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The Obama Watch
The Blair House Witch Project
Obama’s summit goal is to convince Republicans that half a tablet of poison is better than none.
The middle distance between truth and error is still error, but Barack Obama can’t even get there. He is the self-appointed custodian of “common ground” while not moving an inch towards it, as evidenced by the fact that the most controversial element in his plan, abortion funding, remained in it up to the day of the summit.
That Obama considers the taking of unborn life essential to “health care” explodes the conceit of the whole discussion, namely, his great concern, supposedly superior to the concern of Republicans, for the lives and welfare of the American people. He tosses and turns at night worrying about the “uninsured” while recalcitrant Republicans just don’t care about them, according to the media-approved narrative.
But why should the American people entrust their health care to a president who doesn’t even believe in the Hippocratic Oath? Why should the enfeebled trust a party that prides itself on snuffing out the life of Terri Schiavo?
It is not at all clear why the Democrats should enjoy the moral high ground on health care. At least the Republican proposals don’t involve killing anyone.
Neither the motives nor the means of pro-abortion, pro-euthanasia Democrats should inspire any confidence. Even if one were to suppose that they cared about the “30 million uninsured” any more than the 30 million babies dead from Roe policies, why should anyone assume the means they propose to cover the uninsured would actually do so?
Ineffective means render good motives irrelevant. Every claim that Obama makes would mean in reality its opposite. His heavy-handed means to “expand care” would result in less of it through rationing and the alienation and bankrupting of doctors, nurses, and health care providers. His means of “cutting costs” would saddle already bloated entitlement programs with soaring new ones. His formula for taxing some would guarantee taxing all.
Whenever Obama is forced to describe in detail what he is actually proposing, it becomes clear that his goal is not expanded coverage but expanded control. “Covering the uninsured” by the best means and covering the uninsured on terms approved by the federal government and the special interests of the Democratic Party are two vastly different things.
Hence, Obama opposes tort reform, even though that would eliminate the costs of defensive medicine, and opposes competition across state lines, even though that would free up affordable plans to millions.
In his faux-fair style, Obama grandly says he will consider Republican proposals to increase coverage, provided he gets to graft onto them regulatory apparatus that renders them ineffectual. Unless the federal government’s finger is wedged into the pie somehow, he is just not interested.
Given the choice between expanded opportunity and government regulation, the Democrats always choose the latter. Just as they would rather see fewer children educated (in a real sense), lest support for homeschooling, vouchers, and private education threaten their governmental and union interests, so they don’t mind if people go uncovered, lest support for flourishing competition diminish the reach of bureaucrats.
So even though millions of people could get affordable coverage by shopping for it across state lines, Obama still won’t support the idea. He only wants them insured on his terms. He will determine the “fairness” of their coverage.
The idea of a summit was a sham from the start. Half a loaf is not better than none if it is salted with poison. And only a politician as hubristic as Obama would propose to resolve disputes about the takeover of one-sixth of America’s economy over six hours of posturing and a buffet lunch.
About the Author
George Neumayr, a contributing editor to The American Spectator, is co-author, with Phyllis Schlafly, of the new book, No Higher Power: Obama’s War on Religious Freedom.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (108) | Leave a comment
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crookedwren| 2.25.10 @ 7:13AM
Well-said, sir.
I hope the Repubs. going to the Blair House today get a chance to read your article beforehand.
Alan Brooks| 2.25.10 @ 3:42PM
Why does that senator from AZ have to be there? Isn't growing old gracefully a decent thing to do?
Alan Brooks| 2.25.10 @ 5:48PM
...there's a gorgeous retirement community in Scottsdale;
PCs, FAX, everything.
Many USEFUL things to do there...
Ret. Marine| 2.25.10 @ 7:53AM
A glass half empty is still half empty. Repub's. have the correct stand thus far, now if only they do not get weak kneed and then challange this posuer and the party of it's mine I tell yah, it's mine we will all be better off in the long and short run. This is too important to give the control over our health care and individual needs to a six hour grandstanding from a person who thinks killing a born citizen of this country is above "his paygrade."
This punk calling himself our president is nothing short of the devil himself. To think for one minute money is the deciding factor over my life, and having some faceless breaucrat make this decision on top of the matter, is nothing less worthy of going after for some "payback." I cannot get away from the feeling that this is exactly what will happen if this legislation is passed. We are going through some rather rough and tumble times and to date we are seeing some among us who are willing to pay the ultimate price for their grieviences against what they see as a out of control gubmint. Do we expect to see any reduction of these actions if these fools think they have a right to our bodies, our economy, and our liberties? No I rather suspect we will see even more of it.
Today we are going to see if the party of NO will return a verdict of HELL NO, not on my watch. I sincerly hope this pretender-n-theif gets his arse handed back to him in peices and then some. Anyone who is in the position he is in, with this tpe of arrogance, needs just a lot of humility handed to him on a silver platter. I often wonder just what part of NO this chump does not understand. Community organizing is not the same as a leadership position, first you must be a leader.
Alan Brooks| 2.25.10 @ 5:44PM
At this rate we'll end up with faith-based health care.
