Obamacare Lives and Why It Matters

I said for over a year now that the Supreme Court would overturn the individual mandate of Obamacare. I figured it was automatic with the charge being led by Chief Justice John Roberts. I could not have been more wrong. Not only did the court uphold the law 5-4, but Roberts was the swing vote. Even more amazing, it was upheld by the legal reasoning that the government has a right to tax and the penalty of not getting health insurance is the equivalent of a tax. The ruling was so unexpected both CNN and Fox News initially got the ruling wrong, declaring it overturned. This is good news for Americans even if 50% don't know it. Oddly it seems most that are against are the ones that most likely will need it at some future date. However, always keep in mind that the Republicans have years to come up with their own solutions and as always, the best they could come up with is "tax cuts". That is their Band-Aid for everything.

Fox News and the GOP have spent a tremendous amount of time and (tax payer) money fighting Obamacare but rarely do they explain why it’s bad and what the alternatives are. It comes down to "its socialism" and wrong. Ask anyone for specifics on why it’s wrong and can guarantee that maybe 1 out of a 100 can provide an informed response beyond the basic talking points of it simply being wrong just because the talking heads say it is. Did you know that thanks to Obamacare, you cannot be denied insurance because of a pre-existing condition? Did you know your kids can't be either (yea before they could be)? What about knowing if your child wants to get a graduate degree or just hurting from this down economy, they can stay on their parents insurance until 26 years old? Again Obamacare. I am aware of a ton of die-hard Republicans taking advantage of that. What about free mammograms or a ton of other maintenance tests that use to cost a lot and soon no longer will. Free tests means people will detect problems before they become a whole lot more expensive and possibly a burden on the tax payer (more below on that). When people ask about these kinds of individual aspects of the law, Americans are overwhelming for them (in 80% range). Add they are part of Obamacare and suddenly that numbers dives to around 50% range. That makes no sense except you have to remember that Fox News folks rarely are giving any actual information to form an informed opinion.

Links of the Week

Verizon Score the iPhone
If you are tired of AT&T but love your iPhone, then February 10th will be a good day for you as Verizon will be caring the device. Sadly no price plans were revealed so not exactly confidence inducing, but still a good sign. Even better, Verizon will support using the phone as a local hotspot, something AT&T currently doesn't. Again no idea if that cost is built in or not. Prices for the iPhone do not change and of course your ability to switch providers may depend on whether you are on plan or not or willing to take the hit for early termination.

GOP Health Care Repeal Would Add $230 Billion to Deficit
When will people learn that the Republican Party has never been fiscally responsible? It is a myth they run on every election cycle but look at their record; they have never actually come close to fulfilling those now decades’ old promises. They have already added another trillion to the deficit by pushing through a deal to give $700 billion of that in tax cuts to the rich and now they have a plan that is an attempt to repeal health care and added another quarter trillion. Not even one month into office and already they have added nothing but debt. The reason for the increase is simple in its logic. Which is cheaper? Going to the doctor while you have the sniffles or going to the hospital because you have developed Pneumonia? Now multiple that by the current 32 million of uninsured. If people have insurance, they simply like to use the insurance to take care of medical problems before they become full emergencies. As it stands, when that care occurs as an emergency, the tax payers foot 100% of the bill. If the person is insured, then that is at least partially or mostly going to be covered by insurance companies. It really is that simple despite Fox News very effective attempts at making the idiots out there believe otherwise.

9/11 First Responder Bill Passes

After multiple filibusters and blocks from Republicans, the 9/11 First Responders bill (officially called The James Zadroga 9/11 Health Bill) has passed. The bill was intended to provide around $7 billion in care for responders by closing multiple corporate tax loopholes. This would have actually resulted in a bill that would have been deficit neutral. However, Senate Republicans balked at this because it went against their core belief that everything should be done to make the rich richer. Closing the tax loophole was removed but that wasn't enough. Despite adding nearly a $900 billion to the deficit by extending the bush tax cuts along with some extras for the rich, Republican Sens. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma and Mike Enzi of Wyoming balked at the $7 billion price tag. The final cost of the bill is $4.2 billion that might be paid for by foreign tourists and business visitors.

Once again, while this was debated for months, the Tea Party remained silent on this issue even though they happily invoke 9/11 frequently, are against anything that adds to the deficit and I would think would support the closing of tax loopholes. Yet again a reminder that the Tea Party is another name for Republican and neither group is nearly as patriotic or fiscally responsible as they claim to be. How people that are not rich (aka make under $250,000) continue to support such hypocrites is something I will never understand. The real shame is this was an easy bill to pass that should have been taken care of this summer without all the nonsense.

