Anyone Contact You Lately To Discuss Your Prescription Buying Habits?

I once got a telephone call from a "survey" company that concerned my "prescription" drug purchases. Now, I really only have two prescriptions, one for my blood pressure, and one for relief of stress. But, I was rather surprised that this company knew my information, what drugs I took and where I purchased them from. I was aghast that my personal medical history was out there for others to pick at.

Seems I am not alone (subscription required for full reading):

The Supreme Court on Thursday struck down a Vermont law that barred the sale of doctors' prescription data to drug companies, ruling the law interfered with the pharmaceutical industry's First Amendment right to market its products.

Data companies such as IMS Health Inc. gather information from pharmacies about which medicines doctors are prescribing and ...

American Current Wars Account For Majority Of World's Refugee Crisis

From Think Progress:

America’s wars are forcing Afghans and Iraqis to flee their homes in greater numbers. According to a recent U.N. High Commission for Refugees study, nearly one half of the world’s refugees are from Afghanistan and Iraq, 3.05 million and 1.68 million, respectively. But neither the United States nor much of the developed world bears the burden of the 10.55 million refugees under the UNHCR’s purview globally. Instead, Pakistan, Iran, and Syria serve as the top host countries. The Economist has charted the numbers:

And why, I ask again, are we not putting war spending cuts into the picture on this debt ceiling craziness going on in Congress?

I seriously hate the fact that our so called elected leaders in the past 12 years have completely isolated America from the rest of the world, and have their fingers in their collective ears. We have children running our country, for God's sake. These people feel the world is still flat, and that they can just keep running in one direction and will never fall off that deep end. Me, (as well as millions of other Americans), I see that deep end, and our current government is on the precipice. God help us all.

Unemployed Need Not Apply - New Business Mantra

Sadly, this is the new craze in hiring. Ain't American business just grand?

Hundreds of job opening listings posted on Monster.com and other jobs sites explicitly state that people who are unemployed would be less attractive applicants, with some telling the long-term unemployed to not even bother with applying.

I'd bang my head on the keyboard, but I gave that up a long time ago (got a strong head, and I really like my keyboard!)

Who REALLY Owns America?

Many people — politicians and pundits alike — prattle on that China and, to a lesser extent Japan, own most of America's $14.3 trillion in government debt.

But there's one little problem with that conventional wisdom: it's just not true. While the Chinese, Japanese and plenty of other foreigners own substantial amounts, it's really Americans who hold most of America's debt.

[snip]

• Hong Kong: $121.9 billion (0.9 percent)
• Caribbean banking centers: $148.3 (1 percent)
• Taiwan: $153.4 billion (1.1 percent)
• Brazil: $211.4 billion (1.5 percent)
• Oil exporting countries: $229.8 billion (1.6 percent)
• Mutual funds: $300.5 billion (2 percent)
• Commercial banks: $301.8 billion (2.1 percent)
• State, local and federal retirement funds: $320.9 billion (2.2 percent)
• Money market mutual funds: $337.7 billion (2.4 percent)
• United Kingdom: $346.5 billion (2.4 percent)
• Private pension funds: $504.7 billion (3.5 percent)
• State and local governments: $506.1 billion (3.5 percent)
• Japan: $912.4 billion (6.4 percent)
• U.S. households: $959.4 billion (6.6 percent)
• China: $1.16 trillion (8 percent)
• The U.S. Treasury: $1.63 trillion (11.3 percent)
• Social Security trust fund: $2.67 trillion (19 percent)

Well, Many Of Us Knew That Kerry Was Actually The Winner In Ohio

It is interesting that probably the biggest election steal in recent history just cannot get traction despite all of the related and seriously conclusive evidence!

"A new filing in the King Lincoln Bronzeville v. Blackwell case includes a copy of the Ohio Secretary of State election production system configuration that was in use in Ohio's 2004 presidential election when there was a sudden and unexpected shift in votes for George W. Bush," according to Bob Fitrakis, columnist at http://www.freepress.org and co-counsel in the litigation and investigation.