And that is not necessarily facetious.
danfromatlanta| 2.26.10 @ 4:51PM
Better than Obamacare! There are sectarian charity hospitals operating strictly from private sector donations, and they deliver tremendous services to their patients, FAR better than the state run hospitals in Canada. But then they probably don't provide free abortions on demand, so that makes the idea of "faith based health care" unacceptable to someone like Brooks right?
martin j smith| 2.25.10 @ 8:03AM
Here is what makes sense:
Be polite
After O gives his shpiel, the put forward a plan that " we think is much better than yours because.... And, here it is.
By the way, I know you have copy of it and we are sure you read it and found it interesting.
Then there will be the polite backing and forthing--repubs should be civil,polite but firm on the key economic issues and how they would negatively impact on health care and the economy and explain this to the Public in plain language ( not dimeaning )
Then, everyone says they had a wonderful, nice to meet with you and go home.
pugsley| 2.25.10 @ 1:37PM
Martin-I have a better idea and the American people will get it toot sweet. Take 15 lb frozen Mackeral out of freezer, put in ice chest, take to Blair House, let the lawn jockey put his speil out there for everyone to hear, take Mackeral out of ice chest and swat lawn jockey up side the head hard once or maybe twice, put Mackeral back in ice chest and say no thanks and leave. I think that would say volumes about this whole mess.
IMKessel| 2.25.10 @ 4:48PM
"Lawn Jockey"? If you have to post racist sentiment at least be humorous in your use of nomenclature. The idea was funny but the racial -- distracts from the point.
Also -- spiel (from the German) -- i before e...
martin j smith| 2.25.10 @ 8:05AM
the brain works faster than the hand, --in the first sentence I left out Repubs--sorry.
JP| 2.25.10 @ 8:35AM
IMHO, the Blair House song and dance is really geared towards about 2-3 dozen House Blue Dogs. As it stands, House Speaker Pelosi barely has 200 votes (she needs 218 to pass the Senate version using reconcilliation). Remember, the real action is in the House. The Senate passed its version almost 2 months ago. Legislative procedure requires either the House amend the Senate version, and return to the Senate; or, they can hammer things out in conference. But both processes require much time and additional compromise. And there are so many side deals in both versions that the Dems have pretty much nullified themselves. Niether House not Senate Dems like each other's bills. The only chance that the Dems have is for the House to accept the Senate version as is using reconcilliation. The President offered an 18 page WH version; but this version lacks legislative language, details, and costs. In other words, the WH version is all eye candy -there is nothing to vote on.
So that leads us back to the House. Pelosi needs to pick up anywhere from 18 to 30 votes (perhaps more) to reach the 218 vote mark. Stupak said yesterday that the language in the Senate version is not enough for him and his dozen or so Blue Dogs. Other House members of the Blue Dog wing are fighting for their political life. The question is: Will they sacrifice thier politcal career for thier President? Is ObamaCare really that important? The President has turned his own party's commanding politcal position into a position of weakness. He has so miscalculated everything that he could become the Dems own version of Hubert Hoover?
Copyleft| 2.25.10 @ 9:20AM
What an inspiring tirade against health care reform! I'm sure that "do nothing" is a real winner of an approach to fixing our broken healthcare.
And the author even brought up the old Terri Schiavo embarassment... that takes guts! There's no better way to argue your case than to remind people what a disaster religion-driven politics always turns out to be.
Keep shouting "No!", Neumayr. I'm sure you'll be rewarded for your efforts by Jesus, if not by the voters. But if you don't mind, the rest of us would like to hammer out a way to actually make healthcare WORK.
Tim| 2.25.10 @ 9:56AM
Using God's name perjoratively is deeply insulting, would you please refrain in the future.
Louis Jenkins| 2.25.10 @ 10:18AM
That's the problem Copyleftist, Obama and his minions think they're Thor with a big hammer and he's going to meld health care into his leftist image. That includes Schiavo, God, Blue Dog Democrats, and the nation. Yes, health care should be worked on, but a 1,700 page document, a reconcilation process, diverse stroking messages depending on who is interpreting the two versions of their reform bills? The span and control of such legislation is insane. It is a gigantic mess, and we're to have it? The nation has spoken: We don't want it! Put something together that everyone can understand, not I'm with the government and I'm here to help you 'cause you're too menial to understand the workings of our beautiful, lofty, brilliant minds and government. The government that governs the least can govern the best.
Copyleft| 2.25.10 @ 10:46AM
I agree; the current plan before Congress is an unworkable mess.
But the author's stance--solidly against ANY attempt to reform healthcare whatsoever--is counterproductive. We need to take action and do healthcare RIGHT, not just refuse to make any changes at all.
JP| 2.25.10 @ 12:24PM
But the President and his party have all the chips, and it has been thier way or the highway from the very start. The President and the Democratic Party leadership have refused to budge on:
1)Employee mandates
2)Employer mandates
3)Public Health Exchanges
4)An entire new bureaucracy to regulate health insurance (There are already 50)
And they refuse to recognize that thier various concoctions will add over $1 trillion to our budgets, and thus incur even large defecits. To make matters worse, they intend to put all non-insured on Medicare (inlcuding illegals) at a time when Medicare is pegged to go bankrupt.
victor| 2.25.10 @ 12:30PM
Liberal Reader:
"We need to take action and do healthcare RIGHT, not just refuse to make any changes at all."