Links of the Day

Health Care Bill Signed into Law - Like it or not, a historic day occurred as President Obama signed into law (with 20 pins no less) the hard fought for Health Care bill, like most major legislation of the last two years includes a lot of Republican demands yet doesn't get a single vote of support. The GOP's continued ability to show a unified front of party first, corporate second and America's somewhere in the top 10 continues. The major portions of the bill do not even go into effect until 2014 so the current talking point of doom and gloom is amusing considering "the end" of the US is postponed by four years.

How I Ran an Ad on Fox News - With the help of Google TV ads, some money, a little creativity, and no concern on when it airs, you can have your own commercial for whatever you want air for as little as $100. As the video at the link shows, it is actually a simple process, probably the most difficult being creating the commercial. If the stats on the video are any indication, it doesn't seem the cost was worth the return but still amusing to know that now any bored person with money to burn can air their own message.

Nintendo 3DS Announced - Nintendo plans on releasing yet another version of the Nintendo DS, only this time with 3D effects that do not require glasses. It is expected the new system will be unveiled during E3 this June. The device is reported to have a thumb stick, built in rumble, greater battery life, and smaller screen size. If Nintendo holds to pattern, the system is likely to be released in Japan in mid December with a role out elsewhere in early 2011.

Special Comment on Health Care Hate - Keith Olbermann returned to Countdown after the death of his father and air a comment on the hate that has taken over the right's dislike of any health care reform. The GOP, working for insurance companies, has made every effort possible to kill reform. Not modulate it, not add good effective ideas, but flat out kill it. As part of doing that, they tapped on that very deep well of hate and fear that is a hallmark of the far right. To do this they equated reform as a sign that evil is taking over America with Communism...oops Socialism but treated the same. Once it takes over, Democracy will collapse, the world will end and bad stuff will happen to all those good people that are filled with all that hate and cowardice. The problem with tapping into fear to create though is it leads to loss of control and it begins to feed on itself. Once that cycle begins, it rarely ends well. I miss the GOP of old, the one that helped create moderate, non extreme ideas. That party doesn't seem to exist anymore, having died under the rule of Rove and Cheney and further fueled by the defeated and angry GOP that remain.

Special Comment: A Cry for Help

Keith Olbermann gave a "Special Comment" today on healthcare and Sarah Palin's so called "death panels" that comes from the heart as it is based on the experiences of his father who has spent the last six months fighting for his life. A battle he may have now begun to lose.

The comment is about how Republicans, Tea Partiers and what he called "ghouls" are attempting to block at every turn any attempt to reform a system that simple doesn't work. Their goal is profit and the human aspect doesn't seem to matter. Ghoul is the right term for those that think that way for you can only be soulless and inhuman.

For me the whole healthcare thing has been an easy decision. I didn't need facts and figures, false claims of "socialism" or other nonsense. I just had to imagine what if it was me that couldn't afford care. Or my mom, my dad or other loved ones. What if, thanks to the behavior of insurance companies, I have to make a tough decision about their care and I have to factor in whether they can afford the treatment or not. Not will it improve their life, is it worth it for quality of life or myriad of other considerations but will it be covered by insurance and if not how to pay for it. That is the system we have now. That is the true death panels. That is the system the Republicans are fighting with everything they have to keep in place and nearly 50% of the country is fighting with them, may never having taken that step to imagine "what if it were me?". My god, how inhuman. How evil.

Tomorrow is a so-called Healthcare summit as the President, Democrats and Republicans try to come to a compromise on healthcare. It will fail because instead of a room full of people thinking "what is best for Americans", they instead will think "what is best for my corporate sponsors." It isn't an issue of how this summit will be sabotaged, just an issue of how the Republicans will claim to have been victimized during it resulting in their continued and determined desire to say no to anything that is corporate first.

It is time that Americans, both on the right and the left, stop accepting that from them. The Democrats need to grow a pair and act instead of cowering at every Republican stalling tactic and it’s time for Republicans to actually engage in true compromise instead of demanding but never giving. Change is scary but once again I beg of you...imagine if someone you loved needed life saving healthcare but couldn't afford it because their insurance company either dropped them or refused it. What would you expect to occur then? What would you demand? And why isn't that good enough for everyone?

Links of the Day

Gates to Invest $10 Billion on Vaccines - As a sign of Bill Gates continued commitment to charity, his foundation announced a $10 billion investment in trying to create vaccines for AIDS, tuberculosis, Rota virus, and pneumonia. If my input meant anything I would add Alzheimer's disease. Yes it mostly affects older people but it’s a horrible disease that strips away the memories, really everything that makes them who they are. I have thought for a while now that governments should initiate "Manhattan Project" style scope to fight a single disease into submission. I also thing that Gates, if this project leads to results, should use it to create a non-profit business. Basically charge for the vaccine and whatever patentable breakthroughs that get developed to re-invest for the next breakthrough and also help pay for vaccinations for those that can't afford it. In essence, it becomes its own financial engine to continue to help people, maybe without anymore outside investment required.

