Gidget the Chihuahua, Taco Bell star, has died. She was 15 years old. The owner of Studio Animal Services in Castaic says Gidget suffered a stroke late Tuesday and had to be put down. This little dog caused controversy when she appeared in Taco Bell ads with a male voice-over, saying "Yo quiero Taco Bell," in Spanish: "I want Taco Bell." It made my whole family laugh to … [Read more...] about Rest in Peace, Vatito, Little Guy
Ripples
Kaiser Health News has an interesting article about the health care problems of some of the people who live in Mike Ross's district. Ross is one of the Blue Dog Democrats who is threatening to deep-six Obama's health care reform package unless changes are made (most notably eliminating or eviscerating the public option). Here are some excerpts: … [Read more...] about Ripples
Honesty Option for Health Care
The debate is heading for rock bottom. "If you like your plan," Barack Obama promises for the umpteenth time in the Rose Garden yesterday, "you'll be able to keep it. And each bill provides for a public option that will keep insurance companies honest, ensuring the competition necessary to make coverage affordable." At tonight's press conference, will someone please ask … [Read more...] about Honesty Option for Health Care
Ringling Brothers, Slave Mongers? Time to Stop Going to Animal Circuses?
One might wonder, did the exhibition for money, beatings, and slavery of creatures, lead to 'hey good idea,' let's do the same to vulnerable humans? Human slaves of every race, the Scots and Irish tribes and the clans to the British, the underclass of peasant farmers under Rome, the Africans taken by their own kings, the Aztec and Mayans and Inkans, also enslaved by their own … [Read more...] about Ringling Brothers, Slave Mongers? Time to Stop Going to Animal Circuses?
Divergent Interests
We've all heard the same tragic stories. Some of us have even seen it played out. A couple decides to make their lives happier by drinking heavily. It works nicely for awhile. Then one partner sees the dangers and backs away, while the other doesn't have the will or the ability to do so, leaving his or her mate to mourn a foolish collective error. We're seeing something akin … [Read more...] about Divergent Interests
A First Person Account Of California’s Budget Cuts
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?