Good Morning and it's nice to see you all again!
The question came so innocently: "Dad, can I play with my friends?"
Without even thinking, I said, "Sure. Do you need a ride to their house or are they coming here."
First there was a perplexed look, then: "No. We are using Skype."
So, that's what it's become. The boy and his friends connect on Skype and play a video game called Minecraft. They battle each other, build worlds and eat pork chops.
All across the Internet of course.
I sometimes shake my head at these things. Other times, I just see it as a normal part of life in 2013.
When I was 11, most of the time was spent outside playing football, riding bikes or whatever. These days that doesn't happen.
Now, I'm not like some people who look at it and see the downfall of society. Would I prefer they go outside or to a friend's house? Sure, but as long as they are interacting, that's OK too.
At least once a day, I make all electronics turn off and make them do something else. I could be reading. I could be going outside. I could be just sitting and breathing in the air.
Now that school has started, it will change a little. Games are only allowed to be turned on two days a week and that's after all homework has been finished and checked.
I don't look forward to that fight.
Showing posts with label health care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health care. Show all posts
Monday, September 16, 2013
Friday, May 7, 2010
Rise and Shine --- Nah, it's not political
Good Morning and welcome to the weekend!
Remember back when there was all that uproar about health care reform. Then a bunch of Rebublican attorneys general from different states said they were going to file a lawsuit against the federal government to stop the reform.
The state reason, at least by our AG Tom Corbett (who just happens to be running for Governor), was: "to protect the citizens of Pennsylvania whose rights will be violated when the health care reform legislation [is] signed into law by President Obama."
Well, that might not be exactly true.
According to this story in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette the AGs from various states were was in communication with a consultant for the Republican State Leadership Committee prior to the lawsuits being filed.
So, are these lawsuits to 'protect the citizens' or to further push an agenda.
It kind of opens up the whole picture a bit more, doesn't it?
Remember back when there was all that uproar about health care reform. Then a bunch of Rebublican attorneys general from different states said they were going to file a lawsuit against the federal government to stop the reform.
The state reason, at least by our AG Tom Corbett (who just happens to be running for Governor), was: "to protect the citizens of Pennsylvania whose rights will be violated when the health care reform legislation [is] signed into law by President Obama."
Well, that might not be exactly true.
According to this story in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette the AGs from various states were was in communication with a consultant for the Republican State Leadership Committee prior to the lawsuits being filed.
So, are these lawsuits to 'protect the citizens' or to further push an agenda.
It kind of opens up the whole picture a bit more, doesn't it?
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Rise and Shine --- It's in the water
Good Morning and I'm still wondering why I was 'unfriended' on Facebook over health care issues!?!
So, there's a big stink coming out of Philadelphia about a proposed tax on soda. Many are up in arms the city would try to extract a few cents from those who like the taste of high fructose corn syrup.
Don't like the tax, drink water. It's better for you anyway.
There are more than enough studies that show how bad soda really is for your system.
Sure, it tastes good sometimes, but it's really just hollow calories posing as a drink.
Soda causes obesity, tooth decay, kidney decay and heart problems. Do a search. It's all out there.
Yes, there have been plenty of times where I enjoyed a cold Coca-Cola. Just think about it, though, do you really feel any better after drinking one?
So, there's a big stink coming out of Philadelphia about a proposed tax on soda. Many are up in arms the city would try to extract a few cents from those who like the taste of high fructose corn syrup.
Don't like the tax, drink water. It's better for you anyway.
There are more than enough studies that show how bad soda really is for your system.
Sure, it tastes good sometimes, but it's really just hollow calories posing as a drink.
Soda causes obesity, tooth decay, kidney decay and heart problems. Do a search. It's all out there.
Yes, there have been plenty of times where I enjoyed a cold Coca-Cola. Just think about it, though, do you really feel any better after drinking one?
Monday, March 15, 2010
Rise and Shine --- Just shake your head
Good Morning and welcome to a brand-new week!
