Rest in Peace, Doc

I lost a good friend last week, which is why I haven't been posting. A hard working man who I respected deeply, his extreme views on politics and life in general will be greatly missed. Should I ever achieve a level of excellence in my work as he so easily performed in his, I could rest peacefully knowing I had brought my very best to the table.

I'll miss you Doc.

Symo


(The Mosquito was one of his favorite historical planes. Doc was an avid model builder, and I am proud to own an F6F Hellcat that he custom built just for me)

Healthcare solutions?

I certainly don't want to ruffle any more feathers, but here's my take on the deal...

Yes, poor people need health care too. No argument there. Quite frankly, I don't want to pay for it. There is no way in hell I really want a good chunk of my tax dollars to pay for the poor. I'm sorry, but if I want to contribute to it, put a checkbox at the bottom of my tax return requesting I give 20 bucks to the government insurance option (more on that in a bit). This way, I can choose to be a good guy when I want to, not when the government says I must. The reason I don't want them playing with my tax dollars for government programs to pay for the poor is simple... there is no way in hell the government could provide the services necessary within budgetary concerns. Think about it. 400 dollar band aids.

We do need a solution that addresses the insurance racket greed. I mean, I pay 6k a year. I've had insurance for a long freaking time (with a gazillion providers). So say in 10 years, that's more than 50k I've paid to various companies when I've needed a total of about 120 bucks in actual doctor care. Sure, it cost like 600 dollars for that 120 dollars worth of work, but hey, I only had to pay them 35 dollars for the visit. How does THAT math add up, anyway? If I pay for 6k worth of coverage per year, I shouldn't have to pay a freaking CENT when I go for a checkup. What I'm saying here is I am for a government option to provide insurance. This will force competition, and may allow change in the system, along the lines for health insurance to become more like life or auto insurance, which can be taken with you from job to job, state to state. Competition increases, costs for the insurance companies will actually drop because the equity invested by a lifetime subscriber will translate into lower costs as the individual keeps his healthcare for ten years, not one or two, so if you don't "make claims", you're not costing them anything and over a long period the money you invest will become your 'healthcare retirement fund'. Lots of little things too, especially to lower overhead for the businesses, and a more complete ease of use for the client. Lots of win-win to be had around here, but people are stubborn. Myself included. I mean, I want my option to choose my insurer, just as much as my provider. I don't like my choices now as much as I would if I could watch funny Geico commercials about health insurance.

Oh, the death panel thing? I do think if we get to a single payer option that would be a very real possibility. If the government takes the competition out of health care, we're doomed. I don't care about the reality of healthcare for socialized medicine in the UK or Canada. We aren't the UK or Canada. I know the DMV reference is tired, but Americans can be incredibly lazy when they want to be. If we seriously take out the individual success achieved by becoming a doctor, which is a giant house in the suburbs apparently, who's going to want to be the healthcare providers? There will always be a calling for some, but I think a lot of the talent that is attracted by financial security will dry up if there is no drive to be the best doctor you can be. The really good doctors and surgeons should make a lot of money in my opinion, and I would be willing to subscribe to the insurance provider that has access to the best. Choice is the American way. I also wonder what happens to all the University hospitals... do they get absorbed into the system? How about the religiously affiliated? "I'm sorry, you can only be treated here if you're Catholic... separation of church and state and all..." Just wondering.

Tort reform is something that needs to be addressed as well, but I don't know enough about that to yap about it. Doctor Burke and I had a discussion on that very subject about 7 years ago, but I've had a lot of beer since then, so I'm a bit fuzzy on the details. I can imagine it would only be worse now. I'll leave that one up to the Doctors and the useless jerks up on the Hill.

It can be done. There can be a way to get everybody to get along on this issue, just not out of my pocket. Unless I want to of course. Paying for 47 million other people's insurance pisses me off since I still have a stupid co-pay, with more taxes to boot? Nope. Throw out this bill and get something hammered out that de-regulates and fixes, not changes a system that could work if just given the proper steerage.