If you recall, Ohio was the battleground state that provided George Bush with the electoral votes needed to win re-election. Had Senator John Kerry won Ohio's electoral votes, he would have been elected instead.

Evidence from the filing suggests that Republican operatives — including the private computer firms hired to manage the electronic voting data — were compromised.

Yeah, as IF we didn't know that, thanks to all the hard work done over the years at The Brad Blog.

I suggest you read the full article for all the juicy facts.

Obama Administration Suspends Scientist Related To Polar Bear Problems In Arctic Region ... Hmmm

Aside from the fact that the Obama Administration is helping bring this nation to its knees, one really has to wonder how much money he is receiving for his re-election campaign from big oil interests, such that he has to resort to this:

It was seen as one of the most distressing effects of climate change ever recorded: polar bears dying of exhaustion after being stranded between melting patches of Arctic sea ice.

But now the government scientist who first warned of the threat to polar bears in a warming Arctic has been suspended and his work put under official investigation for possible scientific misconduct.

[snip]

Some question why (Charles) Monnett, employed by the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement, has been suspended at this moment. The Obama administration has been accused of hounding the scientist so it can open up the fragile region to drilling by Shell and other big oil companies.

Yeah, well those of us that have wised up to Mr. Obama's "change for the corporate world" can believe this.

Dumb And Dumber Use Internet Explorer

UPDATE: 8/3/11 It appears this "story" may have been an elaborate hoax.

Inherent in my nature is a refusal to jump onto bandwagons, whether it be sports or technology, or other stuff.

I used to get very upset years and years ago when I was a regular on a hockey chat board, at being called a Los Angeles Kings bandwagon fan. First off, the Kings never won anything so how I could be termed a bandwagoner was lost on me. Secondly, I actually had season tickets, six of them when at the Forum, and three in the lower bowl when at Staples. And usually, the "person" calling me names was someone who never owned season tickets, never had any intention of owning season tickets, went to one or two games a year, and failed to follow other hockey teams in the league! They were the "stupid" people, to me.

When it comes to technology, I am always the person who upgrades last. It took me years to get off Netscape and accept Internet Explorer. However, one of the few things I did do was change to Firefox. My reluctance to switch to IE in the first place is the fact that I distrust Microsoft a great deal - to the point that I turn off all automatic updates, and my computer at home still uses XP (forget Vista and Windows 7).

Now a report has come in that has found out "stupid" people tend to use IE !!!!! Just like stupid people watch FOX.

Here comes the flame war. According to a new report, dumb people are more likely to use Internet Explorer than smart people. It's a finding so apparently defamatory that the company responsible for the statement is allegedly being threatened with a lawsuit by inflamed Internet Explorer aficionados.

[snip]

Across the board, the average IQ scores presented for users of Internet Explorer versions 6 through 9 were all lower than the IQ scores recorded for Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Camino, and Opera users. Humorously enough, those using Internet Explorer with the Chrome frame built-in actually ranked third in IQ scores among this browser list. Opera users reported the highest average IQ score – hovering around the 120 to 130 range, which is a bit higher than the WAIS test's population mean of 100 (and standard deviation of 15).

I have always hated IE, but I am also not a fan of anything Google (I do not like the fact that Blogger was taken over by Google).

Grandson Is Coming To Visit!

Finally, DBD got the kid a plane ticket and he arrives on 8/4 and stays through 8/18 with MY FAMILY!!!! YEAH! I get to see Zaire in a week!

(marking the calender as I type)

Amy Winehouse Dead?

I am in shock, and still not sure if this is true. But it is up on the Wikipedia page.

Not that it was an unexpected and foreseeable future event, given the amount of alcohol and drug abuse inherent in her life.

But, still ... to lose such an authentic voice at that age (27) is extremely sad. She was, by far, one of my favorite vocalists.

RIP



Before "Back to Black" Amy.



