It just dawned on me, and this is a really flimsy argument with no reading up on or thinking in depth about, but I am starting to see how the Housing Crisis has predicted the outcome of our Great Medical debate.
In a nutshell, Americans were buying homes they could not afford. When push came to shove, and Adjustable Rate Mortgages adjusted the upwards way, people couldn't afford their mortgage, and everything else collapsed.
What if the Medical field is the same thing? What if we have advanced so far, on the heels of unthinkable profits by the triumverate of modern medicine (Insurance Providers, Pharmaceutical Companies and Wall Street), that the costs of operating modern medicine are exceeding what we can actually afford.
This isn't a question of who should receive the treatments, in this case I am not talking specifically about the Health Care debate, I'm talking about the notion that the High Cost surgeries, x-rays, drugs, prescriptions, plastic limbs and miniature cameras that are all inside people's bodies...what if all of those things add up to a cost that far exceeds what we can actually afford?
The Housing situation is clearly shifting, we are seeing some markets, like Massachusetts, show growth in home purchase numbers, even in places like Las Vegas and Florida as well - things are looking up. The reason, I think, is because everyone has changed their mindset, right? There was obviously relief in the form of loan leniency as well as tax breaks for first time home buyers - but the reasons are less important than the fact that there are reasons. And most certainly people aren't buying homes they cannot afford, and if they are, they are doing it on money borrowed from Mom & Dad as opposed to a bank that is charging 2% now and 18% later.
So what form would it take with modern medicine? What is the choice? We have gone too far, we cannot look back, can we? Maybe we have to. To put it in the housing terms, maybe we cannot afford the jacuzzi and the 4th bedroom, and we have to live in a 2-Bedroom ranch in a town we don't want to live in.
The trail my brain is going down is terrifying. Imagine the Gov't decision-making that would have to take place on where we'd have to sacrifice? Would it be no more MRI's? Would it be no more anti-depressant or other psychological drugs? What if we cannot afford all this stuff?
Now, the thing you're probably thinking is, "of course we can afford it, but the price has just been gouged so high by Pharmas and HMO's, and that is fixable..." Is it? Does a house really have to cost a 1/2 million? You do realize that we are equating "health" in the Housing Market with a return to "normal" prices and a return to acceptable level of people willing to pay those prices. What makes you think it'd be any different for a 2 week supply of Prozac?
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
...Patriots and Sports...
It is so nice to be watching football again - the NBA season was strong, but this lack of sports-watching since June has hurt me pretty badly. I suppose I've filled it with Golf and other things, but I do miss following the ins and outs of an entire league.
The Patriots are playing the Redskins in a preseason game tonight, and it has been more fun to watch than I had anticipated. Here are some of the reasons why:
> First incompletion of the game by Brady was a flare pass out to Fred Taylor, which to the viewer was easily seen as an incomplete forward pass, but you can easily understand why Taylor, the Pats RB, may have not seen that so clearly. It was so refreshing to see him chase the ball down, as if it may have been a lateral or backwards pass, and to see a genuine kind of hustle that helps teams win championships.
> The Redskins are exactly, exactly, what I think they are. They are a fantastic roster of athletes, who cannot contain themselves when it comes to penalties. They are individuals who think they need to make all the plays. Haynesworth jumping a snap for an encroachment, Smoot dancing like a moron after each tackle, D. Hall with a facemask on a tackle that stopped Moss for fourth down, and also Hall getting beat b/c he bit too hard on a pumpfake. All these are examples of individuals thinking they need to to the extraordinary thing, rather than doing their job.
> Brady has the best combination of arm strength and accuracy I have ever seen. Maybe, and I hate to say it, Marino may have bested him. Montana had lots of things going on, as did Steve Young, but Brady has managed to package it all up into something remarkable. Which leads me to my next point...
> Belichick has mastered the thought process of, "Why Run?" He has decided, "While most teams have to run to keep defenses honest, I have Moss and Brady, so I don't need to think like that. I am going to run only when I have to, try to stop me."
> I decided the worst sports moments of my life are as follows, from 5th most painful to most painful:
5. The moment when I missed a penalty kick in a soccer game that would have sent us to "States". To this day I don't even know what that means. But I know I felt pain and my parents bought me Dairy Queen. That Dairy Queen is now a bank, and I don't like soccer, but it stuck with me as exceptionally painful.
4. Coming in 3rd in my league championship in Javelin my Sr. Year, after having gone completely undefeated in the league during the entire Spring Season. I went into the event as the #1 seed, so to speak, and knew, knew, with barely above average throws I could squeak it out. I was right, but I threw below average all day. I faulted on my best throw, and the championship slipped through my fingers. That had no silver lining, I learned no lesson. The next week I came in 2nd in Eastern Massachusetts to qualify for states, so it felt more like a nuisance to lose than a life lesson. That still really irks me.
3. Twisted Metal Ultimate losing to GOAT in the Game to go to Nationals in '04. The most painful personal sports moment of my life, but it really had so many silver linings:
a) I used this a big time motivational tool for myself personally in my career, and even developed a presentation based on this weekend to get myself a job in the Spring of '05
b) The Boston Ultimate landscape was changed forever by Metal, and I am proud to say I had something to do with that. This game was so entirely huge for everyone who played in it, and it really was an important game for dozens of close friends.
c) The game itself was so remarkable I was so proud to be a part of it. Tons of fans, tons of spectators, those who were watching and playing got a clear understanding of what Ultimate meant to all of us, and the comraderie I felt with my team and the opposing team during and after this loss was second to none.
2. Red Sox lose to the Yankees in the '03 ALCS on a walk off homer by Boone. This feels like light years away, and I know I was blown away so completely by this loss. I didn't speak for I think almost 24 hours aside from a "goodbye" to my parents as I left their house. I was damaged to a point where I just stopped letting sports on a professional level get to me that much. I realized I didn't have it in me to feel that way for the rest of my life. Wow, I used to really care about baseball.
1. Patriots lose to the Giants in the Super Bowl. At the time I didn't let it kill me, and I remember laughing about it and not being disheartened to the point where I was upset. I think that I can't get that feeling anymore for sports, that time of my life is past, which is fine by me. But it is criminal that they lost, the "what if's" about that game extend far beyond the game itself - the perfect season lost, the blemish on Bill and Brady's records in the playoffs, and just the incongruity of it all. It makes no sense to this day, and it never will. A blight on our sports life that is unreasonable.
> Laurence Maroney is doing everything he can to separate himself from the likes of Taylor, Green-Ellis and Morris. Wow, this Pats team is so stacked.
> Another heady play, Derrick Burgess stayed home, didn't rush into the backfield, and chased Jason Campbell back about 25 yards before he had to throw it away. All these guys do is their job, over and over and over again.
I can't gush anymore over this team, that'll have to wait for week 1.
The Patriots are playing the Redskins in a preseason game tonight, and it has been more fun to watch than I had anticipated. Here are some of the reasons why:
> First incompletion of the game by Brady was a flare pass out to Fred Taylor, which to the viewer was easily seen as an incomplete forward pass, but you can easily understand why Taylor, the Pats RB, may have not seen that so clearly. It was so refreshing to see him chase the ball down, as if it may have been a lateral or backwards pass, and to see a genuine kind of hustle that helps teams win championships.
> The Redskins are exactly, exactly, what I think they are. They are a fantastic roster of athletes, who cannot contain themselves when it comes to penalties. They are individuals who think they need to make all the plays. Haynesworth jumping a snap for an encroachment, Smoot dancing like a moron after each tackle, D. Hall with a facemask on a tackle that stopped Moss for fourth down, and also Hall getting beat b/c he bit too hard on a pumpfake. All these are examples of individuals thinking they need to to the extraordinary thing, rather than doing their job.
> Brady has the best combination of arm strength and accuracy I have ever seen. Maybe, and I hate to say it, Marino may have bested him. Montana had lots of things going on, as did Steve Young, but Brady has managed to package it all up into something remarkable. Which leads me to my next point...
> Belichick has mastered the thought process of, "Why Run?" He has decided, "While most teams have to run to keep defenses honest, I have Moss and Brady, so I don't need to think like that. I am going to run only when I have to, try to stop me."
> I decided the worst sports moments of my life are as follows, from 5th most painful to most painful:
5. The moment when I missed a penalty kick in a soccer game that would have sent us to "States". To this day I don't even know what that means. But I know I felt pain and my parents bought me Dairy Queen. That Dairy Queen is now a bank, and I don't like soccer, but it stuck with me as exceptionally painful.
4. Coming in 3rd in my league championship in Javelin my Sr. Year, after having gone completely undefeated in the league during the entire Spring Season. I went into the event as the #1 seed, so to speak, and knew, knew, with barely above average throws I could squeak it out. I was right, but I threw below average all day. I faulted on my best throw, and the championship slipped through my fingers. That had no silver lining, I learned no lesson. The next week I came in 2nd in Eastern Massachusetts to qualify for states, so it felt more like a nuisance to lose than a life lesson. That still really irks me.
3. Twisted Metal Ultimate losing to GOAT in the Game to go to Nationals in '04. The most painful personal sports moment of my life, but it really had so many silver linings:
a) I used this a big time motivational tool for myself personally in my career, and even developed a presentation based on this weekend to get myself a job in the Spring of '05
b) The Boston Ultimate landscape was changed forever by Metal, and I am proud to say I had something to do with that. This game was so entirely huge for everyone who played in it, and it really was an important game for dozens of close friends.
c) The game itself was so remarkable I was so proud to be a part of it. Tons of fans, tons of spectators, those who were watching and playing got a clear understanding of what Ultimate meant to all of us, and the comraderie I felt with my team and the opposing team during and after this loss was second to none.
2. Red Sox lose to the Yankees in the '03 ALCS on a walk off homer by Boone. This feels like light years away, and I know I was blown away so completely by this loss. I didn't speak for I think almost 24 hours aside from a "goodbye" to my parents as I left their house. I was damaged to a point where I just stopped letting sports on a professional level get to me that much. I realized I didn't have it in me to feel that way for the rest of my life. Wow, I used to really care about baseball.
