Watergate Summer

"A Just and Lasting Peace" President Obama accepts the Nobel Peace Prize

2009-12-10T08:50:00.010-05:00

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President Obama and Michelle leave the event and are embraced and applauded, a moment that we can be proud of...
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The event was momentous and I will post more photos later.I was struck that the crowd listened so carefully, and with such silence. The only applause moment was when Obama brought up the importance of the Geneva Conventions, the applause was immediate and forceful and profound. His speech was gracious, humble and amazing. It honored History, he spoke of Leaders that problemsolved and embraced Diplomacy, but he Quoted the great words Community Organizers of Ghandi and Martin Luther King. He also honored the Struggles of Movements of Hope and Change ( Burma and Iran), as well as the bloody struggle of Darfur, the Congo. He spoke of the wars that America is engaged in, not as Bush-speak "Spreading Democracy", but as missions that need resolution ,repair. He did not justify Iraq, he did explain that Afganistan is an unresolved problematic situation. He spoke of Waging Peace, not war, which showed that his goals and values are not carrying forth Bush Warmongering. Perhaps in a way he was setting forth his own Doctrine.
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Do read the Speech linked to the Title, some poignant parts are below.
"So even as we respect the unique culture and traditions of different countries, America will always be a voice for those aspirations that are universal. We will bear witness to the quiet dignity of reformers like Aung Sang Suu Kyi; to the bravery of Zimbabweans who cast their ballots in the face of beatings; to the hundreds of thousands who have marched silently through the streets of Iran. It is telling that the leaders of these governments fear the aspirations of their own people more than the power of any other nation. And it is the responsibility of all free people and free nations to make clear to these movements that hope and history are on their side."
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"I make this statement mindful of what Martin Luther King said in this same ceremony years ago - "Violence never brings permanent peace. It solves no social problem: it merely creates new and more complicated ones." As someone who stands here as a direct consequence of Dr. King's life's work, I am living testimony to the moral force of non-violence. I know there is nothing weak nothing passive nothing naïve - in the creed and lives of Gandhi and King."

Strange Light in Sky over Norway before Obama's Speech....

2009-12-10T08:28:00.002-05:00

(I don't think it is an UFO- but it is really interesting...this Russian news service says it might be a Russian Rocket ?)

We Must be Children of a Lesser God? Democratic Senators Hack the Public Option :CALL DC TODAY.....50 MILLION LIVES AT STAKE

2009-12-09T03:50:00.010-05:00

In Late Night Deals the Dems did the Unthinkable, they killed the Public Option, calling it " Compromise". Kiss My UnInsured Ass- NO WAY......Read the Post linked below from the LA Times....Call DC today- Scream...Shout....Say what Needs to Be Said- DO IT NOW.....( all contact Info is linked on the Side, Call Senators, call the Whitehouse....Enough is Enough)

This "Change"also does nothing to Help UnderInsured, the Young without Insurance, and Small Businesses...Millions who NEEDED the Public Option....

And this song below was on my mind ALL night....the Pain the Agony of watching....it captures it all.....

I am angry...frustrated right now....there is a place that is beyond fathom, beyond description....this song describes that place better than I ever could...About watching what is going on and how our Young People worked for a better Future,but so did we, we worked so hard to bring Change for them as well....with true heart,energy...power...ALL of us worked for 2 years- we made Promises to Ourselves to our Future..and Somehow we need to embrace that and remember that....

I saw this video tonight and it made me cry...one of the Riders gets hit by a man in a Nice Car in his nice suit and tie...it metaphorically really hit me that I feel like I have watched the Public Option and 50 million people get hit by a Man in Nice Suit....Hit and Run by Greed and Circumstances.....But in the video the boy who is hit opens his eyes,he gets up, he Rises, he Rides again....he is not alone, or abandoned by the Riders, his fellow Warriors...And for me that is the Lesson, None of us is in This Battle Alone, there is Power in Knowing that. 50 Million have NO Insurance, No one to care, But Each other. THAT is worth Fighting for, there are lives at Stake....This Battle is Not Over....And when they show the Fires in the Distance, I think that is what this has been like, for monthes now...but that Something Inside all of us must Rise from the Ashes, if this HealthCare Bill is a Disaster, then it will be up to us to Ride On, Push Forward, we can not turn back from OurSelves or Each Other....
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Lyrics from the song:
"Into the night
Desperate and broken
The sound of a fight
Father has spoken

