From Newsweek Cover Story "Growing Up Guiliani" from Rudy's Roots
"Giuliani didn't grow up with wealth or power. He can't take it for granted, as can the current president or one of Giuliani's leading rivals for the GOP nomination, Mitt Romney. Yet his struggle to get to the top may have left him with a chip on his shoulder: he's had to fight for what he's achieved, so what he's got he deserves. Giuliani's upbringing has also given him an appreciation for the darker elements of the soul, and the strength required to keep them in check. He can be tolerant, particularly of his own failings or of those who are loyal to him. But don't cross him. In Rudy's world, that is one sin that cannot be forgiven."
With Michael Isikoff, Arian Campo-Flores, Lisa Miller and Mark Hosenball
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Edwards Health Care Mandate by Ezra Klein
The past few days have seen a lot of mud slinging between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton on the subject of health care mandates. The short version of the argument is that Obama's plan has no mandate at all, meaning it has no mechanism through which to achieve universal coverage, and Hillary Clinton's plan has an undefined mandate, meaning we don't know how it will achieve universal coverage. Clinton's position is better, but it's still a bit vague.
Later today, John Edwards will announce the specifics of how his mandate works. And they're quite good. Whenever you come into contact with the health care system, or whenever you pay your taxes, you will be asked to provide proof of insurance, presumably a policy number or some similar identifier. If you cannot, you will automatically be enrolled in either a public plan that you qualify for (like Medicaid or S-CHIP) or the cheapest plan offered by his Health Insurance Market. Bills will then get sent out, and if they're not paid, will be collected just like the government collects on student loan debts, or taxes, or anything else, using tools up to and including collection agencies and wage garnishment. (It's notable, here, that Edwards doesn't shy away from saying what his stick will be.)
In this way, Edwards' plan is much less an individual mandate and much closer to a government mandate. The burden is less on the individual to seek new insurance and more on the government to simply enroll them in it. From there, they can opt in to a different insurer if they so choose, or simply stay with their default plan. It's a smart and efficient way to move towards universality, and, for now, it puts Edwards ahead of both Obama and Clinton on the substance of the policy, and the speed with which he presented it to the public.
--Ezra Klein
Later today, John Edwards will announce the specifics of how his mandate works. And they're quite good. Whenever you come into contact with the health care system, or whenever you pay your taxes, you will be asked to provide proof of insurance, presumably a policy number or some similar identifier. If you cannot, you will automatically be enrolled in either a public plan that you qualify for (like Medicaid or S-CHIP) or the cheapest plan offered by his Health Insurance Market. Bills will then get sent out, and if they're not paid, will be collected just like the government collects on student loan debts, or taxes, or anything else, using tools up to and including collection agencies and wage garnishment. (It's notable, here, that Edwards doesn't shy away from saying what his stick will be.)
In this way, Edwards' plan is much less an individual mandate and much closer to a government mandate. The burden is less on the individual to seek new insurance and more on the government to simply enroll them in it. From there, they can opt in to a different insurer if they so choose, or simply stay with their default plan. It's a smart and efficient way to move towards universality, and, for now, it puts Edwards ahead of both Obama and Clinton on the substance of the policy, and the speed with which he presented it to the public.
--Ezra Klein
Difficulty
I have spent all day attempting to get a music player to play some of the songs from the Broadway show and song lyrics my husband has written with composer Edd Kalehoff.
I have worked on the code, read multiple Help pages and so far I've got nothing. I have not only worked on it today but many days in the past. So I'm sorry you can't hear some of the songs from the show. For the past two nights, there have been auditions by very talented students from the University of the Arts. We are looking for student actors and actresses to play parts from the show for a Reading sometime in January. Tonight is another night of auditions but tonight's student actors will not be singing.
I have worked on the code, read multiple Help pages and so far I've got nothing. I have not only worked on it today but many days in the past. So I'm sorry you can't hear some of the songs from the show. For the past two nights, there have been auditions by very talented students from the University of the Arts. We are looking for student actors and actresses to play parts from the show for a Reading sometime in January. Tonight is another night of auditions but tonight's student actors will not be singing.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Rudy Awakening
Rudy Awakening by Rachel Morris of Washington Monthly.
As president, Giuliani would grab even more executive power than Bush and Cheney. His mayoralty tells the story.
