The end of non-corporate medicine?

It is not news that stores want to control health care, as we see with the flu shot clinics and other medical programs popping up. Since people already go shopping, should "medical centers" be in the big shopping locations? Walmart, CVS, Walgreens and more, say yes. Remember, they will be claiming your insurance money and your tax money. Doctors will all become employees who can be terminated, if the boss is upset. Because foreign doctors will work for less, you may find American doctors unemployed and your new doctors may all be foreign. Corporations will have access to all of your private information. And if you have a dispute, you, as an individual, may be fighting Walmart.

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Walmart -- the nation's largest retailer and biggest private employer -- now wants to dominate a growing part of the health care market, offering a range of medical services from basic prevention to management of chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease, according to a document obtained by NPR and Kaiser Health News.

In the same week in late October that Walmart announced it would stop offering health insurance benefits to new part-time employees, the retailer sent out a request for information seeking partners to help it "dramatically ... lower the cost of healthcare ... by becoming the largest provider of primary healthcare services in the nation."

But by midafternoon Wednesday, the retailer issued a statement saying its own request for information was "overwritten and incorrect." The firm is "not building a national, integrated low-cost primary health care platform," says the statement by Dr. John Agwunobi, a senior vice president.On Tuesday, Walmart spokeswoman Tara Raddohl confirmed the proposal but declined to elaborate on specifics, calling it simply an effort to determine "strategic next steps."

The information request begins with the exact wording that Agwunobi says is incorrect, saying Walmart “intends to build a national, integrated, low-cost primary care healthcare platform.” The request goes on to ask firms to spell out their expertise in a wide variety of areas, including managing and monitoring patients with chronic, costly health conditions. The goal it says is for Walmart to become “the largest provider of primary healthcare services in the nation.”

The document spells out a tight timeline. It was issued to an unknown number of “strategic partners” on October 21 and final vendor selection is set to take place on January 13.

Analysts said Walmart is likely positioning itself to boost store traffic -- possibly by expanding the number of, and services offered by, its in-store medical clinics. The move would also capitalize on growing demand for primary care in 2014, when the federal health law fully kicks in and millions more Americans are expected to have government or private health insurance.

"We have a massive primary care problem that will be made worse by health reform," says Ian Morrison, a Menlo Park, Calif-based health-care consultant. "Anyone who has a plausible idea on how to solve this should be allowed to play."

In-store medical clinics, such as those offered by Walmart and other retailers, could also be players in another effort in the health law: encouraging collaborations of doctors and hospitals who want to win financial rewards for streamlining care and lowering costs. Such collaborations, known as "accountable care organizations," might contract with in-store medical clinics, says Paul Howard, a senior fellow with the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research. He has studied retail clinics, some of which have recently expanded to offer services beyond simple tests and vaccinations, such as helping monitor patients with diabetes or high blood pressure.

Walmart's request goes even further, asking possible partners to provide information on how they would oversee patients with complicated chronic conditions, including asthma, HIV, arthritis, depression and sleep apnea

While Walmart's efforts to partner with others on health care could help lower costs for some patients and increase access to primary care services, health policy experts also say it raises questions.

Will expansion of in-store clinics, for example, further fragment care in the U.S. by drawing patients away from their established primary care doctors?  Would patients who need specialists fall through the cracks? Will patients seen by nurses or physician assistants at in-store clinics have just as good outcomes as those seen by doctors in more traditional practices?

"Maybe Walmart can deliver a lot of this stuff more cheaply because it is an expert at doing this with other types of widgets, but health care is not a widget and managing individual human beings is not nearly as simple as selling commercial products to consumers," says Ann O'Malley, a physician and senior health researcher at the Center for Studying Health System Change, a nonpartisan Washington think tank.

And will it save money?  Because primary care services are not the main driver ofhealth care costs in this country, "I would be surprised if this were a model that could truly attack cost problems," says O'Malley.

Whatever it does to health costs, it may also be a way to boost foot traffic and sales in Walmart stores, says Colin McGranahan, a retail analyst for Sanford C. Bernstein & Co.

"Their traffic has been declining for over two years and they've been losing market share," McGranahan says. "If you get someone in the door, you can also sell them milk and a shotgun."

CVS/Caremark, Walgreen's, Kroger, Target and others have recently reinvigorated efforts to open in-store medical clinics. The first such in-store clinics opened in 2000, but growth took off later in the decade.

Until recently, Walmart was the nation's leader in opening such clinics, but has dropped to third place with about 140 such clinics, well behind industry leader CVS Caremark's nearly 550 Minute Clinics and Walgreen's 355 Take Care clinics, according to data tracked by Tom Charland, CEO of Merchant Medicine, a Minnesota-based research and consulting firm. About 1,300 store-based clinics are open nationwide, he says.

They have different business models. Walmart leases space to independent vendors, for example, while CVS owns and staffs its Minute Clinics.  While a few centers operated by retailers have doctors on site, most hire nurse practitioners or physician assistants to provide the care.  In 2007, Walmart CEO Lee Scott announced the firm would open 400 clinics by 2010.

But early efforts backed by venture capital money faltered and the firm failed to reach that number, says Charland. Walmart then switched strategies and began leasing to hospital systems primarily and it began to grow again. Still, last month, the firm appeared to be struggling: Walmart opened three in-store clinics, but closed 10, says Charland.

"This is an industry where people haven't figured out how to make money," he says.  Hiring nurses isn't cheap - and business can be seasonal:  more people come in during the cold winter months and business can slow to a crawl in the summer.  "My guess is the whole purpose of [Walmart's] request for information is to find someone to help them because they've not been able to pull it off."

CVS, which has run Minute Clinics since 2006, expects to break even for the first time this year, says Helena Foulkes, a CVS executive vice president in charge of strategy and marketing. It plans to keep opening clinics and is doing so at a clip of about 10 a month.

"We think the market will evolve so this will become a more important model," says Foulkes.

