About Us
Mission Statement
Rules of Conduct
 
Name:
Pswd:
Remember Me
Register
 

Who gets to live and who gets to die?
Author: Raine    Date: 07/10/2008 12:32:12

"Give us your poor, your tired, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free..."
Just don't expect us to let them live. Yesterday, I mentioned a story about a 15 year old boy. The Hospital 'determined the boy's unstable living conditions make him a poor candidate for a transplant...'

Are 15 year olds with stable living conditions more deserving of medical treatment? What teenager is stable? Who can guarantee any stability in their own life for the next 6 months... never mind 2 years? The DCF is trying to get this boy, a human being, btw, into another hospital and back on the donor list. He is in the advanced stages of liver disease.

He is a foster child. His life, I assume has been insane, his mom was a crack addict. Now because a hospital deems him not worthy, they basically decided he should die. This is your America. An America where our health care system decides who deserves medical care and who doesn't based up some arbitrary system of the haves and the have nots. Never mind, that as a ward of the state he would be covered by medicare... People who need transplants are sick. From the article:
...it is unreasonable to require the state to guarantee the boy will be in a permanent home for at least two years, given that even children who are not in foster care can't make such guarantees. ''That is a bar a little too high,'' Caplan said.

Transplant teams routinely accept pledges from recovering alcoholics that they will never drink again after accepting a donated liver, or promises that smokers will quit smoking once they receive a new heart, Caplan said. Why should a foster child be required to do more than that? he asked.

''It is absolutely unethical to deny a transplant to a child because you don't have a home setting that is stable or parents who can help with compliance with the treatment,'' Caplan said. ``That's why you have child-caring agencies and foster care. That's what child welfare should be doing.''


What I want to know... Where are all of those GOP politicians that were more than happy to "save" Terry Shiavo? Where is Mel Martinez? Where is Bill Frist? Santorum? Where is our beloved leader, who flew in to sign the Palm Sunday Compromise? Oh, yeah. Silly me, it's not so politically expedient these days, I guess, to ensure a child has the right to life -- or liberty or the pursuit of happiness...

Like all of the unfortunate members of society, it seems as tho this boy is just not politically convenient. Too bad, because I thought living was a basic human right. I hope that Jackson Memorial Hospital will do for this boy what Shands did not, base the case on medical facts, and not because of the 'could be's' surrounding his prior and future life.

Today the news cycle will be filled with the sad and tragic case of JonBenet. I doubt anyone will talk about a poor foster kid from Florida, it just isn't convenient.

:peace: and :heart:
Raine

Edit to Add:
Ted Kennedy came to DC save Medicare yesterday. This man showed up. This man cares for the poor, the tired, and the huddled masses yearning to breathe free.


 

370 comments (Latest Comment: 07/11/2008 12:36:15 by clintster)
   Perma Link

Share This!

Furl it!
Spurl
NewsVine
Reddit
Technorati

Add a Comment

Please login to add a comment...


Comments:

Order comments Newest to Oldest  Refresh Comments

Comment by wickedpam on 07/10/2008 12:39:29
Morning. :hug:





As usual ya'll do a stellar job with the opening blog.



WHo's gonna care about a poor sick kid when there's a murdered little girl from 10 years ago taking up the news.

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/10/2008 12:44:00
Second. Doctor's appointment. I will be going now. See you all later this evening! :hug:

Comment by m-hadley on 07/10/2008 12:45:33
Mornin' Raine & Mala,

Excellent post this morning Raine, made me think of the video that I saw sometime in the last week of a woman dying on the floor of a mental hospital's ER. It was heartbreaking. Our health care system is so f*cked up. And then there is FISA - I am for the time being holding off on giving any more money to Obama - in spite of the gruesome alternative :(

Cheers,

mfaye

:hug: :peace:

Comment by m-hadley on 07/10/2008 12:46:31
Hope it goes well Mondo - take care and see you later, gator.

Cheers,

mfaye

:hug:

Comment by capt on 07/10/2008 12:53:47
Good morning all!



Good luck at the dr's Mondo (all will be well)





Comment by TriSec on 07/10/2008 12:54:33
:kickcan:



Raine, you make me sorry to work in the healthcare industry...



Fortunately, I came to the 'light side of The Force' about 5 years ago now. I did work for the payors, and an HMO at that, for a very long time.





Comment by Raine on 07/10/2008 12:56:13
Note, I edited the blog. Ted Kennedy makes me proud to be a member of the party.

Comment by Random on 07/10/2008 12:58:25
Random™ has returned.



Comment by Raine on 07/10/2008 13:01:48
Welcome back Random™!

