There are around 300 million people in the US. About 50 million, or one in six, is without health insurance coverage. Health insurance costs are growing at double digit rates, and have for many years. A Proposal Eliminate State Governance: Every State regulates health and other insurance providers. This was quite relevant when companies were small and most employees were … [Read more...] about Solving the Healthcare Crisis
Soak The Rich!
Soak The Rich! Somewhere always in the tax code There somehow seems to be a glitch Providing some folks with huge windfalls And those folks are always rich. In these very trying times though Quirks like these we have to ditch It's time to dump past ways of taxing Make a fundamental switch. Some group's gotta take the dive soon Patching deficits a bitch Some … [Read more...] about Soak The Rich!
Mirror Mirror On The Wall…
Today South Africa seems to be competing with Iraq in providing sensational copy for different reasons. Associated Press takes note of the newly-crowned Miss World Kseniya Sukhinova from Russia. In the photo above Sukhinova stands with first princess Parvathy Omanakuttai from India and second princess Gabrielle Walcott from Trinidad and Tobago during the Miss World contest … [Read more...] about Mirror Mirror On The Wall…
Obama’s Pragmatic Foreign Policy: Richard and Henry Return….
As President Elect Obama assembles his new foreign policy/national security team, there have been a number of comments and observations made by various interest groups. Those on the far left are upset that he has not appointed enough 'progressives' to the team while those on the far right are convinced he is ready to give away the store by not naming enough hard-liners. Of … [Read more...] about Obama’s Pragmatic Foreign Policy: Richard and Henry Return….
Terrorism: Stop Blaming CIA, ISI Or RAW
It is not that the spy agencies of the USA, Pakistan and India have abolished their "dirty tricks" departments. The reason we should stop blaming CIA, ISI and RAW is simple. For too long we have blamed our "hands" for cutting someone else's throat, while absolving the "heads". The photo above is self explanatory. President Bush, or for that matter Pakistan's Asif Zardari or … [Read more...] about Terrorism: Stop Blaming CIA, ISI Or RAW
Some Background on That Shoe Incident
A little background on those shoes hurled at President Bush at an Iraqi press conference seems in order. In traditional Mideast culture, the foot is considered the filthiest part of the human body. This is reflected in a book in which I spend quite a lot of time, the Bible, and it plays an important role in an annual event on the Christian calendar. Maundy … [Read more...] about Some Background on That Shoe Incident
President Bush & Iraq’s Farewell “Gift”
Well done, President George W. Bush. As a sportsman, I admired your ducking capability and your witty response when, on receiving an Iraqi journalist's shoes, you reacted by saying that "the shoe number is 10". Why don't you try these shoes for a change...and know if it pinches? You insisted on a "farewell" visit to your favorite destination --- Iraq. It seems that "boots" … [Read more...] about President Bush & Iraq’s Farewell “Gift”
Memo To Minnesota, Just Follow The Rules
In the never-ending saga that is the Minnesota Senate race, we have been hearing rhetoric from all sides (I'd say both sides but, given the mess, I think it's more than two sides). Some are yelling about stopping possible fraud while others talk about the need to count 'every vote'. Well the simple fact of the matter is that no side is going to be happy here. Fraud happens … [Read more...] about Memo To Minnesota, Just Follow The Rules
The Story Behind The Iraqi Journalist Bush Shoe Throwing Incident
When George Bush was running for President, he was considered in terms of campaign contributions to be one of the most well-heeled candidates. Today's big media sensation was a story about an Iraqi journalist who also tried to make Bush a well-soled President, by throwing shoes at him. What was behind the incident? It now appears the journalist was living in a part of Iraq … [Read more...] about The Story Behind The Iraqi Journalist Bush Shoe Throwing Incident
GWB Practices Ducking Skills at Press Conference
BBC: In the middle of the news conference with Mr Maliki, a reporter stood up and shouted "this is a goodbye kiss from the Iraqi people, dog," before hurtling his shoes at Mr Bush, narrowly missing him. "All I can report is a size 10," Mr Bush said according to the Associated Press news agency. BBC VIDEO … [Read more...] about GWB Practices Ducking Skills at Press Conference
My Thoughts on the Auto “Bailout” in Kristof’s Words
In response to my post yesterday, decrying the fact that Republican Senators from Southern states with foreign car manufacturers fiercely oppose the proposed emergency loan to save American automakers Ford, General Motors and Chrysler, I received several comments supporting the Senators and attacking the auto workers unions. Worried about what the failure of one of the … [Read more...] about My Thoughts on the Auto “Bailout” in Kristof’s Words
Governor Soprano To Step Aside? Maybe? Maybe Not?
