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Tuesday Morning Open Thread

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You know it is bizarre to see Dan Burton, the Republican representative from Indiana, who devoted agreat deal of time in the 90s accusing Hillary Clinton of being behind the "murder" of Vince Foster, questioning Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. You can watch the proceedings on C-Span 3 or at C-span.com. Here is Hillary zinging Cheney on torture.

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    Freddie Mac CFO an apparent suicide (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by scribe on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 10:52:15 AM EST
    In his suburban DC home.

    From WaPo:

    The acting chief financial officer of troubled mortgage giant Freddie Mac was found dead in his Fairfax County home early this morning after apparently committing suicide, Fairfax police said.

    David Kellermann, 41, was a longtime Freddie Mac executive who joined the firm as an analyst in 1992. Police were called to his stately red brick home in the upscale Hunter Mill Estates subdivision shortly before 5 a.m., police spokesman Eddy Azcarate said. The call was made by someone inside the home, which is on a tree-studded corner lot in the 1700 block of Raleigh Hill Road.

    Azcarate said Kellermann's body was found in the basement. Although one police source told the Post it appeared Kellermann had taken his own life, department spokesmen said only that there were no signs of foul play and that the county medical examiner would make a formal cause of death ruling.

    Rest in Peace.

    Ah jeez. (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 02:37:53 PM EST
    And he has a wife and daughter.

    RIP

    Parent

    It is funny (5.00 / 2) (#11)
    by andgarden on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 11:36:59 AM EST
    that Dana Rohrabacher is warning Hillary about maintaining her credibility with him. Does it matter at all whether he thinks she's credible? clearly not.

    See, (5.00 / 4) (#15)
    by jbindc on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 12:10:07 PM EST
    That's why I would never make it as a politician, because I would have had to reply to Rohrbacher with something like:

    "I guess we're even then, Congressman, because you have no credibility with me and I can't believe I have to answer these idiotic questions from someone with a brain the size of a pea!"

    shortened version (and also what I might say)

    "Bite Me"

    Parent

    You missed your calling (5.00 / 3) (#19)
    by Cream City on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 12:28:02 PM EST
    as a speechwriter for Cheney.

    Parent
    Ha! (none / 0) (#21)
    by jbindc on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 12:33:04 PM EST
    Well, one thing Cheney really isn't is a politician.  He'd never kiss butt or worry about if you liked him or not.

    But Cheney uses much "bluer" words than I would feel comfortable with (at least in public).  ;)

    Parent

    LA Times article about John Yoo's (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by oculus on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 12:13:37 PM EST
    involvement on a panel in Orange Co.  He is a visiting professor at Chapman (recently accredited):  LAT

    Says John Yoo:

    "Three thousand of our fellow citizens had been killed in a deliberate attack by a foreign enemy," Yoo, unruffled by shouts that he is a war criminal and should be in jail, told a packed auditorium on the Orange County campus. "That forced us in the government to have to consider measures to gain information using presidential constitutional provisions to protect the country from further attack."
     (Emphasis added.)

    Obama and Yoo (none / 0) (#25)
    by Catch 22 on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 01:18:57 PM EST
    Interesting revelation considering yesterday's topics regarding Obama's sham of a presser:

    SAN FRANCISCO -- Lawyers for the Obama administration struggled on Friday to persuade a federal judge here to throw out an unusual civil lawsuit against John C. Yoo, the former government lawyer whose memorandums on torture were used by the Bush administration to justify sweeping policies on detention and interrogation.

    Link

    Yes the judge did not dismiss the case. But that is not the point here. The point is those Lawyers for the Obama administration probably work for Holder and they are trying to defend Yoo. Given that does anyone still think there is a chance that Holder will prosecute anyone? I didn't yesterday and and I totally dismiss it today.

    Parent

    Researching ADHD (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by Fabian on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 12:16:15 PM EST
    I'm a little shocked to discover that I actually like reading material written for professionals.  Maybe I just like it better than material that is "dumbed down" for the lay person.  It's frustrating for me to read an article that merely touches on a topic without bothering to explain it in any detail.

    The author of one book is a proponent of stimulant drug therapies.  So much so that I can hear the author grumbling to herself when faced with parents who resist giving their children drugs.

    She states that the great majority of individuals with ADHD respond to stimulant therapies, but she never seems to get around to telling us what happens to the individuals who don't respond.  I appreciate her experience with the success of stimulant therapies, but I really would like to know what the options are when her preferred treatment fails.