Comment by Random on 07/10/2008 13:02:48
Hello Raine.



I wish i knew how to change my name...love to have that lil ™ on my name.

Comment by Raine on 07/10/2008 13:05:51
Quote by Random:

Hello Raine.



I wish i knew how to change my name...love to have that lil ™ on my name.


When our code monkey gets here, maybe he can do something about it. it is funny.

Comment by Random on 07/10/2008 13:07:55
Quote by Raine:

Quote by Random:

Hello Raine.



I wish i knew how to change my name...love to have that lil ™ on my name.


When our code monkey gets here, maybe he can do something about it. it is funny.


Cool, that would be great.

Comment by Raine on 07/10/2008 13:07:59
Quote by TriSec:

:kickcan:



Raine, you make me sorry to work in the healthcare industry...



Fortunately, I came to the 'light side of The Force' about 5 years ago now. I did work for the payors, and an HMO at that, for a very long time.



What I don't get is the randomness of why they took the kid off the list. Shands is a teaching hospital... Makes no sense. Isn't this why we have medicare?



Ted Kennedy makes me weep with joy, btw. I had to add that story when I heard about it this morning. He broke a filibuster, and once he did... 8 republicans switched sides.







Comment by Raine on 07/10/2008 13:11:45
Please, WHEN will it be over??



Bush to G8: 'Goodbye from the world's biggest polluter'

After rejecting global climate-change targets, George Bush's parting shot to the G8 summit



President George Bush signed off with a defiant farewell over his refusal to accept global climate change targets at his last G8 summit.



As he prepared to fly out from Japan, he told his fellow leaders: "Goodbye from the world's biggest polluter."



President Bush made the private joke in the summit's closing session, senior sources said yesterday. His remarks were taken as a two-fingered salute from the President from Texas who is wedded to the oil industry. He had given some ground at the summit by saying he would "seriously consider" a 50 per cent cut in carbon emissions by 2050.

..................................................................................................................







Comment by Random on 07/10/2008 13:13:38
Quote by Raine:

Please, WHEN will it be over??



Bush to G8: 'Goodbye from the world's biggest polluter'

After rejecting global climate-change targets, George Bush's parting shot to the G8 summit



President George Bush signed off with a defiant farewell over his refusal to accept global climate change targets at his last G8 summit.



As he prepared to fly out from Japan, he told his fellow leaders: "Goodbye from the world's biggest polluter."



President Bush made the private joke in the summit's closing session, senior sources said yesterday. His remarks were taken as a two-fingered salute from the President from Texas who is wedded to the oil industry. He had given some ground at the summit by saying he would "seriously consider" a 50 per cent cut in carbon emissions by 2050.

..................................................................................................................









THAT'S NOT FUNNY!



sorry...lost myself for a moment.



Comment by Raine on 07/10/2008 13:15:09




:cry: <----- joyful tears.

Comment by livingonli on 07/10/2008 13:15:47
Good morning everyone.



George Bush is truly a dick and I already posted yesterday my reaction to the story about the child and the hypocritical "right-to-lifers".

Comment by clintster on 07/10/2008 13:18:22
Was it me or did Dennis Miller get a little shouty in that clip?

Comment by livingonli on 07/10/2008 13:19:02
Dennis Miller is just plain insane, cha-chi.

Comment by capt on 07/10/2008 13:23:05
Dennis Miller:





Comment by TriSec on 07/10/2008 13:23:10
OK, so I'm dealing with a tool over on Newsvine...



I asked why all right-wing humour involves killing someone, and he came back with why does all left-wing humour involve the messy death of right-wingers?



So do we do that?



(this was regarding the McCain/cigarettes/Iranians crack...)





Comment by TriSec on 07/10/2008 13:25:22
Quote by Raine:

Please, WHEN will it be over??



Bush to G8: 'Goodbye from the world's biggest polluter'

After rejecting global climate-change targets, George Bush's parting shot to the G8 summit



President George Bush signed off with a defiant farewell over his refusal to accept global climate change targets at his last G8 summit.



As he prepared to fly out from Japan, he told his fellow leaders: "Goodbye from the world's biggest polluter."



President Bush made the private joke in the summit's closing session, senior sources said yesterday. His remarks were taken as a two-fingered salute from the President from Texas who is wedded to the oil industry. He had given some ground at the summit by saying he would "seriously consider" a 50 per cent cut in carbon emissions by 2050.

..................................................................................................................











What a complete fucking, idiot. This embarrasses me as an American. Obama has a lot of work to do to restore our credibility. Never mind everything else, this is the biggest challenge the next occupant of the oval office will face. We are teetering on the brink of global irrelevancy; what happens in the next year will decide if we come back or go over.

