Arkansas Blog

max, I just don't understand the layoffs. fearless leader PROMISED us that with the stimulus (aka porkulus) bill unemployment wouldn't get over 8%. Gee, it is 10.2% and still rising. What happened? So is it all the rich folk's fault? Is that the line of the lefty crowd? We spent around $780 billion, borrowed it from the chinese, and we have nothing to show for it but a lot of bridges to nowhere? Hmmmmmmmm!

"Is it still raining?"

We are in the longest stretch of dry weather this year - 8 days without rain.

But a late-season hurricane is forming in the Gulf. If it steers toward Louisiana, we may get some rain from that.

>>Gee, it is 10.2% and still rising.<<

Yes, it's sad that Golden Boy is running a race for highest unemployment with golden-tongued Raygun.

We've been over this before. Golden Boy publicly stated he expected unemployment to reach 10% before
a real recovery takes hold.

Our gang of liberal lefties who are out to destroy America and turn it over to unimaginable forces of evil

enjoyed a great lunch at Asian Fusion today. Indian yellow curry was featured and a fish curry. All excellent. I had a Malaysian dish of stir fried rice noodles with lemon grass and chicken, spicy and delicious, cooled down with a Tsingtao beer. Asian Fusion is on South School (71B) just past the MLK (62W) turnoff.

Get home safely, Max.

Good evening! Not trying to hijack the open line, but I wanted to thank Eureka Sprigns and eLwood for their recommendations last summer. They recommended some B&Bs in the town of Eureka Springs for me to take the Mrs. to. We stayed at Cliff Cottage the weekend of War Eagle craft fair, and it was wonderful.

We really needed the weekend away. And of course... it rained that weekend, so we stayed in the B&B a lot. Found some good restaurants. Drove to Fayetteville to visit my daughter. Turned off the cell phones and "played snugglebunnies." It was a good break from the reality of life: the week before, my Mrs. had been dignosed with malignant colon cancer and the trip was our last change to get away before dealing with surgery and chemo.

Since coming home, she's had surgery: removal of ascending large intestine, appedix and lymph nodes. The path report shows 1 lymph node had the cancer as well. She came home from the hopital last Tuesday, and once she's recovered from the surgery we're meeting with the oncologist to discuss chemo options.

So far her insurance (Health Advantage) hasn't given us any flack...everything paid by the book, and paid on time. I've worked in medical insurance for 15 years, and it helps to know how the system works... I've been guiding the pre-approval process and making sure all the ducks are in a row. And I'm friends with her surgeon and I'm using the good-old-boy medical network for everything I can.

eLwood, I've been following some of your posts about your Mrs. and her illness... and I'm VERY glad to know she's getting better. Your posts about her have helped keep my spirits up.

So while I don't post a lot right now, I'm still reading. Liberals make good consciences.

Take care all.

Shhhhhhhhh, eLwood, don't mention the fiscal conservative who directed this nation 1981-'89 (and even to '93 if you consider Bush an extension of RR policies) with his Voodoo Economics. Lest we should forget, allow me to mention Reagan's promise/pledge as to what would occur if and when Congress enacted his economic legislation. The said with his program in place, deficit spending would cease with a balanced budget in 1983, a small surplus ($28 billion) in 1984, and a huge surplus of $93 billion in 1985.

The first day of October, 1981, President Reagan held a news conference and announced, "On this date I signed a bill that raises the debt ceiling to a trillion dollars. That figure can stand as a monument to the policies of the past that brought about the debt -policies which, as of today, are reversed. Those times are over. On this day our economic recovery program begins. Spending cuts...take effect today will put America back on the road to economic recovery."

Any student of history knows what happened. Record government spending, record deficits, soaring unemployment, a record National Debt estabished his first four years as he double the federal debt.

Ah, a fiscal conservative that fooled the people.

Thoughts are with y'all, Slingerland. Hope all goes well.

My thoughts are with you also, Slingerland. I hope she makes a full and complete recovery. And I am so glad your insurance is paying.

Dayum Slingerland -- I'm pretty tired of hearing about your hypochondria.

me, too, slingerland, thoughts and prayers are with you.

Me five Slinger, I'm going thru it with Frenchie but he is doing great now so don't lose hope,
we love ya.

I did NOT mean that i was tired of hearing about your hypochondria.............Im so tired tonight I can't tell if that's a joke or not, but what I said, I meant sincerely.

im blind in one eye and cant see out of the other one and have new bifocals. So yall please forgive any errors here in the next 300 weeks or so till I get used to them. its hard to do that and taper your prednisone at the same time. also i am a klutz.

I just came back to say goodnight, Im headed to bed to read (without these damned glasses, thank God I can stll do that. Most of the time.)

