesses led to bankruptcy, out-of-pocket costs averaged $11,854 since the start of illness; 75.7 percent had insurance at the onset of illness."

The average bankrupt person surveyed had spent $13,460 on co-payments, deductibles and uncovered services if they had private insurance. People with no insurance spent an average of $10,893 for such out-of-pocket expenses.

"Even middle-class insured families often fall prey to financial catastrophe when sick," the researchers wrote.
....
Dr. Steffie Woolhandler, a Harvard associate professor and physician who advocates for universal health coverage, said the study supported demands for health reform.

"Covering the uninsured isn't enough. We must also upgrade and guarantee continuous coverage for those who have insurance," Woolhandler said in a statement.

She said many employers and politicians were pressing for what she called "stripped-down plans so riddled with co-payments, deductibles and exclusions that serious illness leads straight to bankruptcy."

PNAC -- Draft??

Hmmmm...I wonder just how they plan to increase the armed forces by "at least 25,000" for the "next several years." Did y'all listen to Condi when she was talking about the "generational committment" that will need to be made to fight this war on terror?

Protect your children if they might happen to be of draft age in the "next several years."

Project for the New American Century: "So we write to ask you and your colleagues in the legislative branch to take the steps necessary to increase substantially the size of the active duty Army and Marine Corps. While estimates vary about just how large an increase is required, and Congress will make its own determination as to size and structure, it is our judgment that we should aim for an increase in the active duty Army and Marine Corps, together, of at least 25,000 troops each year over the next several years. "