I recall that “SNW” told us recently that she had been “demeaned and demoralized” by a half-dozen surgeons in the course of trying to receive treatment for an ACL—their alleged refusal to provide her the treatment she wished due to “deliberate and willful discrimination” to prevent her from practicing her profession. She went on to say that it was 15 months before she found a “respectful and compassionate” doctor to treat her. Well, alright. But the way she ran on yesterday in one of her posts I kept thinking of Chrissie Brodigan, who writes for the Huffington Post, and who last year made “headlines” in the NY Post after an incident in the city subway, in which she was told by police that her 15-pound dog was supposed to be toted in a carrier when traveling on the subway. She was given an empathetic ear on Ron Reagan’s show, but she became somewhat discombobulated when Reagan became too inquisitive for comfort. She was obliged to confess that she had let loose a torrent of four-letter abuse on the officers—as well as an anti-Semitic slur (not surprising, given the anti-Israel slant of the Huffington Post) which strangely enough led to her arrest; I rather suspect that if “SNW” was honest, maybe she was the one who needed to “calm down”—if in fact she was providing semi-factual information and not making a racist “point” herself. I have seen and heard (and experienced) quite enough prejudice without having to meekly tolerate people justifying it in themselves.

Frankly I don’t know why they replaced Reagan with Norman Goldman on the local station, because Goldman sounds like a carbon copy of Ed Schultz, and Reagan offered a “liberal” perspective on various cultural topics of the day, which was a useful change-of-pace.

Breaking news;
The magic bullet took a sharp turn, to the left of course, and burned a backwards 'B' in Eric Cantor's forehead..
Cheers,
Rick

There's another aspect to this that I have yet to hear anyone speak about-unless it's someone who has been in medical school, (me for 3yrs) OR is Hoping to GO to Med School. One of the biggest problems with this health insurance reform, was the shortage of physicians-namely, Family Practice or General Medicine. This assistance for students will at LEAST lessen the burden for students hoping to continue on to another 3-4 yrs of school After their 4yr degree-and then several years of internship & residency. My future daughter-in-law is in her 3rd year of pre-med, and although her single Mom is a teacher, and even with her own scholarly achievements while working full-time; her options for assistance for tuition, books, labs, etc, are few while the cost is just overwhelming them! I've also read that several Med Schools are going to be offering 3yr Family Practice Programs, which will obviously be a HUGE help to the storage we will undoubtedly feel in 4-5 years. As an aside-my son is also in college, and ironically works full-time on their financial aid program. He sees and knows, first-hand of the financial burdens that trying to get a degree in these times and the strains it can have on families-especially with more than one child in College...

Remember Tim McVeigh, Eric Rudolph and the entire "patriot" militia movement of the 90's? It's all coming back again, it seems. I guess this is pretty strong evidence that conservatives don't really care for democracy when they don't get THEIR way with it. This is what it looks like when grown-ups throw tantrums. Sad and dangerous.

It seems to me that liberals get arrested while peacefully picketing. While copnservatives blow up abortion clinics, shoot abortion doctors, send anthrax thru the mail (didnt a Democrat get anthrax?), and now all this felony vandalism of democratic offices.. I was such an idealist growing up.. This really busts that bubble..

bobbler

You have to see the video reply to 'Tea Partiers Mock And Scorn Apparent Parkinson's Victim'. It is PRICELESS!
'
Anti Healthcare Protest - Town Hall Health Care Reform Protesters - Tea Party Rally:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKBa9K_vAm8&feature=response_watch

www.pahrumplife.org writes: Although venting is to some extent healthy, because feeling good about a prideful remark can be exhilarating and produce at least a little satisfaction, to this end I can’t help wanting to say of Americans in general right now, as I quote Zora Neale Hurston, “My people! My people!” and that the greedy “powers that be” are pushing your buttons big time for profit and as such are having their way with you and, as his sponsors, with Mr. Olbermann.

I only ask that you devote as much time and energy - for positive change - into innovatively working within the system as you do for venting. For example, initiate a fool-proof no-cheating voting system, so that elections will be impossible to fix. And remember, addicts (including greed addicts) will do just about anything for a fix.

Although venting is to some extent healthy, because feeling good about a prideful remark can be exhilarating and produce at least a little satisfaction, to this end I can’t help wanting to say of Americans in general right now, as I quote Zora Neale Hurston, “My people! My people!” and that the greedy “powers that be” are pushing your buttons big time for profit and as such are having their way with you and, as his sponsors, with Mr. Olbermann and his ilk.

I only ask that you devote as much time and energy - for positive change - into innovatively working within the system as you do for venting. For example, initiate a fool-proof no-cheating voting system, so that elections will be impossible to fix. And remember, addicts (including greed addicts) will do just about anything for a fix.

Look for more pahrumplife views in the following URLs:

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latest-news/anti-war-activists-losing-...

www.pahrumplife.org

I lived in Australia under their Medicare system and never felt more secure in my life. Neither my ex-husband nor I experienced anything that could be construed as a deficiency or rationing. While I was there fro only a few years, the ex lived there for decades.

California has managed to get single-payor through the state assembly twice only to be vetoes by Arnold the Pig Gropenator. I can't wait for Nov. to get Jerry Brown into office.

Glad to see this bill as at least some progress and opening the door for single payer etc.. All along I have been wondering;
After maybe the first year of things like the 85% benefits and other measures, will the insurance companies be filing lawsuits to get back their 'lost revenues'?

I'm sure your Supreme Board of Directors would rule in their favour.
Rick

We need hope.

Tried to call in but couldn't get through...
The lady caller that told her story of discrimination and being arrested when she called to report bad neighbors and their dogs isn't isolated.

A few years ago while disabled and on crutches, I called the police to report a neighbor that drives drunk all the time and uses his sportscar to scare and intimidate residents of our small neighborhood.

This time he nearly ran me down right outside of my house. When the officer arrived I was the one interrogated, profiled as if I was the criminal and threatened with arrest for calling in a drunk driver!

I had to defuse the situation with the officer, not the other way around. This officer was Hispanic. I thought he'd be a little more sensitive but he was as much of a sexist as the drunk neighbor trying to intimidate me. When I calmed him down by explaining that being nearly run over by a crazed drunk is very upsetting and disturbing, can't he understand why I'm angry and shaking? I further explained the drunk had been scaring other neighbors with racial hatred. He then asked about my ancestry. I answered, but I think for him to even ask that is racial profiling.

When he finally calmed down he glibly said there's nothing he can do about the drunk neighbor but possibly have a talk with him.

Why should I, the victim, be subject to such harrassment and threats while public safety is abandoned?

I've experienced many incidences of sexist discrimination from doctors, nurses and staff in both hospitals and clinics to the point I've changed my advanced directive to include I will not, under any circumstances, stay overnight in a hospital, even if it could hasten my demise.

I've been debating with my boyfriend and myself whether I should get a taser and pepper spray for self-defense. Self-defense classes are great but don't address the needs of those with physical limitations. I don't like violence but to even be considering this is justified considering all that's happened.