Flintville's Fashionistas

Wild Dogs, Front and Center!

 
Subtitled: "A Hunting We Will Go?"
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These are important... somehow
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Good Afternoon Everyone;
Lest you think I have abandoned you, rest assured I am still alive. hehehe
There have been more than a few times in the past days here that I wished I wasn't.
Been wrestling a migraine since Saturday. It comes and goes at its leisure and not mine.


Even with respect to my head on Saturday, we found such fun (sprinkled with bellyaches from laughter).

Kelli called as I was going to put some pictures into this machine. She wanted to take the dogs for a walk... And had a few other things to do as well.
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Punk tries to be a lapdog...
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Kelli had also brought more wood for the campfires...
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We are restocked now! (Thank you Sweetie)!
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Since she was working hard all day- (they were cleaning out their garage), she had sweatpants on. This is acceptable clothing for such a day.
Had it been snowing, like a little kid, I would have had to bundle her up like a penguin in snow~pants and scarves and mittens etc.
Remember those days? One either had to go potty after getting dressed, or simply had to accept the fact that you couldn't walk in such attire. Thank God it was fun to fall over.

It is nice when they grow up and can dress themselves for whatever weather we have...
Like Casey does...
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Casey dressed for a nippy day in Minnesota.
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But now, in Wisconsin, there is Hunting Season.
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A proper and safe way to dress is called for, for everyone that ventures outside.

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Though she loves hunting, Casey will probably not be getting back there this year.
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But back to the above safety pins...    
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They are necessary when you have to dress the dogs for Hunting Season.



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A few pins, strategically placed, should keep their colors from sliding off.

Key word: "should".      hehehe
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Punk, unimpressed and impervious, watches as CocoBean gets "dressed"
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Mr. Miller had been the first to get dressed. He is after all the closest color to whitetail deer that we have in dogs.

He was not amused...
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And he'd hoped no one would see him...
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But the squirrel did!
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That squirrel kept looking and laughing;
using that irritating sound they make when they are amused
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The dogs made fun of each other too.
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When things became noisy, they were told to take it onto the grass.

They did. And had glorious fun, making fun of each other...
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Even Mr. Miller got in on that action.

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Know that Kelli and I had all we could do not to snort, we were laughing so hard.
Know too, we could not even speak at that point...

Again, Mr. Miller took it personally.

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He felt he had to at least try to hide...
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Checking the lawn, that squirrel was laughing even harder...
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But at least had the decency to turn his back to spare Mr. Millers feelings
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Kelli laughed so hard that the dogs went and pushed her over.
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Mr Miller to the rescue!
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Even the birds stopped eating when Kelli went down...
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(And I didn't even know chickadees could giggle)! hehehe
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Meanwhile, CocoBean and Punk were still arguing about whom was the cutest.
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Miller finally rescued Miss Kelli
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And it was time to head back to the woods.

Miller, not being able to stand it anymore, was first to leave the lawn
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Punk was grazing, (and CocoBean was apparently invisible).
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It had been a dark and froggy morning.
Still the orange would keep them safe.

And they were off!

As Kelli rounded the corner of the field, the previously invisible Miss CocoBean had come running out of the squash patch...

PICTURE THIS if you can...

By that time, I was near to the old pear tree with my camera.  A darn good thing too.
CocoBean had come tearing out of at field just as her 'sleeve' had come undone, as well as the top pin that earlier had kept her 'shirt' from hanging down and tripping her over.
Pins undone...
This caused the young dog to do a perfect somersault! How she managed to tuck her head in and under remains a mystery. Know that this somersault was Olympic quality.
Fortunately for me, I managed to hang onto the pear tree; as I was laughing too hard to remain standing.


Kelli stopped to refasten CocoBean's pins again...
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When they got back up to the house, Punk was hungry again.

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(That mix of wild peppermint and grass by the old stump must be really yummy)!
CocoBean still looking a little dizzy from her Doggie Olympics...
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I asked CocoBean what she thought of going ass over teakettles?

Though I am still not quite sure how she replied, I do know her face tells all...
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Poor Beans!

Are you laughing now?.
Such is the Fashion Industry in Wisconsin for the next week...

Hope everyone is having a "wunnaful" holiday week!
Love to all.

XOXO
Me

Key Provisions of the Senate Health Care Reform Bill

The "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,"
H.R. 3590
By Deborah White, About.com Guide

First of all, here is the bill which is now before your senators.
2074 pages, all are double spaced. Easy.

This article summarizes key provisions in the U.S. Senate health care bill, "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," H.R. 3590, which was unveiled by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on November 18, 2009 after the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office concluded that the bill:

    * would reduce the federal deficit by $130 billion over the 2010-2019 period;
    * would cover about 31 million Americans who are presently uninsured;
    * would raise the percentage of Americans with health care coverage from 83% to 94%;
    * would slow the annual growth rate of Medicare to 6% from its 8% growth rate since 1990.


The Senate's "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" is the companion legislation to the House health care reform bill, which was hotly debated and negotiated over many months, and passed on November 7, 2009 in a historic House 220 to 215 vote.

Health care coverage and reform measures under the Senate plan are similar to the House health care reform bill.

However, most fiscal aspects of the Senate health care reform plan differ considerably from the House plan, including in funding sources for reform legislation, decreased employer penalties for not offering health insurance to employees, and decreased taxpayer penalties for not obtaining mandated coverage.