Kristian Foden-Vencil of Oregon Public Broadcasting, and Chris Weaver, Sarah Barr, and Christian Torres of Kaiser Health News contributed to this story

Israel prepares

Israel is now investigating whether to initiate an Israeli strike against Iran's nuclear plants.
This is probably an effort to keep US troops and military supplies in the area and defeat the US deadline for troop withdrawal.

US Embassy military orgy

Will things get worse with "don't ask, don't tell" revoked? I have more stories to share.

SEX SCANDAL IN KABUL VIDEOUS embassy security staff in perverse naked games

The American embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan has become embroiled in a sex scandal after it was revealed that guards took part in perverse naked games.

Staff held parties with prostitutes, heavy drinking and kinky naked games in Camp Sullivan, the workers’ accommodation.

“One supervisor boasted about the fact that he had hired a prostitute for his birthday,” Danielle Brian from the Project on Government Oversight (POGO) said.

And you can see what was going on in the pictures…

Naked men grabbing each other by the testicles in perverse sex games, drinking vodka from a butt crack and eating off a naked back – many of those involved were obviously forced to do it by their superiors!

The scandal in Afghanistan came to light because of the concerns by staff of the private security firm, which was hired to protect the embassy.

Some of the victims of the bizarre games reported the abuse to POGO.

One guard said: “It was degrading and embarrassing.”

Whoever didn’t want to take part in the orgy was gambling with their chances of promotion – or even the risk of losing their job!

The organisation has denounced the sordid activities in a letter to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who reacted swiftly and promised “zero tolerance” would be shown if the accusations were proved to be true.

Philip Crowley, a State Department spokesman, said: “The behaviour shown in these pictures is unacceptable.” Those involved in it have reportedly been removed from their posts.

“It potentially endangers the important work of the US embassy in Kabul. We find it all abhorrent,” he added.

Secretary of Defence Robert Gates said: “If those allegations are true, those activities are not just offensive to Afghans and Muslims.

“They’re offensive to us and inexcusable.”

Meanwhile, an alcohol ban has been issued in Camp Sullivan and staff have been assigned to oversee the private security personnel

Beating the kids

Judge William Adams admitted he beat his 16-year-old daughter with a belt as seen on a publicized video. The reason for the beating was unknown and how often the girl was beaten was not revealed. The girl said she planted the video camera because she knew she was going to be beaten. This is a problem because her actions may be more acting than real distress.
In any event, the girl is 16 and knows her parents have house rules that she must follow. If she finds she is at continual odds with her parents, she should consider an alternative living arrangement. The father and the daughter are fighting for control of the house. She knows her father is explosive about some issues. Wonder what she did???
Anyway, beating older kids does nothing to help the situation. The daughter's personality is set and the family needs counseling. If the daughter's problems are significant, a professional therapist can help. Planting cameras can erode trust and make a resolution more difficult.
Sherrie on "The View" says she hits her son, Jeffery. Now, Sherrie has often said her son is "retarded" and has control problems. I do not believe in hitting disabled children.

Sex business grows - The New Spain

Spain is finding that allowing huge expansion of the prostitution business brings gangs, corruption and human rights violations.
One year ago, October 2010, Spain opened the world's largest brothel, just a short distance from the French border. Since then, prostitution has grown both inside the brothel, in homes and rooms, and on the streets. The sex trade includes both boys and girls. The prostitutes come from all over the world. Some are forced into prostitution. Children are taken into the brothel. Babies born to prostitutes will probably become part of the brothel. The prostitutes spend their days and nights servicing large numbers of men. In the end, they grow old and have nothing to show for their work, except an education about the sex business. The older or diseased workers will be more likely to find work in smaller clubs, apartments and on the street.
The winners of the sex business are those who own the businesses. The contracts with the workers and the customers hold the businessmen free from liability. Gangs take over or influence other businesses and government. Government officials who want to decrease the sex, disease and crime find themselves helpless. Spain has developed a huge sex business with customers from France, and all over the world - many do not want to give that up.
The full extent of the crimes are unknown.
Here in the Central Valley, we are also seeing an increase in prostitution, especially with the depressed economy. Schools encourage boys and girls to attend college, but many have no such goals. Instead, they opt for money via the sex business. We see it growing in our cities, truck stops and casinos. Our government officials ignore the trend, but as drugs and prostitution grow in the valley, more serious crimes will follow.

Cain accuser a prostitute?

Today a lady, Sharon Bialek, came out and made more specific accusations against Republican candidate Herman Cain. According to her story Cain's behavior showed that he considered her a prostitute, or some other sex worker. We certainly don't want have this sort of behavior going on in the White House by a president. However, I am sure many of the presidential and congressional candidates have done similar activities as Cain, but the accusations were not made public for various possible reasons.
I believe this woman has credibility, but the event is old and there were obvious mixed messages between the two. First, why would she fly in to meet Cain and stay in a room paid for by Cain, in order to ask him for a "job?"  She met Cain at night in a bar and had drinks (I find this unusual for a job 1st interview). Sharon Bialek calls Cain, Herman (I have worked for bosses for years and never called them by their first names - it is a sign of respect and acknowledgment of the employer/employee relationship). Then, she had a private dinner with Cain - why would this potential employer take Sharon out on an upscale dinner date? Next she consented to go off into the night to visit some vague empty restaurant offices. Why would she go to an empty building site late at night with a man she is asking for a job? She had no prior connection with Cain and Cain even asked her why she was there? We can only imagine her answer. She could remember all of Cain's remarks, but she left out her side of the conversations. She said she was sent to meet Cain that evening by her "boyfriend." Perhaps he is a pimp-like person.
Anyway, this lady has no common sense and seems like a "set-up," probably trying to get money from the event. She probably wanted the sexual advancements to occur in the Restaurant Association offices so she could sue for big bucks against Cain and the association. She says Cain took her home (the hotel room he paid for) the minute she protested (she never said how far they went before she protested).  Since they were not in the association's offices, Cain was not at work, Sharon Bialek was not an employee or client, she accepted a hotel room from him and they went out on a date (which she asked to fly in for at night), this becomes a bad date experience by a married man and a potential prostitute. I feel Cain was confused because she was acting like a prostitute. Cain actions can not be overlooked. If Cain is in a bad marriage, it will only get worse in the White House. Washington, DC is full of stories, going back generations, about political sex scandals and prostitutes. We need leadership, not more sex scandals.

