From the Washington Community Action Network:
Today, at the bipartisan White House Health Care Summit, Senator Patty Murray shared the story of 10-year-old Marcelas Owens from Seattle. Marcelas’ mom lost her job when she got sick. When she lost her job, she lost her health insurance. Without affordable health insurance choices, she didn’t get the care she needed, and she died at the age of 27, leaving Marcelas and his two siblings without a mom.
Marcelas Owens, whose entire family have been longtime members of the Washington Community Action Network, issued the following statement today thanking Senator Murray for her leadership:
“I want to thank Senator Murray for sharing my story with President Obama and other people in Congress. I lost my mom because she didn’t have health care. Every day it’s hard not having her around. I don’t want any other kid to have to go through what I went through. That’s why I don’t understand why some politicians are saying that Congress should stop working to pass the health care reform bill. Every day we wait, more kids like me will lose someone they love. Thank you for fighting for me, Senator Murray.”
February 25th, 2010 at 2:29 PM
Thank you Senator Murray for your participation in the President’s Health Care Summit.
I was very proud of you today!
February 25th, 2010 at 2:58 PM
Marcelas is right. Congress should act without delay. That so many suffer without health insurance or access to affordable healthcare is a shameful disgrace which should no longer be tolerated by anyone.
February 25th, 2010 at 3:59 PM
great job patty…don’t back down! keep at it! we are all behind you!
February 25th, 2010 at 5:59 PM
(This is going to be unkind)
I watched the whole thing.
Patty is packing a pretty considerable double chin, which indicates to me that she is overweight.
She’s going to need some serious health insurance.
How fortunate for her that she’s a member of Congress, not subject to the legislation she favors.
February 25th, 2010 at 6:03 PM
I’m looking forward to stories in the media about the wonderful care that Patty has received for her athersclerosis and accompanying blocked coronary arteries.
February 25th, 2010 at 6:29 PM
Dave6, just when you had a little street cred going, leave it to you to blow it in one fell swoop…
February 25th, 2010 at 6:47 PM
unkind… and related how, Davesix?
February 25th, 2010 at 7:03 PM
How does ragging on someone’s personal appearance fit in with the civiity rule?
Seems like this is the most uncivil, way more uncivil than calling someone a name they call themselves until they found out it had another meaning. Just like how they chose the Tea Party as a symbol before realizing what the Tea Party was really about.
February 25th, 2010 at 7:08 PM
Alright DaveSix, if that’s the way ya want it - the gloves are OFF!!
February 25th, 2010 at 7:24 PM
But does she still wear tennis shoes?
February 25th, 2010 at 7:51 PM
Shaun,
I said it was going to be unkind.
I don’t mind.
Maybe Sam will remove my post.
Shaun,
“Dave6, just when you had a little street cred going, leave it to you to blow it in one fell swoop.”
With you?
I don’t mind.
Maybe you missed the fact that mine was a policy comment, even if unkind to Senator Murray. I intended to highlight the fact that the rationing of care that will result from the legislation in the pipeline and under consideration for “reconciliation” will not affect Ms Murray, who has access to fabulous healthcare insurance, but will affect the millions of Americans subject to its rationing and limitations.
If that makes you uncomfortable, then please feel free to comment.
Camille,
No gloves?
That’s kind of erotic, isn’t it?
I’m not here to put myself to sleep.
February 25th, 2010 at 8:01 PM
Shaun,
“How does ragging on someone’s personal appearance fit in with the civiity rule? ”
I mentioned my observations about her personal appearance and related that to the probability that she might require health care, given that the system available to her would treat her well.
I think you missed the point.
February 25th, 2010 at 8:06 PM
Bham Bill,
“Davesix, your post is not merely “unkind” it is cruel, mean spirited, vicious, contemptible, vile, obnoxious, hateful, nasty and despicable! ”
Wow!
Ten adjectives!
It might be a new record.
We should hold judgement for new posts, however.
Hateful?
What did I write that was “hateful”?
February 25th, 2010 at 8:11 PM
bikderbob,
“unkind… and related how, Davesix?”
Please read the post, and respond in a substantive manner, sir.