    ADHD trivia: Despite much study, we still don't know what causes ADHD.  We know what it looks like in terms of brain function, but we don't know why.

    ADHD from my reading (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by BackFromOhio on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 05:42:11 PM EST
    does not have a single cause.  It is related to supply and uptake of dopamin and norepinephrine. There can be problems with either or both neurotransmitters in different parts of the brain in different people, & thus the different forms the disorder takes.

    The best book I've read on the subject by Daniel Amen, who does very serious brain scans, in addition to very detailed patient histories.  For patients whose cases merit approaches without drugs, he prescribes various combinations of arobic exercise and nutrients, including specific amino acids, etc. which have a role in production/absorption or whatever of these neurotransmitters.  Dr. Amen also has a very interesting series on the brain, various disorders as well as aging on PBS.

    Parent

    I was diagnosed having AADD in 1994... (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by easilydistracted on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 06:17:34 PM EST
    in the first semester of returning to finish college at the age of 41. And I've been on stimulants since that time. In my case, it was like fog had cleared. Although initially I just flat refused to admit having the disability. The grades got worse and I began sitting in on the group therapy sessions. Several months later I finally agreed to try the stimulants and I have never regretted that decision. I know understand that many of the problems I've had are related to AADD (reckless driving habits, disorganization, procrastination, job issues, etc.). Stimulants continue to work for me.    

    Parent
    David Ignatius (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by lilburro on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 12:30:27 PM EST
    parrots a few of the CIA officers (or ex-CIA) who have appeared in the media with threats and doomsday scenarios.  

    Put yourself in the shoes of the people who were asked to interrogate al-Qaeda prisoners in 2002. One former officer told me he declined the job, not because he thought the program was wrong but because he knew it would blow up. "We all knew the political wind would change eventually," he recalled. Other officers who didn't make that cynical but correct calculation are now "broken and bewildered," says the former operative.

    For a taste of what's ahead, recall the chilling effects of past CIA scandals. In 1995, then-Director John Deutch ordered a "scrub" of the agency's assets after revelations of past links to Guatemalan death squads. Officers were told they shouldn't jettison sources who had provided truly valuable intelligence. But the practical message, recalls one former division chief, was: "Don't deal with assets who could pose political risks." A similar signal is being sent now, he warns.

    How are these situations really alike?  The message here is DO NOT TORTURE PEOPLE AND DO NOT SEND PEOPLE TO BE TORTURED.  We're always going to have unsavory friends.  But for the love of God, just don't waterboard someone.  How hard is this?

    Did Ignatius happen to mention that (5.00 / 2) (#26)
    by Anne on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 01:35:46 PM EST
    John Rizzo - you know, the guy at the CIA to whom the recently-released memos were addressed - is still the acting general counsel at the CIA?

    Per Marcy Wheeler:

    John Rizzo, the man who worked with both Jay Bybee and Steven Bradbury to pre-authorize torture, is still being paid by you and me to make sure that the CIA follows the law.

    As the SASC report notes, Rizzo is the man who provided the list of torture techniques to Jay Bybee for inclusion in the memo--the key link in turning SERE techniques into torture.

    According to Acting CIA General Counsel John Rizzo, the techniques that the OLC analyzed in the Second Bybee memo were provided by his office. In his testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Mr. Rizzo stated that his office was "the vehicle" for getting the interrogation practices analyzed in the Second Bybee memo to the Department of Justice.

    This suggests it's likely that Rizzo knew that CIA was intending to do one thing with waterboarding but tempering the description of that in the OLC memo. Also, I outlined ways in which it appears the information Rizzo provided to OLC was, at a minimum, under dispute when it was given. In other words, Rizzo may well be the key person who manipulated the OLC process to legalize torture.

    Query:  Why can't Obama ask for Rizzo's resignation?  Better yet - why hasn't he?

    Parent

    I wish I knew the answer to that. (none / 0) (#34)
    by lilburro on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 02:29:24 PM EST
    I can barely read the Washington (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by Joelarama on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 01:59:12 PM EST
    Post any more.  I happened to see a spare copy at lunch today and a glance at the editorials and op/ed columnists almost made me lose that lunch.

    Fred Hiatt is building another Wall Street Journal.

