SEPTEMBER 23, 2009
This Wall Street Journal article by Matthew Dolan is so funny because it is clever to see how ingenious people can get when it comes to saving money and making a profit. This article talks about the Ford Motor Company and how it can import vans from Turkey that contain seats for passengers to sit on and windows for them to look out of. What’s funny is, Ford does not intend them to be passenger vans but instead will strip them immediately on their arrival to the U.S. of their windows and seats and convert them to delivery vans. All this concocted by the Ford Company to prevent having to pay the 25% tariff that would be charged if they were to ship over fully completed delivery vans.
Normally you might find this not funny but rather sad and say that the Ford Company is defrauding the collector of the tariff and hurting American car companies, but what is so funny is it is perfectly legal, and really seems to hurt no one. Apparently this all started almost a half a century ago when Europe put high tariffs on imported chickens with increasing sales to West Germany. In response then, President Johnson taxed imported trucks and commercial vans. A little bit of history of which I was unaware. Apparently we had our own little trade war going on.
Ford gets a lot of flack from my family because they are Chevy diehards, so I find this article telling in the way foreign car companies handled this situation. Some companies
just built their own manufactures in the U.S. to avoid the tax, while Ford just works around it. Other U.S. car companies will import just trucks in disassembled parts and then assemble them once they reach the U.S. and avoid the tax. Ford goes the extra mile by recycling the steel and glass from the seats and windows they tear out. Now of course this does cost Ford a lot of money to convert the vans into delivery vans but it also saves money considerably as the article listed making the import tax seem more like 2.5% instead of 25%. Now Ford can sell these gas efficient vans to small business owners at a more reasonable price than if they had to pay the 25% tariff. It’s cool that even the star of the Food Network’s Ace of Cakes owns one. I liked the authors light hearted description of how Ford goes about tearing down the vans and converting them. He obviously does not see anything wrong with the scruples of the Ford motor company and I guess it seems alright with me when I read it because he compares the process of removing items as “Easily as he would pop the top off a soda bottle."
Now many might say this process is wasteful of resources, but the Ford Company I think is one car company that did not have to be bailed out in the recent Government money giveaway, but I say they have found solutions to problems and have continued to produce and sell vehicles where they see a market opportunity and if they can outsmart the “chicken tax” and not hurt the American economy, I say more power to them.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
McConnell Blasts Government Over 'Gag Order' on Private Health Care Provider
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
I found this story on Fox News where the U.S Government through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has told an Insurance company of Medicare recipients, that they are being investigated because they sent a letter to their customers telling them of the changes that the current administrations health care reform would have on their benefits. The private insurer is Humana and in the letter it was informing the patients that they would be facing cuts to their benefits. A quote from the letter said "millions of seniors and disabled individuals ... could lose many of the important benefits and services that make Medicare Advantage health plans so valuable."
Maybe I’m just paying more attention these days, but it seems like this current administration is out to squelch any opposition to its policies. If it continues in this manner, it will be no better than the original Mother country of England when the settlers were trying to escape from the confines of a dictatorial king. I’m dismayed at the present administration not being forthwith to all the information we need to make informed decisions as citizens of this country. They seem to think they know best for us and I’m not buying it.
This article used the comment on its part by a leading Republican that the “federal government resorted to bullying tactics when it ordered an investigation of Humana -- one of the country's biggest private insurers -- for its decision to send customers a letter alerting them about pending health reform legislation." This same Republican called it a “federal gag order" and wants his own investigation into why they are being investigated. I’m as outraged as the Republican Senator and agree it seems like the laws made to use against violators are in turn being used against the lawful in a manner to silence them if they disagree with any of the current administrations policies. How would you like it if they ordered a “cease and desist” order on your private mailings to customers until the investigation is over? That is exactly what they have done to Humana. And they don’t even have a clear violation named, just that they may have violated federal regulations. The kicker here is the letter sent out by Humana was supported by a nonpartisan, independent analysis of the Congressional Budget Office and not a "scare tactic" as one of the accusing investigators called the letter. I’m glad the article pointed out that the CMS has had no appointed administrator in almost 9 months and so it points a finger at the White house as the direct instigator of this investigation. They are clearly violating the First Amendment rights of the insurance company as the article alludes to, but yet the Democrats are pointing fingers at the Republicans saying they are protecting the big insurance companies.
More facts will have to come out before any final decisions are to be made as one Republican committee member said,” It is Congress' responsibility to find out the facts and protect the interests of the American people. We need to know who contacted CMS, when they did it and what was said," he said. I certainly agree and hope they find the White House with egg on their face.