Health Care Coverage
Like the House bill, a Medicare-like public plan will offer four levels of care to all U.S. citizens and legal residents to choose from, without regard to pre-existing medical conditions: basic, enhanced, premium and premium-plus. The four government plan levels are differentiated mainly by costs covered by the public plan, rather than the participant, and range from 60% to 90% of costs.

Under the Senate bill, states may opt-out of allowing the public plan to be provided to their residents. Illegal immigrants are not covered by either the Senate or House health care refrom bill.

The public plan will be offered along with a myriad of private plans via a state-based insurance exchange.
For the first few years, only small businesses, the uninsured, and self-employed persons may purchase policies from the exchange.

In contrast to the House bill, employers will be strongly encouraged, but not required, to provide health insurance coverage for employees. If coverage is not provided, businesses will be assessed a flat fee per employee who buys insurance via the exchange.

Like the House bill, the Senate bill reforms for-profit practices by mandating that private insurers:
    * are required to accept all applicants,
    * may not charge higher premiums because a person becomes ill,
    * prohibits the use of pre-existing conditions to limit or disallow coverage, and
    * children may remain on parents' insurance through age 26.
    * No lifetime caps on coverage expenditures.


Mandatory Insurance with Cost Subsidies
As is the case for car insurance in most states, all Americans will be required to obtain some form of health-care insurance coverage.

Subsidies to help pay for the costs of government plans will be given on a sliding scale to individuals and families with annual incomes between 133% to 400% of poverty level.
* Those earning less than 133% are eligible for Medicaid coverage.

Penalties of up to $750 per adult, under the Senate plan, would be assessed for failure to purchase insurance coverage. The House plan charges much higher penalties, as high as 2.5% of annual income.


Doctors and Hospitals
Under the Senate's public option plan, doctors, hospitals and other medical professionals will be reimbursed at individually or regionally negotiated rates.... a change forced by legislators who hail from largely rural areas, which often receive below-cost rates under standardized Medicare reimbursement procedures.

It's widely expected that all doctors and hospitals that currently provide Medicare services will also opt to provide "public option" healthcare plan services.


Paying for Government "Public Option" Plan
The goal for the Obama administration and Democratic leadership in Congress is for government "public option" health care to be budget-neutral, which means new government funds will be found (new revenues or cost-cutting measures) to pay for the new Medicare-like plan.

The Senate Democrats' "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" legislation plans to pay for these new initiatives through the following:
    * A 40% tax on employer-provided "cadillac plans," which are defined as having employer-paid annual premiums over $23,000 for families and $8,500 for individuals
    * Increased Medicare payroll tax, from 1.45% to 1.95%, on couples with adjusted gross incomes over $250,000 and individuals over $200,000
    * A 5% tax on elective cosmetic surgeries
    * Annual levies on health insurers, clinical laboratories, and pharmaceutical companies.
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So there you have it once again...
I imagine the rabble rousers will have their field days posting ignorant and false things pertaining to this...
Oh well.
Some people just refuse to educate themselves.
It will be their burden later on to explain their own culpability, (as they will, at some point), watch their loved ones die.

XOXO
Me

***  New "Flintville" update later today...

On a related note... From here: http://www.figtreenotes.com

What the American public still has not really understood is that the economic morass we are in is directly connected to our profligate military spending. While people bemoan a health care package costing $849 billion while cutting $1 trillion over a decade in projected health costs, they fail to acknowledge that we have spent about a trillion dollars on the Iraq War. And now we are on the brink of sending more troops to Afghanistan with the price tag of $1 million a year per soldier. The overall military budget could jump to $734 billion — 10 percent more than the $667 billion under the Bush administration.

In the Leonard Bernstein “Mass,” a street band and chorus do a rollicking riff on the Gloria: Half of the people are stoned and the other half are waiting for the next election. Half the people are drowned and the other half are swimming in the wrong direction. And they call it glorious living. Prophetic words from maestro Bernstein. Folks are already polling Obama’s popularity and the wing nuts on the right are ready to torpedo him as a failure if he doesn’t send troops overseas. They can’t wait for the next election.

Garry Wills, in the November 5 New Your Review of Books, still has high hopes for Obama’s promise to “change the way Washington works” and would like to see him enter a second term. “But I would rather see him a one term president,” says Wills, “than have him pass on another unwinnable war to the person who follows him.”

I like that, and I like his conclusion: “It is unlikely that we will soon have another president with the moral and rhetorical force to take us out of a foolish commitment that cannot be sustained without shame and defeat. If it costs him his presidency, what other achievement can match it?”

Well spoken, Garry

Advocacy for Patients with Chronic Illness, Inc.

http://www.advocacyforpatients.org/
Just saving this link for anyone with Chronic Illnesses...

XOXO
Anne
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WELCOME to Advocacy for Patients with Chronic Illness, Inc., where patients can get free information, advice and advocacy services in areas including but not limited to the following:

***** How to get your own medical records.
***** How to get and keep health insurance.
***** How to get health insurance coverage for particular treatments, drugs, and/or therapies.
***** How to get private disability insurance coverage.
***** How to get Social Security Disability Income.
***** How to assert your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
***** How to assert your rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act.


You may request assistance by writing to attorney Jennifer C. Jaff, Esq. at patient_advocate@sbcglobal.net or by calling her at (860) 674-1370.
If she can't help you, she will try to direct you to an appropriate resource.