    Parent

    Here is another example (5.00 / 2) (#31)
    by lilburro on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 02:12:48 PM EST
    on the "CIA morale" issue:

    Mark Hosenball -

    Those concerns were echoed by a retired undercover operative who still works under contract for the agency (and asked to remain anonymous when discussing internal agency politics). Clandestine Service officers are both demoralized and angry at Obama's decisions to release the memos and ban future agency use of aggressive interrogation tactics, the former operative said. "It embarrasses our families. You just can't keep hitting us. Sooner or later we're going to stop going out and working." The official added that "a lot of offense was taken" among some Clandestine Service veterans when Obama declared that the interrogation practices the agency employed under Bush were wrong, even though the new Administration would not prosecute operatives for carrying them out. [emphasis supplied]

    What can you do when someone is offended when you say torture is wrong?  How far is Obama expected to go to please these people who would apparently be quite comfortable blathering openly on Fox News or attending a teabag rally?

    To Hosenball's credit, he at least cites case officers who get it.  More than Ignatius can do for whatever deranged reason (personally, I believe that some intelligence reporters are somewhat titilated by their relationship with the spy community, and constantly give them sympathetic coverage in order to maintain the intimacy).  Here is Kiriakou, someone Hosenball doesn't cite, but who also has a positive view of Obama's recent moves (no comment on the memos though).  Kiriakou is the ex-agent who came out, not quite honestly, about waterboarding.

    I find the writing of people like Ignatius to be completely irresponsible.  At least when some people are being one-sided, they are not dealing out a POV that suggests our lives are being threatened.

    Parent

    Is demoralization behind the extravagant (none / 0) (#60)
    by sallywally on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 06:56:27 PM EST
    welcome they gave Obama at the CIA?

    Parent
    Sooo... (none / 0) (#24)
    by Fabian on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 01:12:29 PM EST
    The smart dudes opted out and the less bright or recklessly ambitious stepped in it?

    Let's hear it for brains and experience!  The last thing we need is the CIA full of Monica Goodlings.

    Parent

    C'mon.... (5.00 / 2) (#30)
    by jbindc on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 02:09:57 PM EST
    Experience doesn't matter.  You know that.

    (Where have I heard that before?)

    <snark>

    Parent

    Torture case lawyers may face jail for letter (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by jbindc on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 12:41:02 PM EST
    Link

    Two lawyers, who represent a former Gitmo prisoner who accused a San Fransisco Bay area company of flying him to foreign torture chambers for the CIA, face possible jail sentences for writing a letter to Obama asking him to disclose how brutally their client was treated.

    The government says the letter falsely accused a Pentagon review team of censoring details of the alleged torture of Binyam Mohamed from a document the attorneys wanted to send to Obama. The lawyers stand by their accusations but have been summoned to Washington, D.C., by a federal judge for a hearing next month on whether they should be held in contempt of court, punishable by up to six months in jail.


    Surely the administration will ask the judge to (none / 0) (#65)
    by jawbone on Thu Apr 23, 2009 at 09:30:53 AM EST
    just look forward? Right? Heh.

    Parent
    Getting away from torture for a minute.... (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by jbindc on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 02:20:59 PM EST
    States spending money to keep stimulus funds

    LINCOLN, Neb. - When it comes to the $787 billion in federal stimulus money flowing from Washington to the states, it will cost money to spend money.

    Nebraska's governor's office told lawmakers it expects to spend more than $1.2 million over two years to oversee disbursement of about $1.5 billion Nebraska stands to receive in federal stimulus funds.

    Other states are in similar straits. But Washington -- at least for now -- isn't handing out money for states to hire auditors and accountants, and the stimulus law requires stringent reporting from states to ensure transparency and curb abuses.

    Gee, the plan was as well thought-out as we originally predicted.


    FDA to OK "Plan B" for 17 year olds (5.00 / 1) (#42)
    by jbindc on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 03:44:31 PM EST
    Link

    WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Food and Drug Administration, reversing field, will allow 17-year-olds get the 'morning-after' birth control pill without a doctor's prescription, a government health official said Wednesday.

    The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the agency will comply with a federal judge's order overturning a Bush administration policy that restricted access. The official was not authorized to speak publicly before the FDA announcement, expected later Wednesday.

