Besides Coronas, we agree about this?

In the game of I can be more Petty than you Harry Reid just one upped John Boehner by scheduling a vote tonight after the Presidents speech to make the Republicans stay close to the Senate for the vote.

They still won't go to the speech, but now Vitter can't go back to Louisanna for the game.

But hey this dog story is pretty cool. Sure hope he'll be OK.

First - this is what First Read choose to "report?" Ain't nothing else going on? The FBI didn't just raid Solyndra?

Second - sorry Feisty, but this is not about insurance. What a person chooses to do with their cash is simply none of your business.

That's the problem with you libbies. You are entitled to equal treatment in the laws, not equal treatment in the economy.

You want to waste butt loads of cash on a dog? Great go out and earn the cash, then do with it as you please.

In the words of the Rap Star Lil' Wayne - it's my cup, what is in it, whether heroin or anything else is none o' yo damn bizness. It's my damn cup."

Your cat died cause you chose not to spend the money. Again that was your decision. How come you all just can't see that?

They still won't go to the speech, but now Vitter can't go back to Louisanna for the game.

Why would Vitter need to be in Louisiana for the game?

My sympathies to the Senator. I know how hard it is to make tough decisions about pets. In one case, I paid a lot of money for surgery to save a silly puppy who ran into the road and got hit by a car. The same puppy, 12 years later later, got incurable cancer, which proved to be very expensive, but hopeless. We hung on as long as we could before making the decision that shattered my world for a long time. We also took her the UW Veterinary Hospital, but they couldn't help her. I had another dog who helped herself to something outside one day that nearly killed her with pancreatitis, and then, after paying out a lot of money to save her, she developed very expensive and incurable diabetes, with expensive insulin treatments and incontinence which went on for years before she became both deaf and blind. My daughter had a pet rat that developed pulmonary disease, common in rats, and we spent a lot of money on that, too -- again, some of it at the UW Veterinary Hospital -- before we were finally told there was nothing that could be done.

People are not always rational about their pets. Although I agree with Feisty that it seems a shame when so many people go without adequate healthcare, we shouldn't take out that frustration on a little dog. We should take better care of both people and pets.

Godspeed to little Dakota.

WCA,

He isn’t needed.

It only takes 41 of them to filibuster.

Cause when you are a politician big whig you get free skyboxes and all the attendant goodies.

Softball for the gang. Batter up.

I don't care what his politics are, cute dog !

Although I bet he is an anti-cat type, just guessing.

With all of the hyper-political stuff going on, this is a nice report. I hope the dog gets well.

Not everything on First Read has to be of world wide, gotta know it or it will be the end of civilization as we know it importance. An occasional "fluff" peice is nice.

And how can anyone say anthing bad about such a fluffy face...... :)

dirp101

I don't care if he is a Republican, cute dog !

• !

#1.8 - Thu Sep 8, 2011 4:48 PM EDT

North Dakota Democrat, Sen. Kent Conrad's beloved bichon frise, Dakota,

__________________________________________________________________________________

I don't know Dakota's political affiliation...

THAT'S why I love ya, AM.

You're a REAL, old school liberal...and, I'm not being sarcastic (for the moment, anyway).

So many of those on the left that post at First Read are the nastiest, most mean-spirited misanthropes imaginable...although Keith Olbermann certainly gives them a run for their money (their inspiration, maybe...?).

Anyway, AM...that was honest and heartfelt.

Now...come and get me, you maladroits!

Cause when you are a politician big whig you get free skyboxes and all the attendant goodies.

Softball for the gang. Batter up.

I'm assuming this was an answer to my question of why Vitter needed to be in Louisiana for the game tonight...

...and, see, the thing is the game is being played in Wisconsin.

All Right.

So looks like we'll be having a House investigation into Solyndra next week. Seems that Solyndra major investor was also a major Obama contributor. I know shocking, right?

And the major Obama contributor/major Solyndra investor visted the White house several times just before all that government cheese found its way to Solyndra, which had a completely flawed business plan.

