The Time Traveler's Wife - Take Tissues Or Insulin

OK, I admit part of the fun of this movie is getting to see Eric Bana naked dozens of times, however the film itself is pretty good.

Let me temper this by saying I never read the novel, so I am basing my opinion solely the movie. It is a stange story of a woman who falls in love with a man who somehow moves back and forth through time. Rather than a voluntary thing, his travels are triggered by some random means so he is often tossed into a strange situation. Because it is something genetic, he arrives au natural, something that makes his trips less than serene.

Not to dwell on the story, for fear of giving it away, I will tell you how this film made me feel. The movie had a strange melancholy effect and though it is a touching love story it is also somewhat sad and nostalgic. The message of the picture was about memory, loss and love, and it managed to touch most of the audience by the number of sniffles I heard as we left the theater.

It is a little bit of a science fiction mixed with a healthy dose of "chick flick", and though I usually don't like the latter genre, this movie worked for me. Though some might find it a bit saccharine, I liked it a lot...and Eric Bana has a nice ass.

A Taste of Their Own Medicine - Republican Bachmann Heckled at Town Hall

The tide may be turning. Republican Michelle Bachmann got a healthy dose of heckling at her Town Hall meeting from people demanding "health care now".

Michael Moore Targets Wall Street

Hi Wall Street! Watch this:

McCain Confronted By Angry Citizen - Why Don't We Have Your Health Care Plan?

And now the shoe is on the other foot.

Ted Kennedy - Gone But Never Forgotten

I was awakened this morning by our clock radio. It's tuned to the local NPR affiliate. They were doing a retrospective of the life and accomplishments of Senator Edward Kennedy. Immediately I knew he had died.

It seems that the media never does this kind of thing until you are gone and that's unfortunate. A man like Kennedy, who has been a fixture in American politics since I was a kid should have been better appreciated while he was living. Luckily, the voters in Massachusetts knew how good he was and kept reelecting him to the Senate. Lucky for America, too. He was a real liberal voice in a sea of mealy mouthed moderates.

We will all miss him.

Democratic Headquarters In Colorado Vandalized - Enough Rabble Rousing From The GOP!

The level of inflammatory rhetoric from the Republican party has reached a tipping point. Now their enraged thugs are vandalizing Democratic Party Headquarters. What's next?

The level of rabble rousing has to stop! Reforming the insurance system in this country does not equate to the kind of crazy talk coming from the GOP. The death threats are increasing and the reasoning is completely false.

The GOP is telling its base that reforming health care is in some way "fascist". I guess the base is illiterate because fascism is the exact opposite of what is being proposed but they have never let the facts get in the way. The result of their campaign has lead to violence and I fear worse will come if they do not tone it down.

When supporters of the right wing start showing up at Town Halls with guns (which they have) its playing with fire. People like Grassley and the like need to put a cork in it for a while and stop banging the drums. If our government starts being intimidated into making decisions because of violence, well that is really fascism!

UPDATE: Though some in the press are saying the person accused of vandalizing the Democratic headquarters is a Democratic Activist, I disagree and here is why. A story in the Denver Post today shows the vandal is connected not with the Democratic Party but an anarchist group.

The political identity of alleged window basher Maurice Joseph Schwenkler — once a matter that spawned bickering and accusations between Colorado liberals and conservatives — became clearer Wednesday.

Anarchist websites lit up across the country as Schwenkler's friends in Colorado asked for cash to bail out the 24-year-old, who stands accused of felony criminal mischief and was described in the solicitations as "a transgendered anarchist" using the name Ariel Attack. Schwenkler was released from jail on $5,000 bail Wednesday.

I still lay the blame for the violent mood of the country squarely on the GOP and their lackeys. Not surprisingly, anarchists get riled up just as easily as anyone when you begin waving pictures of the President in a Hitler mustache.

Michael Jackson's Death A Homicide!

Like I said last week, get ready for the indictments in the Michael Jackson death. Today, sources say the LA County Coroner ruled the pop star's death a homicide. More soon.

Texas Health Insurance Sucks - Why Do Texans Want To Keep It?

Finally the Democrats are figuring out that the GOP is never going to reconcile on Insurance Reform. I call it that because this is what this whole thing is about. Health Reform mostly means insurance reform and it's time we called it what it is. The Republicans have been sucking the teat of the insurance companies for so long they are afraid do anything that will upset them. In Texas that is particularly true.

How bad is it here in the Lone Star State?

• 25 percent of people in Texas are uninsured, and 75 percent of them are in families with at least one full-time worker. (U.S. Census Bureau)
• The percent of Texans with employer coverage is declining: from 57 to 50 percent between 2000 and 2007.
• Much of the decline is among workers in small businesses. While small businesses make up 70 percent of Texas businesses,⁹ only 32 percent of them offered health coverage benefits in 2006 -- down 5 percent since 2000.
• Choice of health insurance is limited in Texas. HCSC (Blue Cross Blue Shield ) alone constitutes 39 percent of the health insurance market share in Texas, with the top two insurance providers accounting for 59 percent.
• Choice is even more limited for people with pre-existing conditions. In Texas, premiums can vary based on demographic factors and health status, and coverage can exclude pre-existing conditions or even be denied completely.

To make matters worse, the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality give Texas a "weak" rating as far as quality of care. We have a population that is seeing more and more health problems as well.

• 20 percent of children in Texas are obese.
• 25 percent of women over the age of 50 in Texas have not received a mammogram in the past two years.
• 44 percent of men over the age of 50 in Texas have never had a colorectal cancer screening.
• 66 percent of adults over the age of 65 in Texas have received a flu vaccine in the past year.