After monitoring online comments for a couple of years now, I am able to just shrug off most (even those that are posted just to spew hate). Sunday morning, I stumbled upon the following: "Let's stop the hyperbole! People die from illness, injury or age. They do NOT die from lack of health insurance. While the news media calls the current debate a debate over "health care", it's really about determining who should bear the cost of health care. Our current system would work fine with some changes - tort reform, increased funding for Medicaid, and funding for basic-care clinics that would prevent people with minor ailments from tying up expensive hospital emergency rooms. Instead, President Obama and the leaders in Congress want to remake one-sixth of our economy and pile more burden onto the taxpayers while cutting back-room deals that corrupt the whole process."
Right, let's stop the hyperbole. Yes, people die from illness, injury or age. That's about the only thing correct about this post.
They do in fact die from lack of health insurance. Let's just say you were working for a business owner who, because there wasn't a union there to fight it, didn't take the asbestos out of the office ceiling. Suddenly, you are fired and can't afford health insurance.
The doctors tell you have cancer (thanks for all that good air, boss), it is treatable, but the treatments will cost $1,000 each. Without insurance, you are expected to pay that out of pocket. When you can't pay that, you don't get the treatments. The cancer grows.
Now, lack of affordable insurance just killed you.
That's right, let's cut through the hyperbole.
The only 'backroom deals' being cut are by the insurance companies, funneling money into the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck and, yes, your favorite Congressman, to kill any kind of affordability.
Get the facts, then think about health care.
After monitoring online comments for a couple of years now, I am able to just shrug off most (even those that are posted just to spew hate). Sunday morning, I stumbled upon the following: "Let's stop the hyperbole! People die from illness, injury or age. They do NOT die from lack of health insurance. While the news media calls the current debate a debate over "health care", it's really about determining who should bear the cost of health care. Our current system would work fine with some changes - tort reform, increased funding for Medicaid, and funding for basic-care clinics that would prevent people with minor ailments from tying up expensive hospital emergency rooms. Instead, President Obama and the leaders in Congress want to remake one-sixth of our economy and pile more burden onto the taxpayers while cutting back-room deals that corrupt the whole process."
Right, let's stop the hyperbole. Yes, people die from illness, injury or age. That's about the only thing correct about this post.
They do in fact die from lack of health insurance. Let's just say you were working for a business owner who, because there wasn't a union there to fight it, didn't take the asbestos out of the office ceiling. Suddenly, you are fired and can't afford health insurance.
The doctors tell you have cancer (thanks for all that good air, boss), it is treatable, but the treatments will cost $1,000 each. Without insurance, you are expected to pay that out of pocket. When you can't pay that, you don't get the treatments. The cancer grows.
Now, lack of affordable insurance just killed you.
That's right, let's cut through the hyperbole.
The only 'backroom deals' being cut are by the insurance companies, funneling money into the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck and, yes, your favorite Congressman, to kill any kind of affordability.
Get the facts, then think about health care.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Rise and Shine --- Strange days
Good Morning and welcome back to a new week!
While going through the Internet this morning, I found this headline on a Web site: House Health Bill is 'DOA' in Senate
While driving around this weekend, there were signs plastered on a couple of lawns 'demanding' health care reform to fail.
There are talking heads out there twisting the information to the point where it seems like any kind of reform is a bad thing.
Why?
Why is it wrong to find a better solution? Why is it wrong to make sure everybody can afford health care? Why do too many people think only of themselves instead of people as a whole?
Of course, none of those questions can be answered. If you ask one side, they shout you down. If you ask the other side, they have no answers.
Look, anybody who thinks health care bills are OK needs to see the whole picture. If a family needs to pay $520 a month on health care there is some kind of problem.
For many, the opinion is: 'Well, that's your choice.'
Really, though, it's not. Health care companies are running this debate. If you don't see that you are wearing blinders. The companies want to continue to make money on the backs of people. They lay off workers and up their prices. They make the co-pays higher and up their prices.
Something has to give somewhere.
We need to contact our Senators and tell them we are fed up. We need quality health care at an affordable price.
There can't be any wavering.
While going through the Internet this morning, I found this headline on a Web site: House Health Bill is 'DOA' in Senate
While driving around this weekend, there were signs plastered on a couple of lawns 'demanding' health care reform to fail.
There are talking heads out there twisting the information to the point where it seems like any kind of reform is a bad thing.
Why?
Why is it wrong to find a better solution? Why is it wrong to make sure everybody can afford health care? Why do too many people think only of themselves instead of people as a whole?