This sucks.

Lots of chatter about what's going on in this country, so let's talk about some of it.

I hope the birther thing finally goes away. Enough. Congress unanimously passed a resolution stating Obama's birth proof is valid. That includes Republicans. Over. Done. Please. Thank you. I do wonder why he has chosen to keep his school work private... every other President hasn't had a problem with it, so that does concern me. Regardless, until the media (whole different issue) decides that the payday will be worth it, I think everyone can agree that they're not going to disparage "Rock Star" Obama. Thanks for the idea Geo, and overall that about sums up the media issue... if he can clean up this mess, he'll get a chance for a second album. If not, well, there's always being a one hit wonder. For all of our sakes, let's hope it's not 'The Chicken Dance'.

Is this healthcare stuff ugly or what? I believe it is possible to fix the current system by regulating the insurance industry instead of having government take it over. Healthcare is best left to private indusry because of the nature of competition in America. For those who claim that our healthcare is bad, then why does the rest of the world come here for the hard stuff? Seriously folks, would you go anywhere but here to get fixed? Didn't think so. Granted, there are solutions to specific problems that aren't legal here, but that'd be a different post. I was actually surprised when I found out coverage was over 75% of this country... figured it would be more like 60-67. Regardless, it isn't broken for me, so perhaps I'm resistant to change. I'm a single male, no kids. For me it isn't a big deal, but for those who don't have the ability to take care of family would have a different light on this. I'd take government healthcare in a second if I had a child to take care of. I do worry about the screamers and the freakshow media event this has become... I don't recall seeing this kind of a divide. It's like watching the South Park episode about the election, and how everybody is over the top. If (when?) the riots happen, I'm moving to Georgia... at least my friends down there are armed. As far as the promises go to institute the regulations to provide competition, let's hope it becomes competitive, and not just another plot by politicians to find another source of revenue. Worst case? Government insurance that is always juuuust a tad more expensive than what is already in place now. Everybody gets paid, and there are no changes except in the taxes we end up paying to pay for those who are on the government plan. Worst case. Yikes.

I had more, but then I had dinner, so I'm done here. I'll just go back to havin' a couple beers and hope when I wake up in the morning we haven't started shooting yet. Not enough ammo here for all these Democrats here in Jersey. Corzine first.

Need a job? How about Bermuda?

So the 4 ex-detainees released from Guantanamo are working at a golf course in Bermuda. The Brits aren't very pleased with the situation, but I think it's hysterical. Can you imagine being one of these guys, doing whatever the hell they were doing (non-conspiratorial, since they're not a threat) in China or Afghanistan or wherever, then end up working in Bermuda? Sure, spending all that time in prison sucked, but at least they get a chance to work at a premier golf course in a tropical paradise. It's also good to know they're doing quite well at their jobs, but not surprising considering going back to China isn't really in their best interests... outstanding Chinese warrants or something.

Maybe Tiger can hire them when the tournament is over...

How time flies...

Howdy all, yes, I've been slackin' on the blogging. I'd tell you to sue me, but I really don't have much. That should be a good lead in...

Not a lot going on that I actually want to write about. Like, there's this story about a woman who decapitated her infant child and ate it's brain, but that's not a fun topic. Chewed off a couple toes too. Yikes. h/t to the Fookisan.

You all know I'm a right leaner, so I'm not going to go off on the vehicle which is our economy driving headlong into a ditch. If you can't run a clunkers promotion for a freaking WEEK, then I really don't want you in charge of another healthcare system since you haven't figured out the bugs in the first one. Or two. Maybe more, but I'm not a Czar so I shouldn't know these things... oh wait, the Czar doesn't have to know either. That's cool. Glad my tax dollars are paying these 44 (or whatever... I lost count after 30) assholes over 100k a year each. Maybe I can apply to be a horrible blogger Czar... crap. Wouldn't work. I know too much.

