Arkansas Blog

I read Norma Bates' post about Obama and Federal funding of needle exchange programs. The Obama WH says:

"White House spokesman Ben LaBolt said the administration isn't yet ready to lift the ban - but Obama still supports needle exchange.

"We have not removed the ban in our budget proposal because we want to work with Congress and the American public to build support for this change," he said."

If Obama can reverse the Bush's ban on needle exchange with an exec. order and her refuses to do so because of the need "to build support for this change", then his behavior is beyond contempt. It seem that "better for Congress to do it" and "Build public support" are the executive branch equivalent of voting "Present". We have heard the same reasoning for DADT, Conscience Clause, etc. In doing a little research on IV drug use and HIV, the African American community is very affected by this combination. If beginning Federal funding of needle exchange can reduce HIV spread and Obama refuses to do that because of politics...well what else is there to say.

s

my thoughts are with Nana and Papa. we love you

Reading an article fresh off the press atWSJ's Market Watch. What's at Stake with a public health-plan option.
Industry groups fighting vigorously, Health Insurers assert the playing field wouldn't be level. They could not compete with a peoples insurance plan, and that it would drive them out of business. Hospitals and Doctors object, because it would lower there pay if they are forced to take Medicare rates. They should of thought of that before a lot of them started raping the system.
All I can think of Doc. is the main contributing reason my Retirement is torn all to hell is because of everyone of you all. Hospitals, Doctors, and for sure, health insurers. So it's time you all step up to the plate, like the rest of us.PUT IT BACK should be the cry of all the people to you all's plight.

Not going to depress me tonight - click oldie but goodie

RightWinger asks "I guess you think food is a human right".....

Click at bluename it happens towards the end.

Truth out front first,,,,,I've had a stiff drink......a real, real stiff drink, typing with one eye
closed.........bad news first....cancer in ribs and spine,,,,gave him a shot to shut down all
testosterone production....back to doc aug.10.
I cooked myself mindless all day, big pot, little pot...house full of peeps looking to see if I was
going to require a ride to Benton.
Canada calling...they all want to speak to me....huh???.........I understand their english
about as much as they understand my southern 'hnglish.
There is one bro-in-law who puts an *H* IN FRONT of every word..................
I must find humor where-ever I can find it.
Luv u, Nana Jazzy

RightWinger asks "I guess you think food is a human right"..
***********
The Republicans are more circumspect about saying Health Care is a privilege and not a right but many still believe that to be the case. I remember very well the debate about Medicare and privilege vs. right was at the top of the debate topics.

What HenryS said!!

Hardball skewered Engsign & Co., including agreement by a VERY straight-forward R "strategist:" Todd Harris said it like it is, no wiggling. Refreshing. Lawrence O'Donnell is SO much better than Tweety...

"bad news first....cancer in ribs and spine"

Jazzy, I am so sorry.
So, so sorry.

Finding out that the person you love more then anything in the world has cancer has to be the most horrible thing I have ever had to hear in my life.

jazzy........I'm so sorry to hear that news. Remember, we are ALL here for you when you're ready.

Nuff said!!

Republican Senator Charles Grassley tells an Iowa resident that anyone who wants a health insurance plan like his (Grassley's), they should work for John Deere or the Federal Government.

click blue name for YouTube video

I have a better idea Grassley. Give up your SINGLE PAYER system (no matter what they call it) and go out in the market and buy your own policy with your age and issues. Pay for it yourself-you earn four times the national average. There is no reason why you guys can't buy your own stuff. And give back that 6% COL increase for expenses. Learn to live on what you have. Otherwise, you are just another ON THE TAKE Senator.

Jazzy, You and French are in our thoughts and prayers.

As far as working for John Deere and getting that wonderful health care, that may require emigrating to wherever they are building their equipment. Steady movement out of US.

The focus is steadily being shifted from the fact that the insurance companies and drug companies are skimming 35-40% off the top to the talking points on access, doctor choice, etc. The cost could be reduced quickly and dramatically if the drug companies would quit advertising. "Ask your doctor if ... might be right for you........."

