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Popular scams
- From: ProblemSolvers
- Description:
  
  I figure we should start with the basics. We get a lot of calls every day from people who were scammed or almost scammed by a company, or a letter in the mail, or even a person. A few examples:
  
  I got a call from a man named Chance. He found a guy on Craigslist who wanted to hire him. The man sent him a check up front for his services, but the check was for over the amount Chance charged. The man then asked Chance to deposit the check and wire him the difference. If Chance had done this, he would have found out later that the check he deposited was fake.
  
  We get variations on this scam all the time. People will get a check in the mail saying they won a raffle or a lottery. They are asked to deposit the check and then send money in to pay the taxes before they can receive the rest. They send the money in only to find out that the check they deposited was fake and they are now overdrawn. Chances are, if you didn't enter a raffle or a lottery, you probably didn't win one.
  
  I got a call from Roma who saw a commercial for a company that promised to help you reduce your mortgage. She paid $2600 over the phone and now she can't get through to anyone and she can't get her money back. (Just to let you know, the United Way is there to help for free with many problems brought on by an economic downturn. You can contact them by calling 2-1-1).
  
  Again, this scam comes in many forms. People will call and say they ordered an item and never received it, or they paid for something and when it got to them, it wasn't the right thing.
  
  There are a few things you can do to protect yourself from these scams as well as many others. Here are some tips:
  
  1. Check out a company before doing business with them.
  
  You can do this by going to the Better Business Bureau's website at www.bbb.org
  
  If you live in Missouri, you can see if the Business is being sued or has been sued multiple times by going to www.courts.mo.gov/casenet
  
  2. You should also check out the owner of the business. You can find out who owns the business by going to the Secretary of States' Website for the state the business is run out of.
  
  3. Another simple way to check out a possible scam is to Google it. Type in the name of the company and the word "scam" and see if something comes up.
  
  4. You can also use my favorite resource, www.snopes.com. This website will tell you what popular scams are out there and what to do if it happens to you.
  
  5. Also remember, if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.
  
  If you have fallen victim to a scam, make sure to report it to the Attorney General in your state, or you can report it at www.fraud.org, they will report it to the proper authorities. Call you credit card company or your bank right away to see if there is a way to get those charges taken off of your account.
  
  If you have any tips or scams that you know about, please post them so others might be aware.
- Blog post
- 7 months ago
- Favorite count: 2
- Views: 706
Living a Layoff
- From: nan
- Description:
  
  I am usually optimistic in situations which require great faith, but I can recall when my faith has been tested. I've learned a lot about myself during these months as I have shared the burden of my husband's layoff. I have come to realize that one of my favorite scriptures has special meaning as we move past a very challenging time..."Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" provides a message I need to hear and one that I want to share.
  
  Our human weakness doesn't always allow us to consider that good will come, even when we believe. It is easy to feel hopeless when we cannot see the entire picture of what God has planned for our lives. The Bible says if we have faith as small as a mustard seed, God will hear our prayers and answer them with his will. I know this to be true, even when I am discouraged. I'm learning that during these times of despair, God speaks to us when we are quiet...When we listen and seek him, he shows himself in the most magnificent ways as he provides for his children.
  
  As I consider our situation, I have come to understand what has happened is something we cannot change...I have learned to...
  
  -    understand it is okay to feel weak
  
    -   appreciate when I feel strong and hopeful
  
  -        remember God is in control and trust he has a plan...
  
  -        pray for a spirit of optimism and remember why I have deep faith...
  
  -         continue to seek God and allow him to show me how he was providing...
  
  -         be an encourager...
  
  -         remind my husband that his identity is not measured by his work
  
  -         show appreciation for what his labors of love have already provided
  
  -         consider the needs of others
  
  -         realize there are many others who need to be encouraged...
  
  -         believe in what is to come...
  
  We consider the needs of many who are without work.We pray God will show himself as the provider of all things and draw others to Him as they reach out in situations that will require great faith.
  
