I say yes, you say no, OR People are Strange

AnneW

Alpal, my bad! How could I forget that Bren likes that baby blue color!! I have two brackets done. One that is rational, one that is sentimental. In the latter, I have Duke and Kentucky meeting in the final four, with Duke winning it all. In the "rational" one, it's all Ohio State, with Duke and Kentucky bowing out in the Sweet 16. A more likely scenario.

I love March Madness!! And all games on 4 stations! My husband sighs with disgust, espeically if it interfers with The News Hour.

Speaking of news--any regular readers of the NYTimes? What do you think about the move to paid subsrciptions for on-line reading of more than 20 articles per month? I would have accepted it better if they'd done it at the beginning of the internet-info-age, but NOW? I'm going to have to think hard about this one. I do love my NYTimes...

Bren-2007

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/18/wisconsin-union-law-lawsuit_n_837580.html

Judge in WI temporarily blocks anti-union law.  Yay!!

Dane County Judge Maryann Sumi issued the order, which was requested by that county's District Attorney Ismael Ozanne, a Democrat. Ozanne filed a lawsuit contending that a legislative committee that broke a stalemate that had kept the law in limbo for weeks met without the 24-hour notice required by Wisconsin's open meetings law. The Republican-controlled Legislature passed the measure and Gov. Scott Walker signed it last week.

1Athena1

Oh, how sweet! Thanks for the link, Bren.

Bren-2007

I hope Gov. Walker is feeling the heat over this.

Alpal

Anne - I guess Duke wins it all on a last second shot. Right? Long memory, here. Surely you didn't pick Morehead over Louisville? That messed up a lot of pick sheets! No Louisville fan, so I was delighted. BIG news in Kentucky.

Bren-2007

Duke plays today at 3:15 p.m.  Tim is on the way home and he's so happy he'll get to watch the game.

Bren

AnneW

I can watch the games on demand on my computer at work. Last day of spring break, so we're not overridden with throngs of sick students.

Alpal, I did not have Morehead betting Louisville, but that didn't stop me from pulling for them! I know all about in-state rivalries, and you've got quite a healthy one in Kentucky!

My brackets are decimated. I heard Obama had 14 of 16 correct so far. I'd rather have him in the White House checking in on games than at a ranch in TX cutting shrubs.

Bren-2007

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/18/ann-coulter-radiation-is-_n_837512.html

OMG Ann Coulter says radiation is good for you!

There has been a high degree of concern about the levels of radiation being released into the environment due to the crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan. But, in a column called "A Glowing Report On Radiation," Coulter said that many scientists have been studying the effects of radiation and have found that, as she put it," at some level--much higher than the minimums set by the U.S. government--radiation is good for you," and actually reduced the risk of cancer.

She repeated this assertion to a skeptical Bill O'Reilly, who told her that, even if there was scientific discussion going on about the effects of radiation, it was the media's job to be "responsible" and "err on the side of caution" about radiation. "You have to report the worst-case scenario," he said, adding that there is a clear scientific consensus that "some radiation will kill you."

Coulter said she disagreed, and said that the scientific consensus has changed, but that the media are not reporting it.

Medigal

Ironjaw:  I just finished writing a letter to Rand Paul.  I wasn't crazy about him until I read he was one of the few who is not in favor of cutting social security benefits to elders to cut spending.  I reminded him that we trusted the government on it's "word" by letting them take out payroll deductions for social security on the basis that at a certain age we would get it returned in benefits.  Now that they have overspent, they have no right to go back on their word to us and take "our" money away from us.  I heard on the news yesterday that we are still giving aid money to our "enemies"!!  Why can't they cut that out instead of preying on the elderly?  I spent the morning writing to my reps including our "crying" Speaker of the House.  Maybe he'll cry over my email and do something about this!

 BTW, do we have a thread or forum where we can just discuss politics?  I know it's best not to do it mixed up here but I would like to be able to get different opinions of how our group feels about things going on in their government and what they are personally doing about it.  The "other" group has great threads for this but I can't be a part of that group for personal reasons. Thanks!

Bren-2007

http://www.frumforum.com/bartlett-how-long-will-the-gop-pander-to-the-tea-party

Very interesting article written by a Republican and his take on the tea party.

So why is it that I have been disdainful of the Tea Party from its first manifestation in early 2009? The main reason is that so many of its members simply don't know what they are talking about; they seem to think that strong opinions are a substitute for facts, research and analysis. Consequently, many Tea Party members hold views on various topics that are, frankly, nuts, and these views have been embraced by some Republican voters as well.

The bold is my emphasis.
Bren

208sandy

Bren:

Did you know that Frum was/is Canadian?

Sandy

konakat

Rand Paul must have been having a slow week last week as he was interviewed on Canadian television.  Of course he bemoaned our healthcare program but he liked our economic policies!  WTF?  Not someone I want a compliment from!

Bren-2007

Sandy ... yes.  The article was written by Bruce Bartlett who is a repbulican.

This argument hits close to home for me because after 30 years of working in Republican politics, including for Ronald Reagan and Rand's father, . . . .

bluedahlia

Medipal, you can discuss anything on this thread.

1Athena1

The Tea Party will go the way of the Christian Coalition - into oblivion and disrupte. There are many ways in which I fear for our country, but two alleged menaces I am NOT concerned about are, in no particular oder,:

--The Tea Party

--Sarah Palin

Medigal

Bluepal:  Careful what you say cause I may take you up on it.  I just need my "politics fix" every so often.  Thanks!!

 Athena:  The more I research the Tea Party, the less I like what I read.  I agree with you on your two choices who not to be concerned about.  TP and SP :  No!!  The Repubs are going to be running desperately the closer we come to 2012.  They are going to be looking for who has the most charismatic appeal and I fear they are looking at the wrong people, imo.  It may come to voting for "the least of the worse of them" and that is NO way to run a country!

208sandy

Bren:

I feel like an idiot I didn't read the article I just saw Frum in the tag and thought it was from him - Bartlett seems like he might have some common sense.

Konakat:

Interesting that Rand Paul "likes" our economic policies (WFT) - what's not to like? The banks in Canada are regulated so they can't screw over the populace like Goldman Sachs, Citi, Bank of America, etc. IMO - it'll take them another 5 or more years in the U.S. to fix the mess and still I don't see anyone in jail!

IronJawedBCAngel

I won't be wasting my time calling or writing Rand, I've already wasted too many precious moments of my life appealing to McConnell and Whitfield.  How will you feel if he is successful putting a $2000 deductible on Medicare?  He is just another who wants to balance the budget on the backs of the poor and the sick, while protecting the ultra wealthy from tax increases.  He is so anti-government he wants to shut down several departments of government, and strip regulation of several industries that contribute to environmental cancers and other health issues.  His plan to cut federal funding for cancer research, screening and support programs because he believes it should be the states responsibility is pure insanity.  How much do I loath Rand Paul? I can not even begin to count the ways!

konakat

Sandy -- good example of why I like how things are run in Canada.  It's just weird that he'd compliment our economy when it is so regulated.  I thought he's be against any kind of gov't involvement.  But maybe he doesn't know much about our economy other than that it's doing better than most and doesn't realize why.  Who knows...

1Athena1

He probably thought he was in Cambodia because both countries begin with the letter "C" and he remembered in history class how the US messed up Cambodia, but how the commies were ultimately defeated, so he thought, "let's say something nice about their economy."....

I actually find Rand Paul rather fascinating. He is a true believer and an intellectual of sorts, so the joke I jusrt made wasn't fair; he is no ignoramous. Just a bit of a fanatic in his own way.

konakat

Hahahaaa!  Reminds me when Ann Coulter was interviewed by a Canadian journalist and got into a disagreement on whether Canada was in the Vietnam war or not.  She was convinced that the journalist was wrong, as if he wouldn't know.  And no, we weren't.  We just accepted draft dodgers.

crazy4carrots

Message to Coulter -- Never argue with a Canadian journalist -- they're accustomed to seeking the truth and verifying, not making things up!  Otherwise, they'd never get on the air or be published.

1Athena1

Calling the following people, who I miss:

Enjoyful

Otter

Alpal

Covertanjou

ShirleyHughes

Lewing

Come out of your hiding places, all of you, and speak. You are missed!

Medigal

Athena:  Enjoyful may be "out of pocket" for another week but I think she has her computer with her so if she sees your post. she'll probably reply.   Shirley was here recently but I think is posting regularly on the other site now.  Lewing is the only one I haven't noticed on here for a while.  Maybe she is on vacation.  I'm sure they all appreciate that you miss them.  Why don't you PM them if you are concerned?  Have a good evening.

1Athena1

Hope you have a good evening too, Medi-pal.

Alpal

Present!

1Athena1

Yey - waving at you!

covertanjou

Athena,  I haven't been on the boards much lately.  It is "Spring Break" at my college this week, and I have so many essays to correct.  Of course, I also got sick.  I have bronchitis and a sinus infection, and I feel like crap. I am in so much pain when I cough that I feel like crying.  Painkillers, antibiotics and a pump to help my breathing is helping somewhat.  

So, I have been "lurking" but I don't feel that I can contribute to the discussion right now.  I will be back when I feel better.  I am off to bed now, and hopefully I will get a good night sleep since I haven't slept well in a week.  Sorry to be venting....I just feel like crap.  

crazy4carrots

If anyone can think of a defense of this decision, please share

New Hampshire House Approves Tax Cut On Cancer-Causing Cigarettes, Cuts Health And Education Funding

In a flurry of legislative activity this week, the New Hampshire House approved a tax cut on cigarettes even while cutting funding for education, and health care. The ten cent tax cut bucks a national trend of raising taxes on tobacco since “forever” and, according to multiple studies, could lead to a 6.6 percent increase in respiratory cancer deaths.

Republican lawmakers claim that the tax cut, which the New Hampshire chapter of the Koch-funded front group Americans for Prosperity strongly pushed for, will attract out-of-state smokers and raise revenue in the “long run.” Yet a spokesman for Gov. John Lynch (D) notes that the state already has the second-lowest tax burden in the nation. And with rising gas prices, the odds of smokers driving to New Hampshire for their cigarettes are slim.

Instead lawmakers have chosen to weaken an extremely effective policy tool: cigarette taxes not only reduce smoking but help limit underage smoking, exposure to second-hand smoke, and related health care costs. The tax cut is just one part of a legislative agenda that New Hampshire Republicans pushed through this week that cuts programs that keep Main Street healthy and strong:

– Yesterday, The House’s powerful Finance Committee moved forward on legislation that would cause mass layoffs of physicians and nurses and result in more than 12,000 people, including 500 to 800 children, losing their health care coverage.

– Wednesday, the House approved a bill freezing funding for schools.

– Tuesday, lawmakers approved a bill that “removes compulsory school attendance for children.”

– The Republican-controlled Senate approved pension-reform legislation that increases health care costs and raises the retirement age for public workers.

– House members passed an amendment to the state Constitution “to bypass a Supreme Court decision ordering the state to pay for the cost of an adequate education for every public schoolchild.”

Last week at a public hearing, the state’s Episcopal Bishop V. Gene Robinson called the recent legislation “a stubborn or selfish unwillingness by us, the privileged, to tighten our own belts for the good of our fellow citizens who are truly in need.” While similar cigarette tax cut bills have stalled in New Jersey and Rhode Island, Republicans hold veto-proof majorities in both the Senate and the House, limiting the state’s Democratic governor and progressive lawmakers ability to de-rail the legislation.

Instead, it’s been left to the state’s Main Street Movement — a coalition of business leaders, union workers, social justice advocates and religious leaders — to stand up against the legislature’s right-wing agenda in public hearings and in demonstrations

otter

Hi, everybody.  Hi, Athena -- I'm here, and on that other thread about the shoes where you found me trying to figure out the new rules for reporting posts. 

I haven't been on line much lately.  I've been spending almost all my time cramming for quizzes in a self-study course on inheritance law, estate settlement, financial planning, medical assistance (a.k.a. "Medicaid"), and ways to avert outbursts of sibling rivalry between adult children.  (I am flunking that last one.)  This feels like that dream where you show up at school and didn't realize it was the day of the final exam.  Absolutely cold turkey.

In light of all this, I have some advice for those of us who have adult children:  Tell them everything about what you're doing.  Don't try to hide anything from them, or shield them from the gory details.  I'm referring to property, bank accounts, investments, inheritance, healthcare.  Don't make changes in those things without telling them.  (You don't necessarily have to ask them; just be sure they are aware of what you've done so there won't be surprises later on.) 

Oh, and keep good records -- make sure they're organized and clear enough that someone who knows nothing about your affairs could walk in and figure it out from the notes and records you've left.  A touch of OCD wouldn't hurt in this case.  Maybe even keep a diary where you explain what you're thinking, what you're doing, and what your reasoning was.  (Why did you change to a different insurance plan last year, even though it meant your out-of-pocket costs would go way up?  Why did you decide to spend money from your smallest investment account first?  Why are there 3 different checking accounts?  Where do you keep the registration card for the car?)

Thank goodness my dh is helping with all this.  I think pretty soon we'll be finished with the really difficult stuff; or maybe I'm just getting stronger, or thicker-skinned, or more brave.

otter