From the GREAT STATE OF MAINE...
Exmearden Marks the Spot
Joining Dante Atkins and Angry Mouse on the roster of new Daily Kos Featured Writers is the lovely and talented exmearden, who hails from the Seattle area. She says her earliest exposure to politics was during "family dinner discussions at a certain yellow Formica table in a small coastal Oregon motel owned and operated by her "Kennedy Democrat" parents in the 1960's." Her career includes stints in advertising, property management, high school teaching, library research and two decades in the software industry---plus a special, though short-lived, job as a...well, you'll find out below. She also lives with cardiac angiosarcoma, an experience on which she has written some feisty and poignant posts like this. This morning exmearden takes her turn in the beanbag chair for the latest in our C&J interview series, Yes, We're All Staring At YOU!
Cheers and Jeers: How long have you been blogging and what originally brought you to Daily Kos?
I started blogging somewhere around early 2004 on the Wes Clark website. I wound up at Daily Kos in late 2005. I have no idea what originally brought me here; I started writing more on the Kos when I saw this post by occams hatchet in 2006.
How did you feel when Kos tapped you to be a new Featured Writer on the front page, and how do you like it so far?
Dubious, at best as to why I was asked. Mystified, so far, as I'm not much of a political wonk, and I'm not entirely certain my stuff fits the Front Page. But I'm not complaining.
What's the one book every Kossack must read?
Aside from Markos' books? Dictionary of the Khazars, both male and female versions, by Milorad Pavic.
You've written some amazing posts about how you're dealing with what you call the "banana slug"---the tumor (cardiac angiosarcoma) in your heart. How are things going at the moment?
My tumor has shrunk to less than half the size detected in September 2009, and my lungs, where the cancer has metastacized, appear pretty clear now. I'm cautioned that this is a temporary thing, but what is not temporary? I've finished six rounds of five and half day chemo treatments (some call the protocol "AIM") and am waiting for the next course, which might or might not be surgery, more chemo, or both. I think I'm in "Limbo" right now.
Based on your experience with the healthcare system, what are three things you believe the government must do now to make the system better?
First, outlaw junk health insurers, those companies who are now smelling blood in the water and offering policies to the uninsured with seemingly affordable premiums that cover almost nothing in terms of procedures, medicines, or preventative costs.
Second, require the itemization of health care bills so that each procedure and material used is clearly described in what a patient is being billed for. I've found large discrepancies across and within three health care facilities in what they charge for the exact same procedure. The insurance coverage was likewise hugely different for the same procedure billed by separate facilities.
Everything must be digitalized and open patient access to expenses seems imperative. The data should be tracked and analyzed if we are really going to efficiently defeat the high cost of healthcare. Twenty years ago, medical bills used to be detailed down to a box of Kleenex. There is no transparency now and no concrete justification of costs by providers or insurers.
Third, determine unbeatable incentives that motivate private party insurers and health care facilities to move to not-for-profit and nonprofit operations so that profit margin isn't the determinant of health care cost. Shut down the high paid CEO track in healthcare for good.
In one of your posts you wrote: "We are, none of us, guaranteed a single fucking thing, though we may think we are, on a day-to-day basis, and I'll gladly grab the joy I see around me, the joy I have, the fun that I can generate, the tears, too. I'll grab it all and stuff it into my heart and damn the torpedos." I just want to know: have you gotten a call from the Pulitzer Prize committee yet?
Naw. Maybe it was one of those calls I assumed was a creditor!
Finish this sentence: In the kitchen I make a mean...
Gorgonzola lasagna and sauteed mushrooms in white wine and sea salt.
You once spent a couple weeks as an X-rated film projectionist. What universal lesson did you learn from that experience?
Never pluck spare change off of a movie theater floor.
What kind of music makes you feel invincible to the GOP horde?
The Pixies and Leonard Cohen oldies, like Hallelujah.
President Obama's style: too timid, too aggressive, or about right?
Too early to tell. I don't expect Obama's performance to be written about objectively, or the problems created by both Bush administrations and in the Reagan years to completely go away in my lifetime. I've been a history teacher, so take the first part of that answer with a grain of salt. I don't think "timid" applies to Obama, however.