February 25th, 2010 at 8:26 PM
(This is going to be unkind)
I read the whole thing.
Davesix is packing a pretty considerable personal attack argument, which indicates to me that he is devoid of anything constructive.
Davesix is going to need some serious people skills.
How fortunate for him that he communicates via the internet, and therefore doesn’t need any.
I’m looking forward to stories in this blog about the wonderful friends Davesix has and the bridges he cooperatively builds with others because of his wondrous respect for others and his attention to the real issues at hand.
February 25th, 2010 at 8:35 PM
bikerbob,
So gimme a substantive complaint.
I do not give a rip about my opponents here, who I think are many. That obviously includes you.
I notice that your comment is all adhominem.
Why don’t you respond to my original comment?
February 25th, 2010 at 8:39 PM
Bikerbob,
“I’m looking forward to stories in this blog about the wonderful friends Davesix has and the bridges he cooperatively builds with others because of his wondrous respect for others and his attention to the real issues at hand.”
Sheesh!
I’m trying to tweak you!
What about that don’t you get?
February 25th, 2010 at 8:44 PM
I can feel for these kids but it is not clear on how and why their mother died because she ‘lacked healthcare’. Perhaps some thorough reporter will go beyond the tears and explain further this sad anecdote from Murray. Watching today’s healthcare ’summit’, it appeared each attendee was instructed to bring one tearjerker to blur the realities of what this massive healthcare fraud would do in giving some 30 million American healthcare by jacking with the 300 MILLION who do have health insurance now and don’t want to have it changed.
February 25th, 2010 at 8:46 PM
bikerbob,
““I’m looking forward to stories in this blog about the wonderful friends Davesix has and the bridges he cooperatively builds with others because of his wondrous respect for others and his attention to the real issues at hand.”
Who are you quoting?
This is baloney.
I have friends, but I fear that I’d find you to be uninteresting.
February 25th, 2010 at 8:47 PM
Fred,
Exactly.
February 25th, 2010 at 9:53 PM
Davesix,
I said it was going to be unkind.
I don’t mind.
Maybe Sam will remove my post.
Maybe you missed the fact that mine was an irony comment, even if unkind to Davesix. I intended to highlight the fact that davesix insults people to make a point, but then gets riled up and digresses to pursuing tit-for-tat when he receives what he gives.
If that makes you uncomfortable, then please feel free to comment.
I mentioned my observations about Davesix’s personal respect and related that to the probability that he might not be the most constructive team player, given that the democratic system available to him would treat him well.
I think you missed the point.
Baloney?
What did I write that was “baloney”?
Sheesh!
I’m trying to tweak you!
What about that don’t you get?
February 26th, 2010 at 6:32 AM
“Patty is packing a pretty considerable double chin, which indicates to me that she is overweight.”
And here it is
for all to see
the troll has spoken
and it is he.
Remember every tantrum
this little man has thrown
and read these words,
they are his own!
February 26th, 2010 at 6:50 AM
The Republican Party seems intellectually bankrupt, and seemingly incapable of coming up with any new ideas to benefit the people, rather than special interests. All too often these days, people on the right resort to name calling, using such despicable slurs as, “Botox Pelosi,” Obamanation, Nobama, and the like. In some ways, it’s really very sad to see the “grand old party” self-destruct and eviscerate itself in this fashion. Too bad they have dragged much of the nation down with them.
February 26th, 2010 at 7:57 AM
“intelluctually bankrupt? Todd2
Oh yes, I should always have to pay for Botox Pelosi’s, botax programs.
And the California Legislative requirement, for sex change operation’s being mandatory when a insurance company sell insurance in California?
Everyone need to be taxed for that one too?
February 26th, 2010 at 8:01 AM
LB, a guy with your med history should not be throwing stones. What is keeping you up and running?
February 26th, 2010 at 8:09 AM
I’m not throwing stones Shaun, of course the mental capacity is obvious around this blog, where facts are always confusing.
Why does the taxpayer, need to pay for someones sex change operation?
Does that medical history bother you, or is it what keeps you up and running?
