Month: September 2009

Interesting looks at the problem. Consider this an open thread.

Government-Run Universal Socialized Health Insurance…

Or yet another take on the same topic.

The short videos do not necessarily reflect the options of the management.

Feel free to use this thread as an open thread.

Upon request, here is the meaning of Rosh Hashana.

Rosh HaShanah literally means “Head of the Year” in Hebrew. It falls in the month of Tishrei, which is the seventh month on the Hebrew calendar. The reason for this is because the Hebrew calendar begins with the month of Nissan (when it’s believed the Jews were freed from slavery in Egypt) but the month of Tishrei is believed to be the month in which God created the world. Hence, another way to think about Rosh HaShanah is as the birthday of the world.

Rosh HaShanah is observed on the first two days of Tishrei. Jewish tradition teaches that during the High Holy Days God decides who will live and who will die during the coming year. As a result, during Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur (and in the days leading up to them) Jews embark upon the serious task of examining their lives and repenting for any wrongs they have committed during the previous year. This process of repentance is called teshuvah. Jews are encouraged to make amends with anyone they have wronged and to make plans for improving during the coming year. In this way, Rosh HaShanah is all about making peace in the community and striving to be a better person.

Even though the theme of Rosh HaShanah is life and death, it is a holiday filled with hope for the New Year. Jews believe that God is compassionate and just, and that God will accept their prayers for forgiveness.

The 9 point lead in the gubernatorial race held by Candidate McDonnell has vaporized.  Now the 2 stand neck and neck with McDonnell (R) holding a slight lead of 48% and Deeds  (D) who is attracting 46% ofthe vote.  Rasmussen Reports describes the race as a toss up now after McDonnell loses his strong lead held in August. 

McDonnell’s college thesis from an evangelical university continues to haunt him as he reminded voters of his 3 working daughters and strong wife. Deeds reminded voters of McDonnell’s voting record on social issues such as abortion, marriage definition, and access to contraception that he defined in his thesis submitted while attending Pat Robertson’s Regent University.

McDonnell and Deeds hammered away at each other during the debate yesterday.  The debate was described as combative from the very start.  Both gubernatorial hopefuls were on the offensive for the hour long debate.  McDonnell appeared crisp and concise.  Deeds was  his more relaxed, country boy self who often reflexed on his humble beginnings and modest rural Virginia roots. 

Deed’s  appeal to down state folks can be seen in his closing statement in yesterday’s debate.

Yes, the earth will start to spin backwards.  High-Five to the 5 supervisors who voted in favor of the AAC, the Animal Advisory Committee:  Corey Stewart, John Stirrup, Maureen Caddigan, John Jenkins, and Frank Principi.  The purpose of the AAC is to advise, provide input to  the county animal shelter, and to reduce the number of animals that are euthanized. 

Manassas News and Messenger states:

The Animal Advisory Committee will advise supervisors on shelter policies, “increase community outreach [and] seek outside grant funding for animal welfare initiatives,” according to the enabling resolution. Its creation was pushed for roughly a year-and-a-half by the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Stewart added 2 caveats, in the form of amendments, before the voting took place.  The first was that the AAC would have no say over animals not in the shelter and the second was they could not ask for money outside the $1000 provided by the police department who is responsible for the shelter and animal control. 

The AAC will be comprised of 13 members.  The SPCA has provided support for this much needed change in the county.  The SPCA has been known for generations to have the best interest of animals at heart. 

Good for the supervisors who voted yes.  More PW citizens need to have input when it comes to the animal shelter.  Hopefully they will be able put policies in place to keep animals alive and out of shelters.  Congratulations to Stewart, Stirrup, Caddigan, Jenkins, and Principi for a job well done. 

Now pick yourselves up off the floor.  I know you didn’t think I was capable of typing those words.

FULL STORY

This is the reality, while everybody is bickering, you, and me, and everyone else that has healthcare, will spend more and get less each year. REAL insurance reform must take place or this country will no longer be a super power. If people are sick, they can’t work, if people go bankrupt because of medical bills, we all suffer, if people spread disease because they can’t AFFORD to see a doctor, we are all at risk. If YOUR child would suffering in pain because you couldn’t afford healthcare or the insurance plan you had refused to pay for treatment, WHAT would you do?

