The American Political Handbook

Monday, August 3, 2009

Have Fewer Kids to Save the World? and More for Monday, August 3, 2009

Sunday, August 2, 2009

The Health Care 'Death' Conspiracy, The Birther Conspiracy & A Few Other Items for Sunday, August 2, 2009

Ahem....

We have a few things to say about the 'Nut Job' Conspiracy Theories being bandied about by some individuals of the Right Wing persuasion. No, we're not going to name names here. But we are going to talk about those individuals in Congress who have made responsible steps towards promoting your health and your healthcare - as opposed to some of the irresponsible, even subversive, comments being shouted out in public places.

Some of those shouting in public - creating a disturbance - should be chased by personnel in white uniforms with nets and bagged up in straightjackets ala Brazil. Some of them probably do hold this ridiculous kakatopian (sp.)...(the Wikipedia calls it dystopian...) view of the Democratic administration as being really real. Wow! Get the tranquilizer darts ready. (Speaking of kakatopia, we did a search for wiktionary.com and kakatopia and came up with the Bing! search engine...talk about kakatopia...). Yes, we know we misspelled kakatopian - that was deliberate.

As some more evidence of this public viewing of insanity, witness the Right Wing attacks on Health Care Reform. And the utter, insane nonsense that a government representative will visit you at your home to determine how you wish to die - that some of these folks have been framing that claim like they'll be bringing you a hypodermic full of some lethal agent or the mythical black capsule. It's almost crumbtopian. Like the great Robert Crumb depicted in one of his issues of Zap comix, a group of clowns will be visiting you with a cyanide pie when you reach a certain age! End of story! Yes, we know - putting this kind of fear and negative into the American public opinion is more than irresponsible. Its insane - or - or its subversion - or counterculture - or all of the above.

Yes, that's correct! We are freely associating the Right Wing with the revolutionary, pot-smoking, freewheeling, and free-sex counterculture wing of society that probably still exists in some form in our society. Was this free association some happy accident? Perhaps. We stumbled upon it when we came up with the term crumbtopian (being defined after this posting on The Anti-Zen Dictionary...). Look at the stark raving madness presented by the so-called Birther Movement. Again, we plead for the white-coated personnel with nets and straightjackets right out of Brazil to come and take these poor nuts back to the skull ranch. Some of these folks are either insane, radical, smoking illicit substances or all of the above.

In other words, some of your government representatives on the Right Wing must be stark raving mad. Are you going to vote for these people again? Seriously? Please, don't. If they get back in power, we may be confronted with something much worse - like another Iraq war or a dystopian government like the one in the film Brazil. (By the way, Mr. President, do we still have troops in Iraq? Thought so. Darn.).

If you really believe that some of those aforementioned representatives are spouting such subversion - you really must need healthcare reform - of a particular kind. And, you are promoting a distinctly counterculture viewpoint. One that is subversive to our way of life and our government. One that means to overthrow both of them.

If you support some of those folks in the Birther movement and those in belief that the government wants you tell them how to kill you, you are probably questioning our staff's sanity. We assure you that yes, we are sane.

And now the links. We also include a response from the Honorable Carl Levin regarding the Health Care reform measures in Congress. We hyperlinked some of those provisions as Mr. Levin (and staff?) did not provide those. But, we could not find a suitable link to H.R. 15 - we're still searching for that one...

War Over Health Care Turns Ugly (MSNBC’s Countdown….minus Keith Olbermann…)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/#32244884

Debating [H.R. 3200] (on MSNBC’S Hardball…)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/#32226567

Earl Blumenauer

http://blumenauer.house.gov/

Birther Conspiracy Gains Traction in GOP (on MSNBC’s Hardball)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/#32242576

Robert Crumb

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Crumb

Crumbtopian

http://antizendictionary.blogspot.com/2009/08/crumbtopian.html

Underground Comix

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underground_comix

Counterculture

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counterculture

Subversion

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subversion_(politics)

Right Wing Nut Job Birther Movement

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama_citizenship_conspiracy_theories

Living Will / Advance Health Care Directive

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance_health_care_directive

Terri Schiavo case (Wikilink)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Schiavo

HR 3200 (Wikilink)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HR_3200

HR 3200 (Library of Congress Link)

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:H.R.3200:

United States National Health Care Act

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_National_Health_Care_Act

Medical tourism

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_tourism

“Thank you for contacting me regarding health care reform. I appreciate hearing from you. I have long supported the goal of ensuring access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans.Health care reform is a top priority for the President and Congress. Nearly forty-seven million Americans live without health insurance, and many more live with intermittent or insufficient coverage. Rising health insurance premiums and unemployment have contributed to the continuous rise of these numbers. Congress has considered a number of approaches to this issue, including financial and other market-based incentives, expanding existing coverage options, and single-payer or national health insurance coverage. Both the House and Senate passed the fiscal year 2010 budget resolution (S.CON.RES.13), which includes language allowing Congress to consider health care reform later this year under expedited procedures. This expedited process, known as budget reconciliation, directs both the Senate Committee on Finance and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions to develop health care legislation that falls within certain budgetary guidelines no later than October 15, 2009. The Obama administration is currently working with Congress on comprehensive health care reform. In the meantime, several bills concerning reform already have been introduced in the Senate and House of Representatives. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced the Healthy Americans Act (S.391) on February 5, 2009. This bill would terminate federal health benefits coverage, including the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan, Medicaid, and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and, in its place, provide every adult with the opportunity to purchase a Healthy Americans Private Insurance (HAPI) policy. Those not enrolled in another health plan, and who do not oppose coverage for religious reasons, would be faced with penalties (established in their home state) if they did not enroll themselves and their children in a HAPI plan. HAPI plans would have standardized coverage and state options, with guidelines for services to be developed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services with advice from a Healthy America Advisory Committee. Under this legislation, employers and individuals would share responsibility for the payment of HAPI plan premiums.Representative John Dingell (D-MI) introduced the National Health Insurance Act (H.R.15) on January 6, 2009. This bill would, among other things, establish a National Health Insurance Board to oversee health insurance regulation. H.R.15 would impose a value added tax (VAT) of 5% on each sale of property, performance of service, and importation of property in the United States in a commercial-type transaction. Exceptions would be made for food, housing, medical care, exports, interest, governmental entities, and certain tax-exempt organizations. The revenue raised by the VAT would be deposited in a newly-created National Health Care Trust Fund to pay for health care costs not covered by other means. In addition, Representative John Conyers (D-MI) introduced H.R.676 on January 26, 2009. This bill seeks to provide all individuals residing in the United States and its territories with free health care. H.R.676 would allow only public and nonprofit institutions to participate in the health care program and would prohibit for profit insurers from selling coverage that duplicates benefits provided through H.R.676. This program would be funded, in part, by increasing income tax on the top 5% of earners, establishing a tax on stock and bond transactions, and a progressive excise tax on self-employment and payroll income.According to public opinion polls, 90% of Americans believe fundamental changes in the health care system are necessary. I share the sentiment, and believe our nation has a moral obligation to ensure that all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care. I am hopeful both Democratic and Republican members of Congress will work together to develop a plan to address needed health care reform this year. Thank you again for contacting me.Sincerely,Carl Levin”

Healthy Americans Act (S.391) [Wikilink]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthy_Americans_Act

State Children's Health Insurance Program – SCHIP (Wikilink)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_Children%27s_Health_Insurance_Program

Friday, July 31, 2009

Negative Credit Crunch, The White Public House & More for Friday, July 31, 2009

'$10 trillion' credit crunch cost

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8177814.stm

Hopes rise for US economy

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8178430.stm

Congress races to find more cash for clunkers

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32228179/ns/business-autos/

U.S. imposes sanctions on Korean corporation

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/07/30/north.korea.sanctions/index.html

Dems to push probe as Rove finishes testimony

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32231962/ns/politics-more_politics/

Karl Rove

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Rove

Authorities Raid Offices of Suspect Loan Modification Firm

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=8214948&page=1

High Court revokes control order

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8178341.stm

Verdict delayed in Suu Kyi trial

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8176296.stm

Aung San Suu Kyi

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suu_Kyi

Did Workers Suffer From Mass Hysteria?

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/story?id=8215405&page=1

Mass Hysteria

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_hysteria

U.S. Exec Arrest Sought in Bhopal Disaster

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/31/world/main5201155.shtml

Bhopal disaster

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal_disaster

Pakistan: Musharraf Rule Unconstitutional

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/31/world/main5200812.shtml

Nigeria row over militant killing

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8178820.stm

Report highlights hunger in India

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8178072.stm

Bolivia bans use of animals in circuses

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090730/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_bolivia_circus_animals;_ylt=Ak7zfBwr1PQHsEBvAjAexq4PLBIF;_ylu=X3oDMTJ2ZTY3N2p0BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMDkwNzMwL2x0X2JvbGl2aWFfY2lyY3VzX2FuaW1hbHMEcG9zAzEwBHNlYwN5bl9hcnRpY2xlX3N1bW1hcnlfbGlzdARzbGsDYm9saXZpY

Private transplants to be banned

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8177826.stm

Breast-feeding could save 1.3 million lives

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32234145/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/

U.N. program to save children failed

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32222438/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/

