JenniferInMO's Comments (89)

“I don't believe you have seen any of Moore's movies. Your comments clearly indicate that. None of your links are to reputable sources and the articles are opinions based on ideological grounds, not fact. The links that do try to debunk are more fill of hyperbole than information and rely on fringe "reports." You need to discern fact from fiction. There exist all kinds of "reports" on any number of subjects which are corporate funded which can show that anything from cigarettes to trans fat are good for you.

Moore's movies are not partisan, rather they accurately and pointedly show a problem and in the case of Bowling for Columbine doesn't even draw a conclusion or call for a particular action.

Try watching a movie and using your brain rather than buying the talk show lines and then trying to find partisan op-eds and blogs to back up what you are told to think.”

“So instead of actually watching one of his movies you are buying in to the right-wing fringe's line about his movies.

You sound clearly ignorant by making a blanket statement like that without having seen any of his movies.

The fact is that no one has been able to disprove a single fact in his movies and he has offered rewards to anyone who would and many have tried.

Moore's movies are nonpartisan, do not slam a particular person or ideology, rather he points out the painful truth in a way that cannot be denied while still managing to entertain. He does more in-depth investigation than most "news" organizations. He also has free screenings all over the country for people who have fallen on hard times. He donates a ton of money from his movies to help people in need and his last movie was downloadable online at no cost whatsoever. Not bad who has to make sure that his movies make money for the companies who finance and distribute his films.

Stop rocking back and forth in a corner while listening to talk radio. Go and see one of the movies and determine its value for yourself.”

“Beck most certainly does not represent the American public. He represents the paranoid fringe. People who watch him feel they are part of something bigger and more main stream, but the fact is that his views are a small fraction of the American public. The mainstream finds his views paranoid, silly and deranged.”

“Cheney isn't hiding much anymore. There is plenty of evidence of his criminal behavior which is now public. The issue is whether we hold those entrusted with ultimate power in our country will be held accountable or if justice merely consists of throwing millions of poor people in jail for unpaid traffic tickets and possession of marijuana.”

“Why aren't we inundated with political cartoons depicting that image? Good metaphor.”

“I don't know what you are laughing about. You really STILL aren't following the reasoning here.”

“The same thing they are doing now - they will provide basic emergency care to make sure the person is stable then kick them to the curb. Emergency treatment is not health care.”

“Mackey can say and think whatever he wants. I respect that and defend that. But as a CEO of a publicly traded company he needs to understand that his words, stated publicly have consequences. Maybe the gun toting Deathers and Birthers will start buying tofu, but this Progressive has stopped shopping at WF until Mackey is removed from his position. That is MY right. His words are more

I sent an e-mail to the company with my decision. I was formerly a regular shopper there, and while my little twice monthly visit there is a drop in the bucket, try asking the marketing department how much it costs to attract and keep a single regular customer. I'm sure there is a dollar figure attached to every one of their snobby, tofu munching customers who refuse to support such nonsense.”

“BTW: Tort reform is a buzz word for corporate/special interests' effort to limit liability to their customers/clients/patients. I'm sure the healthcare industry would love as much "tort reform" as they can get.

Here are some basic facts you should consider about so-called "tort reform":

"Tort reform" has been taking place since the '80s. As a result:

Patients are more limited than ever to hold their medical providers responsible for harm caused by negligence.

There is more harm caused to patients by negligence because of the limits, RATIONING, restrictions and pressure to treat patients quickly, cheaply and to keep them away from costly surgeries and hospital stays.

Patients are limited in the amount they can recover in court (often far less than their medical costs to correct or treat the damage), they are also limited in the time they have to sue before they are barred from filing suit (even if they aren't yet aware of the negligence).

Healthcare costs, insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs to patients have skyrocketed in spite of "tort reform."

It costs a small fortune to prosecute medical malpractice cases. The costs of hiring other doctors and professionals to serve as witnesses can be $50,000k+ for a small case.

You need to look at facts rather than spewing out corporate talking points. Most of the people at HuffPost have a desire to learn facts, understand them and formulate their own opinions. Your canned talking points don't go over well here.”

“I agree. My husband is a pretty gutsy conservative. He travels a lot so he meets people and regularly strikes up political conversations with strangers (ballsy, isn't he?). Almost all of his stories involve a group of right wing nut jobs regurgitating scare tactics and progressives moving into the discussion as it gets heated. He often finds a good deal of support even in very rural areas of Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas where he regularly travels. Stand up, be proud, know the facts and speak them confidently. You will find friends you never knew existed.”

“You just clearly proved the author's point. You haven't read the bill either, have you? And what bill are you referring to? The House bill (not voted on yet) or the Senate bill (there isn't one bill yet). Say hello to Tinkerbell for me.”

“Thank you. It brought a tears to my eyes. It will be a beautiful day when President-Elect Barack Hussein Obama can finally drop that "Elect" from his title.

As an aside, I will be imagining Sasha and Malia jumping on their beds with joyous giggles and carefully placing their favorite Jonas Brother posters in their new rooms. Maybe their happiness will clear out some of the wretchedness left by the previous administration.”

“I remember when Coleman said he'd back out "gracefully" if he was running behind. I forgot about it until now. There were so many ways to smack Coleman with this but Normoyle chose the clever, slow, logical slam dunk approach.

I suppose Coleman would rather have no one represent Minnesota than finally stop kicking that dead horse? Doesn't he have some law suits to defend himself against? An investigation to worry about?”

“Her parents tried to contact me year after year, but I just couldn't talk to them. As years went by I ran into her parents a few times and it was wonderful to see them. Their loving hugs were comforting. They gave me their number, but I never called. I guess I was afraid of causing them pain by reminding them of that awful time.

