FRANKEN-STUFF

One of the things I loved about the The Al Franken Show on Air America Radio was the rotating list of cool regulars. It is, in fact, Al's show that made me an instant fan of Howard Fineman and Jonathan Alter (just to name a couple). But I think my favorite guest might have been Friday staple Joe Conason. Here's a bit about him from Wikipedia ...

Conason was a regular guest and a guest host on The Al Franken Show, where he had the distinction of being the only guest with two theme songs. He made an appearances every Friday as a commentator, as well as co-judging with Al their weekly quiz show Wait, wait, don't lie to me.

So, anyway, I was kind of excited this week to see that Noozhawk has added Joe to the list of syndicated columnists they carry. And not only that, but the first column they printed is an excellent discussion regarding health care. It starts off this way ...

Popular disgust over the fat premiums that financial executives bestow upon themselves is burgeoning, and rightly so. Those Wall Street piggy banks are filling up with billions upon billions of government-subsidized dollars.

But anyone infuriated by the grossly inflated compensation of the masters of finance should check out the incredible earnings of the top executives in the health-insurance business. They’re among the most highly paid suits in the country — not owing to any skill in providing health care, which they don’t do, but because they have succeeded in denying care, quashing competition, driving up costs and winning federal subsidies for their companies.

Joe goes on to give more details on the evilness that is the health insurance industry and then ends with this ...

They blatantly curtail competition, lobby for federal subsidies, boost premiums, ration care and cut access, while insisting that a public option would cause all those terrible consequences. Obviously, they believe that the rest of us are chumps. And they may well be right.

You go, Joe!

Since I began this post talking about Al Franken, I'd really like you all to watch this brief clip of Al questioning a woman from the Hudson Institute (over health care bankruptcies) ...




Now, THAT is how you fight for Americans!

OBAMA VS. FIRE

I can't help but notice that the increase in frequency and intensity of California wildfires has some of my Santa Barbara friends a little spooked as of late. Well, no need to fear fellow citizens, Obama is on the case ...


Obama To Enter Diplomatic Talks With Raging Wildfire

IS OBAMA NOBEL-WORTHY?

So, one of my Republican friends chats me today to dogmatically state that it is indeed "absurd" and "shameful" that Obama should receive the Nobel Peace Prize. While I was able to get him to back off the shameful comment, he's still pretty convinced the whole thing is absurd.

Now, while I can understand those who feel the President hasn't accomplished enough for this prestigious honor, I think maybe (lighting rod) Micheal Moore said it the best in his recent post. And I especially enjoyed this quote ...

P.S. Your opposition has spent the morning attacking you for bringing such good will to this country. Why do they hate America so much? I get the feeling that if you found the cure for cancer this afternoon they'd be denouncing you for destroying free enterprise because cancer centers would have to close. There are those who say you've done nothing yet to deserve this award. As far as I'm concerned, the very fact that you've offered to walk into the minefield of hate and try to undo the irreparable damage the last president did is not only appreciated by me and millions of others, it is also an act of true bravery. That's why you got the prize. The whole world is depending on the U.S. -- and you -- to literally save this planet. Let's not let them down.

I so agree with this!

Anyway, if this entire political jibber-jabber has you down, I suggest you watch this video of pigs the size of teacups. I mean, how can you be angry after that? ...

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Truth is an Absolute Defense

Freshman Florida congressman Alan Grayson went to the House floor yesterday and described the Republican health care plan as "don't get sick, and if you do, die quickly." The Average Man promptly went to his website and gave him twenty bucks. Apparently I wasn't the only one, as he raised $100K yesterday!

Now, even better -- he goes on the Wolf Blitzer show and Does. Not. Back. Down!



YEAH!!!

Now let's see if some other Dems will learn a lesson.