The Healthcare Bill is So Good for you
…that you’re going to prison if you don’t get in on it.
With today’s revelation that there will be a vote this Saturday (yes, that’s less than 72 hours to read the bill for you hope and transparency hounds) I wanted to weigh in this 2,074 page monstrosity with some of the latest news. If you’re checking CSPAN for that open, public debate Obama promised, even your TiVo has finally given up.
And my opinion is that, if it did pass (and it likely will) we’d get used to it. Yes, Europe and Canada have it. It isn’t all that good, but they’re still ticking. That’s not really the point, though. People have dealt with a lot of things throughout history because you can get used to pretty much anything.
The list of things that are wrong with this bill is immense, but it starts with it not really even being constitutional, and ends with you taking pain pills instead of getting that expensive surgery (says Obama). Just because it’s good for Canada, why do we care what Canada does? Who do they think invents all those drugs that countries around the world are paying for?
And no, I don’t think the healthcare system is in good shape now. But the straw man says to do nothing, and no actual person is saying that aside from the people that are acting like people are saying that. There’s plenty of other ideas and plans around that would do much good. Those will not be tolerated for debate.
I admit, big business can be fairly evil. But government has the force of law and compulsion behind them and are made up of the same level of evil that big business is. When WalMart starts forcing you to shop there, then perhaps I will buy into the fact that government is a better answer. And also when they start a single program that gets remotely close to its budget, and that actually works.
And if nazis, haters, racists, and righties are the only people that could be against such a caring policy to give free healthcare for all, then the country is by far mostly them all of the sudden.
Here’s today’s rundown:
A quick video explaining that “public option” that’s all about choice and competition. And one of those competitive players is also the referee. Good luck being able to keep up. From HotAir.
So what if it does pass? George Will weighs in on the state’s rights angle on the government’s ability to force you to do something just for existing, with penalties if you don’t. No, it’s not like car insurance. WaPo Full Article
When asked whether any compulsory insurance purchases are constitutional, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was genuinely astonished: “Are you serious? Are you serious?” In 1803, in Marbury v. Madison, Chief Justice John Marshall wrote, “The powers of the legislature are defined and limited; and that those limits may not be mistaken, or forgotten, the Constitution is written.” He was serious.
Gonna need all 60 of those Dem votes to push this one through. A few are wavering. The payoff needed to convince the moderates to see things a bit more clearly? Only 100 million. via WaPo
And if you’re against the bill and you’re black, well….according to Jesse Jackson you’re just against the bill because you certainly can’t be black. Health Care supporters only at this table, you need not apply. FoxNews Link
And those “death panel” claims that were so outrageous and wrong…well, they’re already starting. New guidelines say you don’t need a breast cancer examination until you’re 50…a reversal from the age of 40 recommendation just a few months back. Most everyone knows the tragedy of this disease from someone who wouldn’t have lived had they waited that long, so as you can imagine outrage ensued. So the administration now backpeddles. If you believe this reversal that says it wasn’t going to be their official policy, you haven’t been following this story at all, and that’s what they’re counting on. via WaPo
Finally, from beyond the grave, the crazy radical speaks on healthcare. In his day a Democrat, then a Republican, would now have to run as an independent. The world lived without Freedom of speech, religion, and owning property for thousands of years, so the world wouldn’t be much different if we lost it. Since they don’t teach what America did for the world anymore, most people will never notice the difference.
Dude, What Happened on Halloween?
Thought this newspaper clipping was rather humorous. You know your Halloween party was one for the books when the tally looks like this. I would hate to be on the receiving end of those assaults, but mace and The Force are always good defenses against a Chewbacca attack.
Spotted in the Washington State school paper. Who knew in Washington State they knew how to party.
The Greatest Thanksgiving Movie of All Time
This is a repost from last year, as it is one of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions aside from shooting potato guns at the cats with my family, and our newest tradition – cajun fried turkey. More timely this year as John Hughes, and his many wonderful films about the uniqueness and insecurity of all of us, has passed away.
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A favorite tradition of mine is to watch the masterpiece Planes, Trains, and Automobiles every Thanksgiving holiday. It’s as much of a comedy as it is a dramatic piece of film, and it may be Steve Martin and John Candy’s finest film. There are so many terrific scenes it’s impossible where to begin.
A guy posted his thoughts on the film, and a time capsule of what else was going on in 1987 the weekend it was released (hint, stock market was crashing then too). It’s quite interesting and he feels the same way I do.