  God can do great things when we allow him to lead us but first we must surrender all to him and trust he will provide and strengthen us. God really can carry us...He is a Father who loves his children and he is closer than we think. As God reaches out to you, I hope you will take his hand and hold on tight...He wants to give you peace and hope for your future...God can take care of you...He wants to do great things in your life...even if your faith is as small as a mustard seed.
  
  Prayer: Dear heavenly Father we thank you for what you have created...Help us to begin our day in thanks to you even when our hearts are sad, worried and uncertain about what the future will bring. Help us to remember that you Lord can do all things...Help us to have faith in what you will do in our lives when we call upon you. Show us the path you would like for us to follow and help us in faith to expect you will take care of our needs. Lord, you know everything about us and know that we need to know you more. Be near us today. Amen
- Blog post
- 8 months ago
- Favorite count: 2
- Views: 627
Children Say the Funniest Thin
- From: nan
- Description:
  
  I sometimes eat lunch with my little students...They enjoy when the teacher is their "Snack Buddy". Preschool Lunchtime Conversations usually amaze me, irritate me or make me wonder why I am not eating by myself (smiles)...Today I had to laugh during lunch and I couldn't wait to share this with you...
  
  One little boy had some Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Fruit Snacks. He asked me to help him open them and when I saw the name on the package I told him that my sons (now grown) use to love to watch the tv show. I told them that I could remember a few of their names and asked if they still had names like...Leonardo, Michaelangelo, Donitello,etc. (it's been almost 15 years) I could only think of a few so I said, 'what are the other names?" A shy little boy from the other lunch table yelled "Barrac Obama" which made me chuckle (he loves to say his name) but when another little boy yelled, "John McCain" I laughed so hard I almost choked on my sandwich...
  
  Do you have funny Children's Comment to share? It would really make my day...
  
  Children say the funniest things!
- Blog post
- 7 months ago
- Favorite count: 1
- Views: 975
Feature Your Blog!
- From: WDAF
- Description:
  
  Here is the easiest way to get your blog posts featured on fox4kc.com!
  
  If you'd like your blog to be featured, make sure to select one of these CATEGORIES:
  
  News
  Politics
  Sports
  Entertainment
  Faith
  
  We'll be using these words to create categories for the front page of our blog site. Enjoy!
  
  Don't forget, the new blogs also let you easily upload photos, videos and audio tracks.
  
  We're just starting to play around with these too. So, feel free to give us your feedback.
- Blog post
- 8 months ago
- Favorite count: 1
- Views: 431
Cancer Will Take Another...
- From: nan
- Description:
  
  My friend Sandy had surgery yesterday to remove blockage from her colon. The doctor discovered there is nothing he can do as she is covered in cancer. Sandy is a single parent of Amanda, who is working two jobs and trying to go to school. Sandy will remain in the hospital and then go home with Hospice care.
  
  Today,while I am celebrating spring at school and blowing bubbles with my students, my friend will be in the hospital nearby trying to absorb the conversation that she had yesterday with her doctor...It breaks my heart and she desperately needs our prayers.
  
  I have seen the compassion of many here and am wondering if I might ask you to take a minute and pray for Sandy and her daughter... I know they would appreciate your prayers as they will really need them in the days ahead...
  
  Dear God...Thank you for the life of Sandy...We pray that in this day you will give her peace and strength by your grace and the prayers of many...God we know life is short and we ask you to help Amanda in the days ahead as she prepares to say goodbye to her mother...her best friend.
  
  Lord we may not understand the power of your plan but we know you are holy...Please hold Sandy today and in the weeks ahead as you prepare for her to come home. Help those who know her feel your peace and draw close to her in love...Amen
  
  Thank you...thank you!
- Blog post
- 8 months ago
- Favorite count: 1
- Views: 402
Extreme Weather DVD!
- From: TGES
- Description:
  
  For those of you who have not yet procured your copy of the Fox 4 "Extreme Weather" DVD, you owe it to yourself to get it.
  
