pure/ROKER

Robin Pelka: have a dance for me

2009-09-24T17:37:00.000-07:00

Our friend Robin Pelka passed away this past Saturday after her battle with brain cancer. She sent this open letter to her email list late last year, in hopes that it might be published or at least read. For whatever reason, it never made it into the pages of my magazine. But after hearing the news today, I searched through my inbox for a note from her. She had occasionally sent me (and I'm sure many others) missives about fighting her disease with humor and grit. Even though we weren't close friends, we knew each other from the music industry. She was a beautiful person and I was sad to hear she'd left us. In her absence, I hope her words resonate. Rest in peace, Robin.

—Raymond Leon Roker, September 24, 2009

November 23, 2008

Cancer, Cancer, Cancer

Fear is the topic here, along with the cancer. They have been associated and will be for quite some time. This is not an assumption on the whole. Fear is put into our faces on a daily. It all happens; a car crash, tornado, terrorism, viruses. If it's not one, it's the other. Life is short, embrace it. You must train yourself to be safe and healthy but try not to have many fears.

Cancer, the word you'll hear out of my mouth at a constant. It hasn't left me. Well, the tumor inside the brain has left, except for a few remnant cells being watched every so often. I also carry many post surgical, post cancer, post chemo, chronic issues, the list goes on.

Fortunately every morning I wake up and say I am lucky. Many do not understand how I can believe so. I count every minute of my life and every bit of change. There is no fear any longer in this person. If there was, there would be less survivors of all cancers.

After the brain cancer, like lots of people, I started going to a support group. It was always a word said in quiet; As if you were saying a nasty swear word. I met an older, very religious, high school teacher. She did not tell her students when she had breast cancer. After all of her treatment, a few years later, a new cancer arrived. The teacher's decision was not to treat it. My jaw dropped and tears broke. Did she not love herself? Did she not love her students? I did not follow any longer. This was a person you could not understand.

During the chemo treatment, there was a support group I tried to be a part of to lift my spirits. Unfortunately, the results were not positive. One woman's story truly made me look like sunshine. The mother of hers, had lung cancer. The parents decided not to tell the daughters until one month prior to her passing. The daughters both had sadness and anger towards the decision. One had the genetic test and found a tumor in her ovary; while she was pregnant with twins. Her other son had and she also taught in a school part time for these types. As the cancer was removed, the birth of the twins came clean. She then developed more tumors throughout her torso. "My husband was there for me and then his ex-wife and two sons, lost their home and had to also move into our situation." The woman kept going and not sounding any lighter. I can continue, but there are many stories I've heard which can smack you in the face just as this one.

Don't need this Yes, cancer causes pain. Non stop pain for some people may occur. If you have children, you as a young or not as young adult, and elders, can all be hit. It's a virus. Look it up please. **(As per Wikipedia; Cancer is a group of HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disease" \o "Disease" diseases in which HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_%28biology%29" \o "Cell (biology)" cells are aggressive (grow and HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_division" \o "Cell division" divide without respect to normal limits), invasive (invade and destroy adjacent tissues), and/or HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metastatic" \o "Metastatic" metastatic), spread to other locations in the body. Therefore, a virus can trigger any point of the body. You can be the healthiest of all and still find a tumor. The solutions doctors have now are helpful; Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, pills, and more. Every time my mother asks a doctor "Why Robin?" She is just not lucky.

Be Aware, have no fear, love your life and be aware of all things around you. I'm no doctor, I'm no celebrity, all I am is a person just like you.

Come back to the group.

**

--

Robin Pelka

Founder

Have A Dance For Me (HADFM.org)

The most epic health care debate on Facebook ever. At least until tomorrow.

2009-08-14T16:27:00.000-07:00

This is an epic thread spawned from a status update by my friend George. To me, George is a devout conservative and would like nothing more than to see Obama's plans fail. And he has a few friends that share his perspective (Paul, Frank).

As the health care portion of this conversation heated up, I jumped in with my two cents. Several days later we had reached over 100 comments. Read and enjoy the debate. In all seriousness, it's a very worthwhile discussion, even though it easily gets heated (sorry, guys). And, of course, feel free to drop your thoughts in the comments section. Or just see us on Facebook.

George Bennitez

REUTERS: Obamas administrations in KAOS. It seem the campaign Obama ran for president was better executed then his current job as the president of the United States. There is a sense of buyers remorse with in his party and a growing realization that he may not be up to the challenge given his resume.. The media support that carried him to the white house has begun to turn on his lack of results...

August 6 at 9:39pm

Paul Davidson

was there any doubt he wasn't up to the challenge? You knew right from the start it was amateur hour... just look at all the extreme left wing career politicians he appointed after saying he was all about change.

August 6 at 10:26pm

Frank C Deejay

Paul...you get it my friend...the country is more divided than ever but the mainstream media has too much crow to eat...they will justify & indemnify their investment in this failure his whole term...shame on the politically affirmative actioned media for their continued brainwashing of the common folk who depend on them for information.

August 6 at 11:52pm

Giles Styles

jesus the guy has been in office 8 months. let history be the judge of bush but hang the black guy after 8 months??

August 7 at 1:16am

Giles Styles

there's no sense of buyer's remorse and his approval ratings are still way higher than the last turd in office. i'm just glad we don't have a wacko pandering to the religious right any more. and frank - wasn't the entire M.O. of the last administration to "brainwash the common folk?"

August 7 at 1:18am

Giles Styles

does it bother you to have a president who is articulate? do you have to keep a thesaurus handy when he speaks?

August 7 at 1:19am

George Bennitez

Giles I don't dislike him as a person and I don't think being a good TelePrompTer reader should be something to be happy about. Yes he is articulate but being articulate doesn't mean you know what your doing the honest truth about Obama is that becaise if his lack of experience he's sorrounded himself with unqualified personal and he owes a lot of... Read More

August 7 at 8:05am

George Bennitez

And he will raise taxes again on the middle class, mark my words giles.

August 7 at 8:09am

Paul Davidson

Thats right Giles...immmediatey bring out the race card!! typical response when you have no real argument.
As far as history.... history has proven time and time again that socialism doesn't work. We don't need to wait till 'O' tries again to know this.
Frank is right, the media actively promoted this guy to be president and now they have to protect their investment. You won't hear any critiscim from them no matter how much his policies will you hurt you.
Obamas approval ratings are lower than Bushs at the same period of their presidencies. His numbers are dropping everyday.
I agree tho, I do see the upside of not having a 'wacko pandering to the religious right'. However replacing him with a radical socialist pandering to the extreme left is hardly the answer.

August 7 at 8:10am

Giles Styles

were you against the massive government spending by the last administration to kill brown people in the middle east? and do you really think the last guy was qualified to be president? he couldn't even run a major league team. he ditched out on his service to his country, got C's through yale while being a cokehead and alcoholic, etc. george you sound like fox news. blind allegiance to the party of the religious right and parroting republican talking points against obama/dems. i'm not the biggest fan of obama ever, but i'm not dumb enough to judge him on his performance after 8 months. i do, however, think W was an absolute moron and one of the worst presidents of all time and i think anyone who supported him needs their head checked.

August 7 at 8:12am

Paul Davidson

wooah, straight in with the race card again!!!! Thats a little too easy again.
You might want to try to hang onto that one and only use it when you really get backed into a corner!!!

August 7 at 8:14am

Giles Styles

Paul - socialised medicine works VERY well in europe. our healthcare system currently is #37 in the world. if we could have the heathcare system that a country like sweden has i would be very happy. anyone who tells you socialized health care doesn't work is either uninformed or hasn't had experience with it. i am a citizen of the EU and i can tell you the heathcare in europe is far superior to ours.

August 7 at 8:15am

Paul Davidson

George, I love whenever we bring up anything about 'O' his blind followers immediately go "...er, Bush....."???
Wasn't the conversation about 'O'?

August 7 at 8:16am

Giles Styles

Blind follower? Maybe you should take off your blinders and read what I already wrote. I'm not his biggest fan, I just believe in giving him a chance. And I'm bringing up W because George supported him, thus making it relevant to this conversation. You come from the Bill O'Reilly school of discussion?

August 7 at 8:18am

Paul Davidson

With all due resect Giles, you're an idiot....
Sweden has a tiny population, about 9 million and is far easier to control than this country of over 300 million without counting illegals pouring in.
I'm from the UK, the NHS is horrible. You have an average wait of 2 years for non emergency surgery. There is no elective surgery unless you pay yourself.
Cancer rates of death for all types are higher. life exepectancy is lower.
Most older people are living in pain and suffering because it is not worth the expense of treating them when they are going to die soon anyway.
Sure, if you get a boo boo and need a band aid you can walk into any hospital and get one for free!!!
Lets fuck the 90% of people in this country that are happy with their health care so we can do the same here??????????

August 7 at 8:24am

Giles Styles

1 France
2 Italy
3 San Marino
4 Andorra
5 Malta
6 Singapore
7 Spain
8 Oman
9 Austria
10 Japan
11 Norway
12 Portugal
13 Monaco
14 Greece
15 Iceland
16 Luxembourg
17 Netherlands
18 United Kingdom
19 Ireland
20 Switzerland
21 Belgium
22 Colombia
23 Sweden
24 Cyprus
25 Germany
26 Saudi Arabia
27 United Arab Emirates
28 Israel
29 Morocco
30 Canada
31 Finland
32 Australia
33 Chile
34 Denmark
35 Dominica
36 Costa Rica
37 United States of America

August 7 at 8:26am

Paul Davidson

Also if 'heathcare in europe is far superior to ours' why does anyone with money come to the USA to be treated???

August 7 at 8:26am

Giles Styles

90% of the people are happy with the healthcare here??? are you joking? i don't even think 10% of the population has health care.

August 7 at 8:27am

Giles Styles

Paul - they come here because it's a capitalist system where you can PAY for great care. if you can't afford it, you are screwed. i'm glad you think that everyone with money matters and that basic health care isn't an inalienable right though. just for fun, i'll point out that most poor people are people of color. :)

August 7 at 8:29am

Paul Davidson

read again... if you have health care ...90% of you are happy with it..
There are less than 50 million without healthcare. Approx 15 are illegals & the rest is split between those that truly can't afford and those that choose not to buy it or are between jobs.

August 7 at 8:31am

Paul Davidson

Everyone with money DOES matter!!!! Rich people are great!!! They spend MONEY and give people JOBS!!!!
Did you ever get a job from a poor man?

August 7 at 8:36am

Giles Styles

Right and rich people will still be able to pay for great care. This isn't about people that can afford it. This is about providing health care for everyone. Do you think Obama is going to remove the ability to pay for a world class surgeon?

August 7 at 8:37am

Paul Davidson

sorry, it's not the governments job to provide health care for anyone!!!!!!!!!!!
I need a new TV and a washer and dryer. Is it the governments job to provide those for me aswell??

