Counterlight posted two videos of counter-protesters at the teabaggers' party in DC this past weekend. They made my day. As I said over there, what strikes me about the protesters against Obamacare is their dourness. There's hardly a smile to be seen amongst them.
You may want to check out the Billionaires for Wealthcare website.
UPDATE: Here's Rachel Maddow on the Billionaires for Wealthcare.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
More Prayers, Please
Paul the BB:
Mimi, I just read on Mark Friesland's blog that his partner Nikolai was killed in an accident Sunday evening. I am devastated and at work so I cannot rev up the prayer chain. Might you? Thanks.
From Mark (Марко):
Thank you to everyone who has emailed me and called me since Nikolai's death (in car accident late Sunday, September 13). This was a horrible shock. I am so exhausted and it may be a long while before I am able to get back in touch with everyone. I do appreciate everyone's support and kindness.
May Nikolai rest in peace and rise in glory.
May God give comfort, consolation, and the peace that passes understanding to Mark, especially, and to all who loved Nikolai. May the all-embracing love of God heal those who grieve for Nikolai.
Mimi, I just read on Mark Friesland's blog that his partner Nikolai was killed in an accident Sunday evening. I am devastated and at work so I cannot rev up the prayer chain. Might you? Thanks.
From Mark (Марко):
Thank you to everyone who has emailed me and called me since Nikolai's death (in car accident late Sunday, September 13). This was a horrible shock. I am so exhausted and it may be a long while before I am able to get back in touch with everyone. I do appreciate everyone's support and kindness.
May Nikolai rest in peace and rise in glory.
May God give comfort, consolation, and the peace that passes understanding to Mark, especially, and to all who loved Nikolai. May the all-embracing love of God heal those who grieve for Nikolai.
On A Blogging Learning Curve
Those in positions of authority, especially, should not be surprised when they are subject to scrutiny and discussion, at times with words of praise and at other times with words of criticism. I've voiced approval of the words and actions of a good many public figures, and probably viewed a greater number with a critical eye and written disapproving words. What I try to do on my blog is to let those I write about speak for themselves by their words or by their actions, and then I write opinionated commentary.
On many occasions, I've called out politicians and leaders in the church, more often than members of other groups, for what they've done and what they've left undone, because I'm interested and involved in church and politics, and, I should add, church politics. I try not to get personal or judge motivations. I can't say that I've always succeeded, but that remains my intention and my goal. Sometimes I mock, many times I employ irony, and sometimes sarcasm. In truth, when I discover that I can use a person's own words against them, especially to expose hypocrisy, I take delight in that. Is that wrong?
So. Having said all that, recently I discovered that it is easier to type words on the screen about a person than it is to say those same words face to face. Oddly enough, of all those in authority that I have called out on my blog, only two have shown up with responses in my comments, and both were bishops, one in the Church in Wales and the other in the Episcopal Church. There may be others, but I can't think of any at the moment.
The first was a post on a statement by Bishop Gregory Cameron of the Welsh Diocese of St. Asaph. I wrote the post during the meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council in Kingston, Jamaica, in May of this year. Someone who claimed to be Bishop Cameron appeared in my comment section. I'm not 100% sure that this person was, in fact, Bishop Cameron, but after several comments from him, I came to think that he was who he said he was. I know that at the times he left comments, I was getting visits from someone in Jamaica.
Then recently, I posted on Bishop Michael Smith of the Episcopal Diocese of North Dakota, because he announced on his diocesan website that he was a candidate for the position of bishop in the Diocese of Louisiana. Bishop Smith responded in the comments, and this time I was sure that the person who commented was Bishop Smith, because he was in Louisiana, and he invited me to attend the sessions for the diocesan School for Ministry which he was leading at Christ Church Cathedral in New Orleans.
Despite bad weather, I made my way to New Orleans, because I wanted to meet the man who could be my next bishop and hear what he had to say. While I was at the Cathedral, I repeated most of what I said in my post, and it was not as easy to repeat the words in my blog post while I was looking Bishop Smith in the eye...