  In previous years, the Fox 4 weather team has set out to provide educational material on what creates the weather we experience. This year's DVD provides some excellent information on how to prepare for extreme weather.
  
  The weather team really "got into their work" on this video, as you will see with some of the features. Don & Karli were really "in over their heads" on a couple of features!
  
  IMO, the most important information was not contained on the DVD, but within the case. The Emergency Preparedness checklists contain vital information that any one of us could use in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.
  
  Thanks again, Fox 4 Weather team for providing the community with a great program!
- Blog post
- 8 months ago
- Favorite count: 1
- Views: 331
Playing Tourist in KC
- From: Webmaster_Rebecca
- Description:
  
  You know how it goes... the more you live somewhere, the more you do the same stuff every night, every weekend.
  
  Well this past week, I had guests in town and played tourist in Kansas City.
  
  We went to Harrah's Casino on a Tuesday afternoon - not only did I lose (only $15) - but it was sad. It was smokey and the people who were there probably couldn't afford to lose their money at the tables. We left in about an hour.
  
  Then, we hit up the WWI Museum. I had been to the tower, I had even been to a meeting there, but I'd never seen the museum. Wow! This is a real gem. If you haven't gone, it's worth it. It's very well done. It really gives you the feel of WWI in a quick, emotional, and powerful way. I was extremely impressed.
  
  Of course, we also hit up Power & Light. It was a Saturday night, so I was worried about crowds, etc. But, no problems. We parked easily and watched some the Final Four while drinking some yummy libations from the outside bar areas.
  
  Bottom Line - I need to get out more. But, I thought I'd share. Because if you haven't seen some of these attractions, it's time to give them a try!
- Blog post
- 7 months ago
- Favorite count: 1
- Views: 321
- Not yet rated
Obama ready to screw our Veter
- From: TGES
- Description:
  
  I was reading an article in the KC Star discussing "dear leader's" plan to require veterans to use their private insurance coverage to receive services at the VA.
  
  Now, I'm not sure about you, but don't most private health insurance policies contain the following language in their EXCLUSION section:
  
  "Treatment and services for injuries or illness as a result of military service, or an act of war, either declared or undeclared, are excluded for payment by your contract."
  
  This exclusion is included in every health insurance contract I've seen, and I've worked in the industry for over 15 years. In addition, every Federal Employee Health Beneifit plan (FEP) also contains this exclusion clause.
  
  Nothing like putting our US Veterans at risk for catastrophic medical bills, huh Herr Prez?
  
  Now that's really engaging the mouth before the brain, huh?
- Blog post
- 8 months ago
- Favorite count: 1
- Views: 320
Drug Screening For Assistance
- From: acrollermom
- Description:
  
  I agree 100% with the bill that pertains to a drug testing requirement for Unemployment / State Assistance! It's about time something like drug testing was implemented.:-)
  
  This bill will stop people constantly taking advantage of the government & sitting on their hind ends getting high instead of finding work or bettering themselves.
  
  Just a side note: I do not think that ALL people that request help are on drugs. I am on currently on unemployment because I had been let go from my previous employer of 3 years. I'm out there looking for work trying to find something... anything but even fast food won't hire me --- even after I've "dumbed down" my resume!!
  
  I suppose I shouldn't have told the former employer that they did need to pay me my 2K in comish and just lay down so that the company could continue to walk all over me. Hmm.
  
