Daily Topics - Friday April 23 2010- Brunch with Bernie!
By louisehartmann
"Anything Goes on Townhall Fridays!"
Hour One - "Brunch With Bernie" Senator Bernie Sanders www.sanders.senate.gov
Hour Two - "FreedomWorks Bullies GEICO" to Axe Voice-Over Actor D.C. Douglas Actor, Writer/Director, Voice Talent www.dcdouglas.com
Plus... Corporate Personhood - Jan Edwards Activist-The Alliance for Democracy and organizer for Democracy Day (10th Anniversary Celebration of the Point Arena Resolution) www.CaliforniaDemocracy.org
Comments
#2
Man-on-Dog backs Mad Dog . . . http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/04/all-aboard-santorum-latest-natl-gop-to-endorse-rubio.php
Remember to Google "Santorum" today and click on the first link
#3
I bemoan the 444 Billion chicken shortage . . .
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/04/fowl-math-for-a-chicken-based-economy.php
#4
Some years ago, I was talking with my Doctor and he was talking about his experience as a medical Professor over the years. He said back in the day the majority of students were getting into the the medical proffesion because they wanted to help people, but that the students now-a-days were more concerned about how much money they would make. It saddened him imensely. Its indicative about how much medical care has become a profit driven business vs. an institution existing for the well-being of a society.
He mentioned the times when patients (who were able to pay their bills) would bring in different gifts such as fruit baskets, etc.. It bothered him that that kind of appreciation was no longer prevailent amoung patients.
It seems to me, that trying to barter with a Doctor that wants the latest Mercedes, largest home in the area and trophy wife, isn't going to go very far. So long as Doctors treat patients as cash cows, I don't think patients are going to feel very grateful in kind. The give and take that was there in the past existed when Doctors cared for their patients, and not merely administered to their ailments.
#5
The chicken based economy
would also devastate the Jewish mother's health care system although, that has already been severely undermined by Campell's.
#6
If you want an electromagnet to draw fewer pieces of iron to it, you turn down the current.
If you want to take care of immigration, you arrest all of the illegal employers.
Also note that we are not seeing hordes of Canadians crossing the border looking for work because the "free" market has destroyed their economy.
#7
WEAR A SOMBRERO DAY!
I am declaring this Sunday (April 25th) – the day I predict Governor Jan Brewer of Arizona to sign into law a new draconian anti-immigration bill allowing police officers to subjectively harass anyone they suspect as “possibly being in our country illegally” – as National Wear a Sombrero Day!
National Wear a Sombrero Day is a political statement opposing the State of Arizona’s new law. But more importantly, it’s a way to confuse and “throw-off” an arresting officer’s “best judgment” and/or “probable cause for suspicion.”
#8
Let's send John Boehner to Arizona and see how long he lasts before he gets the "papers, please" routine. Oh, wait a second. Boehner is orange. Would that make him from Florida?
#9
Nels,
I believe that the outrageous cost of medical/dental school (often $150,000+) forces doctors and dentists to be more concerned with making enough money to pay off their loans. However, I DO believe that the majority of docs go into the business to help people. I base this generalization on the docs I that help me plus experience with people in medicine in my own family.
I just say, "Don't give up the faith!" :-)
#10
Okay- have my Sombrero ready!
Now- could someone re-cap that Vulker response from Bernie- was he for it or against it- response seemed rambled to me. Bernie is a little too polite for me to understand sometimes.
#11
S.B. "I base this generalization on the docs that help me plus experience with people in medicine in my own family."
#12
Foodfascist,
Does this help?
"Obama's 'Volcker Rule' shifts power away from Geithner"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/21/AR2010012104935.html
BTW, do you know any good websites with nutritous recipes?
#13
If our society was really ran progressively, with more investment in social programs, like education, health care, alternative energy, space exploration etc.. and less emphasis on a bloated military, and protection of the wealthy class, would immigration even be an issue? Why do so many Americans fear and hate illegal immigration, is not because they ultimately believe it endangers their lifestyle? When so many are a paycheck away from complete and utter poverty, is it not really the lack of a social safety net that drives the anti-illegal immigration lunacy? Comprehensive immigration reform, really needs to begin at comprehensive social reform, and until then, I doubt the landscape will change.
BTW, I'm not trying to dismiss the enormous undercurrent of racism that is intrinsic to this issue. I just think that the rabid racism would shrivel if there was no direct fear of losing your livelihood. Rather its justified for people to think their job is in peril or not, it cannot be ignored that it plays a large part in their rationale.