August 7 at 8:45am

Frank C Deejay

Part of this incompetent's appeal was his devout Christian Faith....now that he is in office he can't even decide on a Church??? Oh yeah he did have a church but it was lead by the Racist Jeremiah, so he back stabbed his own(racist) congregation because it was bad for his public image...as for literacy...he can read off a script but take his page away and hes a stuttering fool...this is a true testament to his deception...if all followers like you care only about the spoken word but not the meaninful action this country is in trouble...giles..you have got a serious "white guilt trip" and jump to minority causes like they are going out of style...I am a minority you are not...we see right through people like you..I can see it now..the white kid trying to be one of the homeys...you are not even relavent to them..comedy!!!

August 7 at 8:46am

Giles Styles

Paul - there's a fundamental difference between you and me. I think it's in a country and government's interest to keep the population healthy. It is self serving and important in my opinion. Giving the population appliances isn't. I think keeping its citizens healthy is as important as keeping the air clean, keeping the roads paved, etc. Why do we have a public library? Should we only allow the rich to read?

August 7 at 8:55am

Frank C Deejay

Hadn't the opportunity to read all of giles comment prior..you have a clouded sense of reality and jump on the race card as if you were one of us..you can never role play enough to understand what it is to have our skin color or last name...you can tat yourself up & get cornroles..do whatever you like to try to identify with us but it doesn't work...the best thing a white person can do is not entitle an already entitled community..minorities need to remember the past but live for the future...I have an offer for you..I visit some of the most poverished neighborhoods on a daily basis..I invite you to visit with me and see just how unmotivated these communities are..they now have an apologist in office to tell them even more how they can't do it themselves...how the gov. should do it for them...seriously I'll take you for a couple of days & you will see a 2nd generation of hopelessness...what these communities really need is a message of self reliance not pity...

August 7 at 8:59am

Paul Davidson

There is a difference, for sure! You hate people with money and want to take it from them and give it to those that don't. It's class warfare!
I would rather people were rewarded for their hard work and sacrifice. If you want to sit around watching Jerry Springer all day then guess what, thats the life you made for yourself. Don't come banging at my door asking me to pay for your shit!!!

August 7 at 8:59am

Giles Styles

Paul - I grew up in Hancock Park and attended all private schools. I didn't graduate college, but still went on to find a job in IT where I make six figures annually. I also have great health care. I don't hate people with money. I have a brother who is a musician and he can't afford healthcare. I want him to have it. I want everyone to have health care. That doesn't mean I hate people with money. How do you jump to these silly conclusions?

August 7 at 9:02am

Giles Styles

Frank - my last name is Steinberg. We are one of the most persecuted groups of all time. My grandparents escaped Poland during the war where my grandfather's entire family was slaughtered in camps. My dad grew up at 59th and Central and went to Fremont high. Nothing you said has any validity and nothing you say will convince me that people don't have the basic right to be healthy.

August 7 at 9:04am

Giles Styles

I haven't said anything about any other social programs. I haven't mentioned welfare. The only thing I've been a proponent of is health care for all. Your fox news talking points don't apply to me, so you might want to proofread them before copy and pasting.

August 7 at 9:05am

Frank C Deejay

Paul...it's hopeless with giles...while I was in college I had many encounters with many giles..he is set in his ways...it's true when they say.."liberalism is a mental disorder"...they are hypocrats that resent morality, judgement and most of all religious faith..funny thing is they have created their own distorted faith (Progressiveness)..it's prophets are Global Warming, Socialism, Race Entitlement, Sexual Preference Entitlement & Disposition of their own Country...their Messiah is "O"..they follow their practice as Christians follow Jesus...there is nothing you can tell him..he will either grow into conservatism or he will become more bitter & radical...

August 7 at 9:10am

Raymond Leon Roker

Ultimately folks like Paul Davidson are OK with free enterprise even if it's manipulated and jury-rigged by corrupt corporations. They never have anything to say about an industry that routinely allows citizens to die or be unhealthy because it's better for profits. Just blame any legislator who's trying to fix it.

As for socialism, name ONE act of socialism being carved out by this president. And don't say health care, because that's not his creation. Medicare and other government healthcare (like for congress and the military) is already in place. So I guess the socialism is already part of what we do.

And for those who believe that private insurance is best, those companies will still exist. They're not going anywhere. They will still make obscene profits on the backs of patients and with the support of lobbyists and loopholes. Not to worry.

Paul, George, et al, your arguments are hollow. You have NO facts. Inexperienced cabinet? Show me that data. Socialism? Show me that too.

August 7 at 9:15am · Delete

Frank C Deejay

Giles...talking points are exactly that...I am a MEXICAN MALE...don't care what neighborhood your parents are from...you haven't lived it...I have and I'm telling you...while Mexicans & minorities like me are trying to motivate our culture to care about themsleve's...whites like yourself are justifying & entitleing my people & making it difficult for us to find our own way instead of maintaining the handout mentality you preach...everyone talks the talk until it hits the fan...unfortunately you will have to face incredible tragedy to truely find your identity...it happened to me i.e. death, drugs, gangs, violence...real fear that shaped my direction...it's a direction you are fascinated by but never had to live & I don't wish it upon you...seriously giles the way of socialism will take away our freedoms more than benefit our welfare...

August 7 at 9:19am

Frank C Deejay

Raymond....1 act of socialism for you "Nationlized Healthcare"

August 7 at 9:21am

Frank C Deejay

Raymond....2 acts of socialism......"Nationlized Banking"

August 7 at 9:21am

Raymond Leon Roker

Frank, there is no such thing as nationalized healthcare. It's a myth. And not part of the Democratic plan. You need to do your homework, sir.

Plus, it already exists in the form of 1) Medicare and 2) Uninsured folks still get treated legally and then we (taxpayers) cover it later.

August 7 at 9:22am · Delete

Frank C Deejay

Raymond.....3 acts of socialism.....so called "Fairness Doctrine"...really a power grab of the stream of news & information as liberal talk radio cannot compete with conservative radio...

August 7 at 9:23am

Frank C Deejay

Raymond...I can go all day brother....

August 7 at 9:24am

Frank C Deejay

Raymond....and it doesn't work in it's infant stage....you force it on the country & it will be a catastophy....do your research and see how it has failed at the state level and you may educate yourself to the disaster it would create

August 7 at 9:26am

Raymond Leon Roker

Frank, again, your talking points come from the right which has been in favor of socialism for a long time. Ever heard of corn subsidies? What about the Farm Bill? That's where the government pays you to grow shit. Sounds very USSR to me. Obama had nothing to do with that age-old institution.

Exactly what is the Fairness Doctrine. Is it a law? Please explain it. I'm not knowing.

As for banking, the first bailouts and TARP money happened under Geo Bush. As did the conditions to cause Obama to complete the work. So, according to your definition, Bush 2 was the socialist.

August 7 at 9:26am · Delete

Raymond Leon Roker

We have welfare in this country and it is called corporate welfare. It's bigger in terms of dollars than anything we do for citizens. Please consider your focus on those institutions, the ones favored by Republicans. Tax loopholes, incentives, subsidies, and empowerment zones. All of that, sir, is welfare. NONE of it is Obama's.

August 7 at 9:29am · Delete

Frank C Deejay

Raymond...subsidies don't show a return...you know this right?...What is ironic Reaymond is I remember when you where just a little shop off of Washington...sittin there with Jason Bentley & that other cool Asian cat(forgot his name) with a 5x6 booklet free of charge...then you put a price on your investment...you are the epitomy of a young entepenuer & capitalism...how you going to knock capitalism??? how many s-corps, llcs or copyrights do you have...how are you going to knock corporate America???...If you are really down with your cause why don't you distribute your mag for free??? Step up....

August 7 at 9:56am

Frank C Deejay

Raymond...if their is no such thing as Nationalized Healthcare maybe someone should call the whitehouse and ask their press secretary to stop refering to it along with the pres. & liberal senate & liberal congress people

August 7 at 9:59am

Raymond Leon Roker

Frank, thanks for the memories (his name was Stan), but, my brother, nowhere in my comments do i knock capitalism. And nowhere in all of my writings have I. I am a corporation, albeit an indie one. I am more critical than most of overregulation, taxes and other penalties of business.

I don't get your point on subsidies.

August 7 at 10:03am · Delete

Raymond Leon Roker

Frank, I don't hear the term nationalized healthcare except from the right. While I don't think Obama has done a great job of selling this plan to America's insured—and that's the only folks that are complaining, the insured who don't have big worries—it's still not nationalized care. What it is is a nationalized safety net that does three things:

1) provides an affordable option for care without all the caveats of private insurance (pre existing condition denial, etc). This, in turn, makes it competition to private enterprise (think postal service vs Fedex). If you can't afford coverage, it provides you credits or support so that you can pay for it (welfare if you want to call it that).

2) It also covers the currently un/under-insured. The only place for these folks now is medicare, hospitals or taxpayers picking up the pieces.

3) It works to reduce overall cost of healthcare through better technology and infrastructure, as well as competition.

August 7 at 10:13am · Delete

Frank C Deejay

Yeah...Stan...he was cool...I am proud of you my friend...& we both know you can't get the word out for free...I know you respect capitalism...it has given you the life & opportunites you have...As for subsidies...example...recycleing...the cost benefit of throwing away that plastic bottle and turning it into a styrofoam doesn't show a net gain...that cost is a negative loss...I understand there would be moutains of trash all over the streets without such recycling programs, but all I'm saying is sometime the supplement can only have a cosmetic effect and not a economic benefit...Love & Respect RLR...message me soon & we'll have a meal together(it's on you)...:)

August 7 at 10:13am

Raymond Leon Roker

LOL, Frank, you know I have love for the underground and the old school heads. How about we have George buy us both a meal soon. Take care, sir.

August 7 at 10:15am · Delete

Frank C Deejay

Raymond....Competition is the only form of motivation for better goods and services...They attempted a full statewide form of healthcare in Hawaii a short while back....even those insured jumped on the wagon the...the quality of care dropped dramatically & the system went bankrupt in a matter of months...seriously look into it...this failed model is actually part of the model being utilized in the 1000+ page document being pushed through the house without reading it or revising many of the costly errors...

August 7 at 10:19am

Frank C Deejay

Raymond...the above script was not to get in the last word...Let's do that real soon....George can come along...

August 7 at 10:21am

Raymond Leon Roker

Frank, I will check it out. But ultimately, I'm not afraid of an experiment given the alternative. At this point, we have a failing system. One that is rigged and allows people to die If you're rich or well-insured, you're ok. I'm for something that fixes that and saves lives as well as improves health.

If it costs a few bucks, fine. We can pull some troops out of Germany or South Korea for fucks sake. Or stop funding corn production which we don't need and harms the environment, animals and people.

If the government wants to have a backup for people to insure under, why not? You really haven't provided one good reason why we don't have a smoother running medicare type situation. A government funded insurance company. You, my well-insured friend, would be able to stay 1000 feet away from it. But why crap on the plan that can save other lives. Especially when you have yet to present an alternative.

August 7 at 10:25am · Delete

George Bennitez

Raymond you have to much faith in the people who run the DMV, Post Office. You need to understand that Government does not run on a profit margin, If the Post Office cant compete with fed ex and it's loosing money they raise taxes to pay the slugs that work there and to keep the place afloat. Did you know that the POST OFFICE will report a loss of 7 BILLION dollars this year. it was in the news look it up they will be cutting their Saturday delivery services and a lot of those unemployable cubical workers will have to go on unemployed because they where unemployable by private sector to begin with. Back to the subject the post office would have files for BK if it wasn't carried with taxpayer money. So you cannot EVER make any argument, no matter how mush you gloss it over the details and garnish it with cherries and wiped cream, The government should NEVER have control over health care. The government should make policy that will that will regulate medical costs on a bi partisan..