  If people oppose this bill then they have something to worry about. I don't think its a violation of rights -- I think that its a violation of the taxpayers rights to continue to pay people that use drugs & abuse the system.
- Blog post
- 7 months ago
- Favorite count: 1
- Views: 319
- Not yet rated
Hello
- From: Former member
- Description:
  
  Rosco is back . Fore those fans who have missed my avatar, its coming soon.
- Blog post
- 8 months ago
- Favorite count: 1
- Views: 264
Our clueless leadres
- From: cherokee316
- Description:
  
  Pelosi dodges chance to end automatic pay raises
  
  BY LAURIE KELLMAN, Associated Press Writer Laurie Kellman, Associated Press Writer 1 hr 1 min ago
  
  WASHINGTON – Congress' automatic pay raises are in little immediate danger of being scrapped for good, even with the economy slumping and millions of Americans unemployed. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday would not commit to holding a vote on a bill to do away with the annual cost-of-living increases. She pointed out that Congress recognized the economic crisis by voting this week to skip next year's raise.
  
  In so doing, though, lawmakers defeated a Senate measure to abolish the automatic pay hikes and force them into the deep discomfort of casting actual votes to give themselves raises.
  
  No one is rushing to defend the current system in a tanking economy that has rendered the annual raise a quaint memory for many outside Washington.
  
  Even inside the Beltway, President Barack Obama has frozen pay for about 100 White House workers making six-figure salaries — an acknowledgment that appearances matter to a financially fragile nation.
  
  But scrapping Congress' own automatic, cost-of-living raises for good? That's where congressional leaders drew the line this week — and buried it beneath an avalanche of legislative process, blame-passing and rhetoric.
  
  Competing proposals on the Senate floor earlier in the week effectively canceled each other out.
  
  Sen. David Vitter, a Louisiana Republican with personal issues that could threaten his re-election, talked of adding a ban on automatic congressional raises to a $410 billion spending bill already passed by the House.
  
  Great idea, alleged Majority Leader Harry Reid, who's also facing a tough re-election fight next year. But adding the pay issue to the bill would mean sending it back to the House, and that could kill the whole thing, Reid said.
  
  Reid's problem, as he described it, was with the process and not scrapping automatic pay raises. In fact, Reid said, congressional raises shouldn't be automatic. So he proposed an alternative: a bill all its own almost identical to Vitter's.
  
  Nope, Vitter said, because Pelosi was almost certain to ignore it.
  
  Reid bristled.
  
  "He knows that I can't represent what the speaker is going to do," Reid replied. "She doesn't know I'm here doing this. She runs her little show over there and I do my best to have some input on what happens here."
  
  Well, not quite. Reid's gambit — offering an alternative to senators who support the idea without actually having to vote on it — was pretty much known throughout the Capitol hours beforehand. When Vitter forced a vote on his amendment to end automatic raises, the Senate rejected it 52-45.
  
  But Reid also promised to pursue Vitter's idea, not just support it. "I will bring it up some other time," he said. "I'm committed to doing this."
  
  So Vitter dropped his objection Thursday and, in a letter to the majority leader, urged Reid to bring up his bill. Jim Manley, Reid's spokesman, said the Nevada Democrat's plans for the bill were in flux.
  
  The nation's founders set up the system to make congressional pay raises inherently difficult for those who would receive them. The Constitution requires Congress to set its own pay and be accountable to voters every few years during elections.
  
  Congress has raised its own pay in stand-alone bills more than two dozen times, according to the Congressional Research Service. But in 1989, it passed a law providing for annual cost-of-living adjustments unless Congress votes otherwise. Lawmakers voted to skip their annual pay raises in 2007 and earlier this week voted to forego next year's because of the recession.
  
  Their latest pay raise of $4,700 took effect in January and brought congressional salaries to $174,000.
  
  Automatic pay raises curb grandstanding on the issue, said a spokesman for Sen. Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia, who supported the 1989 legislation.
  
  The Senate's longest-serving senator "believes that those who do not want the cost-of-living adjustment can return that portion of their salary to the Treasury," said Byrd's spokesman, Jesse Jacobs.
  
  Even if Reid follows through on his bill and the Senate passes it, the legislation has a dim future in the House, according to Pelosi.
  
  "Members have an opportunity to vote on that each year," she said Thursday. "It's a lively vote on the floor of the House. We will continue that tradition."
  