Max, its good to have you back, once you are. Steve Spurrier had one fairly good hissy fit/temper tantrum that I saw today, but I was working and its just possible that I missed something. And I alertly noted during the lsu/alabama game today that no celebration penalties were called, even when there was a little individual celebrating. i guess the suspension of those sec officials has made the rest of them hang onto those flags more often.

lsu especially had players dropping like flies. I hope they will be ok too.

y'all have a good night. can we set our clocks back an hour again tonight? that would be so nice. Just checking. Let me know.

Boehner from Ohio just makes me want to choke the living shit out of him!!!

Tina u better beat a path back to Dr. about those glasses, that is not right.
I went to a new doc, one time, and she changed *the curve* (whatever that is) on my glasses
and I was a crazy person for a few days....felt like I was wearing concrete boots on both
feet while trying to walk under water...everything looked like those fun mirror's in a carnival.

I am still signed in after a week...check REMEMBER PERSONAL INFO, its a miracle.

kizzy, he makes me feel the same way. Fake 365 tan, and dumb as dirt. I've listened to this stuff all day and I'm ready for a big glass of Draino. This is no debate, it's an endless line of pronouncements with no exchange of ideas. It's worse than sausage making....America is dumb and these people in the House are truly our finest minds.....god we're in big trouble. Maybe having no insurance and checking out early is the wise plan.

Best wishes to your wife, Slingerland. Our mayor over here ignored 2000 warning signs until he passed out at work one day. Then they found he had colon cancer. I started putting back a few dollars towards his funeral flowers. He looked like death. But that was at least 3 years ago and he's doing just fine, working his rear off, and pinked back up like a Nancy Reagan rose. Looks to me having a good attitude is half the fight. I'm sure having good doctors helps a lot too. In case of doubt I'd hie thee all to Mayo Clinic.

The last remaining US WWI veteran is 108. A few months ago someone asked him how he managed to live so long and he said...when you feel yourself dying....just don't! It's my new motto and I hope Frenchie takes it up too. Just don't!

Takes guts to let it out, Slinger - thank you. BEST and fast recovery to your wife.

Yea, I know the check is in the mail. The unemployment rate will go up to 8.5% if you don't pass this stimulus bill. Reality: The unemployment rate is now 10.2% and rising. Yea, I know the check is in the mail. You just got to wait a little longer before the unemployment rate goes down. Reality: the unemployment rate will continue to rise. Small businesses need a tax break but they won't get it. This pelosi bill may pass and get through the senate and then small businesses will face penalties if they don't provide health insurance. Reality: small businesses will lay off people or go under resulting in increasing unemployment rates.

Will power or whatever, strong drive, ego, etc will keep you around awhile longer. I was supposed to have been headed for the incinerator by now but with the help of some powerful vitamins and all the exercise my wasted lungs could endure I'm still here.

My sis was allowed 6 months when her cancer was first diagnosed at age 39. She lived until 44, the last son graduated from college and married, had a fine job and then 6 months later she exited.

Slinger if you read this here's the rules-
1.Encourage your wife to find something or someone to be thankful about daily.
2. Laugh often.
3. Love much.
4. Don't let preachers scare her into dying.

I can't stand that tanning bed Boehner either. I can spot those pretty boy God's gift to
women a mile away, bet he's a 3 incher.

>>The unemployment rate is now 10.2% and rising.

The actual unemployment rate, not the Bush generated unemployment rate, is likely around 16% and it could be higher. After you've sought employment for a year and been dropped from the rolls you no longer count.

Likewise the real inflation rate is much higher than what the government has reported for the past 12 years. They excluded so many essentials from the price of goods used to determine inflationary prices that it too is no longer relevant. Thanks President Bill and old George too who saw no need to change it.

'Figures never lie but liars do figure.'

It keeps Social Security payment increases down and Congressional salaries never miss a raise.

.
.

Our thoughts are also with you and your wife, Slingerland. One step at a time and then another -- that's what's gotten us through the last four years. No doubt there will be low times, but the two of you can make it over that next hill and the next and the next . . . Good luck to you both.

Me, eight or nine, Slingerland. Thoughts and prayers both.

Jesus.
Snyder voted yea on the Stupek amendment.
So fucking disappointed.
Ross did too, but I'm not surprised.

Slingerland, good thoughts and prayers for you and your wife.
If she gets radiation, go to CARTI if you can.
The service and care my husband got there (and their payment plan) was beyond what I ever expected during such a tough time.

That House did it!

The bill has passed the House!

You folks are bringing tears to my eyes (big grin)! Hopefully her treatment will be only chemo, and hopefully the basic 5-FU will be all she needs. She's young, strong and determined. Now if only I could teach her to appreciate Monty Python...

Seiously, thanks again everybody!

Get well soon Mrs. Slinger...Hope your treatment is brief and successful!