August 7 at 10:58am

George Bennitez

basis and let the FREE MARKETS dictate the price. Why wont you face the fact that there are a lot of people who are sucking up on the proverbial progressive policy tit and have no motivation to get off of it. Why in the would you what the government to be in charge of Banking, Medical Care, Manufacturing, Media ect.. ect..??

August 7 at 11:04am

Raymond Leon Roker

Geo, well aware of the USPS losses. And all the other complaints about gov institutions. However, they seem to get medical care right for soldiers and senators. And they do military right. And how about the secret service. The National Guard. There are countless government agencies that work pretty well.

So, what is your bi-partisan plan to radically reduce healthcare costs for citizens, while ensuring that pre-existing conditions and health loopholes don't leave people out. Exactly what is this genius plan?

August 7 at 11:08am · Delete

George Bennitez

THE END.. and sure ill buy you both tacos..

August 7 at 11:11am

Raymond Leon Roker

George, the folks I'm most concerned about being at the tit of government are corporations. The ones supported by Repubs and Dems alike. The corporate welfare state is far more insidious than any group of citizens on the dole. And while I am the first to berate those sitting on unemployment or other assistance when they can do for themselves, I amnot forgetting that my tax dollars prop of large corporations far more, and for no good reason, other than to make them and their CEOs and shareholders wealthier.

August 7 at 11:11am · Delete

George Bennitez

I understand that, but you also have to understand that large corporations don't pay taxes. HOW?? you ask is that possible you ask?. Because when the governments raises their taxes, what do they do? they pass it on tho the consumer so you and me pay their taxes. or they lay off people, or they move out of state, or the go over seas and because that is a fact of life in a capitalist society you have to understand Obama realizes this very fact and does it anyway to pay for his government expansion and pretends that he is only raising taxes on the rich. Im I right? See that's what upsets me about the constant hammering at big business and wanting to raise their taxes to save the poor, Ignorance of the final outcome affects you and me when we need to buy a product or service. Government needs to stop manipulation price and only regulate quality to the consumer..

August 7 at 11:54am

George Bennitez

If I had to guess I would think that government run services like the post office are more wasteful then big corporations. Look at the post office 100 billion in the whole over a period of time. I see that as money lost. As for giving tax incentives to big business at least they turn a profit and create jobs. ( and Im not talking about AIG, Chrysler, Gm ect.. ) I wanted them to gom down and start from scratch with out any handouts.

August 7 at 12:01pm

Paul Davidson

WOW!! I really missed a good one when I left today!
Raymond, don't be so presumptuous about what folks like me believe when you can just ask.....
The current health care system is flawed. OK. It doesn't need to be completely destroyed and replaced with a proven inferior system that makes people feel all warm & fuzzy but only offers rationing, no choice and cost benefit analysis of medical procedures. i.e. is it worth spending X amount of $ to keep you alive...
I'm always puzzled, also, when anyone disagrees with 'O' then you must love Bush??? I absolutley agree with you about the farm subsidies, also his prescription drug plan and others aswell. He spent more money than any other president before him and for what??
I disagree with the policies and the actions, regardless of the people doing it. I don't care if they are left or right... if it's wrong it's WRONG!!
continued.......

August 7 at 5:34pm

Raymond Leon Roker

Paul, not sure where you think I presumed anything. I was pretty specifically responsive to comments here.

And I never said you liked Bush. Though I referenced him where necessary to show possible hypocrisy.

Cost benefit analysis was INVENTED by the insurance companies that rule the day now. If folks have money, they will be perfectly able to design the most luxurious over the top benefit plan they want. "Obamacare" won't even touch that. But for those who can't afford such luxuries, meaningful science and best practices will be the barometer.

The Obama health plan is to provide an alternative. So that those who are or will fall through the current cracks (which are absolutely massive) have a safety net. It's far, far from socialized medicine (not that this would be bad for this great country). But this is not such.

You guys have a string of hollow arguments and sweeping scary statements. I say this with love, guys, but seriously, outline some facts any day now.

August 7 at 5:41pm · Delete

Paul Davidson

It's a rare occurance when you can find anyone in this country that thinks that way. Most people only think it's wrong when the 'other' guy does it but are totally fine when it's 'our' guy doing it.
Interesting how you think National Healthcare is a 'myth'?? Go to England, it's called The National Healthcare System (NHS). It fucking sucks!!!
You are worried about the US health system and say we don't mind that people are routinely dieing to make profits.
Death rates are much higher than here for a braod spectrum of treatable and untreatable diseases. Thats a fact. Why? because it becomes a matter of whats cost effective & when you get to a certain age you the benefit isn't worth the cost. Are you aware of the "End Of Life" meetings in 'O's plan that people over 65 will have to have. Basically being asked to choose between getting life extending care or just calling it quits??? Thats fucked up!
cont.....

August 7 at 5:43pm

Raymond Leon Roker

Paul, I meant that "national healthcare" is a myth in the states. It doesn't exist and isn't being proposed by Obama. So let's stop misclassifying it.

I guess you don't know anybody in the states who has had an insurance company let them die from a treatable disease because the cures are "experimental" or maybe they didn't insure them because they had a "pre-existing condition" or maybe their insurance simply "ran out." That's what these companies you seem to want to see have a monopoly do. I want an alternative.

And unless you have a way to force fixes into that existing system (listening. crickets), then what is your argument besides putting $ or ??? after sentences?

BTW, I have never once touted the UK system as any example. My arguments are domestically based.

And don't take my sharpness as rudeness or dismissal. If I was being dismissive, I wouldn't write.

August 7 at 5:48pm · Delete

Paul Davidson

Are you aware that there is a part of his bill that says if you don't already have private insurance before/if his plan goes into effect you will not be allowed to get private and will have to use the government run plan.

One thing no one has mentioned and I think is the 50ft gorilla in the room is Tort reform. This is one of the main reasons why the current system is so messed up and becomes to expensive for people to afford.
Frivolous law suits need to be stopped! Loser pays needs to be instated to stop all this bullshit.
Doctors administering a tylenol for a sore foot can be sued a year later when the same person has a heart attack. Insurance rates go through the roof and that doctor will spend his whole career trying to fight it and then will begin to think twice about how to treat a patient for fear of repercussions.
Stop that and insurance costs go down for everyone.

August 7 at 5:50pm

Raymond Leon Roker

>>Are you aware that there is a part of his bill that says if you don't already have private insurance before/if his plan goes into effect you will not be allowed to get private and will have to use the government run plan.<< class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; ">

Balance, my friend. Let's seek balance. Ohm.

August 7 at 5:54pm · Delete

Paul Davidson

You're kind of right about 'O' not proposing NHS, he keeps shying away from saying it because he knows it's unpopular but the bill is exactly that. He also said publicly he's a proponant of the single payer system i.e. NHS! (only 1 exclamation as I seem to be using to many...;)
The government can't be allowed to be a competitor in the game. They are the referees, you can't let the people who make up the rules play the game!
As George sais they have no incentive to meet any kinds of productivity, quality of care or service. Private companies need to meet these standards or suffer going out of business. I know thats an evil concept, trying to turna proffit but thats the way the world works.
Again, post office, Amtrak, etc...all failures of massive proprtions, all lose money but continue to do business. No heads roll for lack of performance. No accountability. Guaranteed government pensions for life.
Government doesn't know how to run a business and nor should they.

August 7 at 6:09pm

Paul Davidson

need to get in sync here, i'm already writing about one thing while you're onto the next one....
Just read back a bit and wanted to also note about the Fairness Doctrine that Frank wrote about.... did you look into it?
Not really to do with Health but very scary propostion pushed hard by Chuckie Schumer, Pelosi & Reid. Well... scary to those that arent left wing idealogues.....

August 7 at 6:13pm

Paul Davidson

Here you go Raymond..... you will NOT be able to get private once 'O' care is implemented.....
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=104161

August 7 at 6:19pm

Paul Davidson

oh yeah, i'm in for taco's too! When we going? ????? ???? ;)

August 7 at 6:21pm

Raymond Leon Roker

Pelosi and Reid are worthless hacks. But I'll look into that doctrine.

As for your arguments against reform: I'd love to hear why an alternative is so distasteful to you. If it becomes an Amtrak, trust that it will be dismantled by the next administration.

BUT, how come congress and the military LOVE their government healthcare? Just tell me why that works for them and won't work for Americans? Answer that one simple question.

Now, I'm off to play. It's Friday and some of don't have kids ;)

August 7 at 6:21pm · Delete

Paul Davidson

I'll answer that with a question.
How many people in the military & congress?
Aternatives are needed, i have no problem with that, just not this one.
And... the bigger picture. 'O's plan is not about covering the small amount of uninsured, it's about taking over the large amount of the countries economy. Socialism!

Enjoy your weekend mate!!

August 7 at 6:26pm

George Bennitez

the big fear down the line ramond is that private instrance plans and employers will not me able to compete on costs so it is estimated that many employers will drop the private plan and switch to the government plan and the next natural progression will be many insurance companies will gobout of business and the few ones that will survive will cater to the rich! THUS this plan if it's passed will be a national plan and everybody will have to suffer because it's going to be thee gigantic scocialist tit the middle class, minorities and the poor will have to suck on. REMEBER if Obama and his puppet masters get their way they will dictate what medication, treatment, services, procedures Ect Ect will cost and will drive private plans out of business so I have to ask you.. you font really see that coming down the line??

August 8 at 12:21am

George Bennitez

Get some kids Raymond you'll see things diferently.. ;0)

August 8 at 12:25am

Raymond Leon Roker

George, you support businesses being required to provide health insurance for employees? Can't see that jibing with your conservative stance.

So who cares what insurance employers provide? Shouldn't it be a private purchase by individuals? I think so.

Also, I don't think history supports that when the government comes in, competition dies. I think it's the opposite. Post Office vs UPS. Public school vs charters. City water vs. Arrowhead. What makes you think these companies making record profits will suddenly go away? Can you find one actual economist that thinks that. Glenn Beck doesn't count.

As for government deciding what procedures you qualify for--this is such a hollow argument. That happens today with insurance companies. All of them.

August 8 at 12:33pm · Delete

Paul Davidson

Raymond, ...."Also, I don't think history supports that when the government comes in, competition dies."
History has absolutely shown this throughout the world when it comes to healthcare. There's no debate on that.
'O's Health bill mandates that private insurance will die.
you didn't see the link I posted? Page 16 of the health bill...
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=104161
Also, you are totally right about insurance being a private choice by individuals. The reason employers offer plans is to gain group discounts. Buying in bulk = less cost.
This is one area that the current system SHOULD be changed. Why only employers can participate in this?
How come me and you can't start our own group that chooses our own care and ivite our friends so we can benefit from a group discount?