    Last month, U.S. District Judge Edward Korman ruled in a New York lawsuit that Bush administration appointees let politics, not science, drive their decision to allow over-the-counter access to the pills only for women 18 and older. Korman ordered the agency to let 17-year-olds get the medication, and separately to evaluate whether all age restrictions should be lifted.

    The FDA's latest action does not mean that the pill will be immediately available to 17-year-olds. The manufacturer must first submit a request, but the agency is indicating that it will approve the change.



    Breaking! Hillary lovefest happening (5.00 / 1) (#48)
    by nycstray on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 04:28:38 PM EST
    over at the Big Orange. Freakin' funny as all heck She can now run in 2016, lol!~  :P

    I noticed that earlier. (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by lilburro on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 04:33:29 PM EST
    It is really hilarious, yes.

    Parent
    I think the funniest part (5.00 / 1) (#50)
    by nycstray on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 04:40:43 PM EST
    is the few who tried to be negative. Man they sure defended her, lol!~

    Parent
    I feel like I have gone thru (5.00 / 3) (#51)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 04:47:01 PM EST
    the looking glass or something.
    I now know how Alice felt.


    Parent
    The ADHD blog? (none / 0) (#52)
    by Cream City on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 04:52:08 PM EST
    The Denial blog?

    Nah, just the Apricot Hypocrites blog.

    Useless waste of cyberspace there.  But I guess it keeps the Kossacks away from the real world, where minds with the attention span of gnats could do real harm.  No wonder Obama has no time for them.

    Parent

    It's good comedy :) (5.00 / 4) (#53)
    by nycstray on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 04:56:06 PM EST
    watching them trip all over themselves to sing her praises  ;)

    Parent
    TARP investigations (none / 0) (#2)
    by CST on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 10:55:28 AM EST
    There are supposedly about 20 criminal investigations that will be coming about the misuse of tarp funds and fraud.

    Apparently people have not been playing by the rules.  Including the exec. compensation rule.

    Note that yesterday, Geithner said (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by joanneleon on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 12:15:59 PM EST
    (after being pressed on the subject) that he did not believe that companies who participate in the PPIC program will have a new set of rules and that he does not believe they should have any constraints on executive compensation.  He hasn't come up with all the rules yet either, even though the program is in the works.

    His attitude and behavior toward the oversight committee was terrible too, IMHO.  This was the first time he has ever attending a hearing with them, and he refused to commit to a regular schedule of meetings with them.  Most of his answers were very hard to follow and he is constantly promising that things will be delivered in a couple of weeks, and such.

    Parent

    That Format Was Horrible... (none / 0) (#27)
    by santarita on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 01:37:15 PM EST
    for any real exchanges of information.  The time constraints alone made it well neigh impossible,  None of his opening statement regarding proposals for regulatory reform was allowed because of time constraints.  And then he couldn't discuss the results of the stress tests because the final report won't be ready until May 4th.  And some members of the panel were not well-informed. Unfortunately, the subject matter is complex and doesn't give itself to two-minute sound bites.  

    What I got out of that hearing (other than the fact that the Republicans are concerned with the government having too much control over the banks) is that Geithner believes that the overall approach that the government is taking is the best approach at the least cost to the taxpayers when considered against the alternatives.  Whether he is right remains to be seen.    

    Parent

    PA Primary was a year ago today (none / 0) (#3)
    by andgarden on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 11:01:48 AM EST
    Hard to believe it was that long ago.

    Time flies when you're having fun, I guess. (none / 0) (#4)
    by scribe on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 11:08:09 AM EST
    Anyone remember the 5 weeks of back-and-forth across Pennsylvania which preceded that primary?  Or the microscopic examination of such stuff like whether Obama ate enough chocolate at the candy factory or whether the 10 Democrats in some Pa. mountain county were bitter and clinging to their guns and religion or not?

    For that matter, does anyone remember Obama's speech on race at the Philly Constitution Center?

    Parent

    I remember the race speech (none / 0) (#22)
    by samtaylor2 on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 12:37:45 PM EST
    It was amazing and trully touching.  If you have forgot it, and care to hear it again, I am sure you could find it on online

    Parent
    I thought about just that this morning on the way (none / 0) (#5)
    by NJDem on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 11:09:59 AM EST
    to work.  It is hard to believe...

    Meanwhile, the SOS is testifying at the Foreign Policy hearing on Capital Hill.  I'm watching the CNN live-stream, but I missed whether or not she reacted to this one Congressman's criticism of releasing the torture memos.  Anyone catch it?    