...which led me to think that before I post criticism of another person, I might do well to make a habit of asking myself if I would say the same words while looking that person in the eye.
On many occasions, I've called out politicians and leaders in the church, more often than members of other groups, for what they've done and what they've left undone, because I'm interested and involved in church and politics, and, I should add, church politics. I try not to get personal or judge motivations. I can't say that I've always succeeded, but that remains my intention and my goal. Sometimes I mock, many times I employ irony, and sometimes sarcasm. In truth, when I discover that I can use a person's own words against them, especially to expose hypocrisy, I take delight in that. Is that wrong?
So. Having said all that, recently I discovered that it is easier to type words on the screen about a person than it is to say those same words face to face. Oddly enough, of all those in authority that I have called out on my blog, only two have shown up with responses in my comments, and both were bishops, one in the Church in Wales and the other in the Episcopal Church. There may be others, but I can't think of any at the moment.
The first was a post on a statement by Bishop Gregory Cameron of the Welsh Diocese of St. Asaph. I wrote the post during the meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council in Kingston, Jamaica, in May of this year. Someone who claimed to be Bishop Cameron appeared in my comment section. I'm not 100% sure that this person was, in fact, Bishop Cameron, but after several comments from him, I came to think that he was who he said he was. I know that at the times he left comments, I was getting visits from someone in Jamaica.
Then recently, I posted on Bishop Michael Smith of the Episcopal Diocese of North Dakota, because he announced on his diocesan website that he was a candidate for the position of bishop in the Diocese of Louisiana. Bishop Smith responded in the comments, and this time I was sure that the person who commented was Bishop Smith, because he was in Louisiana, and he invited me to attend the sessions for the diocesan School for Ministry which he was leading at Christ Church Cathedral in New Orleans.
Despite bad weather, I made my way to New Orleans, because I wanted to meet the man who could be my next bishop and hear what he had to say. While I was at the Cathedral, I repeated most of what I said in my post, and it was not as easy to repeat the words in my blog post while I was looking Bishop Smith in the eye...
...which led me to think that before I post criticism of another person, I might do well to make a habit of asking myself if I would say the same words while looking that person in the eye.
"OLD" IS WHEN . . .
Your sweetie says, "Let's go upstairs and make love," and you answer, "Pick one; I can't do both."
"OLD" IS WHEN . . .
Your friends compliment you on your new alligator shoes, and you're barefoot.
"OLD" IS WHEN . . .
A sexy babe catches your fancy, and your pacemaker opens the garage door.
"OLD" IS WHEN . . .
Going braless pulls all the wrinkles out of your face.
"OLD" IS WHEN . . .
You are cautioned to slow down by the doctor instead of by the police.
"OLD"' IS WHEN . . .
"Getting a little action" means you don't need to take any fiber today.
"OLD" IS WHEN . . .
"Getting lucky" means you manage to find your car in the parking lot.
"OLD" IS WHEN . . .
An "all nighter" means not having to get up to use the bathroom.
(Admittedly corny.)
Cheers,
Paul (A.)
Ain't he mean, folks?
Watch it, Paul. You're no spring chicken yourself. You're getting there. These words will come back to bite you.
"OLD" IS WHEN . . .
Your friends compliment you on your new alligator shoes, and you're barefoot.
"OLD" IS WHEN . . .
A sexy babe catches your fancy, and your pacemaker opens the garage door.
"OLD" IS WHEN . . .
Going braless pulls all the wrinkles out of your face.
"OLD" IS WHEN . . .
You are cautioned to slow down by the doctor instead of by the police.
"OLD"' IS WHEN . . .
"Getting a little action" means you don't need to take any fiber today.
"OLD" IS WHEN . . .
"Getting lucky" means you manage to find your car in the parking lot.
"OLD" IS WHEN . . .
An "all nighter" means not having to get up to use the bathroom.
(Admittedly corny.)
Cheers,
Paul (A.)
Ain't he mean, folks?
Watch it, Paul. You're no spring chicken yourself. You're getting there. These words will come back to bite you.
