The past week has been a long one–one involving a lot of reflection and questions.
I’m still stunned by what happened, and am at a loss for words. It is still difficult for me to phathom.
What happened has weighed heavily on my mind–and there are still so many questions that will go unanswered. It’s just so tragic and unexpected.
The still irrelevant Senator from Mass. has a new proposal out there for his (predictably doomed) 2008 presidential run.
AP: Kerry proposes universal coverage by 2012
Just one little snag:
…”with the federal government guaranteeing that they have the means to afford it.”…
Now what exactly is going to be the definition of “afford it”? Speaking of affording it–how is the Federal Government going to afford such a program?
Not to mention the usual arguments against national health care.
On a tangent–working in the healthcare industry–I (along with numerous others) can tell you that dealing with private insurers can often be a pain. Lots of red-tape, hoops to jump through.
Now just imagine that, but being run by the Feds. It would make the private insurance hassles look like a walk in the park–and naturally this added inconvenience would further increase the price of healthcare (as you’d need to pay workers more to navigate the system).
Ask Slashdot: Dealing With The Always-Breaking Family PC?
You know, that list of things wrong with the computer that awaits you when you come home for a visit?
Tangental bonus geek question: Speaking of which, what’s a better way to help the family from afar? VNC or RDC?
Those in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones
Rove Blasts Journalists’ Role in Politics
As Rove said, “.Some argue political professionals are ruining American politics _ trapping candidates in daily competition for the news cycle instead of long-term strategic thinking in the best interest of the country.”
Both political pros and journalists deserve blame.
From the Cleveland Jewish News:
Muslims, Christians decry Mideast violence …. Last spring, in a move little heralded outside the Jewish community, Cuyahoga County purchased $5 million in Israel Bonds. …
The county should have considered the potential political fallout before buying the bonds, says Julia Shearson, director of the Cleveland office of the Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
Israel Bonds are used to pay for infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, not military equipment, [emphasis mine] Shearson acknowledges. But, “It’s hard to know where the money is going,” she says. Moreover, the funds invested in Israel could better be used to fix crumbling roads and bridges in Cuyahoga County. …
As for roads/bridges in Cuyahoga county…
[County Treasurer] Rokakis defends purchase of Israel Bonds for county … The five-year instruments are a good investment that pay more interest than comparable securities (emphasis added–ed), he [Rokakis] says.
So how do you like that mony that’ll be coming into Cuyahoga County to fix roads and bridges? Once again, the CAIR mouthpiece is–Shut Down
Denmark Is the World’s Happiest Nation, Global Survey Shows
One word: Legos–it’s all about the Legos.
Saw the nutcase Larouchites out on Third Ave today (an apparent detour from their normal spot outside the post office on E. 85th)
Their “new” and “novel” political idea/strategy?
“Fire Cheney First”–now what exactly that would do or achieve, I dunno….
AP: Islamic Jihad: Israel Killed Militant Head
ncluding the man the group described as the leader of its militant wing in the West Bank city of Nablus
You mean these terrorists have a non military wing?
Sounds like another heat wave is coming through the city–ugh.
Guess that’s all the more incentive to stay indoors (in the A/C–if ConEd can keep the grid up) and do some cleaning that I’ve been meaning to do…
For all the fuss that Congresspeople make about binge drinking and the like, one would think that they’d practice what they preach…
Wait…we’re talking about Congresspeople…nevermind.
Sens Hillary Clinton and John McCain held a vodka drinking contest in Estonia
Still waiting for the Congressional Beer Pong Tournament to take place…
It’s a wonder how some companies and their CSRs seem to be unable to follow or fufil what seem like simple requests.
Example, today, called major national vendor to ask for statement of open invoices on a account. Asked for this statement to please be faxed to the office.
A couple of minutes later, what beins to appear on the fax machine? A 90 page fax?!?!?
Apparently the CSR thought that it would be a better idea to fax not what was requested, but rather copies of all the open invoices in detail! (which isn’t what we asked for!)
