The folks over at Think Progress have a story up noting how the mainstream media are bringing their typical “pox on both your houses” approach to reporting on a government shutdown caused by House Republicans’ temper tantrum over Obamacare. (snip)
(W)we wondered how headlines about historical events might look if the American media applied the same false equivalency. A few possibilities:“Whodunit? John Wilkes Booth, Mary Todd Lincoln both just inches away when president was shot”
“FDR’s refusal to negotiate prompts Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor”
“Distrust between Nixon, Dems leads to burglary at Watergate”
“Al Qaeda, Bush administration trade blame over twin towers’ collapse; Bin Laden faults buildings’ design”
When the health care law was being written in 2009 and 2010, Republicans proposed requiring that lawmakers and their staffers obtain insurance through the exchanges, arguing that if the law was good enough for ordinary Americans, then it was good enough for Congress.
Presumably fearing a public backlash if they refused, Democrats accepted the language, and it became part of the law.
The problem arose in the drafting of the law. For most Americans who have employer-based insurance, the employer pays a majority of the cost of insurance. But the version of the health care bill signed into law doesn’t include an explicit mechanism to allow the federal government to pay its employer share of congressional employees’ health insurance if they use the exchanges, now called marketplaces. (Here’s a rundown of how this drafting error occurred.)
Because while members of Congress are paid $174,000 a year, most of their staff members make a fraction of that. In the case of a lower-paid staffer who is supporting a family, the loss of the employer share could amount to a 20 percent cut or more from the total compensation package.
In fact, at the lower salary levels, it could qualify congressional staffers for generous tax credits available under the Affordable Care Act or even make them eligible for Medicaid, depending on which state they live in and whether they have families.
Every single federal worker who contributes to the relatively smooth functioning of the state is indisputably engaged in that project. No one subset of this workforce should receive special treatment, as if their job is somehow more critical to serving the Constitution. The woman who helps safeguard America’s electrical grid keeps me free. The man at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to prevent dangerous financial products from damaging the economy also defends this country. The scientist at the Environmental Protection Agency providing data on the catastrophic effects of climate change bears a tremendous burden for our future as a planet. They aren’t in the military. They are no less critical to our society.
Moreover, as Heather Hurlburt of the National Security Network recently pointed out, military operations increasingly rely on civilians, to help with supply lines, travel orders, mess hall activities, intelligence gathering and much more. Paying military service members during the shutdown is actually paying the defense industry to pretend like they’re working. It’s not for nothing that the Pentagon spent $5 billion on weapons the night before the shutdown, before the logistical support staff all vanished.
The 23 then-minority Republican members of the House Appropriations Committee all signed a letter demanding that Congress only pass a continuing resolution that was “clean” and “free of any extraneous spending or policy provisions.”
The committee Republicans, fourteen of whom are still in the House, wrote:We have serious and growing concerns about the process and composition of any potential CR… At a time of extreme spending and political fatigue, it is simply unacceptable to use a must-pass CR as a legislative vehicle for more wasteful federal spending or completing an array of unfinished political business before the election.
"Hitler, Jews 'Miles Apart' On Continued Existence of Race"
Because of the shutdown, the CDC will halt its flu program, the FDA will stop most of its food safety programs and the USDA might have stop WIC.
Quote by TriSec:
"Safety of 'Flav-or-aid' in question after hundreds of deaths at religious event"
Quote by TriSec:
"Safety of 'Flav-or-aid' in question after hundreds of deaths at religious event"
Quote by trojanrabbit:
Sedition?
This is a time of war, I'd call it treason. But that's just me.
Unfortunately, the only way to deal with it that these gun-loving Tea-tards would understand is blatantly illegal. Not to mention setting off a major shit-storm.
Whatever.
Day 2 of force-feeding Lucky. He's back to picking at food, but it's not nearly enough. So I note what he eats and subtract it from what he gets force-fed. By the time I get to syringe #4, he's in open rebellion and I really believe he wants to kill me. At that point he's not swallowing any more so I take that as a sign his tummy's full. Good news : I haven't seen him vomit anything back. It's staying down. So I suppose I can keep doing this for a while for his sake as long as he's not holding a grudge. Still takes his fluids like a champ. Waiting for a call from the vet to update him on what's up. As messy as force feeding him is, it's cheaper than putting out 5 kinds of food and having him eat only a little and have to throw the rest out.
Asked Mrs. Rabbit to get some dry food samples at the pet store to see if there's something he'll eat. I have a feeling this started when he stopped eating his dry food, for whatever reason. I'm thinking that if there was a serious underlying issue, it would be obvious now.
Quote by BobR:
"Mrs. O'Leary's cow blames poor building standards"
Quote by Raine:
RIP Tom Clancy.