Please Pray For Bishop Marc Andrus
Dear Fr. Jonathan,
I'm asking to add a prayer request, but not until after the official announcement from here on Monday the 14th. My bishop, Marc Andrus, has received a diagnosis of prostate cancer, and will undergo surgery on 28 September. I believe the prognosis is good - a couple of our co-workers are four-plus years after the same surgery, as is my own father - but the worries are always there for all of us, and of course especially for him and his wife and his daughters.
In the past couple of weeks, I've ceased being Bishop Marc's assistant, and now am focused on my ongoing job as vocations coordinator and working with our communications department. I haven't had as much opportunity to visit the site of late, but keep the community in mind & prayer always.
In peace and with thanks,
Mary Beth
From Fr Jonathan (aka MadPriest).
I'm asking to add a prayer request, but not until after the official announcement from here on Monday the 14th. My bishop, Marc Andrus, has received a diagnosis of prostate cancer, and will undergo surgery on 28 September. I believe the prognosis is good - a couple of our co-workers are four-plus years after the same surgery, as is my own father - but the worries are always there for all of us, and of course especially for him and his wife and his daughters.
In the past couple of weeks, I've ceased being Bishop Marc's assistant, and now am focused on my ongoing job as vocations coordinator and working with our communications department. I haven't had as much opportunity to visit the site of late, but keep the community in mind & prayer always.
In peace and with thanks,
Mary Beth
From Fr Jonathan (aka MadPriest).
Monday, September 14, 2009
Please Pray...
Grandmere,
Would you be willing to put up a prayer request for Donna? She's one of our mid-management staff, and was laid off today. While we're at it, we might pray for all of us and this dreadful economy.
Love,
Mark
UPDATE: Please pray for my granddaughter who was diagnosed with swine flu. So far she is not seriously ill. She is taking Tamiflu, and it seems to be working, since she says that she feels better. Pray that no one else gets the flu, or if they do, that they have a light case. Thank you.
Would you be willing to put up a prayer request for Donna? She's one of our mid-management staff, and was laid off today. While we're at it, we might pray for all of us and this dreadful economy.
Love,
Mark
UPDATE: Please pray for my granddaughter who was diagnosed with swine flu. So far she is not seriously ill. She is taking Tamiflu, and it seems to be working, since she says that she feels better. Pray that no one else gets the flu, or if they do, that they have a light case. Thank you.
Random Thoughts From Doug
More often than not, when someone is telling me a story all I can think about is that I can't wait for them to finish so that I can tell my own story that's not only better, but also more directly involves me.
Have you ever been walking down the street and realized that you're going in the complete opposite direction of where you are supposed to be going? But instead of just turning a 180 and walking back in the direction from which you came, you have to first do something like check your watch or phone or make a grand arm gesture and mutter to yourself to ensure that no one in the surrounding area thinks you're crazy by randomly switching directions on the sidewalk.
There is a great need for sarcasm font.
Sometimes, I'll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the **** was going on when I first saw it.
How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.
The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to finish a text.
Was learning cursive really necessary?
I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.
How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear what they said?
Every time I have to spell a word over the phone using 'as in' examples, I will undoubtedly draw a blank and sound like a complete idiot. Today I had to spell my boss's last name to an attorney and said "Yes that's G as in...(10 second lapse)..ummm...Goonies"
Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.
Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.
I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.
Bad decisions make good stories.
Why is it that during an ice-breaker, when the whole room has to go around and say their name and where they are from, I get so incredibly nervous? Like I know my name, I know where I'm from, this shouldn't be a problem....
You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you've made up your mind that you just aren't doing anything productive for the rest of the day.
There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.
I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.
"Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this ever.
I like all of the music in my iTunes, except when it's on shuffle, then I like about one in every fifteen songs in my iTunes.
As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate cyclists.
Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.
My 4-year old son asked me in the car the other day "Dad what would happen if you ran over a ninja?" How the hell do I respond to that?
It really pisses me off when I want to read a story on CNN.com and the link takes me to a video instead of text.
I wonder if cops ever get pissed off at the fact that everyone they drive behind obeys the speed limit.
I think the freezer deserves a light as well.
