Town Hall For Dummies
Today is Prez O’s NH town hall meeting day. By mid-morning there were already demonstrators outside the Portsmouth High School; approx. 100 pro-health care plan and perhaps half that many anti-health care plan. This forum will introduce Prez O’s new tack on selling the Plan: convincing persons who already have insurance why the Plan is good for them. Perhaps 90% of the attendees are expected to currently have health insurance, so they’re no dummies when it comes to paying for health care. O.k., pretend that you already have a health care plan and that you’re at the meeting. Now pretend that you just heard why the Plan is good for you. Tell me what you heard. Tell me what could Prez O possibly say to convince you to pay more taxes to support universal health care? Come on, now … name it. I can’t hearrrr youuuu! That’s what I tho’t . There is nothing which can be said to convince anyone why he/she should pay more taxes. I’m eager to get the video.
The USofA plans to be militarily pulled out of Iraq before 2011. I say “militarily” because after that point (whenever that is) we will maintain troops in Iraq for “support and on-going training”. But, will we really be able to stand aside and let the Iraqi’s develop their own country and government? Over the weekend and again today several bombings, apparently targeting Shiites, have taken out more than 80 people and wounded nearly 500 additional people. There are three main factions in Iraq, all of which want to be the dominant force, thus the militia-like attacks throughout Iraq. All are religion-based and look to their Imams for guidance. I cannot understand how a religious person can order murders; neither can I understand how their followers eagerly execute the orders. Pun intended. The point is: how and when will Iraq (and relatedly, Afghanistan and Pakistan) be able to govern without un-civil wars? Probably never. So, what’s a feller to do? Walk away? We’ll see.
Many of you readers will not recognize the name Gracie Allen. She was married to and was the foil of George Burns; both great comedians who made excellent transitions from the vaudeville stage to the television stage in the 50’s. In 1940 Gracie ran for POTUS on the “Surprise Candidate” ballot. When asked what she tho’t of the national debt, she said, “It’s something to be proud of; it’s the biggest in the world, isn’t it?” There is nothing new under the sun. Say g’night, Gracie. Thanks to Mr. Bad Ideas for bringing back fond memories of George and Gracie and their cutting edge humor. For more of Mr. Bad Ideas insights, go here: http://www.mrbadideas.com/
On this day in history: 1872 – Yellowstone National Park established; 1934 – First prisoners arrive at Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay; 1965 – Watts riots begin
On a positive note: Rob Eskenasy, at 418 lbs, needed to lose some weight. On his bucket list was to swim from the mainland to Alcatraz. He joined Jacob’s Heart charity which was sponsoring a “swim for dollars” event. Eskenasy lost more than 100 lbs by training over an 18 mo. period, completed the swim, and donated $1,160 to the charity. Good on you, Rob!
Blessings.