"Giuliani's second term, however, would be rocky, as the personality flaws that people had sensed in his first term came to engulf New York City politics. Somehow, crackdowns on drug dealers bled into irrational vendettas against hot dog vendors and jaywalkers. The mayor ensnared City Hall in a number of ill-advised lawsuits (such as the time he was successfully sued by the Brooklyn Museum after trying to evict it for displaying a painting of the Virgin Mary smeared with elephant dung). And when New York police officers were implicated in horrifying cases of abuse, Giuliani's reflexive, belligerent defense of the NYPD antagonized minority groups and affronted many New Yorkers. By the time Giuliani left office, New Yorkers had wearied of his abrasive, vindictive behavior. At the same time, they were grateful to him for having cleaned up their city."
"Many Giuliani watchers already understand that Rudy is a hothead and a grandstander, even a bit of a dictator at times. These qualities have dominated the story of his mayoralty that most people know. As that drama was unfolding, however, so was a quieter story, driven by Giuliani's instinct and capacity for manipulating the levers of government. His methods, like those of the current White House, included appointments of yes-men, aggressive tests of legal limits, strategic lawbreaking, resistance to oversight, and obsessive secrecy. As was also the case with the White House, the events of 9/11 solidified the mindset underlying his worst tendencies. Embedded in his operating style is a belief that rules don't apply to him, and a ruthless gift for exploiting the intrinsic weaknesses in the system of checks and balances. That's why, of all the presidential candidates, Giuliani is most likely to take the expansions of the executive branch made by the Bush administration and push them further still. The blueprint can be found in the often-overlooked corners of his mayoralty."
"But for Giuliani, the kingship wasn't enough. The city council was a persistent annoyance to him, and he began skirmishing with it almost immediately. He also resented the intrusion of the two other major checks on his power: the Independent Budget Office, an independent financial watchdog created in 1989 as a counterweight to the mayor's enhanced authority; and the Office of the Public Advocate, which acts as an ombudsman for the city's residents. Giuliani tried to reduce the public advocate's budget, and refused to fund the IBO until 1996."
As president, Giuliani would grab even more executive power than Bush and Cheney. His mayoralty tells the story.
"Giuliani's second term, however, would be rocky, as the personality flaws that people had sensed in his first term came to engulf New York City politics. Somehow, crackdowns on drug dealers bled into irrational vendettas against hot dog vendors and jaywalkers. The mayor ensnared City Hall in a number of ill-advised lawsuits (such as the time he was successfully sued by the Brooklyn Museum after trying to evict it for displaying a painting of the Virgin Mary smeared with elephant dung). And when New York police officers were implicated in horrifying cases of abuse, Giuliani's reflexive, belligerent defense of the NYPD antagonized minority groups and affronted many New Yorkers. By the time Giuliani left office, New Yorkers had wearied of his abrasive, vindictive behavior. At the same time, they were grateful to him for having cleaned up their city."
"Many Giuliani watchers already understand that Rudy is a hothead and a grandstander, even a bit of a dictator at times. These qualities have dominated the story of his mayoralty that most people know. As that drama was unfolding, however, so was a quieter story, driven by Giuliani's instinct and capacity for manipulating the levers of government. His methods, like those of the current White House, included appointments of yes-men, aggressive tests of legal limits, strategic lawbreaking, resistance to oversight, and obsessive secrecy. As was also the case with the White House, the events of 9/11 solidified the mindset underlying his worst tendencies. Embedded in his operating style is a belief that rules don't apply to him, and a ruthless gift for exploiting the intrinsic weaknesses in the system of checks and balances. That's why, of all the presidential candidates, Giuliani is most likely to take the expansions of the executive branch made by the Bush administration and push them further still. The blueprint can be found in the often-overlooked corners of his mayoralty."
"But for Giuliani, the kingship wasn't enough. The city council was a persistent annoyance to him, and he began skirmishing with it almost immediately. He also resented the intrusion of the two other major checks on his power: the Independent Budget Office, an independent financial watchdog created in 1989 as a counterweight to the mayor's enhanced authority; and the Office of the Public Advocate, which acts as an ombudsman for the city's residents. Giuliani tried to reduce the public advocate's budget, and refused to fund the IBO until 1996."
Monday, November 26, 2007
Rudy Watch
I am posting every article I can find about Rudy Guiliani as I
don't like him and never did. All my friends in New York hated him
as Mayor. He was a total bully and still is. The only moment he ever
touched me was at his first inauguration as NY's Mayor when his young son was on stage with him repeating his speech. He appeared for that moment at least to be a loving dad.