August 8 at 1:13pm

George Bennitez

raymond I don't think you've really taken the time to research both sides of the issue. Your coments seem like personal opinions. As far as your USPS v. UPS comparison the postal service has horrible service the employees are rude and ghetto and can't even speak the language plain and simple it runs at a loss every year and I don't have confidence in there deliveries SO as a business man I rather use UPS and pay a little extra. I don't have to use USPS but under obamas plan I would have to insure every employee and I'd I didn't I would pay a tax so since I'm bring forced to insure everyone I'll have to go with the cheapest insurance outhere and that would be obamacare witch would be filled ruth postoffice employees and also running at a loss. The problem is not the quality of care it's the cost and making it accessble to everyone but I'm not willing to let the government run it.

August 8 at 3:40pm

George Bennitez

August 8 at 3:40pm

Paul Davidson

"I don't have to use USPS but under obamas plan I would have to insure every employee and I'd if I didn't I would pay a tax so since I'm being forced to insure everyone I'll have to go with the cheapest insurance outhere and that would be obamacare"

EXACTLY!!!!! Insure your employees or be taxed!
No choice at all, 'O' Care or suffer a greater tax burden. Well, either way it's a greater tax burden, pick your poison.
Thats what happens when you let the referee also be a contestant in the game. Pure corruption!

August 8 at 4:45pm

Raymond Leon Roker

George, huh? My point about USPS vs UPS is meant to say that these are examples where government is challenged by private sector successfully. So let the free market provide an alternative to public health care. That is what I'm saying will happen.

I'm not a fan of businesses having to provide insurance at all. I depart with any plan that forces this--but I could live with it. As it stands now, do you think businesses make decisions on healthcare based on what's best for the employees? They base it on what they need to retain them. And if they can get away with spending less money and achieving the same result, then they will. So what?

If they are companies that were going to always opt for the least expensive option period, then I don't see how the public option changes anything. It just means that the net net will be that every employee gets some sort of insurance. The elite companies can still opt for luxury private plans if they wish.

continued...

August 8 at 6:29pm · Delete

Raymond Leon Roker

I hope you guys realize that ALL employers are already required to have things like worker's comp and pay into unemployment. So there is already a forced insurance by employers.

Exactly which companies are you afraid for? The large corporations that won't insure workers? Name one. There aren't any today. All large companies provide some level of medical insurance.

The smaller companies (under 50 ppl) will probably be exempt from being forced to provide coverage, just like they escape family medical leave act and many other Dept of Labor laws.

Your argument is one of principle, but with no sense of real impact. Or no examples provided.

August 8 at 6:33pm · Delete

George Bennitez

At the end of the day I don't think its going to go through they will need to go back into the drawing board and restructure something that we can all afford with out government control. we do need some king of reform on fraud, price gouging by providers and some tort reform to keep the ambulance chasers in check. We need the market to compete for ...Read More

August 9 at 5:24pm

George Bennitez

They want to take over and they need large bureaucracy to stay alive and buy other politicians Obama is just returning a favor because they put him in office..

August 9 at 5:25pm

Raymond Leon Roker

George, you are a shining contradiction in logic. So you're saying that both the labor unions and the corporate owners both want Obamacare. The corporate owners because they will get cheaper insurance than private. And the labor unions for I'm not sure what reason. That would be interesting, them both for the same thing. My god, Obamacare really must make sense then. Thanks.

And once again, the US proposal is NOT ht British system. Single Payer is different than a government option.

>>We need the market to compete for our business and regulate itself accordingly<<

Bro, that's where we are now. And it's not working.

August 9 at 6:01pm · Delete

George Bennitez

Raymond look:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-_SGGcJu_c

August 9 at 6:49pm

Paul Davidson

"Single Payer is different than a government option."

'O' wants single payer, in his own words. This government option is the first step to get to those ends.
Pricing out private companies and denying people from purchasing coverage from private companies (page 16 of the health bill) is the means to get them there.

August 9 at 7:01pm

Raymond Leon Roker

Paul, your arguments are all falling apart:

1) O wants single payer - so basically all your fears are predicated on this slippery slope. The examples about the UK, etc are not applicable except for down the imaginary line. But Obamacare as it's outlined is not government health care or single payer. Got it.

2) The federal gov, which you all say can't do anything right (USPS, Amtrak, etc) is going to be so competitive as to drive the insanely profitable insurance companies out of business. Exactly how will they do this? Making an insurance product so attractive to a majority of Americans that they will opt for it instead of the private ones? Based on what? Great quality and a lower price? OMG, the sky is falling.

3) Page 16 of the insurance proposal (which one, there are numerous) says you will not be able to secure private health insurance--which goes counter to all that has been said by the Dems up until now. Please share the link to page 16 or the exact wording. I don't buy it.

August 9 at 7:13pm · Delete

George Bennitez

to you number 2) it doesn't work that way and it wont. As Ive said many times the government plan will run at a loss and employers in order to survive will opt to use the government plan. You know employers just want profit so they'll dump their private insurer and put all their employees on the cheap, plan while they stay with a better private plan. its not about better service its about the bottom line for the employer. The employer will be the harvester of his plan.

August 9 at 7:32pm

Paul Davidson

1)I'm puzzled how you seem to know everything 'O' thinks & wants to do when he's in agreement with your position but you summarily dismiss him when he states in his own words his position which you don't agree with. Imaginary?? He said it, not us. We're just acknowledging his words. You should too.
2)By offering it for FREEEEEEEE (as Larry Miller would say).
Have you heard of Romney Care? This free healthcare has been tried (by a Republican) in Massachusetts. It has failed miserably and forced the state into massive tax increases. Imagine this nationwide :( Look into it.....
3)Which healthcare bill?? The 1000+ page being pushed through Congress... you know, the one that no one wants to read before they vote on it. Shameful!
I already sent a link to you 3 times, try Google.

It would be a wonderful thing to offer the nation full & free healthcare but it's a dream that will hurt more than it will help. The road to hell is paved with good intentions!

August 9 at 7:36pm

Paul Davidson

nite guys! oh aswell, with all this spirited debate we've lost sight of something real important........
wasn't George supposed to be taking us out for a meal??

August 9 at 7:38pm

Raymond Leon Roker

George, you believe in free enterprise and corporations being able to go with what's best for their company, right? So why does them possibly picking the government plan for workers not part of that? Suddenly you're for protectionism? And not allowing these corporations to do what's best for their bottom line?

That's telling

August 9 at 7:40pm · Delete

Raymond Leon Roker

1) Paul, we're in agreement: Obama is on record as liking/maybe wanting single payer. BUT, the proposed plans are NOT single payer. That's my point. So your fears are largely based on what you think we will slip towards down the line. That's my point. Let's deal with the now as the old slippery slope argument is age-old and weak.

2) HUH? I was ... Read Moreasking about how Obamacare will compete with other private plans that corporations (say Xerox) want to provide to workers. It won'y be free for corporations to buy. It will presumably be less expensive and worse (according to you). So why would corporations pick it? You say governments can't do shit but they can somehow compete on the open market good enough to send corporations flocking to their solutions for workers? You guys can't have this argument both ways.

3) You have said this three times, but I have not seen a link from you stating what you're claiming. Seriously, if it's that outrageous, couldn't you simply quote w/ a li

August 9 at 7:49pm · Delete

Raymond Leon Roker

3) link or re-post for us all to read

August 9 at 7:50pm · Delete

Raymond Leon Roker

Is this the 90th comment?

I thought of a few government agencies that seem to work fine—and of which I rarely hear the Right/Republicans complaining about or dismissing as wasteful and low quality:

Highway Patrol
Capitol Police
Secret Service
Coast Guard
National Guard
Local Police and Fire Depts
FBI

So, the government can do all of this correct, but they can't administer an insurance program?

Hmm...

August 10 at 11:06am · Delete

Raymond Leon Roker

Also, Paul, I found your link. That doesn't mandate the death of private insurance. That's a silly and inaccurate interpretation. What it does is insist that all people be insured. So, are you now concerned about the people who don't have insurance being forced to carry it? How can you express concern for these millions when you could give a damn about them being insured today? Too convenient an ally me thinks.

So, exactly what is wrong with the page 16 provision? Specifically what does it do that troubles you?

August 10 at 11:09am · Delete

Paul Davidson

That list of Gov agencies is bogus, they are not selling a product. They are there under the constitution to protect us. There is no provision for healthcare.

As far as this imaginary scary myth that Obama is looking to force us into a single payer system...
http://townhall.com/blog/g/d731df20-e06d-4352-a7f7-39e327fd35a2
I think you are the only left that doesn't believe it Raymond..

http://www.realhonestthinking.com/2009/07/house-health-care-bill-first-100-pages.html

How can you be so presumtuous about what I give a damn about? Just because I don't believe in your forced government view means I don't care whether people can get healthcare or not??? Thats pretty rude.

Everyone should be able to buy their own and with less gov interference (with the ins co.s and over taxing the population) this might be able to happen. Unfortunately with a socialist running the country his aim his to control the population not allow them to be free to make their own choices.

Tue at 5:08pm

Paul Davidson

Bill Mahar says, "we are a stupid country". Most of the Liberal Elites believe this to be true and thus the reason they know better how to spend OUR money. They somehow think it's THEIR money though and act like they are doing us a favor by handing it back to us in dribs and drabs when they see fit.

Tue at 5:11pm

Raymond Leon Roker

"Everyone should be able to buy their own and with less gov interference"

Bro, they can't. It's that simple. How do you see that changing? What is your solution.

You all are a touchy bunch. Lots of hurt feelings in this thread. Sorry for offending you. I remain ardent and committed to a healthy and legitimate debate. You espousing that he's part of a socialist party and that he secretly wants to do things that are not on the table isn't a healthy debate. It's hype and fantasy.

Your tag of Obama being a socialist is insulting to me, a person who voted for him and supports him. It's cheap and unsubstantiated claim. He has done nothing that Bush didn't do in terms of bailouts.

So, since there is no convincing you, and your arguments are without any weight to sway me, what is your solution? Give me a few bullet points as to what you would do to solve the health care situation.

I'm all ears.

Tue at 5:28pm · Delete

Paul Davidson

"he secretly wants to do things that are not on the table isn't a healthy debate. It's hype and fantasy"

Again, you must be the only one who still belives this. 'O' says it, his own party say they want it, his supporters say they want it... but it's all a fantasy?

I've given quite a few reasons, solutions & links but i'm beginning to think you must have skipped most posts as you keep asking for me to post them again. I don't have time to hold your hand through it.

I'm not touchy but when you keep presuming that I want everyone without healthcare to just go away & die it gets a bit annoying.
Thats really a hallmark of the left though, if you don't believe what we say then you're intolerant and you're a bigot and you want people to die etc...

Again, I do agree tho that Bush spent a shit load of money he shouldn't have but two wrongs don't make a right.
If you want to compare the two........
http://blog.heritage.org/2009/03/24/bush-deficit-vs-obama-deficit-in-pictures/

Tue at 5:44pm

Raymond Leon Roker

Paul,

I asked you twice, what's your solution? And also noted that we agree to disagree about Obama's record. I'm not as left as you also assume, I'm a business owner who has myriad opinions on taxation, regulations, etc, etc.