Advocacy for Patients with Chronic Illness, Inc. will provide advocacy services not including litigation. If your claim cannot be resolved without litigation, we will attempt to refer you to an attorney in your area to bring suit on your behalf.
(Thanks to Jamie Diaferia of www.InfinitePR for helping to spread the news).
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You may know someone who might need this referral link?
Please send it on to them

Check Your Résumé...

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Other

HOW NOT TO WRITE A RESUME.
These excerpts were compiled from actual resumes and have appeared in magazines and numerous online publications.


"Was met with a string of broken promises and lies, as well as cockroaches."

"Please call me after 5:30 because I am self-employed and my employer does not know I am looking for another job."

"I was proud to win the Gregg Typting Award."

"Physical disabilities include minor allergies to housecats and Mongolian sheep."

"Instrumental in ruining entire operation for a Midwest chain operation."

"They insisted that all employees get to work by 8:45 every morning. Couldn't work under those conditions."

"I was working for my mom until she decided to move."

"Work Experience: Dealing with customer conflicts that arouse."
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This is especially twisted for those of us who have ever done any hiring.

XOXO
Me

...from Lewis; the bizarre news guy

Question for ALL (Comments please).

Hi All;
Bring it on! Please.
Having been verbally attacked, sabotaged, (even to include a desperate attempt at humiliating me), I have put the following question out for everyone...

Has any one of you ever had to question my Faith, or lack of it?
Now what of my patriotism?
Why? or Why not?

XOXO
Me

PS
I am over 50 years old. I am more than set in my beliefs and am quite honest as I have been always. As Mama said, "blatantly and brutally honest"
Therefore I won't be hurt (or disgraced?), by your words. 
Though of course you are welcomed to try....

A 'Casey Update' From Minnesota

Good Morning All;
We are yet in Minnesota- I have just brought Punk outside- A quiet walk for us both.

Before we left, and ready to get in the car. Casey had begun to laugh.
I had no idea why til she pointed; and told me I had to get my camera...

Flipped the trap right over.  (Either that, or it's Hide~n~Seek)!

Since I have not been catching the meeces in the house, I leave the trap in the attached garage.
Sure enough that little guy tried to have his last meal.


Aside from my back, and Casey's tummy, we had an uneventful drive here.


Punk, (in Ringle of course).


Casey brought all of her homework...



...and a snack or two.

I prayed to 'the god of the back' to take me away. (It didn't work). ;-)

And Punk was bored...



... even with the big town scenery.

 
My "Multiply" friend Beths daughter Melanie has been awful sick since her own TP/AIT.
One of the matters put to her was that Melanie has gastroparesis. When I had brought that term up to Dr. Sutherland, it was then he ordered that test.
...So thanks to Beth, Casey has had a gastric emptying test!
(Thank you "Little Voice"). Beth and I have learned that not only do the two doctors compare notes, so do us two mothers!

*  Casey's own test came back as "severely delayed"

Meeting with Dr, Sutherland twice now, he will probably be doing Casey's surgery after the 1st of the year.
She will be having a roux en y gastrojejunostomy. (Click to read a few articles if you wish).
Not sure if there is a short way to say that, but for those familiar it is also the surgery that is done to counter obesity. Save for the fact that Casey's stomach should remain at almost 50% of its whole size.



 
Photo from here:
http://www.cancersupportivecare.com/esophagojejunostomy1.jpg

And a much better picture to show the "Y" part of it.

The bile from her liver will not be able to get anywhere near her stomach as the cut will be 28 cm beneath the duodenum (Tail end of stomach).
This promises to be yet another long surgery- They will use the same scar as she is to be filleted open during it all.
Should have had that darned zipper put in a long time ago...
She will be hospitalized at least a week too.

She has yet another prescription to hopefully hold her over until 2010.

And in the meantime...



... a few prayers won't ever hurt.

Hope all is well with you?
Love to all.

XOXO
Me

We are back in Minnesota- (Hopefully to be able to leave within reason this time too) hehehe Must get showered and dressed. Casey's appointment with Dr Sutherland is at 8:30. Punk is a bit ill/odd/sick. Not sure what is going on with her; and my back is something real fierce today... Love to all. XOXO, Me

FOOD! Carnivore? Herbivore? Or Omnivore? hehehe

Good Morning All;
Seems as though everyone is talking about food lately- Makes my mouth water to read some of your entries! (Maybe it is because I haven't done the 'real' grocery shopping in a while).

XOXO
Me

Thank you Sophie for sharing this!


The list includes fine food, strange food, everyday food and even some pretty bad food - but a good omnivore should really try it all. :)

The instructions are quite easy...

1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.

2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.

3) highlight in red any items that you would never consider eating.
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  1. Venison

  2. Nettle Tea

  3. Huevos rancheros

  4. Steak tartare

  5. Crocodile

  6. Black pudding

  7. Cheese fondue

  8. Carp

  9. Borscht

 10. Baba ghanoush   Will never do so again-

 11. Calamari

 12. Pho

 13. PB&J sandwich

 14. Aloo gobi aka: alu gobi, or aloo gobhi  (Cumin, I'll bet).

 15. Hot dog from a street cart   (I live under a rock. Carts won't fit).

 16. Epoisses   too scary.

 17. Black truffle

 18. Chicken and Waffles (only if I ran out of bread)?

 19. Steamed pork buns  huh?

 20. Pistachio ice cream

 21. Heirloom tomatoes

 22. Fresh wild berries

 23. Foie gras   before I knew it's history

 24. Rice and beans Senior Class exchange to Mexico

 25. Brawn, or head cheese  Don't like it.

 26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper

 27. Dulce de leche

 28. Oysters

 29. Baklava

 30. Bagna cauda   sounds like barricuda?

 31. Wasabi peas

 32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl  Country Kitchen

 33. Salted lassi   Arf?

 34. Sauerkraut    Mmmm (Click Here).

 35. Root beer float

 36. Clotted cream tea

 37. Gumbo

 38. Turtle Soup

 39. Oxtail

 40. Curried goat

 41. Whole insects

 42. Phaal (Its HOT!!!) Then no.

 43. Goat’s milk

 44. Pheasant

 45. Squirrel

 46. Fugu   I haven't eaten it, (I don't think), but there are a few people I could say this to.

 47. Chicken tikka masala

 48. Eel

 49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut No.

