MJ: Segment on the doctor who held a free clinic in Houston, TX. Did you see it?

[Skidmore]

The man was telling about a free clinic he set up and he and his team treated nearly 2K people in one day. He recounted stories of WORKING people who came--83% of those who came had jobs but could not afford insurance nor could they afford to miss work. He told of a truck driver with an ulcer on his foot that would not heal who they diagnosed with diabetes and who could not get medical attention on the weekends because the clinics were closed when he could take time off from work. They told of a man who could not get insurance because he had a tumor on his lip. Of a woman with a child who had a full time job but could not afford the insurance policy.

Mika found an opening to blame obese people, even though the doctor pointed out that the affordable food is not always the healthy food. Buchanan jumped on the "its not my responsibility when others don't take personal responsibility" wagon. Both missed the point that a systemic change needs to occur--as the doctor pointed out--to make the right thing to do affordable.

I wanted to e-mail the show but am so angry that I can't find the words right now.

[boobooday]

1. I was just reading an article on CNN about health care

Interviewing regular people with various plans and/or challenges. I couldn't believe that so many of the un- and underinsured said they were against universal health care. The scare tactics have really gotten to these people. Some said they wanted "universal" care, but not administered by the government. If people think gov't is so incompetent, why do they allow them to start and fight wars? Make weapons?

I also noticed that CNN didn't really interview any people who actually NEEDED their health care. I.e. those with chronic diseases or pre-existing conditions.

These healthy people can be so flip about it, as if they can't even imagine that they might be diagnosed with a disease, even if they do live the "healthy lifestyle."

[a kennedy]

2. it's the old, I've got mine, screw you crowd.

:mad: :puke: :grr:

[Demit]

3. Don't you find that watching these shows makes you feel bad?

It's not even like probing a sore tooth hurts but in a way feels good.

You're saying you're incredibly angry and it's only early morning yet. Why continue watching these people? You must know by now that they have a point of view that will always denigrate & ridicule progressive ideas. Why subject yourself to it? I'm really curious.

[Skidmore]

4. We need to answer these people and shame them.

Loudly ande ceaselessly. Back them down.

[Demit]

5. Shame Mika Brezinski and Pat Buchanan, you mean? How? How do you get them to 'back down?'

Do you write letters or call them, to do that? Or do you mean by talking about them in venues like DU?

I'm not making fun of you, I'm sincerely questioning this, as I was struck by your saying you were 'so angry' this morning.


I think blowhards on talk TV and radio are thrilled by any response. It's a version of 'I don't care what you say about me, just spell my name right.' That is, any publicity is good. They might even have interns who read blogs & forums like this and report back what gets the most reaction.

The death knell for any public person is when the public are no longer interested in their doings. When they become irrelevant. They'll always be relevant to their slavish followers, but I'm positing that if they no longer can get a rise out of the other side, if the other side is ignoring them, that would be very disconcerting to them.

And you wouldn't be feeling deep anger on a Monday morning. Just a thought.

[malaise]

6. It was very good n/t