Mad TV Nailed the iPad 2 Years Ago - In a sign that MadTV was actually on the ball periodically, below is a clip from the program were they made fun of Apple while unknowingly naming the companies next invention.


Kimmel on Leno's Oprah Appearance - The other day Leno made the required PR rehabilitation stop with an appearance on Oprah were he basically whined about how unfair everyone is treating him. Nothing is his fault and if Conan only had performed better. Never mind Leno was getting totaled by Late Show in his first two years as full time host. Part of that victim fest is how he was gut punched by Kimmel's appearance. Jimmy Kimmel decided to address this direct attack, wisely pointing out that the segment was ripe for humor except Leno's writers didn't have any prepared material so of course Leno was lost on how to respond.


Hilarious Bayonetta Review - An amusing, not safe for work, review of Bayonetta that seems to nail the game down exactly if compare to reviews from "legit" sites.

Links of the Day

Singer Returning to X-Men - In an interview with MySpace at the premiere of Avatar, Bryan Singer revealed that he is returning to the X-Men franchise with X-Men: First Class. No indications if this is based on the comic book series by the same name which essentially covers the core X-Men (Cyclops, Jean Gray, Ice Man, Beast, etc) as they experienced the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning for the first time as they learned to control their mutant powers.

Bryan Singer at the Avatar Premiere

Trailer Park | MySpace Video

Clash of the Titans Trailer #2 - Click the link for different formats of the second trailer for the movie that is shaping up to look pretty good.

Special Comment: Not Health, Not Care, Not Reform - Keith Olbermann essentially summarizes my disgust at what the Healthcare Reform Bill has become at the hands of the Senate, that whore Lieberman, and that useless man who can't lead Reid. The idea was to provide healthcare to all, hold insurance companies to basic standards (rather than whatever they want to do, they can do), and try to reduce the cost of healthcare by encouraging preventative care (thus healthcare for all aspect). Instead, the Democrat leadership has caved on everything. The reform is gone, the healthcare for all is gone, and there is no attempt to really reduce the cost, so system of checks and balances. It’s become a massive paycheck to the insurance companies with an "I hope you will do the right thing with this money" rider. At this point, the bill is useless and we would be better off starting over again, this time with people actually willing to lead, to use up political capital, and ok with not necessarily being liked by everything. There has been no leader no this bill, just a bunch of people gawking for the camera, hoping to take credit for any good while dodging the blame for any bad.

Mega Man 10 Trailer - If interested, the next installment of the franchise, retaining its 8-bit graphics and design. The game will be released in the next few months on the Wii, PS3, and 360, likely for around $10.

Links of the Day

Stargate Atlantis Home Theater - A fan took his love to the extremes with his $70,000 setup that invokes the franchise while offering an awesome viewing experience with a ten foot screen. As long as someone else foots the bill, I wouldn't mind having that setup.

UK Amazon Distribution Center - Click the link for two images of the huge warehouse used by Amazon. The volume of stuff is impressive.

Public Option Removed - At the link is an explanation on the compromise the Democrats made in the Senate when it removed the public option from the Healthcare bill. The feature has long been fought as the insurance companies’ fear they might have to compete for the first time in decades. Early indications are the compromises might make for good soundbite but ultimately the companies are probably very happy right now which can't be good for consumers.

Mega Man 10 Announced - Nintendo Power has announced that the sequel is coming. The game will remain 8-bit in style with the same goofy boss fights such as Sheep Man. More importantly, early indicators are that the game will have an Easy Mode for people (like me) that just enjoy playing a game, not conquering a game.

Lego Harry Potter Video Game Trailer - New trailer for the game coming next year that covers the first four years of the franchise. It seems to have the same fun factor, graphics and controls that the previous Lego games have had.

Links of the Day

Decode Your VIN - Turns out the VIN number isn't just a unique identifier of your car but a detailed breakdown that describes your cars make, features, model year, assembly plant and more. Click the link to learn more.

Barnes & Noble Nook Review - First review of the final unit that I have seen. Solid device, runs slow (screen refresh, menu response, pretty much everything), has a small learning curve for the UI, good use of the second color touch screen but still needs improvement. My read is it is further proof to not buy the 1.0 version of new tech even if it’s copying the 2.0 version of someone else's (in this case the Kindle). Still, I am interested in the possibilities, just waiting for the price and tech to get to become worth the investment. Below is a video showing off the interface.