February 26th, 2010 at 8:29 AM
While the whole health care paying for sex change operations is a big draw to knee jerk phobics, I would leave that up to the medical doctors who make such decisions and I would not deny any medical treatment that could lead to someone having a happier and better adjusted life, no matter the operation.
I would also be just fine with tax dollars going to fund abortions. But of course, no matter how much a light weight like Boehner crows on about it, that is not the case in this bill.
February 26th, 2010 at 8:37 AM
Not throwing stones, but then ragging on our mental capacity–I would suggest the confused guy is the survivor in the mirror.
I’m not sure about that last comment, but from your attitude I would say it was an attempt to paint me as some one with gender issues which is apparently scurrilous to you. I have no such issues, but I am sympathetic to those who do.
February 26th, 2010 at 8:44 AM
Nice posts Shaun! [and a big, manly bear hug and a kiss for you too!]
February 26th, 2010 at 9:08 AM
So since the doctors descretion is only proper Shaun, can then the taxpayer pay for the same persons infertility treatments too?
February 26th, 2010 at 9:14 AM
Shaun - I have no idea why you thought that was appropriate to write - but it’s gone.
February 26th, 2010 at 9:18 AM
A great idea from me: Let me deal with the civility rule.
February 26th, 2010 at 9:22 AM
Camille - your comment was removed for trying to speculate who is who (and, as always, you’re wrong).
February 26th, 2010 at 9:23 AM
I’m not removing Dave’s comment because Sen. Murray is a public figure and there is a bit more allowed here compared to if you’re debating with other locals.
And, it seems to me that everyone here did a pretty good job of policing Dave and showing that his comment was, well, kind of ridiculous.
Now why don’t we get back on topic?
February 26th, 2010 at 9:24 AM
Uh, Todd sent me a bear hug and kiss and I made a joke back about it????????Should I have said, don’t stop short with me?
Oh, so I just Googled that old Seinfeld joke and lo and behold, it means something totally different than I thought. That’s not what it meant when I was in school, but then that was back in the Bedrock High School days? I don’t think, or maybe that’s why I got looks. In my day, it might be the same as reaching around to pinch someone on the bum, not the present definition which I can see is troubling…..
Sorry Sam, Todd2 and all…
;0
February 26th, 2010 at 9:41 AM
“How fortunate for her that she’s a member of Congress, not subject to the legislation she favors.”
“We always exempt ourselves from the common laws.
When I was a boy and the dentist pulled out a second tooth,
I thougt to myself that I would grow a third if I needed it.
Experiance discouraged this prophecy.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes
February 26th, 2010 at 9:45 AM
So I can’t speculate on Ward’s lack of facial color? Or why Crawford’s cheeks are always rosy? Or why you use a photo that has to be about a decade old? BTW, You’re taller than I thought.
Kicking Dave for his ridiculousness is a great topic, especially since the good taste of the rest of us has dictated a little slack for the Dave meister since the bet he thought no one would take him up lead to a good cause. Besides the topic was dealt with…..Patty Murray and everyone who told a story told to them by their constituents were lying, looking for sympathy and trying to defraud us and compassion is at an all time low in America…… got any new ones?
Again sorry for the mistake, that is not at all what was coming to my mind…..
February 26th, 2010 at 9:47 AM
LB, you’re torturing it now….take your lumps and move on..
February 26th, 2010 at 9:53 AM
“Anytime you don’t want anything you get it.”
Calvin Cooledge
February 26th, 2010 at 9:54 AM
For years I thought the lyrics were …” your sweet and shiny eyes are like the stars above tomatoes, like meat and potatoes to me…” It became such a family joke that a friend sang it at my wedding with my version and everyone laughed.
” I get by with a little help from my Fred……” For those in need of a good laugh, Google, Joe Cocker, I get by with a little help from my Fred…and get your Fred on..
February 26th, 2010 at 10:01 AM
Fine, Sam.
For the record, I respect everyone’s right to anonymity on your blog and would never want to ‘out’ anyone who comments here.
I don’t know who Davesix is, or madbee, and it wasn’t my intent to reveal his public identity, but now I can appreciate why my comment could have been interpreted as such.
