QUOTE: Hitler’s a footnote

Friday, January 22, 2010

“If every Jewish and anti-nazi family in Germany had owned a Mauser rifle and twenty rounds of ammunition and the will to use it, Adolf Hitler would be a little-known footnote to the history of the Weimar Republic.”

– – – – Aaron Zelman, co-founder of Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership

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POLITICAL: Obama’s health agenda

Thursday, January 21, 2010

WITH APOLOGIES TO ONE OF MY FACEBOOK FRIENDS:

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Coakley took the hit, but Obama can’t let one vote derail his agenda and his Presidency. Seat Brown, then have the House pass the Senate bill as is and sign it before the State of the Union address.

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It’s NOT just one vote.

This bill is a DISASTER. Both personally and for the country. It’s not about “heath”, “health care”, or even “health care insurance”. It’s about putting the gooferment in charge of people’s decisions about their lives.

Personally, my wife needs her doctors to work hard on her case; not playing games to satisfy some gooferment bureaucrat deciding what care she will get.

Nationally, we can’t afford this monstrosity. The gooferment already “runs” Medicare (broke!), Medicaid (breaking Fed and States), the VA (hated by most vets and underfunded), and Indian Health System (hated and goes broke every June). Let them “fix” one of those and then revisit the issue.

As a little L libertarian, I’d prefer that they just leaves us alone. If they can’t do that, how about some things that EVERYONE can agree on: (1) interstate competition; (2) eliminate the unfavorable tax treatment on self-purchased health care insurance; and (3) some limits on malpractice awards?

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POLITICAL: Sic transit gloria mundi

Thursday, January 21, 2010

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,673192,00.html

01/21/2010
The World from Berlin
The World Bids Farewell to Obama

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Center-left daily Süddeutsche Zeitung writes on Thursday:

“Obama made a serious misjudgement. Right at the beginning of his first year in office, he saved the banks, rescued the automobile industry from collapse and passed a huge economic stimulus package. He had hoped that these enormous deeds would give him the space to address those issues which are dearest to him: health care reform, climate change and investment in education.”

“Those issues, however, are clearly not priorities for people in the US at the moment. Scott Brown campaigned on two promises, both of which apparently struck a nerve with the electorate. He wants to block health care reform and he wants to find ways to reduce the enormous budget deficit. It is here where the roots of dissatisfaction with Obama are to be found. His reform agenda, in its current form, is highly suspect to Americans. And they have the impression that, if he continues piling up debt, he will be gambling away the country’s future.”

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He’s misjudged the meaning of his election. And, for all the talk of tough Chicago style politics, he wasn’t so tough. He caved to Wall Street. He should have said to little Timmy, Helicopter Ben, the Labor Unions, the Trial lawyers, Nancy, and Harry: “Howdy, now get lost!”. They sunk him. Along with Big Sis, and all the hangers on weighing him down. I believe he missed one key factor. Wall Street has a unique survival mechanism. Self-preservation. If he had zipped the public purse form the bail outs — all of them — magic would have happened. All these folks with “no way to survive” would have figured it out WITHOUT a bail out. And, after the first one was rejected, there would have been NO QUEUE for more “worthy contenders”.

He should have focused on the message of Bill Clinton. Like Kennedy, he could have had the Obama tax cut to small business. Figure out a complicated formula to ensure it went only to the little guys. They make the jobs any way. Then go after the sugar and milk price supports to bring down prices to the people. Then, repeal the minimum wage and put youngsters back to work. Minorities would have been helped. He could have gone after the absurd “war on some drugs” and emptied the prisons of non-violent drug offenders.

Then, maybe he could have done all sorts of good things. He went for the big brass ring and fell off the ride. He should have, in consultant speak, gone after the low hanging fruit. Quick easy wins that score big points.

Sad.

All glory fades.

Seeking to be a JFK, he winds up a Carter. At least, he not a joke like Clinton. “Democratic” President don’t seem to work out too well.

(It is interesting how the UK, German, and International press is so much better than the US counterparts.)

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JOBSEARCH: A relo is a test of faith?

Thursday, January 21, 2010

http://www.irishcentral.com/ent/Conan-OBrien-will-leave-Tonight-Show-81160232.html

Conan O’Brien will definitely leave ‘Tonight Show’
By ANTOINETTE KELLY
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer
Published Monday, January 11, 2010, 2:43 PM

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“Conan uprooted his family, his life and moved to Los Angeles and they have not given him enough time” the friend said. “It is outrageous what they have done to him.” O’Brien’s family is extremely upset that the massive lifestyle change they made and the new responsibility O’Brien assumed has been taken so lightly by NBC.

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It certainly is a good lesson to anyone considering a corporate relo deal.

I remember one fellow getting axed as his plane was enroute from Sweden to Houston and he was so screwed.

To relo, you MUST HAVE a contract. History is replete with lessons. If they won’t give you one, how can you trust them?

