Public Option

Health Care Bill to Include Public Option, Reid Says

Sorry, I still opposed to it as it is presented right now with its oppressive government imposition of taxes, increased debt, lack of cost control methods, undermining medical device companies, labs, medical professionals and insurance companies, punishing citizens that are able to afford so called “Cadillac” plans, punishing retirees who supplement their insurance, and mandating what American citizens have to buy with their hard earned money in the first place. (What next, mandating Americans can only by American products when a certain industry is having low profits?) Of course, Congress exempts itself from all of the provisions of this proposed legislation which is another good reason to oppose it. I’m betting right now that there will be no health care “reform” passed this year simply on the grounds that what the government is trying to foist on the American people is any but reform and the American people know it.

Regardless, Reid and his ilk are just ensuring the Health Care Freedom of Choice Act proposal will pass in Arizona’s 2010 elections with its provisions like prohibiting fines or penalties against those purchasing health care directly and overruling anything that tries to prohibit private health insurance in the state.

Arizona Aerospace Insitute

Mesa aerospace institute ready for liftoff | Mesa Arizona News – Mesa News – Mesa AZ news | eastvalleytribune.com

I hope this is successful because Arizona is doomed to perpetual mediocrity so long as our state economy is focused on tourism and service industries with their inherent low wages for workers instead of being focused on science, technology, and manufacturing industry to create well paying jobs. This is perhaps a step in that direction.

News Round Up

U.S. decision can’t wait for Afghan legitimacy: Gates | Reuters

The overriding question is not, “how many troops you send, but do you have a credible Afghan partner,” Emanuel said, adding it was important the election outcome be seen as legitimate and credible.

An interesting comment that highlights Emanuel’s silly statist notion that the government are more important than the people. That and proving he’s an idiot for trying to blur the truth about Afghanistan: it’s a war against the Al-Qaeda and their allies, the Taliban. Besides I think there’s actual progress in Afghanistan since Karzai agreed to a new round of elections, something that would not have happened under Afghanistan’s many assorted dictators of the past generations.

House panel redraws credit agency bill | Politics | Reuters

Draft legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives to rein in credit rating agencies has been redrawn to drop a provision mandating across-the-board repeal of U.S. laws requiring the use of credit ratings.

Just more proof on the complete failure and corruption of our government. Why does the repealed language have to be reinstated into a bill after it was stripped out if there was not anything wrong with it in the first place? Just typical games and corruption. The whole credit ratings system has become one giant scam.

NATO a corpse, fumes former Canada military boss | International | Reuters

At least it’s still somewhat more relevant than say…the United Nations. Not that the General doesn’t have a point about NATO’s problematic members that want all the benefits but none of the responsibility nor the burden such responsibility entails.

Vatican welcomes Anglicans into Catholic church – CNN.com

Interesting though I can not help but wonder if Roman Catholics are going to start questioning why these new “converts” will be allowed to operate under a different set of rules for Anglican priests regarding marriage versus Roman Catholic priests. Seems odd, but the RCC will work it for themselves.

News Round Up

Iran threatens U.S. and Britain after Guard bombing | Reuters

The head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards vowed on Monday to “retaliate” against the United States and Britain after accusing them and neighboring Pakistan of backing militants who blew up six Guards commanders.

Seems to shoe is now on the other foot, eh? Not that I support terrorism in any form. Just noting a islamic terrorist supporting regime complaining about muslim terrorism and the irony is claiming that non-muslims are responsible for the terrorist actions of other muslims. Got to love the mullahs twisted logic.

Karzai set to announce decision on Afghan run-off | Reuters

Hopefully Karzai will be smart and agree to a runoff. Though Obama’s an idiot to try and tie American security concerns (i.e. whether he sends more troops or not) based on another nation’s election. That’s obvious waffling and trying to put off a decision instead of being a decisive President .

Honduras de facto government scolds Zelaya, cools talks | International | Reuters

Why do I suspect the Honduran government is giving Zelaya the rope he needs to hang himself? Starting an insurrection would certainly do the trick.

U.S. Eases Stance On Medical Marijuana

U.S. eases stance on medical marijuana – washingtonpost.com

Strange as it may sounds to some I support the Obama administration’s decision to not prosecute medical marijuana use cases. But then those who known me know that I have always supported medical marijuana use so long as it wells regulated and monitored to prevent criminal activities.

