The cure leaves the disease untreated

So says Dr. Steffie Woolhandler, Harvard Medical School professor, and cofounder of Physicians for a National Health Program, an organization that has been pushing for comprehensive health reform all along.

She makes a lot of good points in the interview, but this one sticks with me:

So there’s regulation, but there are plenty of loopholes for the insurance industry.

There’s a good chance I’m being both naive and dim here, but I want to think that we will, among other things, close those loopholes and make this a workable piece of legislation. As I said, I could be naive and dim on this.

And thanks, Bro. Leftover, for the link.

Un. Be. Liev. Able.

The father of a dead Marine has to pay the legal fees incurred by Westboro Church, Kansas’ egregious bunch of haters who picket military funerals with horrible signs.

The family is taking donations, if you’re so moved. Fortunately, the Supreme Court will hear this case. The All-Girl Prayer and Meditation Circle will hold them — the family and the Supremes – in the light.

Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, died at age 20 on March 3, 2006, in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

And thanks, Bro. Jay, for the link.

UPDATE: Fox News show host Bill O’Reilly says he’ll pay the $16,500 to the Westboro group.

Sign. Me. Up. Sign-me-up-sign-me-up.

Well, me and Mr. DJ, that is. And there we are, gamboling down the beach!

I lie, but imagine: Honeymoon tester. It’s a real job and I want it.

Uh. Oh.

Republicans, we feel your pain. I mean, you have leaders you want to respect, want to help advance your party’s agenda, and then they go and travel in style. In short:

A February RNC trip to California, for example, included a $9,099 stop at the Beverly Hills Hotel, $6,596 dropped at the nearby Four Seasons, and $1,620.71 spent [update: the amount is actually $1,946.25] at Voyeur West Hollywood, a bondage-themed nightclub featuring topless women dancers imitating lesbian sex.

Alright. Alright. Pipe down. Who here hasn’t dropped a coupla thou at a bondage-themed nightclub featuring topless women dancers imitating sex. Let s/he who is without sin cast the first stone. I don’t know. This kind of makes this moot. Sort of.

Homer Simpson, Prophet

“The Simpsons” kicked off Holy Week with a family trip to Jerusalem, where Homer is afflicted with Jerusalem Syndrome, and wants to start a new religion for Chrismujews. The faith will praise chicken and peace.

Turns out, there really is a Jerusalem Syndrome. Who knew?

Write a haiku!

And be sure to use the words “Glenn Beck.”

Some of these are quite good. Now if I could just remember the rules for writing a haiku…

Here’s more on Jewish Funds for Justice.

Let the tax cuts for the wealthy expire

Gene Mulligan, who actually is wealthy, suggests it. As he says:

Those of us who have benefited the most during abundant times have a duty to our country during lean times.

Yes, I can voluntarily pay more taxes, just as I choose to give more money to charity. But that won’t address the magnitude of the problem we are leaving to future taxpayers. The issues before Congress are the structure of the tax code and the question of how we, as a nation, take responsibility for the reckless debts of the past.

Congress can take a responsible step in the right direction: Let my tax cut go.

Here’s more on Wealth for the Common Good, a group to which Mulligan belongs.

Retire Ronald McDonald

Corporate Accountability International is calling on McDonald’s restaurants to retire Ronald, who’s been pushing the chain’s fast food for 50 years.

Hey! It works getting Joe Camel to shuffle off the stage.

Prayers for what ails you.

The Church of England has published prayers in preparation to the General Election in May.

Imagine if we had these in Republican/Democrat/Tea Party versions. And thanks, Bro. Jay, for the link.

Truck drivers and human trafficking

This says America’s truck drivers are the first line of defense against child prostitution and child trafficking.

Check out this — an educational partnership between Transport for Christ, Chapter 61 Ministries, and Truckers Against Trafficking.