We were the kings and queens of promise
We were the victims of ourselves
Maybe the children of a lesser God
Between Heaven and Hell
Heaven and Hell

Into your eyes
Hopeless and taken
We stole our new lives
Through blood and pain
In defense of our dreams
In defense of our dreams"
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About the HCR Bill, the Fucking Dems did the Unthinkable tonight...they murdered the Public Option....you can read about their piece of shit "Compromise " here in the LA Times....I hope Bernie, Sherrod and other don't vote for this pulverized pitiful excuse of a Bill.....Millions of lives hang in the balance....

Olbermann's Special Comment -one hour ( october)..WHY we need our Health Care Crisis Addressed with Real Solutions...Public Plan is a Must

2009-12-08T01:27:00.000-05:00

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Then it was December ....Bare Trees and Bitter Winds and Soul Searching

2009-12-02T10:06:00.019-05:00

The Break from Blogland....
So Thanksgiving came, and I was thankful to be with my son, that we had helped bring Change this past year.....But as the Cold Winds blew in from the Lake and the Bare Trees stood against the wind....I felt empty... as brittle as the bare branches.
And the winds batter the branches in different directions, the wind is bitter, unkind, unrelenting....I have been haunted by the past few months watching the Republicans and Teabaggers show that indeed Americans can be more than Ugly, they can be Heartless,Shallow,full of Hate....Soul-Less. We don't have a mere Empathy Deficit, we have an Empathy Famine.

I fought Bush Regime for 8 very long years,even blogged it, just like so many others.But the Diseased part of our Country and Our Government left me stunned...breathless....sickened...that they walk among us, and they are hellbent on destroying a Chance at Change, or bringing their neighbors or those that have been so hurt by the Bush Years any relief...This past summer and fall has been a massive Reality Check....I needed to catch my breath.

So I needed to take a few more days to find my Compass, the one that grounds me, settles my heart, helps me reach for Hope and relight my Heart..... Sorry I needed a few extra days.....
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Joss Stone and Jeff Beck ...Amazing version of this song "People get Ready".....

Here is an amazing blog that you need to check out: Meet Kitty she is a gifted storyteller....
And some more soulfood Pink Granite is a find....

Does Music Heal ? Listen to these videos.....

2009-12-02T10:00:00.005-05:00

Seal, Jakatta, and Thomas Newman...."My Vision"....Think Music can't take you away ? listen to this....

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This video is by these brothers who think that Music can keep kids safe, and help them become creative and empowered, and they are on a mission to help young people make music, all kinds of music...It's about a different kind of Healing.
Raw Beautiful Talent..."Nuttin but Stringz" amazing...Inspiring...Read more here about Why their story and their goals to help children and young with music....
This video tells their story.....

"Thunder"....

And to learn more and hear more go to their beautiful website....they will truly feed your soul....

Speaking of Healing, does your soul need healing? Cookies are VERY medicinal....click the title

2009-12-02T07:39:00.000-05:00

The Big Black Dog site has the most amazing Cookie Recipes...you will drool....

This Thanksgiving Deja Vu of Thanksgiving of 2005....read the attached post to see why...

2009-12-02T07:28:00.000-05:00

I blogged back in 2005...about Thanksgiving questions about War and troops in far away places.....then I was cursing the Bush Regime....and here we are...and now we have learned that President Obama wants to send troops , 30,000 to Afganistan,and I am stunned...saddened...

Margaret and Helen always know how to cheer everyone up...

2009-12-02T07:00:00.002-05:00

These two are so funny, yet wise, do read the attached blog,just click the Title-you will laugh and feel so much smarter....

Have a Good Thanksgiving...