 50. Sea urchin   No.

 51. Prickly pear   No.

 52. Umeboshi

 53. Abalone

 54. Paneer

 55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal

 56. Spaetzle

 57. Tongue

 58. Skyline Chili

 59. Poutine A Québecois delicacy: French fries, gravy, and cheese curds

 60. Carob chips

 61. S’mores

 62. Sweetbreads

 63. Kaolin (But I drank a bottle of kaopectate when I was a kid).

 64. Currywurst

 65. Durian

 66. Frogs’ legs

 67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake

 68. Haggis

 69. Fried plantain

 70. Chitterlings, or andouillette

 71. Gazpacho

 72. Caviar and blini

 73. Dog

 74. Gjetost, or brunost (Is this cheerios for ghosts)?

 75. Roadkill

 76. Shoofly pie

 77. Hostess Fruit Pie

 78. Snail

 79. Lapsang souchong

 80. Bellini

 81. Tom yum  (Tom who)?

 82. Eggs Benedict

 83. Pocky (Do I need a vaccine for this)?

 84. Ostrich

 85. Kobe beef   Face it, I will never be rich enough

 86. Hare

 87. Goulash

 88. Flowers

 89. Horse

 90. Criollo chocolate

 91. Spam

 92. Soft shell crab

 93. Rose harissa

 94. Catfish  Mmmmm

 95. Mole poblano

 96. Bagel and lox

 97. Lobster Thermidor

 98. Polenta

 99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee

100. Snake
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So, are you hungry now?

Do tell !

XOXO
Me

And just for grins and giggles I have to throw this in...

You Are Milk Pocky

Your attitude: caring and charming You are smooth and silky... invigorating and natural. You ignite people's senses. You are very sensual. You are like comfort food for the soul.

What Flavor Pocky Are You?

       

To Boob or Not to Boob? What Say You?

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/17/health/17cancer.html?_r=1&hp
In Reversal, Panel Urges Mammograms at 50, Not 40 - NYTimes.com
By GINA KOLATA
Published: November 16, 2009

Most women should start regular breast cancer screening at age 50, not 40, according to new guidelines released Monday by an influential group that provides guidance to doctors, insurance companies and policy makers.

The new recommendations, which do not apply to a small group of women with unusual risk factors for breast cancer, reverse longstanding guidelines and are aimed at reducing harm from overtreatment, the group says. It also says women age 50 to 74 should have mammograms less frequently — every two years, rather than every year. And it said doctors should stop teaching women to examine their breasts on a regular basis.

Just seven years ago, the same group, the United States Preventive Services Task Force, with different members, recommended that women have mammograms every one to two years starting at age 40. It found too little evidence to take a stand on breast self-examinations.

The task force is an independent panel of experts in prevention and primary care appointed by the federal Department of Health and Human Services.

Its new guidelines, which are different from those of some professional and advocacy organizations, are published online in The Annals of Internal Medicine They are likely to touch off yet another round of controversy over the benefits of screening for breast cancer.

Dr. Diana Petitti, vice chairwoman of the task force and a professor of biomedical informatics at Arizona State University, said the guidelines were based on new data and analyses and were aimed at reducing the potential harm from overscreening.

While many women do not think a screening test can be harmful, medical experts say the risks are real. A test can trigger unnecessary further tests, like biopsies, that can create extreme anxiety. And mammograms can find cancers that grow so slowly that they never would be noticed in a woman’s lifetime, resulting in unnecessary treatment.

Over all, the report says, the modest benefit of mammograms — reducing the breast cancer death rate by 15 percent — must be weighed against the harms. And those harms loom larger for women in their 40s, who are 60 percent more likely to experience them than women 50 and older but are less likely to have breast cancer, skewing the risk-benefit equation. The task force concluded that one cancer death is prevented for every 1,904 women age 40 to 49 who are screened for 10 years, compared with one death for every 1,339 women age 50 to 74, and one death for every 377 women age 60 to 69.

The guidelines are not meant for women at increased risk for breast cancer because they have a gene mutation that makes the cancer more likely or because they had extensive chest radiation. The task force said there was not enough information to know whether those women would be helped by more frequent mammograms or by having the test in their 40s. Other experts said women with close relatives with breast cancer were also at high risk.

Dr. Petitti said she knew the new guidelines would be a shock for many women, but, she said, “we have to say what we see based on the science and the data.”

The National Cancer Institute said Monday that it was re-evaluating its guidelines in light of the task force’s report.

But the American Cancer Society and the American College of Radiology both said they were staying with their guidelines advising annual mammograms starting at age 40.