1. Patriots lose to the Giants in the Super Bowl. At the time I didn't let it kill me, and I remember laughing about it and not being disheartened to the point where I was upset. I think that I can't get that feeling anymore for sports, that time of my life is past, which is fine by me. But it is criminal that they lost, the "what if's" about that game extend far beyond the game itself - the perfect season lost, the blemish on Bill and Brady's records in the playoffs, and just the incongruity of it all. It makes no sense to this day, and it never will. A blight on our sports life that is unreasonable.
> Laurence Maroney is doing everything he can to separate himself from the likes of Taylor, Green-Ellis and Morris. Wow, this Pats team is so stacked.
> Another heady play, Derrick Burgess stayed home, didn't rush into the backfield, and chased Jason Campbell back about 25 yards before he had to throw it away. All these guys do is their job, over and over and over again.
I can't gush anymore over this team, that'll have to wait for week 1.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
...Juvie Hall; Calm Health Care Debate; Jefferson; CIA Interrogation; Kennedy;
Tuesday, 8/25
4 New York Prisons In New York Used Excessive Force
I think I am completely tired of stories like this - although the story of the Investigations into CIA abuse don't bore me...but I think it's more of a matter that we all know, know, not think, that this type of abuse happens at every prison in this country, on every level.
The line that jumped out at me was, "Investigators found that physical force was often the first response to any act of insubordination by residents, who are all under 16, despite rules allowing force only as a last resort." This just gets to me on so many levels, especially the level that understands that kids who are 16 or under, already screwed up enough to have found themselves in Youth Prison, do everything they can to illicit this type of reaction from any kind of superior. It's such a played out and tired story, and the reality is, the laziness of everyone in these kid's lives, starting with parents and moving on to probably 95% of those who have touched their lives, lead them into a place where they get demolished by some 22 year old college-dropout semi-alcoholic prison guard. Yuk.
Calm, but Moved to Be Heard In the Debate Over Health Care
I think this was the single best article I have read regarding anything to do with health care. It was able to look at the reality of what many American's think about the whole deal, and it was the Times going as far Right as they possibly could, which is I think still a little bit Left of center. I urge you to read the article with an open mind and really try to think like it's subject, the Collier family.
From the article, "What prompted the Colliers to attend a Congressional district meeting for the first time was an almost solemn sense of the magnitude of the health care issue, and its place in determining the scope of American government." That really is a powerful line if you stop and think about it - this really is one of those moments in our History that will shape a great deal of policy in the future, and I think the Left maybe has been a little dismissive of that fact, myself included. I am starting to turn a corner, mostly because as news trickles out, the reality is this Health Care plan is going to look nothing like what Obama campaigned on, and it looks more and more like it won't fix anything, nothing at all.
The article continues, "The Colliers are committed conservatives who have voted Republican in presidential elections since 1980. They receive much of their news from Fox News, Rush Limbaugh's radio program, and Matt Druge's Web Site." Am I the only person who votes Democrat, and watches Fox News and listens to Rush as much as he listens/watches any other news outlet? Is that not the only way to start to engage in an intelligent discussion on any issue?
If I was going to debate who was History would say is a better QB, Favre or Brady, would I not go into detailed research on each QB? Would I not study what the possible arguments are, both for and against each particular QB? Listening to Rush over the past few months, in particular, has been completely eye-opening. I don't mean that purely in the, "What the F#$* did he just say?" sense. I mean it in the, "Well, that sorta does make sense, and it sorta does weaken my position - I need to think about that a bit more..."
I am not married to my ideals in relation to Politics, I am married to being honest with myself and other people. I am okay attacking Obama on things like this stupid double-war we have found ourselves in, that he isn't any different than GW in this thing besides the fact that he isn't waterboarding anyone...My point is that getting your news from one place is stupid, its childish and short-sighted and isn't what will prepare you to understand anything. Sorry to preach, but this is one thing where I don't mind preaching.
I am reading this book right now, and there couldn't be a President more amazingly interesting to read about right now, in our political climate, than this guy. Of course, I don't know what I am talking about, but this guy was a "Small Government" guy to the extreme, to a point where he could never operate in our public sphere. As a matter of fact, guys like Ron Paul take a cue from Jefferson, but tone it down a notch, and look at how laughed at he is right now?
The thing that completely kills me is that the US public, particularly the right, is so Jingoistically Pro-America to the point where you cannot criticize any of this countries practices in regards to our choices...we can do no wrong in their eyes. Yet, when those same people elect leaders to the Senate, Congress, the Oval Office, etc, it is okay to dismantle everything the politicians think. In other words, their thinking is: Americans are the greatest, they are never wrong. Except when voting in our leaders, then we are wrong most of the time.
Jefferson felt that the role of the US President was so minimal to the point that he didn't even think the President should have a title that ornate. The reasons why he would be rolling over in his grave about the powers that Obama is taking on are explained nearly on every page of the book, but the most interesting thing was how quickly Jefferson, a completely Small-Government guy, changed his tune when it came to expanding the country and essentially buying the Louisiana Territory (aka, most of this country), without consulting the people, the elected officials, or anyone but his own ego.
There are times when the leader of the Nation has to do something that may be unpopular, unliked and unprecedented. This is clearly one of those times. More power to Obama. Just fix it, cuz I don't mind saying you were wrong if all this doesn't work out.
Wednesday, 8/26
Records Show Strict Rules For C.I.A. Interrogations
The record needs to be set straight. War=Torture. The two cannot coexist without each other, and the two cannot exist on their own. It is so naive and ignorant to imagine this country in multiple wars in dozens of countries and not think that we are completely kicking someone's ass in a way that doesn't demolish all "rules of war". Rules of war, don't get me started, could anything be more childlike? Literally, like when you played war in the backyard and you couldn't drink your Mom's Iced Tea until you were "dead", those kinds of things. Don't shoot the medic. What? Don't do the thing that may effectively wipe out your opponent, ultimately ending the war. How many medics did we "shoot" when we bombed Hiroshima? How does this rule work, exactly?
The article speaks about how "'The detainee finds himself in the complete control of Americans; the procedures he is subjected to are precise, quiet and almost clinical,' noted one document." I love the use of "almost" in there, it really is just so they can stop short of accusing Cheney's highest ranking torture official of being Josef Mengele.
Again, if you are pro this war, or any war, you have to accept the fact that you are pro torture. Torture of all unimaginable kinds. Pulling toenails is child's play compared to what these monsters come up with now, and all of this is with no direct proof that any reliable information is procured as a result of these processes, on a statistical scale, at least.
Obama needs to do 3 things for me to respect him on this one:
1. He needs to admit that he is Holder's boss, and he is going to tell Holder what to do and when to do it. Holder isn't operating independently on this matter, and shouldn't be. It is okay, Barack. You can hate the things that happened as a result of Bush/Cheney policies.
2. He needs to shut the hell up about how the past is the past, he needs to talk about, show pictures of, and discuss in detail these abuses by our Gov't in time of war. For someone who had everything to say about "teachable moments" when it comes to race relations in the case of a maniac on his front porch in Cambridge, he surprisingly wants to teach very little about the monstrosity of torture and the reasons why the relationship between the US and the rest of the world are so closely tied to the practices.
Thursday, 8/27
Senator Kennedy, Battle Lost, Is Hailed as a Leader
No need to link this one, Boston.com is engaging in 24 hour coverage for the next 72 days, so no need to worry. I understand he is a Kennedy, but I think the amazing thing that is happening is that those who are over 42 or so seem to forget that my generation, and the majority of those out there right now, while we may have respect for Ted, we don't have the reverence for him that news agencies think he deserves.
The real story behind this is the last few days of Kennedy's life, and the political wranglings that were attempted. My thoughts are that Kennedy was not in position to make the kinds of judgments and proposals that came from his camp in the last 10 days. His "people" clearly were behind this, and that makes it worse, not better. "Under current law, a sepcial election could not take place until at least 145 days after a Senate Seat opens." This has been covered completely by news agencies, and we all know this rule came into effect, at Kennedy's urging, when John Kerry looked like the next President of the US in '04.
As the story goes, Romney was Gov. of MA, people were afraid he'd appoint a Republican Senator, and the law was changed by a powerful Dem. legislature in the state. Yesterday's NYTimes editorial (sorta) hit the nail on the head. They spoke about the political reasons why you cannot just change the law, and they also spoke about how all Senators should be elected, stating that as much as 27% of the US Population is represented by a Senator who was appointed, not elected. Scary.
But if the Left wanted to be honest with itself, and I am suprised I am not reading more of this, if Kennedy and the MA Democratic leadership really cared about the future of the state, in a wholesome and altruistic way, Kennedy would have resigned his seat months ago. 145 days ago he could have stepped down, citing that he is "Sick, tired and hopeful the state will elect a Democratic voice to continue with the policies I was so integral in developing and enacting," or something along those lines.
The issue isn't that this state will Democratically elect a Republican to be our Senator, we won't...we will nominate Deval Patrick as Senator before we throw a Republican next to Kerry on capital hill. The issue is that we are now 1 Democrat short of 60, and short of vote-tipping power.
Kennedy and his people were selfish, plain and simple. They wanted their name on this Health Care Bill, they wanted everything associated with it to be pushed towards Ted for his final days, and now the entire Democratic voting population is paying the price.
The Left, the Democrats, in November were up by 3 Touchdowns to use a football metaphor. And since then, they have been taking a knee with the ball and playing Prevent defense, allowing big strike after big strike, which has allowed the Republicans to chip away and chip away. This lead is probably, at this point, barely more than a field goal (to continue the metaphor) and there is no sign of things slowing down. 2010 is the least of the Dems concerns, because right now we are looking like 2012 is a landslide victory for our first Mormon President.
That's enough for now.