Comment by wickedpam on 07/10/2008 13:29:16
Quote by TriSec:

OK, so I'm dealing with a tool over on Newsvine...



I asked why all right-wing humour involves killing someone, and he came back with why does all left-wing humour involve the messy death of right-wingers?



So do we do that?



(this was regarding the McCain/cigarettes/Iranians crack...)







My sense of humor has nothing to do with a messy death of anyone :shrug:





Personally my fave joke -



6 Year old cousin: knock Knock

me: Who's there?

6 Year old: Interupting cow.

me: Interupt----

6 Year old: MOO!

Gales of laughter and giggles ensue. :rofl:





Comment by Raine on 07/10/2008 13:29:41
Quote by TriSec:

OK, so I'm dealing with a tool over on Newsvine...



I asked why all right-wing humour involves killing someone, and he came back with why does all left-wing humour involve the messy death of right-wingers?



So do we do that?



(this was regarding the McCain/cigarettes/Iranians crack...)



Tell him to get Lerlene to show him how to type outside the box.



Comment by wickedpam on 07/10/2008 13:30:43
Quote by Raine:

Please, WHEN will it be over??



Bush to G8: 'Goodbye from the world's biggest polluter'

After rejecting global climate-change targets, George Bush's parting shot to the G8 summit



President George Bush signed off with a defiant farewell over his refusal to accept global climate change targets at his last G8 summit.



As he prepared to fly out from Japan, he told his fellow leaders: "Goodbye from the world's biggest polluter."



President Bush made the private joke in the summit's closing session, senior sources said yesterday. His remarks were taken as a two-fingered salute from the President from Texas who is wedded to the oil industry. He had given some ground at the summit by saying he would "seriously consider" a 50 per cent cut in carbon emissions by 2050.

..................................................................................................................











wow......yeah.....just wow

Comment by livingonli on 07/10/2008 13:31:11
Quote by TriSec:

Quote by Raine:

Please, WHEN will it be over??



Bush to G8: 'Goodbye from the world's biggest polluter'

After rejecting global climate-change targets, George Bush's parting shot to the G8 summit



President George Bush signed off with a defiant farewell over his refusal to accept global climate change targets at his last G8 summit.



As he prepared to fly out from Japan, he told his fellow leaders: "Goodbye from the world's biggest polluter."



President Bush made the private joke in the summit's closing session, senior sources said yesterday. His remarks were taken as a two-fingered salute from the President from Texas who is wedded to the oil industry. He had given some ground at the summit by saying he would "seriously consider" a 50 per cent cut in carbon emissions by 2050.

..................................................................................................................











What a complete fucking, idiot. This embarrasses me as an American. Obama has a lot of work to do to restore our credibility. Never mind everything else, this is the biggest challenge the next occupant of the oval office will face. We are teetering on the brink of global irrelevancy; what happens in the next year will decide if we come back or go over.


And thanks to Bush's policies our dollar has fallen so into the crapper that most of us can't afford to travel overseas anymore. The next president is going to be stuck with fixing all the damage that Bush has done the past 8 years.

Comment by TriSec on 07/10/2008 13:32:00




You know, all it would take is one of those Iranian test missiles having an "accident", and we have an excuse to attack...





Comment by Random on 07/10/2008 13:35:10
Quote by TriSec:





You know, all it would take is one of those Iranian test missiles having an "accident", and we have an excuse to attack...







I just wish the media would stop using the term "Long-range". It makes it seem that the missiles could actually hit the United States.

Comment by TriSec on 07/10/2008 13:37:07
What can they go, 500 miles? That's not long range. That's hardly better than a SCUD or a V-2.





Comment by Raine on 07/10/2008 13:37:24
OK, Right wing tool... shut up. Did Jessie JAckson Joke about killing IRanians? Did Jackson joke about being the world biggest polluter?



:rage: SHUT UP!

Comment by Raine on 07/10/2008 13:38:38
:rolleyes:

Comment by clintster on 07/10/2008 13:38:46
Wow! This guy must be a Hannity listener. He's hitting all of Listy's "points".

Comment by Random on 07/10/2008 13:38:57
Quote by TriSec:

What can they go, 500 miles? That's not long range. That's hardly better than a SCUD or a V-2.





I think techincally, anything that isn't a handheld rocket, is considered long range.



Course, i'm speaking from my on that one.

Comment by capt on 07/10/2008 13:39:10
McCain Squirms on Birth Control Question







While John McCain often embodies an anything-goes attitude when talking to reporters, it doesn’t mean some subjects can’t make him sweat—say, birth control.