Any of yo all getting tired of ameutur hour yet? I mean we had Holder denying knowing anything about gunrunner ['cept he's the boss of the DOJ and is charge with knowing, and is responsible for all programs anyway] and now will Obama deny knowing about this sweet heart loan?

And really, why in the world would First Read ever touch this Cluster with a 10 foot pole?

Bag Boy:

You're a REAL, old school liberal...and, I'm not being sarcastic (for the moment, anyway).

Thank you. At least I think. And for the moment, anyway. ;-)

You do realize, of course, that there isn't really all that much difference between the real old school liberals and the real old school conservatives.

My post wasn't intended as a swipe at other liberals, just to express the way I feel. I feel bad both for Feisty's cat and for people who can't afford the health care that could save their lives or make them better. As a society, we should not have to make these sorts of choices, while we elect to fund all manner of unnecessary boondoggles and wars and things that don't help anyone at all, while lining the pockets of the few.

Heck, we fund Congress, and it doesn't help anyone at all, either. I would much rather have saved Feisty's cat than to have paid for the debt ceiling debacle and the whole bunch of nothing accomplished by the 112th Congress.

Spanky:

And really, why in the world would First Read ever touch this Cluster with a 10 foot pole?

I know I won't, that's for sure. Too toxic for me. You know how I feel about this stuff, Spanky.

But keep making the case for public campaign finance. Maybe someday soon some of your conservative friends will start to get the point.

[First - this is what First Read choose to "report?" Ain't nothing else going on? The FBI didn't just raid Solyndra?]

Banking on another "conspiracy", are we, Spanky?

...mediocrity, bruh...insignificant mediocrity...

It was Da Noid, and not all "skyboxes" are in stadiums, nor does location have anything to do with the goodies.

Of course you are right, but a decent save attempt, right?

Vacation brain. Too busy checking the resorts live web cam, which is focused on the swim up pool, to pay attention. Sorry Noid.

But that's better than a little while ago when it was on the beach - I LOVE Europeans and their sunning attire, such that it is.

AM-

I'm well aware of what your post was intended to be.

Doesn't change my response.

@AM - don't misunderstand, it wasn't the transplant that was unaffordable (not to mention I would of ended up bringing the donor cat home) - it was the $20K a year to then keep him alive...

Spanky... you know that poops going to hit the fan. But if the Republicans try to get anything out of anyone, with an FBI investigation already taking place, all they are going to get is "On the advice of my counsel, I respectfully decline to answer." Over and over and over and the Republicans will look like the fools they are.

Nothing new about political donors obtaining government money. Didn't the wooden teeth manufacturers association contribute to campaigns in 1890 ? Just Kidding.

You gotta hope there was nothing shady, but worry that it is more bad politics.

You just know that with the trillions of dollars that went out the door in 2008 and 2009, some of it would go to someplace that went sour. Seriously, it happens to every President. Under President Bush, some $60billion in CASH went to Iraq and disappeared. No one can trace what happened to it once it got there.

I aint sayin' that this is ok, I'm just sayin' that I aint at all shocked, disappointed, but not shocked.

Uh-oh-

Feisty might be dropping into a back-pedal that any of the starting cornerbacks tonight would envy...

Oh, and btw, I'd rather give health care to every pet in America than to the POS's in Cogress, both houses and all parties.

Funny thing dirp101 is Melson hired his own lawyer and sang like a bird.

I think this is the government trying to cover it's own ass - the loans were bad. They are trying to blame it on the company before they get blamed.

Cumulatively these are real bad for the administration. Both this and Gun Runner are too stupid to even try to defend, but they will, which is why it'll be super funny.

Feisty:

@AM - don't misunderstand, it wasn't the transplant that was unaffordable (not to mention I would of ended up bringing the donor cat home) - it was the $20K a year to then keep him alive...

Yeah, I know, and I sympathize with you completely. I probably stated that badly. I would have had to draw the line where you did, for sure. I just wish we were all as fortunate at the Conrads, and that you didn't have to make that choice. It's so hard, Feisty, when the pet is your beloved family member. And I thoroughly agree with you and others about health care in general.