Avatar Costliest Film Ever - James Cameron likes to hit new thresholds in expense as Titanic’s $200 million was a new high 10 years ago and now Avatar's $300 million budget has once again moved the bar. Fox and Cameron are being coy about the film's cost, probably waiting until have at least the first weekend's box office to determine profitability feasibility. However, Cameron has bragged that his team essentially re-invented motion capture technology from scratch, finding Robert Zemeckis (A Christmas Carol) lacking. Technically this rather expensive R&D undertaking normally would be added to the film's cost which might explain early $500 million estimates for the film.

Legend of Zelda: Sprit Tracks Review - The next installment of the Zelda franchise finally comes out tomorrow and so far reviews are good. Like the one at the link, pretty much all say the game is fun, Zelda's heavy use add a good element to the game, the dungeons and puzzles are solid but the train travel is about as tedious as the sailboat was in the other DS installments.

MLR and Healthcare - While the article at the link is about one thing, I found the information about the MLR (medical loss ratio) to be more interesting because it is a key value used by insurance companies in determining their profits. In short, the higher the ratio, the more money spent on healthcare and less going to paperwork and profits. So of course insurance companies want that number as low as possible. As Aetna learned, even going up 1.5% can cost a company billions in market value. This was not because of loss in profits but because Wall Street used that as a queue to sell their shares at lower values. In essence, this easily describes why healthcare companies are in the business of saying no. If they say yes to procedures and those with pre-existing conditions, the MLR goes up, they make less. So no is, by market necessity and rules of capitalism, a must. Therefore, reform by the market has no real reason to occur without some outside force like laws.

Links of the Day

Google Chrome OS Official - Google held its official press conference to announce their next big idea which is a web browser / operating system hybrid. The idea is to create an OS that will run on most computers, especially netbooks, which do internet tasks very fast. The problem though is that will be all the computer will do. So if you likes games, editing movies, have your own media, pretty much anything that can't be accessed or run via "the cloud" then you will need a separate computer. To me its limitations outweigh its benefits. However, if the idea can cause the price of a netbook to go to around $100 then suddenly it might very well be worth it.

Epic HDTV Buyer's Guide Flowchart - Click the link to view an amusing and helpful flowchart to determine what is the best type and size HDTV to buy. I found it useful as do to space limitations, I know now to save some money and buy a 32'' 760p HDTV instead of paying the extra $300 for 1080p, 120Htz system that I don't really need.

What Happens To Your Accounts When You Die? - A nice breakdown of what happens to some email and social networking sites after you die and also how your next of kin could access those account if needed. At the very least it helps you determine what info you need to prepare in advance just in case.

Daily Show's Lou Dobbs Interview - An interesting interview with the no ex-CNN host Lou Dobbs. The best part for me is Jon Stewart articulates rather well the frustration I have with the right's sudden anger while Dobbs fails to explain "why now?" Out of nowhere there are these groups, many that Dobbs agrees with, that have suddenly found their anger and hate the direction the country is moving in. Yet none can explain why now? Why were two wars, many lies, Patriot Act and so much more not the final straw? Why is healthcare the thing that sent them over the edge? Dobbs claims it’s because Obama is doing trying to turn the country left to sharply but when asked "how?" he can't answer that. Most people will agree that Obama hasn't really done that much in these last 11 months yet somehow he has magically taken the country left by doing nothing? And over an issue that has been around since the 1930s? Yes you read that right, the debate over universal healthcare in the US started with Roosevelt. It is not new; it is not a "sharp left turn". Those that think it is once again show their ignorance of history, like Lou Dobbs who I would think would know more than most but clearly doesn't.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Experiences at a Free Clinic - Part of the healthcare story that no one, especially Faux News, is willing to cover. From the video is a summary of an essay by Rich Stockwell of his visit at a New Orleans free clinic. The heart of the problem is so many, including 83% of them employed, that simply cannot afford to see a doctor on a regular basis to get the preventative care needed that will stop a minor issue from becoming a life threatening and expensive condition. It’s an example of why universal healthcare and the public option are needed. For all the talk of expense, the net result of a system that makes it a truly affordable and viable option to see a doctor (rather than an ER) will drive costs down and actually save this country money.

Links of the Day

Medical Waste - A new report shows the many ways the current healthcare insurance system causes a great deal of waste. 40% is for unnecessary care caused by doctors either ordering unneeded tests because it’s profitable or simply to avoid the risk of lawsuits. 19% is flat out fraud of filing claims for medical care that didn't occur. 17% if for the administrative overhead, you know the copious amounts of claim forms you have to fill out. 6% is for preventative conditions that should never have become medical emergencies. There is more but the next result is around $600 to $850 billion a year could be saved by simply making the system more efficient and more focused on patient care, not profit. Note that the savings is about the cost over 10 years for universal coverage with public option. However, considering insurance companies make a lot of profit from these inefficiencies, they will continue to fight tooth and nail to prevent any changes and use the GOP sheep to help in that battle.

