AN INTRODUCTION TO OBAMACARE

This just came in the mail from my health insurance company.

Welcome to the ConditionCare program ...

I don’t recall asking to join ...

You have been identified as a possible participant for the Arthritis, Hyperlipidemia, Hip Replacement, Hypertension, Knee Replacement, Metabolic Syndrome, Obesity, Osteoporosis program(s).

And how was I identified? Perhaps through the electronic medical records submitted from my doctor(s), hmm?

The program(s) provide:

The enclosed educational booklet(s) with helpful self-care tips and resource listings.

Access to a professional help line providing consultation with registered nurses with special training 24 hours a day, seven days a week for any health concern related to your condition(s).

Your participation in the ConditionCare program is an important step in managing your condition(s).

And if I choose not to participate? When will participation become mandatory?

My response:

Please delete me immediately from your “ConditionCare” program .... All I ask [is that you] honor the insurance contract and pay the benefits authorized on time. Nothing more.

The next time you have a strong urge to provide unwanted advice, I suggest you immediately take a cold shower until the feeling passes.

Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to go out and have another cigarette (to help pay for SCHIP) and put extra salt on my french fries.

Anyone who believes the insurance company sent this out of concern for my health as opposed to concern for their bottom line is a fool or liar – or both.

And anyone who believes ObamaCare won’t be mandatory “ConditionCare” is the same.

A CASE FOR TORT REFORM

This is from Wednesday’s morning edition of the Washington Times.

Metro officials are bracing for tens of millions of dollars in lawsuits likely to be filed against the cash-strapped transit system by those injured in Monday's crash and the families of the deceased.

Nobody yet knows who - if anyone - is at fault in the train wreck. But injury lawyers and Metro officials say the lawsuits against the agency are a sure thing.

The Metro train wreck on Washington DC’s Red Line occurred Monday afternoon. The NTSB accident investigators are barely on-scene, there is no firm indication of a cause, and lawsuits are already being prepared. What really offends, however is this:

The litigation likely will come not only from the more than 70 injured and the families of the nine dead in the train pileup, but also from many of the other passengers on the subway cars who were frightened or otherwise traumatized."

Lawsuits from passengers who “were frightned or ... traumatized.” Trying to make a quick buck at my expense is more like the truth.

Andrew Bederman, a prominent local plaintiff's lawyer with offices in Silver Spring, said he anticipates many of his colleagues are out trying to round up clients among the crash victims .... He said he had already taken on two clients with less-severe injuries from the crash (emphasis added).

It is illegal in the District for lawyers to solicit clients by such means as tracking down accident victims or trolling emergency rooms. However, Mr. Bederman said lawyers can pay to have their firms prominently displayed on Google when keywords like "train" or "crash" are searched.

Two words: tort reform.

Oh, hell. Add one more word: disgusting.

UNION LOAFER

Via email, an Abbott and Costello skit reminiscent of their classic Who's on First? skit that leaves me rolling on the floor laughing to this day.



"You can't be a loafer unless you join the union." That strikes me as a perfect metaphor for the Obama administration.

FATHER'S DAY

Carmen's right. Thanks to Scott Stantis at Prickly City.

[Update] Here's the proof - the very best (Grand)Father's Day card ever. Well, until next year, when I'll get two.

A VIEW FROM THE WINDOW

June 17, 2009 in Houston, Texas.

A VIEW FROM THE WINDOW

Austin, Texas, June 15, 2009 at 9 am.


Breakfast time.

A BIT OF HIATUS

A family emergency has me away for a while. Back soon, I hope.