The one aspect I don’t like in the whole thing is the refusal of the administration to enfiorce federal laws. But that’s been symptomatic for many administrations on other issues, like illegal immigration. I would rather the government enforce a law until it is changed than have laws become a matter or socio-political convenience only to be enforced on the whims of politicians.

The Arizona Medical Marijuana Policy Project appears on track to getting enough signatures to be put on the November 2010 ballot. It also seems to have a lot of public support so it could very well pass adding Arizona to the list of medical marijuana states.

When News is Politics

Obviously I’m bored tonight. Not that I particularly care about the ongoing fued between some asshats in the White House (i.e. Emanuel, Axelrod, Dunn) and Fox News…

White House Advisers Say Fox News Is Not News

By the reasoning provided in the article MSNBC, CNN, nor any of the major networks can be called legitimate news networks either. Funny, I don’t hear any whining from the Hill about them. Americans cannot trust any major news network anymore. There is no journalistic integrity left on the major netowrks and certainly no independent thought. Just saying…

All that aside I’m of the opinion this little “war” is due to Fox News as I understand outing Van Jones as a lefty fringer (i.e. communist, 9-11 truther, et al.) and Van Jones’ comrades are hoping to gain a little revenge. Sadly, they blindly do not see how they hurt themselves.

CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive – Emanuel explains White House’s view of Fox News « – Blogs from CNN.com

Ehm, what reasonably intelligent person listens to Rahm Emanuel or David Axelrod let alone thinks the these two particular political thugs ever knows what they are talking about? Do these guys have nothing better to do except make the current administration look like a bunch of fools at best and thugs at worst?

Eh, I’m off to read something interesting.

Science and Space News Bits

‘Trash Can’ Nuclear Reactors Could Power Human Outpost On Moon Or Mars

New Aluminum-water Rocket Propellant Promising For Future Space Missions

Researchers are developing a new type of rocket propellant made of a frozen mixture of water and “nanoscale aluminum” powder that is more environmentally friendly than conventional propellants and could be manufactured on the moon, Mars and other water-bearing bodies.

.:: Boeing Sends Layoff Notices To 130 Employees ::.

Asteroid Is Actually A Protoplanet, Study Of First High-resolution Images Of Pallas Confirms

Giffords (D-Az) Supports Robust NASA budget

Subcommittee Chairwoman Cites Need for “Robust” NASA Budget | International Space Fellowship

NASA in my opinion has begun to lag behind in recent years and in some ways perhaps regressed technologically. Whether this is due to political pressure or financial concerns the end result is the same: an organization that has become resistant to new approaches and ideas presented by the latest generation of engineers. As of yet it remains unclear how NASA will progress regardless of their funding situation. Will they continue with business as usual that has even the most ardent space exploring supporters bemused or will they realize working cooperatively with private entrepreneurs in developing commercial space flight?

Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize

President Barack Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize

First, let me say that it is an honor for any nation when they Nobel Peace Prize is awarded. Such is the case now and I offer my congratulations to the President.

However, awarding President Obama the Nobel Peace Prize before he has even accomplished anything deserving such a meritorious award is a disservice to all who have attained the award in the past through their dedicated service over the years. It is undeserved and even the President acknowledges the fact that accomplishments matter more than intentions, even when he himself has accomplished nothing.

Unfortunately I can only see this as a jaded and calculated political move on the part of the leftist-socialist Norwegian Parliament to try to boost another leftists neo-socialist politician rather than give the award to others more deserving. This is especially so given that Obama would have been nominated for the award only two weeks or so into his Presidency and voted on in June. These facts alone turn the award into a bit of a farce when you realize how many truly deserving individuals have never received the award.

Senators McCain and Kyl on Wrong Side

I’m disgusted that Arizona Senators John McCain and Jon Kyl voted against the Franken Amendment. The Franken amendment was very simple, clear, and quite fair: Haliburton, or subsidiaries, (and any other similar contractors) would receive no federal funds if they require employees or subcontractors to sign mandatory arbitration clauses (e.g. sign away their right to bring their case before a court). This is quite reasonable given Haliburton and its subsidiaries problems with employees being raped, assaulted, discrimination, and otherwise harassed by their co-workers and employers and then being denied justice or evn a hint of impartial review.

I want to know why the Senators from Arizona seem to condone these illegal activities? Why are they trying to protect such abusive companies? If they voted against it simply because a Democrat made the amendment then I am disgusted with their partisanship. If they voted against it because they are protecting Haliburton and others, then they are complete idiots. Such actions as these make me wonder if both are simply “good ol’ boy” misogynists.

Fortunately the Franken amendment passed anyway.