Just remembered I forgot to ask my doctor if I was healthy enough for sexual activity the other day. Need to call him in the morning.

Cancer and they're taking away his hormones...damn, just ain't right! Love and good thoughts to you/yours, jazzy! Your hubby, jazzy, must be one tough guy 'cause he had to be in some considerable pain for some time. It's easy, however, to attribute lots of aches/pains to plain ole aging; and it's amazing how much pain most of us can tolerate if it's slowly elevated over a long period of time. But your Frenchie is one strong man.

I've noticed that aging is all about losing our body's, well, juice...and about doctors taking away more than they give, medicine wise. My doc told me that 60 was the cutoff date for my hormones...which means I've got several years to stockpile...just in case. And, any hint of cancer and I'll be like Armand: Hormonally empty. Guess, like jazzy/Armand, that will be the least of my health concerns.

Good thoughts to all the bloggers. I've been resting from a great weekend on Bull Shoals with family. Fun, food, family...and no disaster/sickness...it DOESN'T get any better than that. It would have been perfect, however, if my long lost son had been there...but I'm not going to waste one second whining about what could be when I can enjoy what is. Arkansas has such beautiful lakes/parks! Hope all the chicken shit/etc. in NW Arkansas doesn't ruin our waterways.

so sorry to learn of frenchie. We do have some amazing medicine today.

Yesterday my cell phone went thru a soak, wash, rinse, spin cyle. It was an
Alltel. Any suggestions...like really fast.

.

jazzy, just like everyone else I am so, so sorry to hear this. Has Armand been referred to an oncologist yet? they do amazing things at UAMSC these days and, Im sure, in hot springs too. y'all will stay in our thoughts and prayers. I wouldnt know you or Frenchie if you came up to me in the grocery store and bit me, but I feel I know you fairly well and am truly sorry to hear this.

what's the next step in his treatment plan??

Dont your family members in Canada have Email access? can they write English? I sure would be lost trying to communicate to someone who speaks French.

Holding your hand tight and sending you big hugs.
xoxoxoxox
tina (and the Amazing WonderDog)

Jazzy, many thoughts and prayers for you and your Frenchie. I pray your friends, family, and church folk are encircling you with their love.

eLwood wrote "Yesterday my cell phone went thru a soak, wash, rinse, spin cyle. It was an
Alltel. Any suggestions...like really fast."

Take the battery out and use a blow dryer on it. There is a small chance that might work.

ATT, Verizon, Sprint are all prone to problems after a washing machine episode. Was it a front loader or top loader?

So, so sorry, jazzy. I know it's not much, but bluename might be worth a smile.

do not turn it on
take the battery out
put in a ziplock, cover with rice and leave overnight

jazzy, jazzy, I am heartbroken for you and your Cher....please know you and Frenchie [Armand] are in my thoughts and prayers..

Here is a BIG group hug from all your friends here on the Blog.

So, so sorry for the discouraging news, Jazzy. Lost my own mom to cancer about eight weeks ago, after a two year struggle. Will keep the good thoughts and prayers going heavenward on your behalf.

Hunter is delightful, Kat.

And Jazzy, I am so very sorry; you are in my thoughts and prayers. My brother in law was diagnosed with cancer two weeks ago. Thank God he has government health care (Medicare) so my sister won't lose everything. All the best to you and Frenchie.

So, so sorry, Jazzy.
So much depends on attitude. Stay positive.

Jazzy,

I've always thought that all the regulars on AT blog were like on that Rudolf Christmas cartoon and the land of misfit toys.

I've never met most of the other bloggers but I feel as though I know many personally. That is probably crazy but what is probably even crazier is that I feel as though I also know Frenchie. I guess that. It is as if I can see Frenchie in the background as you type.

Please take care of yourself and know we are here for you.

And Kat, thanks it did make me smile.