I found this story on Fox News where the U.S Government through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has told an Insurance company of Medicare recipients, that they are being investigated because they sent a letter to their customers telling them of the changes that the current administrations health care reform would have on their benefits. The private insurer is Humana and in the letter it was informing the patients that they would be facing cuts to their benefits. A quote from the letter said "millions of seniors and disabled individuals ... could lose many of the important benefits and services that make Medicare Advantage health plans so valuable."
Maybe I’m just paying more attention these days, but it seems like this current administration is out to squelch any opposition to its policies. If it continues in this manner, it will be no better than the original Mother country of England when the settlers were trying to escape from the confines of a dictatorial king. I’m dismayed at the present administration not being forthwith to all the information we need to make informed decisions as citizens of this country. They seem to think they know best for us and I’m not buying it.
This article used the comment on its part by a leading Republican that the “federal government resorted to bullying tactics when it ordered an investigation of Humana -- one of the country's biggest private insurers -- for its decision to send customers a letter alerting them about pending health reform legislation." This same Republican called it a “federal gag order" and wants his own investigation into why they are being investigated. I’m as outraged as the Republican Senator and agree it seems like the laws made to use against violators are in turn being used against the lawful in a manner to silence them if they disagree with any of the current administrations policies. How would you like it if they ordered a “cease and desist” order on your private mailings to customers until the investigation is over? That is exactly what they have done to Humana. And they don’t even have a clear violation named, just that they may have violated federal regulations. The kicker here is the letter sent out by Humana was supported by a nonpartisan, independent analysis of the Congressional Budget Office and not a "scare tactic" as one of the accusing investigators called the letter. I’m glad the article pointed out that the CMS has had no appointed administrator in almost 9 months and so it points a finger at the White house as the direct instigator of this investigation. They are clearly violating the First Amendment rights of the insurance company as the article alludes to, but yet the Democrats are pointing fingers at the Republicans saying they are protecting the big insurance companies.
More facts will have to come out before any final decisions are to be made as one Republican committee member said,” It is Congress' responsibility to find out the facts and protect the interests of the American people. We need to know who contacted CMS, when they did it and what was said," he said. I certainly agree and hope they find the White House with egg on their face.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Captured Insane Killer Duped Friend to Escape
Monday, September 21, 2009
Click Insane to read this story I found on the Fox News website picked up by the Associated Press. This was an interesting read because this insane killer on the loose, is located in Washington State where some of our family resides. Apparently the mental health institution there does not discriminate against the criminally insane from the regular insane because they took about 30 patients to the local county fair on a field trip just for fun. While there, 47-year-old Phillip Arnold Paul, a murderer and previous field trip escapee, complete with a backpack loaded with clothing, food, an electric guitar and $50 from a Social Security check, managed to slip away from staff. He has since been apprehended after 3 days on the run.
I was glad to see the article made a mockery of the Eastern State mental institution. Who in their right mind would take the criminally insane to a place where families are present with their children? I wish more had been investigated and reported on the ineptness of the mental facility. It is funny that the secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services had all good words to say about those in the manhunt. I bet she was sweating because if he had killed someone in their failure to oversight this institution she’d be out of a job.
You could tell the article was out to name names because it listed a variety of officials and used their statements to speak for themselves. One person speaking for the state Department of Social and Health Services again, said “Paul received an injection designed to maintain his mental stability for about two weeks on Wednesday. Only at the end of that period would he have needed another dose to avoid the potential for a serious deterioration of his mental condition.” Well that makes me feel a lot safer that we had two weeks to find him. Good thing there was a good tip from a friend of his who told authorities where to find him. Do you know how big Washington State is? The articles subtle references in law enforcement official’s statements even casts doubt as to whether they knew what they were doing in the search and recovery of the escapee. One said “His intent was to voluntarily give himself up because he knew we were going to find him." Yet detectives were in an under cover van it was reported that found him” Laughable because he wasn’t giving himself up, he was thumbing for a ride. And another law enforcement official knew this because they had just reported that an eye witness had been thumbed for a ride earlier so they knew he was definitely trying to get out of state. This official happens to be the one who was assaulted in his prior escape from a previous field trip.
I conclude there is a lot of people’s heads that are going to roll for this events occurrence. And they should, because seems to me it was just by luck they found him and it was all totally preventable in the first place. I’m glad for the people of Washington state that they are now safe from a known criminal, but not so glad that they have such inept professionals of sort involved in this case.