"But if you don't mind, the rest of us would like to hammer out a way to actually make healthcare WORK."
Anybody care to tell me why the average State Mandates are 45 per state?
We need to tell Congress, Obama and the Bloody Unions that we need health insurance policies the way we buy car insurance:
From very basic, we pay $750 for basic, we coul pay up to $1800 for full fat insurance.
Give us a Choice!
Let it be portable, let us have Flexible Savings accounts, and let us buy across state lines.
I got an email for basic health coverage for 180 a month and 200 a month for me and my spouse.
Alas, it was not available in my state.
http://www.cahi.org/cahi_conte.....es2009.pdf
Ken (Old Texican)| 2.25.10 @ 10:10AM
Hi Copyleft
Some 35 States now have "nullification legislation" pending. (In simple terms for you to understand, that means "We will not comply.")
Some 70 % of the medical doctors in this country will not accept what would amount to "wage slavery".....period. Many would "retire". Many more will take a "sabbatical" and go back to school.
Some will take up residence in the Carribean for those of us who can afford to visit.
"This Bullcorn reform"...will NOT work.
Sam| 2.25.10 @ 6:53PM
My problem is with the Terri Schiavo reference. Her death was unfortunate, but the person who best knows whether or not she would choose to live in such a terrible state is her HUSBAND. It was disgusting how the government got involved and tried to control their lives. That's the kind of big government I'm worried about if healthcare reform is rammed through by the Dems, but I'll be keeping an eye on the Republicans after the Schiavo mess...
Margie| 2.25.10 @ 9:50PM
Wrong, Sam. Her "husband" left her. He also beat her. He wanted her dead so that he could legally marry his new girlfriend.
He got his wish, but he will pay when he meets his Maker.
Sam| 2.25.10 @ 9:59PM
That is a serious accusation, Margie. Are you prepared to back it up? While he did remarry, I found no evidence that he beat her or wanted her dead so he could remarry. Please point me to proof.
Margie| 2.25.10 @ 11:02PM
If you're truly interested in knowing the truth, ask her Parents.
http://www.terrisfight.org/
She was found lying unconscious and with bruises on her body. Her cheating husband, who moved in with his "girlfriend" while Terry was languishing, WITHHELD treatment for her that could have very easily caused her to recover. He also restricted visits by her Parents. He fought for years to get them to have her murdered by starvation. He finally got his wish. Terry was NOT in a persistent vegetative state even when she died. Go to the website and see her smiling in response to her Mother, and making an attempt to speak.
You have no evidence? Who cares about you and your evidence. Do you really care about the truth? I highly doubt it.
Ryan| 2.26.10 @ 8:20AM
"Who cares about you and your evidence????"
Seriously. How can I consider you to have a reasonable, informed opinion when you don't look at the whole picture.
Terri's responses were gained after HOURS of poking and prodding, and her brain was pretty much gone (according to the autopsy).
Terri's parents had an agenda, and are COMPLETELY biased in their account.
How am I wrong?
Margie| 2.26.10 @ 12:51PM
You're a liar, Ryan. A despicable liar.
Yeah, her Parents had an agenda you scumbag. It was to keep her alive.
Ryan| 2.26.10 @ 1:08PM
What am I lying about? What proves me wrong?
Sam| 2.26.10 @ 11:42AM
Actually, Margie I do care about the truth or else I wouldn't have asked you to direct me to proof! But I ask you to consider the source. Her parents wanted Terri to live. Don't you think they would have done everything possible to smear him and make him appear to be an awful husband? When I say I want proof, I don't mean from your supporters. That would be like Nancy Pelosi citing or a liberal blog. Proof comes from multiple sources corroborating stories, not your own personal source.
Margie| 2.26.10 @ 12:54PM
You're an ass Sam. I knew it was a mistake to even engage you.
As I said to your pal, above. Yeah her Parents had an agenda. My Lord, to keep their beloved daughter alive.
You disgust me.
Creep.
Tony in Central PA| 2.25.10 @ 10:36AM
If this President has such a great plan, after nine months, why isn't it selling itself ? Wait ! I know, its the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy again.
Is the CBO also part of the Conspiracy ? They initially said the plan would cost more than the current system. After being summoned to the White House for " private meeting " they eventually changed their tune and said it would save about $132 billion over ten years. Now the analysis is that isn't enough detail in the plan to make an accurate cost prediction. The plan is supposed to expand coverage to 40 million, wait, 47 million, wait, 31 million uninsured and save money at the same time by, you guessed it, putting the federal government in charge. What an untried and innovative approach from the Democrats !
Without some kind of Draconian rationing, there's no way anything like this will save money. Dems might love this because it will inevitably put the government in charge of who lives and who dies.