Integrated Management of Childhood Illness Program

http://dub.washington.edu/djangosite/media/papers/tmpbj0qhL.pdf

Airbus speed sensors need replacing: watchdog

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/07/31/airbus-speed-sensor-easa852.html

Pitot tube

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitot_tube

Let private firms run space taxis, panel told

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre56s65m-us-space-transport/

Reality check: What’s next for space station?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32228026/ns/technology_and_science-science/

Smartcard meters hacked for free parking

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/07/31/black.hat.conference.parking/index.html

Smart card piracy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_card_piracy#SmartCard_Piracy

Apple to fix iPhone security flaw

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8177755.stm

iPhone vulnerable to hacker attacks, experts say

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32222633/ns/technology_and_science-security/

Lost iPhone prototype spotlights counterfeiting

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32217731/ns/tech_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/

U r pwned! Texting paves way for hacking

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32226815/ns/technology_and_science-security/

File-sharer 'violated copyright'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8177285.stm

WATCH: Cops Caught on Tape Falsifying Report

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=8213835

Obama more bartender than mediator at beer summit

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre56u0kn-us-obama-race/

Hopes for 'positive lesson' from beer chat

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32210408/ns/politics-white_house/

Ale House or Public House

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_house

The White House

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_White_House

The White Ale House or The White Public House

http://antizendictionary.blogspot.com/2009/07/white-ale-house-or-white-public-house.html

The White Ale House / The White Public House: The (unfortunate?) collision of The White House with Public House or Ale House. We know, we know, 'The Beer Summit', 'Beer Diplomacy', we believe we've heard it all too. And, we know 17th century humor doesn't translate well to our time. References: Obama more bartender than mediator at beer summit, Hopes for 'positive lesson' from beer chat, Ale House or Public House, The White House, Barack Obama, Henry Louis Gates, Henry Louis Gates arrest.

a, ale, arrest, beer, crowley, g, gates, h, meeting, o, obama, p, summit, w, white house

The incredible lies major leaguers will tell

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_posnanski/07/30/ortiz.ramirez/index.html?bcnn=yes

Chemical Ball

http://antizendictionary.blogspot.com/2009/05/chemicalball-era.html

The White Ale House or The White Public House

The White Ale House / The White Public House: The (unfortunate?) collision of The White House with Public House or Ale House. We know, we know, 'The Beer Summit', 'Beer Diplomacy', we believe we've heard it all too. And, we know 17th century humor doesn't translate well to our time.

References: Obama more bartender than mediator at beer summit, Hopes for 'positive lesson' from beer chat, Ale House or Public House, The White House, Barack Obama, Henry Louis Gates, Henry Louis Gates arrest.

Note: This posting also appears in our sister publication, The Anti-Zen Dictionary.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

S-POG

S-POG: Acronym for the Second President (of the United States) of Gender (Female). Meaning: Hilary, 2017! Sorry Sarah!

References: Sarah Hardcastle, Sarah Palin,F-POD, and F-FLOD.

Note: This posting appears simultaneously in our sister publication, The Anti-Zen Dictionary.

F-POG

F-POG: Acronym for First President (of the USA) Of Gender (Female). Meaning: Sarah Palin, 2013. Sorry Hilary!

References: Sarah Hardcastle, Sarah Palin, F-POD, and F-FLOD.

Note: This posting appears simultaneously in our sister publication, The Anti-Zen Dictionary.

Sarah Hardcastle

Sarah Hardcastle: Sigh...we debated this one...it is the (unfortunate?) combination of Sarah Palin with the name of the fictional heroine Kate Hardcastle from Goldsmith's enduring play: She Stoops to Conquer. By resigning her governorship, we wonder, is she really planning a Nixonian rise from her political ashes to that of the Presidency? Are we looking at the first female President of the USA in 2013? (Sorry Hilary!). Is she planning her political ascendency a la Obama? Don't get us wrong, we recognize the lampoonery she has endured (suffered?) of late at the hands of the media and her critics. But, it is evident that this lady might have some fight left in her (a la Richard Nixon...).

At any rate, we really do believe that this lady could be (our first female) President by 2013. Sorry Hilary! Guess you should have stooped when you stood up!

References: Barack Obama presidential campaign of 2008, Sarah Palin, She Stoops to Conquer and Richard Nixon.

Note: Most of this posting appears simultaneously in our sister publication, The Anti-Zen Dictionary.