Of course, none of those questions can be answered. If you ask one side, they shout you down. If you ask the other side, they have no answers.
Look, anybody who thinks health care bills are OK needs to see the whole picture. If a family needs to pay $520 a month on health care there is some kind of problem.
For many, the opinion is: 'Well, that's your choice.'
Really, though, it's not. Health care companies are running this debate. If you don't see that you are wearing blinders. The companies want to continue to make money on the backs of people. They lay off workers and up their prices. They make the co-pays higher and up their prices.
Something has to give somewhere.
We need to contact our Senators and tell them we are fed up. We need quality health care at an affordable price.
There can't be any wavering.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Rise and Shine --- What option?
Good Morning and welcome to the middle of the week!
So, after all these months, I'm still trying to figure out what is wrong with a public option for health care.
Apparently, there is something wrong with helping people get the care they need when they need it. Apparently, the vocal minority has twisted the facts enough to muddle up all the works. A Senate panel voted down the option yesterday.
Once again, we are being pushed into a black hole by those with an agenda. Their agenda is to see this administration fail at every turn.
We have the nutcases out there who still don't think Barack Obama is a U.S. Citizen. They probably also believe all-knowing aliens are running our brains. No wonder there's been a shortage of tin foil a the local Giant the last few weeks.
Sometimes, you just have to shake your head. Studies show 80 percent of the country wants or needs a public health care option. Yet, the other 20 percent shout, yell, throw things, bring guns to debates and believe everything said on talk radio.
Maybe, just maybe, the rest of us have to start standing up.
So, after all these months, I'm still trying to figure out what is wrong with a public option for health care.
Apparently, there is something wrong with helping people get the care they need when they need it. Apparently, the vocal minority has twisted the facts enough to muddle up all the works. A Senate panel voted down the option yesterday.
Once again, we are being pushed into a black hole by those with an agenda. Their agenda is to see this administration fail at every turn.
We have the nutcases out there who still don't think Barack Obama is a U.S. Citizen. They probably also believe all-knowing aliens are running our brains. No wonder there's been a shortage of tin foil a the local Giant the last few weeks.
Sometimes, you just have to shake your head. Studies show 80 percent of the country wants or needs a public health care option. Yet, the other 20 percent shout, yell, throw things, bring guns to debates and believe everything said on talk radio.
Maybe, just maybe, the rest of us have to start standing up.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Rise and Shine --- Take 2
Good Morning and welcome back to the weird world!
So, after another nutjob was seen outside an Obama health care forum with a weapon (this time an assault rifle), it might be time to take another look.
So, in an attempt to inform (although many would rather just listen and react), CHECK OUT this story. Sure, maybe the guy has an angle, but any logical-thinking person can see it makes sense.
Insurance companies, plane and simple, are driving the health care debate. They want to keep making insane profits on the backs of death. If you don't believe that, open your eyes.
Meanwhile, as Michael Vick starts to collect his paycheck from the Eagles, THERE'S THIS. Look, I'll be the first to admit dogs can be a pain, especially when you have to take them to the vet.
Still, to force them to fight, then kill them after they lose is just reprehensible. There's no gray area.
Finally, there's even more American Idol news.
To which we should all say: 'Yawn. Wake me up when something exciting happens.
Last but not least, throwing beer on players appears to be the thing to do these days:
So, after another nutjob was seen outside an Obama health care forum with a weapon (this time an assault rifle), it might be time to take another look.
So, in an attempt to inform (although many would rather just listen and react), CHECK OUT this story. Sure, maybe the guy has an angle, but any logical-thinking person can see it makes sense.
Insurance companies, plane and simple, are driving the health care debate. They want to keep making insane profits on the backs of death. If you don't believe that, open your eyes.
Meanwhile, as Michael Vick starts to collect his paycheck from the Eagles, THERE'S THIS. Look, I'll be the first to admit dogs can be a pain, especially when you have to take them to the vet.
Still, to force them to fight, then kill them after they lose is just reprehensible. There's no gray area.
Finally, there's even more American Idol news.
To which we should all say: 'Yawn. Wake me up when something exciting happens.
Last but not least, throwing beer on players appears to be the thing to do these days:
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