Rich invited to US

While many cry to keep illegal aliens out of the US, there are other pathways to US citizenship. Some use the old, come to the US for a few weeks and have a baby born here. The child will be a US citizen and can later come to the US for a free education. Others use the US investment angle. Just by buying a house in the US or starting a US business you can become eligible for a US visa and apply for permanent citizenship.

Many want to move to Miami. Miami has drawn significant interest from both the Latin American elite looking to escape political instability and drug violence — and the developers who want their money.Naturally, many rich criminals are interested in moving there too, as Miami has a reputation for drug trades. But, all states have their draw and immigrants are investigating the choices.

By investing $500,000 in a designated high-unemployment or rural area, or $1 million anywhere else, a foreign national and his or her family can obtain conditional EB-5 visas that become permanent if the investment creates at least 10 jobs for two years.

What’s more, experts say, is that the U.S. recession has contributed to a growing EB-5 industry as dozens of private companies seek permission to pool investors’ money in order to finance projects such as hotels and housing developments that can’t get traditional loans from banks. For the foreigners, applying through a so-called EB-5 regional center lets them live in the U.S., put their children through school here and sit back while somebody else manages their investment and worries about fulfilling the job creation requirements.

“It’s access to capital,” said Emilio González, a former director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under President George W. Bush. “It satisfies the U.S. need to create jobs and it satisfies an investor’s need to get a green card for whatever reason.”

In recent months, the Obama administration has promised to streamline the EB-5 process in order to encourage more foreigners to make investments that will create jobs. The program is estimated to have created about 34,000 jobs since its inception in 1990. Meanwhile, two U.S. senators recently proposed a similar program that would grant visas to foreigners who spend $500,000 on real estate as a way to bolster the housing market.

In the 2009 fiscal year, about 1,000 foreigners applied for EB-5 visas, according to USCIS. The number doubled in 2010. And, in just the first 10 months of the 2011 fiscal year, 3,355 foreigners had petitioned for the visa, of which about 1,400 have been approved.

More than half the applicants are Chinese. However, in the past two years petitions from Latin Americans rose by about 71 percent, with Venezuela and Mexico leading the way. Government statistics show that 95 Latin Americans applied for the program in the 2010 fiscal year. Another 163 applied in the first 10 months of 2011. Of these, USCIS approved 44 petitions in 2010 and 68 in 2011.

By Melissa Sanchez and Alfonso Chardy | The Miami Herald

Republicans Pass a Jobs Bill

Republicans said they wanted to pass H.R. 1904 because it was a jobs bill for Arizona. The Republicans stated the bill would create 500 jobs and up to 3,000 jobs later. The crux of the bill is that Arizona sells some federal  Indian land in exchange for a larger plot of non-federal land. The rights to the sold Indian land would go to two foreign countries, Britain and Australia and they would get the rights to the largest amount of copper known in the northern hemisphere. The issues about where the copper will be processed and whether the US had workers for this mine were poorly addressed. The large foreign mine operations will be digging over 7,000 feet below the surface. There was no mention as to how far down they could go (I assume to the center of the earth) and there was also no mention as to how far they could tunnel.
As a jobs bill, this seems pretty poor for the US, since I doubt we have 3,000 copper miners to fill these jobs. I assume foreign workers will come and get the jobs created. In addition, these foreign countries have the technology to use robots and exclude workers. There were no provisions in the bill that humans had to be employed. There was also no mention in the bill that the US got any of the copper profits over the many years to come. The Republicans did state the US has no facilities to process the copper, so all of the processing jobs will be abroad.
Oh, and the Indians who live on the land will not be consulted until after Congress gave the OK to go ahead with the project.
If we imagine that all was well with this bill and 3,000 jobs would be created, the jobs would not appear for years. we need jobs now. In one to three years, we should be in a recovery and all of this loss of our precious mineral resource will be too late to fit the alleged plan.
The Republican bill passed and now sits in the Senate.
Clearly, this was a payola scam on the American people.

Are we less safe?

Did you know Congress has approved that U.S. Homeland Security give out 70,000 Asia-Pacific Business Travel Cards to any Asian-Pacific businessperson who gets a visa and pays a fee for the card. This allows for frequent business trips into the U.S. in order to encourage international trade. After getting the card, the card holders can get expedited international treatment and can bypass some of the security lines. In addition, the U.S. has a similar program with 18 other countries, including Russia. There are over 180,00 current card holders. Next, Congress hopes to have similar cards available to American "important people" who travel for international trade. I'm sure every member of Congress and their family members will be applying for the American allotment of cards.
As I see it, this is a way around Homeland Security. While the TSA agents are frisking granny and the baby, the real potential terrorists will be bypassing security via the Economic Travel Business Cards.
It only takes a few terrorists to co-ordinate a plot against Americans. I feel Congress has let us down by risking American safety at home and in the air.

Middle East Caution

We must all face the probability that Iran, Iraq, China, or others will develop and hold nuclear weapons in the near future. The materials can be made, stolen or bought. The idea of using nuclear weapons was more remote in years past. But, when President Bush invaded the Middle East and used bombs, targeting "enemies," but also injuring non-enemy civilians, the picture changed. People never forget when a family member is killed. It may be 10 or 30 years, For some the pain is carried for generations. Hatred and anger unites the groups and covered by the cloak of "God's will," the threat will remain for generations.