Ryan| 2.25.10 @ 12:39PM
Doing nothing is better than the alternative. The current system works better than it would with the current dems' proposals.
That being said, conservatives are NOT proposing to be "doing nothing." We have had MANY proposals on the board, and only ask for one-at-a-time measures rather than an omnibus, one-size-fits-all measure that changes the entire system for all Americans eventually.
danfromatlanta| 2.26.10 @ 4:56PM
once again, Copy is too thick to realize that the Republicans have ideas for improving the system, but since they don't involve socialist take-overs of industry, they must equal "doing nothing". When will libs ever learn that socialism does not work, never has, never will!
JJ| 2.25.10 @ 9:35AM
CNN has already declared Obama the winner of the Health Care Summit. Americans should boycott this farce and NOT WATCH IT. No matter the media will continue to portray the Republicans as whatever Gibbs says they are ...
If I were in charge of the Republican team I would come out swinging, step on Obamas throat, hammer the Democrats -- crush them.
We need Reagan at the microphone !!
"Mister President -- tear up your bloated welfare healthcare tax bill !! "
Matt morehouse| 2.25.10 @ 10:22AM
I am not at all surprised the pussy 'Publicans signed up for this rope-a-dope rodeo.
There is absolutely no reason to play dog and pony in the BHO circus.
I am disgusted.
victor| 2.25.10 @ 1:07PM
Matt:
"I am disgusting"
Doesn't surprise me that you "feel" the way you do.
Republicans are handing the Boy President and his minions his head and you still have contempt for them.
But then again, you have nothing but contempt
for those who do not agree with you.
The camera caught Obama giving the finger to the Republicans, making funny faces while they spoke, cutting them off and not answering the question put to him.
For those who say there is no difference between the two parties this meeting highlights all the differences quite clearly.
Obama wants us to rely on government and the Republicans want us to rely on our own ingenuity.
Al Adab| 2.25.10 @ 2:07PM
Does anyone else wonder why the name plates in front of the participants? After all, don't these guys know each other by now?
Who advanced this show?
victor| 2.25.10 @ 8:39PM
No, it's for US who hear these names all of the time on the news, but don't know what they look like.
When the Toddy's and Lefties say that there are NO good Republicans, this is proof positive that Republicans are speaking their mind, but the media is ignoring them.
Paul Ryan, Eric Cantor, John Boehner and others cannot be ignored now.
They sparkled, while Dear Leader Shucked and Jived and just generally showed how truly ignorant he was about everything.
He knows nothing about insurance, business, or even going to the doctor.
What a perfect waste of ectoplasm.
Louis Jenkins| 2.25.10 @ 10:46AM
Can’t wait to be admitted to a hospital when the Obama/Senate/House Health Care reform takes effect. We’ll be in a situation just like the patients in jolly ol England’s hospitals, the prime example of what they're trying to achieve, where the bottom line is more important than patient care. (Apologies for the lengthy post.)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new.....ients.html
Highlights of the article:
The devastating-report into the Stafford Hospital-shambles' laid waste to Labour's decade-long obsession with box-ticking and league tables.
The independent inquiry headed by Robert Francis QC found the safety of sick and dying patients was 'routinely neglected'. Others were subjected to ' inhumane treatment', 'bullying', 'abuse' and 'rudeness'.
The inquiry found that:
• Patients were left unwashed in their own filth for up to a month as nurses ignored their requests to use the toilet or change their sheets;
• Four members of one family. including a new-born baby girl. died within 18 months after of blunders at the hospital;
• Medics discharged patients hastily out of fear they risked being sacked for delaying;
• Wards were left filthy with blood, discarded needles and used dressings while bullying managers made whistleblowers too frightened to come forward.
http://www.independent.co.uk/o.....09596.html
Highlights of the article:
The Health Secretary, Andy Burnham, yesterday described the appalling treatment of patients at Stafford hospital as "ultimately a local failure". This misses the point. For one thing, Stafford is not the only NHS hospital that has put patients' lives at risk in recent years. Basildon and Colchester hospitals were also discovered to have jeopardised safety in 2009.
What is more, Mr Burnham's efforts to quarantine this disaster suggest an unwillingness to face up to the scale of the problem that has been revealed. The failure in Stafford is not just the tale of one badly run hospital, but the failure of a regulatory system that did little to sound the alarm until very late in the day. From 2005 to 2008 Stafford
hospital was judged by regulators and the Government to be performing well. It passed many inspections and the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust even achieved foundation status, supposedly the benchmark of excellence.
Won't hear about this on the evening news, CNN, MSNBC, etc, cause we all know European health care is the best in the world, next to Cuba that is.
Dustoff| 2.25.10 @ 10:48AM
Why is McCain there?
Does he know anything about health care?
How about a few Doc's instead.
Tony in Central PA| 2.25.10 @ 10:55AM
Where do you live ? Haven't you learned that when the government starts meddling in something the last people it wants to hear from are those who know anything about it ?
KyMouse| 2.25.10 @ 11:32AM
Tony, you've reminded me of something my father used to say: When magicians (Uri Geller comes to mind) claim to have special powers, they're happy to have scientists try to disprove those claims. Just not other magicians.