2009-11-23T23:09:00.009-05:00

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"It is every man's obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it."~Albert Einstein
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May you spend this day with those that you love...Give to Something that matters and feeds your soul,sadly 49 Million people in our country are struggling with Food Issues, please do give what you can. I did also set up a Twitter Page to learn more about Food Banks, and where to give.
....I am going to spend the time with 6-6...and give to those around me at the local Foodbank.... and I am taking the week to work on the book (Silent Fallout)....take care of yourselves..be sure scroll down to see the Maya Angelou Video ("And I Rise") and read Jenny's Story below.
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This song is "Swim" by Jack's Mannequin...it's about Surviving...being grateful for what is in one's life...Here is more about Andrew McMahon and how he continued to make music while he battled Leukemia (ALL)...

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"No one has ever become poor by giving."~Anne Frank
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I will be back in December to continue the Health Care Battle.....Namaste
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"When you come to the edge of all that you know,
you must believe in two things:
there will be earth upon which to stand,
or you will be given wings."
unknown

The Story Of Jenny...Health Care Story MUST Read...WHY we need Reform..

2009-11-23T23:00:00.008-05:00

{ This story originally posted 11.15.09 and now Huffpost and Countdown are sharing the Hough's Story this week, please do read the Story linked to the Title as it is Midge explaining what Happened to her lovely Daughter-in-law and unborn baby...it is a story that must be told and shared.Thank you.}
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This family went through hell...watching a young mom die without Health Insurance and without adequate care. Please read the story linked to the title, and you will be haunted how this young mom got so sick and died.As a young pregnant mom she needed prenatal care and good care,especially with the Swine Flu attacking young moms she should have received better care,whether or not she was Insured. As a nurse her story haunts me...worries me. Today her brave mother-in-law Midge went to a #HCR rally where she was met with the Wrath and stupidity of Teabaggers....What kind of country are we-that we let young moms die like this ? Where Self Righteous Repugs and TeaBaggers can insult a grieving mom at a TownHall Meeting about Healthcare for all of us ? How Broken are we ? Are we so Broken that a Lack of Compassion is clouding our Judgement as a Nation ? First do watch the video of Midge telling her family's story:

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The Houghs went to a Town Hall Meeting this weekend, with Dan Lipinski.The Rep did indeed try to keep his cool, explain about the HCR bill as it is now, the crowd is hostile, volatile....This is the Teabagger crowd that yelled hurtful insults to this brave grieving couple who go to these events to share their story about WHY Reform is needed...( For Twitter: Link : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIlLyELifA0 )Midge Hough wrote this to me when she sent the video,"It's not pretty it shows the evil in humans who should be taking care of each other". She is right to raise this issue, is this why People can not understand this Bill , This Need, is it because they have No Compassion or not enough ? Do watch as Midge bravely tells the story of what happened to her daughter in law, and how she and her unborn baby died and she bravely confronts the audience, some of whom were laughing at the pain of her family. The Video is very well done.

The Houghs Description of their video: "The Chicago Tea Party Movement reveals their true side at Rep. Dan Lipinski's Town Hall Meeting on November 14, 2008 in Oak Lawn IL. It is hard to believe just how ugly they have become."
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This story must be shared please do forward either on Facebook or Twitter or on the Blogs. Thank You.
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This week, Other blogs and media are sharing the Houghs Story::
November 23rd Raw Story did the story and updated it.
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Huffington Post also did cover the situation Nov23.
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Think Progress ran story 11.23.09 also exposing the Heckling Teabaggers.
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Wednesday November 25th, The Houghs were interviewed and their story told in the Ed Show MSNBC:
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Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

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Jenny's Memorial Tribute video:

"And I Rise" Maya Angelou

2009-11-23T22:50:00.000-05:00

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This is my favorite poem..always...it gives me hope...for all of us...no matter how bad things are...
(originally posted 11.12.09)

Free Health Clinic in Arkansas Over Weekend

2009-11-23T22:29:00.011-05:00

The Arkansas Free Clinic really did a wonderful job this past weekend, as Keith Olbermann explained on Countdown Monday eve.
1500 showed up to receive care, there were again direct admits to the hospital, even one Heart Attack, and 4 suicide preventions and others that were diagnosed with Diabetes.And again many that showed up were Working Americans or those laid off this year and who have no access to care or Insurance. Again I have linked the National Free Clinics website to the Title if you wish to give or need information about the Next Free Clinic in Kansas City.