Middle Eastern Islamic countries do not support the US way of life. In the Middle East, women can be beaten, jailed, and even killed for not being veiled and cloaked. Women can be burned or have acid thrown in their face. Why is it good to have women covered head-to-toe with cloth? Because they look less like humans. They appear to all look alike. It is a way of conveying that the women mean little and need to keep their ideas covered. Some may feel that the women are evil or devilish, so the coverings keep the demons inside and do not allow them to get out to infect others. I saw a family with an older mother, probably age 50's, at the dinner table. The older woman had to wear a lot of garb over her head and cover her mouth. Just navigating the food, without creating a mess, seemed difficult to me. Naturally, the woman said it was good to wear this garb and that she was honored. Did she have a choice? Older women, who are not supported by a male are thrown into the streets to beg. Naturally, with a lot of women, totally covered begging on the streets, they are easy victims for crime and abuse. Women can never go against the male of the household - she can be killed (and I mean stoned) and beaten. Freedom and choice are not welcome in the Middle East. We in America must recognize these differences and continue to protect our American freedoms and way of life.

Libya now wants Sharia law, tents, and for men to have as many as four wives. The killing of Qaddafi was a disgrace. Yes, Qaddafi was a miserable person, and his sons were raised in a similar manner, but I believe in human honor and rights. No human should ever die in that animalistic manner. Many Middle Eastern Muslims believe in mob beatings, and killing those who do not follow Muslim beliefs. Qaddafi's final moments will be a part of American shame. I expect many others are suffering in Libya right now - but we hear no words. We Americans are different and I say "Remember la Difference!!!" Americans are short-sighted. The Middle East looks to the future, the distant future, for their final goals. We must be vigilant and stand firm for American values, ideals, and the American way of life. Women must be especially active in protecting our liberties. We must ensure our money is going towards freedom-loving countries who we will work with as partners for hundreds of years to come.

The U.S. Coast Guard

I have met a number of people who are current or former members of the U.S. Coast Guard. I have been very impressed by their work ethics and dedication to serving and protecting the United States. It is an extremely dangerous job that they do. The work is continual and the pay needs to be improved.
If you know of anyone serving in the Coast Guard, please send them my love and thanks this holiday season. If you meet anyone serving in the Coast Guard or who served in the past, please give them a big smile, and thank them for all of the work they performed for all of us.
For those who are physically able and mentally able to do the work of the Coast Guard, I urge you to explore the opportunities available. As with all of the military, we will honor our military members and veterans this year and every year for their great work to keep us safe and to preserve our values and our way of life.

B of A questions

I don't usually go to Bank of America, but last week I decided I wanted to do a transaction in person. As I entered the bank, I saw they had placed a large tripod in the middle of the bank with a camera facing towards the customer line and the tellers. This was in addition to the numerous cameras that hang every few inches over the ceiling and walls. It was a very uncomfortable experience because I felt that the bank was expecting a problem and I did not want to be there when it happened. A couple of days later I was notified Bank of America was transferring some of its debt to another bank. The bank has been threatened with a mass exodus of accounts because of the continual increase in banking fees. I decided to check B of A's stock prices and they were around $6.50.
The question is, are B of A executives getting ready to take the money and run? How affected will B of A be by the global financial plunges, such as seen with the Euro and Greece's problems? I feel B of A is hiding some important information that will probably hurt all Americans financially. I hope not, but time will tell.

Killer Dr Pepper

HOUSTON—A criminal investigator from the Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday went to the house of a Houston woman who said she was sickened after drinking a tainted bottle of Dr Pepper.

The investigator talked to Amanda Womack about her experience. Womack said three weeks ago she had to be rushed to the hospital after taking a sip of Dr Pepper.  She said the 20-ounce soda was bought at T&W Quick stop off North Wayside and smelled and tasted like gasoline.

Tests by the city’s health department and an independent lab confirmed components of gasoline were found in the popular drink. Benzene and Naphthalene were among the components.

The health department and Dr Pepper now say that two dozen contaminated bottles were discovered.  All of the bottles came from the same store. Some of the tainted Dr. Peppers were found in storage.

“I want to get to the bottom of it because it’s really not fun,” Womack said.

Womack said she’s happy that the FDA is taking her case seriously.

“I’m happy because it was just like we were being ignored. No one believed us. They thought it was a joke. They thought it was a game. Playing with someone’s life is not a game,” Womack said.

The FDA told Womack it will send the contaminated bottles to a lab in Cincinnati, Ohio. It hopes the lab will be able to determine how the dangerous chemicals ended up in the 24 sodas.

B of A retracts

Good going! Bank of America has now stated it will  NOT charge a $5 monthly fee for using its debit card. We won this one, but the hungry tiger will be back. Caution.

Jackson's defense team has pretty good days

Today, in the Conrad Murray trial, the prosecution tried to say Michael Jackson was not addicted to drugs, in particular Demerol which was given by a dermatologist, Dr. Arnold Kline for Botox and Restylane injections of the forehead, cheeks and nose.
     As the medical reports were read, it appeared the small cosmetic injections were probably just a ruse to cover  giving significant amounts of Demerol to Jackson.Having dealt with addictive persons, I can attest that addicts always have more than one source for drugs. Who were Jackson's other suppliers, we will never know.
     The defense has been successful in showing Jackson was in need of drugs and due to his contractual obligations, would have been unable to attend regular detox, even if he had wanted to go. Another witness was a doctor who conducted the initial US research studies on Propofol. He stated Propofol was a better sedative then operative anesthetic, but the company wanted Propofol to be developed only for operations and medical procedures. I am surprised how well the defense team is able to defend the doctor.

Cut embassy costs

Here is an idea I like - a Virtual Embassy. Hillary Clinton says she wants to create a virtual embassy for Iran, since the US and the Iranian government can't seem to reach agreements. She states the embassy will be for people in Iran who have questions about the US or might want to travel here. The Iranian government said they will continue to disrupt electronic computer and phone connections. Hilary calls this the "electronic curtain."
Carrying this virtual embassy idea further, we could cut huge amounts from the US budget if we made a lot of the embassy services around the world virtual. We could still have a few American workers in these countries, but the costs could be cut dramatically. In addition, when a US embassy is targeted in an attack, there would be little in the actual embassy building and all information would be stored outside of the country, so little data would be lost and injuries greatly reduced.
I hope we explore further the virtual embassy.