4 New York Prisons In New York Used Excessive Force
I think I am completely tired of stories like this - although the story of the Investigations into CIA abuse don't bore me...but I think it's more of a matter that we all know, know, not think, that this type of abuse happens at every prison in this country, on every level.
The line that jumped out at me was, "Investigators found that physical force was often the first response to any act of insubordination by residents, who are all under 16, despite rules allowing force only as a last resort." This just gets to me on so many levels, especially the level that understands that kids who are 16 or under, already screwed up enough to have found themselves in Youth Prison, do everything they can to illicit this type of reaction from any kind of superior. It's such a played out and tired story, and the reality is, the laziness of everyone in these kid's lives, starting with parents and moving on to probably 95% of those who have touched their lives, lead them into a place where they get demolished by some 22 year old college-dropout semi-alcoholic prison guard. Yuk.
Calm, but Moved to Be Heard In the Debate Over Health Care
I think this was the single best article I have read regarding anything to do with health care. It was able to look at the reality of what many American's think about the whole deal, and it was the Times going as far Right as they possibly could, which is I think still a little bit Left of center. I urge you to read the article with an open mind and really try to think like it's subject, the Collier family.
From the article, "What prompted the Colliers to attend a Congressional district meeting for the first time was an almost solemn sense of the magnitude of the health care issue, and its place in determining the scope of American government." That really is a powerful line if you stop and think about it - this really is one of those moments in our History that will shape a great deal of policy in the future, and I think the Left maybe has been a little dismissive of that fact, myself included. I am starting to turn a corner, mostly because as news trickles out, the reality is this Health Care plan is going to look nothing like what Obama campaigned on, and it looks more and more like it won't fix anything, nothing at all.
The article continues, "The Colliers are committed conservatives who have voted Republican in presidential elections since 1980. They receive much of their news from Fox News, Rush Limbaugh's radio program, and Matt Druge's Web Site." Am I the only person who votes Democrat, and watches Fox News and listens to Rush as much as he listens/watches any other news outlet? Is that not the only way to start to engage in an intelligent discussion on any issue?
If I was going to debate who was History would say is a better QB, Favre or Brady, would I not go into detailed research on each QB? Would I not study what the possible arguments are, both for and against each particular QB? Listening to Rush over the past few months, in particular, has been completely eye-opening. I don't mean that purely in the, "What the F#$* did he just say?" sense. I mean it in the, "Well, that sorta does make sense, and it sorta does weaken my position - I need to think about that a bit more..."
I am not married to my ideals in relation to Politics, I am married to being honest with myself and other people. I am okay attacking Obama on things like this stupid double-war we have found ourselves in, that he isn't any different than GW in this thing besides the fact that he isn't waterboarding anyone...My point is that getting your news from one place is stupid, its childish and short-sighted and isn't what will prepare you to understand anything. Sorry to preach, but this is one thing where I don't mind preaching.
I am reading this book right now, and there couldn't be a President more amazingly interesting to read about right now, in our political climate, than this guy. Of course, I don't know what I am talking about, but this guy was a "Small Government" guy to the extreme, to a point where he could never operate in our public sphere. As a matter of fact, guys like Ron Paul take a cue from Jefferson, but tone it down a notch, and look at how laughed at he is right now?
The thing that completely kills me is that the US public, particularly the right, is so Jingoistically Pro-America to the point where you cannot criticize any of this countries practices in regards to our choices...we can do no wrong in their eyes. Yet, when those same people elect leaders to the Senate, Congress, the Oval Office, etc, it is okay to dismantle everything the politicians think. In other words, their thinking is: Americans are the greatest, they are never wrong. Except when voting in our leaders, then we are wrong most of the time.
Jefferson felt that the role of the US President was so minimal to the point that he didn't even think the President should have a title that ornate. The reasons why he would be rolling over in his grave about the powers that Obama is taking on are explained nearly on every page of the book, but the most interesting thing was how quickly Jefferson, a completely Small-Government guy, changed his tune when it came to expanding the country and essentially buying the Louisiana Territory (aka, most of this country), without consulting the people, the elected officials, or anyone but his own ego.
There are times when the leader of the Nation has to do something that may be unpopular, unliked and unprecedented. This is clearly one of those times. More power to Obama. Just fix it, cuz I don't mind saying you were wrong if all this doesn't work out.
Wednesday, 8/26
Records Show Strict Rules For C.I.A. Interrogations
The record needs to be set straight. War=Torture. The two cannot coexist without each other, and the two cannot exist on their own. It is so naive and ignorant to imagine this country in multiple wars in dozens of countries and not think that we are completely kicking someone's ass in a way that doesn't demolish all "rules of war". Rules of war, don't get me started, could anything be more childlike? Literally, like when you played war in the backyard and you couldn't drink your Mom's Iced Tea until you were "dead", those kinds of things. Don't shoot the medic. What? Don't do the thing that may effectively wipe out your opponent, ultimately ending the war. How many medics did we "shoot" when we bombed Hiroshima? How does this rule work, exactly?
The article speaks about how "'The detainee finds himself in the complete control of Americans; the procedures he is subjected to are precise, quiet and almost clinical,' noted one document." I love the use of "almost" in there, it really is just so they can stop short of accusing Cheney's highest ranking torture official of being Josef Mengele.
Again, if you are pro this war, or any war, you have to accept the fact that you are pro torture. Torture of all unimaginable kinds. Pulling toenails is child's play compared to what these monsters come up with now, and all of this is with no direct proof that any reliable information is procured as a result of these processes, on a statistical scale, at least.
Obama needs to do 3 things for me to respect him on this one:
1. He needs to admit that he is Holder's boss, and he is going to tell Holder what to do and when to do it. Holder isn't operating independently on this matter, and shouldn't be. It is okay, Barack. You can hate the things that happened as a result of Bush/Cheney policies.
2. He needs to shut the hell up about how the past is the past, he needs to talk about, show pictures of, and discuss in detail these abuses by our Gov't in time of war. For someone who had everything to say about "teachable moments" when it comes to race relations in the case of a maniac on his front porch in Cambridge, he surprisingly wants to teach very little about the monstrosity of torture and the reasons why the relationship between the US and the rest of the world are so closely tied to the practices.
Thursday, 8/27
Senator Kennedy, Battle Lost, Is Hailed as a Leader
No need to link this one, Boston.com is engaging in 24 hour coverage for the next 72 days, so no need to worry. I understand he is a Kennedy, but I think the amazing thing that is happening is that those who are over 42 or so seem to forget that my generation, and the majority of those out there right now, while we may have respect for Ted, we don't have the reverence for him that news agencies think he deserves.
The real story behind this is the last few days of Kennedy's life, and the political wranglings that were attempted. My thoughts are that Kennedy was not in position to make the kinds of judgments and proposals that came from his camp in the last 10 days. His "people" clearly were behind this, and that makes it worse, not better. "Under current law, a sepcial election could not take place until at least 145 days after a Senate Seat opens." This has been covered completely by news agencies, and we all know this rule came into effect, at Kennedy's urging, when John Kerry looked like the next President of the US in '04.
As the story goes, Romney was Gov. of MA, people were afraid he'd appoint a Republican Senator, and the law was changed by a powerful Dem. legislature in the state. Yesterday's NYTimes editorial (sorta) hit the nail on the head. They spoke about the political reasons why you cannot just change the law, and they also spoke about how all Senators should be elected, stating that as much as 27% of the US Population is represented by a Senator who was appointed, not elected. Scary.
But if the Left wanted to be honest with itself, and I am suprised I am not reading more of this, if Kennedy and the MA Democratic leadership really cared about the future of the state, in a wholesome and altruistic way, Kennedy would have resigned his seat months ago. 145 days ago he could have stepped down, citing that he is "Sick, tired and hopeful the state will elect a Democratic voice to continue with the policies I was so integral in developing and enacting," or something along those lines.
The issue isn't that this state will Democratically elect a Republican to be our Senator, we won't...we will nominate Deval Patrick as Senator before we throw a Republican next to Kerry on capital hill. The issue is that we are now 1 Democrat short of 60, and short of vote-tipping power.
Kennedy and his people were selfish, plain and simple. They wanted their name on this Health Care Bill, they wanted everything associated with it to be pushed towards Ted for his final days, and now the entire Democratic voting population is paying the price.
The Left, the Democrats, in November were up by 3 Touchdowns to use a football metaphor. And since then, they have been taking a knee with the ball and playing Prevent defense, allowing big strike after big strike, which has allowed the Republicans to chip away and chip away. This lead is probably, at this point, barely more than a field goal (to continue the metaphor) and there is no sign of things slowing down. 2010 is the least of the Dems concerns, because right now we are looking like 2012 is a landslide victory for our first Mormon President.
That's enough for now.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
...I bought a new car...
I have purchased a new car.
This is my first new car since 2001 when I bought a Toyota Echo. I won't go into the specifics but that was a long time ago, in a Nick galaxy far, far away.
This time around I went to a bunch of dealerships and drove a lot of cars in 2 days.
I drove the following:
Mazda 3 (2 versions)
Toyota Camry (3 versions)
Subaru Outback (1 version)
Volkswagen Jetta (1 version)
I drove the Mazda first, and I liked it the most. I went back to it after driving the Jetta and drove the Mazda again, and I loved the way it drove and handled.
I originally posted a link here with images/details on the car, but I realized that Mazda times out the link, so I'll have to repost from a different site tomorrow. See the end of this Blog post to see what the car is and you can google it to get images/detail.
Here is also a link to a video that some dude on Youtube did that shows the interior, I got all these features and I cannot be more excited. I didn't get the blackberry, however, so I am not sure how this will interact with my iPhone, but I'm still very excited.
Officially, the car I bought is the Mazda3 s Grand Touring Edition, 2.5 Cyl, 167hp, with Tech Pack included. Black leather interior, Granite Mica Exterior.
Sweet.
This is my first new car since 2001 when I bought a Toyota Echo. I won't go into the specifics but that was a long time ago, in a Nick galaxy far, far away.