We have missed your comments Slinger.

Well the House passed it...now the REALLY hard work begins!

Ross voted against it.
What a Dem.

It's a bad bill, but I still have to congratulate Nancy Pelosi for figuring out how enforce some discipline on her party members. Many of them will probably lose their seats in the next election, unless they change their votes during the reconciliation.

The Republicans made a strategic blunder on their Motion to Recommit. They should have sent instructions on the draconian punishment for uninsured persons, instead of the tort reform issue.

Thoughts and prayers Slingerland.

You guys need to be concerned with important things. Click on Cato

Remembering. Click on Cato

Cato - Who are they? Names, please. Not everyone who wears a funny hat is a Taliban. Their manner of dress looks more like Northern Afghan mujahedeen, and one of them appears to be female.

And the Reagan quote was about the Contras, not the Afghans. See this link -

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/reagan/peopleevents/pande08.html

Why doesn't Ross just go ahead now and change parties? Too much of a coward to vote with his party and too much a coward to vote for his constituents. Thank God he's not in my district. Will someone with guts enough to vote in favor of the people of Arkansas please run against this schmuck? I'll send you a check tomorrow just for announcing. I'll throw fundraisers monthly for you. And maybe Move-On.org will pitch in a couple of million.

Arkansas Blogger,

You are not the only on out there spinning the appellation the Reagan was fond of applying to insurgents he liked at the time.

According to Focus on Terrorism (Volume 9) (Hardcover) Edward V. Linden Copyright 2007

". . .The late Professor Eqbal Ahmad in a presentation at the University of Colorado on October 12, 1998 said ' . . .In 1985, President Ronald Reagan received a group of bearded men. These bearded men I was writing about in those days in The New Yorker, actually did. They were very ferocious-looking bearded men with turbans looking like they came from another century. President Reagan received them in the White House. After receiving them he spoke to the press. He pointed towards them, I'm sure some of you will recall that moment, and said, "These are the moral equivalent of America's founding fathers". These were the Afghan Mujahiddin. . . .' "

Clik for the lecture transcript and note the date.

dottholiday - Have you got a more credible source than a Tamil website?

Until then, I'll stick with the PBS/WGBH, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and TIME Magazine, e.g. -

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,960936,00.html

dottholiday - or check this link -

New York Times - March 2, 1985 - Reagan Terms Nicaraguan Rebels 'Moral Equal of Founding Fathers'

http://www.nytimes.com/1985/03/02/politics/02REAG.html?&pagewanted=2

Need more? I've got plenty of them.

Boozman and Ross earned their kickback tonight. Stip em naked and you'll find KOCH tattooed all over their asses. Let's avoid the rush and strip Lincoln & Pryor too so we won't get our hopes up. I think it's outstanding that C-Span is continually running the names of the Democrats who voted against the House bill. Over and over the names crawl past on my screen.....should be very helpful in the next election.

Makes me go a little loony and think of silly stuff....like running against Boozman myself. I must be high....I think I'd hate being in Congress, plus you can't smoke at your desk. Young brunette aids would be pretty fun though. Someone else....please...be my guest. You run against Boozman next time and I'll sit here and watch.

Obama will have to LBJ-up if he expects the Senate to pass the final health care reform bill. Totally forget the Republicans, NO is the only thing they know. But it's the Lincolns & Pryor's Barry is going to have to get. If you look at the votes....the Republicans aren't the problem...it's fake Democrats that will torpedo health care reform.

Obama could make it simple and ask Mark & Blanche how much money it would take to buy their vote. We paid people to quit shooting at our troops in Iraq, why not just trump whatever loot the Blue Cross Democrats are getting from Koch and the rest of the health insurance mafia. Max could start a fund at Arkansas Times and we could help buy Lincoln & Pryor's votes. Cut to the chase, why don't we?

Half the hell is over. The other half will be even harder thanks to bad Democrats on the take. To them I say, Fill your hands, you son-of-a-bitches!

How corrupt is the bill passed by the House yesterday? Let's put it this way: Billy Tauzin is dancing a jig today. Pelosi's legislation is a sellout to Big Pharma, the insurance industry and the medical-industrial complex. It will risk pushing our nation into insolvency, and lower the quality of health care for everyone.

The Republicans screwed up too, by failing to offer an viable solution to insurance discrimination against persons with "pre-existing conditions".

The next step will be to give the pharmaceutical industry extensions to their patent terms, which will keep the cost of medicine, devices and other new technologies artificially inflated for years beyond the current regime.

It's really sad, especially when so many medical breakthroughs are on the horizon. Things like artificial kidneys and gene therapy are coming in the foreseeable future - but the costs will be kept so high, for so long, that it will be a tremendous burden to taxpayers and private businesses. It will become unsustainable over time.