TipNow to reduce crime

Now we can all become a little bit like Sherlock Holmes or the nosy neighbor. TipNow is a texting service which allows you to report suspicious or outright criminal behavior and the police will follow-up. Your identity is not revealed. but many computers do have tracking devices. ABC30 TV is also working with this service and you can call 559-475-8886.
Someone accessing porn in the public library, bringing drugs to school, inappropriate around schools or doing other illegal activities...now you can publicize the evidence and let the police take over.

McCain is wrong - No mercenaries

Today, Senator John McCain said that Iraq will continue to need our troops and we need to have continued presence in Iraq. There is some confusion here. McCain is wrong.
Iraq can not control our troops for any reason. Our troops were deployed for WAR. Once the war is over, the troops can return home. Iraq may need Americans to build and modernize their country, but they can not use our troops. Nation-building is not war and it is not a duty for Americans to pay for Iraq nation-building. Iraq has many resources and many private companies are in Iraq making lots of money, along with the corrupt government officials. America has a huge deficit and is paying for the Iraq war with a credit card from China. It does not make any sense
We need to bring all of our military stuff home, along with our soldiers. There are basically three ways for Iraq to get non-war Americans into the country for nation-building. First, Iraq can hire a mercenary military to keep their people under control for years to come. Second, Iraq can hire American corporations, businesses and non-profits to work on various projects and needs. Lastly, Iraq can contract with the US to send non -military volunteer workers for various jobs. Anyone who wishes to volunteer to live and work in Iraq can do so via the State Department and be paid higher wages with benefits by IRAQ, not the United States.
Our military is not mercenary. Hence, countries can not pay our soldiers to come in and fight their wars. The US military only fights to protect and defend the US. The Foreign Legion is a mercenary military  group that takes men from any country to fight anywhere for pay. So, to hire a military, Iraq needs to look into hiring the Foreign Legion. If the US puts non-military persons in peril to build Iraq, there is every chance a war build-up could restart if the safety of these people is jeopardized. Iraq has already said that there will be no immunity and all Americans in Iraq will be subject to Iraqi law. Having seen the videos of Qaddafi's torture and death, I think most Americans will not be prepared for the Iraqi justice system. In addition, there are still hundreds of thousands of IED's hidden throughout the country.
The best situation is for private corporations and non-profits to send employees to Iraq, the companies and workers will be paid by Iraq, and the businesses will be responsible for the care, safety and costs involved. This will also help both the deficit and the US unemployment situation.

Republicans want war extended and more debt

Republicans don't get it. THE WAR HAS BEEN DECLARED OVER and the troops will be home for Christmas!!! The Republican leaders are saying to President Obama, this is too soon and we need to keep our troops in Iraq, and other Middle East countries, until they are stable. Hey, these countries have almost never been stable in our lifetimes. Unlike Americans, they have grown up in a culture of violence and fighting. You can clearly see the difference in how they treated Qaddafi vs. how we treat our "hated ones," like Madoff. We are a different culture with different beliefs. In the Middle East, when one fight ends, another begins.
The final story is, the US war in Iraq is over and we need to ship out our stuff and bring home the troops. This also means that the huge costs of the war, and the aftermath, will markedly decrease. We can stop borrowing as much from China and reduce our huge deficit. Thanks President Obama.
For years we were doing a lot of nation-building in the Middle East - but this is not the proper use for troops. Once the war ends, the troops come home. Now, as far as continual nation-building, we can use American businesses and others who want to contract and profit for various deals. But, not our troops.
We need our public money directed towards improving the American economy, encouraging job development, and improving the financial crisis.
So Republicans get over it, the WAR IS OVER!!!!!

PRESIDENT OBAMA DECLARES WAR OVER

YAHOOOOO!!!!! The day we have waited for for over ten years. President Obama declared today,"the Iraq/Afghanistan war is over" and the President states all troops will be out by the end of the year and hopefully home for Christmas !!!! LET'S DANCE!!!!!!
Republicans say, not so fast. Republicans feel U.S. needs to be involved in the war area for additional years and want to pour more borrowed money into Iraq, Afghanistan, and the corrupt pockets of foreign leaders and contractors. Republicans do not understand that the money used for the war was borrowed from China and has a huge interest component. Our children for generations will be paying of this ten-year plus war debt. We can not afford to increase our debt more and continue a questionable presence in the Middle East.
President Obama is correct. End the war this year, stop the financial waste and borrowing, and allow our troops to come home and get their lives back.
THEY'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Qaddafi DEAD

Now that Muammar Qaddafi is dead - killed by a bullet from his own people after they tortured and beat him - what will the future hold for Libya? Is this the Muslim way? I was really distressed to see the videos with people acting like dogs.
When all effective organizational power is gone, communities can drift into chaos and find themselves separated by various fighting factions. It can end up resembling gang wars in Los Angeles that want to take over leadership - the "turf wars."
I hope the countries that know Libya well, can help devise a transfer of power and reorganization of the country.

Michael Jackson - conspiracy of secrecy

The Dr. Conrad Murray case methodically moves on. Today, one of the doctors involved in Propofol research and an anesthesiologist gave hours of damning testimony. He called Dr. Murray everything negative under the sun. The prosecution repeatedly laid out 13 or more seriously medical negligent acts by Dr. Murray in treating Michael Jackson. The defense has been setting out its side throughout the trial. But the hurdles are too great.
What the defense can say is Dr. Murray was sucked into this scheme. Clearly, this is not what Murray should have been involved with in any way. The case is crushing. I get fatigued just listening to the situation.
I feel sorry that Michael, deep into addiction, needed help. Yet, his show producers, the insurance company and the doctors all failed him. In spite of all of his money and connections, he was alone, making bad judgments at a time when he needed effective help. Michael always thought he was going to die from a drug overdose, like his idol Elvis. He created the scenario that made his prediction come true. Michael Jackson was a very smart person who became an icon. I'm sure Michael knew that taking all of those meds intravenously nightly would lead to death eventually. During Michael's last child molestation court appearance, he appeared very thin and ill. He had may days when he physically could not get to court, he wore pajamas, he went to the hospital. Michael appeared to be near death's door. He was eating small healthy meals, starving, and abusing drugs - that combination never works. In short, Michael was, for whatever reasons, dying. He chose Dr. Murray to complete the action.
LaToya says it was a murder conspiracy. Who knows. Many people internationally wanted Michael's money. In the end, we will all know the last minutes of Michael's life and Michael lost his privacy and secrecy - one of the things he cherished most. But, he still has the secrets of his thoughts.