    Parent

    Secretary Clinton is (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by JThomas on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 11:27:54 AM EST
    kicking butt and taking names today. She is doing a great job of rebutting some of these goofs from the GOP. Love how she responded to Rohrbacher when he cited Cheney's concern over the release of the torture memos...indicated she does not consider Cheney to be a reliable source on this topic or something to that effect. She is really doing a great job of defending President Obama from these jackals complaining about him shaking Chavez's hand..way to go,Madame Secretary!

    Parent
    Yes she is! (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by NJDem on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 11:38:16 AM EST
    her breadth of knowledge is inspiring and the personal comments by the panel have been so warm, kind, and (seemingly) genuinely appreciative. Is this typical?  Did they gush like this over Condi, Colin, etc?  I sincerely don't remember....

    Here's a re-post from last night in case you missed it:

    On another note--check out this photo.  If a picture says a thousand words, huh?  That look...the body language... It's like she and Obama are playing a good cop/bad cop thing :)  

    Parent

    Speaking of COndi (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by BackFromOhio on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 05:49:45 PM EST
    Last night Rachel Maddow show had Philip Zelikow on to speak about torture. He worked at State for Condi.  He spoke most eloquently against torture, & defended his decision to stay with the Govt, even though his memo countering the infamous "legal memos" of Yoo & Bybee was shot down & apparently ordered to be destroyed. The defense:  By staying, I was able to help Condi persuade Pres B to reverse the policy on torture in 2005/6.  Worthwhile seeing the interview on video replay.  

    Parent
    Zelikow not only trying to clean up his rep, but (none / 0) (#69)
    by jawbone on Thu Apr 23, 2009 at 09:53:19 AM EST
    trying to cover up for Condi and BushBoy!

    On NPR this morning he said Condi tried to ameliorate the torture stuff and that he believed Bush himself never wanted to see torture. (So Bush didn't watch the videos??)

    Oooh! Pointing the finger at Cheney and his minions!

    However, shortly after saying something about Bush being clean, he did admit that Bush ordered all copies of his memos rounded up and destroyed.

    But he held on to his, by gum, and quite presciently it seems. Wily of him.

    Parent

    GOP goofs . . . (none / 0) (#10)
    by nycstray on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 11:32:23 AM EST
    Some of them can really give you pause, eh? "Exporting abortion"?! Oy.

    Parent
    Agency vacancies (none / 0) (#6)
    by jbindc on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 11:17:46 AM EST
    Interesting.  Don't see how health care will be a big priority this year, even once Sebelius gets confirmed.

    Link

    When Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, approved yesterday by a Senate committee, takes over as secretary of health and human services, there will finally be one confirmed Obama appointee at each agency. But she may well be joining the ranks of the "home alone" crowd.

    In that distinguished grouping we find Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis. Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner each have but one other confirmed nominee to talk to, according to data compiled by Clara Janis of New York University's Wagner School of Public Service.



    It still needs to be a top priority (5.00 / 3) (#14)
    by BarnBabe on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 11:55:54 AM EST
    A friend in San Diego got laid off about 4 months ago from a Accounting position she held for 15 years. She has been going to job fairs, etc, but has not found a new job yet.  In the meantime, her Mother was found to have brain cancer and this at least afforded her the time to spend with her. The interesting thing she wrote me the other day was: "Thank goodnes for Obama's stimulus program." Our Cobra went from $1250 per month to $450 per month. Her son had a back fusion 8 years ago and although there are no complications, the insurance is high because of it.

    I get stuck on the $125o per month COBRA! How can people afford that? They are in their late 40's. Most people would have had to give the insurance up. And that is when the trouble begins. They should not have to make this choice.

    Parent

    NJ HMO, individual rate: $1678.30/mo, $15 copay, (5.00 / 1) (#56)
    by jawbone on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 06:06:23 PM EST
    50% copay on prescriptions.

    No mention in increase notice of any alternatives; but by digging around I found I could double the copay and get the monthly down to $1042.20/mo. I just have to make sure I stay out of the hospital; at $300/day copay (and there are always extras), my "savings" could be wiped out fairly quickly.

    This rate, btw, is for any single individual, whether a healthy 20-ish or someone like myself, a 60-ish person with cancer. I can't move out of NJ until I get to Medicare age, as my preexisting condition will not be covered.

