scoutldr

As I said...if the law was broken, then arrest and take them to trial. Even in the great Commonwealth of Virginia, possession of weapons on school grounds is illegal, as it is in establishments which serve alcohol. We have an annual "Harbor Fest" here, and a man was arrested for legally open carrying a weapon, which made people nervous. He was subsequently released, and issued a profound apology from the city, and presumably the police officers were sent for remedial training.

From the Rasmussen Report, an independent polling agency: Favor single payer healthcare program: 32% for 57% against 51% fear Govt more than insurance companies 54% oppose more money for "Cash for Clunkers" (We the People lost) 54% favor middle class tax cuts over more healthcare spending Only 35% say US is heading in the right direction Of PA residents, 42% favor healthcare plan, 53% oppose And in MASS, which has a mandatory health insurance law: Only 26 percent of likely voters in Massachusetts believe health care reform has been a success and just 21 percent believe reform has made health care more affordable, according to newly released poll results," The State House News Service/Boston Herald reports. "The Rasmussen Reports poll of 500 likely Massachusetts voters, taken in April, also found only 10 percent said the quality of health care is getting better under the reform law rules here." "The poll was taken before talks stirred in Washington about a national health care reform push and before a wave of news in Massachusetts about difficulty affording the coverage expansions authorized under the 2006 reform law" (6/29). THAT's why we're angry. Our representatives are NOT representing the will of the people. (This message has been edited by scoutldr)

OK...I'll take a 5-way. As soon as my bank loan is approved.

OK, deep breaths...like OGE says. Dan, your personal experience certainly helps us understand your views, and I can't say that I blame you. However, if the man were within the law, he has a right not to be harassed, regardless of how nervous it makes people. I think the Octomom is "stupid" and showed "bad judgement". But as far as I know she didn't violate any laws, and there's nothing I can do except watch my tax money transferred from my wallet to hers. If we don't agree with laws, then we work to change them. Not sure what all this has to do with the healthcare debate anyway. I just heard on TV that 83% of Americans are satisfied with their healthcare. Why don't we focus on the other 17%, instead of making 100% unhappy. Focus on the waste and fraud. Cut Medicare? There's plenty that could be cut without affecting health outcomes. As the caregiver to an elder parent, I see it firsthand.

Stupid...maybe. There's no law against stupid. But are you advocating the suspension of a Constitutional right as a condition of being allowed your right to petition your Government and to debate your elected official's actions? That's really scary, Dan. Perhaps we should instead examine why these "discussions" are so "volatile". COuld it be because the citizens feel this is being rammed down our throats without proper study, discussion and analysis? There's nothing "urgent" about fixing the healthcare system...except for campaign schedules. scoutldr in Va. (another "open carry" state).

I assume you are referring to GTMO. The SCOTUS remedied that in Bumediene v. Bush in 2008, thus granting OUR constitutional rights to those enemy combatants who would rather see us and our children dead and who recognize no law or morality other than Sharia Law. Obama promised to close GTMO, but that's another promise we're waiting to have fulfilled while he tries to run the Auto, Banking and Healthcare industries all at the same time. I am all for a speedy trial. And swift and sure punishment for the guilty. I'm not defending Bush...or any President. I was/am against the Iraq war. It had nothing to do with 9/11 and everything to do with oil, ego and jingoism on the part of Bush and Rumsfeld. But BOTH parties voted to go with it. I believe the Iraqis should rise up and kill their own dictators. I have sworn an oath to defend the Constitution, which gives no power to the Government save that specifically granted by the people.

So which of the other Constitutional rights should we make "optional" if they don't seem "right" to someone? Speech? Assembly? Religion? Once you open that box, it will be VERY hard to close again. I understand your point, and I don't disagree. He was making a statement, and I hope the SS and FBI did their jobs. But sometimes Liberty makes people uncomfortable. As it should.

Can't. The Chicoms already own it along with most everything else.

Why am I suspicious? For one, I work for the federal govt and see first hand how regulations and policy are made. Kinda like making sausage. Tom Daschle is one of BHO's top advisors on this and his plan called for a "quality panel" similar to what they have in Britain. Expensive treatment modalities are subjected to a cost-benefit analysis. For example, my MIL receives an IVIG treatment to the tune of $7 grand a month, paid for by the taxpayer (Medicare). Is it improving her quality of life? WHo knows? She's still alive with severe COPD, but can't do much. Will it continue to be approved under Obamacare? Who knows? (I know what I would decide.) Another example...my 88 year old Uncle with congestive heart failure and kidney failure was just buried. With two brand new knees that had just been replaced...for the THIRD time. Sorry, folks, but with limited resources, when do we say "enough"? Should the taxpayer be asked to fork over money so that someone can be kept alive artificially with no quality of life? (Hence the counselling). The counselling is just a tactic to get people to agree ahead of time to the rationing that will inevitably take place because there simply won't be enough health care available to give everyone what they want. But again, this is nothing new. A few years back, the GOV decided that performing mammograms on women under age 40 was not productive enough to justify the cost. Do women under 40 get breast cancer? Sure. But not enough that we should pay to screen them all. That's not comforting if you are a 28 year old who is diagnosed too late. Just like the upcoming Swine Flu shot campaign. Wait till all the seniors realize that they are at the bottom of the priority list. (The top of the list is school kids, pregnant women, and healthcare providers). That's healthcare rationing and it's already coming to a neighborhood near you.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

