Monday, September 7, 2009

Obama challenges GOP on #HCR

POTUS speaks at AFL-CIO Labor Day picnic in Cincinnati.
"...put aside partisanship, stop saying things that aren't true, come together as a nation, pass health insurance reform now!" - President Obama
at 4:40 PM 0 comments

Healthcare Reform 101

For any number of reasons, you may find yourself ready to engage in the discourse on healthcare reform, but at a loss of where to begin. Below, I have assembled my favorite links to get you started. It’s worth mentioning that I am in favor of healthcare reform. It is likely you will find that some of these links reflect that bias.

Chris Hayes of the Nation gives a brief overview of the public option as one small aspect of reform (approx 5 min.); Robert Reich does the same thing, even quicker (approx 3 min):

Wendell Potter, former Vice President of public relations for insurance giant Cigna, blows the whistle with Bill Moyers of PBS (approx 30 min.):

President Obama took questions from supporters and skeptics alike during town hall meetings focused on health care reform. C-Span has them in full. They are about an hour each:

Opponents of healthcare reform try to compare the U.S. to other countries. Nobel Prize economist Paul Krugman sets the record straight in the New York Times:

Rather than rely on everyone else’s explanation, go to the source. Here’s the full text of the health care bill proposed by the U.S. House of Representatives. It’s over 1000 pages, but start with the table of contents to clarify the most common myths:

There are many misleading and even false claims about aspects of the bill. Here is a list of the most common along with clarifications.

Michael Moore produced a movie about the state of healthcare in the United States. Watch it online for free:

Rachel Maddow does a great job distinguishing the facts from the fiction on healthcare. Other notable public figures: Howard Dean and Anthony Weiner. When time permits I’ll post collections of links featuring them. In the meantime, visit Rachel’s site:

at 4:05 PM 3 comments

Email on #HCR

After an interesting Facebook debate, a person who saw my comments contacted me about health care basics. I typed the following email to her, which is reproduced in full (minus a warning about the length). Others may find it useful, so I'm sharing it here.

as for health care, i can totally appreciate not being sure about what's what. the BIGGEST disappointment for me is that people can't have informed opinions b/c there are SO MANY LIES and myths out there. i have no problem with folks disagreeing, but disagree on what's true.

truth - we are experiencing huge deficits - a huge part of which are due to healthcare

truth - many people are denied coverage b/c of pre-existing conditions, or denied treatment b/c of any number of reasons (excuses)

truth - the House of Representatives has proposed a plan to reform healthcare

truth - the bill does NOT include a single payer option. single payer would be medicare for everyone, or a nationalized health system. non-partisan folks agree this would be the cheapest solution, but it is not currently under discussion. this is what many folks (esp conservatives) argue against, but it's not even suggested in the legislation!

truth - the bill PRESERVES the right of everyone to keep their private plans (although i personally can't understand why it's a good thing to have our health insurance run by folks whose most important goal (literally) is to make a profit. which leads to the problem of the 2nd truth above).

truth - the legislation includes things conservatives can be upset about - namely growing larger govt (a new govt agency!)

truth - the legislation is focused primarily on a public option. a public option is a govt run insurance plan not unlike medicare or the VA. folks could CHOOSE between the govt option or their private insurance. conservatives who understand this point argue that private companies wouldn't be able to compete. that makes no sense. we have public and private universities, public and private ways to ship packages, public and private health care clinics, etc. this argument (that private companies would go out of business) is not borne out by the facts.

truth - i have read the first two sections of the bill and the truths i listed above are clearly specified in it. if you were to just read the table of contents (really) you would be amazed at how much more you'd know about the legislation without reading all 1000 pages. you would also realize how silly some of the arguments are.

truth - there are panels and commissions in the bill, but none of them are death panels. and in fact, end of life counseling is a non-partisan suggestion that has been proven to reduce costs, help family in times of sorrow and sadness, etc. end of life care is NOT mandated in the bill although it is mentioned as something that should be offered and reimbursed.