Tony in Central PA| 2.25.10 @ 11:37AM
I think most would agree that Obama, if not a magician, would've made a fine snake oil salesman.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 2.25.10 @ 10:54AM
When politicians carve up an industry, they and their friends feast on the meat while the carcass and whatever else is left is thrown to the public.
DatsunMark| 2.25.10 @ 11:08AM
Why go at all?
If I were BHO I'd have a team of lawyers sitting at computer terminals and as soon as the Repubs mention any aspect of health reform they want...scream "it's right here on page XYZ and you've been lying to the American people!!!". This is a no win for conservatives to play his game at his home court. We should leave them to attempt reconcilation and pick off key senators and representatives to stall off the vote.
Way to go Mitch.
Oldefarte| 2.25.10 @ 11:22AM
Obama's/Democrats' whole/entire purpose in their healthcare proposals is simply WELFARE [to begin covering the millions who either cannot or refuse PAY FOR same now [and correspondingly begin FORCING the taxpayers to not only pay for their own healthcare insurance, but also that of these welfare recipients as well. If their intent was healthcare COST REDUCTION [which it's not], then they would consider/accept ideas such as tort reform,etc!!!!!!!
Yosemeti Sam| 2.25.10 @ 11:27AM
BHO - as a sardonic P.T. Barnum - presenting the Greatest Sucker Show on Earth.
Al Adab| 2.25.10 @ 11:55AM
Republicans lose either way. If they don't go, see they are just obstructionist. If they do go the Pres. will come out, say that the nasty Republicans won't go along with his plan so they will just have to use reconciliation to pass the bill.
Now how and when the Conservatives (not to be confused with GOP) and the public at large which wants no part of this bill will react remains to be seen.
Is this the time for state nullification or civil disobedience? After all the current administration used to tell us, back in the Bush dark ages that, "dissent is the highest form of patriotism."
Pat| 2.25.10 @ 12:21PM
Suppose your postman got into an arguement with the burly guy who operates the garbage truck over who has the right of way when driving on your street. He didn't go postal but he did call in 2 policemen, 3 firemen and a sanitation worker to arbitrate the dispute while, a short time later, the Deputy Mayor showed up to report on the event by speaking through a bullhorn to your neighbors who are looking on in amazement. You're standing on your front porch, watching this absurd comedy play out in front of your house, shaking your head in disgust and wondering how all these public servants have the time for this nonsense.
Isn't that what is going on here, the Democrats could have passed a health care bill anytime, they have a majority in both the House and Senate and Obama certainly wouldn't veto their efforts. But the Democrats don't wish to appear heavy handed by cramming unpopular legislation down the throats of their constituents. And the Republicans wish to appear reasonable and not unduly partisan, yet they have their own aganda, they want some reform of malpractice ripoffs by the Dems' favorite group of campaign contributing lawyers.
And day after day the media reports on the latest events in this continuing soap opera, it's like a tennis match, the Democrats return the Republicans' serve by blooping it into a corner, the Republicans race over to whack the ball back. Politician after politician is interviewed by some eager reporter with a fist full of microphone and don't they all begin to sound the same after the 112th interview?
As the bewildered and disgusted private citizen, you have to wonder if our government employees are even attempting to earn their pay. This is our government hard at work? It's more like your favorite 3 Stooges installment, the same sight gags, eye pokes and face slaps but by people who are supposed to have our best interests at heart.
We're told we have the best political system ever -a process, often messy, but which works better than any other political process. Yet, we have to wonder - our hard earned money goes to pay for this nonsense, we thought we were electing serious adults to work on our behalf, instead we have unruly children engaged in a playground brawl while the teachers look on helplessly.
Ken (Old Texican)| 2.25.10 @ 12:22PM
Al Adab,
In reply to your question above>>>
""Is this the time for state nullification or civil disobedience? ""
It is not QUITE the right time. That time may come very soon. In the mean-time, get out your popcorn and coka Cola.
According to Rush, the Repubs are kicking butt in this summit.
Al Adab| 2.25.10 @ 12:47PM
Reports coming out state Lamar Alexander of all people taking bull (heh) by horns. Follow along on the sidebars on AmSpec.
"If they mean to have a war, let it begin here."
Margie| 2.25.10 @ 2:39PM
And, as usual, Rush is right!
The country gets to witness that there is indeed a HUGE difference between the 2 Parties.
Rev your engines~ this bodes well for votes for the Republicans in future elections.
Ryan| 2.25.10 @ 12:42PM
AAAAARGH.
I ALWAYS groan when Terry Schiavo is brought up in this context. She WAS deceased, God rest her soul. She was made the centerpiece of a media circus by her attention-grabbing parents. Yes, her ex-husband was a total jerk, but he was doing all things well within his rights - and responsibilities - as a husband.
It wasn't any sort of right-to-life issue, it was a control and media issue by her parents who garnered together minutes of tape after HOURS of recording to get public sympathy.
victor| 2.25.10 @ 1:11PM
I think you need to go and reread the facts of the case.
