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John Boehner Stands Up for Insurance Companies (video)

During Thursday’s health care summit, Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) gave a glowing recommendation of the American health care industry, saying that it’s “the best” care in the world. I’m sure that’s the case for Rep. Boehner who is fully covered by the federal government’s health plan, but for the rest of us….not so much.

Why does Rep. Boehner enjoy singing the praises of the health care industry while opposing health care reform for working Americans? Because he’s one of 19 Republicans who voted to block the break-up of health care monopolies.

Mock campaign ad courtesy of MoveOn.org

Tsunami Warning for Hawaii; Sirens Sounding Alarm

Officials are tracking a tsunami, created by the Chilean earthquake, as it nears the Hawaiian Islands. Warning sirens are sounding in Hawaii at 30-minute intervals as locals move boats from harbors and relocate to safer ground. Though the tsunami does not seem significant, it is expected to cause violent waves in low-lying areas.

Additional warnings have been issued for the Oregon and Alaskan coastlines.

Watch Hawaii news coverage live here.

Olympics Update: Apolo Ohno’s Last Events Tonight

Apolo Ohno has already set an Olympics record for most medals held by an American at the Winter games.  Tonight he has two more chances to extend that record, competing in his final two events of these games (and possibly of any Olympics.)  After qualifying in the 500 meter dash, he will race tonight in the quarterfinals (and hopefully semi-finals and the medal run.)  Ohno will also take part in the 5000 meter relay with J.R. Celski.  Good luck to both skaters!

Yesterday in Vancouver, Bill Demong won gold and Johnny Spillane won silver in the large hill Nordic Combined, the first American champion in this event.  In figure skating, American youngsters Mirai Nagasu, 16, and Rachel Flatt, 17, both gave great performances, and while they broke the streak of American women medaling in this event dating back to the 60s, are still very young, and we look forward to seeing them in Sochi, Russia in 2014.  Kim Yu-Na of South Korea took the gold, setting a new Olympic record for her overall score.  Taking silver was Japan’s Mao Asada, the first woman to land two triple axles in a performance at the Olympic games.  In third came Canada’s Joannie Rochette, who stayed strong despite the recent death of her mother, earning a personal best.

Mean Parents: Most Unfortunate Names

The BBC has a funny article on a list of some really humorous names (provided they aren’t your own.)  The data was compiled by researches at a parenting group called TheBabyWebsite.com.  Parents can be so cruel!  It reminds me of the daughter of a former Texas governor, whose name was Ima Hogg (pictured below.)  No joke.  Here are some of the best ones:

• Barb Dwyer
• Stan Still
• Terry Bull
• Paige Turner
• Anna Sasin
• Hazel Nutt
• Rose Bush
• Jo King
• Barry Cade
• Carrie Oakey
• Tim Burr
• Les Plack (a dentist!)
• Mary Christmas

Octomom Nadya Suleman Is a Nutcase (video)

Nadya Suleman appeared on Thursday’s “The View,” displaying her mental instability for all the world to see. You have to see it to believe it.

Someone needs to take those kids away from this woman.

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‘Growing Pains’ Actor Andrew Koenig’s Body Found by Family (video)

Walter Koenig, who starred as Chekov on “Star Trek,”along with his wife and friends discovered the body of his son Andrew Koenig today as they searched a Vancouver park. The younger Koenig co-starred in the 80′s sitcom “Growing Pains.” Andrew Koenig has been missing for the past week after selling his possessions and leaving home.

Background video provided by ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

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American Idol: Ashley Rodriguez Gets the Boot and Gives ‘Tude (video)

The first live results for this season’s “American Idol” sent two guys and two gals home tonight. But, it wasn’t tears or dashed dreams that has everyone talking, it’s the major hostility and attitude that came across Ashley Rodriguez’s face while no-talent and overexposed host Ryan Seacrest attempted to interview her.

What an ungrateful little bitch.

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Health Care Summit Recap: What Can We Learn? (video)

President Barack Obama held an historical bipartisan summit today on health care reform, asking both parties to agree on the basic facts that Americans need more affordable health care, that the system is broken and unregulated, costs are outrageous, and that the partisan politics of the past year cannot continue.

It was a marathon, lasting more than 7 hours, often filled with contentious exchanges, peppered with political grandstanding by both parties and some very informative points. We’ve broken down some of the major points, along with a few of the confrontations that offer a clearer understanding of where we’ve been, where we go and how this thing got so screwed-up in the first place.

Why We Need Health Care Reform: Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) explained the need for real reform now, without hesitation or incremental stages, by relating a very powerful story from one average American. If today’s summit accomplished nothing else, I hope Sen. Harkin’s remarks help to inform and educate those naysayers on why reform is essential. Sen. Harkin also reminded everyone of how many Republican amendments and compromises were included in the Senate version of the health care bill that passed last December.