A female Los Angeles Times reporter inquired today about comments made earlier this week by McCain campaign adviser Carly Fiorina, the former head of Hewlett Packard.



At a breakfast with reporters, Fiorina suggested that individuals–and women in particular–be given more flexibility to determine what their health insurance plans should cover. “There are many health insurance plans that will cover Viagra but won’t cover birth-control medication. Those women would like a choice,” she observed.



When McCain was asked for his position on the issue, he said—with a nervous laugh–“I certainly do not want to discuss that issue.”



The reporter pressed. “But apparently you’ve voted against—“



“I don’t know what I voted,” McCain said.



The reporter explained that McCain voted against a bill in 2003 that would have required health insurance companies to cover prescription birth control. “Is that still your position?” she persisted.



During the awkward exchange, with several lengthy pauses, McCain said he had no immediate knowledge of the vote. “I’ve cast thousands of votes in the Senate,” McCain said, then continued: “I will respond to—it’s a, it’s a…”



“Delicate issue,” the reporter offered, to a relieved laugh from McCain.



“I don’t usually duck an issue, but I’m—I’ll try to get back to you,” he explained.



After a pause, another reporter posed a question closer to McCain’s comfort zone: “Can I ask you about Russia?”







Um, maybe we should send Barack every farthing we can? Forget about FISA think "long range"

Comment by clintster on 07/10/2008 13:39:59
John, John, John... you're so glib.

Comment by Raine on 07/10/2008 13:40:19
Hang up. The guy isn't going to vote for him. Stop giving this tool a platform.

Comment by TriSec on 07/10/2008 13:40:45
Caller....



I want a constitutional lawyer as my president. Compare and contrast to "It's just a damn piece of paper."



Obama can't think on his feet? I don't think he's ever been caught off guard, or spouted a talking point, or stammered incoherently at any time on the campaign trail.



Other than that, that guy was an idiot.





Comment by Random on 07/10/2008 13:43:01
Quote by TriSec:

Obama can't think on his feet? I don't think he's ever been caught off guard, or spouted a talking point, or stammered incoherently at any time on the campaign trail.





Well, not techincally true. I remember he was caught off guard in debates a few times. The most famous being asked about having ex-Clinton guys on his staff, which Hillary saved his ass by not keeping her mouth shut.



Ahh memories of seeing the reason Hillary was going to lose.



Comment by starling310 on 07/10/2008 13:43:56
I didn't think I would ask this again in the remainder of The Boy Wonder's term, but he didn't really say that? Did he?









Good morning all, by the way.

Good news! In the event that I actually do decide o breed, my friend Tim has offered to be My Baby Daddy.

Comment by Raine on 07/10/2008 13:44:23
Quote by capt:

McCain Squirms on Birth Control Question







While John McCain often embodies an anything-goes attitude when talking to reporters, it doesn’t mean some subjects can’t make him sweat—say, birth control.



A female Los Angeles Times reporter inquired today about comments made earlier this week by McCain campaign adviser Carly Fiorina, the former head of Hewlett Packard.



At a breakfast with reporters, Fiorina suggested that individuals–and women in particular–be given more flexibility to determine what their health insurance plans should cover. “There are many health insurance plans that will cover Viagra but won’t cover birth-control medication. Those women would like a choice,” she observed.



When McCain was asked for his position on the issue, he said—with a nervous laugh–“I certainly do not want to discuss that issue.”



The reporter pressed. “But apparently you’ve voted against—“



“I don’t know what I voted,” McCain said.



The reporter explained that McCain voted against a bill in 2003 that would have required health insurance companies to cover prescription birth control. “Is that still your position?” she persisted.



During the awkward exchange, with several lengthy pauses, McCain said he had no immediate knowledge of the vote. “I’ve cast thousands of votes in the Senate,” McCain said, then continued: “I will respond to—it’s a, it’s a…”



“Delicate issue,” the reporter offered, to a relieved laugh from McCain.



“I don’t usually duck an issue, but I’m—I’ll try to get back to you,” he explained.



After a pause, another reporter posed a question closer to McCain’s comfort zone: “Can I ask you about Russia?”