...

As for whether the Conrads are spending their "own" money on this, for whoever said that, I would remind you all of that the next time you try to tell public employees that they shouldn't spend taxpayer dollars on union dues. That's no more taxpayer money than any part of his salary that Conrad might elect to spend on his dog. Once he's earned it, it's his.

Spanky...you bother me, yet I am compelled to look to your posts...like a teenager to Jersey Shore. They "know" it isn't real, that it is a misrepresentation and that it is morally wrong. That is what is wrong with you repubbies, you have no compassion, unless you of course choose too. People should be able to spend money as they please, except for on Marijuana, or a gay wedding, or a teacher's salary, or a crumbling bridge, or child welfare. Fine, no compassion, I get it, but there are a lot of people that do have it, and they make your point of view insignificant.

I'm back...for now...no questions for you though, dissapointed?

I probably stated that badly

Nah! It's impossible for you to ever state anything badly! ;o)

SteveYo - Stop pretending all conservatives are a like. I am fiscally conservative. I care not about any of the rest. In fact I am in favor of leagalizing ALL drugs, and gay marriage - Ms. Spanky is a divorce lawyer - more business for her.

Yo are also wrong about the compassion, but in the end we are all responsible for ourselves and our families. You just can't help everyone, and there are an awful lot of people that don't do anything to deserve it.

Now why would I be disappointed?

Spanky: I wasn't sure how you got onto Melson, but that's another fiasco. Fun to be a fly on the wall on that one:

Mr. President, here is today's national security briefing.

Thank you.

You might want to look closely at item number three.

What is that ?

Well, there was this plan to trace guns going to Mexican drug lords and, well, a few of them seem to have been lost.

A few.

Well, at least some 2500.

2500

And, uh, well, they may have been used in some crimes.

Uh, huh.

And, well, a few of our law enforcement people may have died as a result.

I see. Reaching for telephone, Please ask Mr. Holder to see me, immediately.

Thank you. Any other fascinating news for me today ?

No Mr. President.

On the Solyndra case, I don't think that the company president will be nearly as cooperative as Mr. Melson. Melson may have allowed a stupid situation get out of hand, but there are no criminal implications. And you had better believe that if there is anything showing direct political contributions to Obama, everything will be investigated and buried.

I'm am really glad the cute little pooch has excellent health benefits and can get the treatment he needs, you can let a loved one go without the medical treatment they need that is cruel. Who pays for his health insurance, is he a Union dog, does he have a collective bargaining agreement? I wish more people could somehow negoiate a medical plan as good as Dakota the adorable dog has, I hope he gets well. When he feels better maybe he can explain to Congress how people are just like dogs and they need health benefits too.

Anna Molly--you have stated things beautifully and with compassion. I enjoy reading your posts! I think you, Feisty, and others are right though--we do need the "public option" universal coverage for all. It seems sad to me that we can always find $$ to build better ways to kill other people and destroy stuff, but we can't seem to find the $$ to take care of our citizens and our infrastructure.

"We have met the enemy and he is us!" Pogo by Walt Kelly

I'm gonna count my blessings there, John.

Let's talk about Dakota (featured in an NBC special, in case you forgot).

I believe 5 were diagnosed with cancer.

And handed a death sentance...

That's it Jody, and it's never been a secret - if you have the money everything is available.

So all you got to do is go out and get paid.

Ain't America great?

Oh and let's be crystal clear Jody - NOTHING is free. The government get it's money from 3 sources:

1. It prints more, which devalues what we have;

2. It borrows more, which is just as bad; or

3. It taxes more.

So where is that "free" health care going to come from Jody? Seems like even Obama is not inclined to print anymore QE2 was a huge fail. He just lowered taxes, and good golly but were you asleep during the debt ceiling thing-y?

So ObamaCare will cover pets too? The free clinic is a noble gesture, but is this your idea that health care should be free? Because you know nothing is free.