GROWING UP GUILIANI By Evan Thomas and Suzanne Smalley
Rudy Giuliani was raised to understand that fine, blurry line between
saint and sinner. The making of his moral code.
don't like him and never did. All my friends in New York hated him
as Mayor. He was a total bully and still is. The only moment he ever
touched me was at his first inauguration as NY's Mayor when his young son was on stage with him repeating his speech. He appeared for that moment at least to be a loving dad.
GROWING UP GUILIANI By Evan Thomas and Suzanne Smalley
Rudy Giuliani was raised to understand that fine, blurry line between
saint and sinner. The making of his moral code.
A Physicians' View of John Edwards
By "leisure" at Daily Kos, who happens to be a physician:
"I support John Edwards. For many reasons.
Universal healthcare is a big one for me-- the sick and injured must be cared for with decency and respect.
ALL of them.
"And not just when they're on death's door in the Emergency Department where care is federally mandated. Cost effectiveness, in addition to human decency, requires primary preventative care as well.
"In my opinion, nobody but John Edwards stands a chance of achieving Universal Health Care, because nobody but John Edwards is willing to fight the HMOs and risk losing their continued financial support.
Do you know which two United States senators took in the most money from HMOs this current cycle?
#1. Hillary Clinton
#2. Barack Obama
First and second place-- out of all 100 senators, Republican and Democrat.
http://www.opensecrets.org/..."
"I support John Edwards. For many reasons.
Universal healthcare is a big one for me-- the sick and injured must be cared for with decency and respect.
ALL of them.
"And not just when they're on death's door in the Emergency Department where care is federally mandated. Cost effectiveness, in addition to human decency, requires primary preventative care as well.
"In my opinion, nobody but John Edwards stands a chance of achieving Universal Health Care, because nobody but John Edwards is willing to fight the HMOs and risk losing their continued financial support.
Do you know which two United States senators took in the most money from HMOs this current cycle?
#1. Hillary Clinton
#2. Barack Obama
First and second place-- out of all 100 senators, Republican and Democrat.
http://www.opensecrets.org/..."
HuffPost: The Question of John Edwards Populism
Since John Edwards is the candidate for President I am promoting,
here is a forum of political writers' answers to questions posed in
an article by Thomas Edsall, political editor of the HuffingtonPost.
My car has John Edward bumper stickers on the front and back.
Yesterday I did see one Rudy sticker. It is unbelievable to see
Bush stickers still on so many cars here on the Main Line in PA.
here is a forum of political writers' answers to questions posed in
an article by Thomas Edsall, political editor of the HuffingtonPost.
My car has John Edward bumper stickers on the front and back.
Yesterday I did see one Rudy sticker. It is unbelievable to see
Bush stickers still on so many cars here on the Main Line in PA.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Rudy Watch
Guiliani's Critics Point to Cronyism
Appointments While Mayor Are Said to Tarnish His Leadership Credentials
By Alec MacGillis
Washington Post Staff Writer
"Giuliani "had a blind spot when it came to people he knew well" and "very little respect for the vetting process," Hauer said. "The competent people in the administration all tended to leave because they got tired of the borderline-incompetent people who got in. He ran off the professionals because they were difficult to work with. If they didn't do things the way he wanted or overshadowed him, he got furious."
Appointments While Mayor Are Said to Tarnish His Leadership Credentials
By Alec MacGillis
Washington Post Staff Writer
"Giuliani "had a blind spot when it came to people he knew well" and "very little respect for the vetting process," Hauer said. "The competent people in the administration all tended to leave because they got tired of the borderline-incompetent people who got in. He ran off the professionals because they were difficult to work with. If they didn't do things the way he wanted or overshadowed him, he got furious."
Story on Mike Huckabee at Rolling Stone
This is an amusing article by Mike Taibbi. "I'm glad you're here," he told me. "I finally get to tell someone who cares about Keith Richards." "Before I could respond, Huckabee plowed into a long and very entertaining story — one that included a surprisingly dead-on Pirates of the Caribbean-esque impersonation — about how Richards and Ron Wood got pulled over for reckless driving while on tour in Fordyce, Arkansas, a million and a half years ago, in 1975. Richards ended up getting a misdemeanor conviction — an injustice that stood for thirty-one years, until Huckabee, a would-be rock musician himself, stepped in and pardoned Richards last year.
Later in the article:
"But Huckabee is also something else: full-blown nuts, a Christian goofball of the highest order. He believes the Earth may be only 6,000 years old, angrily rejects the evidence that human beings evolved from "primates" and thinks America wouldn't need so much Mexican labor if we allowed every aborted fetus to grow up and enter the workforce. To top it off, Huckabee also left behind a record of ethical missteps in the swamp of Arkansas politics that make Whitewater seem like a jaywalking ticket."
Later in the article:
"But Huckabee is also something else: full-blown nuts, a Christian goofball of the highest order. He believes the Earth may be only 6,000 years old, angrily rejects the evidence that human beings evolved from "primates" and thinks America wouldn't need so much Mexican labor if we allowed every aborted fetus to grow up and enter the workforce. To top it off, Huckabee also left behind a record of ethical missteps in the swamp of Arkansas politics that make Whitewater seem like a jaywalking ticket."
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Counting my Blessings today and everyday.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Being a vegetarian, this holiday's appeal is not the dinner, but the opportunity to see beloved family members. I've been watching many documentaries this week, but the very best one was on Showtime Who Killed the Electric Car?" If you have On Demand, it's under Showtime movies.
Reading today's Daily Kos is a must.
If you hate watching sports like me, C-Span II's Book TV is incredibly great.
Also watching the live cats at Buzy's BowWow Meow on my desktop. As though I don't have enough cats of my own to keep an eye on. At Buzzy's there are two solid white cats up for adoption, a tabby tuxedo with a huge head (adorable)and a long haired black and white Tuxedo. You can find a link to the webcams in my list of sites and blogs I read daily. This morning I saw a very sickly fox with the mange and a blue heron taking off from my pond. I see that blue heron at least once or twice a week. My over-crowded fish are dwindling. I would never harm the blue heron but I do run outside and scream at him to go away. I put out food for the fox, peanuts for the squirrles and birdsead for the birds. Bonnieview is a virtual sanctuary and it is kind of expensive but it makes me feel like I am contributing to the welfare of a small portion of wildlife in my immediate vicinity.
Saw the DVD of The Secret earlier this week and am practicing it's main tenets: Write a list of everything you are grateful for and make a list of everything you would like to have. Then everyday while you are still in bed, think of something you are grateful for. Also picture having what you want as strongly as possible and feel the emotion. I think it is beginning to work. It's a little on the hokey side but I found this youtube video of the first twenty minutes.
Reading today's Daily Kos is a must.
If you hate watching sports like me, C-Span II's Book TV is incredibly great.
Also watching the live cats at Buzy's BowWow Meow on my desktop. As though I don't have enough cats of my own to keep an eye on. At Buzzy's there are two solid white cats up for adoption, a tabby tuxedo with a huge head (adorable)and a long haired black and white Tuxedo. You can find a link to the webcams in my list of sites and blogs I read daily. This morning I saw a very sickly fox with the mange and a blue heron taking off from my pond. I see that blue heron at least once or twice a week. My over-crowded fish are dwindling. I would never harm the blue heron but I do run outside and scream at him to go away. I put out food for the fox, peanuts for the squirrles and birdsead for the birds. Bonnieview is a virtual sanctuary and it is kind of expensive but it makes me feel like I am contributing to the welfare of a small portion of wildlife in my immediate vicinity.
Saw the DVD of The Secret earlier this week and am practicing it's main tenets: Write a list of everything you are grateful for and make a list of everything you would like to have. Then everyday while you are still in bed, think of something you are grateful for. Also picture having what you want as strongly as possible and feel the emotion. I think it is beginning to work. It's a little on the hokey side but I found this youtube video of the first twenty minutes.
Latest Rudy Watch
From Tim Reid of Times Online "RUDY Giuliani's close friendship with Bernie Kerik, his recently indicted former New York police chief, has raised serious questions about his judgement and provided valuable attack campaign fodder for his rivals.
But a reread of Kerik's 2001 memoir has provided a disturbing glimpse into Mr Giuliani's penchant for running his political team like a Mafia don." Read the whole article.
But a reread of Kerik's 2001 memoir has provided a disturbing glimpse into Mr Giuliani's penchant for running his political team like a Mafia don." Read the whole article.
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