The Whatcom County Democratic Party has officially thanked U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Everett, for his vote on the House healthcare reform bill. From the party’s Web site (they didn’t have time for a press release, I’m told):

Rep. Larsen

At the November membership meeting, Whatcom County Democrats unanimously adopted a resolution commending Congressman Rick Larsen for his Yes vote on the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) which contains a “public option” and for opposing the Stupak amendment to H.R. 3962 which imposes unconstitutional restrictions on women’s rights to make their own medical decisions.

Read the full resolution commending Larsen, over here.

As written about earlier, the local Democratic Party had passed a resolution previously expressing “profound disappointment” with Larsen’s lack of support for a bill that included a public option.

At the time, Larsen was holding out on supporting the legislation due to his concerns about what he believed were unfair Medicare reimbursement rates that weren’t equitable nationwide and, thusly, hurt Washington medical professionals and those in need of care. The public-option’s rates were based on the same matrix, but no longer, and so Larsen gave his support.

Via the New York Times:

The government official charged with monitoring the outlay of $787 billion in stimulus funds acknowledged on Thursday that he too found dubious the 640,000 jobs figure touted by the Obama administration as proof the stimulus was working.

Earl E. Devaney acknowledged to members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee that there were too many errors in the reporting of data to be able to accurately offer that estimate. (The White House had warned that the jobs figures were imperfect.)

Read the full story, right here.

Via U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, and her staff:

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) stood with Democratic Senators and health care advocates at an event highlighting the benefits to Washington state families and small businesses of the comprehensive Senate health insurance reform bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which was formally unveiled yesterday.

The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office yesterday reported that the bill saves the government money and protects Medicare while ensuring coverage for 94 percent of Americans.

(more…)

Lou Dobbs is no longer on CNN, and some are wondering if he may run for president, but for now, he hung out with Jon Stewart on The Daily Show last night.

It’s a three-parter. The first eight minutes apparently ended up on the televised program, and the second two segments are online.

Here’s Part I:

Here’s Part II, over here.

And here’s Part III, right here.

Ranker

Ranker represents the 40th Legislative District, which includes the lower half of Whatcom County.

The event will focus on reform in Congress and what Washingtonians can expect to see from the efforts once the bill is passed. It takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Whatcom County Council chambers, County Courthouse, 311 Grand Ave.

State Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Kent, chairwoman of the Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committe, and state Rep. Eileen Cody, D-Seattle, chairwoman of the House Health Care & Wellness Committee, will also participate in the forum.

Because this was a hugely-popular topic the other day, today’s news, via the New York Times:

WASHINGTON – The Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, put forward his version of sweeping health care legislation on Wednesday, which a Senate aide said would cost $849 billion over 10 years. Mr. Reid promised that it would reduce the federal budget deficit while covering most of the uninsured and adding new benefits to Medicare.

The full story, over here.

Q: Thoughts?

This video is from the Saturday meeting of the 42nd Legislative District Democrats. U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Everett, stopped by the meeting to chat about the healthcare reform bill that he voted for in the House:

All’s fair in love and Saturday Night Live:

From the Secretary of State’s Office:

The politically sensitive issue of how to re-draw Washington’s congressional and legislative boundaries will be turned over to an independent citizen commission after the 2010 Census — but work is already under way. The Secretary of State’s redistricting office — a grand name for two staffers! — has just launched a terrific new website that spells it all out.

Full story, right here.

Spc. Aamot

Aamot was killed Nov. 5 in Afghanistan when an improvised explosive device hit the Stryker vehicle he was driving.

Read reporter Zoe Fraley’s coverage of Spc. Aamot’s body being brought back home, and county citizens paying their respects, right here.

In his proclamation, which Jensen included with City Council agenda packet materials for the Monday, Nov. 16 meeting, the mayor called Aamot a “true American hero who has touched the hearts of his fellow soldiers and community and is in inspiration of perseverance, fidelity, and valor.”

The mayor also thanked Aamot’s family and offered up the city’s “deepest respect, gratitude and sympathy.”

Check out the full proclamation, right here.

On this Veterans Day, I thought it’d be good to remind people about this Friday event:

Soldiers’ Angels, an international volunteer support organization, has grown to more than 200,000 members in only six years. Its first major local fundraiser, “A Night for Our Heroes,” will be Friday, Nov. 13.

Read Michelle Nolan’s full Q&A with the Washington state leader of the organization, and for info on the event, right here.

National Public Radio was literally on the battlefield with Spc. Aaron Aamot of Custer when he was killed by an improvised explosive device and his Stryker Brigade platoon, and the story is the main one on their Web site right now.

A word of warning before the link, the story may be hard for some to read. It includes details of the entire attack. There are photographs of the attack, and NPR has also put a warning on that slideshow.

But the chronicling also provides a small view for us fortunate enough to remain safe stateside what our soldiers go through each day, soldiers like Spc. Aamot.

There is a print article, the slide show and a story you can listen to.

You can visit it, over here.

Barack Obama ran for president on a promise of saving the typical family $2,500 a year in lower health care premiums.

But that was then.

No one in the White House is making such a pledge now.

It’s one of the most basic, kitchen-table questions of the entire reform debate: Would the sweeping $900 billion overhaul actually lower spiraling insurance premiums for everyone?

No one really knows.

Read the Politico.com full story, right here.

David Slater, a Marine Corp veteran of WWII, right, and Gennery Sergeant P.J. James, a Marine Corp veteran of the Vietnam War, greet friends and well-wishers before the start of the Veterans Day Parade in New York, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

• • President Obama honors soldiers on Veterans Day / — The New York Times
• • A World War II soldier seeks further recognition for his lieutenant / — The Washington Post.
• • Gov. Gregoire orders flags at half staff for Ferndale’s Spc. Aamot / The Bellingham Herald.
• • A list of local Veterans Day events, today and tomorrow / — The Bellingham Herald

This e-mail is being circulated by many around Whatcom County, it was forwarded to me by Ferndale City Councilman Steve Malpezzi:

Help Us Honor a Fallen Hero, Thursday - November 12th

The body of Spc. Aaron Aamot, 22, killed during active duty in Afghanistan will be flown home this Thursday, November 12th.

We would like to show Aaron and his family our heartfelt appreciation for his heroism.

The plane is scheduled to arrive at Bellingham International airport at 3:00p.m. After a color guard ceremony (approximately 10 minutes) the hearse will be accompanied by a motorcade and proceed to Ferndale. The procession will take I-5 North to Exit 262 (Main Street) and then follow Main Street to Moles Funeral Home located at 2039 Main Street.

We want as many members of our community as we can to be at the: Slater, Smith, and Axton Rd. bridges, and line the route along Main Street in Ferndale.

Please bring American Flags and any signs of thanks to honor our hero.

The motorcade is expected to arrive in Ferndale no later than 3:15 p.m.