Merced - Time to Change

Dr Loraine Goodwin, candidate for Congress 2012, Demands Time for a Change

"We need to rename certain Merced Sites and revise maps to include the changes.

As the State of California begins a project to remove racist names from gold-country landmarks, it is a good time to change the name of Black Rascal Creek, Park, and bridge (and any other such-named sites) in Merced County 

I was not sure of the initial intent in naming the creek, but I had my suspicions. My suspicions were confirmed when a citizen was hesitant to speak the name of the creek because I was in the room. Hence, it's time for the name change. Merced has accepted the responsibility of hosting and nurturing a UC educational system and supporting all of the students who will visit Merced. The naming of the creek, park, bridge (and whatever else) brings negative imagery.

I hope you will join me when I submit my demands to the county. In addition, I hope we will have great support by students in renaming this site."

I want monster hands and feet

If you are a horror movie fan, you may enjoy bidding on items from an LA area prop house.

Auction time 11AM
Date:	Saturday October 22, 2011
Location:	El Segundo CA, USA 90245
Online Bidding:	http://www.icollector.com/Fangoria-s-Annual-Movie-Prop-Auction_as21162

Congratulations Clintons

Hope you caught the online Clinton Foundation 10th Anniversary concert tonight. Lady Gaga, Bono and many more. In a skit some comedians said they were forming a foundation baseball club and the mascot would be the Cheetah.

Military makes excuses to stay in Iraq

I am going to comment on this edited CNN news brief. I am a strong supporter of bringing American troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan. We have seen the Middle East leadership playing both sides of the conflict - taking mega money and human lives from the United States and giving American money to the anti-American forces to kill, maim, corrupt, and enslave our patriotic troops.

El Paso, Texas (CNN) -- A brigade of U.S. troops originally scheduled to be among the very last to leave Iraq is being pulled out of the country months ahead of its planned departure, military officials said Saturday (10/14/2011).

The announcement follows news this month that a deal to keep American troops in Iraq past a December 31, 2011, deadline to withdraw was on shaky ground after Iraqi leadership said any remaining U.S. forces would not be granted immunity from Iraqi prosecution. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and other top brass have repeatedly said any deal to keep U.S. troops in Iraq beyond the withdrawal deadline must require a guarantee of legal protection for American soldiers.(Comment: Panetta, why would we stay. The war is over. We have military setting up residence in Iraq.)

The Fourth Brigade Combat Team, First Armored Division, based at Fort Bliss, deployed to Iraq in August to replace two withdrawing brigades. The troops were sent with the understanding they would be among the last to leave the country and were told to expect up to a 12-month deployment (Comment: That's about one year past our promised withdrawal date)

                                              As part of that agreement, the State Department is deploying thousands 
                                              of workers to Iraq to take over where military officials leave off in their 
                                              dealings with the Iraqi government.(Comment: This article clearly                                        
                                              states we have no agreement or immunity with Iraq. So, these 
                                              workers will not have immunity, So,  they can be imprisoned, 
                                              tortured and hanged after trial (or other Iraqi process) in Iraq. Who 
                                              is going to protect these thousands of government workers? Is 
                                              this just another ploy to keep more American troops in Iraq 
                                              beyond the 2011 deadline?)

"At the same time we're building a comprehensive partnership with Iraq under the Strategic Framework Agreement including a robust security relationship, and discussions with the Iraqis about the nature of that relationship are ongoing," said Tommy Vietor of the National Security Council.(Comment: We have no "partnership" with Iraq! Mr. Vietor does not understand for there to be a partnership there must be transparency, agreement, trust and a willingness to follow the terms/rules of the contract. Vietor must be making money under the table.)

"We shouldn't see American soldiers in Iraqi courts on trumped-up charges," he said.(Comment: Get out troops out now!)

The meetings include discussions about the rights of American troops and what will be required in order for those troops to assist Iraqi forces in the future, according to Panetta.(Comment: How clear can Iraq be - no immunity. You have the right to be tried and hung! When did we become Iraqi assistants. We were there for a war. It's over - BRING OUR TROOPS HOME!)

U.S. officials have been pressuring Iraq's leadership for months for an answer to whether it would request a troop extension, with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen saying over the summer that the U.S. needed a a decision by August.(Comment: Who cares if they ask for an extension of the services of our troops. They just shot down another plane full of SEALS. We are not a maid or babysitting service. Of course they want our troops longer, because we send boatloads of money to Iraq as long as they are there. Americans who need jobs will have to go to Iraq to find them. If they request our troops, tell them to pay up and tell the troops the war is over,but they can sign up to "improve Iraq" if they wish. We should not be nation-building there. The troops are not slaves for the rich. )

.

The negotiations have been strained following WikiLeaks' release of a diplomatic cable that alleged Iraqi civilians, including children, were killed in a 2006 raid by American troops rather than in an airstrike as initially reported by the U.S. military.

Shortly after the WikiLeaks cable gained attention in September, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki ordered an investigation into the deaths outside of Tikrit.

U.S. officials have long said they believe Iraq may need help with training, counterterrorism, air defense, command and control and intelligence operations. Any U.S. troops remaining to do those jobs might also need additional security forces.(Comment: This is "crazy land." Iraq will use all of their skills from our training against Americans and our allies at home and abroad. Our troops get pushed into Iraq without that training. Our values are misplaced as we arm the Middle East to win against us.)