The "husband" jeft her while he was still married to her and repeatedly committed adultery and spawned out of wedlock children.
He did not spend her money on her care, but on his own needs.
It figures that you side with the "husband"
and excuse his behavior.
Ryan| 2.25.10 @ 1:36PM
There were NO good guys in the case. The husband's actions were inexcusable, but it doesn't remove the matter that he had both the legal rights AND responsibilities as her husband, AND that her parents manipulated everyone into believing that she was still alive somehow.
Being adulterous doesn't change that.
If he wasn't as big a jerk as he was, there would have been a more divided base among the right wing as to what he should have been able to do.
I'm the same Ryan as above, by the way, who consistently posts under this name. I'm no left-winger by any stretch.
Missy| 2.25.10 @ 4:51PM
You'd better hope someday that you don't have a brain injury and your estranged 'wife' doesn't fight to force you to starve and thirst to death--and it takes you TWO SLOW WEEKS to die!
Heartless Bastard.
victor| 2.25.10 @ 8:45PM
Ryan:
" I'm no left-winger by any stretch."
No one said you were a Lefty, we just said you are a heartless and cold SOB.
Margie| 2.25.10 @ 2:41PM
Ryan.
That's a pretty cold hearted view you have there. Terry Schundler was indeed very much alive and deserved the right to life. The same right you and I have. It may not have been what you call life but that isn't your right to decide. She was starved to death. Murdered. It was a disgrace. God will Judge those responsible for her murder, including her "husband." And all involved.
Ryan| 2.25.10 @ 3:29PM
The autopsy revealed that Terry's brain was practically liquified, with some only base physical responses that were obtained with hours of prodding and poking. She was clinically deceased.
She had no independent thought processes nor true ability to attempt communication. She was NOT "very much alive." Vegetative states are a highly dubious gray area, but typically people don't recover.
In any case, it was both her husband's right and responsibility to bear that burden, NOT her parents.
Yes, she had the right to life, but was NOT murdered. She deserved a humane passing, and was used as a media spectacle by her attention-grabbing parents and discarded by her jerk husband who waited too long to give her proper care (which she should have received the first year).
Margie| 2.25.10 @ 4:53PM
I guess you didn't see the footage I saw of her responding to her Mother while she was feeding her, looking and smiling and opening up her mouth to receive food.
It was murder.
Missy| 2.25.10 @ 4:53PM
Liar. There was NO such finding in Terri's autopsy report. Terri Schindler Schiavo was murdered.
Monster.
Missy| 2.25.10 @ 4:57PM
Humane passing? Are you insane?
She died a slow and terrible death. Terri wanted to live and fought for her life for two long weeks.
Read up on thirsting to death--it is terrible beyond measure. RIP Terri, you are in the arms of our Savior now.
You're sick and you make me sick, smug little worm.
Margie| 2.25.10 @ 5:16PM
Go here and watch her. Then consider if you believed a lie.http://www.terrisfight.org/pages.php?page_id=52
Margie| 2.25.10 @ 5:21PM
http://www.terrisfight.org/pages.php?page_id=52
Margie| 2.25.10 @ 11:03PM
Well Ryan~ did you view the video of Terry Schiavo yet?
Ryan| 2.26.10 @ 8:33AM
Saw it on the news reports during the issue.
Terri's responses were Six MINUTES gained after Six HOURS of prodding by her parents. Her body - devoid of mind and possibly spirit - came up with a response to physical stimulation.
From the autopsy report (via wikipedia)
"The neuropathologic changes in her brain were precisely of the type seen in patients who enter a PVS following cardiac arrest. Throughout the cerebral cortex, the large pyramidal neurons that comprise some 70% of cortical cells – critical to the functioning of the cortex – were completely lost. The pattern of damage to the cortex, with injury tending to worsen from the front of the cortex to the back, is also typical. There was marked damage to important relay circuits deep in the brain (the thalami) – another common pathologic finding in cases of PVS. The damage was, in the words of Thogmartin, "irreversible, and no amount of therapy or treatment would have regenerated the massive loss of neurons."
I'm not debating much on what occurred the first few minutes of whatever happened. We may never truly know. Her ex-husband could have truly been a monster and caused something.
Terri was long dead before her body starved. The tragedy wasn't the end, it was in the media circus that her family brought about in an attempt to manipulate the right wing.
I am NOT debating a right-to-life issue here, because Terri's body was kept alive far longer than it should have been. Unfortunately, the way her body had to pass on was through removal of a feeding tube through an extended period.
Here's the real question - what SHOULD have been done?
From what I see, possibly her husband should have been criminally prosecuted in the beginning if there was a crime.
If there was NO crime, it was HIS sole right and responsibility to ease and see to Terri's passing. That is what "leaving and cleaving" is all about.
Margie| 2.26.10 @ 1:10PM
Your first paragraph is a lie. You don't seem to mind lying, do you?
You didn't even bother going to the website and viewing her videos where she was just as alive as you or me, did you? It wasn't hours pf prodding~ you are a liar! A hard heartyed liar!
One who believes footage from the media! Shows how much integrity you have.