The cancer society, in a statement by Dr. Otis W. Brawley, its chief medical officer, agreed that mammography had risks as well as benefits but, he said, the society’s experts had looked at “virtually all” the task force and additional data and concluded that the benefits of annual mammograms starting at age 40 outweighed the risks.

Other advocacy groups, like the National Breast Cancer Coalition, Breast Cancer Action, and the National Women’s Health Network, welcomed the new guidelines.

“This is our opportunity to look beyond emotions,” said Fran Visco, president of the National Breast Cancer Coalition. The task force “is an independent body of experts that took an objective look at the data,” Ms. Visco said. “These are the people we should be listening to when it comes to public health messages.”

Some women, though, were not pleased. “I know so many people who had breast cancer and survived, and what saved their lives was early detection,” Janet Doughty, 44, of San Clemente, Calif., said in a telephone interview. She said she had had an annual mammogram since her late 30s and would not stop now.

The guidelines are not expected to have an immediate effect on insurance coverage but should make health plans less likely to aggressively prompt women in their 40s to have mammograms and older women to have the test annually.

Congress requires Medicare to pay for annual mammograms. Medicare can change its rules to pay for less frequent tests if federal officials direct it to.

Private insurers are required by law in every state except Utah to pay for mammograms for women in their 40s.

But the new guidelines are expected to alter the grading system for health plans, which are used as a marketing tool. Grades are issued by the National Committee for Quality Assurance, a private nonprofit organization, and one measure is the percentage of patients getting mammograms every one to two years starting at age 40.

That will change, said Margaret E. O’Kane, the group’s president, who said it would start grading plans on the number of women over 50 getting mammograms every two years.

The message for most women, said Dr. Karla Kerlikowske, a professor in the department of medicine, epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco, is to forgo routine mammograms if they are in their 40s.

Starting at age 50, Dr. Kerlikowske said, “the message is to get 10 mammograms in a lifetime, one every two years.” That way they get the most benefit and the least harm from the test. If women are healthy, she added, they might consider having mammograms every two years until age 74.

Nearly two-thirds of all women in their 40s had mammograms within the last two years, as did 72 percent of women age 50 to 65, according to an editorial by Dr. Kerlikowske that accompanies the report.

In order to formulate its guidelines, the task force used new data from mammography studies in England and Sweden and also commissioned six groups to make statistical models to analyze the aggregate data. The models were the only way to answer questions like how much extra benefit do women get if they are screened every year, said Donald A. Berry, a statistician at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and head of one of the modeling groups.

“We said, essentially with one voice, very little,” Dr. Berry said. “So little as to make the harms of additional screening come screaming to the top.”

The harms are nearly cut in half when women have mammograms every other year instead of every year. But the benefits are almost unchanged.

The last time the task force issued guidelines for mammograms, in 2002, the reportwas announced by Tommy G. Thompson, the secretary of health and human services. When the group recommended mammograms for women in their 40s, some charged the report was politically motivated. But Dr. Alfred Berg of the University of Washington, who was the task force chairman at the time, said “there was absolutely zero political influence on what the task force did.”

It was still a tough call to make, Dr. Berg said, adding that “we pointed out that the benefit will be quite small.” In fact, he added, even though mammograms are of greater benefit to older women, they still prevent only a small fraction of breast cancer deaths.

Different women will weigh the harms and benefits differently, Dr. Berg noted, but added that even for women 50 and older, “it would be perfectly rational for a woman to decide she didn’t want to do it.”

Researchers worry the new report will be interpreted as a political effort by the Obama administration to save money on health care costs.

Of course, Dr. Berry noted, if the new guidelines are followed, billions of dollars will be saved.

“But the money was buying something of net negative value,” he said. “This decision is a no-brainer. The economy benefits, but women are the major beneficiaries.”

Roni Caryn Rabin contributed reporting.

_____________________

***
(There are many links that you may want to read too, within the Times link at the top).

Thank You Cab, for the heads up!
http://cab65.multiply.com/journal/item/385

XOXO
Me

Will Condom Recall Lead to Sex Panic?

http://weirdnews.about.com/b/2009/11/12/will-condom-recall-lead-to-sex-panic.htm
Ruh~Roh! "Sum~Ting~Wong!"

XOXO
Me

******* Photo: (Flickr (cc: by-nc-sa): peachy92, file photo)

*******
This, from here: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/09/2737674.htm

Police in central China have closed a factory producing fake and unsterile condoms and are tracking down over two million of the unsafe contraceptives already on the market, state press say.

The condoms were made in a factory in Hunan province and are believed to have been sold nationwide under a variety of names, including those of well-known makers such as Jissbon and Durex, the China Youth Daily said.

Police have detained suspect manufacturer Li Anping, who allegedly bought condoms wholesale, added an unknown lubricant and crudely packaged them without sterilizing the product, the report said.

Several underage girls worked in the now-shuttered factory, it added.

Li allegedly produced up to 2.16 million condoms before the plant was closed down.

Fake and faulty products remain a major concern in China as unscrupulous manufacturers seek to make profits as the nation's economy booms.

************** From top link...

If you're sexually active and have used condoms, here's some news that's really going to gross you out: Chinese authorities have shut down a condom plant, saying it was producing unsafe and tainted rubbers.
Now, officials are looking for more than two million condoms that were produced by this plant and sold under brand names such as Durex and Jissbon, according to Australia's ABC News.

Officials say manufacturer Li Anping bought wholesale condoms, added an "unknown" lubricant and then repackaged them without sterilizing them. He also had underage girls working in his condom factory, according to the report.