Think Progress had more on the event, and reported what we needed to learn about some of the details.
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This local Arkansas article from the weekend interviewed people that attended,and once again showed how many Working Americans have no access to Affordable Care.
Snippett::
The National Association of Free Clinics is the non-profit organizations behind the event. It's an advocacy organization for the more than 1,200 free medical clinics nationwide, but officials say free clinics are not the solution for the uninsured.One by one uninsured Arkansans are called to see a doctor for a physical and routine health screenings free of charge.

Asa Muhammad says, "I have had health insurance for my family for the last 14-years, now since I don't have a job, no insurance. If I could afford to buy insurance I would."

Muhammad was laid off a year ago and wants proper health care for his kids. He says, "You are afraid that they might get hurt. You don't want to be burden with an emergency bill or any medical bills at all. It's difficult, it's sad, but it's difficult."

According to the National Association of Free Clinics, from 2006 to 2008 about 490,000 Arkansans went without health insurance and 83 percent of free clinic patients nationwide have jobs.

Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter says, "I met a woman who hasn't seen a physician in 5-years."
Halter arranged the location for the clinic. He continues, "These free clinics are certainly not the desirable solution, but they are an important part of filling a very important gap. We simply must have comprehensive health care reform. Our health care system cost too much, leaves too many people uncovered."Until then, folks here will get information on local free clinics for follow-up care.

Dr. Kimberly Garner adds, "Our health care system is broken and we need prevention of problems, we don't need to wait to treat somebody until they're sick. These people aren't the people that are homeless or anything like that. They fall in that area where they don't qualify for any kind of benefits, but they can't afford health care."
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Local NPR reported how 1200 Volunteers assisted with the process caring for 1500 others in the one day event.
"NAFC Senior Director, Carrie Thompson says over 12-hundred volunteers participated in the Little Rock event and provided sometimes critical care for the uninsured who came. A final tally on the clinic showed that more than 90 percent of those who came had three or more life-threatening conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, cardio-vascular, and pulmonary disease."

England is Examing it's role in the Iraq War...and it's Legality

2009-11-23T22:00:00.006-05:00

This article in The Guardian linked to the title, is interesting as it presents a Story that has not been in the media here, the English are questioning their role in the Iraq War, and the legality of the war and the thrust and rush of going there, and was it a ginned up effort.Sadly they are hitting legal walls and difficulties putting together a panel- but the article asks interesting questions and raises concerns. If they are willing to examine the History of that period of time and decisions made, when will we ?
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They are also starting to examine of their soldiers violated the Geneva Conventions, The Independent has more about the Investigation. It would appear that Britian is looking not only at their role in the Iraq War, but also their conduct.
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11.24.09 Raw Story In British Hearings today it came out that THE BUSH GOVERNMENT STARTING TALKING ABOUT TAKING OUT THE IRAQI REGIME ONE MONTH AFTER TAKING OFFICE IN FEBRUARY 2001.
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11.24.09 The Guardian reveals report with Evidence of Complicity in Torture...
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11.24.09 The Independent has more revelations as to how the Drumbeat for Iraq War began LONG before 911, Most of the UK papers are starting to point out that Blair was led by Bush down this path.

Photo Essay on Mother Jones: Seven Families lay their Fallen to Rest...

2009-11-22T23:00:00.003-05:00

Really beautiful poignant post...and the photos are amazing...Before any "decisions" are made about More troops anywhere these stories should be shared. Sadly our MSM is so focused on Palin and Crappy Vampire Movies they are missing stories like this...