Click Insane to read this story I found on the Fox News website picked up by the Associated Press. This was an interesting read because this insane killer on the loose, is located in Washington State where some of our family resides. Apparently the mental health institution there does not discriminate against the criminally insane from the regular insane because they took about 30 patients to the local county fair on a field trip just for fun. While there, 47-year-old Phillip Arnold Paul, a murderer and previous field trip escapee, complete with a backpack loaded with clothing, food, an electric guitar and $50 from a Social Security check, managed to slip away from staff. He has since been apprehended after 3 days on the run.
I was glad to see the article made a mockery of the Eastern State mental institution. Who in their right mind would take the criminally insane to a place where families are present with their children? I wish more had been investigated and reported on the ineptness of the mental facility. It is funny that the secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services had all good words to say about those in the manhunt. I bet she was sweating because if he had killed someone in their failure to oversight this institution she’d be out of a job.
You could tell the article was out to name names because it listed a variety of officials and used their statements to speak for themselves. One person speaking for the state Department of Social and Health Services again, said “Paul received an injection designed to maintain his mental stability for about two weeks on Wednesday. Only at the end of that period would he have needed another dose to avoid the potential for a serious deterioration of his mental condition.” Well that makes me feel a lot safer that we had two weeks to find him. Good thing there was a good tip from a friend of his who told authorities where to find him. Do you know how big Washington State is? The articles subtle references in law enforcement official’s statements even casts doubt as to whether they knew what they were doing in the search and recovery of the escapee. One said “His intent was to voluntarily give himself up because he knew we were going to find him." Yet detectives were in an under cover van it was reported that found him” Laughable because he wasn’t giving himself up, he was thumbing for a ride. And another law enforcement official knew this because they had just reported that an eye witness had been thumbed for a ride earlier so they knew he was definitely trying to get out of state. This official happens to be the one who was assaulted in his prior escape from a previous field trip.
I conclude there is a lot of people’s heads that are going to roll for this events occurrence. And they should, because seems to me it was just by luck they found him and it was all totally preventable in the first place. I’m glad for the people of Washington state that they are now safe from a known criminal, but not so glad that they have such inept professionals of sort involved in this case.
Friday, September 18, 2009
New Government Policy Imposes Strict Standards on Garage Sales Nationwide
Friday, September 18, 2009 By Diane Macedo
Anyone who has children or anyone who has garage sales, should read this story found on Fox News.
Just when you think it can't get any more bizarre with how our government interfears (pardon the pun) in matters that they should best leave alone, they come up with a method to fine people who violate selling used goods. If the used good is on any recall list you could be fined up to $15 million if you are caught selling it at your yard sale. This all came about after a large number of brand new Chinese toys were recalled for not meeting the Consumer Product Safety Standards. Then someone came up with the brilliant idea to apply the same standards to used items.
I can just imagine the sting operations of the yardsale police as they wait patiently for the exchange of 25 cents handed over to the toy peddler dealing illegal hotwheel cars made of supposed lead paint. Now don't get me wrong I am all for child safety, and I am glad this news is being reported as I would not want to cause harm to anyone unknowingly, so now that I know this I would patiently go through the commissions information handout before my next rummage sale and destroy my illegal contraband.
My first impression of this article left me in agreement with the statement made by one person interviewed saying, "It is scary to think that there could be such hefty fines imposed on unsuspecting households," another garage sale organizer, Patti Lombardi, told FOXNews.com. "I think I speak for many people when I say that the government spends too much time interfering in the individual citizen's personal life and this is almost bordering on the ridiculous ... what if it opens up a Pandora's box of litigation brought by the purchasers of items at garage sales?" I am well aware that I would not buy an old infant car seat without first checking to see if it was up to standard and I would want the Product Safety Commision to inform me of problems with potentially unsafe toys. I just think it is a little crazy to make it a criminal offense to tell people what they can not sell. Hey no crime committed for giving it away though. What are they going to do about that? I'm dismayed that most people will not even know about this law unless they just happen on to a newstory like this one. Makes you wonder what other suprises are out there. Apparently gone are the days to just inform you of problems one found and hope you do the right thing. Now as indicated in this article no one is accountable unless they place astronomical punitive fines to prevent wrong doing. This law would be ok if I thought it would do some good in protecting children but it won't. It will only make it harder on the consumer of goods at the household level. When something is sold to me brand new from the manufacture or importer, you bet I expect that it should be held up to safety standards, but if I buy something used I already know I'm taking a risk and it is my responsibility to get what I pay for if I choose to buy from a resaler. I don't think they should be punished in the same way the large seller of new products especially childrens toys should be.