PT&A was something of a triumph for everyone involved: a smart, funny, exceedingly well crafted film that, unlike many comedies, achieves timelessness. You could make the exact same film today and the only detail you’d have to alter would be to have the characters use cell phones rather than pay phones.
http://www.film.com/dvds/story/erics-time-capsule-planes-trains/24597651
John Candy has been missed since then, and they don’t make these John Hughes movies like they used to. Predictable? Yeah. Overly optimistic? For sure. That’s what makes it worth revisiting every year.
And remember, “those aren’t pillows.”
Those aren’t pillows, indeed.
A list of 4 others in the top 5 Thanksgiving films. Unfortunately its slim pickens for this particular holiday. I’d recommend just watching Planes Trains and Automobiles twice. Link Top 5 Thanksgiving Movies of All Time.
Avatar Feature Trailer
Still can’t decide if I want to see this movie, even after watching this very in-depth trailer. James Cameron’s 500 million dollar gamble of CGI wizardry is the type of movie I don’t normally like. Cameron has always pushed the technology envelope but normally it hasn’t ruled his movies, which were ultimately character driven (Terminator 2, Titanic).
Check it out though, definitely watch this trailer if you’re interested in the movie, it makes the plot a lot more clear than the others I’ve seen. For this movie to make a profit, you’ll need to see it about 18 times, so enjoy.
G.I. Joe Vs. Transformers 2 (Review)
Yes, they did team up/fight each other, no this post isn’t about that. However, combining the star ratings together of these two would actually give it almost a passable score.
Transformers Revenge of the Fallen (Transformers 2) and G.I. Joe Rise of Cobra graced the screens this summer, and both are available now on DVD. I’m glad I waited because Netflix eases the pain of the price to watch them over the $8.00 tickets at the theater.
In the end, G.I. Joe is somewhat watchable, but Transformers 2 should be avoided at all costs. Even for free. Even if your relationship depends on it. You can’t spend the rest of your life with someone who likes this movie.
Neither movie was very good to their source material, but I’m not the type to necessarily dock points for that. Also, their source material was a children’s television show, so going outside of that may even be a good thing. Both movies were basically a video game on the screen, with CGI worlds galore. Transformers went way overboard, however, in showing the stupidest looking robots doing stupid things in stupid locations. G.I. Joe actually has some pretty neat action scenes, some real sword fighting, and only towards the end does it reach Transformers level of weirdness.
The acting in Transformers 2 and characters are absolutely horrible. If you can figure out what the heck is going on, you’ll probably be even more annoyed by both the robots and the humans. The first Transformers was pretty good in my mind, and had some decent humor, with some fair acting. The new one will just grate at you the entire time. Megan Fox may be enough for some, but you’ll need to turn the volume and closed captioning off.
As for G.I. Joe, the plot is pretty dumb but some of the characters are decent. There is also a lot of backstory that is revealed throughout the film that they do a fair job keeping your interest in. The character Snake Eyes, who doesn’t say a word, is quite fun to watch. The main G.I. Joe characters (including a Wayans brother, and Dennis Quaid) are surprisingly bad choices for their roles. The secondary characters and villains are much more interesting, and for 2/3 of the movie it is pretty decent. The ending falls apart, and the very end is a long setup for a sequel, which hurts the movie a lot since you don’t really understand the whole Cobra vs. Joe thing until the end, and then the credits roll right when it might start to get good. Might.
Didn’t want to go into any additional plot details, not because of spoilers, but because the plots in both are pretty unimportant, and I’m not entirely sure that Transformers 2 had a plot. I will say that G.I. Joe gets right into the action and moves pretty fast, while making general sense, but Transformers 2 starts off slow, and then confounds the whole thing with new characters, resurrected old ones that you arent sure how they are coming back, and new magical objects that you won’t understand.
Skip Transformers 2, it is humiliating how bad it is when it could’ve easily been as good as the first. Check out G.I. Joe when it runs on TBS in a few years as it is watchable and has great special effects, but you won’t be missing anything if you don’t see it.
Rating
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
one star out of five stars
G.I. Joe Rise of Cobra
two stars out of five stars
LeggoMyCraigo Now on the Mobile Web
When Al Gore invented the internet, he could have never imagined how cell phones would change the way we share information. At any rate, LeggoMyCraigo is moving into the 21st century and now has a mobile version. Loads very quickly and has different versions depending on if the browser is a touch screen (iPhone) or traditional (Blackberry) style. Touch features are enabled for menus and excerpts.