So Where the Hell Was Senator Voinovich that he Missed this Historic Healthcare Vote in the Senate ??? Oh do read this...He is indeed a Schmuck

2009-11-22T03:21:00.004-05:00

What do we say when a Senator Abandons his Constituents on such an Important Issue as their Health and Wellbeing ? You can click the title , but I also encourage you to read below.
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(Enigma Background with Ohio)
I live here in Cleveland, and have for over three years....I have been astounded HOW the Political leaders here treat their citizens....and sadly it is not just Repugs that seem to disregard the citizens and their plight, it is also Dems. This county is facing huge unresolved corruption issues.( What else can you say when the FBI & FEDS bring U Hauls to town to clear out garages and offices ?) And we all remember the Spectacle and Demise of the 2004 Election ( I was not here for that...thank heavens..) BUT....In that time I have been to a HCR rally with Marcia Fudge ( and got to see Teabaggers up close), and then there's Sherrod Brown who I admire and respect and sent me two very nice letters about HCR.

And then there is Voinovich....The Senator has been a disappointment over and over.His office will rarely let one leave a message( either office DC or here.) I have never gotten Any responses to any letters or emails. What really bothered me is that earlier last year I heard when I was canvassing for Obama that is how is as a Senator and how he was as a Mayor as well.

( and for anyone that does not KNOW our History here, Alot happened under Mayor Voinovich, and the City has never really recovered fully and suffered.Dennis Kucinich did try to repair much of the damage when he was mayor....but it has never recovered financially or on any level business to education ).

So then we come to Voinovich MISSING this Historic Vote in DC.....He was here, in Cleveland...Celebrating his Reign as Mayor 30 Years ago with a Party for himself. I can not even fathom with Thousands and thousands UnderInsured and UnInsured here, the Foreclosure Capital of the Great Lakes, and Hundreds of Thousands losing their jobs, and he was Giving himself a Damn Party. What do we call that ? Arrogance ? Greed ? Narcissism ? What message does this send to his Constituents ? His People who are struggling everyday with Financial Burdens and 190 lost their Health Insurance and Health care every day, What is the Message that he sent them tonight ?

Congressional Switchboard Taking Calls Today :202-224-3121. Just ask for your Senator's office.

2009-11-21T10:20:00.003-05:00

Lines have been Jammed do keep trying...Remember the Stats::
>50 Million UnInsured, Millions more UnderInsured.( the US Census of 2006 results has 47 Million, but over 6 Million have lost their job since then.)
17,000 Losing Healthcare everyday, that is >500,000 /month( >6 Million this year).
>70% of Bankruptcies are due to Medical Debt- that means that many are losing their homes and business due to Illness.
>47,000 /yr Die without Health care or Insurance.
500,000 are currently fighting cancer without adequate Healthcare, Cancelled by their insurance.
8 Million Children are UnInsured and without Healthcare.
People very day are dying without healthcare, one every 12 minutes.....Remind our Senators that Our Health Care Crisis effects Democrats and Republicans....
Stats: Harvard Studies,Kaiser Family Studies,US Census.

HCR Battle today...on Cspan2...Hopefully it will be Cloture, 60 Votes and then on to the Debate....find me at twitter @watergatesummer

2009-11-21T06:48:00.013-05:00

I will liveblog it and Twitter it during the day....This is D-Day folks... Scroll down and you can read more about the Senate Bill.

(1) Center for Policy Analysis breaks down the House Bill.
It is worth looking over, even though the Senate Bill might be stronger, and has no Stupak Amendment.

(2) This report by the Commonwealth.org compares the Senate and the House Versions ( Both of these were found by Ray Beckerman).

(3) Delusional Ignorant Sarah Palin got her hate on early this am, Putting on her Twitter page to KILL the HCR Bill. ( And sadly she has 25,000 of her dumb RWNJ's as followers ).
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2:40PM today Blanche Lincoln will be voting Yes tonight at 8PM, that makes 60, and Mary Landrieu is the 59th.....so stayed tune for 4 PM Floor Debate....8PM Vote
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Teddy 's Passion WHY we need Healthcare for ALL-1978:

Teddy blasting on HCR:

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So they Voted whether to proceed...it was tense, voted at their desks...Senator Byrd arrived, pushed in his wheelchair....
and It was hard to hear the Responses...But we tweeted when we heard them...and finally it reached 60 YAYS and 39 Nays..
oddly Voinovich did not show and did not vote...really strange. I don't know WHY he did not show- but truely a coward.
His "letter" is posted in the comments, still unclear why this Historic Vote he would not vote. The News Coverage was pathetic, CNN and MSNBC both broke in with a little 2 Minute update- that was it. FOX covered "it", mostly be letting Repug Senators come on and whine....