I liked the way the writer of this article included a few critics view of the Resale Round-up as it is called. One critic said, "It's absurd when nanny-state bureaucrats want to regulate things we buy at mom-and-pop shops or second-hand stores," Wes Benedict, executive director of the Libertarian National Committee, told FOXNews.com. "Consumer product safety is best left to a free market where suppliers can compete based on reputation and track records. American grown-ups aren't stupid, and they know they need to be careful about what they buy for their children from complete strangers at no-name stores." Other critics point out there has never been any harm from lead found on toys but mostly harm from misuse of the toy. I think from this article alone I am in total favor of education and not legislation. That's my take.
Anyone who has children or anyone who has garage sales, should read this story found on Fox News.
Just when you think it can't get any more bizarre with how our government interfears (pardon the pun) in matters that they should best leave alone, they come up with a method to fine people who violate selling used goods. If the used good is on any recall list you could be fined up to $15 million if you are caught selling it at your yard sale. This all came about after a large number of brand new Chinese toys were recalled for not meeting the Consumer Product Safety Standards. Then someone came up with the brilliant idea to apply the same standards to used items.
I can just imagine the sting operations of the yardsale police as they wait patiently for the exchange of 25 cents handed over to the toy peddler dealing illegal hotwheel cars made of supposed lead paint. Now don't get me wrong I am all for child safety, and I am glad this news is being reported as I would not want to cause harm to anyone unknowingly, so now that I know this I would patiently go through the commissions information handout before my next rummage sale and destroy my illegal contraband.
My first impression of this article left me in agreement with the statement made by one person interviewed saying, "It is scary to think that there could be such hefty fines imposed on unsuspecting households," another garage sale organizer, Patti Lombardi, told FOXNews.com. "I think I speak for many people when I say that the government spends too much time interfering in the individual citizen's personal life and this is almost bordering on the ridiculous ... what if it opens up a Pandora's box of litigation brought by the purchasers of items at garage sales?" I am well aware that I would not buy an old infant car seat without first checking to see if it was up to standard and I would want the Product Safety Commision to inform me of problems with potentially unsafe toys. I just think it is a little crazy to make it a criminal offense to tell people what they can not sell. Hey no crime committed for giving it away though. What are they going to do about that? I'm dismayed that most people will not even know about this law unless they just happen on to a newstory like this one. Makes you wonder what other suprises are out there. Apparently gone are the days to just inform you of problems one found and hope you do the right thing. Now as indicated in this article no one is accountable unless they place astronomical punitive fines to prevent wrong doing. This law would be ok if I thought it would do some good in protecting children but it won't. It will only make it harder on the consumer of goods at the household level. When something is sold to me brand new from the manufacture or importer, you bet I expect that it should be held up to safety standards, but if I buy something used I already know I'm taking a risk and it is my responsibility to get what I pay for if I choose to buy from a resaler. I don't think they should be punished in the same way the large seller of new products especially childrens toys should be.
I liked the way the writer of this article included a few critics view of the Resale Round-up as it is called. One critic said, "It's absurd when nanny-state bureaucrats want to regulate things we buy at mom-and-pop shops or second-hand stores," Wes Benedict, executive director of the Libertarian National Committee, told FOXNews.com. "Consumer product safety is best left to a free market where suppliers can compete based on reputation and track records. American grown-ups aren't stupid, and they know they need to be careful about what they buy for their children from complete strangers at no-name stores." Other critics point out there has never been any harm from lead found on toys but mostly harm from misuse of the toy. I think from this article alone I am in total favor of education and not legislation. That's my take.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Whistleblower blues
U.N. Whistleblower Receives Historic Defamation Payout, Still Wants Job Back
Thursday, September 17, 2009 By Ben Evansky
I find the reporter for this fox news story favorably pulling for the woman that was woefully wronged for doing the right thing. The reporter is pointing out the fact that Maria Veiga was fired after she discover corruption and disclosed it to authorities while employed for the U.N.'s weather agency in Switzerland. As an auditor for this organization she was just doing her job the reporter indicates, and reports the woman is only just now getting justice after 4 years. She received a settlement of $476,098 for defamation, harrassment and wrongful termination paid by the International Labor Office Administrative Tribunal.
I say hoorah for this reporter bringing out the facts and reporting the issue because this woman stood up with integrity against those in higher positions than herself and refused to look the other way as requested, or else face losing her job and reputation. I'm elated to know some one still has scruples in this world.