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UNCATEGORIZED: Unfathomable accident

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

http://www.ocregister.com/news/skiing-229614-telluride-king.html

January 19, 2010 8:30 AM
Snowboarder who died had proposed
By ANNIE BURRIS and JON CASSIDY
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Helitrax Guide Hilaree O’Neill was skiing right behind her, and tried to take off King’s helmet, but her hands went numb in the frigid water, she told the Telluride Daily Planet.

Only King’s head was trapped underwater in the shallow creek. Her snowboard and legs lay on the bank. The creek was 12 to 16 inches deep, Helitrax officials said. It took “considerable” force to pull her free, Helitrax director Aaron Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez, who was downhill with a second group, was helicoptered up to the accident to help. The rescuers tried to dam the water from running over King’s face, but by the time she was pulled from the water, 10 minutes had passed. King had no pulse and was not breathing; she was pronounced dead at the scene about noon.

San Miguel County Sheriff Bill Masters called the death “one of those freak things.” Coroner officials said she died of drowning.

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A sad tragic accident! Stunning. I bet a lot of people will be kicking themselves for a long time about this one.

But, we know not the day; nor the hour!

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POLITICAL: The View on healthcare

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Whoopi: “I want what all the guys and girls in Congress have. Gimme what you got! Why do you get better than me?”

AGREED! Why should the employees have better than the poor people paying the bills.

Joy on preexisting conditions.

DISAGREE! Hey that’s why the call it “pre-existing”. And, it’s insurance. Otherwise it’s welfare. You can’t buy fire insurance when your house is burning down. Or as some Californians discovered, when the neighborhood it threatened by wildfires. Why should you be able to buy “insurance” AFTER your diagnosed with the condition. The problem is the way the gooferment has mucked up insurance coverage in this country. If you bought “health” insurance like you buy car insurance, life insurance, dental insurance, pet insurance! The problem occurs when health insurance is connected with your employment. Lose your job; lose your insurance. You don’t lose your car insurance. Argh! You could buy a high deductible policy (i.e., 5, 10, or 25k) even today and never ever hear about pre-existing conditions. Argh!

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TECHNOLOGY: Paywalls

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

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it’s been our experience that, quite often, papers initially made available for free online will eventually disappear behind the pay wall at some point. So if we post something you think you might want to reread or use in the future, grab a copy of the full text as soon as you see it. No telling how long it will remain freely available.

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It’s a shame that has to happen. If it’s not “pay” to start with, then why “pay” after a time.

Unfortunately, the inet isn’t a library. And, as I find out more and more, Google ain’t that good!

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POLITICAL: It’s the economy. It’s ALWAYS the economy!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

http://www.keywestlou.com/2010/01/haiti-has-brought-earthquakes-to-mind.html

My Life in Key West
Monday, January 18, 2010

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This Massachusetts election to fill Ted Kennedy’s seat is both interesting and troublesome. The political pundits this morning are predicting the Republican will win. If so, the Democratic majority of 60 will be gone. And probably also the new healthcare bill.

What does this all reflect?

There is an undercurrent of dissatisfaction in this country. Properly so. The economy is down. Unemployment is rampant. Foreclosures continue. The banks and insurance companies say screw you to the government and people.

The situation is much like that which causes earthquakes. Things have to move and move properly. If not, there is a glitch big time. An earthquake in one instance. A political upheaval in the other.

Something has to be done. And soon. We cannot much longer tolerate the abuse which is being heaped upon us as a people.

Obama, wake up! You can do it!

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BHO43 has forgotten the (Bill) Clinton doctrine. “It’s the economy stupid!” His “heath care” fiasco — which is not about health, health care, or health care insurance — it IS about putting the gooferment in control of people’s lives. To make a permanent dependence upon politicians for “medical care”. Along the way, in the tradition of good old Chicago politics, BHO43 and his co-conspirators can reward their firends, punish their enemies, and feather their own nests. Argh!

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GUNS: The unique tool saves his life unconventionally

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

http://cbs13.com/local/roseville.underwater.car.2.1432423.html

Jan 17, 2010 7:00 pm US/Pacific
Driver Shoots His Way Out Of Submerged Car

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The man, employed as an armed security officer at Thunder Valley Casino, found himself trapped inside his car about six to eight feet below the surface in the 50-degree water.

The Roseville Fire Department said the man used his handgun to shoot out his vehicle window, giving himself an opportunity to escape and swim to safety.

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It’s just a handy tool!

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POLITICAL: Amish exempt from Obamacare?

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20100109/NEWS02/301099964

Amish families exempt from insurance mandate
HEALTH REFORM: People with religious objections can opt out
By MARC HELLER
TIMES WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT
SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2010

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WASHINGTON — Federal health care reform will require most Northern New Yorkers — but not all, it turns out — to carry health insurance or risk a fine.

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Interesting?!

They get an exception, but we get abortion?

How come the Hyde Amendment and the conscience exception get dropped? And abortion funding is Rahm-ed up our … ?

Pitchfork and torch in hand, I’m ready. Are you?

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