I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lites than Kay.
The other night I ordered takeout, and when I looked in the bag, saw they had included four sets of plastic silverware. In other words, someone at the restaurant packed my order, took a second to think about it, and then estimate d that there must be at least four people eating to require such a large amount of food. Too bad I was eating by myself. There's nothing like being made to feel like a fat bastard before dinner.
Yes, these are Doug's real thoughts. His mind works like this. Trust me.
And just so you'll know, I know how to fold a fitted sheet.
Have you ever been walking down the street and realized that you're going in the complete opposite direction of where you are supposed to be going? But instead of just turning a 180 and walking back in the direction from which you came, you have to first do something like check your watch or phone or make a grand arm gesture and mutter to yourself to ensure that no one in the surrounding area thinks you're crazy by randomly switching directions on the sidewalk.
There is a great need for sarcasm font.
Sometimes, I'll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the **** was going on when I first saw it.
How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.
The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to finish a text.
Was learning cursive really necessary?
I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.
How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear what they said?
Every time I have to spell a word over the phone using 'as in' examples, I will undoubtedly draw a blank and sound like a complete idiot. Today I had to spell my boss's last name to an attorney and said "Yes that's G as in...(10 second lapse)..ummm...Goonies"
Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.
Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.
I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.
Bad decisions make good stories.
Why is it that during an ice-breaker, when the whole room has to go around and say their name and where they are from, I get so incredibly nervous? Like I know my name, I know where I'm from, this shouldn't be a problem....
You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you've made up your mind that you just aren't doing anything productive for the rest of the day.
There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.
I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.
"Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this ever.
I like all of the music in my iTunes, except when it's on shuffle, then I like about one in every fifteen songs in my iTunes.
As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate cyclists.
Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.
My 4-year old son asked me in the car the other day "Dad what would happen if you ran over a ninja?" How the hell do I respond to that?
It really pisses me off when I want to read a story on CNN.com and the link takes me to a video instead of text.
I wonder if cops ever get pissed off at the fact that everyone they drive behind obeys the speed limit.
I think the freezer deserves a light as well.
I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lites than Kay.
The other night I ordered takeout, and when I looked in the bag, saw they had included four sets of plastic silverware. In other words, someone at the restaurant packed my order, took a second to think about it, and then estimate d that there must be at least four people eating to require such a large amount of food. Too bad I was eating by myself. There's nothing like being made to feel like a fat bastard before dinner.
Yes, these are Doug's real thoughts. His mind works like this. Trust me.
And just so you'll know, I know how to fold a fitted sheet.
They're Not Breaking Down The Doors To Get Out
From the AP:
WASHINGTON – The number of Americans covered by government-sponsored health insurance plans surged to 87.4 million last year — or 29 percent of the U.S. population — amid a fierce, national debate about whether to create a new U.S.-run plan that any American could join.
The number of people covered by federal Medicaid, Medicare and military insurance plans was an increase from 83 million in 2007, according to census figures released Thursday. It partially offset the eighth straight year of declines in the percentage of people with employer-provided plans and highlighted the growing role of a government-offered insurance safety net.
Overall, the number of Americans without health insurance rose modestly to 46.3 million last year, up from 45.7 million in 2007. The poverty rate hit 13.2 percent, an 11-year high.
That's close to one third of the people in the country covered by a government health plan. I don't see people knocking down the doors to escape from these government-sponsored health care plans. So then, why do we hear the oft-repeated whine that the government can't run a health care plan? Medicare and Medicaid will run out of money in the not too distant future, but one of the reasons is that they are blocked by law from negotiating prices for medical care and prescription drugs as the Veterans Administration is allowed to do. Fix that law and Medicare and Medicaid will save a lot of money.
Why don't the Congress critters who are concerned about bringing down the cost of medical care push harder for the power to negotiate for Medicare and Medicaid? Those who believe that health insurance companies will be put out of business by the public option, should realize that control of spiraling costs of health care will not happen without the public option, because health insurance companies will not reform themselves unless they face a competitive option. They've had their chance, and they didn't do it.