First of all I like the fact she could find a lawyer that would go against corruption instead of being a party to it. Her lawyer Edward Flaherty, says "While the decision is a victory, more needs to be done to protect whistleblowers and the U.S. taxpayer." He goes on to say "Who is looking out for the U.S. taxpayer?" "It just reinforces the sad state of affairs of whistleblowers around the world, it doesn't matter if they work for a government, an international or multinational organization. Despite the great discussion of how whistleblowers should be encouraged and protected, the reality is that they end up suffering." I am curious now to see how this historic settlement plays out in the future as a positive for any of us that might have to blow the whistle on corruption. I'm sad for Veiga that she feels not entirely vindicated though, because she has not been given her job back. It further angers me that the persons involved in the wrong doing have not been punished yet so they go unscathed while she is nursing her battle scars. Even the official who instructed her to cover up the fraud was re-elected to a second term. I have a stake in this article because it is U.S. money being funneled to this organization in large amounts and that is my money. Veiga probably does not realize she is a Heroine in the eyes of many Americans because she took a stand and was wronged for doing right. Society seems to reward only those who gain by dubious means these days. I felt the despair in her statement, "It is completely unfair that WMO Secretary General and other harassers have not been sanctioned and yet continue to hold their positions, while the person who has been harassed and defamed is out of a job," she wrote. "It is totally unfair that I am kept away from my job and had my professional career and personal life destroyed. It means that who has the courage to bring to light fraudulent behaviors and practices will be out in any way."
I'm glad the author used this forum to point out and name names by saying the "WMO is one of the most powerful voices in the global warming debate, and as the co-founder of the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change wields tremendous influence over global warming policy." He is obviously wanting to push the truth about corruption and seems to invite his readers to want to find out about this issue as if he is the "whistleblower" on the big bad guys. The truth hurts the bad guys only in the pocket book, but for the good guys like Ms. Veiga, the truth hurts her entire being. May she find eventual peace.
Friday, September 11, 2009
N.J. Burger King Testing Energy-Producing Speed Bump
N.J. Burger King Testing Energy-Producing Speed Bump
Friday, September 04, 2009 By Rick Leventhal
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,546512,00.html?loomia_ow=t0:s0:a16:g2:r4:c0.090370:b27542170:z0
Rick Leventhel is one of my favorite reporters for Fox News and when I saw this story I was astonished that I had not heard of it before now! A company called New Energy Technologies has a prototype device that produces green energy and it is being tested at the drive through at a Burger King fast food restaurant. Leventhal equates the device like a" flattened speed bump with long pedals across the top that press down when tires roll over them". He explains the tire force turns gears that generate 2000 watts of electricity instantaneously. The article states the “Motion Power Energy Harvester” is designed to capture kinetic energy from vehicles that would otherwise be lost when drivers hit the brakes to pick up their Whoppers". If this is successful then they would consider putting it in other high traffic places where people stop, like shopping centers, intersections, rest areas, border crossings, and toll plazas.
I love stories like this where it is exciting to think that something so simple could be produced by something that gets a bad rap like the use of our auto's being energy guzzlers. I like all the pro's to the article saying it 's not swapping energies because cars have to stop anyway. To me it's also a slap to all the food police that want us to not buy fast food. I think if this thing works like they think it will, and be a cheap renewable way to produce electricity, then there will be an about face on picking up your burger and having it your way!
I usually have an aversion to trying to do anything green because I think it is bandaid relief and does not cure the world of the ills of energy use or waste. But this sounds like a fantastic idea we can all agree on. I hope this reporter will follow this closely and let us know about production that is suppose to happen in a year. If all I have to do is get in my car and go somewhere and stop dozens of times, by the time I return home I will feel like I have actually done something good for the environment!
I really enjoyed reading this article because I felt a glimmer of hope that someone out there will eventually come up with a viable solution to our energy troubles and find something so practical it will actually work.
Friday, September 04, 2009 By Rick Leventhal
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,546512,00.html?loomia_ow=t0:s0:a16:g2:r4:c0.090370:b27542170:z0
Rick Leventhel is one of my favorite reporters for Fox News and when I saw this story I was astonished that I had not heard of it before now! A company called New Energy Technologies has a prototype device that produces green energy and it is being tested at the drive through at a Burger King fast food restaurant. Leventhal equates the device like a" flattened speed bump with long pedals across the top that press down when tires roll over them". He explains the tire force turns gears that generate 2000 watts of electricity instantaneously. The article states the “Motion Power Energy Harvester” is designed to capture kinetic energy from vehicles that would otherwise be lost when drivers hit the brakes to pick up their Whoppers". If this is successful then they would consider putting it in other high traffic places where people stop, like shopping centers, intersections, rest areas, border crossings, and toll plazas.