The prospect of U.S. troops staying beyond the end of the year sits uncomfortably with many Iraqis, who have routinely questioned American motives following the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. (Comment: As we get closer to the deadline, they will kill more and more of our troops.)

Radical anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, whose Sadrist political party is closely aligned with al-Maliki, has vowed to escalate armed resistance if the U.S. military does not leave as scheduled, a move that could destabilize the country should his militia repeat the bloody battles it waged against American and Iraqi forces during the height of violence.

Odierno said last month that there would be risks in leaving a large force of U.S. troops in Iraq, noting such a force could provoke new claims of U.S. occupation and distract from efforts to develop the Iraqi military's abilities. He would not comment directly on reports that the White House administration had decided to leave between 3,000 and 5,000 troops, should they be requested by Iraq.(Comment: Hogwash!!)

Odierno, who served as the top U.S. commander in Iraq, said that training of Iraqi security forces was not complete.(Comment: No, we have not completely taught you how to kill us and take over our country, security and economy.)

"We need to probably be there to assist them at certain levels for a while," he said last month in a question-and-answer session with journalists at the Pentagon.(Comment: Odierno is NUTS!!!)

As of last week, 41,000 U.S. military personnel remained in the country, according to Major Gen. Jeffrey Buchanan, spokesman for U.S. Forces-Iraq. Buchanan said Wednesday that "we are on track, and we will meet our requirement to redeploy the last remaining military personnel from 41,000 down to zero by the end of the year." A brigade typically consists of between 3,000 and 5,000 soldiers.(Comment: We are watching. All troops and our secret stuff out of Iraq and Afghanistan by the 31st deadline!!)

Cut the deficit?

Do the Republicans want to cut the deficit? I don't think so. So far we have spent over a ½ trillion dollars on the Afghanistan/Iraq war. Want to cut billions of dollars from the budget, send the troops home. All of this money on credit from China - plus interest. Anyone who has handled a budget knows this is failure. Spending on war must stop. But many make huge profits from wars, so the opposition is strong. War using a credit card.

With our expensive borrowed money, the corrupt governments in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and more buy weapons and kill Americans, get our soldiers hooked on drugs, infiltrate America with more corruption...

Those soldiers who return to the US and are not addicted to drugs, not corrupted and have escaped death now must face lifelong medical/social care and repercussions from PTSD and physical disfigurements. In addition, unemployment eats at the soul and contributes to additional depression, obesity, anger, violence, divorce and addictions. The effects of war will last generations. Additional billions of dollars will be needed to care for the veterans and their families. Everyone suffers when the PTSD leads to suicide and violence in the families and communities.

The Karzi government is corrupt and wants to entice us into many additional years of war. The people in the Middle East must pay for and fight their own wars. We Americans must leave now.

Dr Murray defense reels in Jackson trial

The Michael Jackson death trial is historic in a very odd way. This is the first trial I have ever heard of where millions are being spent to prove Michael Jackson, a Black male, received poor medical care. Blacks in America are often subject to inferior medical care for various reasons. In this case, everyone is angry that Michael Jackson received inferior care. I'm moved and I think America has graduated to a new level of humanity.
I listened to the trial today, and the Dr. Murray defense team was sent reeling from the numerous accusations of negligence. The story was laid out clearly and I know Dr. Murray was watching his career fly out the courtroom window. Feelings were clear and the medical professionals who testified about the standard of care deviations were adamant that Dr. Murray has no defense in this case and was absolutely the direct cause of Michael Jackson's death.
True, this trial still involves a Black male as the defendant, but to have the State prosecutors advocating that Michael deserved better medical care is historic. It brings a tear to my eye. I hope all minorities will take note and realize that they deserve great medical care too.
Probably the most hurtful testimony against Dr. Murray came from the California Medical Board Medical Review Officer. This person has control of his state medical license and things look grim.
The real zinger of the Jackson case is that Dr Murray could have helped himself and reduced his problems if he had told his girlfriend, who was listening on the phone, to CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY. What a difference that act might have made.
It is a shame that Dr. Murray got caught up in this high finance web of providing medications casually to a suspected drug abuser, Michael. Dr. Murray's talents are needed in many parts of the world and he is highly trained. He just went wild once he entered this world of money and excess. He developed a "big head" and set aside his medical training. I think he is seeing things much more clearly in the courtroom.

You're the best gift of all

If you would die tomorrow, what would people tell about what you meant to your world? This is a question which haunts most of us throughout our lives. We all want to have a meaningful life. Of course, a meaningful life has a different meaning for every person. Most of us will not be remembered by the nation or the world. Many will not even be really remembered in their city or town. We can be remembered by our family, who will carry memories of you for many years to come. Hopefully, your story will have an impact, maybe it will motivate.
I had an uncle Bill who left a legacy of jokes and fun times. I can't even think about him without smiling. His death also had an impact on me because he died of restrictive lung disease  which came from smoking and jobs which exposed him to occupational pollutants. I am glad that I had an opportunity to know him.

That is the same impact we can all have. We can create great memories by telling your life stories. During the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, I hope you will sit in the living room or at the dining room table and tell some of your tales. I can assure you the kids and others will love them and it will open you up to closer family relationships.

We must stop the predators

Joseph Son, 40, was convicted of one count of torture in August after his DNA linked him to the abduction of a then-19-year-old victim as she walked her dog near her apartment on Christmas Eve.

Son and a co-defendant, Santiago Lopez Gaitan, 40, drove the woman to Huntington Beach at gunpoint, where they raped and sodomized her in the back of the car. They repeatedly threatened to kill her, hitting her with the pistol and telling her she was going to die.

The badly injured woman begged for her life, prosecutors said, and the two men released her naked and blindfolded with her own pants.

Police collected DNA evidence, but couldn't match it to her attackers until Son was required to provide a DNA sample after he pleaded guilty to felony vandalism in 2008 and violated probation.