This story is bad enough... but the real question now is how do you recall condoms? If you have the answer... please don't tell me.

Catfish ~n~ Cookbooks!

Good Morning!
I hope you all had a splendid weekend!

I was going to sit and catch up a bit here. Not going to happen as my back just will not be comfy any which way. (Might have overdid it on the outside work). But that is almost all done for 2009. (Say "YAY")!

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Recipe?  Food?!?!  Mmmmmmmmmmmm
Being partial to Parmesan cheese, I chose Oka's recipe suggestion for my catfish.
It was SO very good! (And I am quite happy to have a few pieces leftover too)!
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My palette awaits the lunch hour! Thank you Sweet Oka!!!
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Speaking of recipes, I came across this Xmas gift idea on Baby Mariahs page, @ Caring Bridge.
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"Cooking up a CURE, Volume IX"

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Micki writes: "TBKF is proud and honored to bring you Cooking up a CURE for brain tumors Volume 9. It is the perfect Holiday gift. With your donation of each $25, you will receive one copy of this great Hardback cookbook filled with over 300 recipes and so much Love. Not only will you be giving pages of tried and true recipes, but you will be supporting brain tumor research. to date the Cooking up a Cure series has raised over $43,000 for brain tumor research and the Brad Kaminsky Foundation has donated over $300,000 to adult and pediatric brain tumor research in the name of a cure.


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While you go and order your cookbooks, I must leave this desk for a while. Have a "wunnaful" Monday!
Love to all

XOXO
Me

Envy. Narcicissm. (And Underwear). *Ruzie's Fault.

Now we're having fun!
hehehe

I must go adjust my back...

Love to all

XOXO
Me



Pick one, or 4- Have fun with them! Let me know what yours says!
(Or let ME know if you think mine are accurate)?!
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You Are Occasionally a Narcissist

While you have healthy self esteem, you're really not that full of yourself. Compared to most people, you're quite humble! Though occasionally, you can't help and reflect on how great you are. There's nothing wrong with being proud of yourself - as long as you don't let it go to your head!

Are You a Narcissist?

Blogthings: If Quizzes Are Outlawed, Only Outlaws Will Take Quizzes

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Your Lucky Underwear is Blue

You are caring and extroverted. You've made relationships your number one focus, and your lucky blue underwear can bring some balance to them. You thrive in one-on-one situations. You are a good listener and a natural born therapist. Sometimes you let the concerns of others become too important in your life, leading to stress and worry. If you want more balance, put on your blue underpants. They'll help you take care of yourself first.

What Color Is Your Lucky Underwear?

Blogthings: We're Not Shrinks, But We Play Them On the Internet

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People Envy Your Compassion

You have a kind heart and an unusual empathy for all living creatures. You tend to absorb others' happiness and pain. People envy your compassion, and more importantly, the connections it helps you build. And compassionate as you are, you feel for them.

What Do People Envy About You?

Blogthings: We're Not Shrinks, But We Play Them On the Internet

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Your Handwriting Says You Are Somewhat Traditional

You are a laid back person with rather low energy. You aren't lazy... you *are* sensitive and empathetic. You range from very outgoing to very shy. You are a shapeshifter who is very versatile. You adapt well, and you look at things from many angles. You are balanced and grounded. You know how to get along well with others. You need a bit of space in your life, but you're not a recluse. You expect people to give you a small amount of privacy, and you respect their privacy as well. You are somewhat traditional, but you are also open to change. You listen to your head and your heart. You are a decent communicator. You eventually get your point across, but sometimes you leave things a bit ambiguous.

What Does Your Handwriting Say About You?

Blogthings: If Quizzes Are Outlawed, Only Outlaws Will Take Quizzes

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No, It's not Elitist to Think the Tea-Baggers Are Idiots

http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/143930/no%2C_it%27s_not_elitist_to_think_the_tea-baggers_are_idiots/
That's twice... ;-)

Arguing over a silly postage stamp (on a topic that is already 8 years old), I am blocked from yet another "Scarecrow from Oz".

I found this linked article today to be a very accurate representation of this inability to think on ones own, or to be loathe to learn.
Cartoon from Google search


******** Here's the article linked above, in its entirety.

"No. It's not Elitist to Think the Tea-Baggers Are Idiots"
Posted by Oliver Willis, Oliver Willis.com at 8:39 AM on November 13, 2009.


A post over at the Seminal is taking “liberal elitism” to task for not taking the Tea Party people seriously, and that that will lead to the election of Sarah Palin and other such ilk.

To quote our vice president, "malarkey."

While I have long argued that there is too much elitism on the left for my tastes, there’s a wide gulf between holding your nose in the air for no good reason and dumbing yourself down in order to appeal to the lowest common idiotic denominator.
Suck is the case with the Tea Party group and their leaders like Palin.

Far from the liberals in the ’70s who were clearly not responsive enough to the middle class, leading to the rise of Nixon and resentment politics, today’s left has gone to great lengths to be a big tent. So much so that some of our biggest fault lines are internal and don’t involve the Republicans at all. But far from the pre-Clinton great society types, todays liberals understand that without blue collar people on our side we don’t advance as a movement.

The problem is that the vast majority of the issues brought up by the tea party types and Palin are idiotic.
These aren’t people with the traditional lower-middle class concerns of Americans (which is my family background) but instead these are people who largely believe the conspiracy du jour, whether that involves secret armies, the president’s “true” nationality, or Nancy Pelosi’s “death panels” that are set up to pull the plug on Grandma.