My hours have been cut at work, and since I'm a contracting type, I don't get paid. Not fired, but having your employer say "you're taking week off" just kinda sucks. I'm happy to be working so I wouldn't dare bitch, and that's a really frightening position to be in. I can't even imagine how it feels to be unemployed with this kind of grim stagnation out there. We've accepted the fact that it sucks and now we want it working again... I just don't want the government at the helm of what appears to be a ship without a rudder. Somebody, anybody, needs to get everybody on the same page, because we're all over the place.

They haven't buried Michael Jackson yet? The French (now) are more conservative than us??? Russian subs are cruising our eastern seaboard, Obama still hasn't backed off of backing the bad guys. Oh wait! There is good news out there, Michael Phelps can smoke(yes, I know, was before whatevs) AND win a few more medals. Good for you pal. Hey, even I have my liberal side.

What's up with the Jews selling kidneys in New Jersey? I mean, they can't donate themselves, but if there's a dollar to be had. Good Lord. 40 some politicians indicted, and not a lot of heat about it. Like this happens every day. What? 40 some corrupt guys? No big deal....

Okay, I'm done for now. Just so you know, I'm not dead, I'm just sleeping.

Justice for Mayfield?

This is an interesting story, in my opinion. Jeremy Mayfield, NASCAR driver, was cleared by a district court judge after supposedly testing positive for Methamphetamines. This has been going on for a little while, and I for one couldn't think of any real reason to overturn the lab results. However, as with any beaurocracy, mistakes happen and the influence on a case such as this one is hard to ignore. At some point, the "b" sample wasn't given the opportunity to be tested by an independent source, so I'm fairly sure that sealed the deal for Mayfield's exoneration.

I have a few questions though...

If the B sample also tested positive, then the lab didn't screw up with some clerical error. This had to be his pee, right?

I know they don't really test these guys all the time, so maybe in a case where a positive comes up they forget how to proceed and just go to the "b" sample. Granted, you'd think they would know what comes next. Is there a manual for this? How did they screw this up?

If the test was real, and his claims of a cocktail causing the false positive are true, why is the prosecution so adamant that it's not possible? As it turns out with a brief perusal of Wiki, Adderall returns a false positive on Meth. Granted, Mayfield could have edited the article, but still.

Next, how on earth could Mayfield be a Meth head? At what point in a three hour race, with a camera on him at all times, does he do a bump (that would be a dose for all you non-meth-taking people out there)? Is it built into his helmet? Maybe he has a "special" respirator or something. Not bloody likely. Most people go through withdrawal at some point, so it wouldn't be good to get all twitchy and anxious at 200 miles an hour.

There are some other tidbits in that piece about how he risks the safety of other drivers and fans, but seriously, I had my doubts from when the results came out. Despite the fact that some people don't consider these drivers athletes, sitting in a 120 degree cockpit in a fire suit for three hours is a tough task at 75, much less 190+.

The only thing I can't really get my suspicions around is why haven't any other drivers come out to stand by him. You'd think some of his former teammates might stick up for him. Being that is not the case (that I can find, at least) leaves, in my mind, the biggest reason to suspect the worst. I guess when he runs this weekend in Daytona, we won't necessarily get the truth, but maybe someone will check his helmet for a stash or something.

The funny thing is, he's going to get tested before the race, and if he's still on Adderall...

Damn you Sarkozy!

What's the big idea, standing up to Muslims and telling them they can't wear burqas in public? I mean, how can I continue with my French hating if you do the right thing? Cut it out! You're taking away one of my favorite past-times!

WMD's found? Not that they want us to know about it...

Yeah, old news, but new articles. This article has a lot to say about the WMD's they DID find in Iraq. It's a wonder nobody reports this stuff...

Overload!

Too much has been happening lately. God rest your soul, Billy Mays. Your grating pitches were annoying, then endearing. We'll miss you.