Grumpy McCain’s still running for President: The best exchange of the summit came early, when Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) began spewing his rehearsed talking points without addressing the true issue of health care reform.

It’s Official: Batman Beats Superman

The market for vintage comic books and collectibles has always enjoyed a loyal following, willing to spend decent cash to own their favorite editions or coveted items. No one was prepared for what happened this week, when two prominent comic classics were auctioned off setting a new record for how pricey ‘vintage’ can be.

The 1939 Detective Comics No. 27, featuring the debut of Batman, sold for a total of $1,075,500 today at an auction house in Dallas. The seller, who bought the comic in the late 1960′s for around $100, chose to remain anonymous, as well as the buyer.

Today’s transaction comes just a few days after the 1938 edition of Action Comics No. 1, featuring the debut of Superman, sold at auction for a measly $1 million. That auction was also sold and purchased anonymously.

As an aging comic book geek, who collected thousands of Superman titles throughout my childhood, I have to say that at this particular moment I am very upset with my mother, who donated my comic collection to charity while I was away at college. Thanks mom.

Note to Self: Take a Deep Breath and Smile

This picture just makes me smile. It is a special opportunity for any young person to meet a U.S. President, but the sense of awe and joy can be seen in this young man’s face as he approaches President Barack Obama for an embrace.

With all the partisan bickering, rising health care costs, inflation, economic woes and the typical winter blues, I thought it would do us all some good to take a deep breath, look at a nice photo and just…smile.

President Obama greets a young visitor at the White House on Feb. 10, 2010 - WH Photo by Pete Souza

Canadian Teachers Suspended For Performing Lap Dance (video)

A pep rally at Churchill High School in Manitoba turned dirty last week when two teachers performed a lap dance in front of screaming, giggling students.  At one point they even simulated oral sex.  They must have forgotten that practically every high schooler has a cell phone these days.  According to reports, several students were upset by the performance, and parents complained after seeing this video.   A Mrs. Sheila Broflovski of South Park was reported as saying that it was typical to expect smut like this from Canadians.

Fact Check: The Demonized Reconciliation Option

On the eve of the greatly hyped Health Care Summit, it’s important to note that the Democrats stand ready to finally fight back against falsehoods, hypocrisy and fear-mongering from Republicans by using a procedure known as reconciliation, which has sparked a new round of petty exchanges between party leaders.

Reconciliation allows a majority vote of 51 to pass a bill, instead of the typical 60 used in previous years due to partisan crap. Conservatives cry foul, claiming that it’s “rare” and will subvert the wishes of the American people that don’t want affordable health coverage. Your intelligence should be insulted.

Reconciliation is not rare. George W. Bush used it constantly, especially when he didn’t have the support of everyone in his own party, and passed several pieces of legislation including tax cuts for the rich. Republicans didn’t cry before the news cameras then. The claim that it subverts the wishes of the American people is perhaps the biggest insult. The conservatives have convinced some citizens that death squads, long lines, higher premiums and sub-standard service will accompany anything that resembles national health care.

MoveOn.Org, The Public Option, and…Heather Graham?

MoveOn.org’s latest video hopes to breathe life back into the public option by showing Heather Graham sprinting down a track, a gaggle of insurance company suits looking on in perturbation before dropping everything (including a hamburger?) to chase her down.  I support the public option, but this is perhaps MoveOn.org’s most ridiculous advertisement yet.

How Does Birther Movement Still Have Any Legitimacy?

Because of fools like Rep. Judy Burges, and because facts no longer matter in debates in this country.  Despite legal documents showing President Obama was born in Hawaii, despite a newspaper announcement of his birth, despite statements from the hospital where he was born, Republicans and their supporters still refuse to acknowledge a proven fact.  Believe it or not, nearly half of Arizona legislators passed a measure that would require Obama to present his birth certificate to run for re-election in 2012.  Rep. Judy Burges, who called for this measure, said that people have to present proof of citizenship for a passport, why not to be president?  Obama has traveled for his entire life.  How would he do this without a passport?  And Obama already released his birth certificate.  Why are morons like Judy Burges still spreading proven lies?  Do Republicans have no ground in opposing Obama, no rational, logical rebuttal to him or his policies, other than clinging to a non-issue about his birth?  It’s hilarious that they don’t know how utterly pathetic they have become, and it’s frustrating that our political discourse has become so polluted by braindead politicians who waste our time passing measures that have absolutely no relevance to the issues affecting our lives.

Here’s the birth certificate:

And the newspaper announcement of Obama’s birth:

Now can we get back to the real issues facing our country?