This time around I went to a bunch of dealerships and drove a lot of cars in 2 days.
I drove the following:
Mazda 3 (2 versions)
Toyota Camry (3 versions)
Subaru Outback (1 version)
Volkswagen Jetta (1 version)
I drove the Mazda first, and I liked it the most. I went back to it after driving the Jetta and drove the Mazda again, and I loved the way it drove and handled.
I originally posted a link here with images/details on the car, but I realized that Mazda times out the link, so I'll have to repost from a different site tomorrow. See the end of this Blog post to see what the car is and you can google it to get images/detail.
Here is also a link to a video that some dude on Youtube did that shows the interior, I got all these features and I cannot be more excited. I didn't get the blackberry, however, so I am not sure how this will interact with my iPhone, but I'm still very excited.
Officially, the car I bought is the Mazda3 s Grand Touring Edition, 2.5 Cyl, 167hp, with Tech Pack included. Black leather interior, Granite Mica Exterior.
Sweet.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
...The end of a Jetta...
8/16/09 will forever be remembered as the day my Jetta (probably) died. The story is unique, almost surreal, but in the end nobody was hurt, and I may end up with a new car out of the deal, so I'm not going to complain.
I drive a 2001 White VW Jetta. My dad bought this car in '00 or '01, and sometime in '05 I bought this car from him as part of a car swap. The car has treated me well, and out of all of the cars I have driven, it felt the most likely the Audi 80 my family used to own. I didn't like the color much, but beyond that, it treated me well.
On Saturday night, I was staying at Trav's house in Ayer, MA - we had our summer league tourney and our team was shacked up there. A few of us parked our cars across the street from his house on the lawn area that was outside of the white lines that marked the edge of the road. We have parked there numerous times for various gatherings, with no issue.
At about 6:20am on Sunday 8/16, the entire house was awoken by a loud crash/bang noise. At first, from my room in the back of the house, I thought for some reason something had happened within the house, but after waking myself up a bit more and looking out the front, I realized a woman had crashed her car in front of Trav's house.
At this point, in looking outside, and after 911 was called by a few other friends, it became clear that everyone was okay, which was nice. I decided to go downstairs with other teammates and see what really happened. As I looked out the window I realized my car was missing a hubcap - I was disappointed to see I had lost one, I didn't know when that had happened. As I reached the bottom of the staircase, a teammate said, "you should look at your car," or something along those lines.
Still groggy, I couldn't figure out for the life of me how my car could be involved in this - I was asleep, the car was parked in a series of 3 or 4 cars, I was not the car on the end, what kind of sense does this make? I walked out of the house still in my pajamas, and it became clear, and the story unfolded.
My car, as I said before, was parked on the side of the road - a driver who clearly lost control and/or focus, struck my car at a pretty good clip, and then swerved off the road. Her airbag deployed, I believe she had a toddler in the car with her (details on who was in which car are still fuzzy to me). There were 3 people who saw the accident - The driver, her toddler daughter, and her mom. They were in 2 seperate cars, I am not entirely sure how it all happened, and strangely, I don't really care much.
The damage is as follows:
This may not do it all justice, but I am pretty sure it's total damage. The tire sorta popped off the axis, and it clearly is turned the wrong way. I am going to take advantage of this opportunity to do some car shopping, realize how lucky everyone is that nobody was in the car and nobody was injured, and see what happens next.
To the girl who hit me: Don't stress out, thanks for making my decision to get a new car easy, and good luck with your insurance payments...
I drive a 2001 White VW Jetta. My dad bought this car in '00 or '01, and sometime in '05 I bought this car from him as part of a car swap. The car has treated me well, and out of all of the cars I have driven, it felt the most likely the Audi 80 my family used to own. I didn't like the color much, but beyond that, it treated me well.
On Saturday night, I was staying at Trav's house in Ayer, MA - we had our summer league tourney and our team was shacked up there. A few of us parked our cars across the street from his house on the lawn area that was outside of the white lines that marked the edge of the road. We have parked there numerous times for various gatherings, with no issue.
At about 6:20am on Sunday 8/16, the entire house was awoken by a loud crash/bang noise. At first, from my room in the back of the house, I thought for some reason something had happened within the house, but after waking myself up a bit more and looking out the front, I realized a woman had crashed her car in front of Trav's house.
At this point, in looking outside, and after 911 was called by a few other friends, it became clear that everyone was okay, which was nice. I decided to go downstairs with other teammates and see what really happened. As I looked out the window I realized my car was missing a hubcap - I was disappointed to see I had lost one, I didn't know when that had happened. As I reached the bottom of the staircase, a teammate said, "you should look at your car," or something along those lines.
Still groggy, I couldn't figure out for the life of me how my car could be involved in this - I was asleep, the car was parked in a series of 3 or 4 cars, I was not the car on the end, what kind of sense does this make? I walked out of the house still in my pajamas, and it became clear, and the story unfolded.
My car, as I said before, was parked on the side of the road - a driver who clearly lost control and/or focus, struck my car at a pretty good clip, and then swerved off the road. Her airbag deployed, I believe she had a toddler in the car with her (details on who was in which car are still fuzzy to me). There were 3 people who saw the accident - The driver, her toddler daughter, and her mom. They were in 2 seperate cars, I am not entirely sure how it all happened, and strangely, I don't really care much.
The damage is as follows:
This may not do it all justice, but I am pretty sure it's total damage. The tire sorta popped off the axis, and it clearly is turned the wrong way. I am going to take advantage of this opportunity to do some car shopping, realize how lucky everyone is that nobody was in the car and nobody was injured, and see what happens next.
To the girl who hit me: Don't stress out, thanks for making my decision to get a new car easy, and good luck with your insurance payments...
Friday, August 14, 2009
...California Prisons...
There are times when the inmates run the asylum, and its a wonderful resolution. People have been using that phrase to describe the early years of WBCN, but almost literally, the California Penal System experienced that last weekend when the inmates rioted to the tune of millions of dollars of damage and hundreds of injuries, and thousands more in medical bills for dozens of inmates.
I ranted a few weeks ago about how the Calif. Leadership is going to appeal a Supreme Court ruling that required them to shrink the population by 40% and an insanely high dollar amount. The Attorney General Jerry Browne, who is going to run for Gubnah like his Daddy," is going to lead the charge in appeal.
I would love to see that now - weeks after judges explain how "unmanageable" the prison system is, one of the largest riots in Prison History occurs and shows, precisely and exactly, why something must be done. The thing that kills me is thinking about some 22 year old kid who may have been selling 4 pounds of pot on the UC-Davis campus 4 years ago and is still in jail for that crime was likely cut up with a pen-knife by some Neo-Nazi who had a chip on his shoulder.
Those inmates demonstrated the real need for change, and possibly the real need for California to be broken up into multiple states, and it's current Governor to disappear from the political map forever.
* Does it make any sense in this day and age for families to be in political power? I mean, JQ Adams makes sense, given the times and how privilege was so unique and succinct, but now, with the sheer numbers of college graduates and self-made and educated folks. But haven't we learned our lesson at this point?
I ranted a few weeks ago about how the Calif. Leadership is going to appeal a Supreme Court ruling that required them to shrink the population by 40% and an insanely high dollar amount. The Attorney General Jerry Browne, who is going to run for Gubnah like his Daddy," is going to lead the charge in appeal.
I would love to see that now - weeks after judges explain how "unmanageable" the prison system is, one of the largest riots in Prison History occurs and shows, precisely and exactly, why something must be done. The thing that kills me is thinking about some 22 year old kid who may have been selling 4 pounds of pot on the UC-Davis campus 4 years ago and is still in jail for that crime was likely cut up with a pen-knife by some Neo-Nazi who had a chip on his shoulder.
Those inmates demonstrated the real need for change, and possibly the real need for California to be broken up into multiple states, and it's current Governor to disappear from the political map forever.
* Does it make any sense in this day and age for families to be in political power? I mean, JQ Adams makes sense, given the times and how privilege was so unique and succinct, but now, with the sheer numbers of college graduates and self-made and educated folks. But haven't we learned our lesson at this point?
...More Health Care? Yup. More...
I haven't been writing because I have been on a "vacation" of sorts. My focus has been almost exclusively on the Crossword puzzle, which with the help of the Joynt family, I finished in its entirety on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Also of note s the fact that I completed more of a Friday puzzle today than I ever have before, again with Steve's assistance.
I did want to talk about 2 things from Monday's paper, including what I think was the best article on the Details of the Health Care plan. I find it completely amazing that so much debate, public, private, nonsense and otherwise, has been taking place before people really know any details at all. The Times on Monday did their best to break it down into understandable and manageable terms, and it really was almost completely balanced, I felt. I underlined some highlights Monday night while I read this, and I'm going to put them here for thought/discussion.
"It can be difficult to sort fact from fiction"
This craziness about the public health care forums and town halls is absolutely out of control. The Dems blame the GOP for planting people, which I have already spoken about and have no issue with. But I am at the point where I think the Dems may actually be planting their own fake protestors so they can say, "See! These people are outrageous". I had an evening in 98 when Scott Harshbarger came into Amherst for a debate with I don't remember who regarding the Governorship of Massachusetts, and the adults in the crowd were astoundingly immature, unfair, and raucous. I couldn't rely on them to be reasonable, I remember getting in between a pregnant woman and a middle aged man, I don't remember who was on which side, and begging them to act like adults. They were almost coming to blows. Steveo was reveling in the moment, I was horrified.
Every talk show, News show, expert, texpert, choking smoker, etc. is making a complete fool of themselves. They are all distorting, lying, cheating, and fabricating in order to get this Health Care bill squashed or passed. I swear to you, I want it passed because I believe in Obama, and I believe in change, and I actually believe the premise that the issue of Health Care is financially more debilitating than it needs to be. People like or dislike this bill without knowing why.
