Happy (Hopey?) Halloween

Also, just in time for Halloween, the Iconomaniacs look at blood and other bodily excretions. http://www.iconomaniacs.com/

Presidential Proclamation for the Arts

NATIONAL ARTS AND HUMANITIES MONTH, 2009

A PROCLAMATION

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Throughout our Nation's history, the power of the arts and humanities to move people has built bridges and enriched lives, bringing individuals and communities together through the resonance of creative expression. It is the painter, the author, the musician, and the historian whose work inspires us to action, drives us to contemplation, stirs joy in our hearts, and calls upon us to consider our world anew. The arts and humanities contribute to the vibrancy of our society and the strength of our democracy, and during National Arts and Humanities Month, we recommit ourselves to ensuring all Americans can access and enjoy them.

Read President Obama's entire proclamation here.

Los Angeles AIDS Walk

Catherine and I are participating in the Los Angeles AIDS Walk on October 18, 2009. We are part of the team organized by the college's student government. If you would like to sponsor us, click on the links to our donation pages. Thanks!

John's donation page.
Catherine's donation page.

Teachable moment: Communism vs. Fascism

Progressives/Liberals/Democrats cannot be "Commie-Fascists".

The ideologies of communism and fascism are diametrically opposed. Communism is related to the establishment of an egalitarian, classless, or stateless society based on common ownership and control of the means of production and property in general. Fascism is based on an ideology of authoritarian nationalism and corporatist controlled economy. One of the strongest tenets of fascism is its opposition to communism. Nazis and Marxist do not get along!

Crazy, uninformed, right-wing protesters you must choose one or the other inappropriate label to call us - but not both! I can accept that you disagree with us, but I can't condone the blatant ignorance on your part.

My Response to the Anti-Health Care Crowd

For some unknown reason the "Tea Party activist and 9-12ers" have invited me to join them "to protest Barak (sic) Obama's socialized medicine proposals during the president's visit to Grand Junction this Saturday."

I responded with a bit of sarcasm and irony, which I realize will only confuse this group.

The sad thing is, they will likely think I'm serious with this rant and ask me to be their leader:

While we are at it why not protest against all "socialized" proposals in America. Let's get rid of Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Veterans Affairs, public schools and universities, parks, the postal service, roads, police departments, fire departments, and libraries. There are so many horrible things in our lives provided through evil government socialized programs. Why stop at only destroying the possibility of all American citizens having the opportunity to access affordable health care? Let's end funding for all of these public programs that are sponsored by the government! I don't need any of these public services! I pay for my own private insurance, invest in the capitalist stock market, operated on my own leg after taking that bullet in the war, paid my way through private christian schools and went to Harvard, have picnics in my own backyard, only use FedEx, have an off-road vehicle so I don't use those public roads, have a gun for protection and a big bucket of water for fires, and I don't read books. Down with socialism! We must have pure capitalism! Every man for himself as God intended!!!!

John Boy

UPDATE: I just received another invitation. This time from Arkansas. How the hell did I end up on these "teabaggers" email lists? Maybe my response to the Colorado invitation is making its way through the ranks. I'm sure it was inspirational. Ha!

We're Married!

The wedding weekend went perfect and we had a wonderful time. We will be posting more information and photos at www.catandjohn.com.

The Truth About Health Care

THIS IS A MUST WATCH INTERVIEW!

In his first extended television interview since leaving the health insurance industry, Wendell Potter tells Bill Moyers why he left his successful career as the head of Public Relations for CIGNA, one of the nation's largest insurers, and decided to speak out against the industry. "I didn't intend to [speak out], until it became really clear to me that the industry is resorting to the same tactics they've used over the years, and particularly back in the early '90s, when they were leading the effort to kill the Clinton plan."

Looking back over his long career, Potter sees an industry corrupted by Wall Street expectations and greed. According to Potter, insurers have every incentive to deny coverage — every dollar they don't pay out to a claim is a dollar they can add to their profits, and Wall Street investors demand they pay out less every year. Under these conditions, Potter says, "You don't think about individual people. You think about the numbers, and whether or not you're going to meet Wall Street's expectations."

Private insurance companies will always put profits before the health of their customers.

WATCH HERE