UPDATE:

Here is a podcast from Crooks and Liars of a concert by Amy in 2007. I actually had all the videos from this concert, and would watch them EVERY FUCKING NIGHT for about six months. I was/am really into Amy, and as already noted, am deeply saddened at her early demise. These videos were unavailable after Amy won all those Grammys in 2009, but this music only version of the concert is available, so enjoy. While the visuals are lost (such as her always going to the edge of the stage, squatting down to pick up her glass of Jack and Coke, and her stumbling around and definite drunkenness at the end of her set), you can certainly "hear" her forgetting words, slurring them, and some awkward pauses. Still, it's a great concert, and enjoy!

UPDATE: The Crooks and Liars podcast won't open up, so here it is from my collection.

One Pie In The Face Equals A Shoe At The Head

I thought this tidbit was funny with my coffee during this morning's read through:

This separation of power and responsibility is endemic in the 21st century (see Tea Party and the debt-ceiling crisis), leaving so-called leaders to take all the bows and, when things go wrong, hide behind the stupidity and/or stubbornness of their followers.

For the rest of us, there are few outlets for frustration at this lack of accountability. The clown who pie-pelted Rupert Murdoch is reminiscent of the Iraqi journalist who threw shoes at President Bush in Baghdad during his last month in office.

H/T to Connecting the Dots

How Can The Dodgers Fire Steve Garvey?

I really, really do not understand this.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have fired Steve Garvey for his attempts to buy the team that he helped to the 1981 World Series title, according to a person familiar with the situation.

I tell you, having grown up with the O'Malley family owning this team, it has all gone downhill ever since it was first sold by the family. And from what I understand, McCourt has broken up various aspects of Dodger revenue sources, privatized them, and now is interested in selling off "pieces." I never liked Bud Selig, but I am glad he's out there now with his thumb up the dike trying to salvage a great baseball franchise that has been taken advantage of savagely, and is on the verge of destruction.

Ok, I Do Have One Thing To Say About Chutzpah!

Shootspa. Dude, if you can't say it, don't use it!



Here's a funny piece about chutzpah.



Speaking of chutzpah, about 20 years ago, one of my lawyer friends and I did a legal brief using about as many Yiddish words as were recognized for writing in law. It started out based on a brief filed by opposing counsel likening a theory we had about the case to having "chutzpah." Now, my friend, being Israeli (hence knowing Hebrew and its slang counterpart Yiddish) plus me being Jewish by osmosis (don't ask!), we decided to write the brief, and it was hysterical ... except for the fact that the judge was black, and pretty much, not Jewish, so for all that work, it was lost on just about everyone else except us. I wish I could find it, but alas, it appears to have gone the way of floppy disks, as in "gone, but not forgotten."

Is There Any Reason To Give A Shit Anymore About America's Destiny?

You know, it's hard to write political commentary these days. I mean, what's to say about a Democratic President that can't even recess appoint Elizabeth Warren to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau? Apparently, to make shit out of shinola, the "left" are embracing the notion that this is a GOOD thing now, because she can run for a Senate spot. Yeah! Whoopee!!! As if that actually mattered?

What mattered was having a President with a spine, but I digress ...

What is there really to post about? I mean, yeah, I've got some great song line-ups at the bar, and a few comments about the state of sports (although, the NFL IS cutting it a bit close this year, ahem). Some family trivia and what have I got left? Not a whole hell of a lot to blog about.

After eight horrible years, I cannot believe we've endured close to three more years of the same, except worse! Someone just shoot me, ok? (not really, just metaphorically, ok?)

My Murdoch Take

All I can say is "what goes around, comes around."

Amen, brother!

Oh, and is THIS just a "coinky dink?"

Sean Hoare, the former News of the World showbusiness reporter who was the first named journalist to allege that Andy Coulson was aware of phone hacking by his staff, has been found dead.

[snip]

"The death is currently being treated as unexplained but not thought to be suspicious. Police investigations into this incident are ongoing."

Yeah, right!

The Obama Fuck - "We Were Lucky To Have You" ???

I had a dress like that. I even crocheted it myself.

This is what we call a fuck me situation.



No comment.

Nice To See A Chick Blow

Pick Up The Pieces -- Candy Dulfer

Shots and beer for all !!!!