    UNLESS OBAMA BACKS REAL HEALTH CARE REFORM.

    And, yes, I am shouting, since I don't think our president gets what's happening to people in this nation. Medical record digitization is not going to do very much, Mr. President. It will initially be costly to implement, will take at least a few years to be in place, and then I sincerely doubt it will do much to cut costs. It may, however, be extremely useful to Big Insurance to use to deny care and coverage.

    But I'm a skeptic. And strongly support universal health care, best with single payer. Next best would be some kind of public plan, Medicare For All or allowing the public to buy into the Federal employees' plans, with rigorously regulated private insurance plans also on offer, plans that would be essentially non-profit and where no executives made millions off the payments of the insured, where paying for care would not be labeled a "loss."

    I do not think this is Obama's thinking....


    Parent

    Compared to that, I'm getting a real bargain (none / 0) (#58)
    by easilydistracted on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 06:23:02 PM EST
    in the Texas high risk pool.

    Parent
    Ugh (none / 0) (#59)
    by otherlisa on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 06:40:12 PM EST
    I switched my COBRA election to Kaiser, and with additional vision and dental coverage, it's $300 a month. Now I guess it will be only a third of that? In any case, a real bargain. When it runs out, well, I'm trying not to think about that right now.

    Parent
    As expensive as it might be, COBRA is worth it. (none / 0) (#43)
    by easilydistracted on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 03:54:05 PM EST
    My entitlement under COBRA elapsed in December. Two months prior thereto I went shopping for an individual policy. I'm diabetic and therefore none of the major players would insure me. I bought an individual policy for my wife (they did insure her) and dived into the Texas High Risk Pool. My premiums alone are 800.00 and some change each month for medical only, 7500.00 annual deductible. And, a one year waiting period on any preexisting condition -- like my diabetes (my meds for example cost me some 400.00 monthly). Tell them to hang on as long as possible to COBRA. I know, its pricey. But if one can afford to keep it by giving up elsewhere (movies, dining out, etc) by all means do it.  

    Parent
    Action Item on HR676--NJ Rep Frank Pallone chairs (none / 0) (#61)
    by jawbone on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 07:00:51 PM EST
    the House Health subcommittee; DCBlogger feels "he owes us an explanation as to why he won't even schedule a hearing on HR 676."

    Should you feel action is needed, please call Rep. Pallone. If you're in Rep. Pallone's district, it might help for him to get calls from those he represents on supporting HR676 (the Everybody In, Nobody Out or Medicare For All type plan offered by Rep. Conyers). Since he is a committee chair, he certainly should welcome calls from any citizen concerned about making healthcare universal. After all, Obama did concede (however grudgingly) that healthcare is a right.

    DCBlogger has been working long and hard for real healthcare reform, with emphasis on the health and care and has some good links in this post. There are also many posts about healtcare over at Corrente--see the center column for most recent posts on healtcare, titled "Today in Healthcare Reform."

    Just keep remembering what FDR said: that he agreed about some actions and that it was up to its supporters to make him take action on it.

    Parent

    The folks at Corrente are the subject matter (none / 0) (#62)
    by easilydistracted on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 07:34:40 PM EST
    experts on this stuff in my view.

    Parent
    DCBlogger suggests LTEs and recommends aids (none / 0) (#67)
    by jawbone on Thu Apr 23, 2009 at 09:48:10 AM EST
    for doing such. Includes suggestion on how to use a MoveOn template for forwarding single payer LTEs. Well, MoveOn isn't promoting single payer, but cool move, DCB.

    Nice juditsu.

    Parent

    Lambert posts video of PHNP doc who appeared at (none / 0) (#66)
    by jawbone on Thu Apr 23, 2009 at 09:37:34 AM EST
    Corrente to answer questions earlier (link at link).

    Notes that for a "uniquely American solution," Medicare is a working model...for 40 years. Damn! Right under Obama's nose; why doesn't he see it*?

    Other videos linked to.

    *Nah, couldn't be that Upton Sinclair aphorism about difficutl for a man to understand sometihng when his job depends on not understanding it....

    Parent

    lots of scary stuff coming out of India (none / 0) (#7)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 11:20:30 AM EST
    the recent "sale" of the child star of Slumdog and the disturbing reporting around that story of "at least 15 million child slaves", now this:

    Indian business students snap up copies of Mein Kampf

    Booksellers told The Daily Telegraph that while it is regarded in most countries as a 'Nazi Bible', in India it is considered a management guide in the mould of Spencer Johnson's "Who Moved My Cheese".