February 26th, 2010 at 10:02 AM
So LB, was Cool(i)dge the first President you got to vote for?
February 26th, 2010 at 10:09 AM
Dave outed himself long ago, but though I know the truth of the man I will not expose him since I can appreciate that is irrelevant.
Madbee posts here and Maddie B posts at the Tea Party site.
February 26th, 2010 at 10:24 AM
No, but I never voted for Peppermint Patty,
explained by another songwriter a couple years back.
How industrious is Satan served. I was formerly one of his active undertemptors and had my influence been equal to my wishes I would have carried all the human race with me. A common drunkard or profligate is a petty sinner to what I was.
—John Newton, 1778
February 26th, 2010 at 10:38 AM
Harding? Wilson? Chester A Arthur?
February 26th, 2010 at 6:16 PM
Sam,
“And, it seems to me that everyone here did a pretty good job of policing Dave and showing that his comment was, well, kind of ridiculous.”
I meant to stir the pot and I succeeded.
There’s more to come.
I do not want this place to become some kind of leftie echo chamber.
You have my email addy if you think I’m over the line.
February 26th, 2010 at 6:18 PM
Shaun,
“Dave outed himself long ago, but though I know the truth of the man I will not expose him since I can appreciate that is irrelevant. ”
I assume that you have an email addy for me. If you don’t, please ask.
February 26th, 2010 at 6:23 PM
Sam,
“I’m not removing Dave’s comment because Sen. Murray is a public figure and there is a bit more allowed here compared to if you’re debating with other locals.”
I made the comment only because Patty used to be pretty skinny, and now she has this major double chin! I watched most of the “summit”, which was a waste of time for all, but then there was this clip of Patty! Good Lord!
My comment was only an observation, but, of course, this being the politics blog, it led to a policy comment.
February 26th, 2010 at 6:28 PM
So… when the rain returned, everyone got all crabby.
There has been a strong uptick in posts that ST has had to remove. Yikes.
I think ST’s standards are reasonable. Even if I didn’t feel that way, they are his standards and he is responsible for moderating this blog.
We may not always play “nice”, but as long as we play “fair”, I think Sam Taylor will leave our posts up.
February 26th, 2010 at 8:02 PM
You’re telling me. There are most definitely a few here who enjoy pushing the limits more and more each day. It’s tedious. Yet they continue to do it. They throw elbows left and right, and when someone throws one back, they whine about it like a child.
And here I am, the 20-something having to act the parent.
People - I’m having a kid of my own in September, and while I appreciate you allowing for parental practice, it would be much easier on me … and by extension, you … if you try to focus on the issues and not the personal attacks and barbs.
February 26th, 2010 at 8:04 PM
I just had one idea I don’t think people like. Call it my nuclear option: Shutting down the comments when I’m not around - at night and on the weekends.
I’ve been doing my best to find more ways to keep this place civil in 2010. So far, if anything, it’s gotten worse. I don’t like that, because it’s going away from my goal.
I’m going to be trying to focus more on those repeat offenders and button pushers and we’ll go from there, I suppose.
February 26th, 2010 at 9:13 PM
When Sam starts talking this way I get nervous. I’ve only had one call go against me lately and it was reversed. Phew!
How about rotating weekend monitors. When you have the duty you can only moderate, not argue.
I volunteer to go first to try it out.
February 26th, 2010 at 10:02 PM
Oh, yeah that other one too, but that was a mondegreens sort of misstatement.
February 26th, 2010 at 10:12 PM
Alright - after further review, a string of comments on this post have been removed. The initial comment made toward another poster, regarding a family member, was beyond classless and it won’t stand. The posts are gone, they don’t exist, and I’d caution any and all from continuing that line of discussion (looking at you, Shaun. If you need more, check your e-mail).
Now I’m going to bed, and I sincerely don’t want to have to deal with more crud at 6 a.m. prior to taking my wife up to Vancouver to see the sights.
February 26th, 2010 at 10:50 PM
Shaun - nice try- the moniker is a cautionary tale - about a bee sting, and a stupid move, not to be repeated. Now be a smart lad and stop speculating as Sam has already advised another poster not to do so.
