leonardse's Comments (30)

“What amazes me is that the weak-kneed people in Congress who are either on the take or just plain scared of losing their congressional seat know that the American public is aware of their inability to support the right decision, and yet they continue to obstruct the will of the people. It is unbelievable that these people have such a lack of good judgment and still show their face in public. They absolutely have no shame. I guess they are not any different than the insurance Execs.”

“I like the person's idea about moving the trial out of NYC to Podunk, IA. They could probably use a financial boost. On the other hand, I think KSM should be tried in Texas. Now if that doesn't scare the hell out of a terrorist, I don't know what does. They would prefer to execute five minutes after the trial.”

“Rudy cleaned up NYC so no criminal is safe to wander around in a city of millions. I don't think this third-world sand flea is going to be much of a threat in a NYC courthouse. In fact, with all the waterboarding, he could be heard squishing a mile away. Quit using the threat of "it is a danger to our country". It is getting a bit worn and most people aren't buying this Repub blather anymore. In fact, if everyone had been doing their job in THIS country, 9/11 may not have happened. Rudy may have changed his spots, and it maybe understood better with a list of his clients who are making him awfully rich.”

“I think there are a lot of frustrated people in this country, both Demos and Repubs. I think there is a majority that is tired of the "do nuthin" Republicans who don't give a crap about the American people ,but only want to get even for electing Obama. IF Obama gets going and becomes a strong force, then I think the American majority will back him. They are waiting for him to take a strong stand on ANYTHING. If he takes control, why would it be any different than past Republican Administrations? Screw the Repubs, they don't need to be a part of a consensus. They ask for concession, and then vote against legislation anyway. However, there is no "there" there yet. I think Obama can still do this despite incoherence of the Repubs, and yes, the racism that has raised it ugly head. If Obama doesn't take a harder tack, it will work against him. Remember, if we are asking if this is overt (covert) racism, then you can be sure it is there.

Forget a health care bill. Pass enabling legislation and then form a commission who can take this on even if it takes 2-3 years to develop. It would make more sense than what is going on now. Why rush legislation in the speed of a 20-second sound bite? It will inevitably be just crap, anyway.”

“I suppose that if this argument is true, then your next article with refer to Limbaugh and Hannity as Heckle and Jeckle. Were they lucky? I can't remember.”

“Like most Conservatives, you are just coming to the table with issues that arrived and left the station long ago. No new ground plowed here.”

“Healthcare reform has to happen. If it does not happen now, who knows how long it will be before this once again becomes an important issue. If the Repubs get back into power in 2010 and/or in 2012, you can bet this will disappear off the radar screen (for a long, long time). When Hillary was promoting this in Clinton's administration, the big error (in my opinion) was that it was being directed by politicians. I remember sitting in a meeting when a leading Senator told us that change(national health) will come and there was nothing we could do to stop it. Well, we didn't and they didn't. Our group was actually interested in health care change. It showed us that politicans can preach to the (wrong) choir. However, the fact was (and still is) that change had to come. Hillary wanted national health when no one was ready to accept that. We probably still are not ready. However, this does not preclude "change". Change is desperately needed. This can't be done in one month or six months. It will probably take a couple of years to do it right. That is worth the investment of time and money. We need legislation to enforce whatever is decided (by NGO's), not legislation telling us how health care will be accomplished.”

“I worked in the field of health care administration for 35 years (not for an insurance company, Doctor's group or hospital).

Yes, healthcare does need reform. In my locale, our hospitals struggle every day to remain solvent. The one hospital group (non-profit) recently sold out to a for-profit national corporation. The hospital group is a great provider, but the best they could do recently was to get back in the black, and actually had a $4 million surplus. The problem is that they need to invest $100 million to renovate and update their equipment in order to be competitive. There was no way this could happen. The only alternative was to sell to a for-profit organization. Corporate promised a new world to the hospital staff, the Board of Trustees and the community . There is no way they can make the $100 million investment PLUS a committment to invest an additional $150 Million in the community. There is no magic bullet. They have already started making cuts. I have seen this type of takeover before. They lied through their teeth to the local Board of Trustees (who are volunteers, not professionals in healthcare), knowing full well that the "promises" could not be kept. They are leveraged to the hilt and they also know that once this decision was made, there was no turning back. My prediction is that this will all blow up within five years and Corporate will walk away leaving a disaster for our community.
.”

“fratricide08-

You are absolutely dead on. There are many arguments (even within Japan) whether Japan would surrender and if not,, what would have been the toll. Many in the service were dreading an invasion of the Japanes mainland knowing it would be an absolute bloody fight to the end. We will never know for sure. However, I agree that this should be shown to everyone in the world so they understand what can happen in a much larger degree than these two bombs.”

“My wife was diagnosed with hypothyroidism several years ago (finally!). She had been going through all the issues that many other people have experienced before getting this problem under control. One of her major stumbling blocks was finding a physician who cared and was curious enough to stay involved. Many physicians have never learned much after leaving medical school and those who still think a TSH of 5-10 is normal are among those physicians. Yes, my wife had a Dr tell her that her reading were normal. I had a friend with the same problem who found out that her Dr had received lab reports indicating the TSH as being abnormal, but he over rode the lab and told she was normal. She found this out and now insists on copies of the lab reports ,including the one that her doctor had received showing abnormal test.