    Sales of the book over the last six months topped 10,000 in New Delhi alone, according to leading stores, who said it appeared to be becoming more popular with every year.

    Several said the surge in sales was due to demand from students who see it as a self-improvement and management strategy guide for aspiring business leaders, and who were happy to cite it as an inspiration.

    "While it could be the case that management students are buying the book, my feeling is that it has more likely influenced some of the fascist organizations operating in India and nearby," he said.

    Re the book: from the Telegraph article also (none / 0) (#44)
    by DFLer on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 03:54:54 PM EST
    Senior academics cite the mutual influence of India and Hitler's Nazis on one another. Mahatma Gandhi corresponded with the Fuhrer, pro-Independence leader Subhas Chandra Bose's Indian National Army allied with Hitler's Germany and Japan during the Second World War, and the Nazis drew on Hindu symbolism for their Swastika motif and ideas of Aryan supremacy.

    The bookseller, Embassy books, describes the volume thusly on their website:

    Madman, tyrant, animal - history has given Adolf Hitler many names. In Mein Kampf (My Struggle), often called the Nazi bible, Hitler describes his life, frustrations, ideals and dreams. Born to an impoverished couple in small town in Austria, the young Adolf grew up with the fervent desire to become a painter. The death of his parents and outright rejection from art schools in Vienna forced him into underpaid work as labourer. During the First World War, Hitler served in the infantry and was decorated for bravery. After the war, he became actively involved with socialist political groups and quickly rose to power, establishing himself as Chairman of the National Socialist German Worker's party.

    In Mein Kampf, Hitler describes is strategy for rebuilding Germany and conquering Europe. It is a glimpse into the mind of a man who destabilized world peace and pursued the genocide now known as the Holocaust.


    195 rupees, btw. ...and in English.

    Parent
    Teddys call (none / 0) (#9)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 11:30:44 AM EST
    to arms

    credibility questions from Rohrabacher (none / 0) (#13)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 11:45:43 AM EST

    summer reading suggestions from Dubya

    grooming and beauty tips from Susan Boyle

    investment advise from Bernie Madoff

    for what its worth (none / 0) (#28)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 01:45:15 PM EST
    Stopping Dem 60 `real hard,' Cornyn fears

    The man in charge of electing more Republicans to the Senate said it will be difficult to stop the Democrats from winning a 60-seat majority in 2010.

    "That's going to be real hard, to be honest with you," Cornyn said of keeping Democrats from reaching 60 seats, adding:

    "Everybody who runs could be the potential tipping point to get Democrats to 60. We've not only got to play defense; we've got to claw our way back in 2010. It'll be a huge challenge."

    link

    What? (none / 0) (#32)
    by NJDem on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 02:13:16 PM EST
    "Pelosi knew about Harman wiretap" link

    Hilarious. (none / 0) (#45)
    by scribe on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 04:13:03 PM EST
    I would love to be a fly on the wall the next time (assuming there is one) Pelosi and Harman are in the same room together.

    One has to wonder whether Harman knew, prior to this story blowing up, that she had been tapped (and is only now putting on a show of outrage now that it's out in public).  Pelosi was doing a very good poker face around Harman all these years....

    Parent

    what could go wrong? (none / 0) (#36)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 02:51:49 PM EST
    The Million Militia Man March

    A peaceful demonstration of at least a million -- hey, if we can 10 million, even better -- but at least one million armed militia men marching on Washington. A peaceful demonstration. No shooting, no one gets hurt. Just a demonstration. The only difference from any typical demonstration is we will all be armed.

    someone was worring (none / 0) (#39)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 02:57:19 PM EST
    about reinvigorated militia types the other day.
    I cant remember who.

    Parent
    Boo freakin' hoo. (none / 0) (#37)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 02:53:51 PM EST
    "Confessions of a TARP Wife".

    The poor dear, how does she find the strength to go on?

    love (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 02:56:08 PM EST
    the picture

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    you know (none / 0) (#40)
    by CST on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 03:02:13 PM EST
    I actually found that article a lot better than most of the "woe is me for being rich today" articles.  She even admits that she doesn't really deserve sympathy.  Just telling it like it is I guess.