I heard recently that half the children born today will live to be a hundred years old. To me, that indicates that the current improvements in health care are working - but Pelosi's bill will make it a lot more expensive that it would be otherwise. It's arguable that it would be better to do nothing.

The most outrageous thing is the penalty for failure to buy insurance. Fines and imprisonment? Disgusting, and an affront to human freedom. It's like a tax for merely existing, and it is unprecedented in our history as a nation.

We all want everyone to have high-quality, affordable health care. But this is not the way.

Slingerland, please pass on my sympathies to your wife. It can be scary at first when diagnosed, as it can be later on too.

Remember, as the boy that had AIDs said, "Dying only takes a few minutes. Until then, you are living." So live as well as possible. Hopefully any treatments she needs will not be very difficult for her, and she will be able to get all she needs.

Oh, and let's be glad that if she needs it, marijuana isn't going to be pursued as aggressively as it was. Hopefully medical cannabis will be legalized here in Arkansas sometime soon.

AB that Raygun article in NYT was great.

He was soooo defending Star Wars in that speech, which later was proven unworkable but at best it would have enriched a defense industry to the tune of billions. "Faith-based Missle Defense." Even Cheney joked about it later.

"Speaking about Nicaragua, Mr. Reagan called the rebel forces ''our brothers'' and ''freedom fighters.''

Yes, "our brothers" were a miserable failure running Milton Friedman's miniature fiefdoms. They are the reason South American nations have ELECTED one lefty government after another.
.

eLwood - Arkansas Blogger practically worships Milton Friedman. He was a great libertarian. If we did things his way, the war on terror in Afghanistan would not have mutated into an opium war, for starters.

And missile defense is a great idea too. If you really want global nuclear disarmament, that is the only realistic way to achieve it. The key thing is to keep refining the technology and make it reliable. Reagan was smart to offer the tech to the rest of world - including our old adversary, the Soviet Union. (Okay, maybe they weren't your adversary, but they were mine.)

Why U.S. Corporations were for health care reform before they were against health care reform.
...
"Rising health care costs are the single biggest economic concern facing American businesses"
...
" ...industries that provide insurance had significantly less employment growth than industries where health benefits were not common. Industries with a larger percentage of workers receiving employer-sponsored health insurance also showed lower growth in their contribution to the GDP.

For example, the study estimated that a 10% increase in excess health care costs would reduce employment by about 0.24 percent in the motor vehicles industry, where 80% of workers are covered by employers. The retail industry, however, where only one third of workers are covered, saw only a 0.13% percent drop in employment. Economy-wide, a 10% increase in excess health care costs growth would result in about 120,800 fewer jobs, $28 billion in lost revenues, and $14 billion in lost GDP value."
...

"The rate of growth in U.S. health care costs has outpaced the growth rate in the gross domestic product (GDP) for many years. In 1940, the share of GDP accounted for by health care spending was just 4.5%. By 1990, it had reached 12.2%, and 16% in 2005, when health care spending totaled nearly $2 trillion, or $6,697 per person, far more than any other nation. This year health care spending is on track to equal 18% of GDP."
...
"Protecting people who make more than $350,000 dollars a year from being taxed beyond their currently historically low level --- the vaunted top 1% --- simply cannot be a Democratic value. It's absurd on its face."
...
http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/conservatives-do-their-part-try-and-kil
[LINK]^^^^

"We want to live. What is government for if not to help us do so? "

slingerland, one of my high school runnin' buddies just finished a course of chemo for some kind of extremely rare sarcoma at MD Anderson. one of the chemo drugs she was on was adriamycin, and I figured she was in for a few months of hell.

she walked 13 miles a day when she wasnt too busy. as far as we know she was never sick. Im sure she had the appropriate Zofran & other antinausea meds. Evidently chemo techniques have improved quite alot over the years, and she should do just fine. How could she not, with all of us on her side?

Jazzy, I am on prednisone on changing doses and that gives me new vision every day. Its not all the bifocals' fault. But you're right, I need some kind of help here. I never even go walking anymore without my friend.

bejeeus, our government exists purely and simply to drive us insane, at least it seems that way to me sometimes. But this past week has been one horror after another, so we might feel better later. May God bless the families of those injured in fort hood. And all our prayers with mrs. slingerland.

ArkBlogger,

Reread the post, the answer is there. Reagan used the line several times.

Also when is the University of Colorado a Tamil website?

". . . Eqbal Ahmad, Professor Emeritus of International Relations and Middle Eastern Studies at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, also served as a managing editor of the quarterly Race and Class. A prolific writer, his articles and essays have been published in The Nation, Dawn (Pakistan), among several other journals throughout the world. He died in 1999.
Courtesy: University of Colorado . . ."