What Did They Know, and When Did They Know It?

So, according to this NYT article, about 15% of the population (roughly 48 million people) is without health insurance (which, of course, is not to say that they do not receive health care), yet according to this Forbes article, the Administration knew that about 93 million people would lose their existing coverage under ACA.

It's just they were different people, I guess, which made it all OK.

NYT: "In 2012, the bureau said, 15.4 percent of people were uninsured, down from 15.7 percent in 2011. The number of uninsured people, 48 million, was not statistically different from the estimate of 48.6 million in 2011. David S. Johnson, the chief of social and economic statistics at the bureau, said that much of the increase in coverage last year was attributable to government programs. Medicare covered 15.7 percent of the population, compared with 15.2 percent the previous year.

Census Bureau data showed significant changes in coverage over the last 13 years.

From 1999 to 2012, the bureau said, the proportion of people with private health insurance declined to 63.9 percent, from 73 percent, while the proportion with government coverage rose to 32.6 percent, from 24.2 percent."

Forbes: "How many people are exposed to these problems? 60 percent of Americans have private-sector health insurance—precisely the number that Jay Carney dismissed. As to the number of people facing cancellations, 51 percent of the employer-based market plus 53.5 percent of the non-group market (the middle of the administration’s range) amounts to 93 million Americans."

Weep, founders, weep.

Bwaaaaa Haaaaaaaaaa! Unintended Consequences and Hubris Alert!

"Just come in to my house and feel the walls shaking," he said. "They say it's the nocebo effect, but people who sit on my front porch have to leave within a half hour -- they felt it. Early on, I had a financial adviser sit in my kitchen and within five minutes he was complaining about ear popping.

Yup, wind turbines. That's stinks, for sure ( I want a home turbine to reduce my dependency on my local utility company, and some solar cells would be nice), but we always have unintended consequences, it seems.

It's Been A While Since Things

I wasted some valuable work time looking at Things via searchtempest on cragislist from around the nation (**update** all but the one I call the "pick of the litter" are no longer available! Other people like these, too, you know). First, some with no photos:

Here's one that says $1100, and there's no way that's right, if you read the description. (new link) Seriously, “…like new. The interior is black and exterior is pastel white all original new top, tires, brakes, bearings, generator, seats, tune up, new carburator, shocks, wiper motor,master cylinder, alignment parts, front tow hitch, headlamps, tail lamps and horn, The original windows are in the its original packages that go in the front compartment” is not $1100, it's $11000.... 

and there's this one:

73 Thing - Very good engine, starts &runs good. Has gas heater that looks like new. Need new conv. top & floorpans (new pans w/car). Orange , 85 k orig . mi. $3000  (my edit, he's now asking $2600 $2400!!!!) This is a fair deal, it seems.

Now, for $5000:

Or is it $5300? same phone number....

Here's a runner in Tampa, for a decent price if you like rusty Things. This and a parts Thing for $4250, not bad at all:

My pick of the litter, actually. No top is fine with me, a deal and a half at $3500. Cape Cod is a long way away.

"I quess my starting price of $4000 was over the top,I will reduce the asking price and listen to reasonable offers. My wife is bugging to sell this. Young girls are not included in the sale. 1973 orange Thing 55,000 miles,starts ,idles and runs smoothly,new motor parts,solid muffler and some brake lines replaced. Good clutch and trans,shifts easily. Some typical rust. Newer tires,have jack and tire removal accessories,side windows and top frame also. Good winter project. Parts are plentiful for restoration." 

******It's on Ebay now, January of 2014. I wish I had money!********

Last is a parts/needs a lot of restoration Thing for $850.   Sorry, the link is dead for this one, too. 

"73 rusty thing with lots of good original parts, I have no paperwork, the engine is locked up from sitting. This can be towed with a tow dolly. I am not parting it out! The engine is original thing case with gravel guard. One seat is missing ,the other is shot, rockers are shot. No title."

Wow, Is Anthony a Wiener or What?

Anthony Weiner says he'd be mayor 'if the Internet didn't exist'



What a wiener. 



...and I would've gotten away with it too, if it weren't for that meddling "internet".
In other words, Weiner meant that he'd be mayor if the truth didn't get out. What does that say about a person, who they are, how they'd lead and what they believe? I want me elected officials to be honest and forthcoming, not like Weiner.

Tor, We Hardly Knew Ye

Here's me in my scary-had-it-since-I-was-eleven-bought-it-at-Walt Disney World-for-$11-everyone-loves-or-is-scared-by-it mask:

Here's the real face it was made to mimic, Tor Johnson. I thought you'd want to know that.

Nothing To See Here, People, Keep Moving....

The National Park Service has closed privately run marinas, restaurants and inns throughout the country and in some cases even posted guards to keep people from using them during the government shutdown, arguing that it doesn’t have the money, manpower or authority to let them operate.

Views to Mt. Rushmore blocked......

Or, you could get kicked out of your home.

Not surprisingly, Wisconsin and it's eeeeevil republican governor said "nope, not gonna do it" to some NPS demands.


Oh, it's the House's fault. Not the kind, gentle, wise, educated, master of locution.

These folks beg to differ.....

Bread and Circuses

Seriously, folks, what is your red pill? What does it take for you to recognize the level of political theatrics BOTH SIDES of the aisle will go to to manipulate you?

The Parks are close because of the "Shutdown," but we can staff the placement of signs and barricades for open air, 24-7 accessible, non-staffed war memorials? In the interest of reaching across the aisle, here's part of CNN's version of the story, read the rest at the link you just skipped over.

Veterans break past World War II Memorial barricade

Posted by

CNN's Laura Koran and Ashley Killough

Update 1:45 p.m. ET: House GOP leadership sources tell CNN they plan to vote on a series of bills to fund the government, beginning Tuesday with three measures–spending for veterans, the District of Columbia and the Park Service.

Washington (CNN) – Busloads of World War II veterans, many in wheelchairs, broke past a barricade Tuesday morning to cross into the World War II Memorial, as onlookers applauded and a man playing the bagpipes led the way.

Moments earlier, a few Republican members of Congress had removed a section of the black gates that surrounded the site, allowing a line of veterans to roll past security officers, who willingly stood aside.

Follow @KilloughCNN Follow @laurakoran

Veteran Donald Quinn of Pascagoula, Mississippi, said he was pleased with his visit to the memorial, despite the initial blockade.

"I'm surprised to see so many people here and so many important people, but I've enjoyed it," he said. "At first I didn't think I'd come, but I'm glad I did."

Photo by Laura Koran

The National Park Service closed all of its parks, including national memorials, as a result of the federal government shutdown that went into effect at 12:01 a.m ET.

But a spokeswoman from the National Mall and Parks Service said efforts were no longer being made to hold anyone back.

"These are important visitors," Carol Johnson told reporters, adding that they're seeking guidance from the director's office on "where we go next."

"Obviously we did not want to do anything to mar the trip of these people," she said, saying the visitors came from Mississippi and Iowa. "They've come here specifically to see the memorial that was built for them."

Some Republican members of Congress and a Democratic senator were on site, blasting the federal government for fencing off the memorial. Outraged and baffled, Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, crossed through an opening in the railing earlier in the morning–before the breach–and got on the phone to try and reach the secretary of the Department of Interior.

"I don't get it. I'm furious. I'm trying to get a hold of people," he said, standing on the other side of the barricade and looking around for help. "But I can't seem to get a hold of anybody."

.......

Read the rest at the link.