24 Season 8 Trailer - The new season starts in January and as the trailer shows, things go boom as Jack Bauer exits retirement to continue the yelling and blowing things up.


Nightline Report on Scientology - Below is the first part of six segments as Nightline from a week ago. At the link are also various articles from ABC about the cult whose tactics are essentially criminal but uses the cloak of "religion" to continue their practices. Of note is when asked about "Xenu", the spokesperson refuses to respond and ends the interview. Why you ask? Because "Xenu" aka the cults "Devil" is part of their origin myth (involving aliens and volcanoes, no not kidding) that normally costs members literally tens of thousands of dollars to learn about. Yes, cost. Scientology charges for its "classes" and books, much like if Christianity were to charge for Sunday School and the opportunity to read the chapters of the Bible.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6


GameBoy 20th Anniversary Retrospective - Below is a decent video that covers the long history of the first real portable game system that continues in the DSi.


Golf Ball Technology Meets the Car - From Mythbusters is apparent proof that golf-ball dimpling on your car can create a more fuel efficient car. It’s not a leap to assume this also means a faster car. While not the future of car design due to aesthetics, it nevertheless makes for an interesting idea.

Links of the Day

Lego Pop-Up Box - Like a pop-up book but only a Lego box that opens up to reveal a building scene. The design and idea is very slick.


Pixar Intro Parody - If letters were alive and one was squished by a living lamp, the results probably wouldn't be as precious as this video shows.

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Windows 7 Guide - From Lifehacker, a link fest of information about the new operating system, useful for anyone about to upgrade or considering an upgrade. My quickie advice if your upgrading is a) backup backup backup b) don't forget to backup your bookmarks c) note your favorite programs and any special settings so can reinstall and reconfigure after if needed.

Wife Has Cancer? No Insurance? Join the Army - A sign of how bad it is while Republicans and their sheep pretend it’s not, a 39 year old man has to join the army to make sure he and his family have their healthcare coverage they need because of the cancer his wife is fighting. He lost his job earlier in the year and his options were limited. Like most, he didn't think it could happen to him, wasn't prepared and didn't even care about the healthcare debate going on. The lesson for everyone before forming an opinion on the public option is first consider what would happen if you lost your job and couldn't replace it right away like is occurring to millions of Americans. If after considering that scenario and your still against a public option then my hat is off to you for at least giving the issue more thought then most seem to nowadays.

Indefensible - A bill amendment created by Senator Al Franken would prevent companies from having US contracts if they prevent their employees from taking sexual assault (such as rape), battery and discrimination cases to court. The reason for the law was because of the repeated raping of Jamie Leigh Jones by Halliburton and KBR contractors while overseas. She can't really prosecute them (happened outside US jurisdiction) but you would think a civil case would be allowed, but thanks to Halliburton's lawyers she isn't even allowed to do that. So basically the company and their employees are legally allowed to rape woman as long as it doesn't happen on US land. It sounds like a slam dunk yes for everyone regardless of party but it turns out that 30 Republicans considered it a "political shot" at Halliburton and vote no. This includes ex presidential candidate John McCain. In effect, when given a chance to vote for a corporation or for protecting rape victims, they went with the corporation. As the report below shows, that choice is having at least a minor impact on those Republicans who are refusing to go on the record on why they voted the way they did (real reason is money). Sadly I doubt this will have an impact on their re-election bids as most are in Republican strongholds.

Special Comment - Healthcare

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

In a first, Keith Olbermann devoted an entire episode of Countdown to a Special Comment on the healthcare debate. The reason seems to be the horrible experiences his father has experienced under our current healthcare system governed by corporate bureaucrats driven by bonuses rather than providing proper healthcare. The biggest problem I have with the debate is what is driving the whys (high costs, government bureaucrats deciding care, rationing, and more) are the very things already going on now only its being done by corporate executives who want their bonuses and drones that simply want to keep their jobs.

The choice being offered right now is real simple - do something or do nothing. The Democrats are at least trying to do something. The Republicans are offering the option of doing nothing. I think there are few, conservatives or liberals who feel doing nothing is the best way to go. They may advocate Corporate Socialism, but I advocate caring for my fellow Americans or to just be more selfish, myself.