  Last year, the House did not take such a vote. And even when House members do, it's typically a carefully choreographed vote on whether to have a debate — not a vote directly on whether to permit or deny the automatic pay raise.
  
  In voting against such a debate, lawmakers guarantee themselves the raise. Leaders of both parties typically supply a majority of their members to guarantee the raise.
- Blog post
- 8 months ago
- Favorite count: 1
- Views: 262
- Not yet rated
Of "B"'s and Basketball
- From: jholt
- Description:
  
  So in Topeka today, amidst a budget crisis and other grave issues of the day, a state senator proposed a resolution that passed on a voice vote: Kansas should no longer play teams beginning with the letter "B" in March.
  
  Remember Bucknell. Remember Bradley. Today it was Baylor. At least it was only the conference tourney.
  
  But I digress....
  
  It's just not the same this spring break weeken without the Big 12 in town. That tournament was born in and meant for Kansas City. It comes back next year thankfully. But I'm missing my KC Hoops. If, as is rumored. the football championship game heads south to Jerry Jonesville for good, I hope the conference will sweeten us up with a return of the baskeball tourney for good. I'm sure the folks in OKC may have a different view. Maybe rotation. Oh well....
  
  As for that Senate resolution....it has no force of law of course, and it was part of a resolution honoring the team for its season that included a 5th straight conference championship. I'm sure it took no time at all and didn't affect the big picture efforts of lawmakers. They deserve to have a little fun too. I'm just glad it passed unanimously. That means even the Manhattan delegation feels KU's pain!
  
  Enjoy the March Madness...it really gets going next week!
  
  JHolt
- Blog post
- 8 months ago
- Favorite count: 1
- Views: 240
NEWSPAPER AND LIES
- From: pattiharris
- Description:
  
  There is this newspaper that seems to take the word of a crack prostitue and those that hang around her, This newspaper has spread lies about my mother. Lies that are slaundries to her name. I thank god she isn't alive to read it. I will say that this newspaper isn't the STAR, EXAMINER,NORTH EAST NEWS, but one that is soooo colorful it has ALL sort of advertisements in it for ALL sort of things.
  
  The statement wasn't based on fact, nor did this paper try to get the REAL truth about my mother. It simply took the word of a known prostitue , crack addtic junkie and whomever else she knows.
  
  Some will read the story and believe what they want ,not caring that it is hurtful to those that know the truth. It doesn't matter that my mother is no longer alive, or that she can't stand up for herself, so I try too. I ask them to take that section of their story out , in which I was told no three times. I am hurt , angry and very upset that they wouldn't care if their story is right or wrong.
  
  Just let me tell you about the person that the story was about. She let her daughter get raped. blew crack smoke in her children faces, lost her children and didn't even care to stop selling herself for drugs or even try to better herself so she can get her children back.
  
  She wheather be with people that turn her into what she is today. She has no self respect. One would think that when she became a mother and that term is used losely on her she would have try to get away and seek help , but no she let her children get hurt , was a unfit mother in every sense of the word.
  
  One would hope that the paper would have facts based upon the stories they run, not in this case. They didn't try to get ahold of other family members to see if any of this was or is true. They should lose their license and be put out of business.
  
  What would you do?
- Blog post
- 2 months ago
- Favorite count: 1
- Views: 165
- Not yet rated
Super Zack!
- From: Webmaster_Rebecca
- Description:
  
  I have to say this Royals run is fun! Zack Greinke is hot hot hot and I mean his pitching, of course!
  
  Fans are excited. The national media is catching on. And, Zack is not disappointing. He pitched another complete game last night and is now 6-0. The best record for a pitcher in the majors right now.
  
  So, fun!
  
  So, tell me are you jumping on the Zack Attack bandwagon? I am. Why not? Summer's here and it's nice to have America's pastime back in Kansas City.
  