I'm not going to read a Heritage report and say, OK, you're right. That's clearly a right wing/conservative org.

And I wasn't comparing Obama to Bush, what I was saying is that I don't hear you saying Bush was a socialist. So, what has Obama done in his 200 days that makes him a socialist, considering that they're simply continuations of Bush enacted bailouts.

So, again, let's get your thoughts on health care. Not just what is unworkable, socialist and nation-ruining by Obama--but what will work? What will solve the nation's health care situation. Notice, I didn't even call it a crisis ;)

Tue at 6:12pm · Delete

Raymond Leon Roker

"skipped most posts"

I've read all of the posts. But I don't feel the need to read conservative blog entries from groups clearly hostile to Obama.

But what I have not gotten in ANY of your side's posts above is an alternative solution.

That's what I find most humorous about all of this. The absolute lack of solutions from the right. And, along with it, the grandiose misinformation and misscharacterization of what's actually on the table from Obama. Not what's presumed or feared, but what's actually being proposed.

Tue at 6:15pm · Delete

Paul Davidson

reports will be from cons. sources as mainstream will not do anything to damage their investment - Obama .
I clearly said Tort reform. The biggest problem to the medical problem as it stands. Sort that out first.
The whole healthcare problem is bigger than just healthcare. it goes into the whole role of government and taxation. That is another massive debate of which we could go on forever.
I believe in smaller gov with less taxes accross the board. History has shown higher taxes always decrease revenue and increase unemployment. The reverse has never been true. Those dastardly evil rich people spend and invest money creating more jobs. The less money they have the less to invest. Hense I believe more employment and more money in the hands of the people will enable more options to buy private with a safety net for the poorest. (Private not as it stands today but after tort reform and the ability to buy accross states which would force competition like most other private business).

Tue at 7:20pm

Raymond Leon Roker

Paul, OK, so I have you correct, this is your plan to address the issues of health care:

1) Tort reform--basically, make it tougher to sue doctors, I assume. And therefore, costs come down for all.

2) Lower taxes so that a) wages go higher and b) people in general have less taxes to contend with. And, I presume, now there will be more money to spend on health care premiums?

3) Ability to purchase insurance across state lines which increases competition, driving the price down.

This is your 3-point plan for solving this situation. Please let me know what I missed.

Tue at 7:24pm · Delete

Paul Davidson

Listen mate you can marginalise it all you want. I'm not paid the big bucks to come up with ideas, I have a business to run & a family to support.
Frivolous law suits are one of the main things that drive up health care costs and prevents access to newer and alternative care. Health care premiums go down = more people can afford to buy. I wrote a point (somewhere up there) about enabling groups of people to be able to get together to buy in bulk. Like anything you buy in bulk the price goes down. You never responded to that.
You don't think that lowering the tax burden on the people grows the economy? What would you do if your taxes were dramatically reduced each year? Hide it under your matress or expnad your business, employ more people, rent more space, buy shit that has to be manufactured, buy medical insurance?
what a concept.

Tue at 8:46pm

Raymond Leon Roker

Paul, I only asked you to help me get clear on what you were proposing. Now you're telling me you're not paid the big bucks. Yet you're so very informed on Obama being a socialist and his doomsday plan for America. Convenient.

So, any Conservative plans out there that you like? Not just ideas, but fully vetted plans? Please send links.

As for your theories:

1) You have a business. Do you hire more people when your taxes are lower? Really? Or do you just pocket more profit? Bush gave the rich/business owners great tax breaks and drive us from a surpluss to a deficit in a few short years. And we're still digging out. Yet, at the same time, corporate America hired less people and outsourced as much as they could. And made record profits. And now look at the economy on Bush's watch. Shitty enough to have his policies and party drummed out of office.

2)
Enabling people to buy insurance in bulk. OK, so who has this plan and has it ever worked? Do you really think the insurance companies

Tue at 11:25pm · Delete

Raymond Leon Roker

are going to allow some consumer groups to get all creative and buy in bulk, across state lines and cut into their billion dollar profits. If you believe that, more power to you.

Seriously, man, this isn't a debate as much as it's you throwing as many right wing beliefs against the wall in hopes that they stick. That's all fine and good, and they're philosophical debates to be had, but let's deal with what's on the table and the facts. That seems to be eluding this debate.

Tue at 11:29pm · Delete

Paul Davidson

??? I'm not paid to create policy for this nation so that means I can't be informed or have an opinion ???
I'm proud that I take the time to become informed, is that a problem for you?
Most people who support Obama only know the last bumper sticker they read. I constsantly hear people say 'I like what 'O' has done so far', I ask them 'so what exactly has he done that you like, just 1 thing.'
I never get an answer, just lots of ummm, ahh.... he's better than Bush. Sound familiar?

Anyone who doesn't buy into your theories is right wing? ha!

You want to deal with whats on the table yet you have no facts, only theories on how you would like it to be. When have you pointed to something to back up what you are saying?

I give you link after link of info yet you have no time as it's not from a left wing source. When will a left wing source give you any info other than what 'O's dog ate for breakfast and how cute his wifes shoes are and that the sun shines out of his asshole?

Wed at 7:26am

Raymond Leon Roker

"So, any Conservative plans out there that you like? Not just ideas, but fully vetted plans? Please send links."

Crickets.

Paul, you're ridiculous. And I'm guessing you are beginning to see this yourself. I bullet point your theories and ask you to back them up--even just clarify them--and you just toss out a few more Obama insults.

I asked you very specific questions about business practice, tax theory and purchasing insurance and you simply ignore them (that's a trend with you). At least I have been thorough with your posts and go line by line to address them.

here's your homework, sir.

1) Refer to one solid health care reform plan your support.

Wed at 9:11am · Delete

Paul Davidson

Again with the personal attacks? I'm ridiculous because I don't believe in your speculative theories?

When in the last post did I insult Obama one time? I referenced real life experiences I have had with supporters of his and noted how the mainstream media do nothing but complement his every waking moment.
How is this an Obama insult?
Well, it's not.... but, directly out of the left wing playbook... distract from the issue and accuse them of hate, insults, bigotry etc....

Do you really think i'm going to write an essay in little FB boxes to prove to you what the consequencies of a NHS are? Again, i've linked many sources to facts and stats but you would never take notice as they don't come from sympathetic sources. This, to you, means they should be dismissed.

What is the model that you are getting your succesful data from about this current health plan?...
Infact i'm not sure you know anything about this health bill other than Obama's name's on it.

Wed at 4:48pm

Paul Davidson

Is there a solid health care reform plan out there? If the answer is no, not at this moment then we should just barrel ahead with this shitty one anyway, because what??? All the paper & ink in the world ran out and no-one will ever be able to write another.

I pointed you to look at Romney care in Mass. Did you look? You keep asking me for examples, there's a perfect one! Google is your friend!

It makes no difference if there is or isn't another "solid" plan out there. This current one proves that as it's the furthest thing from "solid" as you can get. It's parts of other tried and failed propositions all pasted together with the hopes of ramming it through before anyone could take notice and do something about it.
Thankfully people were taking notice and made it clear that this mess wasn't going to happen without a thorough vetting of the bill, you know, the one which no politician read. Does that bother you at all?

Wed at 4:57pm

Paul Davidson

Ok, heres your homework..
tell me everything about this current bill that proves this will create only a safety net for the poor and will ensure private insurance will still be available for anyone that wants it with no penalty or punishment through extra taxation.
AND...That the government will not institute rationing based on age and cost/benefit.
AND... that it will not lead to a single payer system as projected and endorsed by Obama....

Wed at 5:02pm

Raymond Leon Roker

Paul,

Wow, you spent three boxes not providing anything but animated rhetoric. LOL.

I asked for an alternative plan from your side and I got crickets. As usual. And instead, you point to the Romney plan as another example of what Obama's plan won't work. Huh?

So, with all of your excuses and red herrings, your side has no plan. You just have defensive posturing and attacks. Cool.

As for my homework, I simply point to the president's plan. While not perfect, I support most of it, as I understand it. And, more importantly, I trust that we'll get something better than what we have today. I don't expect miracles.

Real quick on rationing, that already happens daily, by insurance companies. And as my friend recently said, I'd rather have my elected officials helping to make those calls than some for profit corporation. It is a disingenuous argument to play the cost/benefit card. That's part of every day life, from insurance to air travel. Don't act purposely naive.

Wed at 6:36pm · Delete

Raymond Leon Roker

As to leading to single payer, that's not on the table. If the country and the elected government wants this, it may eventually come. That doesn't scare me. But today and in the near term, it is simply not even an option. So why keep coming back to it? Because of your irrational fear of it... in the future... eventually? I can't have that debate with you. I'm in 2009.

But there is really no point in telling you more about this bill. You are against it both in spirit and to its core. And against Obama. On the other hand, I remain open to your side's points, so long as they're not just right wing talking points about government philosophy. Let's talk facts and actual real provisions of this proposed reform. Again, I'm all ears.

Wed at 6:40pm · Delete

Legendary guitarist Les Paul dies

2009-08-13T10:00:00.001-07:00

Gibson official press release on the death of Les Paul:

New York, NY…August 13, 2009…Les Paul, acclaimed guitar player, entertainer and inventor, passed away today from complications of severe pneumonia at White Plains Hospital in White Plain, New York, surrounded by family and loved ones. He had been receiving the best available treatment through this final battle and in keeping with his persona, he showed incredible strength, tenacity and courage. The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks for the thoughts and prayers from his dear friends and fans. Les Paul was 94.

One of the foremost influences on 20th century sound and responsible for the world’s most famous guitar, the Les Paul model, Les Paul’s prestigious career in music and invention spans from the 1930s to the present. Though he’s indisputably one of America’s most popular, influential, and accomplished electric guitarists, Les Paul is best known as an early innovator in the development of the solid body guitar. His groundbreaking design would become the template for Gibson’s best-selling electric, the Les Paul model, introduced in 1952. Today, countless musical legends still consider Paul’s iconic guitar unmatched in sound and prowess. Among Paul’s most enduring contributions are those in the technological realm, including ingenious developments in multi-track recording, guitar effects, and the mechanics of sound in general.

Born Lester William Polsfuss in Waukesha, Wisconsin on June 9, 1915, Les Paul was already performing publicly as a honky-tonk guitarist by the age of 13. So clear was his calling that Paul dropped out of high school at 17 to play in Sunny Joe Wolverton’s Radio Band in St. Louis. As Paul’s mentor, Wolverton was the one to christen him with the stage name “Rhubarb Red,” a moniker that would follow him to Chicago in 1934. There, Paul became a bonafide radio star, known as both hillbilly picker Rhubarb Red and Django Reinhardt-informed jazz guitarist Les Paul. His first recordings were done in 1936 on an acoustic—alone as Rhubarb Red, as well as backing blues singer Georgia White. The next year he formed his first trio, but by 1938 he’d moved to New York to begin his tenure on national radio with one of the more popular dance orchestras in the country, Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians.