Spanky beat me to it, but if you receive things free, lets say New Orleans (FEMA trailers that are still being lived in) you wouldn't expect anything less.

The free clinic is a noble gesture, but is this your idea that health care should be free?

No one is saying it should be free Paul, but it certainly should be affordable!

How can a country that is supposedly the greatest in the world NOT provide basic human needs?

I understand what you're saying, but it's not the Government's job to provide health care. Make it affordable, I'm good with that, not good with the Government in charge of it, because it won't work and it will cost too much. If you think I'm wrong, why are CERTAIN companies getting WAIVERS for ObamaCare if it's going to be affordable?

I understand what you're saying, but it's not the Government's job to provide health care

Is ObamaCare perfect?

NO!

Is it better then what we had which was NOTHING - hell yes!

The problem with ObamaCare is it didn't include a public option, in other words it didn't go far enough!

Teapublican's had 8 years to come up with something and what did they do?

Nothing as usual...

Paul:

The free clinic is a noble gesture, but is this your idea that health care should be free? Because you know nothing is free.

Free clinics are only free because professionals donate their time and someone donates the supplies.

The difference between the current system and "free" healthcare in the form of single-payor is not that free health care doesn't cost anything -- it's that single-payor healthcare cuts out the insurance companies as middlemen -- middlemen who do nothing to improve the quality of care, and exist only to skim money off the top of the system.

Obviously, the health care professionals themselves would still get paid in a single-payor system; someone -- i.e., taxpayers and/or employers -- would still have to pay for it. But single-payor would cost a lot less overall, if Medicare and the European and Canadian models are used as examples, because the overhead beyond what is spent for care would be reduced by about 2/3 over what it is is now with private insurance.

Now, tell me, if you can, what is so inherently desirable about insurance companies that we couldn't just as well do without them, if it meant that the money we saved in profits going to overpaid executives and shareholders could go to paying for the care of the poor, the elderly, and the disabled.

The problem is, Feisty...

It really isn't better than nothing.

And, that it would have been relatively easy to make it better.

Paul, are you really that simple minded that you cannot see the sarcasm in my comment. Where did I say health care should be free?

Incidentally, Paul, FL, please provide the proof for your earlier accusation that my First Thought comment was plagiarized and while you are at it, provide the proof concerning that same accusation regarding Gingerbread Mamma's remarks. I write my own material, when I quote you will see quotes; when I use a source, you will see that source named. Just because you cannot string sentences together to write a cohesive, sizeable post, does not mean others like Gingerbread Mamma and myself cannot. So in the future, when you make accusations about stealing others work, be prepared to back it up.

Are you really using the European/Canadian models? Will continue this later, got to run.............Go Packers!!

Guys you really can't be this thick, free clinics are not paid for by the government, its donations from those few people that get paid or a few with extra and want to help those that have less. As for FEMA trailers, New Orleans was wiped out, jobs gone, population half of what it was, no Jobs. Care to help your fellow man to get them out of those trailers or just sit there and bitch about it or better yet lets just go kick them out for being lazy and poor no education, useless. If they have no value shoot them they are no longer a problem for anyone. Tell me Paul what would be your stand on fee medical for wounded soldiers, no legs to bad no health care for you so what if you fought for our country.

So Spanky you keep putting up the same old three points, so what is your point is been this way for how many years and somehow it has some new meaning.

I'm sorry about the dog. I had a cat with cancer- adenocarcinoma. I lost him one year to the day after diagnosis, and he got the best treatment, at the best hospital, money could buy.

I could afford it, and he was my baby.

I learned quite a bit about cancers in animals- so, I know that, thankfully, the prognosis for Dakota is pretty good, all things considered. Lymphoma is pretty treatable, especially in dogs, (more so than cats, for example).

If you have the money to get the treatment, what gives anyone the right to question your doing so?

The Conrads are spending their own- not taxpayers- money, so it's really none of the naysayers' business, now, is it?

That said-

The DOE made an end run around a congressional committee investigating the Solyndra scandal,

The Obama administration is harassing, yet agin, Gibson guitars, for the crime of being run by a republican in a democrat dominated industry,

Evergreen too the money and ran- to China. . .