truth - all health care plans will include a minimum "essential benefits package" that EVERYONE must be able to get. it includes things like hospitalization, baby wellness care, preventative support, etc.

truth - the bill makes is EXCEPTIONALLY hard for any insurance companies to drop people who have paid their premiums

truth - under proposals currently being floated ALL people will be required to have some form of insurance (like all drivers must have car insurance). this is to spread the risk around. b/c if you have to cover everyone, some people will cost more money, and some will cost less (b/c of cancer, etc.). if people only got insurance once they got sick, it really WOULD be unfair to insurers, who would have to pay primarily for unhealthy people.

people with low/no incomes will have options as they do now (i don't know what those are as i don't qualify). and babies born with no insurance will automatically be enrolled in a plan. no baby left behind!

opinion - this (HR 3200) is a civil rights bill. it regulates the insurance industry and protects citizens, and it makes me sad some folks oppose it.

*truth - there is no senate version of the bill yet, and it is unsure if their version would include a public option or not. it's pretty split in the senate. [see clarification below]

i have not blogged about healthcare, though i should b/c i get so into it (as you can see). here are some links:

so obviously you can see what side i'm on. and interestingly, i don't have an opinion for the BEST way to do it. i just believe that SOMETHING has to be done and the suggestions put forth so far make the most sense. i'm waiting on a conservative to say how to revamp the whole healthcare system. cuz right now all they say is they don't wanna spend their taxes to help others. which makes no sense (firefighters are govt workers for instance. you hope they are never coming to YOUR house, but your taxes pay for them to help others anyway...). i could go on and on, but this is already a multi-page essay. sorry about that.

you can follow me on twitter: @ndcollier

if you're not on twitter you can read my tweets at www.twitter.com/ndcollier I tweet a lot about a lot of things, but you can also see lots of my #HCR tweets.

hope this helps you get started at least. sorry so long!

ndc

*note: to clarify, there is a version of the bill in the Senate, but it has only passed one committee. the House bill is the completed version marked up by all relevant committees. we are still awaiting a more finalized version from the Senate. you can see the Senate's bill from the HELP committee by clicking here.

at 3:56 PM 1 comments

Friday, July 10, 2009

I Learn From You

Today I posted a status on Facebook that basically thanked all my friends for their status updates. I didn’t feel I did a good job sharing what I was feeling, so I jotted this poem (I guess that’s what it is). I know some people feel social networking is not a good thing, but I think it has added a positive dimension in my life. Cheers to Facebook, Twitter and IM. J

----------------------

When you announce your wedding anniversary, I learn from you.

I learn that even though 50% of marriages end in divorce, 50% do not. Couples can have difficulties and manage to stay together and cherish each other over the years. I learn hope and possibility. And patience.

When you share your travel plans and photographs, I learn from you.

I learn that there is a huge world out there waiting to be discovered and enjoyed. It’s not healthy or necessary to live life in small boxes, or in front of them. I can expand my mind by expanding the sights I see - whether I go across the world, or across the street.

When you post your sad news of loved ones, I learn from you.

I learn that tomorrow is not promised. I should live all I can today, and work to encourage that understanding in others. I should love my loved ones while they are here and take advantage of the opportunities that come my way.

When you reveal your daily struggles, I learn from you.

I learn to have a bigger, more compassionate heart. It’s not always “about me” and my daily inconveniences. We all could use a pick me up now and then. If we stop focusing on self and focus on each other, we can collectively move forward in this thing called life.

When you proclaim your victories, I learn from you.

I learn that when one person wins, we all win, because the forces for good were expanded in that moment. Your smile is my smile. Your joy is my joy. I do not have to wish it was me; I can simply be glad for you and hold you high in your moment of triumph.

Thank you so much to all of those who share dreams, blogs, pictures, thoughts, poems, videos and songs, love, and sadness with us. We are truly interconnected, and when we take the moment to read, listen or experience the life of another, we are learning – and we are living.

at 7:53 PM 0 comments

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Torture

And so we knew it was going on, but the Obama Administration's release of the torture memos brings it to light. More accurately, it shows the lengths to which the Bush Administration was willing to go to make torture "legal." 