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    She actually makes some valid points (none / 0) (#46)
    by scribe on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 04:15:32 PM EST
    about having to manage public perceptions - not just by not being ostentatious (so those with less don't get even more p*ssed), but not by cutting back in a publicly noticeable manner, so as not to alarm investors or the public into speculating that the company is about to go under.

    I'd like to think this wasn't written (or at least vetted) by a PR professional.

    Parent

    from one my favorite albums (none / 0) (#47)
    by Bemused on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 04:24:18 PM EST
    Though my problems
    are meaningless,
    that don't make them
    go away--

    Neil Young, On The beach

    Parent

    how is it wells fargo (none / 0) (#41)
    by Jlvngstn on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 03:34:45 PM EST
    which bought "zombie" wachovia is not in the zombie category yet Boa and C are still using financial engineering to stay afloat? How is it that the "complicated" unbundling is apparently already done at Wells/Wachovia yet too complicated to do with the banks who have not been acquired?

    for the record (none / 0) (#63)
    by Jlvngstn on Thu Apr 23, 2009 at 08:00:07 AM EST
    "No, I am on record for reporting (none / 0) (#182)
    by Green26 on Tue Apr 14, 2009 at 09:53:03 PM EST

    that some of the media said the "jobless claims were less than expected".
    When things are getting bad, and they don't get as bad as most had expected, that's actually a positive sign."

    from cnbc today:

    "The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for jobless benefits rose by a slightly more than forecast 27,000 last week, government data showed on Thursday, while continued claims posted a record high again as the recession bit.  Continuing claims rose 93,000 to 6,137,000, setting a record for the 12th straight week. That number measures the amount of workers who collected unemployment benefits for more than one week during April."

    I can see why you would not want to go on record.

    stimulus jobs (none / 0) (#64)
    by Jlvngstn on Thu Apr 23, 2009 at 08:37:06 AM EST
    "According to a report released by the House of Representatives Transportation Committee on Wednesday, funding for transportation and infrastructure in the stimulus plan has only "created or sustained" 1,288 jobs"

    from reuters.

    the systemic effect of job loss is going to make the recession longer and deeper than anyone wants to admit.  Tell me again why this unemployment siutation is less serious than the threat of Iraq?

    It is without a doubt the greatest threat we face and have faced since the great depression and yet our well paid and insured politicians sit idly and wait for the 3.5 million stimulus jobs.  

    The banks will get much worse with continuing claims rising yet we keep throwing money at them and leaving the working class behind.  42% of those in notice of default cite loss of income or job as their reason for falling behind and that number is going to increase.  More than 15% of our working class is out of work or underemployed, if you include contingency workers my guess is that number is closer to 22%.

    It really is appalling....

    Regarding transportation (none / 0) (#68)
    by CST on Thu Apr 23, 2009 at 09:51:50 AM EST
    the stimulus funding is slow in coming....

    I keep hearing rumors that there is "about to be" a ton of work from state gov.  The thing is, there are a ton of rules and stipulations attatched to the stimulus money, and for anyone who has worked in transportation before, you know that the state highway organizations are painfully slow anyway.  Shovel ready doesn't really mean currently shovel ready either.  It means "we better get this project to 100% design a.s.a.p. so we can call it shovel ready".  There is a lot of that going on too, and it takes time.

    Also, a lot of state gov.'s have hiring freezes currently, so even if they need people in transportation it is a hassle to get through the bureaucracy of it all.

    So I guess what I'm saying is I imagine that number will go up in the near future.  Although I still don't think it is nearly enough to move the entire economy forward.  Transportation alone can't do that, and there isn't even enough money going there.

    Parent

    it can go nowhere but up (none / 0) (#70)
    by Jlvngstn on Thu Apr 23, 2009 at 11:19:32 AM EST
    but that is not the issue.  We are spending an awful lot on the banks whose problems are going to worsen and under the premise of armageddon if we don't.  Job loss in this recession has been too rapid and unprecedented and our representatives who are still collecting paychecks are responding to this recession as if it were 1981.  When 42% of people are saying that they are not making their payments due to under/unemployment, it cannot be described as anything other than a crisis, especially considering that it is only going to get worser with more job loss.  the key word in the stimulus is "save" jobs and my guess is there will be a lot of that 3.5 in the "saved" category which is entirely subjective and perhaps even fictional.

    Parent