The autopsy~ after she was starved to death!
Her body was kept alive far longer than it should have been? Who are you? God? You are despicable!
You show what kind of person you are. I will not respond to you again.
Ryan| 2.26.10 @ 1:21PM
Terri's parents' site is NOT the only place to get information.
Wikipedia has a pretty good article that's well-sourced, well-debated, and came out very clean
If you refuse to be educated on the matter, and fall back to emotional issues without researching and disputing the claims that I made with real facts, you are worse than those on the left.
Janet| 2.27.10 @ 1:58PM
What an intellectually dishonest person we have here! Ryan uses good old Wikipedia for his "source," a typical Leftist proclivity. And the media too is his source? Yet he labels Margie "worse than the Left."
And "refuses to be educated." Yet Ryan refuses to go and view the actual videos of Terry which are proof in and of themselves..
Ryan sides with those who wanted her dead, along with her husband. He also completely mischaracterizes Terry's Parents by calling them "attention seekers" for the "right wing."
All in all I have to say if anyone is worse than the Left, it is Ryan.
Ryan| 3.1.10 @ 8:31AM
I've seen the video of Terry (6 minutes after 6 hours of taping), and I completely know the issues with wikipedia.
That doesn't make its information WRONG. Yes, "consider the source," but also consider the information and the situation. It has a GOOD summary of the situation. If you're going to state that wikipedia is wrong, you have to debate the FACTS that it presents - the doctors, the autopsy report, etc.
"Ryan sides with those who wanted her dead" is a great insult. If Terry were truly alive at that time, I would stand with you. I don't see how she was - her body was simply responding to external stimulus, but her mind was GONE.
How can you draw a conclusion simply by watching a part of a video, particularly if you're not a doctor?
It was heavily edited by her family in an attempt to gain control over her from her husband (who I NEVER deny was a jerk).
Maybe I overstate about Terry's parents, who honestly may have believed - however erroneous - that she was alive and were doing everything they could - including manipulating the media - to keep her alive. I think they were proven wrong in the end.
Again, I've seen no evidence presented here other than "watch the video" that disproves everything else that I've studied. You and Margie seem to be arguing from an emotional response to the video, and that's it.
Margie| 3.1.10 @ 3:10PM
Ryan,
I am sorry, and I apologize for my name calling. While I strongly disagree with you, it wasn't right. You are right, it is a highly emotional issue for me. But I must do better.
Ryan| 3.1.10 @ 4:36PM
Apology accepted.
The issue got VERY overcharged at the time.
I personally always thought those of us on the right would have viewed the entire situation differently if Michael hadn't been such a jerk and philanderer at times and/or the parents had approached it more rationally (which they probably couldn't have in any case).
Margie| 3.1.10 @ 5:31PM
Thank you, Ryan.
Still, I doubt that I could have viewed it differently, even if that were the case.
God bless.
Linda B.| 2.25.10 @ 2:03PM
I have worked for the government for over 30 years. Most agencies are so tied up in red tape and documents you have to have to move forward, little or nothing gets done. Then you have people in positions who do not know what they are doing or are so power hungary and controlling that nothing gets done. The agency I currently work for just moved and will be moving again in two years. This I understand is their fourth move in less than 6 years.
I worked in Social Services also and I can asssure you when given free medical care, people go every day if they can and invent illnesses just to see the doctor. Waiting rooms are jammed and emergency rooms too with people who really do not have any medical problem except themselves. This is what a government run health program will be. You will be a number along with all of the rest of the US population and you will see the doctor for 5 minutes if you are lucky. People who have serious medical problems better just get well because the level of care will continue to drop as doctors get tired of the numbers of patients they have to see and the availability of specialists because these doctors will still be treating the rich who can pay for their services and they will not be in the government program. Also, where is the incentive for doctors certainly not pay since that is controlled by the government.
The best solution for health care reform is to allow competition to reduce prices. This can be done by allowing insurance agencies to work across state lines; to do away with frivolous lawsuits that benefit the attornies and not the people and to clean up medicare and medicaid by allowing private audits. Obama wants to control your life, your health, your taxes, your children, and soon your religion. 1984 came later than we thought.
GregA| 2.25.10 @ 2:36PM
Linda,
What would be a percentage estimate of waste (including personnel) in your agency? Great post!
Tim| 2.25.10 @ 3:15PM
Republicans scored points at Obama's Kabuki Theater.
Now,The Dems attempt The Nuclear Option ,to foist This Health Scam on the unwilling American Voters ,who are screaming , " Stop This Spending " .
Louis Jenkins| 2.25.10 @ 3:28PM
The video-audio from the Blair House Witch Hunt has proven interesting. The Old Guard (GOP) is actually standing up and giving the Pretender n Chief a load of buckshot! He's flustered, has a lack of words, and his lack of debating skills are showing. (Quick, turn on the teleprompter!) I'm impressed. Didn't know they had it in them. The Nuclear Option is a real possibility now. Now, if I can only find my dead sister's false teeth all will be well.
victor| 2.25.10 @ 8:51PM
I've heard these guys before and I knew they would come prepared.
