Volume 1 Issue 8

November 21, 2002

"Universal" Health Care

Lima Beans, Knocking down the opposition, and reindeer droppings

Well, sorry this is a bit delayed again today, we had another 2 hour discussion about where to order lunch from in our office today. But, we do get a good quote out of it from our local office curmudgeon and economist, Bill, who noted that the worst possible phrase to hear when one goes to a Thanksgiving dinner is, "Boy, I hope you like lima beans." In some housekeeping business, keep those name suggestions coming in, we have some real good ones so far.

OK, to start off, DC. So, after all the to-do about shutting down the D.C. General hospital, and privatizing "public" health care, there seems to be some other problems. First, the hospital that took over "indigent" care (for those who can't pay) just declared bankruptcy. Of course, that probably won't really matter, because it appears that the DC government has found a very simple way to save money on health care: Just declare everyone dead. Seriously. This new policy apparently got a test yesterday when a 49 year old heart attack "victim" was declared dead (w/o a doctor present), zipped into a body bag, and thrown in the morgue freezer. Only problem is that about 2 hours later she was apparently still alive. As sad as this is, the article has some great quotes in it. Such as the fact the DC medical examiner appears to believe the best way of judging someone's life signs is to stare at them. I'd recommend calling the MD paramedics if you find yourself in a similar emergency...I hope this isn't what Al Gore meant by single payer -
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17597-2002Nov20.html

The final candidate count in Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District special election: 44. Looking over the list it's interesting to see not only a bunch of Dems and Republicans, as well as a smathering of independents, but even multiple Green Party candidates. By the way, there are 16 Republicans running, 12 Democrats, 13 Independents, 2 Greens and a Libertarian. Sounds like the beginning of a bad joke -
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2002/Nov/21/ln/ln1 1a.html

This week, the House knocked down the Tip O'Neill Office building. I mean, geeze, do the Republicans hold that much of a grudge? I mean, the Longworth and Canon buildings are named for GOPers and the Dems never knocked them down. Of course, the official reason is that they need more parking and that the building was "structurally unsound". Right, because now that they've closed off like 20 streets in the area and turned them into parking lots, they still need more. These people ever hear of a subway?

The countdown begins: Only 14 days until Strom Thurmond's 100th Birthday!

Al Gore Watch: Was on NPR's Morning Edition this morning, called for Bush to fire all his economic advisors. Archived at npr.org. The resurgence continues!

Ivy the Reindeer returns!: Apparently, Ivy the 19 foot long reindeer was returned anonymously to the Virginia mall where he was stolen from over the weekend. No word on any suspects or motives...

They're making new forms of life in the DC suburbs...is "man made killer mutant attack" insurance available yet?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17496-2002Nov20.html

A Child in South Africa has apparently been eaten by a snake -
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/11/21/1037697814559.html

One of America's richest bankers is having trouble building a series of 6 and 9 foot high gates around his new 44 acre mansion -
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/states/new_jer sey/4567950.htm

Madonna ran out of money at a London restaurant last week, and had to borrow =A32 from sisters at a table next to her -
http://www.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/Music/11/20/offbeat.people.m adonna.reut/index.html

Have a great afternoon!

Gregory S. Gadren