I love stories like this where it is exciting to think that something so simple could be produced by something that gets a bad rap like the use of our auto's being energy guzzlers. I like all the pro's to the article saying it 's not swapping energies because cars have to stop anyway. To me it's also a slap to all the food police that want us to not buy fast food. I think if this thing works like they think it will, and be a cheap renewable way to produce electricity, then there will be an about face on picking up your burger and having it your way!
I usually have an aversion to trying to do anything green because I think it is bandaid relief and does not cure the world of the ills of energy use or waste. But this sounds like a fantastic idea we can all agree on. I hope this reporter will follow this closely and let us know about production that is suppose to happen in a year. If all I have to do is get in my car and go somewhere and stop dozens of times, by the time I return home I will feel like I have actually done something good for the environment!
I really enjoyed reading this article because I felt a glimmer of hope that someone out there will eventually come up with a viable solution to our energy troubles and find something so practical it will actually work.
Internet Craze 'Lying Down Game' Gets 7 Doctors, Nurses Suspended in Emergency Ward
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,548882,00.html
Internet Craze 'Lying Down Game' Gets 7 Doctors, Nurses Suspended in Emergency Ward
Thursday, September 10, 2009
I found this article because of it's reference to facebook. Facebook does seem to be all the rage at my place of employment also, and in this article seven doctors and nurses who work in an emergency department were participating in a facebook game called the Lying Down Game. They took pictures of themselves while on the job lying on gurneys, ward floors and the building’s helipad, then posted the pictures to facebook. When management found out about the pictures on facebook they considered this a breach in health, safety and infection control regulations and the participating staff may lose their jobs.
I work in a hospital, and of course I don't mean we are using it at work, or playing on it at work, because even if we wanted to, the computers do not allow access to such entertainment sites. What I mean about the rage at work is that one person got hooked on it, then she encouraged another to get on it and so forth until all but two of us are now like facebook trekies. On breaks or at lunch the biggest topic is who has what friends and who they hid and who they won't allow to be friends or how they are communicating with their husbands old girlfriend in college. The reason most people hide friends is because they post things like "Well I'm going to the store now" or they send so many photos it bogs things down. I really think it's all kind of silly, so I have not signed up but I know to others they can't get enough of it. However it does seem to get an enormous amount of information flowing freely and keeps every one in the loop "in the know".
I think this story's message for those reading it is that you have to think about your actions and the consequences. Being a professional is not compromised by doing silly things that helps keep moral going in an otherwise very physically and mentally taxing job. It's just best kept in the confines of the milieu, and not spread out there in the worldwide web. Also the staff are representatives of the hospital and when you post things which obviously included the name "Secret Swindon Emergency Department Group" they just put the hospital in jeopardy of facing public scrutiny and legal and regulatory infractions.
The article stated that "the person who started it is really worried." I think they should be because a lot of people are doing things and posting it to the web and causing themselves some totally preventable trouble. While I know lying on contaminated surfaces with your scrubs on and then perhaps taking care of your next patient without changing your clothes is indeed an obvious infection risk for the patient, I think the worst thing is; one they are professionals and did not think twice about that fact, and two that they were stupid enough to post it to a public place for attention like their boss would never see it?
Internet Craze 'Lying Down Game' Gets 7 Doctors, Nurses Suspended in Emergency Ward
Thursday, September 10, 2009
I found this article because of it's reference to facebook. Facebook does seem to be all the rage at my place of employment also, and in this article seven doctors and nurses who work in an emergency department were participating in a facebook game called the Lying Down Game. They took pictures of themselves while on the job lying on gurneys, ward floors and the building’s helipad, then posted the pictures to facebook. When management found out about the pictures on facebook they considered this a breach in health, safety and infection control regulations and the participating staff may lose their jobs.
I work in a hospital, and of course I don't mean we are using it at work, or playing on it at work, because even if we wanted to, the computers do not allow access to such entertainment sites. What I mean about the rage at work is that one person got hooked on it, then she encouraged another to get on it and so forth until all but two of us are now like facebook trekies. On breaks or at lunch the biggest topic is who has what friends and who they hid and who they won't allow to be friends or how they are communicating with their husbands old girlfriend in college. The reason most people hide friends is because they post things like "Well I'm going to the store now" or they send so many photos it bogs things down. I really think it's all kind of silly, so I have not signed up but I know to others they can't get enough of it. However it does seem to get an enormous amount of information flowing freely and keeps every one in the loop "in the know".