Wendell Potter testified before Congress about the need for a Public Option, he worked for Cigna and ultimately quit!

From the Washington Post

As businesses contend with rising costs, many workers face an erosion of health benefits next year, according to an annual survey released Tuesday by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research and Educational Trust.

Forty percent of employers surveyed said they are likely to increase the amount their workers pay out of pocket for doctor visits. Almost as many said they are likely to raise annual deductibles and the amount workers pay for prescription drugs.

A major business lobby weighed in Tuesday, saying that if current trends continue, annual health-care costs for employers will rise 166 percent over the next decade — to $28,530 per employee.

“Maintaining the status quo is simply not an option,” said Antonio M. Perez, chief executive of Eastman Kodak and a leader of the Business Roundtable. “These costs are unsustainable and would put millions of workers at risk,” Perez said in a statement.

This tea party is the gift that just keeps giving. Holy Cats! Who has scared these people? Glenn Beck for president? Oh dear Lord. NOOOOOOOooooooo. How terrifying.

Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck at the helm? Please, bring back Richard Nixon.

Where are all the interviews with people who at least have a clue what the issues are?

Insidenova.com

A Prince William County judge this morning signed a death warrant ordering sniper John Allen Muhammad executed Nov. 10.

Muhammad is sentenced to death for the Oct. 9, 2002 killing of Dean Harold Meyers at a gas station outside Manassas. Meyers, a Gaithersburg, Md., resident and Purple Heart recipient, was the ninth victim of the “Beltway” snipers who terrorized the region for three weeks in October 2002.

Meyers was one of 13 victims. Ten died and three survived. Muhammad and teen accomplice Lee Boyd Malvo were arrested on Oct. 24, 2002 at a Maryland rest stop.

The execution date was set at a hearing this morning

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Anyone who lived in this area in 2002 will never forget the snipers and the uncertainty we all felt. I can’t go to Battlefield Sunoco to this day without thinking of Dean Meyers, standing there innocently filling up his car with gas, only to be snuffed out by a killer. Too bad Muhammad’s little buddy can’t join him. I would not shed a tear for either.

NOW I am afraid.

The people who want the government totally out of their lives are probably also anti-choice. (Out of EVERYthing) Go figure.

I am sorry. I cannot relate. I must be missing the gene or something.

And here we have a small group defending an old man’s right to freedom of speech. NOT!

I thought part of the tea party objective was to defend the Constitution.

I believe for once, I am speechless.

Forget swine flu.  The bad manners epidemic is rampant.  First we have Congressman Joe Wilson bellowing that the President of the United States is a liar during an address to  a joint session of Congress.  Hopefully that is over and done with.  Too much attention to poor behavior.  Some Democrats want to make sure Wilson becomes a martyr.

Next we have tennis champ Serena Williams screaming like a fish-wife and cursing a lineswoman.  That little act of lack of self control will cost her in excess of $10,000.  That would have taught ME a lesson. 

Finally, and perhaps the most outrageous was Kanye West snatching the microphone from Taylor Swift as she was accepting her award for best female vocalist at the VMA awards.  Kanye West apparently thought his friend Beyonce should have won. 

Credit should go to Beyonce for having the most class. Beyonce invited Taylor up on the stage when she won her awards to share the moment and to finish her acceptance speech since Swift’s day in the sun had been interrujpted. Beyonce was extremely gracious to the younger entertainer.

Jay Leno called Kanye out on his behavior during his premier 10 pm show.  He told Kanye he had met his mother once and that she seemed like a nice lady.  He questioned what his mother would have thought.  Kanye West did beg forgiveness and appeared contrite.

According to EW:

The rapper began his impromptu interview by saying it was “extremely difficult to deal with the fact that I hurt someone and took something away from a talented artist.” Then, in a particularly somber moment, Leno asked what West’s deceased mother would think about what he said to Swift. Suddenly, the normally outspoken rapper couldn’t speak – but his silence spoke volumes, so much that Leno attempted to break the uncomfortable pause by resting his hand on West’s knee. After about 15 seconds, West mumbled, “Anything I can do to help Taylor,” before announcing that he’ll take some time off to reevaluate his career.

Maybe much of this is really just about bad manners and extreme self-centeredness.  A good spanking might cure it.  Wilson, Williams, and West–line up!  There is just no excuse in a civilized society for such rudeness.