Tinkering with electronics and guitar amplification since his youth, Les Paul began constructing his own electric guitar in the late ’30s. Unhappy with the first generation of commercially available hollowbodies because of their thin tone, lack of sustain, and feedback problems, Paul opted to build an entirely new structure. “I was interested in proving that a vibration-free top was the way to go,” he has said. “I even built a guitar out of a railroad rail to prove it. What I wanted was to amplify pure string vibration, without the resonance of the wood getting involved in the sound.” With the good graces of Epiphone president Epi Stathopoulo, Paul used the Epiphone plant and machinery in 1941 to bring his vision to fruition. He affectionately dubbed the guitar “The Log.”
Les Paul’s tireless experiments sometimes proved to be dangerous, and he nearly electrocuted himself in 1940 during a session in the cellar of his Queens apartment. During the next two years of rehabilitation, Les earned his living producing radio music. Forced to put the Pennsylvanians and the rest of his career on hold, Les Paul moved to Hollywood. During World War II, he was drafted into the Army but permitted to stay in California, where he became a regular player for Armed Forces Radio Service. By 1943 he had assembled a trio that regularly performed live, on the radio, and on V-Discs. In 1944 he entered the jazz spotlight—thanks to his dazzling work filling in for Oscar Moore alongside Nat King Cole, Illinois Jacquet, and other superstars —at the first of the prestigious Jazz at the Philharmonic concerts.

By his mid-thirties, Paul had successfully combined Reinhardt-inspired jazz playing and the western swing and twang of his Rhubarb Red persona into one distinctive, electrifying style. In the Les Paul Trio he translated the dizzying runs and unusual harmonies found on Jazz at the Philharmonic into a slower, subtler, more commercial approach. His novelty instrumentals were tighter, brasher, and punctuated with effects. Overall, the trademark Les Paul sound was razor-sharp, clean-shaven, and divinely smooth.

As small combos eclipsed big bands toward the end of World War II, Les Paul Trio’s popularity grew. They cut records for Decca both alone and behind the likes of Helen Forrest, the Andrews Sisters, the Delta Rhythm Boys, Dick Hayes, and, most notably, Bing Crosby. Since 1945, when the crooner brought them into the studio to back him on a few numbers, the Trio had become regular guests on Crosby’s hit radio show. The highlight of the session was Paul’s first No. 1 hit and million-seller, the gorgeous “It’s Been a Long, Long Time.”

Meanwhile, Paul began to experiment with dubbing live tracks over recorded tracks, also altering the playback speed. This resulted in “Lover (When You’re Near Me),” his revolutionary 1947 predecessor to multi-track recording. The hit instrumental featured Les Paul on eight different electric guitar parts, all playing together. In 1948, Paul nearly lost his life to a devastating car crash that shattered his right arm and elbow. Still, he convinced doctors to set his broken arm in the guitar-picking and cradling position. Laid up but undaunted, Paul acquired a first generation Ampex tape recorder from Crosby in 1949, and began his most important multi-tracking adventure, adding a fourth head to the recorder to create sound-on-sound recordings. While tinkering with the machine and its many possibilities, he also came up with tape delay. These tricks, along with another recent Les Paul innovation—close mic-ing vocals—were integrated for the first time on a single recording: the 1950 No. 1 tour de force “How High the Moon.” This historic track was performed during a duo with future wife Mary Ford. The couple’s prolific string of hits for Capitol Records not only included some of the most popular recordings of the early 1950s, but also wrote the book on contemporary studio production. The dense but crystal clear harmonic layering of guitars and vocals, along with Ford’s close mic-ed voice and Paul’s guitar effects, produced distinctively contemporary recordings with unprecedented sonic qualities. Through hits, tours, and popular radio shows, Paul and Ford kept one foot in the technological vanguard and the other in the cultural mainstream.

All the while, Les Paul continued to pine for the perfect guitar. Though The Log came close, it wasn’t quite what he was after. In the early 1950s, Gibson Guitar would cultivate a partnership with Paul that would lead to the creation of the guitar he’d seen only in his dreams. In 1948, Gibson elected to design its first solidbody, and Paul, a self-described “dyed-in-the-wool Gibson man,” seemed the right man for the job. Gibson avidly courted the guitar legend, even driving deep into the Pennsylvania mountains to deliver the first model to newlyweds Les Paul and Mary Ford.
“Les played it, and his eyes lighted up,” then-Gibson President Ted McCarty has recalled. The year was 1950, and Paul had just signed on as the namesake of Gibson’s first electric solidbody, with exclusive design privileges. Working closely with Paul, Gibson forged a relationship that would change popular culture forever. The Gibson Les Paul model—the most powerful and respected electric guitar in history—began with the 1952 release of the Les Paul Goldtop. After introducing the original Les Paul Goldtop in 1952, Gibson issued the Black Beauty, the mahogany-topped Les Paul Custom, in 1954. The Les Paul Junior (1954) and Special (1955) were also introduced before the canonical Les Paul Standard hit the market in 1958. With revolutionary humbucker pickups, this sunburst classic has remained unchanged for the half-century since it hit the market.

“The world has lost a truly innovative and exceptional human being today. I cannot imagine life without Les Paul. He would walk into a room and put a smile on anyone’s face. His musical charm was extraordinary and his techniques unmatched anywhere in the world,” said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. “We will dedicate ourselves to preserving Les’ legacy to insure that it lives on forever. He touched so many lives throughout his remarkable life and his influence extends around the globe and across every boundary. I have lost a dear, personal friend and mentor, a man who has changed so many of our lives for the better.”

“I don’t think any words can describe the man we know as Les Paul adequately. The English language does not contain words that can pay enough homage to someone like Les. As the “Father of the Electric Guitar”, he was not only one of the world’s greatest innovators but a legend who created, inspired and contributed to the success of musicians around the world,” said Dave Berryman, President of Gibson Guitar. “I have had the privilege to know and work with Les for many, many years and his passing has left a deep personal void. He was simply put – remarkable in every way. As a person, a musician, a friend, an inventor. He will be sorely missed by us all,”

With the rise of the rock ’n’ roll revolution of 1955, Les Paul and Mary Ford’s popularity began to wane with younger listeners, though Paul would prove to be a massive influence on younger generation of guitarists. Still, Paul and Ford maintained their iconic presence with their wildly popular television show, which ran from 1953-1960. In 1964, the couple, parents to a son and daughter, divorced. Paul began playing in Japan, and recorded an LP for London Records before poor health forced him to take time off—as much as someone so inspired can take time off.
In the 1977, Paul resurfaced with a Grammy-winning Chet Atkins collaboration, Chester and Lester. Then the ailing guitarist, who’d already suffered arthritis and permanent hearing loss, had a heart attack, followed by bypass surgery.

Ever stubborn, Les recovered, and returned to live performance in the late 1980s. Even releasing the 2005 double-Grammy winner Les Paul & Friends: American Made World Played, featuring collaborations with a veritable who’s who of the electric guitar, including dozens of illustrious fans like Keith Richards, Buddy Guy, Billy Gibbons, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and Joe Perry. In 2008, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame paid tribute to Les Paul in a week-long celebration of his life which culminated with a live performance by Les himself. Until recently Les continued to perform two weekly New York shows with the Les Paul Trio, at The Iridium Jazz Club in New York City, for over twelve years where a literal who’s who of the entertainment world has paid homage. It has been an honor to have Les Paul perform at The Iridium Jazz Club for the past twelve years hosting such luminaries as Paul McCartney, Keith Richards and others and is a tragic loss to owner Ron Sturm both personally and professionally. Iridium intends to celebrate Les Paul's music and legacy every Monday night.

Les Paul has since become the only individual to share membership into the Grammy Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the National Inventors Hall of Fame, and the National Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Les is survived by his three sons Lester (Rus) G. Paul, Gene W. Paul and Robert (Bobby) R. Paul, his daughter Colleen Wess, son-in-law Gary Wess, long time friend Arlene Palmer, five grandchildren and five great grandchildren. A private Funeral service will be held in New York. A service in Waukesha, WI will be announced at a later date. Details will follow and will be announced for all services. Memorial tributes for the public will be announced at a future date. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Les Paul Foundation, 236 West 30th Street, 7th Floor, New York, New York 10001.

###

Where I can be found these days

2009-07-18T16:35:00.000-07:00

Nothing worse than leaving your blog to waste away unattended. I thought I should at least update you on my whereabouts so you didn't think I'd completely lost my mojo.

I have not abandoned pure/ROKER, but I don't post here as frequently as I did in the past.

I've been on Twitter way too much, but loving it. Follow me there if nothing else.

And I've enjoyed posting at my new blog on Tumblr a lot more than Blogger. I try to drop things here several times a week. One because it's easier and quicker to post. I also like its elegance, themes and simplicity.

And, of course, when I have something for major public consumption, I head to the Huffington Post.

If you want to, you can add me on Facebook. I post a ton of stuff there, from videos, to news clips to photos.

Lastly, we're relaunching URB.COM in August. Once that happens, I'll be showing up in that blog a lot more. Please bookmark it if you haven't already. And follow URB on Twitter too.

I know, it's a lot of options. Like I said, Twitter is always good as a one-stop shop. Hope to see you around.

Fast Times at Facebook High

2009-03-29T15:24:00.000-07:00

Read this weekend's NY Times piece on Facebook's explosive growth (from 100 million to 200 million in one year). For all its recent user revolt—usually via their status updates, ironically—the only social networking site that matters is growing at 1 million users a day. But the article asks the legitimate question of how this growth—that now includes your mom, boss and old junior high friends—helps or hurts Facebook's community and usefulness. I guess it depends on how you use it.

I learned early on the downside of social media, having been publicly burned by my ex-girlfriend on Friendster. Thank god I only had about 60 friends back in the spring of 2003. But that was enough to teach me a few things about privacy controls and safeguarding my password and profile. I dread to think what an attack on my Facebook profile would mean with nearly 2800 friends getting a real time feed. Since then I've heard and witnessed several stories of friends and acquaintances who had exes stalk or terrorize them via MySpace or Facebook. Guess I was sort of a pioneer.

What the NY Times piece reminds us of is that in this ever connected and status obsessed online ecosystem, you have to constantly be vigilant about your connections and information. It's a given that perspective employers are looking at your profile, but less understood is how more benign connections and looser degrees of separation can come back to haunt you. When you leave a comment on a photo or add a friend, who sees that? And, more importantly, what do they make of that connection? Are you guilty by your associations when matched against somebody else's? Does your business competition derive trade secrets from your status updates, or even your wall posts, no matter how cryptic? Assume the answer is yes to all of these.

Facebook actually has some pretty smart privacy controls to limit your potential embarrassment and sequester your real friends from the randomness of your extended social graph. But the company estimates only 20 percent of its users know how to or chose to use them. It's worth exploring these tools and making some adjustments and always remembering that six degrees of separation is a myth. It's really one to two.

The other poignant question posed in the piece is how Facebook can hope to remain a place for multiple generations to congregate in harmony when you reach a state of critical mass (I'd say we're about there). And how do bosses and staff co-exist? And how do moms, their girlfriends, and even their moms mingle a profile or two over from their teenage kids? Creepy? Weird? The end of life as we know it?