Ultimately, the public option is really insurance for health insurance. It’s there for when your current insurance says no, because it’s not covered, you didn’t feel out the form properly, you reached your maximum or you simply can’t afford to continue the premiums because you lost your job. Much like health insurance is for the catastrophic moments we have no control over such as getting cancer, breaking bones, a car accident and so much more, the public option is for those moments such as losing your job, pre-existing condition or a company that simple doesn’t offer it.

What you should consider isn’t “I have insurance, why should I care?” but what if you no longer have a job. What then? The "public option" is your fallback position for you and your family if the worse happens. You should want it there, you should demand it be there just in case. What Republicans are promising is nothing. No fallback position, no coverage regardless of life’s curveballs. They promise simple nothing but a series of no.

Links of the Day

Jon Stewart Mocks Fox - The Daily Show takes nailed Fox News for their hypocrisy. After spending a few days whining about how no one "properly" covered their self manufactured news story of the Tea Party thing in Washington, they spent the weekend ignoring a similar event when homosexuals did it asking for equal rights. Funny how it only matters to the "news" station when it’s something conservatives like, but yeah they are "fair and balanced".

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Queer and Loathing in D.C.
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Ron Paul Interview

Jon Stewart Mocks CNN - The Daily Show also attacked CNN Monday for their tendency to "leave it there" on various issues and often made up claims by their guests. The simple reality though is the talking heads on all the networks are empty heads idiots who only know what the teleprompter tells them to know. Their knowledge on any given issues is about as deep as a headline and they cover it up by asking lame questions and not countering any idiotic claims. It’s pathetic and a primary reason why people no longer have any respect for the press. Hell, even the big "get" of the year, the Couric/Palin interview was dumb. By that I mean listen to the questions. They are truly banal, non probing, moronic questions. Palin's inability to answer them doesn't change the fact the Couric was in no way prepared for that interview and she does not deserve accolades that she is getting for it.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
CNN Leaves It There
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Ron Paul Interview

"New" CPR Saves Life - Sweet story that indicates the new version of CPR is probably more effective than the old method (five compressions, breath, repeat). The method calls for fast forceful compressions and no breaths. The goal is less about getting oxygen and more about keeping blood flowing until help can alive. In the case of the story at the link, doing that for 10 full minutes still allowed a woman to survive a heart attack. It is likely she would have died under the old method.

Ralph Lauren's Attempts to Block Blog - As a sign that old business still doesn't understand the internet, Ralph Lauren dent a DMCA request to various blogs for posting an advertisement used in Japan that shows a hugely distorted model with an impossible body shape that was photoshopped. Later Lauren admitted to the ad and apologized for the bad work. However, the model Filippa Hamilton has come forward and said she was fired by the company for being too fat. How that is possible when you’re 5'10' and 120lbs is unknown but then that company likes to sell a body type that just looks odd and few real men are interested in.

Study Confirms Healthcare Rationing - Republicans have been fighting healthcare reform claiming they fear rationing but a new study indicates that Americans are doing that already do mostly to financial burdens. As has consistently been the case, every reason Republicans are fighting reforms are the very things that are already occurring and need to be fixed. But then their real goal is to protect insurance companies profit margins, Americans be damned.

Links of the Day

Streetfighter, MegaMan Style - The amusing image to the left is the cast of Streetfighter restyled to mimic the design of 8-bit MegaMan. If only they could create a game that used those designs.

GM's 60 Day Return Caveats - GM, in a bid to increase sales, has started a 60 day money back guarantee only it has a few holes in it. One takes advantage of buyer's remorse by not allowing you to return the vehicle until after 30 days of ownership. A second issue is only the cost of the vehicle + sales tax. Any add-ons, aftermarket equipment, title and registration fees have to be eaten by you so that’s hundreds of dollars hit two essentially borrow a car for two months. The biggest problem though is you can't return the vehicle if it the cost of repairs exceeds $200, a value determined by the dealer. Considering something as simple a cart hitting the side door can exceed that value, this pretty much makes the deal void. Long story short, this return policy has no value and should not play a part whatsoever in your purchase decision.

Masters of the Universe Movie Lives...Sorta - The option for the He-Man movie lapsed at Warner Bros so Columbia has stepped in to take on the potential franchise. The projects will start from scrap, tossing attached director John Stevenson, producer Joel Silver and writer Justin Marks. Basically what little ground was made is back to square one so a movie, if ever made, is years away.

Outfoxed - Click the link for story of Fox lying about their manufactured rally at the capital for Glenn Beck's 9/12 hate fest event and also watch Outfoxed from a few years ago that documents how and why Faux News operates the way it does.

Protect Insurance Companies PSA - Hilarious video that has a bunch of stars participate in a "PSA" asking for the public to protect insurance companies, CEO's and their billion dollar profits that Obama is trying to take away. After all, as the GOP keeps telling us, corporate America must be protected at all costs.