Back to the subject - ah the inestimable Patty M.-after seventeen hard years in DC. she needs to hang it up, and those gimmicky tennis shoes too - must be stinking to high heaven by now.
February 26th, 2010 at 11:44 PM
Regards to all…..Dave………a special nod to you…
February 27th, 2010 at 9:06 AM
Wow. I have seen so many online forums where someone takes their ball and storms off.
But you know what they say, …arguing on the internet is just like…
February 27th, 2010 at 11:15 AM
arguing on the internet is just like…
Anywhere else where people share their opinions?
Any other method of citing YouTube?
Every other forum for Elevating Glenn Beck?
Or taking personal umbrage - selectively and capriciously?
Or whining about the nastiness of others while being twice as nasty?
Promoting an idea on the strength of your emotion and ignoring fact?
Practicing your learning devoid of knowledge?
I guess I must give up.
What is arguing on the internet like?
February 27th, 2010 at 11:27 AM
Thou Googleth not, me thinkest.
The point is that winning an internet argument is doesn’t give you cred you can take elsewhere.
February 27th, 2010 at 1:11 PM
Bankers hours on a blog; nice work if you can get it.
It’s baffling.
Shaun has clearly become the target in a war zone.
I’m boycotting this weekend in protest against that war.
- Protected persons are entitled, in all circumstances, to respect for their persons, their honour, their family rights, their religious convictions and practices, and their manners and customs.
- They shall at all times be humanely treated, and shall be protected especially against all acts of violence or threats thereof and against insults and public curiosity.
- Without prejudice to the provisions relating to their state of health, age and sex, all protected persons shall be treated with the same consideration by the Party to the conflict in whose power they are, without any adverse distinction based, in particular, on race, religion or political opinion.
- However, the Parties to the conflict may take such measures of control and security in regard to protected persons as may be necessary as a result of the war.
—- Article 27, Fourth Geneva Convention
February 27th, 2010 at 2:39 PM
Oh, I had heard that before,
I just thought an alternative was in order.
Back to the shop.
February 28th, 2010 at 7:09 AM
Camille?
Speaking of Geneva, I think these people might have just lost their health insurance too, just some more lifestyle choices?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704479404575087621440351704.html?mod=WSJ_LifeStyle_LeadStoryNA
February 28th, 2010 at 12:42 PM
No, not even close. I grew up on the Internet. I grew up on forums. It’s nothing like discussions in person. Less than half of the things that occur here ever take place in the real world.
February 28th, 2010 at 1:09 PM
Politics has become an impolite topic of conversation. It too readily exposes our considerable ignorance, and people find that embarrassing.
February 28th, 2010 at 1:33 PM
Arguing on the internet is just like…
Anywhere else where people share their opinions.
I meant in impact, results and the prize,
which is to say,
None.
Every opinion-fest has exactly the same repercussions no matter where they are spawned,
None.
What is ‘occurring’ here not found in real life?
The only difference between this board and a noisy discussion in real time is no moderator except the participants themselves.
Here,
The arguments are over what they think you wrote instead of what they think you said.
The same lack of factual information satisfies the rage for evidence,
you can get away with spouting phrases as a substitute for thought,
and a smile is meaningless no matter how many yellow dots you park beside it.
You’re free to take umbrage over the ‘character’ of a poster you run afoul of opinion-wise,
whining is rewarded
and Personal Insults are left under the breath and entwined in text.
Until someone complains.
February 28th, 2010 at 1:34 PM
Practicing your learning devoid of knowledge.
March 1st, 2010 at 8:22 PM
Todd2,
“Politics has become an impolite topic of conversation. It too readily exposes our considerable ignorance, and people find that embarrassing.”
This is your usual line of argument, and, by “ignorance”, as usual, you mean those with whom you disagree.
I’d suggest that, at the time of the founding of this republic, political discourse was far less polite.
I don’t cede the high ground to you, and you know, you’d be more persuasive if you weren’t so dismissive of your inferiors.
March 1st, 2010 at 9:18 PM
Camille,
“Bankers hours on a blog; nice work if you can get it.
It’s baffling.
Shaun has clearly become the target in a war zone.”
Sam owes you something?