I think this story's message for those reading it is that you have to think about your actions and the consequences. Being a professional is not compromised by doing silly things that helps keep moral going in an otherwise very physically and mentally taxing job. It's just best kept in the confines of the milieu, and not spread out there in the worldwide web. Also the staff are representatives of the hospital and when you post things which obviously included the name "Secret Swindon Emergency Department Group" they just put the hospital in jeopardy of facing public scrutiny and legal and regulatory infractions.
The article stated that "the person who started it is really worried." I think they should be because a lot of people are doing things and posting it to the web and causing themselves some totally preventable trouble. While I know lying on contaminated surfaces with your scrubs on and then perhaps taking care of your next patient without changing your clothes is indeed an obvious infection risk for the patient, I think the worst thing is; one they are professionals and did not think twice about that fact, and two that they were stupid enough to post it to a public place for attention like their boss would never see it?
Friday, September 4, 2009
Commentary: GOP's problem with Hispanics
By Ruben Navarrette Jr. Special to CNN
Commentary: GOP's problem with Hispanics http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/08/14/navarrette.gop.latino/index.html?iref=werecommend
In deciding to search news sites that were out of my comfort zone, Ruben Navarrette a syndicated columnist showed so much bias in this article for CNN that it seems just perfect for commenting on. He claims that the Republican party is only interested in Latinos when it benefits the republicans and he blaims Karl Rove for firing U.S. attorney David Iglesias for political reasons. This he contends, should be a lesson to other young Hispanics trying to climb the political ladder not to do it through the Republican party, because they will use you and then discard you when it serves them.
Navarrette is obviously playing the race card, as no other facts around the situation are offerred. Instead he attacks the Republican party by calling them schizophrenic. He also hacked away at a Republican Senator and Represenative in New Mexico who were complaining that Iglesias wasn't investigating allegations of voter fraud and pursuing corruption indictments against Democratic officials. His derogatory tone toward the Republican lawmakers shows, as he writes "they should have stayed in their sandbox and let the executive branch run itself." It's funny how shallow intelligent people get when they don't get their way and their only recourse is to start calling people names. So I felt like laughing (not mocking) just laughing when I read this article.
I suppose I should have felt upset reading this article, because I favor the Republican party and should be indignant about this author saying the Republicans have done something underhanded. It's funny that he says Republicans whined over Iglesias not doing his job (not the fact he was Hispanic) and yet Navarrette is the one doing all the whining in this commentary.
Through the entire article Navarette continues to sound juvenile in his remarks calling Republicans knuckleheads with the claim that they would rather suppress Hispanic votes than compete for them. A big NO to that Mr. Navarette, Republicans want to ensure that only legal voters go to the polls. In his own words he writes that most illegal immigrants happen to be Hispanic and that this changes demographics and that this particular state in question has a significant Hispanic population. Then he has the gall to call Republican concerns about "voter fraud" just anxiety! Laughable!!!
By Ruben Navarrette Jr. Special to CNN
Commentary: GOP's problem with Hispanics http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/08/14/navarrette.gop.latino/index.html?iref=werecommend
In deciding to search news sites that were out of my comfort zone, Ruben Navarrette a syndicated columnist showed so much bias in this article for CNN that it seems just perfect for commenting on. He claims that the Republican party is only interested in Latinos when it benefits the republicans and he blaims Karl Rove for firing U.S. attorney David Iglesias for political reasons. This he contends, should be a lesson to other young Hispanics trying to climb the political ladder not to do it through the Republican party, because they will use you and then discard you when it serves them.
Navarrette is obviously playing the race card, as no other facts around the situation are offerred. Instead he attacks the Republican party by calling them schizophrenic. He also hacked away at a Republican Senator and Represenative in New Mexico who were complaining that Iglesias wasn't investigating allegations of voter fraud and pursuing corruption indictments against Democratic officials. His derogatory tone toward the Republican lawmakers shows, as he writes "they should have stayed in their sandbox and let the executive branch run itself." It's funny how shallow intelligent people get when they don't get their way and their only recourse is to start calling people names. So I felt like laughing (not mocking) just laughing when I read this article.