The big show down now is whether or not to prosecute those responsible. Obama, at first blush, says no. Though some believe that really he's leaving the door open by splitting hairs. I'm not sure. I do know Obama is very smart, very shrewd, very strategic. So he isn't making any decisions lightly.

Keith Olbermann is urging Obama to prosecute (see below).  I have mixed reviews. I believe people who mistreat people in that way should be held to justice, but I admittedly have a hard time seeing the former President (no matter how awful a leader I thought he was), fall so hard. In the end, the public outcry is strong enough, Bush and those responsible for torture will see justice done.

Andrew Sullivan at the Daily Dish does some nice recaps about the memos and the blogosphere's reaction.

at 8:26 AM 0 comments

Does Satan Exist?

An interesting question to be sure. Posed on Nightline recently with four guests: Annie, Pastor Mark, Deepak Chopra and Bishop Pearson. Four very diverse people with divergent views on reality, love, God and evil.  Sometimes people get so defensive and argumentative that it's hard to have a productive conversation. This happened a few times here, but still worth the watch:

at 8:23 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Lessons from Water

My friend Dina sent this from a newsletter she gets, the Daily Om. I thought it was worth sharing. Enjoy!

March 24, 2009
A Great Teacher
Living Like Water

The journey of water as it flows upon the earth can be a mirror of our own paths through life. Water begins its residence on earth as it falls from the sky or melts from ice and streams down a mountain into a tributary or stream. In the same way, we come into the world and begin our lives on earth. Like a river that flows within the confines of its banks, we are born with certain defining characteristics that govern our identity. We are born in a specific time and place, within a specific family, and with certain gifts and challenges. Within these parameters, we move through life, encountering many twists, turns, and obstacles along the way just as a river flows.

Water is a great teacher that shows us how to move through the world with grace, ease, determination, and humility. When a river breaks at a waterfall, it gains energy and moves on, as we encounter our own waterfalls, we may fall hard but we always keep moving on. Water can inspire us to not become rigid with fear or cling to what’s familiar. Water is brave and does not waste time clinging to its past, but flows onward without looking back. At the same time, when there is a hole to be filled, water does not run away from it in fear of the dark; instead, water humbly and bravely fills the empty space. In the same way, we can face the dark moments of our life rather than run away from them.

Eventually, a river will empty into the sea. Water does not hold back from joining with a larger body, nor does it fear a loss of identity or control. It gracefully and humbly tumbles into the vastness by contributing its energy and merging without resistance. Each time we move beyond our individual egos to become part of something bigger, we can try our best to follow the lead of the river.
You can receive the Daily Om newsletter if you like this article.
at 9:15 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Bayh vs. Obama

I love the fact that our President is really willing to be with the people. He hosted another townhall meeting today and took unscreened questions, answered (to the chagrin of Republican critics) without a teleprompter! Gasp! The President continues to prove he is not only brilliant, but brave too. 

Seriously, I really am glad to see him out there, mixing and mingling and getting the story from the mouths of those living the life. He said he wanted to stay connected and he genuinely seems to be making a go of it.

On the flip side, what's up with Evan Bayh? I mean, wasn't he on the short list to be the Vice President? And here he is, trying to rebrand himself and oppose the President at every turn. I'm all for healthy debate and critique of the status quo, but I just find the whole thing interesting. One has to wonder if he would be so "courageous" and willing to "challenge" the President if he weren't up for re-election soon? 

Excerpts from the today's townhall...


Evan's announcement:
at 9:39 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Kiss My Fat Ass!

Bravo Meghan McCain! 

Although I'm a little disappointed she canceled her interview with CNN today, Meghan's been holding her own against the onslaught from the right. Admittedly, she brought it on, taking a jab at Ann Coulter:  
Everything about her is extreme: her voice, her interview tactics, and especially the public statements she makes about liberals. Maybe her popularity stems from the fact that watching her is sometimes like watching a train wreck.
But Meghan's a moderate Republican, and she's calling for the party to rebuild and reconsider some of its extreme positioning. Apparently, her calls aren't falling so much on deaf ears as pissed off ears. Laura Ingraham, taking up for her "tight girl" Ann, responds by teasing Meghan about her weight and calling her a "useful idiot."

Meghan who has recently been on Rachel Maddow and the View has responded by channeling her inner Tyra Banks:  Kiss my fat ass!

Check her out on Rachel's show...

at 10:30 PM 0 comments

Saturday, March 14, 2009

The Power of Money vs. Human Revolution - No Contest!

Daisaku Ikeda, president of the Soka Gakkai International, recently encouraged members regarding the economic crisis. He said the key is to focus on human revolution.

Excerpt from...
Let’s Strive Together for a Year of Victory!
February 20, 2009 WT – Seize the Day p. E

We are in the midst of what is being called a “once-in-a-century” financial crisis. What is most important at this troubled time? Of course, wise and decisive measures need to be taken in the political, economic and international arenas. But there is something else that we must not forget.

On New Year’s Day 1946, as Japan was still suffering from the aftermath of its defeat in World War II, Shigeru Nambara, president of Tokyo University (present-day University of Tokyo), gave a radio address in which he said, “An even more urgent priority than institutional and structural reform is an inner revolution, a revolution in people’s hearts and minds.” Nambara saw this as “human revolution.”

At that time, Mr. Toda had already embarked on his struggle for kosen-rufu, based on his conviction that awakening people to the Buddhahood inherent in their lives was key to freeing them from suffering and helping them on a fundamental level. People are the focus and heart of everything. Unless people themselves change at the innermost level, any reform or improvement will be lacking a vital element.

Nambara concluded his radio address as follows: “Sacred Mount Fuji illuminated by the morning sunlight of New Year’s Day seems to me a symbol of a new future. With fresh hope and courage, let us press straight ahead on the road that lies before us, no matter how filled with adversity and difficulty it may be.”

***

The idea of human revolution was also emphasized by (French author Andre’) Maurois: “The most profound revolutions are spiritual. They transform people who, in turn, transform the world.” He discerned the fact that the human revolution of a single individual is the true starting point of all change, writing, “A single individual, whether hero or saint, can set an example for the multitudes, the emulation of which can dramatically transform the world.”

We must see to it that the 21st century is a century of human revolution. Humanity as a whole must now turn its focus to this fundamental path.
at 11:20 PM 0 comments

But what about drill baby drill?

From the NYT:
The great American drilling boom is over.

The number of oil and gas rigs deployed to tap new energy supplies across the country has plunged to less than 1,200 from 2,400 last summer, and energy executives say the drop is accelerating further.

And yet all we heard last fall were the gimmicky chants of drill baby, drill! Even Sarah Palin deigned to "correct" future VP Biden in her one and only shot at coming across as a serious candidate.

Read more here...
As Oil and Gas Prices Plunge, a Frenzy of Drilling Ends
at 6:07 PM 0 comments

Cramer vs. Stewart

Everything you need all in one place. Let's start at the very beginning....a very good place to start:



And then, the rebuttal:



The next round, leading to the final smack down:



The face off (in 3 parts). Part One:



Part Two:



Part Three:



Wow. It was a lot really. And while the face off wasn't funny, Jon Stewart showed his intellectual prowess (which is what makes him such a brilliant comedian in the first place).

Several articles have appeared about the various aspects of the skirmish. Read a couple:


Cramer vs. Stewart Coverage Largely Misses From Columbia Journalism Review
at 5:30 PM 0 comments

Creativity

I love creative stuff. This video was on one of my favorite blogs so I'm sharing it with you. I realized that I do most of my blogging (if you can call it that) on Facebook. So the things I deem worthy to share there, I'll share here. And one day, I'll have something really important to share. In the meantime, enjoy!
at 5:20 PM 0 comments

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Healthy Living

So this is my new place for recording my health progress. Have had many many great days and lots of okay days. BP is stable when I exercise regularly, so I guess that's my new medicine. Let's keep a record and see.

Today so far:
-Walked 1 mile/ jogged 1 mile (small strides, no stopping)
-Ate organic cereal, drank a protein mix, ate yogurt with granola, took my vitamins.
-BP: 120/91 Pulse 69 (1:30 p.m.)
at 1:27 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

i am from

i am from nappy hair being straightened in the kitchen
i am from the middle class
i am from weekly visits to the library, and summers in savannah
i am from running through the water sprinkler and laughing with cousins

i am from heart break - parents who loved me, loved cards, and loved a good joke

i am from grandfathers who went to college
i am from high expectations

i am from all black schools with all black teachers
i am from scrabble and monopoly, the cosby show and a different world
i am from opinionated family members

i am from shyness and introspection
i am from listening and observing
i am from writing

i am from loud music on saturday mornings - the temptations, the four tops, and studio 54
i am from track, spanish, band, cheerleading, and dance after school

i am from marshmallows in the fireplace and blinking lights on christmas trees

i am from tenacity
i am from stability

i am from love
at 10:02 AM 0 comments

Saturday, November 24, 2007

bobby

Bobby is 74 and proud of it. Sometimes he calls himself “old man” but if you didn’t know he was born in 1933 you’d have put him in his early 60s. Once a professional drummer, he still wears his Hawaiian style shirts with the top two buttons undone – revealing a curly patch of whitening chest hair. Wants the ladies to know he’s still got it, despite the bald patch claiming 70 percent of his head.

He likes to get his money’s worth (including senior discounts), but has no problem letting you know his pockets are full. He drives a sleek black Cadillac and woe unto thee if you look like you might damage it with reckless driving or sloppy parking.

He’s kinda gruff and surly from time to time – though he doesn’t mean it (at least not always). He’s a street-wise grown man and doesn’t appreciate comments that insinuate he’s not as smart as you are (whether or not it’s true). A little sensitive in the fair treatment category, he demands you treat him just like every other customer. Any slight on your part (real or imagined) and he’s likely to cause a scene. He has been escorted out of more than one restaurant in recent years.

He tries to reserve his soft spot for his family. He accidentally hurts his wife’s feelings pretty regularly, but apologizes in his own “manly” way once he realizes what’s he’s done. Being married for over 30 years, it only takes him about half an hour now to figure out she’s mad at him. Bobby loves his wife deeply, no matter who still thinks he wasn’t good enough to marry her.
at 5:58 PM 0 comments

casey

Casey is a 30-something beauty. Once a gifted high school sprinter, she's gotten a little soft over the years. Though quick-witted and physically attractive, she lacks the self-confidence a tenure-track professor should have. Her deepest desire is to meet her prince charming and live happily ever after. Her greatest fear is that she's too late.

Casey grew up a quiet, shy, only child. Doted on by her father, much the jealousy of her mother, she was undoubtedly a daddy's girl. It's this undying affection for Daddy that spurs her search of the perfect man. Casey's shyness is masked at times, yet down right debilitating at others. She still carries vivid memories of being too scared to respond during competitions in grade school (losing contests and the respect of some classmates as a result). Even as an adult, she will rarely try new places alone for fear of the unknown. When able to control all aspects of a situation, she is poised, elegant, in a word, brilliant. Spontaneity and grace under pressure? Forget it.

Casey's parents are Christians – her mom actually attends church, but her dad attends Sunday snooze services in bed. Not into "organized religion" but more a "spiritual" person, Casey is seeking a philosophy she can embrace. Maybe the right philosophy will help her find the right man. But then again, maybe she's just in the wrong city. Or maybe it's her hair. Whatever it is, Casey has to find it and fix it and meet him. Soon.

Casey has a couple of close friends (Gene and Lynette from college), but is generally not too social. She certainly finds it much easier (and pleasurable) to interact with men than women, and doesn't believe "girlfriends" are necessary. She spends most of her free time doing things that challenge her mind (learning Japanese, reading, doing research for work), and one can easily find her at home on a Saturday night (the perfect place, of course, to meet Mr. Right).

In an effort to reclaim her softening body, and investigate Gene's new-found love of running, she decides to join a local runner's club. Made up of mostly teen and low-twenty-something, competitive females, Casey is not welcome. She's "old" and "slow" and she's "certainly ain't in no shape to help us win no races."

Casey's challenge: discover and embrace the limitless beauty inherent in her own life, and support these young women who need her just as much as she needs them.
at 5:21 PM 0 comments

making moves

so i've moved an inch. maybe a foot this time. i have submitted two short articles to the world tribune. i've also (and this it the important part) joined an online writer's group/class. while i find myself a tad stuck for this week's assignment, i find myself unstuck on at least character creation.

i've shared my idea for my novel - runner's mark. i now have another idea though - a short story idea i had last year (based on a true story). my compromise, at least for today, is to write the bio for thanksgiving thief.

where am i stuck - now i have two choices and an assignment due based on one of them. :-). i have to plot my plot. in other words, figure out some of the high and low points of the story. much easier to do with a short story. and the good news is, i have a chance of having the whole thing written by the end of class. but if i get help with plotting a novel, that's something i can carry with me to other novels.

i guess the question is, which is to my advantage at this time? it's a win-win situation, but which win do i want most?
at 5:09 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

grad school

so i now have 4 blogs. well i administer 4 of them. can't say i contribute much to any of them. at any rate, i almost created a 5th one but realized how silly it would be.

i am more than halfway through my first semester as a doctoral student. it was pretty rough going the first few weeks. mainly because i traveled 6 weeks in a row - including one trip that lasted over a week. it was very challenging to say the least.

when i returned, i then had to struggle with a couple of challenging assignments that had me up late at night, tired, and thinking DANG! did i make the right choice? do i really want to be a graduate student? when will i have time for my life?

once i got past that, i realized, hey, this is my life. :-). that was a major turning point. also around that time, my advisor, janette, really helped me reframe a class that was outside of my interests. those two events/realizations made all the difference. suddenly, grad school was perfect and i was glad to be here.

this was about a month ago. where am i now? still glad to be here, though also still a little frustrated with one of my classes. we only have a month left though, so sometime after the next four weeks, it won't really matter! a bad attitude, since ideally each semester builds on the previous one toward dissertation, but it's all gravy. holla at a playa!
at 5:37 PM 0 comments

Monday, October 22, 2007

never be defeated

"Never be defeated means never be defeated in your heart."

Mr. Saito, SGI North America Bureau Chief, shared this guidance during a youth training course in Japan last month. Daily life is a series of battles – sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. However, we constantly hear guidance that "Buddhism is win or lose" and that we must win. How do we make sense of the seeming disparity? The answer lies in the quote above.

"Though one may fail or lose once or twice, there's no reason for regret. Just look forward and press onward" (President Ikeda, 9/7/2007 WT). It's true, there may be days when we really struggle or we seem not to be advancing as we'd hope. We may get bad news, a bad grade, or fail to follow through on something we promised (again) we'd get done. Our boss may treat us unkindly, the car may break down, or our bank account might be overdrawn for the second time this month.

These are not reasons to belittle yourself or slander your own life. As long as we refresh ourselves, renew our determination and decide to keep looking forward, our hearts are not defeated. And as Nichiren Daishonin says, " It is the heart that is important" (WND-1 p. 1000).

The good news is, all of life is a manifestation of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. This means that even seemingly negative things have the ability to function positively in our lives. This is true even when things don't go as planned. President Ikeda reminds us, "A person who has known defeat becomes stronger…Every all-out struggle we wage is a cause for becoming an unbeatable champion" (9/7/2007 WT).

We win when we decide to try again. We are victorious when we decide to chant more daimoku. We triumph, when in our hearts, we decide "I am a Buddha of limitless potential and I am determined to show actual proof!"

Buddhism really is win or lose. No matter what, keep your conviction and determination strong, and with that ichinen and heart, win every day!
at 6:00 AM 0 comments
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