All or Nothing in Iraq Pullout Debate Will Get Us Nothing | TPMCafe

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All or Nothing in Iraq Pullout Debate Will Get Us Nothing TPMCafe

Scientists tout new drug rankings

BBC NEWS Health Scientists tout new drug rankings

Edwards to suspend presidential campaign: source - Yahoo! News

I am greatly saddened by the news that Elizabeth Edwards has suffered a relapse in her bout with breast cancer. John and Elizabeth are good people and both have been instrumental in the fight to turn this country around. I will light a candle for her recovery. Although this is not what I should be saying, why wasn't it Bush?

Edwards to suspend presidential campaign: source - Yahoo! News

Why Having More No Longer Makes Us Happy

After over 2000 years, science rediscovers ataraxia.

"New friend or new coffeemaker? Pick one"

AlterNet: EnviroHealth: Why Having More No Longer Makes Us Happy:

"Check this out: When researchers at Carnegie Mellon (somewhat disgustingly) dropped samples of cold virus directly into subjects' nostrils, those with rich social networks were four times less likely to get sick. An economy that produces only individualism undermines us in the most basic ways."

Al Gore on Global Warming

Common sense goes a long way. I wish there was more of it.

Gore Tears Up Global Warming Skeptic TPMCafe

You can't "edit" science to fit your agenda

Another dirty deal. Throw this corrupt government out!

Congressional hearing heats up over changes to climate reports - Los Angeles Times

It's painful to read the news wondering how anyone falls for the lies anymore. What was that Abe? In today's polls the Democratically controlled congress has a 28% approval rating. Except for a very few, ALL incumbents that aren't doing there job should be out of a job on a minimum wage retirement package.

White House offers interview with Rove, but not under oath

White House offers interview with Rove

Interview? Not under oath? Bullhockey!! This administration can't be trusted to tell the truth.

Iraq Peace Vigils

There were over 1,100 peace vigils on the fourth anniversary of the Iraq war including one here in Coventry. They included all 50 states. Here is a link to the map, pictures and comments on the vigils:

Iraq peace vigil

A dozen people in the snow is a start.

The Apple iRack

Video from glumbert. Sent by a friend. Thanks Dale!

glumbert.com - The Apple iRack

What your insurance company may not be telling you about high deductible medical insurance

High Deductible Health Insurance coupled with a Health Savings Account (HSA) is becoming a popular way to reduce insurance premiums and therefore medical expenses, but are insurance companies giving you all the facts when they sell you a policy? Mine did not. Is this a case of consumer fraud?

The law that created this type of insurance made a change to terms that had a defined meaning, and legal precedent. The deductible stated as Individual/Family no longer means what it always had. A high deductible medical insurance policy sold to a couple or family, has only one deductible, the family deductible.

For the requirements for this type of coverage, click here. Look for the section titled "Important Note About The Family Plan Deductible".

As an example I will use my experience with Anthem in Connecticut. When purchasing a high deductible policy that met the legal requirements to establish an HSA I was not informed of the change to the meaning of "Individual/Family Deductible". My family consists of myself and my spouse. To lower our expenses I purchased an HD policy on March 1, 2006 that was labeled as $2500 Individual / $5000 family. Never was it mentioned in the advertising or the application process that our deductible would be $5000, with no ability to ever receive the $2500 individual deductible. We found this out when my spouse went in for a preventative medical procedure that we assumed would put us over our deductible and we would not have to pay the entire bill. This was 8 months after we purchased and received the policy.

When I, and then my spouse, called Anthem we received the answers "There is nothing we can do." and "It's the law.". One Anthem customer representative felt that we were right and said that she would "correct it". When I did my own research I found that it was the law. We never did hear from the customer rep that had agreed with us.

I had worked in the insurance industry for over 12 years, albeit as a programmer and many years ago, and I had never heard of the new deductible definitions.

Why do I consider this consumer fraud? Insurance companies and the insurance industry employ a large number of attorneys. Insurance companies know of this change. Is the average American expected to research law when buying a policy? Is the average American expected to learn auto mechanics when having a car serviced? Must I study medicine before I see a doctor? I feel that it is the obligation of the insurance industry and individual insurance companies to inform consumers of changes to accepted policy terms.

My policy cover states "Century Preferred Direct HSA Subscriber Agreement $2500 Deductible - w/Rx". My approved application sent to me had Item # 3:

3. Plan Choice

Product Name: Century Preferred Direct HSA (PPO)
Deductible: $2500.00
Optional Prescription Drug Coverage (no charge after deductible): YES

Would the average consumer expect this to be a $5000 deductible policy? I think not.

I would like feedback. Is this one insurance company or are other insurance companies using this tactic? Is this only happening in Connecticut?

Suicide Was the Only Way Out of Iraq for Col. Westhusing

"Writing in his suicide note, 'I am sullied -- no more,' U.S. Colonel Ted Westhusing, father of three, chose death over a life of lies and corruption in occupied Iraq. "

AlterNet: War on Iraq: Suicide Was the Only Way Out of Iraq for Col. Westhusing

How to Stop the Dilbertization of IT: Let IT Be More than Firefighters

So I can get a job.

I have been in IT since 1972. I left an insurance co the first time I was being Dilbertized. Now I consider insurance to be legalized gambling where the house always wins. I went broke trying to run my own business. Gave my services away. Then I went to a university to have meaningful work and it happened again when the university hired a CIO from the corporate world. I'm broke again and looking for a job. I will only work for a non-profit now. If the work can't be meaningful, the cause can. I've applied to the UConn foundation and I'm applying to another non-profit. Ahh, for the days when a programmer was allowed a say in the decision of what the computer could do for the organisation. Now it's the businessperson.

How to Stop the Dilbertization of IT: Let IT Be More than Firefighters

Court says U.S. can ban medical marijuana

This entry goes with the one below. It shows the stupidity of applying morals (religion) against ethics. We need to use science and common sense.

Court says U.S. can ban medical marijuana

Will a New Study Force Changes in Drug Law?

A common sense, scientific drug study:

AlterNet: DrugReporter: Will a New Study Force Changes in Drug Law?

War hero to Cheney: Where the hell were you in Vietnam? [VIDEO]

CNN Video of an interview with Max Cleland.

AlterNet: Blogs: Video: War hero to Cheney: Where the hell were you in Vietnam? [VIDEO]

After Bush's visit to holy site, Mayan priests will purify for "bad spirits"

I have my sage, incense and candles ready. Of course I would never let him in in the first place.

AlterNet: Blogs: PEEK: After Bush's visit to holy site, Mayan priests will purify for "bad spirits"

Conservatives Laud Gay Porn Star Marine

This is so funny! The Colbert Report could have fun with this.

Conservatives Laud Gay Porn Star Marine -- Towleroad for modern gay men,

The four unspeakable truths about Iraq

The same thing happened to Howard Dean. We won't forever be the stongest nation in the world. To broker peace you must be fair. These statements sounded true to me. This article sounds true to me too.

The four unspeakable truths about Iraq. - By Jacob Weisberg - Slate Magazine

Good old Howard Dean

I supported him and still do.

AlterNet: Blogs: Video: UPDATED: Scooter Libby Guilty/Howard Dean on Cheney's focus: It "makes me sick" [VIDEO]

It makes me sick too!