I suppose I should have felt upset reading this article, because I favor the Republican party and should be indignant about this author saying the Republicans have done something underhanded. It's funny that he says Republicans whined over Iglesias not doing his job (not the fact he was Hispanic) and yet Navarrette is the one doing all the whining in this commentary.
Through the entire article Navarette continues to sound juvenile in his remarks calling Republicans knuckleheads with the claim that they would rather suppress Hispanic votes than compete for them. A big NO to that Mr. Navarette, Republicans want to ensure that only legal voters go to the polls. In his own words he writes that most illegal immigrants happen to be Hispanic and that this changes demographics and that this particular state in question has a significant Hispanic population. Then he has the gall to call Republican concerns about "voter fraud" just anxiety! Laughable!!!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
POLICE STATE, USA
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=108604
"Cops jump on swine-flu power: Shots heard 'round the world
Pandemic bill allows health authorities to enter homes, detain without warrant"
Careful...this article in WorldNetDaily might just make your blood boil! It is no wonder that many people are waking up instead of being complacent when it comes to what our government is trying to slip under the rader. I was searching in Newsweek and the police state title caught my attention concerning the swine flu. I know of a friend's friend who was detained outside of the US while on vacation who was thought to have the swine flu. She was taken from her hotel room to a basement facility and held there against her will while giving her medicines and restricting contact with her family. She was held a month. I thought that could not be possible in the US, but that is exactly what they are trying to pass it in Massachusetts!
This "pandemic response bill" give officials forced entry into homes (no warrent needed) and allows destruction of private property and "involuntary transport" with fines or incarceration if you resist. Not to worry,... if this is passed it goes against the constitution of the US and will be overturned by the US Supreme Court....I hope!!
This rediculous bill passed by the state senate shows the cowardness of legislators in their real attempt to protect us. If they were serious about protecting us they would seal the borders to prevent new cases of TB coming into our country from Mexico. If there was ever a chance to quarantine people it should have been when the first case of aids presented itself in 1981. Since then, over a half a million people in the US. have died from aids with persons today being infected with HIV every 91/2 minutes according to the Kaiser Family Research firm. I don't think we have had but a few cases in the US of Swine flu and the White House scientists are predicting 90,000 deaths this flu season. Boo Hoo, there were almost 40,000 deaths last year related to motor vehicles according to the National Safety Council and they didn't take away our cars!
Swine flu is nothing compared to AIDS which is currently considered to be at pandemic levels. People with Swine flu recover even without treatment, even in their own homes, AIDs kills everytime. If they start forcing untested vaccines, home invasion and incarceration on educated people who have the right to make their own informed decisions, I grant you there will be widespead anarchy.
"Cops jump on swine-flu power: Shots heard 'round the world
Pandemic bill allows health authorities to enter homes, detain without warrant"
Careful...this article in WorldNetDaily might just make your blood boil! It is no wonder that many people are waking up instead of being complacent when it comes to what our government is trying to slip under the rader. I was searching in Newsweek and the police state title caught my attention concerning the swine flu. I know of a friend's friend who was detained outside of the US while on vacation who was thought to have the swine flu. She was taken from her hotel room to a basement facility and held there against her will while giving her medicines and restricting contact with her family. She was held a month. I thought that could not be possible in the US, but that is exactly what they are trying to pass it in Massachusetts!
This "pandemic response bill" give officials forced entry into homes (no warrent needed) and allows destruction of private property and "involuntary transport" with fines or incarceration if you resist. Not to worry,... if this is passed it goes against the constitution of the US and will be overturned by the US Supreme Court....I hope!!
This rediculous bill passed by the state senate shows the cowardness of legislators in their real attempt to protect us. If they were serious about protecting us they would seal the borders to prevent new cases of TB coming into our country from Mexico. If there was ever a chance to quarantine people it should have been when the first case of aids presented itself in 1981. Since then, over a half a million people in the US. have died from aids with persons today being infected with HIV every 91/2 minutes according to the Kaiser Family Research firm. I don't think we have had but a few cases in the US of Swine flu and the White House scientists are predicting 90,000 deaths this flu season. Boo Hoo, there were almost 40,000 deaths last year related to motor vehicles according to the National Safety Council and they didn't take away our cars!
Swine flu is nothing compared to AIDS which is currently considered to be at pandemic levels. People with Swine flu recover even without treatment, even in their own homes, AIDs kills everytime. If they start forcing untested vaccines, home invasion and incarceration on educated people who have the right to make their own informed decisions, I grant you there will be widespead anarchy.
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