I am now 45 years old and it has taken a long time to get this through my head but I should have called them. They needed me and I needed them. We could have worked through it together. I wouldn't have been a painful reminder, I would have been a loving reminder. And seeing them would not have caused me pain, it would have helped me to heal.

I recommend to all of Vincent and Stephen's friends if you find yourself not dealing with your grief, if you still feel numb or have problems coping please find a grief counselor. I wish I had. It would have saved me years of struggles and I would have been able to remember my friend with smiles instead of tears much more quickly. Mary needs you and I am sure she wants you to be there to remind her of her two beautiful sons.

Hearing about your tragedy has convinced me that it is time for me to call. I will do that in the morning.

Thank you.”

“Mary,
I wish I could hug you. I am not a mother, but I lost my best friend when I was 16. On her 16th birthday, my best friend (24/7 friend) suddenly went into a coma for no apparent reason. Weeks later, after never regaining consciousness she was the first Toxic Shock Syndrome death.

I walked through the next few months like a zombie. I worked with the student council to raise money for the local Children's Hospital where she lost the battle for her life. I stood by her mother, father and 4 y/o sister as more than 1,000 people showed for the visitation. It had to be extended to 3 days to accommodate everyone. It was amazing to see how many people took time out to show their support.

Soon after, I just started going back to school and stopped talking to her parents. I didn't talk to my parents about it and my parents didn't know what to say to me, so they gave me lots of hugs but said nothing.

Time went by. I had problems at first during college because I had always assumed it would be the two of us. At every milestone in my life I felt an emptiness for her and for her parents. I don't think of her as often as I first did and it isn't as painful. Time does help. But every once in awhile I am sad.

(cont. in reply)”

“That was a beautiful post. I agree with every word, but mention of Warren's HIV/AIDs program bothered me a bit. I read an article this afternoon on his PEACE program: http://firedoglake.com/2008/12/21/rick-warren-pays-himself-first/

I think it is important to read this. Words are wonderful and it sounds like Warren was making a gesture of peace and unity. That is admirable and cannot be discounted, but before volunteering to help with any of his programs, check them out for their true purpose so that we don't find ourselves supporting a mutual cause that isn't mutual after all.

Thank you Melissa. You have a beautiful soul.”

“The more people fight back with the truth the more difficult it will be for Hannity to retain any credibility with his following. Even the most ill-informed will eventually start to doubt him. I used to think ignoring Hannity, Limbaugh and others in their field of entertainment was the best way to deal with them. I was wrong.

Your calm, logical honest statement of truth is the the most effective. But others must do the same. Never let up. Always respond with truth and call him and his brethren to the mat.

Thank you.”

“This is an unprecedented and effective gesture of integrity and respect for the checks and balances of our Constitution. They could have done this at the end of the Obama Administration, instead they are signaling a strong intent to play by the rules, work above board and respect the powers of each of the three branches. Bravo to both of them.”

“I am glad we are watching so that we can hold Obama to doing the right thing. But in all fairness, how can he possibly break a promise when he hasn't set foot in office yet? The economy is spiraling out of control, oil has fallen from $150/barrel this summer to $46/barrel today, Bush is sabotaging whatever he can as quickly as he can and yet Obama still appears to be doing a phenomenal job of preparing for his Presidency.

No one knows what will be left of this country on January 20th, but I am delighted that Obama seems to be anything but a "stay the course" kinda guy. So long as he sticks to the vision he stated throughout the campaign I will not be upset if the specifics change a little (mind you, some things are more important than others).

I want to see the changes we were promised but I think it's a good think to give the guy a chance. One of the most important issues to me is to see our civil liberties restored, but I don't expect to see it on day one. I will be watching, but I do not intend to start complaining intensely until he has had at least a year in office.”

“There is a very good post which lays out an indisputable argument for universal health care. In fact, it is compelling. I would love to hear the comments of those of you who are afraid of universal health care after reading this article. I would like to know whether it changes your mind and if not, please tell me why not: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/11/25/7564/6432”

“"We, the citizens, need to retain the ability to end universal health care should it fail as in most other nations." WTF? While there are good and bad examples of universal programs they are not failing. In fact, most industrialized nations have universal health care of some sort. The World Health Organizations have found that the countries with the best health care in the world ALL have some sort of universal coverage. We, by the way have poor health care compared to other top industrialized nations and ours costs more than twice as much.”

“That is an absurd comment. Are you really saying that people would be less responsible for their own health if they didn't have to pay a fortune for health insurance?”

“If you are insured or self insured you are getting royally screwed because you are resisting a plan which would result in health care for all. Please see my comment directly above.”

“What you people are missing is that YOU are getting fleeced. We can improve health care, insure ALL Americans and do it for less money than we all pay now.

The line that universal health care would be a hand out to anyone is fear-based tactic that the health insurance and pharmaceutical companies and their lobbyists have programmed into all of us.

France, for example has a hybrid system of a single-payer program for all citizens and private companies offer very inexpensive buy-ups. The World Health Organization has rated France's health system the best in the world. Ours is way down the list and we pay TWICE as much per person as France does. AND we have a over 50 million people without any insurance and even more who are underinsured.

Talk about hand outs, when someone has to go bankrupt because they can't pay their bills who absorbs that? The very profitable health insurance companies? Guess again.

And if that doesn't motivate you we have twice as many people (as a percentage) than France who die for lack of adequate health care. A large number of that percentage is our high infant mortality rate. But then who wants to give babies a hand out.”

“You are right. Christ would walk right past the poor and sick. Oh, wait ...”