Nd none of those stories got space here.

I guess you are pretty tight standards on what "politics" this is the "place" for. . .

Fiesty---The answer lies in a person's ability to either be stinking rich and be able to cover your own healthcare or perfectly healthy and to never need it.

Boy oh boy, I never realized that the Repubs. had the answer all along, Euthanasia for sick people.

Man do I feel let down. Well, I guess I better get in line.

Fiesty---The answer lies in a person's ability to either be stinking rich and be able to cover your own healthcare or perfectly healthy and to never need

The comforting part is, even the stinking rich who can afford the Cadillac health insurance CAN'T buy good health...

They might be able to prolong it & be more comfortable but in the end the outcome is still the same...

Uh, yeah Tom, that schtick didn't pan out too well for Alan Greyson.

Hey, to you all's point about free health care and donations - maybe the Post Office can get into the donation game?

See the government can't even run the post office. You really want it running your health care?

Oh and Tom, I almost never go to the doctor. Too scared.

That's "comforting" is it Feisty? Nice.

But you are forgetting folks like Steve Jobs. He need a body part [liver?] and jumped right to the front of the line. Plus the new thing out here is private clinics. You pay a flat $25k per year to get in then pay for all service.

Kinda like a concierge. All the rage with the truly wealthy.

But, they can pass away with the comforting thought that they didn't have to help out their fellow Americans.

Spanky, you are such a wonderful human being. What is your solution to the health-care crisis? I must have missed it.

Spanky the Government does not run the Post Office anymore and has not for years. It is private based supported by postage stamps and shipping fees. No government money is put into it. The only thing the Government has set is it service policies which is why the are requesting the ability to drop Saturday service among other things to cut cost of operation. They are not asking for any money from the Tax payers. As for how the government run things go back to your profession they started this s(*t.

Spanky, where did I say anything is free? So, your answer to all the unemployed people is go find a job even when there are no jobs. Your comment just proved who hasn't a clue and it isn't me.

Did Steve Jobs give anything to President Obama and the Democrats, Spank?

I wonder...

In spite of his political contributions...

Should First Readers hate him for trying to save his own life...whatever the cost?

I guess I'm about to find out, eh...?

That's funny Tis, cause the PostMaster was just begging Congress to forgive or delay payment on billions that the Post office owes US.

Tis, you gotta stop watch those tv ads.

Spanky: I'm sure the really truly wealthy have their physicians on staff (Queen Elizabeth comes to mind.)

Peons go the hospital, the wealthy have the hospital ready for them, very wealth own the hospital, truly wealthy have the hospital with them at all times.

Jody - you referred to free clinics. You advocate universal health care, correct?

No jobs? Huh. Cause I ran an ad about three weeks ago. Funny thing was mine was not the only ad posted.

But tell us Jody - how far do we extend unemployment benefits? When does it just become another form of welfare?

See how this all goes back to my point about free? WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM?

AM, you have not done much real, objective, study of other centralized healthcare systems.

The UK has a "side by side" system- everybody pays into National Health Care, but everybody who can afford it buys into the private system.

Canadians SUED for the right to purchase private healthcare- and won.

Long lines and dirty ERs are the predominant hallmarks of the NIH in E gland- and really long waits for non- emergency care.

In medicine as in everything else, you get what you pay for- it's fundamental.

So, given the dire straits facing the USPS- perhaps you would elucidate why on this green earth I should be in favor of having the government take care of, not just me, not just my husband, not just my son, but my princess?

Cause, I'm telling you- if it comes to that, I will lie, steal, and cheat, if necessary, to make certain she continues to get the best healthcare for her kidney disease.

They can't deliver the mail efficiently- you think I'd trust bureaucrats with her life?

Spanky, did he ask for tax payer money or just delay payment on their debt. Again you do not pay attention to what you write, you stated the government can't even run the post office, they don't Private business they can't even run the PO so why should we have private business their just as bad as the government.