Religious Tensions Flaring in Haiti; Missionaries To Blame

History is full of examples of the atrocities committed by missionaries in the name of God, so I can’t help but think that some of those drawn to Haiti after the earthquake are facilitating, if not outright encouraging, increased tensions between religious groups. 

According to the CIA World Factbook, roughly half of the country practices Voodoo, often in a blended form with Catholicism.  Since the earthquake, scores of Baptists, Catholics, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Scientologists, Mormons and a myriad of other evangelical groups have flocked to the country under the auspice of providing aid.  These groups are stringently anti-Voodoo, and many subscribe to the lunacy of nutjobs like Pat Robertson, who dismiss tectonic plates and other geological facts and replace them with curses by a vengeful god, who likes crushing children under blocks and debris.  Take pastor Frank Amedia, of the Miami-based Touch Heaven Ministries (which, with a name as froofy and new age as that, should immediately set off warning bells), who nonchalantly asserts:

“We would give food to the needy in the short term but if they refused to give up Voodoo, I’m not sure we would continue to support them in the long term because we wouldn’t want to perpetuate that practice. We equate it with witchcraft, which is contrary to the Gospel.”

These anti-Voodoo sentiments are working.  On Tuesday, a Voodoo group in Cite Soleil, busying praying and singing for the souls of those who died, were attacked by evangelicals, who threw rocks at the crowd, burned their relics, and urinated on their holy symbols.  Max Beauvoir, a Voodoo priest and head of a Voodoo association, remarked:

“Much of this has to do with the aid coming in. Many missionaries oppose Voodoo. I hope this does not start a war of religions because many of our practitioners are being harassed now unlike any other time that I remember.”

Some are converting to Christianity for fear of losing out on aid.  Others, lacking a proper education, believe these outsiders who tell them the quake and subsequent aftershocks are being caused by Voodoo practicioners.  It’s shameful to see the honest labor of so many relief-workers hampered and tarnished by religious zealots who, like flies drawn to the wound, seek to spread divisive hatred in a country that desperately needs solidarity to heal.  These vultures, who flock to the weak and vulnerable, not to sooth and heal, but to convert and manipulate, are truly despicable examples of how evil deeds are so often dressed in good intentions.  [From the AP]

Olympics Update: Sven Kramer DQ’d; Coach to Blame

Poor Sven Kramer, he can’t seem to get a break.  First he gets irritated by silly reporters, and last night he was disqualified for an improper lane change after his coach, boob Gerard Kemkers, shouted at Kramer to take the inner lane in the men’s 10,000 meter speed skating event.  Kramer, who would have set a new Olympic record, seemed to hesitate before taking his coach’s advice.  Crossing the finish line, Kramer was all smiles.  When he realized he’d be disqualified, he flung his glasses, stomped the ground, and began shouting at his coach.  I can’t imagine how he felt, though I know his anger must have been palpable.  Hopefully he and his coach can reconcile this huge disappointment, though personally I think I’d be looking for a new teacher.  Kramer left the arena in tears.

Tuesday also saw an Olympic upset, with alpine skier Bode Miller completely losing it on the first run of the giant slalom, taking several erratic turns before sliding off the course in shame.  Miller already holds three medals from these games, so it isn’t a terrible loss, though it was disappointing to see him ski so poorly.

Finally, last night saw one of the most heart-wrenching moments of these Vancouver games.  Joannie Rochette of Canada, whose mother died suddenly just two days before, took to the ice int he women’s short program.  Visibly upset, Rochette was able to pull off a beatiful, nearly flawless run in the women’s short program, bursting into tears at the close of her run as the crowd roared with applause.  It was very moving to see her strength and resolve in the face of such a tragedy, and her score was a personal best.  She is currently in 3rd place.  Kim Yu-Na of South Korea is currently in 1st place after setting a new Olympic record in the short program.

Don’t miss Apolo Ohno tonight as he takes to the ice for the 500 meter short track program, live in primetime (for Eastern/Central times) on NBC.

Lost Untangled: “Lighthouse”

You can read our own episode recap of “Lighthouse,” and here is ABC’s lighthearted recap “Lost:Untangled.”

Lost Recap: #6:05 – “Lighthouse” (video)

Tonight’s episode centered on Jack Shephard and his half-sister Claire Littleton. It was a fast-paced episode with answers, more questions and insight into one of the long-running themes of “Lost:” destiny vs. free will.

Jack Has What It Takes

Jack’s life in the flash-sideways is troubled, yet far more rewarding than his real life ever was. In this reality, Jack is a father to a son who fears him, much the same way Jack feared his own father, and never felt he could live up to expectations. But in the end, Jack breaks through to his son and they bond. It is the relationship Jack never could have with his own father.

Jack helps his mother search the house for a copy of Christian Shephard’s will. Upon reading the document, Jack’s mother asks him, “Did your father ever mention the name Claire Littleton?” This is the first real link between our survivors in the flash-sideways and their counterparts in the past. It is essential that Jack and Claire be genetically linked to one another in the flash-sideways and in reality.