No waffling here: dogs or cats?
Dogs. Born in the Year of the Dog, 1958...who else would write something fluffy like Jabba and me?
I have one question left, but I need to go wash the crib notes for this interview off my palm. (I'll need the space later for my DMV crib notes.) Please ask and answer the final question yourself...
All of my questions are open-ended, and the answers are in the future. I am curious if there really is a restaurant at the end of the universe, and if I need to make reservations. Silly, I know, but sometimes I dream of that kind of dilemma.
That's all, folks.
Cheers and Jeers starts in There's Moreville... [Swoosh!!] RIGHTNOW! [Gong!!]
Cheers and Jeers for Monday, February 22, 2010
Note: Just a quick heads-up that this will be a three-day week for C&J, after which we'll travel from the relative warmth of Maine to the relative cold of Florida. The first item to go into our suitcase: flannel longthongs.
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By the Numbers:
Days 'til International Women's Day: 14
Days `til the Zilker Park Kite Festival in Austin: 13
Amount of "long-lived" waste our existing nuclear plants create per year: 2,000 tons
Half life of uranium-235: 704 million years
(Source: The Los Angeles Times)
Percent of Americans surveyed who disagree with the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission: 80%
(Source: ABC News/Washington Post poll)
Approximate number of times your heart will beat by age 70: 2.5 billion
Approximate number of people a career politician will have thanked at the beginning of his or her speeches by age 70: 2.5 billion
Winter Olympics Hardware Haul (Total/Gold):
USA 24/7
Germany 18/6
Norway 12/5
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Your Monday "Nevada Nugget"
Brought to you by the Netroots Nation convention in Las Vegas July 22-25.
> Approximately 40% of Nevada is covered by sagebrush.
> Nevada has a total of 315 counted mountain ranges, making it the most mountainous state in America.
> Nevada has the lowest percentage of native born residents. Only 1 of every 5 Nevadans were born in the state.
---Nevada Landmarks
Keep your eyes peeled for the next Netroots Nation online auction, and be thinking about putting an item or two up for bid. Details coming soon!
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Puppy Pic of the Day: Farewell, Ambassador Daddy
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CHEERS to Barack and his bill climbing up the hill. Today's the day the president posts his healthcare reform bill online (maybe on this page?), and the mood is one of absolute crazy-ass, batshit, pee-your-pants, run-through-the-streets-naked nonchalance. It'll give everyone time to read it before Thursday's healthcare summit between Obama and Republicans. And by "everyone" I of course mean a few dozen journalists and bloggers who will wade through it, spit out the bullet points, and tell us if it's any good or not. Lemme take the wildest of wild predictions: "Not great but good, and probably better than nothing." I can also bend spoons with my mind.
P.S. Something else to keep an eye out for today: the House questions "the military's top uniformed officers" on 'Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.' And one top un-uniformed officer who will briefly run around shouting, "I got yer sweets and flowers right here, Sugartits!" before he's subdued and sent to the House jail cell to dry out.
JEERS to Yosemite Sam in Yosemite Park. As of today, thanks to idiots like Senator Tom Coburn (R-The O.K. Corral in His Imagination), it's legal for people to carry loaded guns into national parks (including Maine's Acadia National Park, and we ain't thrilled about it). But fair warning...as of today it's legal for bears to carry loaded bazookas. So tell me, do ya feel lucky...punk?
CHEERS to getting China's bloomers in a twist. Oh golly, I wonder if the Land of Censorship and Cheap Lead-based Childrens Toys will survive after seeing our president playing a little half-court one-on-one with the Dalai Lama. Somehow I suspect they will. But a word to the west wingers: next time you have to shuffle a VIP out the back door, perhaps you could disguise the trash bags? I mean, how difficult would it be? Just add earmuffs and slap a sticker on it that says, "HELLO My Name Is John Boehner."
