I am shocked to discover this morning I am a victim of the on-going budget cuts in California's MediCal system. It seems so simple on the surface but in reality is a life-threatening disaster. I am a diabetic low-income senior. My health is dependent on testing my blood glucose levels to determine the dosages of insulin I require to maintain a normal life. This is achieved … [Read more...] about A First Person Account Of California’s Budget Cuts
Lincoln’s Republicans: A Party of Big Activist Government
We're all familiar with the party of Lincoln as emancipator of the slaves. But listening to the nearly 30 hours of David Blight's Open Yale course on The Civil War and Reconstruction Era, 1845-1877, I've learned a thing or two about the birth of the Republican party. It came of a very exciting time in politics: [T]he Republican Party was really born amidst hundreds of meetings … [Read more...] about Lincoln’s Republicans: A Party of Big Activist Government
Gerson Echoes Brooks
Consistent with memes given voice in David Brooks' column yesterday -- ref. here and here -- the WaPo's Michael Gerson writes: It is difficult to imagine that an overwhelmingly Democratic Congress will do nothing on health reform. But as deadlines slip, and moderate arguments gain in momentum, the legislation is likely to disappoint liberal Democrats in several ways. William … [Read more...] about Gerson Echoes Brooks
Is Regina Benjamin Too Fat?
I'm trying very hard to give a good chicken butt who the Surgeon General is, though it may wind up being a futile battle. Yes, the SG is technically in charge of the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and has some vaguely defined duties in the event of a health emergency, and they can put warning labels on your smoke and your booze. But they never really seem to do very … [Read more...] about Is Regina Benjamin Too Fat?
Health Reform: Common Ground Proposals
Playing Solomon, Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) suggests flexibility on insurance coverage of abortions as one possible compromise to a heated meme in the reform debate. Elsewhere, Conor Friedersdorf suggests that rather than taxing the rich to be pay for health care reform, why not simply "un-support" them? (Note to Conor: Intriguing idea, but just in case no one else nitpicks … [Read more...] about Health Reform: Common Ground Proposals
Parades and Tolerance, Then and Now (Guest Voice)
Parades and Tolerance, Then and Now by Brian Blum My nearly sixteen-year-old daughter Merav attended the Jerusalem Gay Pride Parade two weeks ago. She had heard about the event, the controversy it had engendered, and thought it would be interesting to see what all the fuss was about. It’s funny how time tends to curl around and repeat itself. When I was sixteen, I … [Read more...] about Parades and Tolerance, Then and Now (Guest Voice)
Military Smoking Ban
Mike Keefe, The Denver Post This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Military Smoking Ban
Government Gone Mad (Guest Voice)
Government Gone Mad by Joel S. Hirschhorn Perhaps most Americans deserve the federal government they have. A government that, contrary to the lofty rhetoric of Barack Obama, is pure politics as usual. A government that is as corrupted by moneyed interests as ever. A government that is as dysfunctional and inefficient as ever. A government that should have … [Read more...] about Government Gone Mad (Guest Voice)
The Vets Who Come Home Who Never Come Home
Perhaps the tide about how we treat our returning soldiers is changing. Finally. After decades of high military denial. A new report has just been released contravening the VA's stance on PTSD in soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, saying it is much more prevalent than the military has admitted. You might recall much said about not awarding the Purple Heart to men … [Read more...] about The Vets Who Come Home Who Never Come Home
Why I Am Siding With … Michael Savage?
Those who have read my prior posts on Mr. Savage are aware that I am far from a fan of his program. I find him highly offensive, homophobic and racist. I think he is a jerk and if his radio show were to vanish from the planet tomorrow morning I would not mourn in the least. However there are some things I like even less than Mr. Savage and one of those things is censorship … [Read more...] about Why I Am Siding With … Michael Savage?
Should You Count Obama Out On Health Care Reform?
Time's Mark Halperin says You Betcha...NOT -- and here he gives seven reasons why not. … [Read more...] about Should You Count Obama Out On Health Care Reform?
Living While Black
First, read Abby Goodnough's New York Times article about the arrest of Prof. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. It fleshes out the details, and provides some new ones. Then, try engaging with the little thought experiment I've written below. … [Read more...] about Living While Black
The Health Care Debate: What Price is Life? A Stranger’s Life? Your Child’s Life?
As we approach what hopefully will be a reasonable and humane outcome to the ongoing health care reform debate, some have become very emotional (including this author), some fall back on cold hard facts, cold statistics. For those relying on cold, hard facts to either support their views or oppose others' views on this issue, a brilliant article in this weekend’s New York … [Read more...] about The Health Care Debate: What Price is Life? A Stranger’s Life? Your Child’s Life?
Waterless Urinals Piss Off New York State Workers
New York State's Department of Environmental Conservation is reportedly getting a stream of complaints from state workers about the latest trend in chic bathroomware: waterless urinals: The Department of Environmental Conservation's effort to maintain eco-friendly bathrooms at its downtown headquarters has made quite a splash but not in the way the state intended. DEC … [Read more...] about Waterless Urinals Piss Off New York State Workers
Obama’s Biggest Political Problem: Democrats?
What is proving to be a huge problem for President Barack Obama? It's turning out to be members of his own political party -- not that that many (including many who write on this site) didn't predict that this could happen. But it's becoming increasingly clear with each passing day that Obama has to battle two sides of his own party (liberal and more conservative Democrats) as … [Read more...] about Obama’s Biggest Political Problem: Democrats?
More “Protectionism” Fever Swamp Dreams
I had the sad experience today of moderating an online chat during an interview with Nick Gillespie of Reason TV and yet another screed on how awful it is if people should actually ask their government to "Buy American." (Featured earlier today on Hot Air.) Nick's primary modus operandi was the usual distraction of saying that some products (gasp!) have a lot of foreign made … [Read more...] about More “Protectionism” Fever Swamp Dreams
David Brooks and Suicide Marches
Needless to say, I do not share Pete Abel's positive response to David Brooks' "Liberal Suicide March" column today. In fact, after reading the entire column -- every self-important, fatuous word of it -- I wish I had done like Barbara O'Brien and refrained: … [Read more...] about David Brooks and Suicide Marches
Just When You Thought Talk Show Hosts Had Reached The Peak Of Demonization
..someone says something else and you realize you're wrong. Read this on Lou Dobbs. This is the kind of comment that would be considered "far out" and "flaky" in other times but today there is a)an audience for it and it gets big ratings, b)a need by many in politics to try and take someone out who they disagree with on policy. And the trending isn't good: it seems to get … [Read more...] about Just When You Thought Talk Show Hosts Had Reached The Peak Of Demonization
Captured Soldier Bergdahl’s Family Flooded With Statements Of Support
The family of Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl -- the American solidier captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan and put on display by his captors in an Internet statement -- is overwhemed by the support flooding in. Details via this AP video: … [Read more...] about Captured Soldier Bergdahl’s Family Flooded With Statements Of Support
Candy.com: A Sweeter Day Just A Click Away
My headline is lifted from the Candy.com launch press release. Robin Wauters at TechCrunch has this far more interesting fact: Candy.com is now a shiny new, online store for all sorts of sweets after the domain name was sold for a whopping $3 million back in June. The fairly old-school website offers a range of lollipops, jelly beans, gum, candy bars and dispensers which it … [Read more...] about Candy.com: A Sweeter Day Just A Click Away