“Uniting disparate groups on a single Internet service runs counter to 50 years of research by sociologists into what is known as 'homophily' — the tendency of individuals to associate only with like-minded people of similar age and ethnicity.” —NY Times

I really don't worry about the kids. Never have. As they say, the kids are alright. Always will be. In fact, I'd argue that until adults (read: moms and dads) really get Twitter, that will fast become the new hangout and real life status update. I'm sure, by now, Facebook status is as private as posting a note on the family fridge. But @whoever updates still have an air of intimacy to them, even if that won't last. One thing the Times article didn't discuss was how much Twitter's recent rise lead to Facebook's new look and more instant feel. Facebook may have also learned, though, that people liked its uniqueness and don't want it to be Twitter necessarily. At least not yet.

In the end, if you're not one of those with social media phobia, this is all about the pursuit of a more perfect digital map for your world. We all want to use these tools to do everything from find a job, get laid, bitch, share, or just show off. And only the slowest adapters fail to see the slippery edges of total inter connectivity (Watch that post!). For them, they'll learn soon enough. For the more experienced, and for those who learned the hard way, we'll hopefully be part of the next wave, on Facebook or beyond. Helping those super smart developers in the world's Silicon Valleys build us ever better water coolers.

Source
Source

A quick note to The Fix's Chris Cillizza about Jon Stewart

2009-03-26T09:24:00.001-07:00

Chris, I like your work, man, and I follow you, so don't think this dismissive or an attack. I was just thrown by your recent piece on Jon Stewart's dismantling of Jim Cramer and MSNBC. You posed the question: "Is Stewart the last honest man in the news(y) business? Or is he, as Carlson famously/infamously put it, a partisan demagogue?" From where I sit, Chris, it's pretty clear what role Jon Stewart plays.

Your story misses some of the obvious. For one, Stewart's chief critic Tucker Carlson is sometimes a decent right wing tool and I do listen to him. But he's just still burned by Stewart who eviscerated him on national TV one evening a few years ago (and thankfully too). He hasn't had prime time traction since and he's bitter, for sure.

And saying that Stewart is just a partisan is surprisingly off base. He has a strong and clear POV, yes, but a partisan? A partisan is James Carville, somebody who never attacks his "own side". This isn't Jon. Jon will lambaste all sides. It just so happens, many in the media and right wing are funny and justifiable targets.

Do you watch the show?

I mean, did you watch Crossfire? Now that I watch it again, Carlson will never get over this.

[Video] FedEx Cargo Jet Crashing in Tokyo, Japan

2009-03-23T01:47:00.000-07:00

I can relate to the video of this sad crash, an accident possibly caused by high winds. When I flew to Japan in 2006, we were diverted at the last minute due to a typhoon that was hitting the area. Yeah, ty-fucking-phoon.

As we were landing this massive American Airlines 777, at night, in the rain, I could tell something wasn't right. We were moving too fast for being so close to the ground. "This isn't a good landing," I thought to myself. And then, not more than 500 feet above the runway, the pilot suddenly pushed all the thrust he could back into those massive engines and we started to lift away, into the darkness.

We had aborted our landing seconds before the runway and were now just flying through the late night rain. After what seemed like an eternity, the pilot came on and explained that we needed to call off the landing due to the wind. Who knows what disaster he averted, but I had a bad feeling about how hard we had been descending. He told us that we were now heading to Haneda airport, some miles away.

Long story short, we had to land at Haneda (which didn't have customs office, so we couldn't deplane). We then had to wait for a crew to be driven to us to relieve our tired transpacific crew, then take off again, and fly all the way back to Narita. This took about eight long hours, most of it spent sitting in the jet as it rocked on the tarmac due to the rough winds and rain. Later on that week, I learned that some Japanese fishermen were lost at sea due to the typhoon. Our LAX-NRT flight could have ended so much worse.

Source: Strangely enough, I saw this video first posted here.

Six Degrees of Separation Anxiety: Meeting Sidney Poitier

2009-03-11T19:56:00.000-07:00

"The imagination is not our escape. On the contrary, the imagination is the place we are all trying to get to." —Paul (Will Smith) in Six Degrees of Separation

I've never been one of those sons who wished he could trade in his mom for a new model whenever she wasn't up to some silly standard. I never told friends, "Man, I wish I had your mom," although I sure would have liked to have lived in one of their nicer houses with the double-sided fridge that was always full of Hostess goodness and after school snacks. But even during my teenage-era battles with my mother and the difficulties of being an only child to a single, struggling parent, I was always happy to have the model fate gave me. Still am, completely.

But on the dad side of things, I've never stopped pawing at the puppy store window, waiting for that unlikely selection, and the ride home. After leaving my abusive dad—who, in another life, might have been an OK dude—when I was two, my mom didn't remarry until I was old enough to have kids of my own. All through my younger years, I eyed anybody, from perfect strangers to qualified boyfriends of my mom's, as suitable father figures. But more routinely, I'd depend on either of my two uncles or my grandfather, all of whom played their role as de facto step-dad with varying degrees of success.

I doubt any of the other unsuspecting "father types" knew I was eyeing them and ready to try on their lap for size, wondering if they could teach me to fight and all. Or that I'd be thinking that, if through some strange cosmic transference, I'd maybe grow up to be as tall as them, or as cool. I rarely let on, but inside, I was constantly auditioning for that unfilled role. As any single mom can attest to, no matter how great you are, you can never really be a dad to a boy.

But I'm a grown man now. Those emotions are neatly filed away, like a bit of pirate's booty for the next therapist session or REM-induced catharsis. At least that's what I thought until I walked into my local pet store today. Arriving just a few minutes after me was the ultimate father prototype. Sidney Poitier quietly stood several feet behind me, waiting patiently for me to finish my purchase before his star presence rippled through the late afternoon tranquility of the shop.

Growing up in Los Angeles, you let famous folks scoot by all the time, with nothing more than an "I'm almost like you" glance, trying to maintain your cool. But I had no intention of feigning a casual demeanor. I was ready to gush. Besides being the most lauded export of my birthplace, the Bahamas, Poitier is as regal a man as you could imagine. His stature is world renowned and his graceful presence as revered. In real life, he's as elegant as any role you've seen him in.

I turned to him and, without much hesitation, said hello. Told him I was from the Bahamas too, Nassau, to be exact. And introduced myself. He asked me how long I'd been in the states and we talked about return visits, family and the troubled economy due to the lack of tourism. For a minute, I thought about how little I keep in touch with my dad's side of the family. Now, I'd surely have a great story to relate: Yeah, living in Hollywood, man, you even see stars at the pet store. My relatives are already in awe of my supposed glamorous life. And this was a lot better than my run-ins with Rick Fox.

I asked Mr. Poitier if he'd mind if I got a photo with him. He joked that he'd mind if I didn't ask for one. At this point, I'm beaming ear to ear. The woman with him, holding their dog, offered to take the shot, and after a few misfires from my iPhone, we went outside to get better light. Sidney (What? It's been five minutes, I use his first name now) was taking his time, making sure we got a good photo, and that the light was great. As I stood there with him, his arm around my back, I wanted to imagine what being his son would have been like. In my mind, he was the perfect dad: Tall, strong, accomplished, gentle and, not to be flip, present.

After we got the photo, I joked that I looked like I could be his son—plant the seed, I figured. In his gracious way, he quipped back that I had just complimented him. I thanked him warmly for his time and told him my mom was gonna die of jealousy when I replayed the story of meeting him. In fact, when I called her minutes later, she raced to her DVD collection, just to pull out her entire library of Poitier films. She had every one you've heard of, plus his written memoirs (he told me he was currently writing his first fiction), including an extra copy of In the Heat of the Night. We shared the moment together. Relished in how awesome he was. But somewhere in all of this, I left out the part about why I wanted to call him dad. Though I'm certain she probably already understood.

"When I was little, my father was famous. He was the greatest samurai in the empire." —"Unexplained/Liquid Swords" by the GZA

I, Robot: Boston Dynamics' All-too-Real Machine [VIDEO]

2009-03-06T02:52:00.000-08:00

Howard Kurtz: "Newspaper Industry Staggers"

2009-03-01T11:15:00.000-08:00

From the Washington Post — Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper recalls getting "a feeling in the pit of my stomach" when he learned that the Rocky Mountain News was shutting down. "Even when they were uncovering corruption in the city, even when they were embarrassing us or causing us discomfort, they were making the city better," he says. "It's a huge loss."

The grim echoes of the nearly 150-year-old paper's demise Friday could be heard in newsrooms and communities across the country.

Read the story here.

Enough, Already. Save a Great Newspaper, Please

2009-02-26T00:17:00.000-08:00

I don't feel sorry for bloated old media, but the loss of the San Francisco Chronicle would be a serious blow to reporting and locally based news journalism—which is in danger of disappearing. But its owner, the Hearst Corporation, is threatening to shut the giant pulp machine down if they don't find a buyer or it doesn't stop losing money. The latter is unlikely, given the paper's $50 million loss last year and worse numbers projected in 2009. Read more here.

Gov. Bobby Jindal's speech: You call that a comeback?

2009-02-25T12:58:00.000-08:00

This is a post from a Facebook friend (my first guest post!). I had very similar thoughts after last night's lame double talk of a rebuttal by the impish Bobby Jindal, but I've been so obsessed with Twitter, I've neglected my blog. Luckily, the piece below is spot on. But don't feel too sorry for Jindal, he's got another four years to work on his game.

My Response to Governor Jindal's Response to President Obama's Speech. by Jonathan Keith

We Americans love the underdog. We identify with them; it’s a fundamental component of our character as a nation. Despite the grim realities of our economy, the cynical malfeasance and misfeasance of our government and financial institutions, the piling of our debt, the crumbling of our infrastructure, and the shattering of our dreams, we will always believe in Horatio Alger. If we try hard, have faith, and hope for the best, anything is still possible. After all, we just elected a black man president and made “Slumdog Millionaire” the year’s Best Picture.

Clearly Barack Obama’s unlikely American story is already inspiring another would-be presidential hopeful, Governor Bobby Jindal, Republican of Louisiana. Jindal, an oft-mentioned candidate to commandeer the GOP’s rudderless boat and run for the White House in 2012, was tapped to give the Republican Response to President Obama’s Congressional Address last night. Jindal has been making some waves lately for denouncing the president’s economic stimulus plan, defiantly pledging to refuse billions of dollars in aid to his constituents. His LOUISIANA constituents!

Like Obama’s, no one is denying that Jindal’s story is sweet. The first generation American son of Indian immigrants goes on to be a U.S. governor at 36. Impressive. So out he strode shortly after President Obama’s speech was over, appearing before a TV audience of millions, of which many were seeing him for the first time. I can forgive the fact that he can’t read a teleprompter, but Jindal’s speech was so full of personal sentimentality, trite pro-America rah-rah, and, most especially, transparent self-promotion that it all quickly turned into wimpy, irrelevant noise. And I thought the Democrats were supposed to be the wimps! Jindal makes Dennis Kucinich look like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Where was the critical analysis of Obama’s speech? The well-argued alternative ideas? Where was the substance? Instead, we got gauzy anecdotes about his childhood. This guy looked like he was running for president NOW! I kept yelling at the screen (we all do this), “Hey dude, we just picked a president a few months ago!” His recent coy denials of chief executive ambitions (the latest coming this past Sunday on ‘Meet The Press’: “I wanna run for re-election to be Governor of Louisiana in 2011.”) are now about as credible as an A-Rod press conference, but Jindal has a better chance of winning ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’ than ever getting elected president of this country.