While the concerns of many white, middle-class people are worthy causes and should be addressed by liberals (and are), it is not elitism to treat this roving band of conspiracy nuts for the cretins they are or associate with. This would be akin to President Johnson in 1964 undertaking a federal committee to study the mind control powers of fluoridated water. That would be asinine.

Liberals have in the past allowed the ivory tower set to exert too much control over the Democratic party. That resulted in a narrow focus and deserved electoral losses. But the idea that the tea party movement represents any sort of rational discourse deserving of recognition and outreach is absurd.

These are, by and large, the same band of stupid people we have always had in this country, whether they were in favor of submission to the British empire, secession from the union, alliance with Hitler, or decrying the president a “half breed Muslim terrorist”, we owe them no recognition or inclusion in the important discussion about the direction of American society.

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Me again now.
hehehe (I think it was too hot in the kitchen)...

The fact that people repost things, verbatim, (insinuating them as their own), is seamy at best. These things can be found in a thousand other places after one little search.
With these puppets there is an abject, and frightening, refusal to "learn" the truths of anything.
Then to 'demand' respect or submission to their whims, which ironically aren't their own either. Go figure.
(It doesn't work that way kids, and it never will).

"Do unto others"
Having been the subject of hate letters, being called many contemptible names, I have learned to respond exactly how that is given unto me.

There are entries smacking of hatred and bigotry... The Anti-Americanisms abounding, offensive and stinking at best.

Know that such a person is no loss, great or small, to me personally; but knowing that there are such fanatics out there that is alarming unto itself. (The word "RABID" comes to mind). As does "dense" and a few others.
(Oy, talk about negativity, I do not like me like this either). ;-)

Teach your children to always be aware of truth. To simply learn it if they don't know it.
It WILL win in the end.

XOXO
Me

Of particular interest, is the fact that those of you that KNOW me, know also that ANNA WILL NOT BE BULLIED!
Been there, done that; (got a divorce).

H1N1 and YOUR Pets/Animals

http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/zoonotic/tp/H1N1news.htm
The latest news about H1N1, veterinarians, and animals.
Funny how the data has changed since I posted this:
http://flintville.multiply.com/links/item/115

***

Stories about the H1N1 virus are in the news daily, and can be overwhelming. This news archive is focused on animal cases of H1N1. According to the CDC, the swine version (influenza type A H1N1) was first isolated from a pig in 1930.

To date, The H1N1 cases documented in turkeys, ferrets and a cat have caught the H1N1 virus from humans, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

***

Click the link above to keep your own pets safe.

XOXO
Me

Must go get my boobies examined now. Does anyone have a good catfish recipe that ISN'T breaded? Thank you so much in advance! XOXO, Me

One Mo' Blog. Thank you to my Friends.

This bear, received as a gift from a like~minded woman;
I believe that these were Brandy's exact words last Saturday!
-hehehe-

Good Afternoon!

So much going on at once-

Last weekend was a gift from Heaven, weather wise. It was in the 60's and even a low 70. Very welcomed weather for November. As I type though it is 48° and it isn't to get much warmer any more.  Yes, I will be mowing my lawns today with earmuffs on.
Sad/True.


Some of these pics were taken last week, some this week.

Casey has shortened class periods on Tuesdays and Thursdays- She generally drives out before or after those.
Of course Mr. Sputnik comes outside with us now... There are no two ways of getting around that unless I want to come back inside to a cat that actually "hollers" at me. (Too funny he is)! 
The weather matters not to him...

...As long as he is getting someones undivided attention!
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And what does Punk think of sharing her Casey's attention?
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HAHAHA!  
Maybe she ate a rotten crab~apple while she grazed?!? 
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She still loves the rubber Frisbee...
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Casey threw that one!  Way up high!
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Later that day to have Miss Kelli leave work early so there was still a bit of daylight left at the end of her day.
They chose to walk the dogs to the woods...
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Krazy Koko had run ahead and was nowhere to be seen anymore...
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Coco had gotten fixed 2 weeks earlier; and the vet had "grounded" her with her outings.
Having gotten her stitches out, that rule no longer applied!



Kelli had gone to a trade show and is showing off her new sweatshirt...


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I couldn't agree more!
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Kelli got to go to her trade show. I got to go to WalMart. (Such is life). hehehe

I bought 2 of these bird-feeders. I set one up out the south side of the kitchen; and the other to the west. I can see them both with just a few steps around the kitchen.
I love watching the birds in the middle of the winter. (Ok, anytime). & it never fails to amaze me that the birds can even live when the temps get so far below zero.
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Notice the squirrel shields up there. 
They work well, so far, too. I haven't had to refill the feeders for over a week!

Perhaps the pillaging varmints have died...

...Seeing as I had to "feed" them too...

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Mmmm!
It is out in the shed.
Punk and Sputnik are away from it.

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Last weekend I literally begged for help.  Yes, there ARE some things that my back is not capable of.
As you may know, the damned drains were not fixed yet. And while it bothers me none where the tub and the sink drain, it might bother a potential buyer. (I received a phone call out of the blue last week from a man whose son might be interested in my place. Nephew to Greg who already owns the 25 acres behind me).
So the silly stubborn drain had to be fixed.
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First to roll out the red carpet...  hehehe
.Then to free the stinkin' & stubborn "tee" that was plugged up.


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John Pryes rolled up his sleeves and dug in. (Thank God for friends)!