BUT we should all know after many monthes of hard work and battle that we did get what Millions of UnderInsured and UnInsured Needed....a Path to Reform.....

So after Thanksgiving...the Debate and battle will begin anew...
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A post by a watcher...friend in the UK about Health, it's an Open Letter putting it all in Perspective....

President Clinton....Arkansas Needs Recognition of it's HCR Crisis....Put aside your Ego...Please

2009-11-21T06:13:00.003-05:00

Please read the attached FDL post about President Clinton, who has a problem with the Free Clinic there...because he is carrying a grudge against Olbermann. We have Problems in this Country, Millions without Healthcare,Food, Homes, we don't have time for our past leaders to let Egos get in the way of Taking Care of Millions. Click the Title to read the post about Clinton.

8 Million Children UnInsured....Daily Kos Story...

2009-11-21T04:07:00.000-05:00

Unemployment Map.....Click the title..There is No State that is "safe"

2009-11-21T04:05:00.003-05:00

Do click the Huffington Post article and explore the details.

Wonkette has posted the Teabaggery Video...Mockumentary...

2009-11-21T02:44:00.000-05:00

Click and watch.....amazing little piece of work...

The Senate HCR Bill Was released Online, Please Click the Title

2009-11-19T02:22:00.006-05:00

(Sadly I could not open this file until 2AM, so I apologize the post on this Bill is late, but I will be working on it tomorrow).
Up front it is looking better than expected. There is a Public Option, and even though the State OpOut Part is there, it is set up that it can not go into effect for atleast 3 years. There is NO Stupak Language or Amendments that I have found. Young Adults could and would be covered on their Parents/Family plan until 26 years old. And up to 31 Million of UnInsured would be covered.
I will give you more information tomorrow. ( Click the Link to the PDF- it is large, over 2400 pages).
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LeftAlabama.com made a List of some of the Major Points::::
Opt out for the public option -- that doesn't kick in until 2014.
Penalty for individuals who don't purchase insurance is $95, also beginning in 2014.
It doesn't include the Stupak language, but the public option won't cover abortion services.
The opt-out mechnism is a law -- so it would have to pass both houses of our Legislature and be signed by the governor.
Subsidies would apply to a family of four making up to $88K or 400% of the poverty level.
Medicaid would be expanded.
No denials due to pre-existing conditions.
They raised the trigger limit for the tax on nice health insurance plans.
Medicare payroll taxes would rise 0.5% on couples making more than $250,000.
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Think Progress has the breakdown on this bill that is worth reading...

NOLA Free Clinic (held Nov14th, reported Nov17th by Countdown.

2009-11-17T22:55:00.004-05:00

Linked to the title is the story about the Nov14th Free Clinic.
Another amazing post about this story is written here by a Countdown producer, Rich Stockwell, really beautifully written, it really does show how much need there is in NOLA for the working people there to have access to affordable Healthcare. Sadly Countdown is the ONLY MSM that has been reporting on these Free Health Clinics. The MSM has continued to not cover the extent or gravity of the Health Care Crisis in Our Country.

Do watch the video in the post below to hear about the Clinic.

Countdown and the NOLA Free Clinic...

2009-11-17T22:55:00.002-05:00

the Free Clinic in NOLA. New Orleans really needed this clinic, many that came had not had medical care in years. 80% of those that came have jobs but no Health Insurance and therefore No Health Care. 4 People that came were admitted directly to the Hospital. More than 1500 received care, more would have been served but they still lack resources in NOLA. The Next one will be later in the month in Arkansas.Please do watch the MSNBC Countdown Section on this.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy