TW: End of life medical spending is a controversial topic. Few wish to hasten the end for themselves or loved ones. End of life medical spending is a disproportionate piece of total health care spending. To address total spending requires facing up to those challenging practical and ethical questions of end of life spending.
The topic appears superficially distasteful but in substance is not necessarily so. One knows spending a $1 billion to extend life by a day is non-sensical. But what about $1,000 to extend a day? Multiply $1,000/day X 1,000 people X 100 days and you get to the same $1 billion. Is that viable/desirable? What about that $1 billion being deployed instead on pre-natal care to increase the likelihood for healthier live births for say 1 million mothers ($1,000/mother)? Which makes more sense?
Cutting edge but highly costly treatments will present providers and funders with increasingly challenging decisions.
Resources are finite, choices must be made.
From Mark Thoma's blog:
"How much is life worth? The $440 billion question, EurekAlert: The decision to use expensive cancer therapies that typically produce only a relatively short extension of survival is a serious ethical dilemma in the U.S. that needs to be addressed by the oncology community...cost-benefit relationships for several cancer drugs, including cetuximab for treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, touted as "practice changing" and new standards of care by professional societies, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology. ...
... 18 weeks of cetuximab treatment for non-small cell lung cancer, which was found to extend life by 1.2 months, costs an average of $80,000, which translates into an expenditure of $800,000 to prolong the life of one patient by 1 year. At this rate, it would cost $440 billion annually ... to extend the lives of 550,000 Americans who die of cancer annually by 1 year.
To address the issue, the commentators recommend that studies powered to detect a survival advantage of two months or less should test only interventions that can be marketed at a cost of less than $20,000 for a course of treatment.
Every life is of infinite value, the authors say, but spiraling costs of cancer care makes this dilemma inescapable.
"The current situation cannot continue. We cannot ignore the cumulative costs of the tests and treatments we recommend and prescribe. As the agents of change, professional societies, including their academic and practicing oncologist members, must lead the way," the authors write. "The time to start is now."
http://economistsview.typepad.com/economistsview/2009/06/an-ethical-dilemma-in-end-of-life-care.html
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Are Unhealthy Folks Cheaper To Society In the Long-Run?
TW: One hears discussion often about whether folks leading unhealthy lifestyles (e.g. obesity, smoking etc.) are actually cheaper, from a cold-hearted health care cost perspective, to society since they die earlier than healthier folks. It is a simplistic concept that thankfully from more warm-hearted perspective appears to be untrue. The challenge of course is to encourage folks live more healthy lifestyles. Obviously a much easier said than done thing.
From Ezra Klein at WaPo:
"...as Lauren Neergaard reports, it's increasingly being resolved in favor of wellness.
'...Health economists once made the harsh financial calculation that the obese would save money by dying sooner. But more recent research instead suggests that better treatments are keeping them alive nearly as long - but they're much sicker for longer, requiring such costly interventions as knee replacements and diabetes care and dialysis. Medicare spends anywhere from $1,400 to $6,000 more annually on health care for an obese senior than for the non-obese...'
This is actually an important insight. It implies that we can bring down costs within the health-care system by changing factors outside of the health-care system. That flexibility is useful. It may be that we can't really make it cheaper to treat a diabetic. Particularly not as newer, more effective, and more expensive treatments emerge...You can do that, in fact, pretty cheaply, with technology that's been around for many years...
At the end of the day, health-care costs are going to have to come down. And that can happen in one of three ways. We can provide fewer people with access to health-care services. We can spend less on the health-care services we buy. Or we can need less in the way of health-care services. Which would you prefer?"
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2009/07/becoming_cheaper_by_becoming_h.html
From Ezra Klein at WaPo:
"...as Lauren Neergaard reports, it's increasingly being resolved in favor of wellness.
'...Health economists once made the harsh financial calculation that the obese would save money by dying sooner. But more recent research instead suggests that better treatments are keeping them alive nearly as long - but they're much sicker for longer, requiring such costly interventions as knee replacements and diabetes care and dialysis. Medicare spends anywhere from $1,400 to $6,000 more annually on health care for an obese senior than for the non-obese...'
This is actually an important insight. It implies that we can bring down costs within the health-care system by changing factors outside of the health-care system. That flexibility is useful. It may be that we can't really make it cheaper to treat a diabetic. Particularly not as newer, more effective, and more expensive treatments emerge...You can do that, in fact, pretty cheaply, with technology that's been around for many years...
At the end of the day, health-care costs are going to have to come down. And that can happen in one of three ways. We can provide fewer people with access to health-care services. We can spend less on the health-care services we buy. Or we can need less in the way of health-care services. Which would you prefer?"
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2009/07/becoming_cheaper_by_becoming_h.html
Bobby Jindal a Republican We Will Hear From Again
TW: I do not agree with much of the substance of Bobby Jindal's political positions but I am not a Republican. However, he is the type leader the Republican should be embracing to lead their future rather than others with more strident, flashy and far less substantive reputations. He stubbed his toe badly with his Kenny the Page speech last winter. But that snafu is survivable as in the mean time he appears to be constructing concrete accomplishments down in the Bayou.
From Economist:
"...The speech didn't do Mr Jindal any favours, but it was only one speech, and no one expected him to beat Mr Obama in an oratorical cage match. If I were an advisor to Mr Jindal I might want him to be a little bit more public, because as it is the Kenneth-the-Page moment is the lingering impression
...The important thing is that Mr Jindal has, since taking office in January 2008, been an effective governor. During the campaign, for example, he promised to reform Louisiana's ethics laws, and that was one of the first things he did: the reforms were signed in March 2008. As a result, this year Louisiana leapt 43 spots in the Center for Public Integrity's rankings of standards for legislators—from 44th place to 1st. That's a tremendous jump.
Another focus of the young administration is economic development. To that end they are taking steps to show that the state is a good place to do business.
...One other note about Mr Jindal, in light of the news of the day. His experience gives the lie to Sarah Palin's implicit claim that liberal elitists and the mainstream media are set on personally destroying anybody who imperils the cozy, cliquish white-male old-money boy's club. We hardly hear a peep about Mr Jindal's personal life. I don't even know if he has kids. Possibly because if he does he's not always using them as props in glamorous photo shoots. We hear only a little about his remarkable religious experiences, but only a little, because he doesn't generally refer to Jesus when he's explaining his political beliefs or governing decisions. Had Ms Palin gone back to Alaska after the campaign and paid attention to governing the sideshow part of life would quickly have subsided. It's like Dr Phil says, Ms Palin: you teach people how to treat you."
http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2009/07/bobby_jindal.cfm
From Economist:
"...The speech didn't do Mr Jindal any favours, but it was only one speech, and no one expected him to beat Mr Obama in an oratorical cage match. If I were an advisor to Mr Jindal I might want him to be a little bit more public, because as it is the Kenneth-the-Page moment is the lingering impression
...The important thing is that Mr Jindal has, since taking office in January 2008, been an effective governor. During the campaign, for example, he promised to reform Louisiana's ethics laws, and that was one of the first things he did: the reforms were signed in March 2008. As a result, this year Louisiana leapt 43 spots in the Center for Public Integrity's rankings of standards for legislators—from 44th place to 1st. That's a tremendous jump.
Another focus of the young administration is economic development. To that end they are taking steps to show that the state is a good place to do business.
...One other note about Mr Jindal, in light of the news of the day. His experience gives the lie to Sarah Palin's implicit claim that liberal elitists and the mainstream media are set on personally destroying anybody who imperils the cozy, cliquish white-male old-money boy's club. We hardly hear a peep about Mr Jindal's personal life. I don't even know if he has kids. Possibly because if he does he's not always using them as props in glamorous photo shoots. We hear only a little about his remarkable religious experiences, but only a little, because he doesn't generally refer to Jesus when he's explaining his political beliefs or governing decisions. Had Ms Palin gone back to Alaska after the campaign and paid attention to governing the sideshow part of life would quickly have subsided. It's like Dr Phil says, Ms Palin: you teach people how to treat you."
http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2009/07/bobby_jindal.cfm
Things I Like - Art
Bernstein & Andriulli is an artist management agency that represents international photographers, illustrators, stylists, hair and makeup artists. The site showcases the artists' work in the advertising, design, and editorial communities.
Most of the photography is related to fashion, styling and home interiors and usually for advertisements in magazines or catalogs. I’m not sure where these fit in but I really liked them:
Jamie Chung - Chocolate Pump
Julie Blackmon - Attic
Emily Nathan – Swans
Rudd Baan – Horse
Christophe Gilbert - The Bath
Most of the photography is related to fashion, styling and home interiors and usually for advertisements in magazines or catalogs. I’m not sure where these fit in but I really liked them:
Jamie Chung - Chocolate Pump
Julie Blackmon - Attic
Emily Nathan – Swans
Rudd Baan – Horse
Christophe Gilbert - The Bath
Pet Peeves: Adjusting Rankings For Inflation
TW: One of my peeves are folks who talk about current stats without adjusting for inflation. Hence, the headlines of the latest movie setting box office records, the latest contract being the highest in baseball history, or that home sales price set a market record etc. I realize "biggest opening ever" or "largest contract in history" make for more interesting headlines than "15th biggest opening ever on an inflation-adjusted basis" but still.
For movies at least a site adjusts the box office receipts to give a more relevant view of "all-time" performance. The list shows how recent movies generally have a long way to go before achieving true historical box office receipt stature. Go to the actual site for the $ figures.
1. Gone with the Wind (1939)
2. Star Wars (1977)
3. The Sound of Music (1965)
4. E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
5. The Ten Commandments (1956)
6. Titanic (1997)
7. Jaws (1975)
8. Doctor Zhivago (1965)
9. The Exorcist (1973)
10.Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/adjusted.htm
For movies at least a site adjusts the box office receipts to give a more relevant view of "all-time" performance. The list shows how recent movies generally have a long way to go before achieving true historical box office receipt stature. Go to the actual site for the $ figures.
1. Gone with the Wind (1939)
2. Star Wars (1977)
3. The Sound of Music (1965)
4. E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
5. The Ten Commandments (1956)
6. Titanic (1997)
7. Jaws (1975)
8. Doctor Zhivago (1965)
9. The Exorcist (1973)
10.Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/adjusted.htm
Monday, July 6, 2009
Oh the Irony...
(click on image to enlarge- via Calculated Risk)TW: Oh the irony of the Nat'l Assoc. of Home Builders, the folks who cheer-leaded one of the greatest most cynical bubbles of all-time, having to sub-lease space at their cheer-leading hub in D.C.
You Reap What You Sow: Tea-Bag Away
TW: This video of TX Senator and pretty darn conservative John Coryn getting grief at this past weekend's tea-bagging event is getting much play. His sin, voting for last Fall's financial bailout (the one that kept your ATM functioning) and not speaking out more vociferously for Hooverite contractionary fiscal policy amidst the Great Contraction. These events speak to the challenge Republicans face if their base is a blood-thirsty, anti-intellectual, unfettered populist (not to mention not very diverse) group of folks, who are merely confused and afraid and grasping at straws. The Republicans cannot really run away from this movement (which Fox is featured daily at the Fox Nation), but to embrace them is cancerous.
And who is the one Republican politician who would achieve rapturous applause at any of these events? I shall not mention her name.
From TPM:
"...The tea party in Boiling Springs, South Carolina, featured a colorful cast of characters. The headline speaker was Alan Keyes, who has been a leading name of the "Birther" movement. Lead organizer Michael Brady came dressed up as Thomas Paine -- who in real life was a left-winger in favor of progressive taxation and opposed to traditional religion. One attendee took out a flyer that said, "Zelaya today, Obama tomorrow," but said he was advocating impeachment of Obama after he was asked directly whether he was in favor of a coup..."
How Representative Is the Senate?
TW: Was thinking the other day (it happens). Spurred when I saw a Republican Senator from Wyoming making some inane comment. Passing bills in the Senate takes 60 votes given the mores of the Senate. There are 40 Republican Senators. I suspected that those 40 Senators represent a disproportionately small % of Americans as they come from on average smaller states than Dems. So I did a little work and I was right, but my own bias showed up because after all the Dems have some small state representation as well (i.e. VT, RI). The numbers were as follows:
The 40 Republicans represent about 109MM out of the 308MM total Americans or 35%
So in substance 35% of the U.S. population can block legislation desired by the other 65%. The cloture rule substantively is closer to a two-thirds rule than 60%.
Another way to look at the data would be to see how many folks are represented by the smallest 20 states or 40 Senators regardless of party. Those 20 states contain only 15.4 MM folks or 5% of the total population. Therefore it is theoretically possible for about 5% of the population to block the remaining 95%. While a coalition of Hawaii, Idaho, Wyoming and say Vermont is rare it does speak to how agricultural interests are able to have their way with national policy which usually means subsidies or how a savvy manufacturer spreads production across many states in order to achieve its goals.
The 40 Republicans represent about 109MM out of the 308MM total Americans or 35%
So in substance 35% of the U.S. population can block legislation desired by the other 65%. The cloture rule substantively is closer to a two-thirds rule than 60%.
Another way to look at the data would be to see how many folks are represented by the smallest 20 states or 40 Senators regardless of party. Those 20 states contain only 15.4 MM folks or 5% of the total population. Therefore it is theoretically possible for about 5% of the population to block the remaining 95%. While a coalition of Hawaii, Idaho, Wyoming and say Vermont is rare it does speak to how agricultural interests are able to have their way with national policy which usually means subsidies or how a savvy manufacturer spreads production across many states in order to achieve its goals.
Honduras: An Attempt At Better Leadership Implemented Poorly
TW: The Honduras situation is one where 95% of Americans will pay little or no attention. Hence their perspectives will be driven by the superficial headlines mentioning coups, Chavez etc. This lack of attention is understandable, Honduras is not necessarily strategic but it can be instructive.
Honduras demonstrates some of the challenges with democracy. Zelaya the ousted president was duly elected but once elected veered toward aligning himself with Hugo Chavez. Furthermore he began to agitate for super-constitutional powers which would have extended his power and length in office. Rather than follow constitutional processes themselves, however, the Honduran military with a fair amount of popular support removed Zelaya from office and deported him.
Both Zelaya and anti-Zelaya forces have strength amidst the populace so now the country verges on civil war. What would have happened if the anti-Zelaya forces had been disciplined enough to follow constitutional processes? Now if Zelaya wins expect a full-bore pro-Chavez, anti-American regime.
The U.S. and others are left in a bit of a quandary- support the actual rule of law or support Zelaya who was heading down a potentially unlawful path. To support coups risks opening (or more accurately re-opening) a pandora's box or undemocratic behavior. We yanquis acquired a well-deserved reputation during the Cold War of supporting democracy except when we did'nt (usually when a lefty sympathizer got too close to power).
My suspicion is that we will loudly support the rule of law while quietly hoping and helping Zelaya to find a cushy retirement home in Caracas or elsewhere. It is not as black and white as some on the right (i.e. Sen. DeMint of SC) would prefer by having us go back to the good old days by coming out in favor of coups.
From Economist:
"Manuel Zelaya is a moustachioed timber magnate who won Honduras’s presidential election in 2005 as a law-and-order candidate for the mainstream Liberal Party only to alienate most of the country by allying himself with Hugo Chávez, Venezuela’s leftist president. His overthrow in a military coup on June 28th was followed by calls for his restoration of striking unanimity and vehemence, from Barack Obama, Mr Chávez, the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the United Nations General Assembly, among others.
The only people who don’t seem to want the president back in his job are Hondurans...
...there is no evidence of Hondurans clamouring for the president’s return with anything like the enthusiasm of outsiders.
That is because most have tired of his rule, and blame him for the constitutional crisis that preceded the coup. It was precipitated by his attempt to emulate Mr Chávez by organising a referendum to call a constituent assembly, which he seemed to hope would allow him to remain in power beyond January, when his four-year term ends. Under Honduras’s constitution, only Congress can call referendums and it was against one. Mr Zelaya went ahead anyway. When the head of the armed forces refused to carry out an order to distribute the ballot papers, the president sacked him. The Supreme Court reinstated the general, and the electoral tribunal ordered the ballots to be confiscated.
...Mr Zelaya’s presidency has been marked by a rise in crime, corruption scandals and economic populism. He pushed through big wage increases for teachers and government workers. When money ran short, he turned to Mr Chávez for petrodollars.
...In opinion polls, Mr Zelaya’s approval rating sank to 30%. Mr Chávez is unpopular in a conservative country with close ties to the United States, its main trade partner. Honduras’s media are full of allegations of infiltration by communist agents and drug traffickers from Venezuela and Nicaragua.
...In Honduras the army and all the main political parties are united in opposing Mr Zelaya, whose only backers are trade unions, leftist social movements and some among the poor..."
http://www.economist.com/world/americas/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13952942
Honduras demonstrates some of the challenges with democracy. Zelaya the ousted president was duly elected but once elected veered toward aligning himself with Hugo Chavez. Furthermore he began to agitate for super-constitutional powers which would have extended his power and length in office. Rather than follow constitutional processes themselves, however, the Honduran military with a fair amount of popular support removed Zelaya from office and deported him.
Both Zelaya and anti-Zelaya forces have strength amidst the populace so now the country verges on civil war. What would have happened if the anti-Zelaya forces had been disciplined enough to follow constitutional processes? Now if Zelaya wins expect a full-bore pro-Chavez, anti-American regime.
The U.S. and others are left in a bit of a quandary- support the actual rule of law or support Zelaya who was heading down a potentially unlawful path. To support coups risks opening (or more accurately re-opening) a pandora's box or undemocratic behavior. We yanquis acquired a well-deserved reputation during the Cold War of supporting democracy except when we did'nt (usually when a lefty sympathizer got too close to power).
My suspicion is that we will loudly support the rule of law while quietly hoping and helping Zelaya to find a cushy retirement home in Caracas or elsewhere. It is not as black and white as some on the right (i.e. Sen. DeMint of SC) would prefer by having us go back to the good old days by coming out in favor of coups.
From Economist:
"Manuel Zelaya is a moustachioed timber magnate who won Honduras’s presidential election in 2005 as a law-and-order candidate for the mainstream Liberal Party only to alienate most of the country by allying himself with Hugo Chávez, Venezuela’s leftist president. His overthrow in a military coup on June 28th was followed by calls for his restoration of striking unanimity and vehemence, from Barack Obama, Mr Chávez, the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the United Nations General Assembly, among others.
The only people who don’t seem to want the president back in his job are Hondurans...
...there is no evidence of Hondurans clamouring for the president’s return with anything like the enthusiasm of outsiders.
That is because most have tired of his rule, and blame him for the constitutional crisis that preceded the coup. It was precipitated by his attempt to emulate Mr Chávez by organising a referendum to call a constituent assembly, which he seemed to hope would allow him to remain in power beyond January, when his four-year term ends. Under Honduras’s constitution, only Congress can call referendums and it was against one. Mr Zelaya went ahead anyway. When the head of the armed forces refused to carry out an order to distribute the ballot papers, the president sacked him. The Supreme Court reinstated the general, and the electoral tribunal ordered the ballots to be confiscated.
...Mr Zelaya’s presidency has been marked by a rise in crime, corruption scandals and economic populism. He pushed through big wage increases for teachers and government workers. When money ran short, he turned to Mr Chávez for petrodollars.
...In opinion polls, Mr Zelaya’s approval rating sank to 30%. Mr Chávez is unpopular in a conservative country with close ties to the United States, its main trade partner. Honduras’s media are full of allegations of infiltration by communist agents and drug traffickers from Venezuela and Nicaragua.
...In Honduras the army and all the main political parties are united in opposing Mr Zelaya, whose only backers are trade unions, leftist social movements and some among the poor..."
http://www.economist.com/world/americas/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13952942
Things I Like - Humor
I don’t know why, I was in a meat mood today…
Vegan or Awesome?
The Meat Suit
Bacon Boys
If Only It Were True...
Vegan or Awesome?
The Meat Suit
Bacon Boys
If Only It Were True...
Al Franken Will Be a Good Senator
TW: I enjoy laughing about Franken from his church lady days as much as anyone but unlike some I have a great deal of respect for Al Franken's intellect and potential as a US Senator. Franken's books were insightful, funny and smart. Attributes that some may not appreciate or even regard as useful for a U.S. senator.
When a columnist like Broder frames Franken as a "loud-mouthed...comedian" it is a shame. But then the next Broder column of interest will be the first in a long-time. The one referenced below made the stunning claim that bi-partisanship takes mutual cooperation and is a good thing...oh really, and to think he gets paid to write such profound insights.
If the Senate was comprised solely of "policy wonks" we would have a problem but I believe having at least a handful is a good thing. Franken appears quite shrewd, you do not go from "church lady" to U.S. senator without some moxie (just like you do not go from 'B' movie actor to POTUS). Mark my word Franken will be around the senate for a long time or at least as long as he wants.
From Paul Krugman at NYT:
"David Broder has a column this morning calling for bipartisanship. I know, you’re shocked. But what struck me was this bit about Al Franken:
'Franken, the loud-mouthed former comedian, will be the 60th member of the Senate Democratic caucus …'
Two points.
First, implicit in this characterization of Franken is the notion of the Senate as a decorous gentlemen’s club. I doubt that club ever existed in reality; but in any case, these days the World’s Greatest Deliberative Body is, not to put too fine a point on it, chock full o’ nuts. James Inhofe: I rest my case.
Second, Al Franken’s dirty secret is that … he’s a big policy wonk.
I used to go on Franken’s radio show, all ready to be jocular — and what he wanted to talk about was the arithmetic of Social Security, or the structure of Medicare Part D.
In fact, the only elected official I know who’s wonkier than Al Franken is Rush Holt, my congressman — and he used to be the assistant director of Princeton’s plasma physics lab. (The campaign’s bumper stickers read, “My Congressman IS a rocket scientist.”)
So what will Franken do to the level of Senate discourse? He’ll raise it."
When a columnist like Broder frames Franken as a "loud-mouthed...comedian" it is a shame. But then the next Broder column of interest will be the first in a long-time. The one referenced below made the stunning claim that bi-partisanship takes mutual cooperation and is a good thing...oh really, and to think he gets paid to write such profound insights.
If the Senate was comprised solely of "policy wonks" we would have a problem but I believe having at least a handful is a good thing. Franken appears quite shrewd, you do not go from "church lady" to U.S. senator without some moxie (just like you do not go from 'B' movie actor to POTUS). Mark my word Franken will be around the senate for a long time or at least as long as he wants.
From Paul Krugman at NYT:
"David Broder has a column this morning calling for bipartisanship. I know, you’re shocked. But what struck me was this bit about Al Franken:
'Franken, the loud-mouthed former comedian, will be the 60th member of the Senate Democratic caucus …'
Two points.
First, implicit in this characterization of Franken is the notion of the Senate as a decorous gentlemen’s club. I doubt that club ever existed in reality; but in any case, these days the World’s Greatest Deliberative Body is, not to put too fine a point on it, chock full o’ nuts. James Inhofe: I rest my case.
Second, Al Franken’s dirty secret is that … he’s a big policy wonk.
I used to go on Franken’s radio show, all ready to be jocular — and what he wanted to talk about was the arithmetic of Social Security, or the structure of Medicare Part D.
In fact, the only elected official I know who’s wonkier than Al Franken is Rush Holt, my congressman — and he used to be the assistant director of Princeton’s plasma physics lab. (The campaign’s bumper stickers read, “My Congressman IS a rocket scientist.”)
So what will Franken do to the level of Senate discourse? He’ll raise it."
Sunday, July 5, 2009
You Go Joey!
TW: I find these hot dog eating contests disgusting. When the regurgitation, frequently nasally, starts it is really stunning. But there is none of that in this video just scintillating after action re-cap with the winner, Joey Chesnut. To me it looked the whole time like he was fighting hard to keep the victorious 69 dogs down.
So Good It Made Our 11 am Slot...
TW: Nothing like organic internet creativity
ps I would title it like "Hitler Mourns Michael Jackson" but I dont want a bunch of creeps stumbling onto the blog...
Things I Like - Odds & Ends
I have a client in New York whose office is across the street from FAO Schwartz in Times Square. They have a Ferris wheel in the store, one of these days I’m going to stop in before I get in the taxi to LaGuardia.
This is also the place where Tom Hanks danced on a super-sized piano in the movie Big. They still have the piano and now they have piano dancers:
Make sure your volume is on.
Thanks to my sister MJ for sending the video clip.
This is also the place where Tom Hanks danced on a super-sized piano in the movie Big. They still have the piano and now they have piano dancers:
Make sure your volume is on.
Thanks to my sister MJ for sending the video clip.
"Dave" Palin Morphs Into "Gloria" Palin
(h/t pourmecoffee blog for the idea)
TW: I chose out of respect to our national holiday to not post on Ms. Palin yesterday. And the blogosphere is crammed with takes on Ms. Palin. Yet I have decided to give it one more comment then I will move on (until of course the next great twist in the drama).
Last fall when she was first thrust cynically onto the national scene I called her Sarah "Dave" Palin after the charming Kevin Kline character from the film of the same name. "Dave" was an innocent, normal yet imminently unqualified person thrust into the role of POTUS due to convoluted circumstances. Dave's handlers did their best to disguise his true identity by filling him with just enough facts to make him seem real. I thought the title relevant for Palin last fall and still do.
My net net on her latest evolution:
1) I could care less about all of possible reasons for her move, the speculation is tedious and ultimately irrelevant (note should it develop that she has a tragic family or health issue then obviously that would change things but her "speech" was not consistent with that reason but given the below anything is possible).
2) She is corrosive to the Republican party. She is just viable enough as a national figure that the more rational elements of her party (i.e. David Frum, Mike Murphy, Peggy Noonan, George Will etc.) feel obligated to react to her respectively and seriously if tepidly. She cannot be dismissed as a crackpot. Concurrently the fire-breathers (i.e. Bill Kristol, hard-core wrongy bloggers, National Review, Fox News, Rush etc.) are sucked into actually rationalizing her behaviors which only diminish their already seriously strained credibilty.
The Dems on the other hand have a free-fire zone because...
3) She is batshit insane.
4) To quote Mr. John Mellencamp:
"Well I was born in a small town
And I live in a small town
Prob'ly die in a small town
Oh, those small communities
All my friends are so small town
My parents live in the same small town
My job is so small town
Provides little opportunity
Educated in a small town
Taught the fear of Jesus in a small town
Used to daydream in that small town
Another boring romantic that's me..."
I like small towns and had plenty of exposure to them growing up. Small towns are great. One can lead a wonderful life in a small town, become a great parent, a good leader etc. But one could also, if never moving beyond that town; think if one were the class valedictorian for instance, that you were the smartest person ever; or the town's top business person that you were the smartest business person ever; or the fastest athlete that you were pretty fast etc.
But of course there is a big world out there with folks with an incredible realm of diversity operating at extraordinary levels of accomplishment. To never gain exposure to those environments risks warping one's ego.
Ms. Palin epitomizes the "big fish in a small pond". She has spent her entire life personally, educationally, and professionally in small venues. She actually thinks her life perspectives to be broad, her talents extraordinary and her ambition to be POTUS sane. She combines these attributes with indomitable will, this is a potent and destructive combination.
She exhibits the worst attribute of a potential leader, she is so immature and isolated that she does not know what she does not know. She thinks she is running for POTUS but instead risks plunging into insanity. For her sake she should take a big step back and reflect on her status.