Protect Insurance Companies PSA from Will Ferrell

Links of the Day

Microsoft Courier Leaked - A prototype version of a new potential tablet from Microsoft has been leaked that takes the tablet concept and put it on booklet form. As the video at the link shows, the concept is very cool. However, it is Microsoft and while they are somewhat in the hardware business (with XBox and Zune), a full fledged computer ala Apple is not really their thing. Besides, do you remember Surface from last year? Yeah neither do I because it was another prototype product that wasn't released. Still, it does show the potential of the tablet format if a company can get the UI details worked out.

Wii Price Drop Starts Sunday - Through various retails sources, it has been determined that starting Sunday, the Wii will drop to $199.99. The price drop should be noticeable in Sunday paper advertisements and likely Nintendo's very much delayed and forced response to now more competitively prices Playstation 3 and XBox 360. It’s too early to know for sure but it’s looking like for the first time in three years, this Christmas will not go Nintendo's way.

Time Lapse BattleCat Painting - A slick video of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe's BattleCat getting painted.


Jay Leno Tanking - To no surprise to anyone that isn't collecting Social Security, The Jay Leno Show is shedding viewers at a substantial rate. The premiere episode had a huge drawing of 18 million, the next day dropped to 12 and now a week later with new season of programs competing against it, the show is now at 5.67 million. That number isn’t bad but if consider the show isn't even two weeks old that number is only going to go in one direction. I think before the dust settles the show will have around 2.5 million viewers, pretty much the ratings he had at 11:30pm. If the goal is making money with a cheap show, then NBC is satisfied. If the goal is to get out of the rut of last place the network has been in since "Must See TV" disappeared about five years ago, then this is bad news. Money talks but one profitable hour does not make for a successful network.

South Carolina's Sorry State - In a form of irony that only politics can generate, the state in the most desperate need of healthcare reform (and more) is the state whose representatives (and really its citizens) are most against any reform. In a sign of how a little hate building can cause people to choose to go against their own self interests, it turns out the really crap state needs some serious help. The state has the highest rate of teen pregnancy, low birth weight infants (indicating the mom isn't getting enough nourishment for the baby), and infant mortality in the country. It’s the fifth highest for obesity, highest for stroke death rate, and second highest for oral cancer and the third worst life expectancy. Long story short, the state’s health record is a complete embarrassment but its representatives are saying all is well because keeping corporate America happy is more important.

Links of the Day

Superman Films Tabled - Despite going through the expense of creating re-organizing DC Comics into DC Entertainment to take advantage of their properties for movies, WB has indicated that they are not going to make a Superman film anytime soon. I can't say I am surprised as they just can't seem to get their shit together even after Marvel showed them how for the last 10 years. What hasn't been explained to me is how this re-org will help matters as WB's biggest problem continues to be way to many executives involved in the process, all vying for that claim to fame.

Next DC Animated Film Announced - While the live action department continues to revel in its incompetence, the animated division continues to do its job masterfully. The next film is Justice League: Crisis on Two Earth aka Justice League versus the Crime Syndicate (i.e. evil JL from another universe). Since the action sequences in animated movies are only improving with each film, this one might be the best yet.

Blockbuster Death Watch - The once great video rental chain is trying to survive by closing around 800 stores by the end of next year. Their complete inability to adapt combined with it its history of rip off pricing is what allowed Netflix and others enter the market and grab their market share. If they had focused on creating happy customers, maybe millions wouldn't have jumped ship at the first change for better waters. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

Tooth Provides Cure to Blindness - In a bit of surgical hocus pocus (and a lot of procedures) a blind woman was given sight with the aid of one of her own teeth. Click the link for a description of the complicated process but basically her own body parts were used to create an eye lens so she could see.

PSP Go Unboxing - A detailed look from box to operation of the new handheld device from Sony. Basically it is the PSP, only smaller with built in memory that tosses the UMD drive. Its best for those that like the downloading their video game content and not carrying cartridges around. I haven't played by regular PSP in years and yet I have a feeling I will get this despite not needing it.

Links of the day

Volcano Shaped Mall - It turns out that malls don't have to be ugly square shaped buildings that blight the landscape but something more creative and aesthetically pleasing. Click the link for a gallery of images for the Volcano Buono Mall in Italy whose design was inspired by the nearby Mt. Vesuvius.