So with this kind of situation staring us in the face, tell me why the hell anyone would be upset at having a better, cheaper option to the existing insurance system that quite frankly doesn't cover nearly enough people or conditions?

It's time the Democratic Party went it alone and started acting like the majority. If they don't, they will loose that majority in coming elections. Now, write your Congressperson and tell them to get with the program!

Signs & Wonders - Pastor Blames Tornado On Gays

It figures. When faced with the wonders of nature, some people with puny beliefs have to make connections with the insignificant activities of us humans to everything, and I am not talking about global warming (a real thing!).

John Piper, pastor at Minneapolis’ Bethlehem Baptist Church ( of course he's a Baptist!) has blamed the city's recent tornado damage squarely on the shoulders of not only gays, but Lutheran gays. He sites the recent Lutheran conclave and the decision to “agree to disagree” on the issue of homosexuality.

What a strange God this minister follows. A sociopathic entity who selectively punishes innocent people for the actions and thoughts of others? If that is Old Tyme Religion, count me firmly in the New Age.

Michael Jackson's Doctor May Be Charged With Manslaughter

Don't say I didn't tell you that this would happen, but Michael Jackson's Doctor, Conrad Murry is being charged with manslaughter according to a Fox News report. According to the report there are arrests and more charges coming, too.

"Murray isn’t the only doctor who faces criminal charges in connection with Jackson's death on June 25. A law enforcement source told FOXNews.com that Jackson’s longtime dermatologist, Dr. Arnold Klein, will be hit with charges related to medical malpractice. Investigators are still building their case against Klein, and he will not be arrested for at least another two weeks, the source said."

Health Care Explained on a Napkin

Healthcare Napkins All

View more documents from Dan Roam.

American's Want Government "Out of Medicare"?

Never underestimate the stupidity of the American People, or at least some of them.

This latest poll was ostensibly about Health Care, but it really exposes a problem with our educational system.

Public Policy Polling asked people if the "government should stay out of Medicare".
39% said yes!

To make matters worse, only 62% of those responding believe President Obama is a US citizen. Of the 38 percent who either don't believe or are unsure, some think he was born in Indonesia, Kenya, the Philippines, or France.

Six percent of the total poll respondents also don't think Hawaii is a U.S. state.

I fear for our Republic.

Barney Frank Says What Everyone Else Is Affraid To Say!

I can only say that Barney Frank again has earned my respect as he confronts one of the crazies who are comparing Obama to Hitler.

Colbert Skewers the Pundits Again!

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
The Word - Must-Be TV
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Protests

Health Care Forum Descends Into Antisemitism

The blatant racism expressed at these town hall meetings has now spilled over into antisemitism. At a meeting in Las Vegas a man who was praising the health care system of Israel was shouted down with taunts of "Heil Hitler"!

This crap the GOP is calling debate is a ruse, it's just plain hatred and has nothing to do with the health care system, it's all about the White House and the Republicans no longer being in control. Enough already!

Anchorage Mayor Vetos Gay Rights Ordinance

If you ever wondered about Alaska being the "trailer park" of America, well here is further confirmation. The Mayor of Anchorage vetoed a LGBT rights ordinance. Sarah Palin apparently is pretty typical of Alaskans in her homophobic views.

Now if this sounds like I am throwing down the gauntlet, I am. Please someone from Alaska prove me wrong.

Jack McGeorge Passes

I just got an email that my friend and fellow leatherman Jack McGeorge died today. He was a founder of Black Rose in Washington DC and an active speaker and presenter.

Jack was also an arms inspector by trade and worked with the United Nations prior to the Iraq War looking for WMD. He was outed in the press and did not waver in his job. Now that's something anyone can aspire to.

Jack was a charming and very funny guy and I will miss seeing him at events and parties.

Glen Beck Looses More and More Sponsors

What do ConAgra, GEICO, Lawyers.com, Men's Wearhouse, Procter & Gamble, Progressive Insurance, RadioShack, Roche, SC Johnson, Sanofi-Aventis, Sargento, State Farm Insurance, Wal-Mart, CVS, Best Buy, Allergan, GMAC, Broadview Security,Re-Bath and Travelocity have in common?

They have all pulled their advertising from Glenn Beck's show on Fox.

Beck's baseless drivel and specifically his accusation that the president is a "racist" have gotten his ass in a crack and with luck Fox will find his show unprofitable and put the country out of our misery. Sending Beck to the TV boneyard would be the best thing for American Television since color.

Crazy Arizonans With Guns At Obama Event!

Now pardon me if I am overreacting, but what the hell is the Secret Service doing letting people with assault rifles and pistols at a Town Hall event where the president is speaking?

If this was during the Bush reign, the guy would be in Guantanamo already. This is getting really crazy and security seems way too lax! WTF!

More Republican Lies About Health Care Reform

I guess when you don't have a valid argument you just have to make stuff up?

Roy Blunt, House Republican from the Show Me State (Missouri) needs someone to show him the truth so he can stop lying. This from the St. Louis Post Dispatch:

“I’m 59,” Mr. Blunt said last week during a meeting with Post-Dispatch reporters and editors. “In either Canada or Great Britain, if I broke my hip, I couldn’t get it replaced.”
We fact-checked that. At least 63 percent of hip replacements performed in Canada last year and two-thirds of those done in England were on patients age 65 or older. More than 1,200 in Canada were done on people older than 85.

Stop lying Mr. Blunt. Americans are sick and dying because of our broken health care system and you can't even tell the truth?