She will not because she has tasted the nectar of vociferous adulation and hero worship and it was intoxicating. Like Gloria Swanson, she will be back for more until, of course, the lights go out.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
If You Have Not Seen "John Adams" Do So
TW: Adams led an extraordinary life during a tumultuous period and the acting by Laura Linney and Paul Giamatti was very good.
Fourth Of July Quotes: Tommy Paine
TW: Okay we all know about "give me liberty or give me death" and the right-wing nuts have bastardized Paine to a certain degree but he had some good stuff.
From Thomas Paine:
"A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right. "
"All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit. "
"Any system of religion that has anything in it that shocks the mind of a child, cannot be true. "
"Belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man. "
"I believe in the equality of man; and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavoring to make our fellow-creatures happy."
"The most formidable weapon against errors of every kind is reason"
TW: Did you know he was the source of these?
"That government is best which governs least"
"These are the times that try men's souls"
From Thomas Paine:
"A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right. "
"All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit. "
"Any system of religion that has anything in it that shocks the mind of a child, cannot be true. "
"Belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man. "
"I believe in the equality of man; and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavoring to make our fellow-creatures happy."
"The most formidable weapon against errors of every kind is reason"
TW: Did you know he was the source of these?
"That government is best which governs least"
"These are the times that try men's souls"
Fourth Of July Quotes: Jimmy Madison
We continue our Fourth of July quotations with Mr. Madison our fourth POTUS and key contributor to the actual design of our constitution.
"Each generation should be made to bear the burden of its own wars, instead of carrying them on, at the expense of other generations."
"And I have no doubt that every new example will succeed, as every past one has done, in showing that religion and Government will both exist in greater purity, the less they are mixed together."
"America was indebted to immigration for her settlement and prosperity. That part of America which had encouraged them most had advanced most rapidly in population, agriculture and the arts."
"It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are made by men of their own choice if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood. " [TW: the lobbyists have shredded this hope]
"Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives. "
"Ambition must be made to counteract ambition."
"All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree"
"If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy"
"A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce, or a tragedy, or perhaps both."
TW: I could go on all day with Madison quotes, he was a genius on par with Jefferson. You can thank those two for most of the good bits of our governance.
"Each generation should be made to bear the burden of its own wars, instead of carrying them on, at the expense of other generations."
"And I have no doubt that every new example will succeed, as every past one has done, in showing that religion and Government will both exist in greater purity, the less they are mixed together."
"America was indebted to immigration for her settlement and prosperity. That part of America which had encouraged them most had advanced most rapidly in population, agriculture and the arts."
"It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are made by men of their own choice if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood. " [TW: the lobbyists have shredded this hope]
"Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives. "
"Ambition must be made to counteract ambition."
"All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree"
"If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy"
"A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce, or a tragedy, or perhaps both."
TW: I could go on all day with Madison quotes, he was a genius on par with Jefferson. You can thank those two for most of the good bits of our governance.
Fourth Of July Quotes: Tommy Jefferson
TW: On the Fourth I thought it would be interesting to pull up some quotes from our distinguished forefathers who designed and built the greatest governmental structure ever created (or at least greatest compared to all others before or since).
We start with Mr. Jefferson:
"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent."
"A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine."
"Conquest is not in our principles. It is inconsistent with our government. "
"Books constitute capital. A library book lasts as long as a house, for hundreds of years. It is not, then, an article of mere consumption but fairly of capital, and often in the case of professional men, setting out in life, it is their only capital."
"An injured friend is the bitterest of foes."
"Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty."
"Experience demands that man is the only animal which devours his own kind, for I can apply no milder term to the general prey of the rich on the poor."
"He who knows best knows how little he knows."
We start with Mr. Jefferson:
"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent."
"A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine."
"Conquest is not in our principles. It is inconsistent with our government. "
"Books constitute capital. A library book lasts as long as a house, for hundreds of years. It is not, then, an article of mere consumption but fairly of capital, and often in the case of professional men, setting out in life, it is their only capital."
"An injured friend is the bitterest of foes."
"Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty."
"Experience demands that man is the only animal which devours his own kind, for I can apply no milder term to the general prey of the rich on the poor."
"He who knows best knows how little he knows."
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