Judge Rejects Merrill Settlement - Federal Judge Rakoff voice a $33 million settlement between Bank of America and Securities and Exchange Commission over the disclosure of bonuses to shareholders while at the same time it was asking for bailout money. “The S.E.C. gets to claim that it is exposing wrongdoing on the part of the Bank of America in a high-profile merger,” he wrote, and “the Bank’s management gets to claim that they have been coerced into an onerous settlement by overzealous regulators.” I couldn't agree more. All the BoA execs care about is protecting their personal fortunes (and to hell with everyone else's) and the department is just focused on political points rather than justice. Good call.

Mythbusters Return October 7th - Took long enough but finally new episodes of one of my most favorite shows on TV starts. The new season will test multiple myths. For example will a fired bullet vs. a dropped bullet, which will hit first (I would think momentum would give the fired bullet the lead but at terminal velocity both would fall at the same rate after). Does a muddy car get better mileage then clean one? (I guess aerodynamics question, I am going with no). What is the strength of duct tape? Also will a car explode when going over a cliff and hitting the ground like see in the movies all the time? (I am betting no). Overall, sounds like lots of boom and entertainment.

Wii Price Drop September 27th? - A leaked Toy R Us add suggests that the Wii could get a price cut to $200. Preliminarily it appears to be a Toys R Us only sale but considering the price drop on the PS3 and Xbox combined with the Wii's diminishing sales it seems likely to be a permanent price in the near future.

New Rules: Democrats Need to Grow a Pair - Bill Maher tore Obama and the Democrats a new one for their continued wussiness (he uses harsher words). Like me, he is a bit sick and tired of the Democrats constantly caving to Republican pressure and listening to the vocal minority. They are in the majority, with the majority often supporting their agenda (in this case 70% for healthcare reform), yet they constantly act like the underdogs that have to cave to every little thing the Republicans want. For once, they need to grow a spine, some balls, and tell the GOP were to shove it and quick pretending that they want to work together. They do not want to. Thanks to the Bush era, "compromise" is a four letter word so there is no point in continuing the one sided debate and inevitable ends with a GOP victory (in this case defined as a gutted and useless healthcare bill).

Link of the Day

Sarah Palin Hypocrisy - At this point it shouldn't be a surprise when Sarah Palin is once again caught talking out her ass in an attempt to get attention. As she continues the "death panel" meme, it turns out that she declared April 16, 2008 to be "Health Decisions Day" in Alaska. The goal for that day? To talk with health care providers about "advanced directives" i.e. the exact same thing the health care bill was going to provide counseling for. Even worse though is she is fighting hard to stop any healthcare reform even though 33% of Alaskans were not insured last year and the private insurance system the GOP is foaming at the mouth to defend is making it worse there with insurance rates going up 74% from 2000 to 2007 while wages only went up 13%. The really sad likely fact is that those same 33% that are not insured and 100% that are paying way more for less would all vote for again if given the chance.

Tron Reboot - Three amusing videos in the Tron environment. Mostly silly but I found them entertaining and pretty good effects and sounds that is faithful to the 1980s movie.

"I Will Not Read Your F$@#$ Script" - An entertaining read from A History of Violence screenwriter Josh Olson on why he has a policy of not reading people's scripts. The overall gist is that for him it is a lose-lose situation and I don't really blame him. When he does find time to read it, if he doesn't like it then a friend will think he is a douche for being honest. If he refuses to read it, then his friend will he think he is a douche for not providing his expertise. Since either way he will be a douche, he might as will go with the choice that will cause the least amount of grief.

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies clip - A clip from the upcoming movie. It is based on the six part comic book story from five years ago that was a great over the top read that launched the Superman/Batman comic book series that is currently on issue #63 I believe. The gist is President Lex Luthor declares Superman and Batman enemies of the United States by "causing" an extinction event sized meteor to hit the Earth. As a result all the heroes and villains of the DC Universe go hunting for them. Now Supes and Bats much destroy the meteor while avoiding arrest at the hands of their friends or death from their enemies.

Special Comment: "You Lie"

At first I didn't think that South Carolina Representative Joe Wilson's "You lie" outburst during the Presidential Address on Healthcare reform deserved a Special Comment from Keith Olbermann. That is until I heard it and he pointed out the many many lies the Bush Administration told for eight years and yet none ever yelled "You lie" during his addresses even though they were deserved.

The idiocy around this debate continues to confound me. Eight years of lies, two wars, thousands dead, but reforming healthcare is the thing that gets the "base" and "god fearing" folks most wound up? How? Why? I would love to explain to me out of all the issues to get heated about why has this one become the issue to gather around? Where were you a year ago? Two years ago? Eight years ago? How do you function with a moral compass that moves according to whatever your "conservative" talking heads tell you to believe? Do you have no mind of your own? Do you have no sense of even your own personal history and compare your "beliefs" from the past with your "beliefs" of the present and not noticed the inconsistencies? I just don't get it, I really don't.