Unfortunately, I am not sure if Obama is outside of these lies and half truths, "If you like your doctor, you will be able to keep your doctor, period. If you like your health care plan, you 'll be able to keep your health care plan, period. No one will take it away, no matter what," he states. However, the article continues to point out, "These...reflect an aspiration, but may not be literally true or enforceable." Wonderful, this helps. Who here really likes their plan? Honestly, you like going to a doctor you like, and you like feeling better. But does anyone here sit down and revel in the details of their health care plan like I admire the par 5 5th Hole at Montauk Downs? Nobody knows the ins and outs, they simply want to be healthy, and pay reasonable prices for it. People may think they like their plan, but they don't.
Obama, stick to facts...but then again, I don't care if he does. I actually don't care if he lies, because this thing is so monstrous and so huge that no lay person would be able to understand the details. Nitpicking is stupid. He should say, "everyone be cool. We will squeeze HMO's til they are dead and we'll all be healthier for cheaper money, that's all you need to know.
"Socialized medicine...seems overblown". As it states, all the versions in this plan rely heavily on Private Health care options - the Gov't doesn't want to take this thing on Lock, Stock & Barrel - it just wants to manage it all. Its so simple and so hard for people to understand. Think of an agency like OSHA - there are guidelines but they aren't in your building every second of every day looking at your workplace detail on detail. They go in if things are screwed up, but they don't force themselves on you at all hours of the day 7 days a week. This is the same thing - the Gov't will provide much needed guidelines and support, and from there Private Agencies will be required to execute.
It is easy for the Democratic masses to blame Health Insurance companies, and there is a great Salon.com article about how the population has been tricked into believing HMO's have some kind of inherent right to screw us all at our expense in order to make them richer...but as this article states, "insurers appear to be less of an obstacle than public apprehension over such sweeping change and skittishness among lawmakers, including centrist Democrats from Republican leaning districts. " I can say this with confidence now, but Jefferson, Washington and Adams would be rolling over in their graves if they knew the depth of these partisan politics happening willfully by Lawmakers. These Blue Dogs are increasingly more and more cowardly. Think about it - they are openly calling into question the ideals of their own party that they have chosen, because their District, numerically, feels the other way. They aren't representing those who voted them in, or even themselves, they are representing the minority opinion simply because that minority opinion comes from a majority population. Terrifying.
The ultimate irony, as Obama himself pointed out, are those who are saying, "do not take over my health care, under any circumstance, but please leave my Medicare or Medicaid alone." They want their cake, their ice cream, their pudding and their fruit cup, and they want to eat it to. The reality is, a lot of the funding, 35% as the article describes, will come directly from elements of Medicare. Obama's goal in that respect it so "eliminate waste and irresponsibility," from the Medicare program. Listen, if we know the reality of this Gov't., and the reality of the last 40 years of the Gov't intervention in Health Care - we know for a fact that there has to be at least 35-40% waste and inefficiency in what exists now. So, to those who don't want Gov't aided Medicine, and at the same time want their Medicare to remain untouched, I hope Obama has the balls to give a giant "eff you" to them. Walk up to the podium, stand there, explain the situation, and give them the middle finger.
I did want to talk about 2 things from Monday's paper, including what I think was the best article on the Details of the Health Care plan. I find it completely amazing that so much debate, public, private, nonsense and otherwise, has been taking place before people really know any details at all. The Times on Monday did their best to break it down into understandable and manageable terms, and it really was almost completely balanced, I felt. I underlined some highlights Monday night while I read this, and I'm going to put them here for thought/discussion.
"It can be difficult to sort fact from fiction"
This craziness about the public health care forums and town halls is absolutely out of control. The Dems blame the GOP for planting people, which I have already spoken about and have no issue with. But I am at the point where I think the Dems may actually be planting their own fake protestors so they can say, "See! These people are outrageous". I had an evening in 98 when Scott Harshbarger came into Amherst for a debate with I don't remember who regarding the Governorship of Massachusetts, and the adults in the crowd were astoundingly immature, unfair, and raucous. I couldn't rely on them to be reasonable, I remember getting in between a pregnant woman and a middle aged man, I don't remember who was on which side, and begging them to act like adults. They were almost coming to blows. Steveo was reveling in the moment, I was horrified.
Every talk show, News show, expert, texpert, choking smoker, etc. is making a complete fool of themselves. They are all distorting, lying, cheating, and fabricating in order to get this Health Care bill squashed or passed. I swear to you, I want it passed because I believe in Obama, and I believe in change, and I actually believe the premise that the issue of Health Care is financially more debilitating than it needs to be. People like or dislike this bill without knowing why.
Unfortunately, I am not sure if Obama is outside of these lies and half truths, "If you like your doctor, you will be able to keep your doctor, period. If you like your health care plan, you 'll be able to keep your health care plan, period. No one will take it away, no matter what," he states. However, the article continues to point out, "These...reflect an aspiration, but may not be literally true or enforceable." Wonderful, this helps. Who here really likes their plan? Honestly, you like going to a doctor you like, and you like feeling better. But does anyone here sit down and revel in the details of their health care plan like I admire the par 5 5th Hole at Montauk Downs? Nobody knows the ins and outs, they simply want to be healthy, and pay reasonable prices for it. People may think they like their plan, but they don't.
Obama, stick to facts...but then again, I don't care if he does. I actually don't care if he lies, because this thing is so monstrous and so huge that no lay person would be able to understand the details. Nitpicking is stupid. He should say, "everyone be cool. We will squeeze HMO's til they are dead and we'll all be healthier for cheaper money, that's all you need to know.
"Socialized medicine...seems overblown". As it states, all the versions in this plan rely heavily on Private Health care options - the Gov't doesn't want to take this thing on Lock, Stock & Barrel - it just wants to manage it all. Its so simple and so hard for people to understand. Think of an agency like OSHA - there are guidelines but they aren't in your building every second of every day looking at your workplace detail on detail. They go in if things are screwed up, but they don't force themselves on you at all hours of the day 7 days a week. This is the same thing - the Gov't will provide much needed guidelines and support, and from there Private Agencies will be required to execute.
It is easy for the Democratic masses to blame Health Insurance companies, and there is a great Salon.com article about how the population has been tricked into believing HMO's have some kind of inherent right to screw us all at our expense in order to make them richer...but as this article states, "insurers appear to be less of an obstacle than public apprehension over such sweeping change and skittishness among lawmakers, including centrist Democrats from Republican leaning districts. " I can say this with confidence now, but Jefferson, Washington and Adams would be rolling over in their graves if they knew the depth of these partisan politics happening willfully by Lawmakers. These Blue Dogs are increasingly more and more cowardly. Think about it - they are openly calling into question the ideals of their own party that they have chosen, because their District, numerically, feels the other way. They aren't representing those who voted them in, or even themselves, they are representing the minority opinion simply because that minority opinion comes from a majority population. Terrifying.
The ultimate irony, as Obama himself pointed out, are those who are saying, "do not take over my health care, under any circumstance, but please leave my Medicare or Medicaid alone." They want their cake, their ice cream, their pudding and their fruit cup, and they want to eat it to. The reality is, a lot of the funding, 35% as the article describes, will come directly from elements of Medicare. Obama's goal in that respect it so "eliminate waste and irresponsibility," from the Medicare program. Listen, if we know the reality of this Gov't., and the reality of the last 40 years of the Gov't intervention in Health Care - we know for a fact that there has to be at least 35-40% waste and inefficiency in what exists now. So, to those who don't want Gov't aided Medicine, and at the same time want their Medicare to remain untouched, I hope Obama has the balls to give a giant "eff you" to them. Walk up to the podium, stand there, explain the situation, and give them the middle finger.
...Hired...
I haven't written anything because I've been on "vacation" for the week, but a bit of news.
I was hired this week to work at New Balance, starting on 8/31, as Integrated Marketing Associate - Channel Marketing. I will break that down, from back to front.
Channel Marketing means I am working on a specific "channel" of business. imagine New Balance's product being sold in a few distinct categories. The way they break it down, so far as I can tell are in 4 Channels:
1. Sporting Goods - Dick's, Sports Authority, etc
2. Own Retail - This basically means New Balance Stores - There is on in Burlington, I think one in Plymouth, etc.
3. Athletic Specialty - The mall accounts you may visit, Champs, Foot Locker, Finish Line, etc.
4. Shoe Chains & Dept. Stores - DSW, Famous Footwear, Shoe Carnival, Sears, Kohl's, etc.
I will be working on the last Channel, Shoe Chains & Dept. Stores. I did work with these accounts in my previous jobs with adidas and Reebok, so I am def. not completely unfamiliar with the territory. The term "Integrated Marketing Associate" in this case means I am working in a group of 4, and I work for the Integrated Marketing Manager, who oversees all 4 of the channels above.
Integrated Marketing really is self explanatory, it's essentially all forms of Marketing that help push your product at retail. My task obviously is to sell as much New Balance product at retail as possible, within my specific channel. I will be tasked to bring creative and innovative Marketing ideas to the accounts, and make sure the accounts are comfortable and confident with our brand - enough to continue to bring in new products, try new initiatives, and essentially make New Balance as successful as possible.
Personally, I honestly couldn't be more excited about this job, and this brand, in particular. There are a few reasons why this is so incredible:
1. I have been trying to work for New Balance for years, including an interview 3 years ago and another set of phone interviews last year, for a few different roles.
2. The HQ is about 8 or 9 miles from my house, it is so easy for me to get to. I can bike there if needed, and I can go home for lunch if there is a circumstance that requires me to do so. The idea of how close it is really makes me feel like it was sorta meant to be, although I don't believe in meant to be.
3. My resume continues to grow within the industry. I guess the best way to look at it is to think about your job, and your company. Imagine if you had the ability or, better put, the luck, to work for 3 of the top 5 brands within that industry. You'd feel pretty confident, no?
While I felt like I was good at my last job, and I loved it for the most part, it was highly likely that elevating my career and moving forward within my Division and my role was going to be highly unlikely. I was laid off in January, received a generous severance, lived on Unemployment for a few weeks, and then this popped up. Stress Gone. Success.
I was hired this week to work at New Balance, starting on 8/31, as Integrated Marketing Associate - Channel Marketing. I will break that down, from back to front.
Channel Marketing means I am working on a specific "channel" of business. imagine New Balance's product being sold in a few distinct categories. The way they break it down, so far as I can tell are in 4 Channels:
1. Sporting Goods - Dick's, Sports Authority, etc
2. Own Retail - This basically means New Balance Stores - There is on in Burlington, I think one in Plymouth, etc.
3. Athletic Specialty - The mall accounts you may visit, Champs, Foot Locker, Finish Line, etc.
4. Shoe Chains & Dept. Stores - DSW, Famous Footwear, Shoe Carnival, Sears, Kohl's, etc.
I will be working on the last Channel, Shoe Chains & Dept. Stores. I did work with these accounts in my previous jobs with adidas and Reebok, so I am def. not completely unfamiliar with the territory. The term "Integrated Marketing Associate" in this case means I am working in a group of 4, and I work for the Integrated Marketing Manager, who oversees all 4 of the channels above.
Integrated Marketing really is self explanatory, it's essentially all forms of Marketing that help push your product at retail. My task obviously is to sell as much New Balance product at retail as possible, within my specific channel. I will be tasked to bring creative and innovative Marketing ideas to the accounts, and make sure the accounts are comfortable and confident with our brand - enough to continue to bring in new products, try new initiatives, and essentially make New Balance as successful as possible.
Personally, I honestly couldn't be more excited about this job, and this brand, in particular. There are a few reasons why this is so incredible:
1. I have been trying to work for New Balance for years, including an interview 3 years ago and another set of phone interviews last year, for a few different roles.
2. The HQ is about 8 or 9 miles from my house, it is so easy for me to get to. I can bike there if needed, and I can go home for lunch if there is a circumstance that requires me to do so. The idea of how close it is really makes me feel like it was sorta meant to be, although I don't believe in meant to be.
3. My resume continues to grow within the industry. I guess the best way to look at it is to think about your job, and your company. Imagine if you had the ability or, better put, the luck, to work for 3 of the top 5 brands within that industry. You'd feel pretty confident, no?
While I felt like I was good at my last job, and I loved it for the most part, it was highly likely that elevating my career and moving forward within my Division and my role was going to be highly unlikely. I was laid off in January, received a generous severance, lived on Unemployment for a few weeks, and then this popped up. Stress Gone. Success.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
...Crunch Time...
This is directly from "Crunch Time", an article in the latest The Economist, but I love it's sentiment. I know it's a liberal rag, but they do a great job of finding their way to the middle.
"A policy of ramming bills through Congress on a party-line basis might suit Nancy Pelosi, the Democrats’ leftish leader in the House. But, from Mr Obama’s point of view, it is bad politics in two different ways. It is shifting the presidency to the left, annoying centrist voters who worry about the swelling government debt. And it may not even get the bills through. Conservative Democrats, many of whom represent right-leaning states and districts recently captured from the Republicans (see article), are nervous about backing bills without bipartisan support. Over 40 of them broke ranks in the House over the climate-change bill. Now there is the likelihood that health reform, like the climate-change bill, will be deferred until the autumn, when fears about the deficit will have grown and the two expensive bills could combine to spook voters.
What should Mr Obama do? He must come down from his cloud and start leading. The House Democrats could be usefully reminded that their present 78-seat margin owes everything to the president’s coat-tails; they are endangering his popularity. Mr Obama should also court centrist Republicans. That means getting into the nitty-gritty: Republicans can hardly be expected to save Mr Obama’s presidency unless they get something solid in return. For instance, one way to pay for bringing the uninsured into the health-care system (a noble Democratic priority) is to scrap a distorting tax-deduction that veils the true cost of health insurance, a policy espoused by John McCain last year. A real “post-partisan” president would be trying to bully through this compromise, not talking dreamily about wanting health care for all at no cost to anybody but the rich. And on the subject of detail, precise talk from the president about how he intends to grapple with government debt would reassure a lot of centrist waverers."
"A policy of ramming bills through Congress on a party-line basis might suit Nancy Pelosi, the Democrats’ leftish leader in the House. But, from Mr Obama’s point of view, it is bad politics in two different ways. It is shifting the presidency to the left, annoying centrist voters who worry about the swelling government debt. And it may not even get the bills through. Conservative Democrats, many of whom represent right-leaning states and districts recently captured from the Republicans (see article), are nervous about backing bills without bipartisan support. Over 40 of them broke ranks in the House over the climate-change bill. Now there is the likelihood that health reform, like the climate-change bill, will be deferred until the autumn, when fears about the deficit will have grown and the two expensive bills could combine to spook voters.
What should Mr Obama do? He must come down from his cloud and start leading. The House Democrats could be usefully reminded that their present 78-seat margin owes everything to the president’s coat-tails; they are endangering his popularity. Mr Obama should also court centrist Republicans. That means getting into the nitty-gritty: Republicans can hardly be expected to save Mr Obama’s presidency unless they get something solid in return. For instance, one way to pay for bringing the uninsured into the health-care system (a noble Democratic priority) is to scrap a distorting tax-deduction that veils the true cost of health insurance, a policy espoused by John McCain last year. A real “post-partisan” president would be trying to bully through this compromise, not talking dreamily about wanting health care for all at no cost to anybody but the rich. And on the subject of detail, precise talk from the president about how he intends to grapple with government debt would reassure a lot of centrist waverers."
Thursday, August 06, 2009
...Do not let the Abortion issue get involved in this Health Care Discussion...
Listen, you're going to hear the Republicans talk about how the Health Care bill cannot be passed because it will pay for abortions. That isn't really true, but lets say it is...there were 800,000 abortions performed in the US last year - there are 350,000,000 in the US.
There is no compelling, or even reasonable, argument that will say, "you must destroy a Health Care bill that will effect 100% of Americans because it may allow the .003% of American's who need or want a legal abortion to go through with it."
The GOP is attacking Health Care so skillfully and so dangerously, they are lying and throwing lies to the wall that they know will stick. Please, do all you can to fight this type of dishonesty.
There is no compelling, or even reasonable, argument that will say, "you must destroy a Health Care bill that will effect 100% of Americans because it may allow the .003% of American's who need or want a legal abortion to go through with it."
The GOP is attacking Health Care so skillfully and so dangerously, they are lying and throwing lies to the wall that they know will stick. Please, do all you can to fight this type of dishonesty.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
...Town Hall Activism...
I am baffled by the CNN (read = Left Wing Coverage) of the protests at the Town Halls around the country in regards to Health Care Reform.
The most glaring example is Sebilius in Pennsylvania getting absolutely slammed by protesters, yellers, questioners, etc. The CNN coverage is that they are saying that the outrage is "canned political theater, manifactured by lobbyists." The Democratic National Committee is also speaking out in protest.
The DNC is claiming that the protests are, GASP, organized, and preplanned. The RNC is stupidly denying it, rather than simply denying comment. The entire month of August is going to be filled with these local outbursts while Congresspeople and Senator's head home for their golf, bbq's and scattered work.
But, to get further to the point, I am angered by the fake outrage the DNC is throwing out to the masses for consumption because they know, they know with so much vigor and understanding, that organized protest is the only way to get anything done in this country. The Left uses these tactics when it comes to Abortion Rights, but more importantly, the ENTIRE civil rights movement was based on organized protests.
You cannot be an adult in this world with an ounce of pride in yourself or your own intelligence if you think that Rosa Parks acted alone, or made a spur of the moment decision to sit in the front of the bus. That's just one example. Protests regarding Vietnam were not individual hippies hoping to make a difference - those obviously existed, but large groups organize and mobilize to get their message out.
Left Wingers out there, realize, understand, appreciate, that even if you think these people are out of line and misunderstand the type of America Obama is trying to create, you have to realize that many millions see the Obama Health Care Plan as an issue that will make their lives worse, to a degree that they are terrified about. So they are exercising their Democratic right to speak out, loudly, to Lawmakers.
The Left whines, an awful lot, about how millions of people are outside of the political engagement process - have you ever felt like the nation was as mobilized as it is now? The country cares again, we are all on one side of the issue or the other, and for CNN to show faux-anxiety over these protests is the kind of thing that we all have to hope disappears someday, because it is more harmful than actually organizing a protest against something you may believe in wholeheartedly. This type of irresponsible and misleading journalism is one of the links in the chain we need to find a way to break.
Who wants to protest CNN's HQ with me in Atlanta?
The most glaring example is Sebilius in Pennsylvania getting absolutely slammed by protesters, yellers, questioners, etc. The CNN coverage is that they are saying that the outrage is "canned political theater, manifactured by lobbyists." The Democratic National Committee is also speaking out in protest.
The DNC is claiming that the protests are, GASP, organized, and preplanned. The RNC is stupidly denying it, rather than simply denying comment. The entire month of August is going to be filled with these local outbursts while Congresspeople and Senator's head home for their golf, bbq's and scattered work.
But, to get further to the point, I am angered by the fake outrage the DNC is throwing out to the masses for consumption because they know, they know with so much vigor and understanding, that organized protest is the only way to get anything done in this country. The Left uses these tactics when it comes to Abortion Rights, but more importantly, the ENTIRE civil rights movement was based on organized protests.
You cannot be an adult in this world with an ounce of pride in yourself or your own intelligence if you think that Rosa Parks acted alone, or made a spur of the moment decision to sit in the front of the bus. That's just one example. Protests regarding Vietnam were not individual hippies hoping to make a difference - those obviously existed, but large groups organize and mobilize to get their message out.
Left Wingers out there, realize, understand, appreciate, that even if you think these people are out of line and misunderstand the type of America Obama is trying to create, you have to realize that many millions see the Obama Health Care Plan as an issue that will make their lives worse, to a degree that they are terrified about. So they are exercising their Democratic right to speak out, loudly, to Lawmakers.
The Left whines, an awful lot, about how millions of people are outside of the political engagement process - have you ever felt like the nation was as mobilized as it is now? The country cares again, we are all on one side of the issue or the other, and for CNN to show faux-anxiety over these protests is the kind of thing that we all have to hope disappears someday, because it is more harmful than actually organizing a protest against something you may believe in wholeheartedly. This type of irresponsible and misleading journalism is one of the links in the chain we need to find a way to break.
Who wants to protest CNN's HQ with me in Atlanta?
Ignagni, California Prisons, PA Gunman
* I am not going to just write about front page headlines anymore, it's all over the paper now.
For Health Insurers' Lobbyist, Good Will Is Being Put to Test
This is really about a woman named Karen Ignagni, who has been working for the Health Care lobby for as long as I've been insured. The thing that people refuse to remember about the Health Care industry is that they are privately held companies that are in business, in service and all ways otherwise, INTO MONEY.
They are not interested in other things, they are not interested in public service, they are interested in a status quo if $$ is flowing, and into changing things if $$ is not flowing. Obama hasn't been shy to point out the record profits, as this article points out, that the big 10 in Health Care have shown this year.
The cute thing about the debate on Health Care is that the issues are being skirted by the major players, starting with Pelosi. It was her decision, and her ultimate wisdom, to call the Health Care Industry, "villians", which is a stroke of genius. It allows the Right Wing and the Idiotic Blue Dogs to make that the argument, and gives Ignagni the ability to say something like, "Attacking our community will not help get anyone covered," which is the adult way of saying, "be quiet, or I'll take my ball and go home."
People, they do not care about anyone. The Health Industry doesn't care at all about us, they wouldn't exist if they did, and we cannot trust people like Ignagni to make good decisions, or decisions that will benefit the people. Then again, when Pelosi continues to take her foot in shove it in her stupid mouth, I wonder if she cares either. Cuz, as childish as Ignagni's comment is, it's right. Make the industry a villain, and they will find a way to win.
Federal Judges Order California Prisons to Reduce Inmate Population by a Quarter
As you can read, California has to reduce their population by 27% over the next 2 years. I really shudder to think about the type of person in those prisons - and I don't mean I fear their release.
I mean I feel uneasy thinking about some of them in prison for recreational drug possession, those stupid stories you hear about a kid who had a bag of pot in a backpack and he was sentenced to 19 years in prison because he was within 47 square miles of a school for underprivileged children.
I think about that state, and how delinquent it is, and how they surely couldn't have possibly put the right people in prison. Trimming the "safest" 27% off of their prison rosters will, at the very least, improve the quality of life for nearly 40,000 people.
This is probably the most liberal, bleeding-hearted opinion I can have, but its how I feel. I love how the great new hope for California is Jerry Browne, but he is the kind of guy who, like the Right and Left in California, refuses to admit there is a $26B deficit in the state, and seems to scream every time something is cut, altered, changed or shifted in order to close that budget gap. The judges, acting primarily in the name of safety of inmates (1 prisoner in CA dies from "unnecessary" causes per week...) But it is going to have an unintended (wink wink) financial effect that hopefully will start getting things moving in the right direction.
Arnold's solution, as the article says, is to build more prisons with money that doesn't exist. The entire Gov't of that state should have a "moron face-off" against the Gov't of the state of NY, and the winner gets to run the Republican National Committee. The Loser is the new Gov. of Alaska.
Gunman Kills 3 and Wounds 12 at a Gym Near Pittsburgh
I didn't link this because you can read about it anywhere, see it on TV, etc. I just wanted to write about this one because if I ever say anything in this blog that makes you think I am going to do anything outlandish, crazy, insane, deadly and/or otherwise wacky, call me on it and call the cops. Apparently this dude blogged about this, the text is out there to read, and nobody, NOBODY, engages in this type of online blabbering without knowing there is an audience. Someone in PA is having trouble sleeping tonight knowing that the writing was almost literally on the wall, and they knew it.
For Health Insurers' Lobbyist, Good Will Is Being Put to Test
This is really about a woman named Karen Ignagni, who has been working for the Health Care lobby for as long as I've been insured. The thing that people refuse to remember about the Health Care industry is that they are privately held companies that are in business, in service and all ways otherwise, INTO MONEY.
They are not interested in other things, they are not interested in public service, they are interested in a status quo if $$ is flowing, and into changing things if $$ is not flowing. Obama hasn't been shy to point out the record profits, as this article points out, that the big 10 in Health Care have shown this year.
The cute thing about the debate on Health Care is that the issues are being skirted by the major players, starting with Pelosi. It was her decision, and her ultimate wisdom, to call the Health Care Industry, "villians", which is a stroke of genius. It allows the Right Wing and the Idiotic Blue Dogs to make that the argument, and gives Ignagni the ability to say something like, "Attacking our community will not help get anyone covered," which is the adult way of saying, "be quiet, or I'll take my ball and go home."
People, they do not care about anyone. The Health Industry doesn't care at all about us, they wouldn't exist if they did, and we cannot trust people like Ignagni to make good decisions, or decisions that will benefit the people. Then again, when Pelosi continues to take her foot in shove it in her stupid mouth, I wonder if she cares either. Cuz, as childish as Ignagni's comment is, it's right. Make the industry a villain, and they will find a way to win.
Federal Judges Order California Prisons to Reduce Inmate Population by a Quarter
As you can read, California has to reduce their population by 27% over the next 2 years. I really shudder to think about the type of person in those prisons - and I don't mean I fear their release.
I mean I feel uneasy thinking about some of them in prison for recreational drug possession, those stupid stories you hear about a kid who had a bag of pot in a backpack and he was sentenced to 19 years in prison because he was within 47 square miles of a school for underprivileged children.
I think about that state, and how delinquent it is, and how they surely couldn't have possibly put the right people in prison. Trimming the "safest" 27% off of their prison rosters will, at the very least, improve the quality of life for nearly 40,000 people.
This is probably the most liberal, bleeding-hearted opinion I can have, but its how I feel. I love how the great new hope for California is Jerry Browne, but he is the kind of guy who, like the Right and Left in California, refuses to admit there is a $26B deficit in the state, and seems to scream every time something is cut, altered, changed or shifted in order to close that budget gap. The judges, acting primarily in the name of safety of inmates (1 prisoner in CA dies from "unnecessary" causes per week...) But it is going to have an unintended (wink wink) financial effect that hopefully will start getting things moving in the right direction.
Arnold's solution, as the article says, is to build more prisons with money that doesn't exist. The entire Gov't of that state should have a "moron face-off" against the Gov't of the state of NY, and the winner gets to run the Republican National Committee. The Loser is the new Gov. of Alaska.
Gunman Kills 3 and Wounds 12 at a Gym Near Pittsburgh
I didn't link this because you can read about it anywhere, see it on TV, etc. I just wanted to write about this one because if I ever say anything in this blog that makes you think I am going to do anything outlandish, crazy, insane, deadly and/or otherwise wacky, call me on it and call the cops. Apparently this dude blogged about this, the text is out there to read, and nobody, NOBODY, engages in this type of online blabbering without knowing there is an audience. Someone in PA is having trouble sleeping tonight knowing that the writing was almost literally on the wall, and they knew it.
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
..."Cash for Shingles" Proposal...
From last week's story about how a white roof can save you $$/energy over time,
"Studies show that white roofs reduce air-conditioning costs by 20 percent or more in hot, sunny weather. Lower energy consumption also means fewer of the carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming.
What is more, a white roof can cost as little as 15 percent more than its dark counterpart, depending on the materials used, while slashing electricity bills."
While "Cash for Clunkers" is being painted by the right as a failure and another example of Governmental confusion, in reality, after you sift through lies, is a program that exceeded expectations in all areas by such a great degree, that you must build on it's success.
The American public, when given an incentive to make the US greener, and make their lives more cost efficient, have chosen the proper and reasonable path. See the quote above regarding white roofs.
The white roof can cost as little as 15% more than it's dark counterparts, as it says. So, why doesn't the Gov't subsidize that difference as well? You wouldn't be forced to do it, you wouldn't be pushed into it, it isn't socialism, it's simply the Gov't looking at a way to spend $$ now, in order to save the people (and the planet) grief and $$ in the long run.
You could take this down to a complete home makeover in a sense, new windows, new doors, new insulation. Subsidize the cost difference between the new technology and the old for the common person, in the hope that the program is wildly successful and all of a sudden, like the 1/4 Million Fuel Efficient Vehicles that are now on the road in place of Clunkers.
This Administration can get it done.
"Studies show that white roofs reduce air-conditioning costs by 20 percent or more in hot, sunny weather. Lower energy consumption also means fewer of the carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming.
What is more, a white roof can cost as little as 15 percent more than its dark counterpart, depending on the materials used, while slashing electricity bills."
While "Cash for Clunkers" is being painted by the right as a failure and another example of Governmental confusion, in reality, after you sift through lies, is a program that exceeded expectations in all areas by such a great degree, that you must build on it's success.
The American public, when given an incentive to make the US greener, and make their lives more cost efficient, have chosen the proper and reasonable path. See the quote above regarding white roofs.
The white roof can cost as little as 15% more than it's dark counterparts, as it says. So, why doesn't the Gov't subsidize that difference as well? You wouldn't be forced to do it, you wouldn't be pushed into it, it isn't socialism, it's simply the Gov't looking at a way to spend $$ now, in order to save the people (and the planet) grief and $$ in the long run.
You could take this down to a complete home makeover in a sense, new windows, new doors, new insulation. Subsidize the cost difference between the new technology and the old for the common person, in the hope that the program is wildly successful and all of a sudden, like the 1/4 Million Fuel Efficient Vehicles that are now on the road in place of Clunkers.
This Administration can get it done.
I am overwhelmed by fascinating news.
Clinton in N. Korea
This isn't from the papers quite yet, but I cannot applaud the Obama administration enough for sending Bill Clinton over to N. Korea. It is a bold move, given Bill's inability to keep his mouth shut when he should. He went over there, and despite N. Korea state sponsored news, Clinton didn't have any messages other than, "give us our people back."