As I said, I have read the bill, and no, there are no "death panels". There is a provision for "end of life counselling" to be paid for every 5 years as a benefit under the plan. The counselling is in the form of "ya know, maybe you should think about an Advance Directive, or Healthcare Power of Attorney, so your loved ones know what your wishes are, and we can help explain all of your options." Having had surgery last year, and having a MIL in and out of hospital several times a year, this is no different that what's done now...except it will allow providers to bill for it as a separate service. Not sure how that benefits anyone, except the providers. As to rationing health care, that is a separate issue, which is not addressed in the bill. But that's also being done now. I also frequent an Elder Care forum, and the horror stories there will make your skin crawl. Like convincing a 96 year old woman to go to the Doc for a mammogram and Pap test....now the results of the test will not change the treatment plan or the outcome either way...but they can bill Medicare/Medicaid and milk the system. Many seniors gladly bounce from doctor to doctor, scheduling several appointments per week, running us caregivers ragged, because it's a way to get out of the house (or nursing facility) and get attention. And the stupid GOVERNMENT pays for it. Is it medically necessary? I agree with those who say it depends on the age. Does an 80 year old man need a PSA test every year? What for? Just so the medical community can document that "we did all we could for you." That needs to be stopped. It's things like this that have me convinced that the Govt needs to stay out of the healthcare business...Medicare/Medicaid is a horror story frought with waste, fraud and abuse. If they get that system under control, then they can worry about the speck in MY eye. As a Reagan Conservative and budding Libertarian, I do think that the media hype is over the top...on both sides. People have a responsibility to read and think for themselves before going to a rally and yelling like fools...regardless of which side they are on. UNfortunately, the majority of the voting public is incapable of doing that. There. "Fair and balanced".

I agree...if the gun-toters were breaking the law, they should be prosecuted.

From the Insignia Guide: Shoulder Loops Colored shoulder loops identify the area of Scouting: blue, Cub Scouting; red, Boy Scouting; blaze, Varsity Scouting; green, Venturing; silver, council and district; gold, national and regional. Wear the color for the primary registered position in which you are functioning. I guess if in doubt, look at your membership card.

"Now - having said that, kids and parents need to have a long hard discussion as to what is appropriate use of the phone and what is not." Completely agree, but that ain't gonna happen. Parents think that during school hours, it's the teachers' problem. The sense of right and wrong has been lost. I used to have the discussion with scouts during SM conferences and BOR about "sharing" music (when Limewire and Napster were the rage). They had no clue that copying music files and giving them to friends was wrong. The attitude was "if I'm able to do it, it must be OK." Same with cheating on a cell phone..."it it's so wrong, then why am I able to do it?" The Clinton mentality..."because I could."

Well, I cracked the seal on my treasure last night...the fine print on the label says "Pecatonica River Popcorn", not Trails' End. The trail mix was mostly raisins with peanuts mixed in, and a FEW cashews, almonds and M&M's. Nothing to write home about. Nice tin. I would have gotten popcorn, but since diverticulitis surgery last year, I'm still a bit nervous about what I put through the system.

Is it a question of risk avoidance or a question of physical maturity (upper body strength) and age-appropriate activities?

Guilty.

This is why we do it folks... http://www.ketv.com/news/20311462/detail.html

The tins say "Terry Redlin" on them. Is that Trail's End? (I thought my council had dumped TE several years ago). Trail mix is a "new secret item"...the order form says 18 oz...for $20.

Working all weekend to help rehab my son's new house, I had to make several trips to Lowe's. Upon exiting the store, I was accosted by a maybe 3 foot tall Cub Scout who blocked my path saying, "Hey sir, would you like to buy some popcorn?" I swear, his wall-to wall belt loops probably weighed more than he did. Annoyed with myself for not anticipating and evading and already late, I said, "no thanks, not today" and kept walking. Almost to the car, I went back. I said, "OK, I changed my mind, what have you got?" Face lit up, he launched into his spiel...knowing my volunteer workers were waiting for me, I cut him off and said "Ok, how much is the trail mix" "Twenty dollars, sir", he replied, holding out his hand. A bit startled, but now committed, I handed over a double saw-buck. Collecting my minuscule can of trail mix from the cub, I noted to the adult "supervisor"..."you know I used to be a Scoutmaster, and I just can't walk past you guys", and he nodded knowingly, rolling his eyes. Upon hearing I was a "leader", the Cub drew himself up to his tallest 36 inch height, came to attention and snapped off the best Cub Scout Salute I have ever seen, saying "Thank, you, Sir." Driving back to my 27 year old former cub scout's new house, I had to wipe a tear from my eye. Best 20 bucks I've spent in a long time.

OMG!!! U R not srs! Most kids today can't write a standard english sentence without using "Text language". And we can't have the little darlings get bad grades, now can we? That would hurt their self-esteem. Not to mention the additional hours the teacher would have to spend grading tests...you can't answer essay questions on a Scan-Tron bubble sheet.

You have to PAY the course fee to instruct it??? Geez, Gunny, don't give the other councils any ideas!!! 'Fraid I would just have to say "NO". That is insulting.

No beads here. I used to be a nobody...and still am. I recently sat on an Eagle BOR for a young man...the last of 3 brothers to earn it. When Mom and Dad (a troop ASM) walked in, Dad recognized me as his "Trainer" for NLE and CS leader specific when he was a Den Leader. It was kinda cool to be there to see the efforts pay off...on all our parts.

Yeah...we don't want to be blacklisted for "unamerican activity". Too bad Joe McCarthy's dead. There would be a Czarship in his future.

As a former boss used to tell me..."It's always better to be wanted than to be qualified."

So, vol, as a recently practicing physician, what is your opinion of HR 3200?