So now there are TWO websites that you don’t want to read!
What America “Stood” For
Kneel before Zod.
While most of our traditions have been scrapped by Obama as tired, hateful ideas of a past America that thought it was better than everyone else, this one in particular is quite symbolic. We often hear how embarrassed the first family is of our country, but today, we should all be more embarrassed of them.
In fact, if anything it puts us back about 200 years. Obama’s bow isn’t new and progressive. It was done by pretty much everyone on earth since the beginning of time until we stood up against the concept of a supreme ruler and made the individual the king of his own free destiny.
See over at HotAir the NY Times scolding Clinton for almost bowing to the Emperor. via HotAir Blog.
Canadians still bow to England’s Queen; so do Australians. Americans shake hands. If not to stand eye-to-eye with royalty, what else were 1776 and all that about?
Like dis.
Updated: The main thing that’s been bothering me about all this is how Obama goes out of his way to make a point not to show respect for anything American while being sensitive to all the other countries in the world. The problem is that the point of America not showing them respect is because our statement against totalitarian governments, or governments that don’t allow free speech or religion, was much more important than whatever respect they desired.
A picture this week from the Fort Hood victims funeral was the worst of all, Obama standing there with his hands folded. Someone put a short video together on all this and it’s exactly what I had in mind. (from Good Richards Almanac)
Based on comments on such enlightened sites as Digg, some don’t seem to understand what all the fuss is about. Obama was just showing Japan cultural sensitivity right? The link below shows, apparently, Obama is alone in this understanding in the world.
More on the story
http://hotairpundit.blogspot.com/2009/11/president-obama-vs-rest-of-world.html
For those more video inclined, HotAir has the complete montage at 46 handshakes, one bow.
And finally, yes, even the Japanese found it embarrassing. Well described here as “the form of a first year English teacher trying to impress with Karate Kid-level knowledge of Japanese customs .” Via HotAir Not that I support anyone trash talking the Karate Kid.
Say Meow. Super Troopers 2 is on Track
I was one of the few (based on the amount of people in the theater) to jump on the Super Troopers train on opening night. While it did ok in release, it gained a cult status on DVD and is quoted almost as much as any comedy around. I didn’t actually love it at first, but with repeated viewings and quoting it non-stop with my friends, it has become one of the top movies I’d like to see a sequel to. Especially because Broken Lizard, the comedy team behind it, has had nothing but bombs ever since. They seem like great guys, and I’d love to see them back on top.
Check out the article over at Slash Film that says, indeed, Super Troopers 2 is on the fast track. It has financing, and Brian Cox is on board….which would be key as he brings a lot of gravitas to the film as a legit actor, and he played the role of the chief dead-on.
Link to article on Super Troopers 2 at slash film
Fans of Broken Lizard’s Super Troopers will be glad to know that things are moving along nicely for a sequel. According to Movie Cultists, they have independent financing and are looking to make a deal with Fox as well.
If you’re unsure if you want to see a sequel, perhaps a quick reminder will help.
Mac: How’s your shooting, Thorny?
Thorny: Good. I’ve been dead on all morning.
Mac: What about that little guy?
[points to a bullet hole in the shooting target's neck]
Thorny: Who, that little guy? I wouldn’t worry about that little guy.
Grown Ups Trailer – Sandler, Rock, James?
Hadn’t heard about this one much, which is odd since it has some of my old school favorites (Chris Rock, Adam Sandler) together. At any rate, here’s the teaser trailer for it…looks…well…sorta wishing they’d make a Waterboy 2 instead.
Texas Governor Blasts Washington
I’m not necessarily a fan of the Texas Governor Rick Perry, but this is dead on. It’s everything an Obama speech isn’t, most importantly no “shout outs” were given beforehand. I hope to see a lot more of this. The overall theme is the 10th amendment (yes, liberals, there are 8 more in the Bill of Rights than the two you know) which is the cornerstone of our democratic republic experiment. Specifically added in there because the entire history of mankind’s failed governance always consolidated power and authority into the hands of a few elite who would decide what was best for the commoner. And every system to that point eventually slogged its way to tyranny as is the natural course for the human race when they are in power. The genius of the Founding Fathers was simply making that power impossible to be centralized.
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