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While he was cussing up a storm in the crawlspace, Brandy, Casey, Sarah, and Ashley were busy elsewhere. My little dumpster was full to the brim yesterday!


John had to ask "The Boss" what to do next though...

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Fair is fair- As appointed Supervisor for the day, Sput had to get dirty too!
Notice this foreman is wearing a necklace made of cobwebs!  eeeeeekee!
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Finally getting the old pipe off, John, Casey, and Sarah, made a beeline for Pulaski to get a new one. (The old one being trash by the time it finally gave way).

So you ask, who ended up getting the dang thing off?
That would be Miss Brandy herself!
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You GO, Girl!
She might have been cussing my camera in this picture.
Of course she may have been explaining her work too.

Either way, the job was done!  The following day, Punk and I showered and it all went down to the septic, via the correct drain!
Say "YAY!"

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Yesterday Sue and Glenn came to get another truckload of apples!
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I swear there'll be more too
~because I don't know where the heck all these came from to begin with!

But it is done for another year. Thank you Sue and Glenn!
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While Punk did calisthenics with her Frisbee, Glenn fired apples into his box.
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     "The Suspended Apple!" hehehe
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Suzy Q brought my now empty dumpster back up the driveway!
Punk thought she was stealing it?!?  Goofy dog!   

Time for me to get outside shortly and do the final mowing. After all, I have to get that done before I have to beg John and Brandy to come over again and get the snowplow on the little tractor.


Hope all is well in your little corner of the world.  My love to all.

XOXO
Me

PS  Contrary to what some believe I do not sit around all day long. You should KNOW me better than that by now. As my back allows, I am sitting, standing, or laying down.  Does that afford me time to read? Yes, but only after my work is done thank you very much!
That one truly hurt...

Pre-Existing Conditions: Someone Who ‘Eats Like A Pig’ And Has Diabetes

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/11/09/armey-pig-eat/
My God, are there really people who believe God died and left him in charge?
What's YOUR pre-Existing Condition?
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Armey’s View Of Americans With Pre-Existing Conditions: Someone Who ‘Eats Like A Pig’ And Has Diabetes

Ensuring that insurers don’t reject any American for health coverage because of a pre-existing condition is a top priority of the public. Republicans have repeatedly said that they also want to make this change, but in the alternative legislation they released, Americans with pre-existing conditions would still be left out to dry.

Today on CNN, FreedomWorks head Dick Armey defended the industry’s discriminatory practices by saying that if you have diabetes because you “eat like a pig,” you don’t deserve coverage:

ARMEY: But now, they [government officials] come along and they say, irrespective of the fact they’ve gone 20, 30, 40 years of their adult life without ever having bought insurance prior to getting a liver inflammation due to their excessive drinking habits or diabetes because they eat like a pig, you must now insure them.

But at what point do we allow the government to order people that you must sell your product to this person or that person, irrespective of any good judgment? We saw what happened in housing when they ordered banks to make loans to people who weren’t qualified. Are we now going to have the same destructive influences in health care because we’re going to order doctors to provide services and so forth?

Watch it:



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In reality, these pre-existing conditions that can disqualify people from receiving health insurance often have nothing to do with unhealthy lifestyle choices — and they disproportionately target women. Some pre-existing conditions are having a Caesarean-section pregnancy, being a victim of domestic violence, or being a victim of rape. Most individual health insurance markets don’t even cover maternity care. Other pre-existing conditions that insurers have used to either deny people outright or charge exorbitant fees for coverage include being an expectant father, having acne, or being a police officer.

Many Republicans, like Armey, seem unable to grasp that denial based on pre-existing conditions is discriminatory. Last week, Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) said that insurers are justified in charging women more than men because we’re “all different.” He then compared a woman to a “smoker” and a man to a “non-smoker” to argue that insurers should be allowed to discriminate.

Armey also recently told the New York Times that the “largest empirical problem we have in health care today is too many people are too overinsured.” (He’s wrong.)

Transcript:

ROBERTS: Back on this idea of mandates that you talk about. Those mandates really are to guarantee certain levels of coverage, are they not? Like, you can’t be denied if you’ve got a pre-existing condition or if you’re pregnant. It also requires minimum standards for such things as mental health care. And there are a lot of mandates across the government on many industries, but that’s never called socialism.

ARMEY: OK. Well, let me just say, if the government said to the insurance company, no matter how many accidents, wrecks, drunken driving convictions they’ve had in the past and whatever is the condition of their record of driving habits, you must insure them, you would say that’s unreasonable.

But now, they come along and they say, irrespective of the fact they’ve gone 20, 30, 40 years of their adult life without ever having bought insurance prior to getting a liver inflammation due to their excessive drinking habits or diabetes because they eat like a pig, you must now insure them.

But at what point do we allow the government to order people that you must sell your product to this person or that person, irrespective of any good judgment? We saw what happened in housing when they ordered banks to make loans to people who weren’t qualified. Are we now going to have the same destructive influences in health care because we’re going to order doctors to provide services and so forth?

And the fact of the matter is, the government running somebody else’s business can very quickly become the diminution of the whole industry. And I promise this, about what the House passed the other night goes through, you will destroy medical innovation in America, you’ll destroy the incentive for it.

We are the nation of discovery, creation, and innovation in health care. The rest of the world copies us. If we don’t do it, it won’t be done, and it won’t be done under this plan.

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Do the click. There are some really GREAT comments on this article.

XOXO
Me

PS
Now would be the time and the place for any negative or rambling commentaries.