Happy 31st To My Daughter

Like mother, like daughter.

You would have had to be there.

Debt Ceiling Crisis - The Smell Of Mendacity

I don't know about the rest of you guys out there, but the themes of late by the Republicans and Democrats with regard to the so called debt ceiling crisis are disturbing to watch being played out.

I am one of the fortunate workers here in America that still has a job. Although, every month, it's a job that just barely survives. I can't believe the headache just meeting payroll every month, my boss endures. We don't close up because there are still clients we service, and we do get paid ... just not timely, but that's the economy, stupid, as they say.

How long this can go on, I don't know. As I approach 60, I can't imagine not having a job, yet I also have never imagined that I would be reliant on Social Security or any medical assistance in my "old age" as it were.

However, millions of Americans DO rely on SS, Medicare, and other forms of assistance. They PAID for it, and I am tired of the Government (both sides, and anyone else in between) trying to tell the American public that SS is NOT an American entitlement.

It's not the American public's fault that our government has used the SS trust as a giant free for all piggy bank. It's not the American public's fault that since 9/11, big corporate monied interests have dictated the pillaging of all forms of public funds. We, the people, did not ask for an invasion of Iraq. We the people, did not vote for handing off trillions of dollars to foreign countries while millions here at home go unemployed, are hungry and homeless.

The gutting of American's safety net, coupled with the dishonest corporate greed of the Republican wave of governors throughout the United States, makes it very clear there is a class war going on. The debt ceiling so called crisis is but one clog in the overall dismantling of what was an America I grew up knowing. Today's America barely resembles the country I came of age in.

I am unaffected now. Don't know how long I will remain unaffected. It's bad enough just to watch the dollar signs at the gas pump arbitrarily go up and down while watching everything else, like food prices, transit fees, just go up, up and up. Even rent, although mine seems to have topped out and there have been no increases in the past five years. But I do notice each time a unit in my building is vacated, the rental price increases for the new tenant, such that the singles that are rather small are going for more than my 1,400 sq. foot one bedroom! And it's too bad, too, because aside from a handful of us in this building that have been here for a while, the newer tenants only manage to stay a few months and then leave -- it is obviously too expensive.

I'm also lucky that I can use mass transit, which helps out a lot in that I do not pay for gas, insurance, repairs or parking. If I had a car, I probably could not make it every month on what I am paid. I made a lifestyle choice when I gave up my driver's license a few years back, and opted for a state ID instead. Getting rid of my car was one of the best decisions I have made financially.

So, as the President and Congress have their little tug-o-war over what to give and what to take during this debt ceiling made up crisis, I, like the rest of America, sit on the sidelines and just shake my head. I can't for the life of me figure out who these people are in Washington, and how the hell they got there. If this is any sign of the future of this country, where we, the people, actually don't count anymore, and they, the corporations, have more sway over our government, pretty soon we will find ourselves not even having elections because who we want elected and what we want done by those elected, won't be an option.

Jobs, not the debt of this country, is what we Americans wanted our politicians in Washington to tackle. In fact, we thought we had it in the bag when we elected a full slate of Democrats across this nation that espoused "change" as the mantra. We blogs were patting our collective selves on the back, great work, etc. Now we sit practically powerless as corporate money pushes us back into our "basement" offices, and our voices slowly but methodically being silenced by greed, avarice and to quote "Big Daddy," the smell of mendacity.

I'M BACK!!!

Boy, do I have a shitload of archived articles to sift through for commentary -- even if some of it is old and already beaten to death. Don't worry, I have nothing to say about Casey Anthony (LOL).

I finally filed document(s) that will set the ball rolling to bring home my grandson. I can now concentrate on other things, like my blog! I wish I could comment on the proceedings, but my daughter has asked me to not put this matter out on the internet, so, for the few of you that actually know me and want to know what's going on, feel free to e-mail me.

Now, off to my doctor for my regular five week check up (blood pressure medicine, prescription for valium, etc.) and when I get back, time to work on what I've been missing this past month (or months).