NEWS AND COMMENT

"The Incredibly Long Arms Of The Stupak Amendment; Your Large Employer Insurance Plan Is Not Safe"

It's bad enough that our government has seen fit to deny equal treatment of those who would avail themselves of a perfectly legal medical procedure. Now, this Stupid amendment threatens to derail health care reform as it would reach out and imperil existing private insurance coverage. Those who would deny free choice are disrupting the reform process by injecting their anti-abortion agenda into the mix.

I wonder about health insurance that would cover abortions. I'm sure that it is more complicated than I think, but perhaps an insurance company could profitably issue policies just for a possible future abortion. This might be low risk, and thus low cost, since it seems unlikely that a high percentage of a large group of women would
actually need an abortion. Just wondering.

SUB-ROSA NEWS

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That may be True

OBAMA APPOINTS OLYMPIA SNOWE AS HEALTH CZAR

In recognition of Senator Snowe's immense contribution to health care reform legislation,, President Obama has named her to the new office of National Health Care Director. In a written statement, the President noted the Senator's long study and deep knowledge of health care issues facing the nation. In addition, her work in the Senate has made the reform bill truly bi-partisan.

White House press spokesman Robert Gibbs denied rumors that appointment to this office was the price demanded for her vote. He noted that it was clear that her strong efforts in support of real reform were made because history had called.

"Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), ...., told reporters Thursday that she would not vote to break a GOP filibuster if the bill put forth by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) contains a public option."

So when "history calls" she'll summon up enough public spirit to help a weak bill out of committee, but when a more robust bill could come before the Senate for a floor vote, history doesn't call at all.

NEWS AND COMMENT

"George H.W. Bush Rips Maddow, Olbermann: They Are 'Sick Puppies'"

I thought that Bush 41 had more class. Olbermann can be a bit harsh, but Rachel,while incisive, is fair and has a charming light touch.



NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- A Louisiana justice of the peace said he refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple out of concern for any children the couple might have.

Inexcusable in this day and age, This justice should be removed from office or be confined to performing same sex marriages.

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INTERNATIONAL GROUP GIVES AWARD TO OBAMA

The International Agency for Global Cooperation has given its prestigious Annual Bipartisanship Award to President Barack Obama of the United States. The grant includes the historic Jimmy Carter Silver Cup and $5000 in cash.

In its announcement, the Award Committee cited President Obama's tireless sfforts to obtain Republican cooperation for health care reform. Mr. Obama had countless meetings and social events with opposition leaders and refrained from forceful imposition of his own views.

President Obama's wise and inspiring work culminated in obtaining the vote of Senator Olympia Snowe

NEWS AND COMMENT

"Progressive bloggers were in an uproar Sunday night after a White House "adviser," speaking on condition of anonymity, urged them to 'take off their pajamas and get serious about politics.'

Hey, how about those bloggers that don't wear pajamas.

On the substance, this quote was in the context of the speech about gay rights. It is a bit shameful that President Obama has not moved more quickly on the foolish don't ask don't tell policy. Every day the armed forces are needlessly losing valuable people and people are being hurt by losing their opportunity to serve.

We progressive, or left-wing, bloggers are serious about politics. This blog has discussed many issues and can summarize some views.

I wholeheartedly support Obama and am proud and grateful that he is our president in these difficult times and am glad that he received that Nobel prize. He may possibly be proved right but I have believed that he has been wrong to defer so much to Congress. He should have had his highly capable staff lay out proposals for the stimulus and for health care reform and then pushed hard for enactment. The effort to emphasize bipartisanship was misguided.

On health care, it is unfortunate that it is mostly limited to insurance reform and not reform of the provision of goods and services. If you believe that health care is the right of every citizen, the approach should be how best to provide it and not how to have insurance to pay for it.

Nevertheless, we are where we are and I have been waiting for Obama to apply strong pressure on Democrats that are not supporting his administration. The least that should happen is that every Democratic Senator should vote for cloture, even though some may vote against the final bill. Those that might not cooperate in the cloture vote should be threatened with loss of chairmanships, committee assignments, etc.

On Afghanistan, I think that President Obama will decide on some type of middle ground, which I support. We cannot build this nation, nor can we withdraw from the region. We have to prevent return ao a terrorist base and we have to help Pakistan. So all of the choices are of mixed appeal and the final one is not likely to be wholly right.

So these are serious issues and serious politics.

SUB-ROSA NEWS

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CRITICS ASSAIL PEACE PRIZE AWARD TO OBAMA


Soon after the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to President Barack Obama, political opponents and other prominent Americans weighed in with adverse comments.

Financial guru Jim Cramer told his TV audience that he knew the fix was in when some of the TARP money was secretly funneled to the Nobel Committee.
Lou Dobbs said that the Nobel Committee had followed the pattern of awarding Nobel prizes to candidates from Africa.
TV comic Roger Standpipe felt that it was passing strange that the award was given to President Obama on the same day that the U.S. was going to shoot the moon.
Representative Michele Bachmann stated indignantly that this award proved the influence of ACORN over the Nobel Committee.
Former Republican leader Bob Dole remarked dryly " I guess that the Nobel Committee knows a messiah when it sees one"