Sigh…at least this vendor’s computers wern’t down like the last 3 times we called ‘em.
The Dad just got back from a conference in another State, and tells me he (and some other conference attendees) witnessed a very entertaining event:
Apparently people of all ages participate, and the pig usually wins. People at least get into the spirit of things by dressing up in costumes/themed costumes and have fun with it.
It’s the county fair…whatever goes, goes?
The Dad just got back from a conference in another State, and tells me he (and some other conference attendees) witnessed a very entertaining event:
Apparently people of all ages participate, and the pig usually wins. People at least get into the spirit of things by dressing up in costumes/themed costumes and have fun with it.
It’s the county fair…whatever goes, goes?
Will Olmert and his political party Kadima (lit. translated: “Forward”) go Kadima with the anti-Hizbullah offensive? Or will Olmert’s coalition hold him back?
It’s important to remember that Kadima is sort of a mish-mash of a party, with (former) members of the Likud and Labor parties.
In order to form his governing coalition, Olmert had to reach out to the dovish Labor party, and as part of the bargain, give them some cabinet portfolios (e.g. Peretz at Defense).
Keep all this in mind as you read this post at Powerline, recapping (I’d recap it myself, but have other things to attend to) the Israeli cabinet’s decision and the related thoughts
Also read Mog’s analysis/thoughts of the current situation. I agree with Mog. Israel shouldn’t have to give up the Shaaba farms, and a ceasefire now isn’t timely.
(from a conversation at work):
co-worker 1: …but I’m upset, the painter got an allergic reaction to the paint…so we had to finish the job ourselves
co-worker 2: what kind of person who has an allergy to paint is a painter?
co-worker 1: Oh, it’s a relative…it’s a family thing
With current Ambassador to the UN John Bolton’s recess appointment about to come to a close, the Senate is getting ready to hold hearings on whether or not to confirm him to “permanent” status.
Sen. Voinovich has seen the light, and after previously crying on the Senate floor–has announced he’ll back Bolton this time ’round.
Alas, everything isn’t so easy, b/c the Senate Dems are reportedly planning to filibuster the nomination.
However, Bolton, especially as of late, has shown himself time and time again to be a vocal advocate of Israel in the otherwise, hostile cesspool of Turtle Bay.
With that in mind, comes the question–where’s the Israel lobby on this nomination? Are AIPAC et. al. going to try and go to bad on Capitol Hill on behalf of Bolton?
There’s also rumors about that Bolton’s pro-Israel stances may be swaying the opinions of NY’s senators
NY Post: Say Watt!? Bloomberg To City: Tell Con Ed Big ‘Thank You‘
Thank you for what?
If anyone should be thanked it’s the men and women of Con-Ed who have been/are working beneeth the streets right now to restore power. Not the CEO.
Apparently this follows a trend for Bloomberg–when agencies come under fire. From a NYP Editorial:
* When a Staten Island ferry slammed into a pier, killing 11 people in a totally avoidable accident, Mayor Mike gave Transportation Commissioner Iris Weinshall, who oversees the ferries, a pass. * When little 7-year-old Nixzmary Brown died at the hands of her parents, even though the city’s Administration for Children’s Services had been warned of signs of trouble in her household, Hizzoner actually praised ACS’ boss, John Mattingly. * Even when Imam Umar Abdul-Jalil, a Rikers Island chaplain, was caught preaching lies about Muslims being tortured in prison by the U.S. government, the mayor remained unfazed. Then again, if you’re a city employee, don’t let Mayor Mike catch you playing solitaire on your computer at work. Or smoking a cigarette in public. Bloomberg will have you out on your ear in a heartbeat, as he’s shown.
I’m in a serious state of shock right now.
Life is too short…
NYP: Upper West Side Suicide Plunge
Tragic…shocking.
I was just reading the post after work as usual, and the last thing I expected to see was the picture of someone I knew..let alone was good friends with in school…and then see news like that.
Still shocked
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