Of course we should just let them shut down and we will let UPS and Fedex pickup the slack. How much mail do you get delivered to your office by the PO

I will lie, steal, and cheat,

That would be new HOW?

Mixed Bag:

Should First Readers hate him for trying to save his own life...whatever the cost?

Nope. We should all be angry that the system has gotten so out of whack that not everyone can save their lives that way. Let's say instead that it's a middle-aged father with kids still in school, who just can't afford the cost of treatment. Can we say that the children's loss of their father will be less devastating than Apple fans' loss of their guru might be? Can we say that especially when we, as the richest nation on earth, have the means, but not the will, to provide the necessary care to save that middle-aged father -- because we have chosen to fund heath insurance executives' inflated salaries, instead?

How do we, as a society, justify that kind of calculus, and then still call ourselves "exceptional"?

no joe:

Long lines and dirty ERs are the predominant hallmarks of the NIH in E gland- and really long waits for non- emergency care.

In medicine as in everything else, you get what you pay for- it's fundamental.

Tell me about "fundamental," no joe. I am a member of one of the finest health care systems in the United States, and I have waited hours for emergency room care and weeks to see an oncologist, sending my surgeon into a fit of rage against his own system. I have recently seen a huge cockroach in a maternity room in a well-respected local hospital. I know people who have seen claims denied for things they believed they had coverage for. We read almost every day about someone who has died because they could not get the treatment they needed. And people die of sepsis almost all the time because of contaminated conditions in AMERICAN hospitals -- it's one reason why they try to get you out of there as fast as they can.

Everyone's got their own anecdotes. And we've got higher mortality rates than just about any other civilized country in the world.

Why does it necessarily have to be exactly like the European or Canadian systems? Why can't we use existing claims infrastructure and just cut out the profiteers? If we're so smart, then why can't we do it better? Or wait, we can't can't we? We call that Medicare, no joe.

And I challenge you to find any significant number of seniors who are willing to trade it for the private insurance system with its skyrocketing premiums and uncertain coverage. Good luck, but I doubt you'll have any more success with that than Paul Ryan did.

This is where our love-fest ends, AM...even though I still love ya.

I can't agree that we have the means you're referring to.

Not when we're borrowing more than 40 cents of every dollar we spend to prop up the insane status-quo.

What we're doing isn't sustainable, and will end in heartache...MORE heartache, I should say.

When the Chinese chastise us about our debt, and lecture us on free-market principles...something is terribly, terribly wrong.

p.s. to no joe --

when you trust your relatives' lives to private insurance companies, exactly HOW is that superior to trusting those lives to public bureaucrats, especially where coverage is already guaranteed under the public system?

Death panels already exist, no joe. In the current system, they're called claims adjusters and review panels.

Bag Boy:

I can't agree that we have the means you're referring to.

Not when we're borrowing more than 40 cents of every dollar we spend to prop up the insane status-quo.

Silly boy. If we end the private health care system, where do all those insurance dollars go? Those dollars are already there.

We just tap the same pool of money and do it right.

Sorry, AM-

Like untold millions of American health care consumers (around 80% or so), I like the health care I'm receiving.

And...

I'm not giving it up without a fight.

I worked way too hard to get it.

Selfish?

Maybe.

Get Steve Jobs, and the like, first.

It'll take you awhile to get to me and the rest of us.

It's simple, AM-

I know the policies we have, what is covered, and how to ensure that coverage is met.

See, we do not opt for the HMO plans- too limited- but for the fee for service plans.

So, sure, we have deductibles, and only 80% is covered. So what?

It means we can see the best doctors in the country, get treatment at the best teaching hospitals, and the insurance companies
Cant say "we will pay for this, but not for that".

It's called a CHOICE- and I have no intention of having that taken from me.

I'll give you a for instance- my daughter in law's company offers her only an HMO plan- while my son has fee for service. When she got pregnant, my son insisted that they make his policy the primary, so they were able to choose the best ob in Manhattan. That OB insisted on a ten week ultrasound- it's her sop. HMOs don't pay for that- they consider it unnecessary.