#14
Nels,
Absolutely!
#15
Rahm Emanuel recently said that he'd like to run for mayor of Chicago. Now (according the the previous Washington Post headline/link I posted), Obama is turning away from Geithner.
Do you think Obama is starting to listen to us? Signs seem hopeful...
#16
Quark, my main point was that the Doctor I was talking with was pointing out that the attitude of the majority his students had changed over the years. Not to mention, I can't tell you how many times I've heard College professors talk about the enormous amount of money to be made in medicine. They don't talk about how rewarding the experience is to one's since of social contribution. I'm not saying there are no medical students that get into the profession to help people, what I am saying is, that more and more are getting into it because of their all consuming need to make money.
#17
Nels,
If it weren't so hard to make a living wage in this country, that attitude might change. What do you think?
#18
Foodfascist,
I was serious about the nutritous recipe website...I would really like to get some good, interesting (hopefully, though not exclusively, vegetarian) recipes. I thought your avatar might show you have an edge in this area.
#19
THX @Dont Panic
Am grateful for the website, but working 3 jobs now and am at work now. Was hoping for a 3 or 4 line response. Does Bernie or doesnt Bernie and why or why not?
You can sign up for a meal planning service that is promoted by Green Tea And Honey. There is a cost, though minimal. See here- http://www.nourishingnutrition.com/
Also- for vegetarians, join the free recipe email list from meatless monday http://www.meatlessmonday.com/category/recipes-by-week/
#20
My only correction in D.C. Douglas' phone call to FreedomWorks is that maybe he should have said mentally ILL (not mentally retarded.)
#21
@Quark, I think that's is exactly correct. I also think that in a lot of professions, an emphasis on 4 year degrees is far overrated. In most jobs I've been in, most of the real education came within the first six months of being on the job. I'm not saying that education is overrated, I just think that some employers have a more overrated expectation of the positions they fill.
Not to mention that so many employers want to hire only people with both education and experience. I'm guessing this is more the result of a lack of positions available in this country then a real desire of these companies to hire only Super Qualified personnel (at dirt cheap pay).
#22
Strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP) is a lawsuit that is intended to censor,
#23
Foodfascist,
Wow --- 3 jobs. You qualify to be a "real American" (paraphrasing) in George Bush's world view.
I have one small business and am starting a second one. 'Can't make it in this country on one job anymore.
I will go through the Wash. Post article after the show and post a summary on the blog, if you want to check back later. Does that help? (I will also listen to the podcast and summarize Bernie's comments, if you want.)
Be well, Foodfascist. Thanks for the links! :-)
#24
My wife and I enjoy watching and listening to Rachel Maddow. She was on a roll, April 22, 2010. Her program solidifies my belief that the United States of Hell and her people are certifiably crazy.
Today, I am really upset because I had a haircut and I said to the barber that I will pay for my haircut with a chicken. She said that she does not accept chickens for bartering.
After the barber I went to my doctor and he said that I would need certain procedures for my health. My insurance would pay fifty percent and I would have yo pay fifty percent. I said to my doctor that I could give him fifty chickens for the procedures. The doctor does not accept chickens as a payment. What do I do now? The goose-stepping GOP are not going to barter as part of paying our bills.
#25
waffles are delicious
#26
Nels,
On the local level, there are so many needs (and potential jobs) that are going unmet. Somehow, the "crap" and unfair rules need to be shaken out of our economy so we can have an economy (and job market) that makes sense.
#27
@Panic--
Yes, join the ranks. The Census called me, and though my 2 'jobs' are really business contracts...a paycheck by the hour is a little less nerve wracking, provided I do not get shot. No need to comb through the article for me because chances are I won't check for your response even. I just wish people would stop parsing their words with being polite as the number one communication criteria, at some point- we need to know what is being said!
#28
My problem with DC Douglas? I thought I heard him use the terms "FOX News" and "Integrity" in the same sentence.
#29
moonbat666,
Mmmmmmmm! Waffles --- the OPPOSITE of the most disgusting food in the world!
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HXybe0bN2tE/SlgL0jh157I/AAAAAAAAAlo/atMgiAhqqkM/s400/far-side-waffles.jpg
#30
Follow up on that e-mail I mentioned at the beginning of this blog, here's the senders reply to my reply:
In some small way, yes! Not to their extreme How about the concept "Protect your borders" Oh I see it's an open house policy that works just fine, right! Hows it working for you? I am happy, your happy about our defense system, open Borders" Paying for illegals at hospitals while we all are paying the price with high insurance rates, example people being bused across the border in San Diego receiving a free education and medical paid by us. Oh yea! I am real happy about this! I guess you are too! I am happy for you too!