Introducing the fIrePod??? and More for Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Making the moon pay

http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/07/28/2012537.aspx

Madoff ‘very candid’ with lawyer for victims

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32193175/ns/business-us_business/

China to cut number of executions

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8174306.stm

Uighur leader says 10,000 went missing in one night

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre56s1o0-us-china-xinjiang/

China bans online games that glamorize gangs

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32185286/ns/tech_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/

Iran to release prominent reformist from jail

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/07/29/iran.detainee.release/index.html

Saeed Hajjarian

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saeed_Hajjarian

Iran protesters 'to face trial'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8174507.stm

Ireland to take Guantanamo men

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8174262.stm

Carded for your care? Docs begin checking IDs

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32175003/ns/health-health_care/

CNNMoney: Detroit area jobless rate tops 17%

http://money.cnn.com/2009/07/29/news/economy/metro_area_unemployment/index.htm?postversion=2009072910

Woes continue for world carmakers

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8173807.stm

Durable goods orders tumbled in June

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32200846/ns/business-stocks_and_economy/

Microsoft and Yahoo seal web deal

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8174763.stm

Humans central in Spinvox patents

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8174721.stm

SpinVox

http://spinvox.com/

Is Apple hiding problems with fiery iPods?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32190181/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/

IPod

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPod

fIrePod

http://antizendictionary.blogspot.com/2009/07/firepod.html

Friday, July 24, 2009

Incomplete Entry for Friday, July 24, 2009

You know we often strive to deliver a 'complete' entry of the daily major postings concerning biology, zoology and other life science topics. Today, we had some unique issues with Blogger freezing up, our (public) Dell Optiplex 755 deleting our data and Microsoft Word (the most current version) and DOS dumping our data...all at the same time. We spoke to the IT people who 'run' the computers and servers here at our IP address, but they reported that it is policy for them to delete all documents when rebooting the servers - even when they have been saved. But, we know that is false based on our previous experience.

Warning!: Based on our experience (above) we strongly suggest moving any and all Word Document work to Google Documents as soon as possible if you are working in the same type of environment.

Police unions want Obama to apologize... ...Ok, the police unions demand an apology. Seems reasonable enough. Except, we suggest Mr. Obama and his team invite all concerned parties - to The White Crib (not a 'neutral location') - to discuss and review the whole of the Gate's incident. Perhaps they can even re-enact the incident in Mr. Gate's own house - in front of Mr. Obama, if they can dare go that far. Preferably, in front of the media cameras, microphones and reporters. And then, let the people and staff of the administration meet and decide what is real and what is not real. Afterwards, come out and apologize - or come out swinging (figuratively, of course). Mr. Obama's and his administration's authority has been challenged. It had better not have been challenged for the wrong reasons. If it has, they can strike the first blow against the US being turned into a police state.

Fun's fun, but it is beginning to like 'the honeymoon' is really over - for all parties. After this bout, Mr. Obama and the administration should come out all the stronger. No matter what the outcome of this dimwitted, dopey request from the police unions. We are pretty certain of the integrity of this White House administration. We do not have the same level of confidence in the unions. Why? Reality. At any rate, after this title match or bout, the administration should push through any reform they want. Especially, health care. The police unions just handed them their motivation on a silver platter. All because their pride got a little bit poked.

But, like some have said, isn't that what a police officer really owns - his/her authority and pride? Is this what its all coming down to - pride? 'Pride goeth before a fall'. And your editors should know what they're writing about. We've fallen many times before!

Oh, and here's another thought for the union's leaders. And, we're sure they've thought of this and all of the previous. Its part of their training...right? Anyway, do any of them remember PATCO? Remember the 1981 strike (we know, we know...that was about a work strike and The Taft-Hartley Act 1947)? Remember Ronald Reagan? Yes, we know, its a completely different situation, but - perhaps - the administration could find a way to dissolve the police unions (as Mr. Reagan did with PATCO) and they could start all over. That is, if Mr. Obama and his administration is not quite happy with the legitimacy of the union's demands...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32122967/ns/us_news-race_and_ethnicity/

Obama remark on Gates’ arrest angers cops

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32113088/ns/politics-white_house/

Millions face delays in jobless checks

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32116694/ns/business-the_new_york_times/

Obama stokes racial passions, police anger

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre56m5nm-us-obama-race-harvard/

'North Korea executes Christians'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8167644.stm

The Paradox Of Loyalty To Country

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090723175432.htm

Ugandan shock as bank disappears

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8164842.stm

Fanker or Phanker

http://antizendictionary.blogspot.com/2009/07/fanker-or-phanker.html

Fank or Phank

http://antizendictionary.blogspot.com/2009/07/fank.html

Money Relieves Pain

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A9j8euwK5mlKll4Bbw_QtDMD;_ylu=X3oDMTBjMHZkMjZyBHBvcwMxBHNlYwNzcg--/SIG=131n7dttb/EXP=1248540554/**http%3a//news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20090724/sc_livescience/moneyrelievespain

Cashotic

http://antizendictionary.blogspot.com/2009/07/cashotic.html

Monegesic

http://antizendictionary.blogspot.com/2009/07/monegesic.html