What appears to be normal is that any number is not a norm. My wife feels best when her TSH is .5 or less. My friend indicates she feels good with a reading of 2. It appears that how the patient feels is one indicator of what is normal for that person.”

“This article never referenced the fact there was a second male helping Professor Gates get his jammed door open. Any way, I read this in an earlier, different article. Could that contribute to the mistaken idea it was a burglary? Why did the neighbor across the street not recognize Professor Gates? It was in broad daylight. If she knew him, and didn't care about him, why would she waste her time calling the cops? Once the cop discovered Professor Gates actually lived there, he should have apologized, wished him a great day and left. It sounds like there were a lot of words exchanged in anger and then escalated to a couple of damaged egos.

An ombudsman should talk to all parties, including the second male helping Professor Gates, and the woman across the street. Then put together a timeline and scenario how this happened. If this truly was a black on white or white on black confrontation, then this emotional episode needs to calm down do to reason and logic. Also, this was an article written by a former student (no matter how brilliant) and may be should have been done by a real journalist which should also be a consideration in determining an objective report. We see police officers overstepping the use of common sense every day and it is happening to whites as well as blacks or Hispanics. THAT is the real reason this should be pursued by an independent ombudsmen.”

“Are we supposed to bomb Iran? This is what Bush and Cheney wanted to do. They were stopped because others (with a brain) told them it was insane and the American people would not stand for it. A war on a third front didn't make much sense then and certainly doesn't now.

Now, would our saber-rattling do any good? Ask the Kurds and the Georgians. THe Republicans stated a long time ago that they want Obama to fail. You can't "take to the bank" anything they say.

The religious clerics could not blame the US this time, and actually had to standup to defend themselves, and not blame the "Great Satan". Good for them and good for us. The change in the country is coming from the right place, their own people. No doubt, there will be change. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but Iran cannot go back. They are defending their idiot President (hmm, sounds kinda familiar). The clerics are fighting among themselves. Now there is a war we can all support.

Maybe Obama is spending too much time trying to please all sides, but at least he is trying. Bush did leave him one helluva mess. Check him out in another year or longer and see if we are any better off.”

“What is amazing about Cheney is that with all his health problems, he is still alive! Unfortunately, it is also the reason why this country got into so much trouble (militarily, economically, morally, and by any other measurement) . We couldn't catch a break. We still haven't.

This amoral jerk would have served well as party leader in the "Old Russia". In fact, he operated and conducted himself just like the old-style Communists. Amazing!”

“Sunny 123-

You are right. The morning paper and 1/2 pot of coffee (with cream, no sugar) is a most enjoyable part of the day. Being in a smaller community, the local news is also of interest. I don't want to sit in front of a computer to read my news. I had enough of computers in my career and limit my time now that I am retired. It is kinda like the damned telephone. I had enough of that at work and I am happiest when the damned thing doesn't ring all day.

I guess if we are to be "green", then we need to use less paper. However, I don't want to lose the printed word.”

“steve-annie-
You got it. This Administration needs to put together a blue-ribbon panel (people who know something, including Actuaries) to not only rehab Social Security, but also the Private and Public pension plans, including 401-K's and Defined Benefit plans.”

“What most people who are in 401-K plans don't understand is that 401-K plans are not retirement plans. It has been accepted by employers not being involved in a defined benefit plan. Most large employers were participating in defined benefit plans and either terminated or "froze" these plans in favor of a 401-K. The reason for them is obvious. They wanted to have a plan for their employees and no responsibility to maintain the plans beyond their contribution (if any). 401-K plans were derived by legislation added to an IRS rule allowing for deferred compensation (mostly for upper level management) that was not taxable until the employee retired or withdrew the deferred compensation from their employers. It was not a retirement plan. All subsequent rule changes like allowing employees to diversify their 401-K plans such as getting rid of Company stock and purchasing other stock or offering additional plans such as mututal funds to diversify their holdings came on the heels of catastrophic events like Enron. That is a poor time to make changes.
It is ridiculous to assume that the amateur employees have the wherewithall to manage their own investments. The brightest of the bright (Bill Miller, et al) don't get it right. How in the hell is the average worker supposed to be an astute investor? BTW, I would guess that the "average" account at Starwood does not represent the majority of the workers. After all, the "average" includes highly compensated employees.”

“Alumtrix-

Did you notice no lights came on when there were only Republicans left in the room.?Par for the course.”

“Rush has had a good run. He never had an original thought in his life and survived on being a blowhard, classless, drug-laden jerk. He is only regurgitating stuff that has already been reported. We can complain about how much Wall Street Execs make, but it is amazing how much Rush is being paid to spout venom. He serves no useful purpose on this planet.”