According to Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, embattled and incredibly corrupt Governor Rod 'Tony Soprano' Blagojevich may announce his decision to step aside and/or resign on Monday. She made the statement on Meet The Press earlier today. There is however considerable question as to exactly what stepping aside would mean. Is he going to resign or will he merely step … [Read more...] about Governor Soprano To Step Aside? Maybe? Maybe Not?
Putin Had Best Not Underestimate Obama: From Le Monde of France
The world is waiting: it's a meeting as inevitable as it is dramatic. President Barack Obama will come face to face with one of the most ruthless political players on the world stage, Russian 'Prime Minister' Vladimir Putin. It's the heaviest of heavyweight political bouts. And the question on everyone's lips?: Who will come out on top - and can Obama hold his own? … [Read more...] about Putin Had Best Not Underestimate Obama: From Le Monde of France
The Goodbye Governors
As Rod Blagojevich struggles to keep his office after trying to sell a US Senate seat, spare a thought for Eliot Spitzer who lost his for buying bed time with a hooker. On the eve of Change in America, their stories reflect the extremes of old politics--the self-made thief and the self-righteous reformer--both brought down by failure to hide their raw ambition behind the … [Read more...] about The Goodbye Governors
The End of Auto Life Support
Monte Wolverton, Cagle Cartoons … [Read more...] about The End of Auto Life Support
Indian Journalist In Pak LeT ‘Terror Camp’
An Indian woman journalist has provided a detailed on-the-spot report from the headquarters of Pakistan's controversial Lashkar-e-Taiyyebba, or Taiba, (LeT), allegedly the epi-center of "new wave of terrorism". Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone terrorist who was captured alive in Mumbai, is supposed to have studied here. (See my earlier post "Terror Update: Pakistan, USA and … [Read more...] about Indian Journalist In Pak LeT ‘Terror Camp’
Around The Sphere
Our famous linkfest to posts of varying viewpoints. The Bush Administration Continues To Work On Having The Worst Environmental Record In American History: The White House is removing protections for endangered species before Bush leaves office. Is Removing Illinois's Senate Seat For Sale Governor Via Court Order A Good Idea? Ann Althouse has no sympathy for Rod … [Read more...] about Around The Sphere
Rumsfeld’s $49 Billion “Miscalculation”
There are three people whose monumental lies, misconceptions, miscalculations, mis-prognostications about the war in Iraq have been shocking and will live---with my apologies to president Roosevelt---in infamy. The saddest part is that these three people happen to be the three highest officials in the land charged with the sacred duty of keeping our country safe and … [Read more...] about Rumsfeld’s $49 Billion “Miscalculation”
Blagojevich: Giving Governors a Bad Name (Guest Voice)
How bad is Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich? In this Guest Voice post "raging moderate" writer and political comic Will Durst says the Senate Seat For Sale guy is giving governors a bad name and has also done the unthinkable: he has damaged the image of Chicago politics. Blagojevich: Giving Governors a Bad Name Raging Moderate, by Will Durst Hats off to the Illinois … [Read more...] about Blagojevich: Giving Governors a Bad Name (Guest Voice)
Terror Update: Pakistan, USA & Mafia Don
It is getting murkier and murkier. Dawood Ibrahim, India-born mafia don (who is said to be safely hiding in Pakistan), is emerging as a key suspect in "the funding and logistical support for the November 26 terrorist strike on Mumbai." Dubbed as “India’s Osama Bin Laden”, Dawood is also allegedly behind the 2006 Mumbai train bombings (which killed at least 200 people); and … [Read more...] about Terror Update: Pakistan, USA & Mafia Don