  Want more Zack? Check out our story on fan support.
- Blog post
- 6 months ago
- Favorite count: 1
- Views: 165
- Not yet rated
like gas on a fire
- From: wolfmanjack
- Description:
  
  The governments attempt at staving off the next great depression, has amounted to no more than throwing gas on a fire, assuming that because the gas is wet that it'll choke out the fire. I see the news reports of companies getting bailout funds and layoffs have picked up steam rather than slow down.
  
  banks get 350 billion and use it to buy it each other out, G.M, gets billions and is still on the verge of failing in a matter of days if not weeks. nearly 2 trillion dollars just thrown to the 4 corners, and all we get is a measly 13 dollars a week, which we'll probably have to pay back in 2010.
  
  right now my money would be on carl peterson as head of the treasury or even president, he can't do that much worse of a job. At any rate, America will come through this as America has in the past, but the landscape of our industry will change forever
- Blog post
- 8 months ago
- Favorite count: 1
- Views: 158
- Not yet rated
15 Webcast Tutorials: Microsof
- From: nawo1983
- Description:
  
  Here is a library of 15 free online videos on MRDS. The Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio is a Windows-based environment for robot control and simulation. You can Download Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio 2008 Express Edition For free.
  
  Be sure to click on this website to look at a list of videos: Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio
  
  4 Components of MRDS:
  
  Lego Mindstorms NXT
  Photo Credit: Ixmati
  
  * DSS (Decentralized Software Services) Is the services architecture, and it is a companion to CCR. This is based on Service Oriented Architecture. This provides the ability to author applications that are very distributed and modular. This permits one to execute your code in the processing work horses and use anywhere in the distributed environment. The DSS makes it simple to access, and respond to, a robot's state via a Web browser or Windows-based application. This allows real-time monitoring of robotics sensors and real-time response to motors and actuators.
  
  * CCR (Concurrency and Coordination Runtime) - makes asynchronous programming simple. The CCR makes it simple to compose programs to handle asynchronous input from multiple robotics sensors and output to motors and actuators. With the use of CCR, we don't need to do any manual threads management. This may be supremely valuable in handling concurrency and partial failure. CCR has a failure handling mechanism called Causalities. This is essentially a generalization of Try / Catch for multiple threads. But this is for many machines and processes working in synchronous fashion. This is the base of Robotics architecture by Microsoft. You can even use this component for the applications running on a PC instead of a robot. CCR is available in the form of a dynamic link library which may be used by any .net language.
  
  * VPL (Microsoft Visual Programming Language) Is a visual programming tool that is used for creating and debugging robot applications, web-based and windows-based interfaces.
  
  * VSE (Visual Simulation Environment) Allows one to simulate the behavior of robots in a virtual world using NVIDIA PhysX technology (3D engine) that includes advanced physics.
  
  The Runtime environment : the CCR and the DSS. The runtime is based on a lightweight REST-oriented services model. Making it REST based has made the services and applications to be independent of each other. They may be on the same machine or distributed across different machines connected through any method. When we say REST based, This implies that the resources should be available by query strings. These services are available as resources to the other services, applications or User Interfaces. This is ultimately how Microsoft is able to promise low coupling across services. The Runtime supports from 8-bit to 32-bit robots. These robots may range from Toy Robots to Industrial Robots.
  
  Microsoft VPL Makes it possible for one to put together and debugrobotics programs simply. Just drag and drop blocks that represent services, and connect them. It is also possible to take a collection of connected blocks and reuse them as a single block somewhere else in the program. VPL follows the Observer Pattern. This means that it is not based on Control flow but on data flow which allows some program elements to get executed when some data arrives. VPL provides a model-driven approach to develop and coordinate services.
  
  Easily Simulate Robotics applications using realistic 3D simulated models. Since testing with real robots is often expensive, it saves money to start out in a simulated environment first and then move to real robots once the concepts have been proven to work. Microsoft Visual Simulation Environment (VSE) is based on Microsofts XNA Framework and the rendering engine uses AGEIA PhysX Technology from AGEIA Technologies Inc.. AGEIA Technologies Inc. Is a pioneer in hardware-accelerated physics, enabling real-world physics simulation for robot models. PhysX simulations can also be accelerated using AGEIA hardware. These simulations can be recorded and saved as XML files and played back over and over again.
  