SORRY to hear that news Jazzy (just read your post) and indeed Armand, you & family are on prayer lists.

You have my thoughts and prayers Jazzy.

I am up at Buffalo City once again, with a cool breeze coming off the White River and thousands of stars shining brightly. The fireflies are so thick it looks as if hundreds of cameras have their flashes going off all over.

I had a salad and some focaccia from Serenity Bread in Leslie for dinner, and my usual boxed Cabernet for dinner.

Jazzy...........I am so sorry to hear your terrible news. I will offer up many good thoughts and wishes upon the stars and fireflies tonight.

Jazzy, so sorry to hear your news. We'll keep you and Frenchie in our thoughts and prayers. Keep your humor in any way you can--it will help get you through the hard days ahead.

Kat--your "water baby" is adorable and brought a smile to my face. Thanks for sharing.

Jazzy, I'm sorry to hear the news. My thoughts are with you and Frenchie. Give him a hug for all of us.

Jazzy--I am so sorry for your news. My thoughts are with-and for-you and Frenchie.

eLwood--I had miraculous results by pulling the battery and placing all components on top of the gas water heater (in a closet) for a day. Good luck.

Well that's a kick in the gut, jazzy. I'm sorry you and french are at this particular place.

There may be some occasions ahead of you that will go better if you bring along your natural wit and charm. So be ready to whip those out. Armand will love you for it. I think he already does.

I'm shocked and saddened by the news, jazzy. I work with a lot of very elderly people, a number of them with so many things wrong....if it was me, I would have been 6 feet under years ago. One man is especially amazing. He's 88 years old and 4 years ago they found he had bladder cancer. They whupped some stuff on him and he got over that, no small miracle in itself.

About 2 years ago the cancer came back and this time it was in his liver. Man...I thought you were a quick goner with liver cancer. I don't know what all they did to him at the time, but the end result is that he takes some kind of newish chemo pill. I've not seen any change in his health in the last year.

He lives on the edge of a lake, takes his boat out, cooks and shops with his wife, tends his own yard and drives into Fort Baptist any time the notion strikes him. I check on him now and then I think he wonders why. So....though old women are tougher, old men are pretty damn tough....that Greatest Generation thing once again.

So....while this isn't good news...Frenchie may be like some of my lucky folks and soldier right on. I think attitude is important...I think ignoring the fact that you're sick works best of all. There's a lot more talk these days about living with cancer, instead of dying with cancer. Hopefully he'll get some treatment and feel a little better and get right back into the swing of things again.

And be sure and keep those Canadian phone numbers handy. If something crops up in me in the next couple of years, I'm going to have to move to Canada and pretend I'm Frenchie's h'cousin or I won't get so much as a damn Band-aid if I stay around Arkansas. We're thinking about you both from over here on the left side of the state. As Yogi Berra says, it ain't over till it's over.

You and Armand, as always, are in my thoughts and prayers.

Armand, courage mon brave. Ne laissez pas les bâtards vous rectifier vers le bas.

Dear Jazzy, I'm a morning person, so I'm just catching up. Like everyone else, I'm sorry about your news and my heart aches for you. And like others, I don't know you, but your wit and "aliveness" come through in your writing, and I feel as if I do know you. Many of us have been touched by cancer. I don't know if stories help or not, but here's one: A dear friend, in her early 40s, was diagnosed seven years ago with a rare cancer. The longest anyone has ever lived with this form of cancer is seven years. My friend is in remission and is set to beat the record. She's one tough chick who now spends her life helping other cancer patients. I'm not sure there's a God, but I pretend there is. That means I pray and I don't know if prayers help. I do know they can't hurt. My prayers go to you and your beloved.

Jazzy,

I was away from the blog last night, and only now have your bad news.

If it helps at all, even for a moment, to lighten your load by sharing it with us, we await your every word.

Jazzy,

So, so sorry. I'm adding you and Frenchie to my prayer list if that is ok...