Obama, I'm pissed at you too. What is it with you siding with known socialist dictators, yet ignore the pleas of dying Iranians... oh, wait, you did finally say something a week later or something. Whatever. Cap and Trade? Going to cause the major manufacturers of fuel to stop making it here. Great work with that, increasing our dependence on foreign oil. Healthcare fix? We're at 75% (or more) covered. That, and hospitals cannot deny treatment due to this thing called the hippocratic oath. Too many people ride the wagon for free as it is, I don't want to wait 5 months for a specialist, since there won't be many who will work for pennies. Unemployment is going to rise again, businesses are moving to Canada (and probably Mexico, soon) and taxes are going to increase. Rumblings about a Value Added Tax are coming around, which will make our economy better HOW?

Sure, the Republicans aren't much better with their family values of f*cking in Brazil, or Vegas, or New York. McCain wants to keep the illegals, the party as a whole is about as cohesive as a headless flock of chickens and Palin still thinks she can handle the spotlight. Not so much. I like Limbaugh, because at least he's just a recovering addict and losing weight so he has more to be righteous about.

Too bad about that girl that was killed in Iran... she was beautiful. The election is over, but I think the Iranians will figure out what's important in the long run. Not our business anymore. As we pull out of Iraq, and the Iraqis cheer our departure, I couldn't feel better about it, actually. We did establish the sentiment of freedom... now let's hope they all buy stuff so my investment in Iraqi dinars can pay off. The way our economy is tanking, I might make a LOT of money.

Be careful out there folks!

First Ed, then Farrah, now Michael... I am saddened by the loss of the first two, but feel that children are just a little safer now because of... well... you know. Just sayin'.

A fine idea by an Iraqi

So the first Iraqi "Craigslist" is open for business (article). That's pretty cool, and I applaud the guy for getting it off the ground. One small step for capitalism, one giant dam ready to burst and drown the people in excess, just like us. Seriously though, good job. I wonder if his tech support will go to... ah, nevermind.

Pros and Cons of being a Hooters girl?

Read a nice piece (no pun intended) about the pros and cons of being a Hooters girl, and it didn't tell me anything I didn't already know... at least from the visible male side of things. I can only imagine how rough it would be to parade around in that god-awful uniform all day, and being ogled on top of it. Well, the ogling wouldn't bother me... those panty hose would. Those things are super-insulating. Hot as hell. Don't ask.

I have been on the pro #5 side (Thank you girls of Canton and Kennesaw, GA), and had to chuckle at the list... it's all true. And for all of you who want to scream "objectification", yeah, go ahead... you're probably ugly, flat or fat (although I've seen all 3, even on one girl, working at Hooters). For everybody who isn't a feminazi, I recommend the ham sandwich with the horseradish sauce, or the grilled cheese platter with bacon and tomato when hungover.

Hey, ever heard of this guy Favre?

Favre says he is considering playing again

Do you believe that sh*t? I mean, seriously dude. "Just Say No" to whatever it is that gives you the delusion that you really need to be on the football field. Come on pal, we're done here. Please. For us. For somebody. Have a kid. Do some charity. Become a talking head. ANYTHING but returning to football.

lol...

Crap. The lull begins! Let's laugh at the Liberals!

Yeah, I know... I said I wouldn't. Well, I'm bored out of my gourd. Today, one of my favorite douchy douche liberals, Bill Maher, had this to say(whole article here):

"Remember during the campaign when John McCain attacked Obama for acting like a celebrity and we all laughed at the grumpy old shellshocked fool? Well, it turns out he was right."

And how about this lovely tidbit?

" And like Lohan, we see your name in the paper a lot, but we're kind of wondering when you're actually going to do something."

But wait! There's more!!!

"Obama needs to start putting it on the line in fights against the banks, the energy companies and the healthcare industry. I never thought I'd say this, but he needs to be more like George W. Bush. Bush was all about, "You're with us or against us.""