  You must click on this site to look at a related post: Robotics Studio
  
  Key Features of MS Robotics Developer Studio:
  
  * Reuse Modular Services Using a Composable model
  
  Create high-level functions using simple divisions, providing for reuse of code modules as well as better reliability and replaceability. For example, a lower-level sensor service might be integrated into a navigation service.
  
  * Scalable and Extensible Platform
  
  The RDS programming model may be applied to a variety of robot hardware platforms, enabling users to transfer their skills across multiple platforms. The programming interfaces may be used to develop applications on single or multi-core processors.
  
  * Easily extend Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio Functionality
  
  Third parties can extend the functionality of RDS by providing additional libraries and services. Hardware or software vendors can make their products easily compatible with RDS.
  
  * Develop using a wide choice of programming languages
  
  MRDS allows you to access the runtime services using the following programming languages: C# and Visual Basic .NET, JScript, and IronPython
  
  * Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio allows one to use assorted packages to add other services to the suite.
  
  Those other services include:
  O Soccer Simulation
  O Sumo Competition by Microsoft
  O a community-developed Maze Simulator which is a program to create worlds with walls that can be explored by a virtual robot
  
  Sample Applications:
  
  * Princeton University's DARPA Urban Grand Challenge autonomous car entry was programmed entirely with MRDS.
  
  * In 2008 Microsoft launched a simulated robotics competition named RoboChamps using MRDS, 4 challenges were available : maze, sumo, urban, and mars rover. The simulated environment and robots used by the competition were created by SimplySim and the competition was sponsored by KIA Motors.
  
  Supported Robots:
  
  Aldebaran Robots
  Photo Credit: Burgermac
- Blog post
- 1 month ago
- Favorite count: 1
- Views: 143
Full text and analysis of the
- From: ShortyLongstrokin
- Description:
  
  The following link displays the full text of H.R. 3200, the "America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009" as it was introduced to committee. I've read it in its entirely, and I suggest everyone who is interested should read it, including all senators and representatives in Congress. Please see below:
  
  http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h3200/text
  
  Now, as this is just a first version that has not yet made it out of the committee where it was authored, many details are subject to change. In fact, the Senate Finance Committee has already agreed to drop the end-of-life provisions that have generated so much (unnecessary) controversy in recent days. I'm actually quite disappointed with the senators who agreed to remove that part, since I feel that it is a very important provision that should be included. (More about that later.) However, it is still possible that such provisions can be rewritten or reexamined and introduced to the bill again down the road.
  
  Having said all that, I think it's time to clear the air on some misinformation floating around out there in town hall meetings and the blogosphere. Here are just a few points that people need to understand clearly:
  
  FACT #1: This is NOT a call for mandatory socialized medicine.
  
  The health care bill DOES NOT advocate forcing people to accept nationalized health care coverage. This has been one of the biggest misconceptions out there, and it's not true. What it does is offer a federal plan for those that would choose it. It means that if you like your privatized provider, you can keep it. For everyone else, the families in poverty or struggling to get by, there's this option.
  
  FACT #2: There are no such things as "death panels."
  
  Sarah Palin and other people have done an amzing job of scaring the easily duped by claiming that "'Obamacare' will KILL YOUR GRANDMA." That is as blatant of a falsehood as they come. The language of the health care bill actually had a provision that would allow for people who wanted it to have counseling with doctors and other medical professionals about advance directives and other end-of-life issues. This is one part of the bill I was happy to see included since most people don't think about those things or intentionally put them off until it's too late. I had to deal with that this year myself, and it's more important than a lot of folks realize. Sadly, because of Palin's scare tactics, the Democrats and others in the Senate Finance Committee stripped that out of the current resolution language. Perhaps it'll be added back in later in some form, but buckling under pressure like that does not bode well.
  