Government 101: Sen. Vitter Forgets How Democracy Works

Louisiana Senator David Vitter (R) must have forgotten the purpose of a democracy while whiling away his time with D.C. call girls.  He released the following statement rejecting President Obama’s recent health care proposal, saying:

“Unfortunately, the president hasn’t been listening to the American people the past year because his latest proposal is nothing more than a blend of the bills passed by the Senate and House last year, policies the American people have overwhelmingly rejected.”

Mr. Vitter, apparently you forgot that our Congress is a bicameral legislature where, after passing bills in both the House and Senate, the two versions are then reconciled into a final bill, incorporating or blending the two pieces of legislation.

After discussing this issue on a national level for a lengthy amount of time, Americans want something done!  We are tired of  the antics of your obstructionist party who keeps stalling our democracy.  When your only retort to something that you yourself consider a compromise is that its bad because its a compromise shows how worthless you are as a public servant.  The bills in both houses had elements of the proposals of both parties, and yet the GOP’s complete rejection of the entire thing shows that this most basic necessity for a democracy, the ability to compromise, is now being seen as a bad thing, as a weakness.

Our government is broken, Mr. Vitter, and people like you are to blame.

Car Owner Testifies Before Congress: “Shame On You Toyota” (video)

Hearings began today on Capitol Hill into the mounting recalls at Toyota and whether the auto company willingly ignored growing consumer complaints for the sake of profit. On the first day of testimony, one Toyota owner broke down when describing the horrific experience she had when her Toyota vehicle sped up to over 100 mph on an interstate for up to 6 miles. Rhonda Smith, a retired social worker and Lexus owner, ended her testimony by saying, “Shame on you Toyota for  being so greedy.”

On the hot seat today was James Lentz, Toyota USA President, who began by trying to claim that all major auto companies experience recalls and complaints about “sudden acceleration.” Mr. Lentz was in true fat-cat fashion today in trying to deflect blame. When questioned by members of Congress, Lentz explained that a new software fix would be installed in most recalled models and made available on all new models effective in 2011. As for some of the recalled models where the software fix will not work, Mr. Lentz had no suggestions for those Toyota consumers, except to say that “the possibility” of sudden acceleration is “very slim.” Translation: in the world of corporate greed, there are acceptable losses.

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Images From Space: A Few Thoughts on Water

This August 30, 2009 image showing the Station Fire and the sprawling gray mass that is the Greater Los Angeles is part of a moving series of photos taken by NASA.  The series addresses climate change as seen from space, and it got me thinking about human behavior and water.   It is truly incredible how we’ve moved and managed water, above and beyond the necessity for survival, to appease our desires and fit our lifestyle.

Just look at that picture and ask yourself how a city of 13 million people can sustain itself in a parched, semi-arid desert?  Not without one heck of a lot of water.  Northern California residents, much to their chagrin, can follow the 715-mile long acqueduct that channels the precious resource from the lush north to the arid south, letting So-Cal snobs water their lawns and keep their hundreds of thousands of imported palm trees.   Indeed, ”water wars” in the Golden State have a long, storied history, and the western states have always struggled with maintaining enough of the resource.  And yet when you see these huge metropolises that have sprung up in the desert, you realize how impressive our capabilities to manage water are.  But there are consequences.  We’ve been dipping from the punch bowl assuming it would always be filled, and now we’re finding it rapidly emptying out.  How much longer until the party is over?

Study: Cigarette Smokers Have Lower IQs Than Non-Smokers

According to a recent study of over 20,000 Israeli military recruits, smokers have a lower IQ than non-smokers, and the more one smokes, the lower the IQ.  Those who smoked a pack a day or more had an IQ that was 7.5 points lower than a non-smoker.  Dr. Mark Weiser and his colleagues at Sheba Medical Center don’t blame cigarettes for a decreased IQ, but rather think that people with lower IQs will be more likely to choose to smoke.  (Note: People with severe mental disorders were not considered for the study, since they would be ineligible for military service.)

Jon Stewart says Glenn Beck is a “Communist” (video)

While we’re on the subject of Glenn Beck and his CPAC appearance this past weekend, take a look at “The Daily Show’s” Jon Stewart dissect Beck’s speech.

Jon Stewart is one of the most intelligent and well-informed personalities on television.

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Glenn Beck’s Rabid Revisionist History (video)

Glenn Beck is a shining example of how dangerous ignorance and bigotry can be. During last week’s CPAC meeting in Washington, D.C., Beck-the-Boob pulled out his trusty chalkboard and perverted history book then began to bash immigrants by revising the history and purpose behind the Statue of Liberty.