Having facts and the darn bill in front of them was the cherry on the sundae.
Ryan, Cantor, Blackburn and Boehner were great.
Louie Gohmert of Texas or Devin Nunes of CA would have been nice too, but who we had there were all great
Linda B.| 2.25.10 @ 3:40PM
It would be hard to state a percentage since I do not have access to the entire agency. I can only tell you what is going on in my office. I see new federal employees with nothing to do all day. I see others looking for jobs so they can get a higher grade. I see people who are totally unqualified for a job in higher GS levels without degrees.
With the Obama administration's thrust on new federal hires, this agency is falling all over itself to fill its quota. The sad fact is this is a cost to all American citizens because the government offers a lot of benefits to employees. It also creates people who just move from one job to another because they are so incompetent no one wants them in their position. The best way to get rid of them is to move them up through a promotion so this inefficiency is elevated to the next level. It is difficult to fire a federal employee once they have attained the status of "permanent". The government is also big on training so a lot of money is spent to train the workforce, not necessarily a bad thing, but in some cases it is abused. Many within this agency and other agencies I have worked for have a network to promote their friends and not necessarily the best person qualified for the job.
I am not saying this does not happen in the private sector, but private companies cannot afford to employ people who do not perform. They will terminate an employee because it is their profit, their reputation and their existence that is at stake. The government on the other hand has no incentive to limit costs and has become so large it is more like a welfare agency. It is also unfair to those government employees who truly do a good job for the job's sake and the sake of this nation. However, putting health care into the hands of the government is creating more and more bureacracy for the sake of the bureacrat and at the expense of the taxpayer and his personal health.
Tim| 2.25.10 @ 3:58PM
Obama has a prepared cut down , modest No Abortion Funding Fallback Plan B prepared .
Aaaaand ,That one will still hack off the American Voters.
The Bam Man's Scam Is In Trouble.
Pat| 2.25.10 @ 4:14PM
The Dems are going “all out” for passage of the Health Care Bill, it’s vitally important to every American this legislation be enacted - or so we're constantly told. But the Dems have been desperately trying to pass this legislation for the last 9 months, how vitally important can it be? And when you hold a voting majority in both legislative houses, not to mention having an occupant in the White House, what’s the holdup? It should be easier for the Dems to pass this legislation than for Bill Gates to buy his kid a new laptop or for The Shaq to beat Hillary in a game of one on one.
Even the media is getting a little discouraged – how long can they keep this riveting drama alive, keep us on the edge of our collective seats marveling at this political battle of the titans. It’s like a Superbowl half time show which lasts 7 hours, get off the stage already you over-the-hill Rock Group and let’s finish the football game. The solution is, of course, a new summit – not for Democrats and Republicans though – but for the voters.
Let’s rent a hall in Washington D. C. and setup a bank of microphones, recruit some ordinary taxpayers from around the country to hold hearings on the failure of the legislative process. Democrat and Republican lawmakers must take the subway to the People’s Summit, but Obama can rent an economy car to make the trip across town, hopefully a Toyota Camry with a non-stick gas pedal. And thinking about Toyota – it would be a good idea to have Pelosi and Reid make apologies for their poor performance first, they can read from prepared notes, Obama will be allowed a teleprompter for his apology. Assuming they wish to unburden their souls, confession would be good for them and for us, their employers, as well. It sets the right tone for follow-up questions on what went wrong, holds a few of the more egregious lies in check when they make their excuses.
What will come of the People’s Summit – why nothing of course – it’s about political comedy and media exposure just like the Health Care Summit. If our elected employees won’t do their jobs, they may as well entertain us.
Albert Frevele| 2.25.10 @ 6:59PM
What is missing from this "summit" is a statement from Republicans that this healthcare legislation is flatly unconstitutional. The US Government has absolutely ZERO legal authority to pass this bill or any bill that seizes control of health insurance for the US Government. The details of the bill are irrelevant. The Democrats's anecdotal stories of "suffering" people are irrelevant. Unconstitutional means unconstitutional. Obamacare is crass corruption and nothing more. So is the Democrat Party.
Tom in Michigan| 2.25.10 @ 9:30PM
You know, I'm shocked that some people (I won't name names, of course) think it's perfectly acceptable to attack someone, a US Senator in this case on the basis of that individual’s age. It's especially shocking that somebody who so obviously cares soooo! much for women, blacks, Hispanics, homosexuals, the disadvantaged, the disenfranchised, the handicapped (sorry, the “differently abled”) and the oppressed and disadvantaged of all conditions and who is of such self-professed enlightenment could open the discourse on a supposedly civilized forum by making a gratuitous attack on a person based merely upon his target’s seniority. We should however, be grateful as he does perform a service to us all by revealing the true hatefulness of the "liberal", "progressive" mindset. Thanks, mate.
Margie| 2.25.10 @ 9:55PM
Don't be cowardly. If you're going to talk about someone, name names.
Otherwise you're just playing games.
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Uti Treatment | 5.20.11 @ 4:55AM
We cant even look after what we have here let alone others- who wants or need changes to the current immigration laws, not I.