Son's co-defendant was sentenced to 17 years and four months in state prison after he pleaded guilty in January to five felonies, including kidnapping and sodomy by force in concert.

Stop Child Sex Trade

The child sex trade is a huge problem in the US and abroad. No country is immune. In the US kids are often lured via the internet or corrupted neighborhood kids and adults. Girls and boys are bullied or lured with promises of love, money or other things. Usually the kids who are targeted are from broken homes and demonstrate emotional problems. The child may have already suffered issues of abandonment, neglect, low self-esteem, and physical and/or emotional abuse. The child may be in the foster care system or even disabled. She or he may be looking for food, money, self-worth, and shelter.
What the child finds is more violence and abuse when the man takes the child to a hotel room where he/she is beaten, sedated and confused with drugs and raped.
Then child is then sold via the Internet, transported to various areas around the country and the world, and sold to other pedophiles.
This is sex slavery and it even happens to adults, especially people who audition to be models.
Of note, churches often send their pedophile priests to foreign countries, like Africa, where they can escape American laws and continue to interact with children under the guise of priest.
I even heard of one country that incarcerated an American in a dungeon-like prison. The American was surprised to find he could buy a child in the prison to be his slave. He bought a child.
We must protect our children from these abusers of children.

Die zeit ist um _ time time time

The High Speed Rail(HSR) debate goes on. Some people, like Republican congressman Jeff Denham said "just widen highway 99 - high speed rail is not needed and too expensive."


Now, today, other Republican obstructionists are coming out to propose - "just expand our already existing Amtrak lines. Much cheaper and could get the train to go up to 110 MPH." 


Amtrak currently runs from Oakland to Bakersfield area, then you switch to a bus to go over the mountains. I took this trip a couple of years ago and I seem to remember using 2 buses and 2 trains, then a taxi, to get to my destination. Quite a trek. I did not save much time, but it was more relaxing than driving. I love Amtrak and would love if we could crank it up to do the job.


The truth is the central valley has been is dire need of a transportation overhaul for over thirty years. Unfortunately, none of the city councils, county supervisors, state senators, state assemblymen, or transportation heads have ever addressed the issue. so, the valley has crumbled and existed as a "difficult to reach" area with sluggish economies. 


Now, we finally have a president who is interested in growing the valley and willing to commit federal cash to get the job done. Obstructionists fail to see that the project will be expensive because they have ignored the valley for decades. State senator Jeff Denham did nothing to improve valley jobs, improve valley transportation, or improve the valley housing market. Now, as a valley congressman, Denham continues to want to impede valley economic growth, safety, and transportation. It is stupid and totally irresponsible to say the transportation solution is to just widen highway 99. I want even more from this transportation overhaul, but the High Speed Rail Authority has repeatedly told me they do not want to address the huge volume of trucking traffic along highway 99 with this current HSR package. Too bad - it is a huge, huge problem and it makes a lot of sense to address the trucks at the same time.


The HSR system is elevated, so there should be fewer collisions between trains and people, cars, and various pieces of junk placed on the tracks. This is a big advantage over the current Amtrak tracks. Also the HSR will be quieter, so residents living near the tracks will be less stressed from train noises.


Obstructionists complain HSR will cost $13 billion for the Merced to Bakersfield route. Well, let's face it, every year you wait to get the job done, it will cost more. The costs will not go down. In the meantime, the valley suffers. Maybe we can improve the valley economy and get some locals significant employment and careers. Certainly cities with HSR stations will grow greatly. The complainers of HSR are probably the same people who blocked UC from building a valley campus for so many years. Now, UC Merced is a continuing success story with many benefiting from the investments.


The main thing about HSR is that it must be completed in time to handle the aging "baby boomers" who will be losing their driving capabilities over the next decade. They will use HSR in large numbers. After the baby boomers, there is a population drop, so ridership will depend more on costs, convenience, etc. So, time is of the essence. 

B of A shake-up

Bank of America website was reportedly down for the 4th day. Good going! Let’s face it, Bank of America can’t make money or exist without people. So people, keep it up. The bank is here to serve the people. We are not here to serve the bank. And keep drinking that coffee!!!

Gun control for some?

Conservative radio commentator, Mike Levine says now he wants gun control. Why?  Well, Mike is angry that the criminals involved in the drug trade in Mexico are committing horrible crimes with weapons, allegedly purchased with American money, and American border guards are being killed. So, let’s see…no gun control in the US because “guns don’t kill people, people kill people.” Now, since the Mexicans are creating problems with guns, Mike wants federal gun control and he wants the Obama administration to head this project. Mike needs to understand laws don’t work against just one group of people. The Republicans want no gun control, so that is what we have. If they are committing crimes with guns, go after the people, not the guns.
Also, when President Bush started the wars in the Middle East, many American military and innocent civilians were killed by weapons purchased by the enemy with American money. Often they used American payments to buy American weapons to kill Americans. We have a long history of giving large amounts of money to hostile groups abroad, even as Americans are in great financial need.
Pray that President Obama can get our remaining military out of this quagmire fast and safely.

Whether you support the wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan or not, I agree with General Allen. All of the men and women who volunteered for military war service are heroes,

It takes more than hollow words to respect our military. Respect is shown by your actions, and booing the military shows what Republicans really think of our volunteer military heroes.

Congress fundraising specialists - no work

Our congressmen are finally coming back to DC after another long vacation. Yes, they return to work at 2PM on Monday. I call this the three day work-"week" because they will probably have a short day on Friday. They will work for a few weeks, then start the holiday breaks. But don't expect any real work out of these people. I assume there will just be more of the same - fighting, repeating party lines and lots of TV sound bites. The goal for Republicans will be blocking all efforts to get anything done, as requested by the President. Reducing the deficit by eliminating the Dept. of Education, Planned Parenthood and the EPA, cutting Social Security, turning Medicare into a $6,000 voucher system, protecting tax cuts for the multimillionaires and billionaires,etc., will have the Republicans again dig in their heels. I predict the super-committee will be pressured into ineffectiveness.