CHEERS to Edward Moore Kennedy. Teddy was born 78 years ago today and it goes without saying that he is missed on every imaginable level you can think of, including his sense of humor. Pay your respects here. And just for today, if you feel like marking the occasion with some Boston cream pie, we promise it won’t go to your waist.
JEERS to getting hit in the face with the frying pan of reality. Last week we commemorated the one-year anniversary of the signing into law of the Reinvestment and Recovery Act, and there is no doubt of its effectiveness at preventing us from plunging into a depression. I don't think any of us---even economic gurus like Paul Krugman---really, truly understand just how bad it could've gotten "on Main Street" if the stimulus bill had become hamstrung by a filibuster threat or recalcitrant conservadems, the way so much of our legislation has since. So bully for Obama and the Dems. Still, the headlines I've read in the last few days indicate that we could be grinding along the bottom for some time to come:
Mortgage difficulties mounting
U.S. foreclosure activity echoes that of a year ago
Health care delivery seen worsening
Jobless claims rise unexpectedly
States short $1 trillion for benefits
Wal-Mart holiday sales fall; forecast light
Indictment: Tomato seller fixed prices!
I remain very truly yours,
Mr. Sunshine
FAREWELL to Al Haig. He died. Who's in control now? As usual...anybody's guess.
CHEERS to the "Miracle on Ice." Thirty years ago today, on February 22, 1980, the U.S. Olympic hockey team outskated and outwitted the Soviets at Lake Placid, stunning everyone by beating them 4-3. I walked around for months afterward wearing a "Puck You, Russia!" T-shirt. (I'm still surprised my teachers didn't tut-tut the double entendre.) Meanwhile last night, in a feat nearly as impressive (but minus the whole "democracy vs. Communism" undertone), we gave the Canadian hockey team an unexpected thumpin' 5-3. It was like Ron Paul beating the crap out of Mitt Romney in the CPAC straw poll minus the schadenfreude.
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Five years ago in C&J: February 22, 2005
JEERS to a kinder, gentler torturer. U.S. News & World Report says Alberto Gonzales has been telling employees at Justice that he wants to be known as the "People's Lawyer" and that "we're here to help and protect the American people." Our reaction: [Gulp!]
CHEERS to gays in the military. Well, the British military, anyway. The Royal Navy is now actively courting gay recruits. The money quote from Lt. Commander Craig Jones: "People were quite hot under the collar about it; the admirals, generals and air marshals were really concerned. I'm quite sure that these folks look now and think, `What was all that fuss about?'" Hear that, Rummy? [2/22/10 Update: Hear that, Congress?]
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And just one more...
CHEERS to "Tricky George." Make sure you say "Happieth Birthdayeth" to George Washington today---he's 278 years old. From the day he took office, he knew that corruption and special interests would be a fact of life in the halls of power. (Today Republicans would probably try and impeach him for the cherry tree episode.) And he had anger issues:
At the Battle of Kip's Bay, when Connecticut militia retreated from British soldiers without firing a shot, the general exploded with an apoplectic fury, hurling his hat to the ground, swearing himself blue in the face, and cane-whipping everyone within reach.
---From Secret Lives of the U.S. Presidents by Cormac O'Brien
And here's a news flash for the obstructionist Republicans: Obama is simply following in the footsteps of the Father of our Country:
As president, he was particularly sensitive to the diverse interests of the new country and fervent in his efforts to prevent its fragmentation. ... He promoted roads, canals, the post office---anything and everything that would bind the different states and regions together. ... Never taking the unity of the country for granted, he remained preoccupied throughout his presidency with creating the sinews of nationhood. ... Washington, more than anyone, promoted the sense of Union that Lincoln and others would later uphold.
---From To the Best of My Ability, edited by James McPherson
Pay your respects here. And drop to your knees and thank the Flying Spaghetti Monster that #43 wasn't #1.
Have a nice Monday. dream big. Floor's open...What are you cheering and jeering about today?
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Today's Shameless C&J Testimonial:
By any reasonable standard, winning the C&J straw poll means only slightly less than nothing. Except for that Bill in Portland Maine has spent a whole lotta time trying to win it.
---Josh Marshall
2/20/10
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