With the privatization of GM and banks, and the prospect of socialized medicine looming over the horizon (shudder to think), I'm extremely pissed off that this guy (Obama, that is) is driving our country into a black hole of debt, and ultimately, despair.

However, there's a bright side! I feel like I'm the one riding the bomb to the ground, waving my hat and saying "Told ya so! You fucking SHEEP!" You bought into his rhetoric hook line and sinker, and what was said?

Iraq was an illegal war! We haven't done anything there! Well, according to the ENTIRE FUCKING WORLD, Bush is being viewed as the dumbass who made the right move, creating a spot for democracy in the Middle East. I've been saying that since 1991, but everybody has been saying, "No, it's about Oil". Yes, oil is there, so it is a factor. But that doesn't change the premise that we needed to LIBERATE THE FUCKING PLACE. Okay? We did, it's working, and it's bringing... Oh, I dunno.... HOPE! CHANGE! And it wasn't even Obama, it was, you guessed it, BUSH. Assholes.

Oh, but how about that hope and change? Hoping he leaves me some change after he drives the economy into a ditch, illegally fires people who are doing their jobs, attempting to socialize medicine, which is incredibly difficult at best, and he wants it done by August or some shit. Claims not to want to run anything, so why do we have 40 Czars now? Come on, a 31 year old guy with no experience is now the president of GM. W.T.F.? The Europeans are making fun of us like never before, because now we don't stand for anything... we're just an apologetic entity, supported by funding from China. Wow. Great. Thanks for the image boost.

Okay, back to work. I just wanted to say something so y'all didn't think I offed myself after the loss.

Oh, Maher, you're a tool, and a cocksmoker.

See ya later, Comrades.

Grats Pens.

Well, it happened. After Rafalski blew every chance he had to make a good play for the first 40 minutes, the little voice inside said "It ain't gonna happen". Hossa didn't score (tool), and it looked like everybody on the ice was thinking "Well, we won last year. No biggie". Except for that tool Hossa of course. You'd think he would've played to win.

So, all you Pens fans out there, you deserved this cup more than the Wings did, and it showed. Bylsma is a f*cking genius, that's for damned sure.

That's all for now. Have a nice weekend everybody.

48 hours of madness

Okay, more like 50. By the time anybody reads this, it'll probably be more like 2 if my hit counter is lucky. Regardless, after another well played home game by the Pens yesterday, we all have to wait for game 7 on Friday. 8:00 p.m. Channel 4. Just in case you didn't know. Yeah. Sure.

What a game though! I have noticed that all throughout the playoffs, the Wings have done this to the opponents when playing away games... start slow, pick it up halfway through, dominate the 3rd (not so much yesterday) . We can speculate about the what if's, but they aren't important. All that's left is game 7. Wings played for a shot at winning, but the Pens sent the message that more or less came across as "Not this time, you fucks". I can appreciate that on a lot of levels, so bravo again Pens. What a f*cking series.

This is the part that kills... the wait. I have confidence that the Wings will be fine going back to the Joe. Fleury has been weak on the road, so there isn't another player that has more pressure going into this last battle than him. Ozzy has been solid, nobody will question his play so far. Malkin and Crosby will have their blankets, which work both ways. It's up to the grinders to get this one put away, so it bodes to be good hockey.

But jeez. 48 hours? Sucks.

This has been the best and hardest final for the Wings since I've been watching them play (Never went more than 6 games). The whole atmosphere is different... I think once the Pens tied it up 2-2, the non-Wing-Pen fans out there are enjoying this series too. As I've said before, my friends have become adversaries, and some of the despised teams fans and I have common interests.

So, let's hope my sanity maintains itself for 2 more days, and may the best team win.

Go Red Wings!

Good Vibrations

I spent the day before the game at the Mid Atlantic Air Museum in Reading, PA yesterday. They do a WWII re-enactment type weekend, and if you're into warbirds, this event is a must-see. Lots of the people don uniforms or dress in the fashion of that period, giving it a really authentic vibe. Some of these folks take it to the extreme, with wool uniforms on a 90 degree day. Crazy, but if it makes them (and me) happy, then so be it.