Um, maybe we should send Barack every farthing we can? Forget about FISA think "long range"




Pro-life and an advocate for the Rights of Man everywhere. (Feb 2008)

GovWatch: 1999: Don't force women to have illegal operations. (Feb 2008)

Abortion issue shows what kind of country we are. (Aug 2007)

Concerned if women undergo illegal dangerous operations. (May 2007)

Supports federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. (May 2007)

Prosecute abortion doctors, not women who get them. (Jan 2000)

“Family Conference” if daughter wanted an abortion. (Jan 2000)

Abortion OK if raped; and no testing for rape. (Jan 2000)

Supports fetal tissue research; against over-intensity. (Jan 2000)

Overturn Roe v. Wade, but keep incest & rape exceptions. (Jan 2000)

Support adoption & foster care; work together on abortion. (Oct 1999)

Wants Roe vs. Wade made irrelevant, but would not repeal it. (Aug 1999)

Opposes partial-birth abortions & public financing. (Aug 1999)

Nominate justices based on experience, and values. (Jun 1999)

Restrict abortions; no partial-birth; no public funding. (Jul 1998)

Voting Record



Supports repealing Roe v. Wade. (May 2007)

Voted YES on defining unborn child as eligible for SCHIP. (Mar 2008)

Voted YES on barring HHS grants to organizations that perform abortions. (Oct 2007)

Voted YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Apr 2007)

Voted YES on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions. (Jul 2006)

Voted NO on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives. (Mar 2005)

Voted YES on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime. (Mar 2004)

Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life. (Mar 2003)

Voted YES on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions. (Jun 2000)

Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions. (Oct 1999)

Voted YES on banning human cloning. (Feb 1998)

Rated 0% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record. (Dec 2003)

Expand embryonic stem cell research. (Jun 2004)

Rated 75% by the NRLC, indicating a mixed record on abortion. (Dec 2006)



Maybe John McSaim need a link about his record from the intertubes.

Comment by starling310 on 07/10/2008 13:46:16
Quote by TriSec:

Caller....



I want a constitutional lawyer as my president. Compare and contrast to "It's just a damn piece of paper."



Obama can't think on his feet? I don't think he's ever been caught off guard, or spouted a talking point, or stammered incoherently at any time on the campaign trail.



Other than that, that guy was an idiot.







Yeah, Obama is pretty much human; often times, he needs a moment to think about what he's going to say. Anyone who has an answer immediately, to any question ever posed to them, isn't thinking before they speak.





Comment by Random on 07/10/2008 13:47:42
Quote by starling310:

Quote by TriSec:

Caller....



I want a constitutional lawyer as my president. Compare and contrast to "It's just a damn piece of paper."



Obama can't think on his feet? I don't think he's ever been caught off guard, or spouted a talking point, or stammered incoherently at any time on the campaign trail.



Other than that, that guy was an idiot.







Yeah, Obama is pretty much human; often times, he needs a moment to think about what he's going to say. Anyone who has an answer immediately, to any question ever posed to them, isn't thinking before they speak.







Do'h



Comment by starling310 on 07/10/2008 13:50:03
I don't think we should get into Fox's hand in this. They are sleazebags...we all know that. Jesse Jackson shouldn't have made the comments. Period.



Comment by Random on 07/10/2008 13:51:29
Quote by starling310:

I don't think we should get into Fox's hand in this. They are sleazebags...we all know that. Jesse Jackson shouldn't have made the comments. Period.



So...Are we saying that Jesse Jackson are innocent of anything, because he was recorded in secret?

Comment by capt on 07/10/2008 13:57:06
I think the Jackson comment was like a growing pain.



It is a process to get through some of the old guard and their loss of power.





Comment by starling310 on 07/10/2008 13:57:13
Quote by Random:

Quote by starling310:

I don't think we should get into Fox's hand in this. They are sleazebags...we all know that. Jesse Jackson shouldn't have made the comments. Period.



So...Are we saying that Jesse Jackson are innocent of anything, because he was recorded in secret?




I'm sorry...is your question "Are you saying Jesse Jackson is innocent?"

I'm not saying that at all. And, I just don't think he should be let off the hook by

"blaming" Fox. If I was sitting in a Fox Studio, I would only say things that I wouldn't be afraid to have repeated.

All of this being said, I also don't think this should monopolize an entire news cycle.

Jesse Jackson went off half-cocked. What else is new?

Move on.



Comment by TriSec on 07/10/2008 13:57:45
*sigh*



So, is this whole Jesse Jackson thing another "manufactured controversy", a la Reverent Wright?



Discuss.





Comment by wickedpam on 07/10/2008 13:57:57
Gawk! If there's going to be a "white" leader I think it should be Brad Pitt.

Comment by Raine on 07/10/2008 13:59:19
Quote by starling310:

I don't think we should get into Fox's hand in this. They are sleazebags...we all know that. Jesse Jackson shouldn't have made the comments. Period.

Yes.



Comment by wickedpam on 07/10/2008 13:59:32
Quote by TriSec:

*sigh*



So, is this whole Jesse Jackson thing another "manufactured controversy", a la Reverent Wright?



Discuss.