It may be important to note that an aneurysm by itself doesn't kill you; it's the bursting that causes the real trouble. An aneurysm is a ballooned and usually weakened blood vessel, and when it bursts bleeding is hard to control. An abdominal aortic aneurysm (called a "triple-a") is especially bad, since it involves nearly half the body's blood supply, and it can often go untreated because it is perceived by the patient as lower back pain (sort of the same way that menstrual cramps are), which may make the sufferer think it's not all that serious.

An aneurysm can be treated, making the bursting less likely. Another example of why preventive medicine is preferable to emergency medicine.

If the government can make requirements to provide birth control, how hypocritical is it that they can at the same time continue to hold that Medical Marijuana is completely illegal.

However you feel about either issue, it seems to me that having the government decide what is or isn't permissable outside of declaring if the medicine is safe, is a bad idea.

If birth control is safe, then if an insurer wants to provide it or not, should be up to the insurer. If medical marijuana is safe, then it should be up to an insurer if they wish to provide for it or not. For that matter, it shouldn't even be up to the insurance company, but the individual doctor and patient. Same for vegitarian dishes at hospitals so on and so forth.

Therefore if I'm a teacher at a Catholic High School, and I go to a doctor because of symptoms I'm having, it should be between my doctor and me what therapies and medicines I'll be taking. I shouldn't have to go to my employer and ask if its ok with them, nor should I fear that I'll be arrested for having possession of my medicine. Not withstanding that I'm under the influence of a potent medicine that affects my job performance at the job, or while driving my car on public roads.

Still not sure why it is essential for people to be provided birth control, I always thought taking it was optional for people, nor that it was something that is known to save someone's life (maybe save their quality of life, but that's a different issue).

N

And so we take a nother step towards both a Corporate Fascist Police State and the inevitable response...which is of course a revolution...and frankly one that likely will be violent.... how could it be otherwise?

Yep, that is the republican plan BUSHH III

" Anyone who has had an abortion, participated in an abortion, supports an abortion, he or she is automatically excommunicated from the Catholic Church." CCC#2273

At the World Youth Day Celebrations in Madrid, Spain; the Vatican offered women who had been excommunicated because of having an abortion, forgiveness and the return to the Church for the six days that the celebrations were held. Normally, only certain priest are given the power to forgive such sins; however the Vatican gave all priests the right to hear confessions in the 200 confessional booths and to lift the punishment of excommunication. While listening to a discussion on Chris Matthews MSNBC program with a panel of Catholic faithful; it was obvious that they had no knowledge of the Vatican's six day allowance for forgiveness.

The Spanish government, while dealing with financial crisis, participated by covering a portion of the $72 million cost. Information from Reuters and Huffington Post...August 17, 2011

Any of the Republican candidates would roll back progressive gains and be a disaster for the country, but the win of Santorum has at least one positive aspect. It shows that people are not always swayed by relentless TV coverage. Maybe a blanket of TV ads will not guarantee election of whoever has the most money. Maybe there is a limit on what money can do. Let's certainly hope so. Otherwise we are at the mercy of corporations.

Evangelicals and Catholic "gods" do not allow choice. Choice is heresy, in many minds of many church leaders and radical evangelicals.

The "attack on religion" is nothing of the kind. The provision simply makes sure that all employees of a Catholic (or other church) institution (except the churches themselves) have access to birth control. Denying it to any employee, no matter what their religion, is an attack on religion and on choice.

This is a drummed-up mantra that is clearly an attempt to label Obama unChristian. People like Boehner, who I seriously doubt is very religious, think it's a gift to their party and the ignorant people within it.

You do not understand. They want the children, since it is the children who are susceptible to adult propaganda from their parents and become "good little Catholics," just like you and me. That is why they oppose birth control.

I can understand how a Catholic or Evangelical Christian could be opposed to abortion. I do not understand their opposition to choice, since their God allows choice. Do they think they are better than God? And if they do not believe in abortion, no one forces them to have one. Just as no one forces them to engage in birth control, or to marry a gay person if they are straight. They are really confused, so show some compasion, okay?

And, as far as insurance is concerned, they know that reproductive care is low cost for insurance... in fact it may cost less since it results in fewer pregnancy claims.

The idea that churches are exempt from taxes is stupid to start with. The power to tax may be the power to destroy, but if they are simply taxed as a business, and no special taxes are imposed, that is a spurious argument. So I say, that is a good way to balance the budget... tax the Churches!

My prediction: a brokered Repuglican convention. They nominate Jeb Bush, hijack the voting machines in FL, OH, IL, and a few other states, steal the election and eliminate all taxes on incomes over $500,000 so that those people will be able to create jobs, which they do in various off shore banks. Also, they will establish a gold standard for US currency.

Then they will shut down Medicaid, followed in short order by Medicare. And they will 'privatize' Social Security, dumping all of the US bonds and purchasing stocks. Which drives up the stock market so they can sell their shares at a handsome profit and purchase distressed real estate, just before the ultimate market crash.

By which time the only thing of value any worker in America will have left will be his children, and so the Administration (also controlling Congress and SCOTUS) will pass a bill allowing the sale of children...

Viola! Erased: everything since just before A.Lincoln took office.

Will it all happen? I don't know. I am just an optimist!

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Regarding the comment on senators not caring if they are reelected because they are only in it for the $million lobbying job they will get after they leave office; this is a very sad situation. Lobbying congress is a constitutional right and should never be restricted, but a law should be passed to make it illegal to pay someone to lobby congress and illegal to accept pay for lobbying services.

One's incentive to lobby should come from a desire to effect change, not a desire to line their pocket.

Simple as that.

I don't know who's going to be the nominee, but if Romney wins the presidency, my wife and I are moving to Canada, and if Santorum wins, we have both agreed to jump in the "Mon." (The Monongahela river here in Pittsburgh)