RA1

I don't think I said it was "the" manisfestation of being spoiled, only "a". Yes, all politicians wish power. I think much of the time, money and benefits are only secondary. Of course, they want those also, but power seems to be the operative motive. That is not a new observation. Wealthy people seems to use money as "chips" to see how they are doing in the "game" of life. Also, not a new observation. In fact, I don't know if there are any new observations. Every joke seems to be a version of older ones, at best. So when you start off telling me there was this priest, rabbi and duck, I may not know exactly where you are going but in the middle of the story I will very often know the point. Best regards, RA1

Almost fatal? There is more than one way to exhibit being spoiled. Isn't unrestrained ambition a manifestatin of being spoiled? Not trying to start an argument about TK. Best regards, RA1

As a lifelong Southerner myself, don't you mean 19th Century? I agree, forcing people out is contra-indicated, a waste of time and political resources. Rich, spoiled kids can do well (at least for themselves); look at Ted Kennedy. Best regards, RA1

LBJ would do all that and more. He knew where each skeleton was in each member's closet. He had every one of them with a picture of a goat fully engaged in sex. There were no secrets from LBJ; he had been in Congress far too long and knew all the gossip and bad news on each and every one of them. He was the consultimate arm twister. He had long dead voters vote for him in TX, so he knew what all the other members of Congress had done. He took the assasination of JFK, a President who had a lot of trouble getting any thing enacted, and turned him into a martyr. He then used a guilty conscience or favors owed or whatever was available to further the legislation proposed by but not passed by JFK. He then added his own agenda which may have largely been influenced by his near end of career thoughts of last hurrahs and pushed very hard. He was very effective but also very ruthless. In the end it seems he realized that what he had wrought was not necessarily what was best for the country. Best regards, RA1

The author is trying to promote sales by leaking the naughty bits of an otherwise yawn inducing tome. Is it working? Best regards, RA1

I just read dependant upon to mean not caused the demons. Similar to, I have a lot of aches and pains and a drink (or several) helps me get through the day. Otherwise, no arguement. Best regards, RA1

I have two comments: I find it interesting that Golding was "helped with dealing with demons" by drinking. At first I was a little appalled by the thought of a (for instance)75 yo man attempting to have sex with a 15 year old but after I found out he was 18 at the time, the perspective was entirely different. From the general tone of the piece I would suppose that it was rape or illegal in those days but I wouldn't have been surprised if it was not. Best regards, RA1

I read some of the "other troublemakers" comments and it makes me lose a little faith in the "average" commenter. I used to think anonymity was the cause of silliness. I now think many are so ignorant they have not a clue. But, that is just my opinion. I certainly don't think of you wandering around in the rain but I do think that WHERE one might be wandering has as much to do with things as why or how one looks. Best regards, RA1

Call me a trouble maker, but where are all the people saying if it had been Chuck Berry or Cassius Clay or some guy carrying a guitar named Lucile around, they would have been arrested? Of course, he was detained but apparently treated like an old but goofy uncle. I hope that you aren't wandering around in a heavy rain and that is what is making you feel old. Best regards, RA1

I couldn't agree more. Those who think this is the future of "news" reporting or any other kind of "reporting" are sadly lacking in their interpretations of what is "news" or facts. Thanks for your opinion. Best regards, RA1

You mean you are not waiting for BO and the current Congress to make insurance available for every US citizen as well as any immigrants, legal or illegal, anywhere in the world? Wait, maybe the new insurance will save money by sending me to Thailand for treatment. Everything is still cheaper there and the medical practice on a par with the US, so everyone says. I would be among the first to volunteer for such a ground breaking idea. Best regards, RA1

We can always rely upon the original point of a "wake" and that was a period of time with family and friends around to make sure you weren't still alive. Naturally, this turned into a social event with the Irish famously making the most of the occasion. Next, we could put a bell on the coffin to alert others of our dilemma. Of course, with most state laws about embalming, I am not sure one would still be alive anyway after that treatment. So, we are probably reduced to relying upon the undertaker for last chance resumption of life as we knew it before "death". This is a serious issue and one not easy to resolve but we need to be able to do it as a family, without undue influence from the doctors or government. Best regards, RA1

AS- RE: Study about green house effects Do you regard this to be a study with a foregone conclusion whereby the participants are only seeking justification for their research/expenditure of tax dollars? Best regards, RA1

The race into space and NASA's efforts have indeed had some strange twists and turns. There is not doubt in my mind that we, as earth people, have benefitted from the science. What surprises me the most is how well the various space programs and co-operation have become the new and "real" UN. Competition still exists, which seems to be a good aspect of the human spirit, but so far without the bloodshed, the accidents notwithstanding. In the '60's it amazed me that we could and would attempt to go to the moon and I was even more amazed when we succeeded. (Sometime I must tell my own story of the night of the one and only Apollo night launch.) Now, I feel we have lapsed back into the same lethargy we had before and, with the current economic situation, I have little hope we will progress with any vigor at all. Another thing that bothers me quite a bit is my apprehension that mankind is not biologically (presently) to adapt to living in space. Being in orbit for extended periods of time extols a tremendous price on the body. There are articles written about this but it strikes me that the casual public is fairly unaware of how really physically unfit returning inhabitants of the space station really are and how long it takes them to recover when back on the surface of the earth. I think we somehow need to solve this problem better than we have so far. Thanks for an interesting thread. Best regards, RA1