Now, I am a still extremely pissed at the journalists for sending themselves into harm's way, for them putting Obama in a position where he needed to negotiate with the moronic N. Korean administration. However, I do applaud the administration for actually going out and fixing this problem. They did it as quietly as possible, they did it in a way that I think won't set a precedent, and it looks like the reporters will come home. I think they should never leave their houses, and I think it should be a crime to be an American and visit certain countries, seriously, but I am happy they are safe.
But what a cool additional Chapter to the Bill Clinton story - his job may have been easy as he was requested personally by Kim Jong-Il....but it's awesome that he goes over there, gets the job done, pats Obama on the back, and goes back to jogging in stupid hats. Awesome.
Now, the 3 American Hikers who were detained in Iran, they are a different story. It may sound like the same situation, and as much as I think the Reporter's reasoning is idiotic, the fact that these kids admittedly were just curious and wanted to get a better feel for the reality in Iran/Iraq...well, they were caught with their hands in the cookie jar. They weren't on any kind of sponsored business as Ling/Lee were, they were just, essentially, bored. I don't think the situation is the same in Iran as it is in N. Korea, not enough to the extent that Obama needs to send Jimmy Carter to save them. I think, as horrifying as it is, these kids are on their own, to an extent.
From Monday's Times:
Two Sides Take the Debate Health Care Outside Washington
So there have been other developments, but this next month is going to be fascinating given all these Senators going home for August. They are going to get completely huge earfuls all month from constituents. The reality is the public will, I believe, overwhelmingly tell their Senators that the Gov't should have less, not more, control over the Health Plan. People see the Gov't as a beast, thanks to Bush, Palin, Reagan and the misinformation from guys like Rush, etc.
I said this before, but Obama has been trying to push this through before the August recess for this exact reason - he didn't want to leave this in the hands of the American people shouting into the ear of their Lawmakers. Obama couldn't afford to let this get to an informal shouting poll, and that is where we are, unfortunately.
It comes down to a vision for this country that Obama has, and a lot of left-leaning people out there have, and wear as a badge of honor. Conversely, it has gotten to the point where the reality is the Right-Wing simply doesn't believe this following statement, and its a sad thing. But Obama's vision simply is to ask the question, "What kind of country do we want to be?" Obama does see us, as the richest country in the world, committing a moral crime every day by sending so many American's (47M) out there, uninsured, vulnerable, moments from lifelong destitution should an accident hit them by surprise.
Obama does have a vision where we simply take care of each other, to a degree that wouldn't even require all that much change. The simple exercise you can take part in yourself is this: Look at your paycheck, see how much you + your company send to Health Insurance every month. Look at how much of your total income that is - and compare that to 12-16% which the Gov't would want to control.
Then, look at the differential, 2, 3, 4 (tops) percent, and think about if you are the kind of person who is okay with that percent of your income, a miniscule %, working towards making the country healthier, safer, more responsible. The decision is completely yours, really. Tell your Senators and Congresspeople what you think.
From Tuesday's Times:
Spurring Sales, Care Rebate Plan Is Left Up In Air
I am completely fascinated by the 'Cash for Clunkers'. I cannot believe how awesome it is that something like this can exist. Forget the politics for a few lines, but just think about how awesome it is that there is a program that overwhelmed the Gov't, Car Dealers and consumers that, by any measure, is something that is being done to purely help the environment. So awesome.
250,000 cars were sold this weekend with the program in place. 1/4 Million. First, we own a large percentage of the car companies via the bailout, their health is ultimately tied into our health, we need them to work. That's a first. Secondly, I think this is another example of Obama making large jumps with an eye on the future. This may cost us $$ now, up to $3B, but at least we know it is going to benefit us in the future.
The common phrase we heard over and over in the past few years is that dependence on foreign oil is our most dangerous and expensive problem. Health Care has obviously overtaken that problem with the change in the economy, but for heaven's sake, 1/4 Million gas guzzling craphole cars are being replaced by more fuel efficient vehicles - how can that not help?
So the thing that baffles me is that Republican Lawmakers are now saying they are going to have to really think about, and will possibly reject, and additional $2B for this program. Now keep in mind, this isn't a pure stimulus, it's not just giveaway money. This is money that is being given towards the trade-in of the car, but we will all see a return in this by more fuel efficient vehicles.
The main reason I am baffled is that the GOP, who were part of the approval process in the first place for the first $1B, now feel like an additional $2 doesn't make sense. So, in theory, they wanted the first $1B to do exactly what it did, work out great, sell out fast, but at the same time they thought it was a horrible idea and a waste of money. Am I making any sense? Essentially, if it was a good idea to invest $1B, and it worked out great and was a huge success, how come it isn't good to invest $3B?
These a-holes keep calling it a bailout, but it isn't...it isn't a bailout, it's an incentive program that is working, keep it going!
This isn't from the papers quite yet, but I cannot applaud the Obama administration enough for sending Bill Clinton over to N. Korea. It is a bold move, given Bill's inability to keep his mouth shut when he should. He went over there, and despite N. Korea state sponsored news, Clinton didn't have any messages other than, "give us our people back."
Now, I am a still extremely pissed at the journalists for sending themselves into harm's way, for them putting Obama in a position where he needed to negotiate with the moronic N. Korean administration. However, I do applaud the administration for actually going out and fixing this problem. They did it as quietly as possible, they did it in a way that I think won't set a precedent, and it looks like the reporters will come home. I think they should never leave their houses, and I think it should be a crime to be an American and visit certain countries, seriously, but I am happy they are safe.
But what a cool additional Chapter to the Bill Clinton story - his job may have been easy as he was requested personally by Kim Jong-Il....but it's awesome that he goes over there, gets the job done, pats Obama on the back, and goes back to jogging in stupid hats. Awesome.
Now, the 3 American Hikers who were detained in Iran, they are a different story. It may sound like the same situation, and as much as I think the Reporter's reasoning is idiotic, the fact that these kids admittedly were just curious and wanted to get a better feel for the reality in Iran/Iraq...well, they were caught with their hands in the cookie jar. They weren't on any kind of sponsored business as Ling/Lee were, they were just, essentially, bored. I don't think the situation is the same in Iran as it is in N. Korea, not enough to the extent that Obama needs to send Jimmy Carter to save them. I think, as horrifying as it is, these kids are on their own, to an extent.
From Monday's Times:
Two Sides Take the Debate Health Care Outside Washington
So there have been other developments, but this next month is going to be fascinating given all these Senators going home for August. They are going to get completely huge earfuls all month from constituents. The reality is the public will, I believe, overwhelmingly tell their Senators that the Gov't should have less, not more, control over the Health Plan. People see the Gov't as a beast, thanks to Bush, Palin, Reagan and the misinformation from guys like Rush, etc.
I said this before, but Obama has been trying to push this through before the August recess for this exact reason - he didn't want to leave this in the hands of the American people shouting into the ear of their Lawmakers. Obama couldn't afford to let this get to an informal shouting poll, and that is where we are, unfortunately.
It comes down to a vision for this country that Obama has, and a lot of left-leaning people out there have, and wear as a badge of honor. Conversely, it has gotten to the point where the reality is the Right-Wing simply doesn't believe this following statement, and its a sad thing. But Obama's vision simply is to ask the question, "What kind of country do we want to be?" Obama does see us, as the richest country in the world, committing a moral crime every day by sending so many American's (47M) out there, uninsured, vulnerable, moments from lifelong destitution should an accident hit them by surprise.
Obama does have a vision where we simply take care of each other, to a degree that wouldn't even require all that much change. The simple exercise you can take part in yourself is this: Look at your paycheck, see how much you + your company send to Health Insurance every month. Look at how much of your total income that is - and compare that to 12-16% which the Gov't would want to control.
Then, look at the differential, 2, 3, 4 (tops) percent, and think about if you are the kind of person who is okay with that percent of your income, a miniscule %, working towards making the country healthier, safer, more responsible. The decision is completely yours, really. Tell your Senators and Congresspeople what you think.
From Tuesday's Times:
Spurring Sales, Care Rebate Plan Is Left Up In Air
I am completely fascinated by the 'Cash for Clunkers'. I cannot believe how awesome it is that something like this can exist. Forget the politics for a few lines, but just think about how awesome it is that there is a program that overwhelmed the Gov't, Car Dealers and consumers that, by any measure, is something that is being done to purely help the environment. So awesome.
250,000 cars were sold this weekend with the program in place. 1/4 Million. First, we own a large percentage of the car companies via the bailout, their health is ultimately tied into our health, we need them to work. That's a first. Secondly, I think this is another example of Obama making large jumps with an eye on the future. This may cost us $$ now, up to $3B, but at least we know it is going to benefit us in the future.
The common phrase we heard over and over in the past few years is that dependence on foreign oil is our most dangerous and expensive problem. Health Care has obviously overtaken that problem with the change in the economy, but for heaven's sake, 1/4 Million gas guzzling craphole cars are being replaced by more fuel efficient vehicles - how can that not help?
So the thing that baffles me is that Republican Lawmakers are now saying they are going to have to really think about, and will possibly reject, and additional $2B for this program. Now keep in mind, this isn't a pure stimulus, it's not just giveaway money. This is money that is being given towards the trade-in of the car, but we will all see a return in this by more fuel efficient vehicles.
The main reason I am baffled is that the GOP, who were part of the approval process in the first place for the first $1B, now feel like an additional $2 doesn't make sense. So, in theory, they wanted the first $1B to do exactly what it did, work out great, sell out fast, but at the same time they thought it was a horrible idea and a waste of money. Am I making any sense? Essentially, if it was a good idea to invest $1B, and it worked out great and was a huge success, how come it isn't good to invest $3B?
These a-holes keep calling it a bailout, but it isn't...it isn't a bailout, it's an incentive program that is working, keep it going!
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