The BlueDogs in Congress should realize that private health insurance companies still operate in England for those who want more than the government-sponsored universal coverage offers. And despite all the horror stories that we hear in the US about "socialized" health care in England, no serious politician, even of the conservative stripe, dares to suggest putting an end to it, for fear of the public.
And for the members of Congress who are more concerned about the health of health insurance companies than the health of their constituents:
Analysts warned that increases in the overall numbers of the uninsured were likely to be just the beginning. Based on current job losses, some researchers estimate the present-day number of uninsured is closer to 50 million. That's the number now cited by the Congressional Budget Office and it could continue to grow without meaningful reform.
Diane Rowland, executive vice president of the Kaiser Family Foundation, cited the proliferation of small businesses, which typically decline to offer insurance because of rising premium costs. That could lead to additional declines in private insurance even if the economy improves.
So. As people lose their jobs and fewer businesses offer health insurance to their employees, the health insurance companies will have fewer customers, and the numbers of citizens who are not insured will grow. Not a pretty picture.
WASHINGTON – The number of Americans covered by government-sponsored health insurance plans surged to 87.4 million last year — or 29 percent of the U.S. population — amid a fierce, national debate about whether to create a new U.S.-run plan that any American could join.
The number of people covered by federal Medicaid, Medicare and military insurance plans was an increase from 83 million in 2007, according to census figures released Thursday. It partially offset the eighth straight year of declines in the percentage of people with employer-provided plans and highlighted the growing role of a government-offered insurance safety net.
Overall, the number of Americans without health insurance rose modestly to 46.3 million last year, up from 45.7 million in 2007. The poverty rate hit 13.2 percent, an 11-year high.
That's close to one third of the people in the country covered by a government health plan. I don't see people knocking down the doors to escape from these government-sponsored health care plans. So then, why do we hear the oft-repeated whine that the government can't run a health care plan? Medicare and Medicaid will run out of money in the not too distant future, but one of the reasons is that they are blocked by law from negotiating prices for medical care and prescription drugs as the Veterans Administration is allowed to do. Fix that law and Medicare and Medicaid will save a lot of money.
Why don't the Congress critters who are concerned about bringing down the cost of medical care push harder for the power to negotiate for Medicare and Medicaid? Those who believe that health insurance companies will be put out of business by the public option, should realize that control of spiraling costs of health care will not happen without the public option, because health insurance companies will not reform themselves unless they face a competitive option. They've had their chance, and they didn't do it.
The BlueDogs in Congress should realize that private health insurance companies still operate in England for those who want more than the government-sponsored universal coverage offers. And despite all the horror stories that we hear in the US about "socialized" health care in England, no serious politician, even of the conservative stripe, dares to suggest putting an end to it, for fear of the public.
And for the members of Congress who are more concerned about the health of health insurance companies than the health of their constituents:
Analysts warned that increases in the overall numbers of the uninsured were likely to be just the beginning. Based on current job losses, some researchers estimate the present-day number of uninsured is closer to 50 million. That's the number now cited by the Congressional Budget Office and it could continue to grow without meaningful reform.
Diane Rowland, executive vice president of the Kaiser Family Foundation, cited the proliferation of small businesses, which typically decline to offer insurance because of rising premium costs. That could lead to additional declines in private insurance even if the economy improves.
So. As people lose their jobs and fewer businesses offer health insurance to their employees, the health insurance companies will have fewer customers, and the numbers of citizens who are not insured will grow. Not a pretty picture.
Please Pray For Archbishop Desmond Tutu
From IOL News, South Africa:
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is recuperating at home after recently suffering from a slipped disc, his office said on Thursday.
"Tutu is recuperating at home after suffering from a prolapsed in[ter]vertebral disc over a week ago," a statement read.
Tutu was taken to hospital and advised by doctors to lie flat on his back for a week or two.
"He is in good spirits, albeit in some discomfort, and will be back on his feet soon."
Last month Tutu was awarded the United States Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama at the White House. Tutu dedicated his award to all South Africans who fought the country's struggle for freedom and justice.
H/T to Peter Carey at The Lead.
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