It was that ultrasound that revealed the kidney malformation princess was born with- so they changed the hospital for delivery.

She was born in the best children's hospital in the country- a very good thing, since she was in full urological syndrome when she was born. She almost died.

She's had two major surgeries, is on non- generic meds- and none of it is covered more than 80%. By choice.

It's all about what is most important.

Hey, Am, on another note. . .

You're the union expert, right? Any comment on this

http://news.yahoo.com/longshoremen-storm-wash-state-port-damage-rr-144921214.html

So, 500 members of one union hold hostages and destroy property of a company using another union's workers. . .

That all good?

@ no joe -- let me reiterate -- I have world class health care with NO deductibles or co-pays, except for prescription drugs. I have a VERY large group of physicians and specialists to choose from. They have saved my life a couple of times. Stuff like that, they tend to do very well.

But even that system is not perfect -- no system is. You're fooling yourself if you think yours is.

As for the union uprising, I'm afraid, no joe, that you will begin to see a lot more of this as workers who are being consistently beaten down rise back up as workers have so often done before. When people are backed into corners, what do you expect?

Oh, I know what you expect. You expect workers to submit to their masters without a struggle, like they did in the old days, don't you?

Guess again, no joe. They didn't submit without a struggle in the old days, either.

We got the minimum wage and the 40-hour workweek through labor violence, or didn't you know? Gains seldom occur without some sacrifice.

Pity that people keep having to fight for things that seem so "fundamental" to me.

So, AM, you good with union on union violence? Cause, that's what this was.

One union perpetrating violence on another union.

Sounds to me like the "five families" need to have a sit down . . .

HoJoBloMo:

[The Obama administration is harassing, yet agin, Gibson guitars, for the crime of being run by a republican in a democrat dominated industry...]

You crack me up...nice try, Oh Ignorant One...you know damn well it's about the possibility Gibson used endangered rosewood in their guitars...but not that you give a crap...now back to your ivory carving class...

...I am, however, disappointed. Gibson makes a mighty fine instrument...I may just have to sell mine.

OH Mickey - leave the old broad alone will ya?

Don't you know her kidney's are failing - given the fact that the human body is only capable of processing SO much waste...

Karma really is a bitch!

[OH Mickey - leave the old broad alone will ya?]

Actually, I find her ignorance...entertaining...

Yes, thank goodness, President Obama is trying to change this country because republicans refused to invest in this country for 30 years; the only thing they wanted to spend money on is a mighty mililtary industrial complex.

Jody--- Spanky wants the San Diego sports teams to leave because they drain away too much local public monies "BAD". Massive expenditures for the military, now that's federal dollars "GOOD".

Waivers are also available to states which provide a plan equal to or better than that of the Affordable Health Care Act. Vermont passed single-payer, state run health care throwing the insurance companies out.

Very true, Jody...this is why those that bring up the issue of waivers have no idea what that means...they think it's an exemption.

I'm a Brees fan, for obvious reason.

But I am hoping the Chargers pull out and go to LA. Pro sports is a huge drain on public coffers. The Padres is the primary cause of much of San Diego's fiscal woes. And it is mighty woeful.

All things being equal, I hope the Bolts stay in S.D.

But...all things are never equal, are they?

I vastly prefer the that the Chargers remain in SoCal if the alternative is somewhere very far away.

They're going to have to be competitive year-in, year-out, to survive in L.A., though.

Just leave SoCal with at least one NFL franchise.

Hope it's the Bolts.

Go Chargers!

Jeez- don't any of you guys watch baseball?

Hockey?

Actually, if there was one humorous bit to the debt ceiling "crisis" , it was Obama whining that he'd rather be negotiating to end the lock out.

You just KNOW he's cheesed off that he could not announce that he had used his brilliant negotiating skills to save the season.

I'm pretty sure that was going to be one of the cornerstones of his reelection campaign. . .

"Sure, the Iranians have nukes- but I saved football!

Oh, and I got Osama, remember?"

We are going to the dogs!