Now I am just saying Da Da Da Da Da Da ect ect ect ect
And my reply to it:
You don't get governments like those mentioned in some small way though, they're pretty much completely "boot on your neck". BTW I didn't say I was happy about the loopholes being exploited. I'm not however prepared to go to the extreme that Arizona has just gone and done by making it legal for anyone a police officer thinks doesn't belong, demand their papers. Fascism isn't something to be played with, that's a Pandora's box. There must be a better answer then oppression, don't you think?
This person I'm e-mailing with is genuinely a good person, and on most political issues we agree (though, the sender is admittedly more to the center than myself), but on this issue, well you can see the extremes for yourself.
#31
Foodfascist,
OK, I won't summarize. I agree --- give me plain speech anytime. Unfortunately, I think Bernie has been exposed to too much "legislator speech."
#32
@Quark, Food Fascist - But "Legislator-speak" is the official language of Congress!
:-D
#33
I don't know what is funnier
Quarks line: "Be well, Foodfascist." or Foodfascist calling Quark "Don't Panic"
Sometimes it's just the little things that make life fun.
Doh!
#34
Speaking of political backing by the banks ---
"Pawlenty's PAC: Who's giving?
More than half of those chipping in to an exploratory presidential PAC are from out of state, and bankers loom large, FEC filings show."
http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/90978784.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU
#35
I'm guessing corporations are asexual. Like an some sort of strange bacteria or virus, they can divide and replicate, or merge by consuming each other.
#36
Meet John Doh!
Re: "Sometimes it's just the little things that make life fun."
You're singing my song! :-D
#37
I suggest everyone send Senatorial candidate Sue Lowden a chicken egg for a contribution! Maybe then she (or her campaign staff) will figure out the fiscal value of chickens and future chickens (eggs).
-Bryan from Paddock Lake
#38
mstaggerlee,
Re: But "Legislator-speak" is the official language of Congress!
Yes, you get a handbook on the first day! :-D
#39
I think it will be quite ironic if Arizona succeeds in their attempt to chase out all people with more than a slight tan. Snow blindless will be a comman malady amoung the population of a sun baked desert... unnatural. ;-)
#40
In Illinois Eavesdropping can be brought as a felony charge. Two brothers, stopped on suspicion of DUI, were charged with both misdemeanor and felony eavesdropping for trying to record the cops during the traffic stop.
Amazing that the cops can record you, but you can't record the cops.
#41
Citi Group needs the TARP money to pay their lobbyists.
#42
On my local (NBC-affiliate) news last night, they did a piece about financial reform. A couple sound bites from Obama's speech yesterday, some analysis from a staff economist, and some man-on-the-Wall-street interviews. In that segment, a guy who works at a brokerge asked how we can trust guys like Chris Dodd & Barney Frank to fix this mess, when "they're the guys who put together the system that got us into this mess all those years ago!"
This, I think, demonstrates the depth of the memory hole we're dealing with! We seem to finally have acheived the 1984 mentality - those in charge NOW have ALWAYS been in charge! Somehow, back "all those years ago" (when the Rethuglicans controlled BOTH houses, and held ALL committee chairmanships) Dodd & Frank STILL managed to push through legistlation to sabotage the economy.
How do we deal with nonsense like this?? Bad enough that people who SHOULD know better hold these fool opinions, but why on Earth should the media give the know-nothings a platform to spread misinformation?
#43
"Don’t Cry for Wall Street"
Excerpts from Paul Krugman's column today:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/23/opinion/23krugman.html?hp
But these (derivative) reforms should be only the first step. We also need to cut finance down to size.
And it’s not just critical outsiders saying this (not that there’s anything wrong with critical outsiders, who have been much more right than supposedly knowledgeable insiders; see Greenspan, Alan). An intriguing proposal is about to be unveiled from, of all places, the International Monetary Fund. In a leaked paper prepared for a meeting this weekend, the fund calls for a Financial Activity Tax — yes, FAT — levied on financial-industry profits and remuneration.
Such a tax, the fund argues, could “mitigate excessive risk-taking.” It could also “tend to reduce the size of the financial sector,” which the fund presents as a good thing.
Now, the I.M.F. proposal is actually quite mild. Nonetheless, if it moves toward reality, Wall Street will howl.