“Alaska is a quasi-welfare State. They are not enraptured with the Federal government, but they revel in all the pork Stevens and Young have brought home. After all their legal problems, they are in the position to get re-elected AGAIN! Palin is only another version of Alaska only, more perks and earmarks for their "favorite state". They pride themselves in low taxes for residents when they can get money from the Feds and anyone else (Head tax on all visitors to Alaska on cruise ships and 50% tax rates on the oil companies) they can hustle. Nothing new here. Just greed! Every man, woman, and each child will soon get $3200 from the Permanent Fund. Obviously abortion and birth control is not in their best interest. Screw religion.”

“Let's see. Palin is a 'maverick" like John.
Well, she seems to be closer to Obama. The right wing nuts think Obama is a Muslim, his wife is a terrorist and they will invite the Black Panthers to the WH. Are any of these radicals still alive?

In comparison, Palin supports the Alaska Independent Partry whose goal is to secede from the USA. Her husband was a member and she was a featured speaker (sympathetic) at their convention twice.

Obama had the Rev. Wright. Palen had her own minister who said about the same thing that Rev. Wright said, including the damning of the USA.

The only difference with Palen is that she is a little slower. It took her about 4 years as "the Mayor" to figure out how to get on the "earmarks" gravy train. However, when she found the trough, she came through with flying colors.

Many articles have discussed how Alaskans are so proud they have no income tax or even a negative sales tax. Alaska are charging cruise ship tourists, gouging the oil companies (the Americans pay for this by higher costs) and Earmarks like no other state per capita. Actually, some refer to Alaska as a welfare state. Interesting argument!”

“Georgia foolishly started this fiasco (not quelling a rebellion!) and just handed an opportunity for Putin to send his troops into Georgia. The blame lies at the feet of the Georgian President. This was really stupid on his part, but more importantly, put his country in jeopardy. Hubris?

Jon McCain has nothing important to say and certainly this doesn't make him look "Presidential".

What is NATO supposed to do (other than a lot of rhetoric) in support of a stupid move made by Georgia? Is NATO expected to support with military might a not yet member of NATO who chooses to inflame Eastern Europe, poitically, and cause a lot of tension for other former Soviet Bloc countries? As soon as this happened, the issues with Poland and other former Soviet countries come to the forefront. Great move on the part of Georgia.”

“Michale-

Obviously this issue is not a recent issue, but goes back to 1991 when the first elected president of Georgia "cancelled" the agreement negotiated between Ossetia and Russia. At that time, Ossetia was considered an independent entity, so I guess the question is how could Georgia cancel a valid agreement between Ossetia and Russia and to which they were not a party other than in their own minds? There is plenty of blame to go around in this current fiasco of which Georgia is no less culpable. We in the West continue to have the inability to understand historical grudges of which the passions are so strong that reason flies out the door.

In the least, Georgia made the biggest miscalculation because they obviously had the most to lose and did not have the ability to protect their losses. The response from Russia certainly should not have surprised Georgians, even if the Western countries were caught flat-footed.”

“Well, Michale-

It appears you have followed this drama very closely, however, I disagree with your assertion that the Russians are the only ones asserting a claim over South Ossetia. The South Osettians evidently have asserted their loyalty to Russia. Do they not count?

It is obvious Georgia made a HUGE mistake with many mistaken assumptions regarding help from the West. This has the fingerprints of the Bushies all over it and yes, once again, they screwed it up. I don't understand why the Georgians would not have realized the Bushies are inept and not depend upon them with their lives. "Stupid is as stupid does".

Georgia offered autonomy for allegiance? Well, you have to "want " to have allegiance. Evidently, those people in South Ossetia do not want to be part of Georgia. Why can't they choose? That is about "democracy"spouted all over the world by Bush. I guess if it doesn't go his way, then it is not Democracy.”

“Michale-

You can slice it any way you want. It doesn't change anything. Even the Georgian government now realizes that they made a big mistake and no one is there to pull their gonads out of the fire. Anything that happens will be "negotiated". Maybe even on the world stage. I am sure it will be a lot less than they had prior to the "rebellion".

Other bloggers talk about NATO might versus Russian not so "might". Well, NATO can't even fulfill their committment to Afghanistan, so the chances of them invading Russia is probably nil. Let's face it; reality has set in.”

“The Russians are paranoid? What the hell is new? Of course they will bite back when they are pushed and prodded. Notice that their image is a bear. Screw around and you get your ass bit!

If we are so concerned about Iran with their non-weapons (yet), then put the missiles in Israel. They will even pull the trigger for us. We insist the missiles have nothing to do with Russia, but out of the other side of our mouths we are arming Poland against Mother Russia and promoting NATO. This is too stupid.
We are in the midst of creating another stupid situation that we cannot control. The Georgians were expecting the Americans to come to their aid if they invade some podunk offshoot between Russia and Georgia. Supposedly, the US warned them against such a stupid move. They must have gotten some assurance somewhere. They truly expected the US was going to help them militarily if the Bear gets pissed and starts an invasion. Who the hell were they talking to? All we can do is let Condi and Dubya blather on demanding immediate concessions from Russia. Putin knows that this Administration is now toothless and is laughing up his sleeve. We gave him the perfect scenario. All the right-wing talking heads and neocons will probably want to start WW111. My God, we have enough problems. We don't need our idiot politicians rattling sabers and juicing up the newest conflict that didn't have to happen.”