I’ve been “troubled” (see: confused) lately about this whole “[46/47/48/49/”Nearly 50”] Million uninsured Americans” stuff being tossed about by our elected leaders (and other health care reform advocates).  I recall hearing one day, while parked outside of a liquor store in Charleston, SC (don’t ask), Senator Coburn (R-OK) on Dr Radio (or something or other on the XM radio) explaining that the numbers were “inflated” (Senator Coburn is a practicing physician, by the way).  I’ve finally had a moment to track down the facts (and just the facts, ma’am).

I am sickened by the attempts of Congressional Democrats and the White House to assign motivations to protesters at Town Hall meetings as somehow “outside the mainstream” and to identify American citizens who differ with their Health Care initiatives as part of the “lunatic fringe.”

Some of you are old enough to remember the vernacular employed to discount the importance of protesters from the Civil Rights movement and the anti-Vietnam War movement.  If so, the words of Pelosi, Reid, and Obama should resonate as they attempt to downplay the irate nature of The People’s dissatisfaction with their Health Care reform plans.

Attempting to portray the discontent of the American People (regardless of political affiliation) with the Health Care debacle as “outrageous” or “lunacy” or “right wing motivated” is beyond the pale.

[I was fortunate to be selected to serve the beer at the recent White House Happy Hour during which President Obama, Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., and Sgt. James Crowley sat down, face to face (the “Racial Facial”), to discuss the recent controversy surrounding Professor Gates’ arrest by Sgt. Crowley.]

The House Energy and Commerce Committee (Chairman Henry Waxman, D-CA) has just passed an amendment to allow residents of Palau to bypass the federally mandated 5 year waiting period for Medicaid enrollment when they emigrate to the US. Why? Turns out it’s because Palau has agreed to take 17 terrorists from Guantanamo. Cost added to the Health Care bill? $200 MILLION over 10 years.

The payments to house/feed EACH detainee, for EACH day breaks down as follows:

5 years – $6,446
10 years – $3,223
15 years – $2,149
20 years – $ 1,612

In light thereof, I am lobbying Congress to create and fund the Terrorist Adoption/Detainee (TAD) Program to allow US Citizens to adopt Guantanamo detainees.

Contrary to popular belief, the Supreme Court’s ruling in District of Columbia v Heller did not extend 2nd Amendment rights (“…keep and bear arms…”) to all Americans. The court declared, for the first time, that the right is an “individual” right, but the ruling did not establish a “fundamental” right by which state and local governments are bound (see also: “incorporation”).

In fact, Justice Scalia, writing for the majority, took great pains to explain that the court’s decision did not preclude state and local governments from limiting their constituent’s rights to keep and bear arms as long as the restrictions are not excessive (i.e., “reasonable”).

What Heller Said and what it Didn’t:

Before perusing this latest Tadventure© the reader is strongly cautioned that its content is extremely graphic, it contains adult language and adult situations, and it involves significant nudity. Periodically emetic in nature, readers predisposed to queasiness should immediately strike the DELETE key and find something better do to. Really. I’m not kidding. Others may disagree but I think it’s a hell of story and if you have a strong constitution, read on. Oh, it’s very long, too.

I had to travel to Baghdad to catch up with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, but I managed to find her hiding in a small broom closet in an airplane hanger at Bagram Air Base.

Why is it that certain “skills” and/or “knowledge” are perceived to have value for which one should pay but others are “assumed” to be given away?

I had recently a chance to catch up with Senator Arlen Specter (D/R/D – PA) to interview him in light of his recent switch from the Republican party to the Democratic party.

[I had recently an opportunity to sit down with President Obama to discuss his first six weeks in office.]