But the fact is that we’ve been devoting far too large a share of our wealth, far too much of the nation’s talent, to the business of devising and peddling complex financial schemes — schemes that have a tendency to blow up the economy. Ending this state of affairs will hurt the financial industry. So?
#44
Glenn Beck talks to people like their idiots and imbeciles (legal terms for people that have the mental capabilities of 3 yr olds and 12 yr olds), so he's talking appropriately to his audience as far as I can tell. :-O
#45
@Quark
re: You're singing my song!
It's always been a thrill to sing duets with a Doris Day lookalike. But since my voice is so deep and sexy, I'm not allowed to sing in some places because the women go wild. Wink! Wink!
Knowing that you have a love of music, I have a recommendation for you. Here are the instructions:
Google "Sun of Latin Music" Go down the list and click on "Una Rosa Espanola"
It's one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard and the texture of the instrumentation is delicious. I hope you have good speakers or a good headset. Warning: You may want to have your hubby near. This song could put you in the mood for something. Interesting Note: Lalo Rodriguez, the lead singer, was only 15 when this song was recorded.
#46
Yeah, why are we the worlds policeman? And for that matter we're in a arms race, but who are we racing against but ourselves?
#47
Meet John Doh!
Thanks for the suggestion. I will follow up after the show. I love Latin music (tho I also like lots of other musc!) :-)
#48
@Quark, re:Krugman -
Another quote from the Krugman column today -
In his Thursday speech, by the way, Mr. Obama insisted — twice — that financial reform won’t stifle innovation. Too bad.
That sums up the problem as succinctly as possible, IMHO. Banking should support innovation in OTHER sectors, but we do NOT need new and innovative BANKING. The REAL WORLD word for "innovative finance" is FRAUD!
Earlier, you mentioned that today's Medical students seem more interested in the bottom line than in helping people get well. Medecine is not the only field where motivation seems to be shifting.
Back in "our day" (damn! - am I REALLY old enough to use that term??!!) a high percentage of kids who enrolled in undergrad Physics programs went on to do their graduate studies in either Engineering, or some other Scientific field. These are the kids with the "innovative" minds. Today, a frighteningly high percantage of kids who get Physics undergrad degrees go on to get theira Masters in Business Admin or Economics. When they graduate, they go to Wall Street, and "innovate" the rest of us straight into the poor house.
#49
As the world's policeman
we're on the take. We're not doing it out of the goodness of our hearts. $$$$$$$$$$$
#50
mstaggerlee,
The changing trend in education you mentioned have been on my mind, too. It is a real shame and must change.
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This morning I got this little treasure forwared to me in my e-mail box:
Let me see if I got this right.....
* - IF YOU CROSS THE NORTH KOREAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU GET 12
YEARS HARD LABOR.
* - IF YOU CROSS THE IRANIAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU ARE DETAINED
INDEFINITELY.
* - IF YOU CROSS THE AFGHAN BORDER ILLEGALLY, YOU GET SHOT.
* - IF YOU CROSS THE SAUDI ARABIAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU WILL BE
JAILED.
* - IF YOU CROSS THE CHINESE BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU MAY NEVER BE
HEARD FROM AGAIN.
* - IF YOU CROSS THE VENEZUELAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU WILL BE
BRANDED A SPY AND YOUR FATE WILL BE SEALED.
* - IF YOU CROSS THE CUBAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU WILL BE THROWN
INTO POLITICAL PRISON TO ROT.
* - IF YOU CROSS THE U.S. BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU
GET................................
1 - A JOB,
2 - A DRIVERS LICENSE,
3 - SOCIAL SECURITY CARD,
4 - WELFARE,
5 - FOOD STAMPS,
6 - CREDIT CARDS,
7 - SUBSIDIZED RENT OR A LOAN TO BUY A HOUSE,
8 - FREE EDUCATION,
9 - FREE HEALTH CARE,
10 - A LOBBYIST IN WASHINGTON ,
11 - BILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF PUBLIC DOCUMENTS PRINTED IN YOUR
LANGUAGE,
12 - THE RIGHT TO CARRY YOUR COUNTRY'S FLAG WHILE YOU PROTEST THAT YOU
DON'T GET ENOUGH RESPECT.
13 - AND NOW AMNESTY
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE
I HAD A FIRM GRASP ON THE SITUATION...
I replied to the sender with this comment:
Let me get this straight, you want America to be like: North Korea, Iran, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, China, Venezuela or Cuba? Really!?