From the very start I was receiving "Go Wings" chatter from the folks around, a majority of them Flyers fans. Still, it made me feel good that folks on this side of Pennsylvania are rooting for the Wings, unlike my buddies who live in Jersey who want the Pens to win.

The really cool moment though, was when this truck passed by us..

At the time, my back was to them as they passed me, and one of the guys in the back said "Go Detroit!", and for a moment it felt like I was in France, on this D-Day. It was totally a "Saving Private Ryan" moment for me. But that was when I knew it'd be okay... that the Wings would recover from the sluggishness of playing too much hockey in a short timeframe. That they'd stop missing passes, stop turning the puck over and create more traffic in front. And they did... that was the best game I've seen them play in a long time. Pens meltdown notwithstanding, the guys finally showed up ready to go. Now we get an extra day of rest going into Tuesday. This is it Pens, but I called it in 6 from beginning, and I think I like my chances. Go Red Wings!

Well played, Pens

Tonight didn't turn out as I'd hoped, but I have to applaud the Pens for playing a great game. I knew the Wings were in trouble when I got to my buddy's house, for everybody was rooting for the Pens. My so-called friends, all of them. They even conspired to fake a short-handed goal when I was in the bathroom.. which proved to be prophetic.

"We're tired of the Wings winning all the time... we're rooting for the underdog" and such. So, I apologize to all Wings fans out there for putting myself in a pit of vipers, but overall, I thought the game was well fought, had a ton of good hockey and brought forth the team that deserved to win tonight, the Penguins.

I'm not going to dissect what went wrong, mainly because Staal stepped up and made the "sorry Pens fans, I owe you this" goal, and from that moment on, never let up. Lots of Wing turnovers. I've never seen them this sloppy.

Grats for the victory Pens fans, but don't think things will be as fortunate for you at the Joe. The Wings will figure it out... I'm sure of it...

AHA! Malkin is on COKE!

THIS EXPLAINS EVERYTHING!!!!!

Apparently, traces of cocaine have been found in Red Bull products in China!!! And Malkin, as uncovered by Dmitry Chesnokov, admitted to drinking Red Bull!!!!! I want him drug tested NOW!!!!!

So the truth comes out. Shame on you, Evgeni. Shame.

lol...

Seriously, it's not a big deal. However, considering he has been playing 10 times better than last year, it does make me wonder... Does Red Bull give you... uh.... Wings? HAH! It sure did! 25 Red Wings! Oh boy, that's awful. If the endorsement comes out, I apologize.

All kinds of silliness. Thanks for the indulgence.

Game 4 tomorrow. Beware the Draper, I think he'll be coming back for this one.

Hockey Goodness!

Good Lord.

Hossa this! Crosby that! Kronwall hit a guy hard! Guerin has bad breath! (That probably isn't true, but it's needed for the point here).

Shut up! All of you, you whiners about the non-calls, the bitching about this or that, shut up! Nitpicking to the utmost degree! We all know that Hossa didn't slash, there's a ton of clutching and grabbing and the series hasn't been all that interesting. YEAH RIGHT. If it wasn't so interesting, why are we inundated with all this blog crap?

Look, the Wings have had some luck, true. But you create your luck. Hard work pays off. All of the stupid cliches are working here, it boils down to 2 home wins for the Wings. I'm a Wings fan. I'm happy with the position. BY NO MEANS does it mean the lock is solid, because the Leafs back in forty-whatever came back from 0-3 to beat the Wings. It will NOT happen this year, but people have to just shut the hell up and watch the hockey games. Pens have been playing well, but Dan hasn't picked up on what Babcock is doing... nothing sinister mind you, but it's sneaky, and it's awesome. Can't tell you, he'd have me shot.

Helm? Score some more, would ya?