Quote by Raine:Hey Rabbit, what dry food did he used to eat?Quote by trojanrabbit:
Sedition?
This is a time of war, I'd call it treason. But that's just me.
Unfortunately, the only way to deal with it that these gun-loving Tea-tards would understand is blatantly illegal. Not to mention setting off a major shit-storm.
Whatever.
Day 2 of force-feeding Lucky. He's back to picking at food, but it's not nearly enough. So I note what he eats and subtract it from what he gets force-fed. By the time I get to syringe #4, he's in open rebellion and I really believe he wants to kill me. At that point he's not swallowing any more so I take that as a sign his tummy's full. Good news : I haven't seen him vomit anything back. It's staying down. So I suppose I can keep doing this for a while for his sake as long as he's not holding a grudge. Still takes his fluids like a champ. Waiting for a call from the vet to update him on what's up. As messy as force feeding him is, it's cheaper than putting out 5 kinds of food and having him eat only a little and have to throw the rest out.
Asked Mrs. Rabbit to get some dry food samples at the pet store to see if there's something he'll eat. I have a feeling this started when he stopped eating his dry food, for whatever reason. I'm thinking that if there was a serious underlying issue, it would be obvious now.
Quote by TriSec:Quote by Raine:
RIP Tom Clancy.
WHA?????
Quote by Raine:
RIP Tom Clancy.
Quote by AuntAzalea:
That was brilliant Raine!!!!
Quote by Mondobubba:
"US blames North Vietnam for delays in Paris peace talks." Wait that really happened. Sorry, nothing to see here, move along.
Quote by TriSec:
Jack the Ripper points to substandard cutting equipment after messy execution
Lack of Cats most likely reason for spread of Black Death in Constantinople
Dinosaurs question Mexico Tourism board after meteor devastates Yucatan
Sesech woman blamed for conflagration in town occupied by Union soldiers�
Capacity of Superdome called 'insufficient' after refugees overwhelm relief center
British medical care in doubt after soldiers have eyes damaged in skirmish on Bunker Hill
Quote by trojanrabbit:
I forget off the top of my head what he was eating before, but it just went through a round of recalls, so I doubt I'll let him have that again.
Quote by Raine:That was why I was asking -- this might be residual from some bad food.Quote by trojanrabbit:
I forget off the top of my head what he was eating before, but it just went through a round of recalls, so I doubt I'll let him have that again.
Quote by trojanrabbit:Quote by Raine:That was why I was asking -- this might be residual from some bad food.Quote by trojanrabbit:
I forget off the top of my head what he was eating before, but it just went through a round of recalls, so I doubt I'll let him have that again.
If the food was bad, I'd expect both Sophie and Cleo to be affected as well. Cleo loves it especially. But it's a good thought. The other food was recalled long after I switched.
Just checked the recall lists, it was Innova. Possible salmonella.
Quote by Raine:I know it might cost money but maybe you should get Sophie and Cleo's liver checked as well.Quote by trojanrabbit:Quote by Raine:That was why I was asking -- this might be residual from some bad food.Quote by trojanrabbit:
I forget off the top of my head what he was eating before, but it just went through a round of recalls, so I doubt I'll let him have that again.
If the food was bad, I'd expect both Sophie and Cleo to be affected as well. Cleo loves it especially. But it's a good thought. The other food was recalled long after I switched.
Just checked the recall lists, it was Innova. Possible salmonella.
Ask the vet when you talk to him next?
Quote by Mondobubba:
Since I've been vaccinated, I expect the on set of autism in about 3 hours.
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Good morning, bloggers!! I hope that everyone is doing well.
Trojanrabbit, my best to Lucky. We were able to do a lot with Lars, my Mom's cat after he had to go to a special diet because he could not process proteins well or at all. My hope is that you find something that helps him soon.
Yes, I will call it sedition. Many Americans are suffering.
In some good news, I have a job interview Friday morning for a sales administrative assistant job in the Near North Suburbs.
Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:
Since I've been vaccinated, I expect the on set of autism in about 3 hours.
THANKS OBAMA!
Quote by wickedpam:
gawd, libertarians are so fucking whiney!
Libertarian: wawawawwa memememememem wawawawawa memememe
Me:
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:
gawd, libertarians are so fucking whiney!
Libertarian: wawawawwa memememememem wawawawawa memememe
Me:
Mala, this might be the most insightful comment I've ever seen about libertarians.
Quote by TriSec:
Yeesh, I must have totally misread that whole Libertarian Manifesto back when I was regularly posting "Libertarian Saturday".
Maybe I just wasn't that kind of libertarian. Or maybe they got hijacked by nutbags, too. Or was it teabags? Whatever.