So far all the posters on this thread seem to be of like mind. So, please add my ditto to the list. Best regards, RA1

At least for the benefit of the Republicans (and maybe all of us) she has unquestionably revealed some of her flaws. Shades of Thomas Eagleton? Personally I regarded her as just another wanna be like Biden, Gore, Qayle and Rockefeller. Pols rewarded for their loyalty but not their effectiveness. Now, she has gone one step beyond the reward stage, hasn't she? Best regards, RA1

Now you know why we call them Burger King rejects. Best regards, RA1

I liked the links also. I have not read them all yet but I intend to do so. MsGuy- I think your analysis of the problem is generally correct. Not to be repeititve, but, what is the solution? From the links (articles) about the Canadian system, I would have to think it would not work in the US. The author says it isn't socialized medicine but I would have to characterize it as heavily subsidized and "controlled" by the government health delivery. Of course, one of the roles of government is to have rules and regulations "protecting" its' citizens. It would be interesting to know what % or how much money is being spent in Canada on what we call welfare recipients. Perhaps that is covered later in one of the articles. I wonder what would happen in Canada if the US suddenly did not exist any more? The Canadians certainly like yankee dollars as well as plentiful MRI equipment in the US. Whether they are completely thrilled to have us as a neighbor or not, they do depend upon the economic us. I am not throwing any rocks at the Canadians. I have rarely met one I didn't like a lot and I hope they liked me. I don't think I am perfect any more than I think they are. Back to the US. Does our medicare system work? It surely trys to do exactly what you outline in an earlier post; namely to contain costs each and every way it can. Some characterize medicare as containing costs by ramming their methods down the throats of health providers. However, most do accept it, don't they? Some medicare recipients have aux insurance to cover any difference between what the provider charges and what medicare pays. Is any or all of that a good solution? It seems to me to have several inadequacies that are mainly provided by being government run. However, it seems the AMA, the drug companies, the equipment suppliers and their lobbyists have had their run and chance. If the system is not broken, it is severely bent. I just don't know if anyone of us can be careful enough to craft legislation that will really cure this problem. Certainly, the Congress has been a willing participant in both sides of the issues and, all too often, comes down on the wrong side. Best regards, RA1

MsGuy- Thanks for the reply. However, it seems to me you are stating the results of not containing costs rather than how to do so. What is the difference between large bureaucratic private entities wasting huge amounts of money and government bureacracries doing the same? If the doctors aren't to blame then it must be the hospitals, Rx providers and attorneys, mustn't it? I do know that other countries don't have nearly the legal liability issues that we do, so that must be a huge part of it, no? Not defending the Rx providers but they consistently point out that the US provides most of their money for not only profit but also research, so one cure would be for other countries to pay more of their fair share? I don't think we will make many friends by suggesting that the Canadians and Kiwi's and Limey's need to pay, say, 50% more for their medicines, will we? However, they would be quick to say the US system is all goofed up so if they need to pay more, let it happen. Best regards, RA1

MSGuy- Excuse me for being naive but how does shifting the cost of medical care to the government not mean a big burden for all of us? The cost containment part I understand, although how this would be fairly done I am not as sure. Do we just say, you (Mr. Doctor) just can't make any more money? Do the hospitals just have too much overhead? Would liability reform cure many of these ills? Not all docs are just coining money. Several years ago I knew a doc who could not find a better job than being the doc in charge of a doc in the box. His annual salary? In the 30,000 dollar range. Admittedly, this was 25 years ago but still....... Stepping away from party lines and idealogy, I don't think this is a simple issue and I certainly don't think the Congress (or administration) has any good idea of how to deal with it. Best regards, RA1

Not to be too silly, but is "groundwork" an escort we all need to know? Best regards, RA1

Not to put words into MsGuy's mouth but I think he meant he hopes that you and Oz don't have any problems on this site. Best regards, RA1

For those who would like to save a few bucks and don't mind downloading the books, etc. via USB on their computer, I highly recommend the 1150 as found on ebookwise.com. It has some features not found on Kindle and is missing some that are. You just have to see if it fits your sensibilities. It is easy to use, easy to carry around and the battery lasts a very reasonable time. Best regards, RA1

We certainly need to do something. What do you think the measures mentioned in this thread would do to the prices? Fish has traditionally been seen as a low cost provider of protein but whether we overfish or institute conservation measures, the price will surely go up. Best regards, RA1

Nothing like being killed by rat poison. D-con is a blood thinner that allows the rats to wander off before they die. Wafarin and Coumadin (and D-con) are all the same thing, blood thinner. Best regards, RA1