For one, he’s just not ... ahem ... telegenic. I’m sorry, but Americans want their presidents to look a certain way and they make their attributions about candidates almost immediately. Usually they want them to look like a guy at a barbecue, but a guy who looks like he might also be able to handle the grill. Obama’s sweeping victory last November may have changed that some, but his grace and charisma will present challenges for certain candidates, especially “different looking” ones, in the future. So now you either have to look like the guy at the barbecue or be really good looking. Jindal looks like he belongs at a Star Wars convention.

But the fundamental problem with Jindal’s message - and most of the Republicans’ - is that, mysteriously, he continues to cling to an ideology that is completely bankrupt and has finally been exposed as fraud, demonstrably refuted by the country. But I guess they didn’t hear the clarion call for “change.” Just why the Republicans think that anyone, save for the most extreme fringe of their party, should listen to anything they have to offer is a real puzzle. Maybe it’s history repeating. The GOP did the exact same thing in an eerily-similar situation in our history. Their reckless, laissez faire approach to the markets led to the crash of 1929, which took us into the Great Depression. FDR recognized that, with no demand anywhere, massive government spending was required to resuscitate the economy. The Republicans fought this policy and took the role of tone deaf obstructionists. They were trounced in the next election.

Maybe the Republicans are just completely out-of-touch with anything that happens outside the beltway or the political news media. Or maybe they think that we’re really stupid; we did elect W. twice. But they stole one election and scared us in the other one. Well, this time we’re really scared. We’re scared about our own future. We’re scared about our children's future. But we’ve been scared smart. We’ve learned from 30 years of history that the Reaganomics they continue to preach have been an abject failure and the deregulation seeds that he began sowing in 1980 led us to this place we are today. We want change, because we know the world has changed. We have changed. We have different priorities now, among them peace, tolerance throughout the world, conservation, and innovation. But one thing will never change, no matter how dark our days become. We still believe that the underdog can win again.

BTW, the world nearly collapsed last September [VIDEO]

2009-02-11T17:02:00.000-08:00

This is completely scary shit. If you believe this video or what the Daily Kos and the money experts at The Motley Fool reported, September 18, 2008 nearly spelled the end of Western civilization as we know it. And, no, this isn't hyperbole or dramatic license. According to the Daily Kos, "In a span of two hours, $550 billion was drawn out of money market accounts in an electronic run on the banks." This panic put the entire globe close to a point of no return with the near collapse of the worldwide monetary system. Had it not been for the Fed infusing billions of dollars and guaranteeing deposits (Um, gee, thanks . . . I guess), the domino effect would have been a financial Armageddon. Check out the story and video here.

Walk a Miley in My Shoes [VIDEO]

2009-02-07T14:21:00.000-08:00

Miley, You Ignorant Slut

2009-02-04T06:57:00.001-08:00

I know, I know, she's only 16, but what the fuck is wrong with this chick? If you're #35 on the Forbes richest celebrities list, then you qualify to get my Dan Akroyd-style verbal slap. The teenage redneck Miley Cyrus (daughter of country star Billy Ray Cyrus) and her friends showed how far off the grid of normalcy they are in this photo (pictured here with her friends—and don't even get me started about the one Asian kid taking in the scenery). With a gesture that was most recently deployed by the clueless Spanish Olympic basketball team, Cyrus and her hangers on reaffirmed how resilient Asian stereotypes remain in this country.

And it isn't just activist groups that should be offended here, as TMZ points out, but everybody. This isn't comedy or some SNL skit—those I can live with. Unfortunately, the same kind of racist insensitivity that makes some feel that stereotype gesturing like this are OK, also made it easier to drop Napalm on Vietnamese children or for a presidential candidate to call them "Gooks" years later. This more insidious and tacitly acceptable offensiveness is what we need to combat, not race humor a la Chris Rock or Fred Armisen. Cyrus, being a model for millions of kids, ought to have been taught more compassion and sensitivity. Hopefully, a mass exodus of racially conscious fans from her audience will help drive the lesson home.

P.S. Watch TMZ enough, and you get the sense that they love the Asian play on words. Check the first line of the article for "Hanoi" and "fortune." And keep an eye on their broadcasts for more of this tongue in cheekiness.

Obama's Pre-Game Interview w/Matt Lauer [VIDEO]

2009-02-02T18:44:00.000-08:00

One of the things I love most about our new president—or rather, the thing I can relate to my life—is his love for his home office. Being able to be both POTUS and DADDY is a real pleasure for him, and why shouldn't it be? I could just see him taking a meeting with the Joint Chiefs, then strolling down the walkway to see his girls watching the Electric Company. What I wouldn't give for an afternoon lunch at the White House. Someday.

As a post-game footnote, the president even predicts the Steelers eking out a win. Damn, he can see the future too.

I'm Going to be on a Talk Show

2009-01-31T01:41:00.000-08:00

By now, I've done a bunch of recorded appearances, on radio, in documentaries, on TV and even as a daytime talk show panelist (skip forward to 6:58 for some vintage Roker discussing tagging). It's all an extension of the platform my magazine has afforded me over the years, so I rarely turn down the opportunity. And let's be honest, who passes up camera time?

A couple days ago, I got an email from a booker at a very well known talk show, asking me to come on the show. She had read my Prop 8 editorial, which had received over 1200 comments on the Huffington Post. She told me the show's topic was, "gay is the new black," and they wanted a black guy from California who voted no on 8, but yes on Obama. The producers are flying me to New York on Monday to tape the show.

Not one to walk into a situation where I won't have anything to say, the topic of the new civil rights movement—one about gay rights, as opposed to black—is something I've ruminated on ever since it's become a topic du jour. And in wake of last week, where somebody held up a sign at the inauguration that read, "We Have Overcome," you can get the sense that even black folks feel we're collectively standing on a new plain. Of course, that sign was being held by a white guy, and a truly post-racial world might be some years off when a black man still can't get a cab in DC after dark (no joke).

But the argument that gay civil rights has moved to the top of the social justice food chain makes sense. At least in theory. On one hand, many people are touting a color blind optimism in the Age of Obama, at least in politics. On the other, there's the crushing disappointment in the passage of Prop 8 in California, and similar legislation in other states. For many gay activists, the fierce urgency of now applies to their movement, more than any other community. And, the not so quiet elephant in the room is whether blacks have even picked up on this shift. Or, more importantly, do they accept it?

I'm sure this will all be included in Tuesday's taping—or at least you can be sure I'll be ready to discuss it. When I can, I'll report back with a follow-up, including the name of the show and air date.

Colbert: The Remix

2009-01-30T21:41:00.000-08:00

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Stephen's Remix Challenge

Colbert Report Full Episodes
Paul McCartney Appearance

Funny Political Videos
More Funny Videos

Lil Wayne Shows Couric His Gangsta Grillz

2009-01-30T21:20:00.000-08:00

As part of her Grammy week "All Access" coverage, CBS's Katie Couric will be interviewing the esteemed Dr. Weezy F. Baby. Seriously, Couric gets more cred with me every day (read: Palin, now Weezy). This is just a preview of the full interview which airs on February 4th at 9pm ET/PT.

Best line: "I'm a rapper, and that's who I am, Ms. Katie. And I am a gangsta. And I do what I want."

Check URB's award winning Lil Wayne story.

Coachella Time: My Favorite Weekend of the Year

2009-01-30T02:37:00.000-08:00

The 10th Coachella Music & Arts Festival touches down April 17th and the line-up was just announced. But I rarely care who gets booked, because for me, it's always been about a beautiful weekend with thousands of fellow desert revelers of all stripes. Sounds a bit hippy-ish, whatever, but I haven't missed a Coachella since 1999. Back then, I was even on the bill, as a DJ spinning drum & bass. But these days I go as a fan (albeit, armed with a backstage pass and photo credential), eager to capture a candid moment or just people watch from the grass (For those who haven't been, I did say desert and grass).

Last year's Roger Waters set (and SLICK's giant painted pig) was one of those brilliant Coachella moments, where you're swimming in the glow of the main stage, mind blown, sipping the sweetness of every note from wherever you happen to be standing (or laying), and just swaying to the rhythms. At your feet, a 20-something couple, cuddled in bliss. At your side, a dude who's been to a thousand of these. And in the distance, some chick enjoying her first outdoor show. But at that moment, that instant, you feel connected to each one of them.

See you in the desert.

For some of my Coachella photos, go here.

PETA's Banned Superbowl Ad

2009-01-28T05:29:00.000-08:00

According to this report, NBC struggled to fill its upcoming Superbowl ad spots. So why did they dismiss this PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) ad. I watched it, and besides bringing a little sexy back, I hardly think it's over the line (of course, I'm mostly veggie, so I can't be trusted). But I guess the censors are right, kids need to watch grown men act like millionaire gladiators, rather than see sexy women.

For crying out loud, this is what's wrong with America. We crave applaud a bunch of guys literally trying to disable one another, rewarding the most warlike conflagrations and machismo. The Superbowl hasn't been kids viewing since the '60s. Meanwhile, we castigate a little PG-13 foreplay. But once again, violence wins over sex.

Larry Flynt was right. And I'll take hot chicks with Broccoli any day.

here's the video

The New Pop Goes to DC [VIDEO]

2009-01-25T13:17:00.000-08:00

I've said this before, but I really love The New Pop crew. They represent so much of what is fresh about the Interweb. Their high quality guerrilla video is excellent, their stories engaging, and their team small and nimble. They make indie look completely professional but always keep their DIY ethos out front.

Last week, they hopped on the bus (literally, the NY Chinatown Bus) and headed down to DC to brave the crowds and witness history. Lead videographer (and in this series, the host) Trevz put it best when he said he wanted to be able to tell his kids that he was there. These videos will prove it.

Check out the series below.

pure/ROKER

Robin Pelka: have a dance for me

The most epic health care debate on Facebook ever. At least until tomorrow.

Legendary guitarist Les Paul dies

Where I can be found these days

Fast Times at Facebook High

A quick note to The Fix's Chris Cillizza about Jon Stewart

[Video] FedEx Cargo Jet Crashing in Tokyo, Japan

Six Degrees of Separation Anxiety: Meeting Sidney Poitier

I, Robot: Boston Dynamics' All-too-Real Machine [VIDEO]

Howard Kurtz: "Newspaper Industry Staggers"

Enough, Already. Save a Great Newspaper, Please

Gov. Bobby Jindal's speech: You call that a comeback?

BTW, the world nearly collapsed last September [VIDEO]

Walk a Miley in My Shoes [VIDEO]

Miley, You Ignorant Slut

Obama's Pre-Game Interview w/Matt Lauer [VIDEO]

I'm Going to be on a Talk Show

Colbert: The Remix

Lil Wayne Shows Couric His Gangsta Grillz

Coachella Time: My Favorite Weekend of the Year

More BART Shooting Video: Just Unbelievable [VIDEO]

PETA's Banned Superbowl Ad

The New Pop Goes to DC [VIDEO]