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Good morning, bloggers!! I hope that everyone is doing well.
Trojanrabbit, my best to Lucky. We were able to do a lot with Lars, my Mom's cat after he had to go to a special diet because he could not process proteins well or at all. My hope is that you find something that helps him soon.
Yes, I will call it sedition. Many Americans are suffering.
In some good news, I have a job interview Friday morning for a sales administrative assistant job in the Near North Suburbs.
A nurse who works at the John F. Kennedy Federal Building in downtown Boston, who asked that her name not be used, said the waiting game to learn whether she will have a job was nerve-wracking.
It is, because you live paycheck to paycheck, she said, adding that one worker who was sent home earlier in the day was stunned and said, 'I feel lost.'
Quote by wickedpam:
omg, Van Gogh's sketchbook is even better then my regular paintings
and this is when, as an "artist", I feel completely worthless
Quote by Raine:Don;t do that to yourself.Quote by wickedpam:
omg, Van Gogh's sketchbook is even better then my regular paintings
and this is when, as an "artist", I feel completely worthless
you still have two ears.
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Good morning, bloggers!! I hope that everyone is doing well.
Trojanrabbit, my best to Lucky. We were able to do a lot with Lars, my Mom's cat after he had to go to a special diet because he could not process proteins well or at all. My hope is that you find something that helps him soon.
Yes, I will call it sedition. Many Americans are suffering.
In some good news, I have a job interview Friday morning for a sales administrative assistant job in the Near North Suburbs.
Quote by TriSec:
Some days my horn sounds more like anemic water buffaloes being eaten alive by a pack of hyenas than actual music. That doesn't mean I stop trying.
Quote by wickedpam:
omg - same whiney caller that was on with Steph was just on with Ed :eyeroll:
Quote by Raine:
Obama should just come out and say he loves the Government shutdown.
Watch how fast things change.
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
Obama should just come out and say he loves the Government shutdown.
Watch how fast things change.
And how much he loves oxygen.
Quote by Raine:
George Will is quitting WaPo and heading over to Fox.
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
George Will is quitting WaPo and heading over to Fox.
Are we shocked by this? I thought it would have happened much, much sooner then now.
Quote by Raine:
George Will is quitting WaPo and heading over to Fox.
Quote by BobR:Quote by Raine:
George Will is quitting WaPo and heading over to Fox.
Perhaps they're hoping Will will give them a sheen of respectability. It will be more like the oily sheen from a leaky transmission on a mud puddle in a pot-hole-filled dead end street.
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Not sure that I would trust any ministry that's called "The Morningstar"
Quote by clintster:
Poor sales of New Coke blamed on public's "horrible taste buds"
Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:
Not sure that I would trust any ministry that's called "The Morningstar"
I know they are an awesome vegetarian food company.
I swear to god, if I find out they are soylent green, Imma gonna go balistic.
Quote by clintster:
Poor sales of New Coke blamed on public's "horrible taste buds"
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by clintster:
Poor sales of New Coke blamed on public's "horrible taste buds"
In this theme, but not a nation product or issue:
"Cheating ass boyfriend blames girlfriend's behavior for breakup"
Quote by BobR:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by clintster:
Poor sales of New Coke blamed on public's "horrible taste buds"
In this theme, but not a nation product or issue:
"Cheating ass boyfriend blames girlfriend's behavior for breakup"
well - if we're going to go down that path...
"Society blames woman's short skirt for rape"
oh wait...
Quote by BobR:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by clintster:
Poor sales of New Coke blamed on public's "horrible taste buds"
In this theme, but not a nation product or issue:
"Cheating ass boyfriend blames girlfriend's behavior for breakup"
well - if we're going to go down that path...
"Society blames woman's short skirt for rape"
oh wait...
"Squirrel" did catch her cheating ass ex with another girl. He is blaming things on her.
Quote by Raine:"Squirrel" did catch her cheating ass ex with another girl. He is blaming things on her.
WTF
Quote by Raine:"Squirrel" did catch her cheating ass ex with another girl. He is blaming things on her.
WTF
Quote by trojanrabbit:
Lucky vomited a little when Mrs Rabbit got home late this afternoon. But otherwise....meh.
Had a chat with the vet and he said that it's possible that he could be in this state for another month before he either recovers or sinks more. Now it's a "quality of life" thing. I think I'm willing to continue, I'm really not sure if he is. As long as he's not getting force fed, he's comfortable. I don't know, this is ripping me apart. I never thought he'd affect me like this. There's still hope he will pull through.....
We did find that he absolutely ADORES Bonita fish flakes. So much so we can drag him out of hiding by merely opening the container. Unlike treats, I guess this stuff actually has nutritional value. Good. And the other cats don't like it.
I'm worn out.......