  FACT #3: Health care reform won't replace Medicare.
  
  I don't understand why people think this. Medicare has been around for decades and has proven to be an effective form of government-managed health care. My mother, God rest her soul, would not have survived as long as she did without the assistance of doctors, hospitals and medicine on the Medicare plan. Her company's insurance (before she retired) had written her off and given up on her. Medicare didn't. They stepped in and covered her treatments. Another thing I don't get is why people who have used Medicare or are on disability are rallying against "socialized medicine." What do they think Medicare is?!
  
  FACT #4: The government's plan will NOT cost more.
  
  Not likely at all, actually. In fact, it was designed to be more affordable as its primary intention. The current bill discusses limits on premiums and caps on out-of-pocket expenses. It creates a list of high standards that any federally offered plan must meet to be a "Qualified Health Care Program." It also stipulates that private insurers must meet or exceed those same standards within five years. The aim is to provide better and cheaper coverage to everyone, whether they choose a public or private health care option.
  
  If you have other questions about what the plan does and doesn't include, the White House has made available this handy little "cheat sheet" which addressed some of the more publicized concerns about consumer protections:
  
  (Click to enlarge. This document is also available to download as a PDF at whitehouse.gov.)
  
  I've read this document and compared it to the actual passages in the bill, and everything they describe is accurate. If you've heard differently, you've been misinformed by people who have either misinterpreted the context of part of the resolution or have completely made things up (like "death panels").
  
  Okay, so who's against this? Well, many opponents to President Obama and the Democratic Party for one, and for various reasons. The classic excuse is just politics, plain and simple. If such a contentious proposal was introduced by a Republican senator or representative, you can bet that there would be Democrats opposed to is for purely partisan gain. It's that same way on either side, so you just have to take that for what it is.
  
  Another two groups opposed to health care reform are the pharmaceutical companies and the insurance industry. Big surprise. Who would want anyone coming in and telling them how to run their operations better, unless said people are trying to made vital services accessible and affordable to segments of the population who would otherwise not have access to them? The big businesses behind them stand to lose a lot of ground in their health care dominance, so it's natural that they would want lobbyists and think tanks to be in the pockets of the very politicians that are in positions to try and stop health care reform dead in its tracks.
  
  Then there are the crazies, the people on the fringe that have been swallowing all the outright lies being told to them by Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck and others because they scare easily and are susceptible to outside influence. These are the same people you see at town hall meetings screaming until they turn blue in the face, the hangers-on from the "Red Scare" of the 1950s-60s who have done nothing more than replace their irrational fear of "communism" with "socialism." Did I also mention that a number of them are also undereducated? That would explain those silly posters of Obama made up to look like the Joker with the word "SOCIALISM" written in big, bold letters underneath. The Joker is an anarchist, and he's about as far away from being a socialist as you can get. But I digress upon discussing an example of why these folks don't need to be shut up and silenced -- they just need to be educated.
  
  And that's the best thing we can do to make sure health care reform passes: EDUCATE THE PUBLIC. Sure, some people will make every effort to ignore the facts and parade about with their fingers in their ears, but you reach the ones you can. And hopefully, if you've read all the way to the end of this post, I've reached you too.
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Winter Storm Update!
- From: fox4weatherteam
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- Video blog post
- 8 months ago
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Obama's Wonderful Amnesty Bill
- From: Bayley
- Description:
  
  It seems our President has more compassion and empathy for Illegal Aliens than he does for American citizens. President Obama is strongly supporting an Amnesty Bill that includes the following provisions for Illegal Aliens and leaves the real American citizens paying the tab. Here are some of the provisions of the proposed bill:
  
  1. Illegal Aliens can have legal status after 24 hours without having a complete background check.
  
  2. American taxpayers will pay the lawyer fees for Illegal Aliens to become American citizens.
  
  3. Illegal Aliens will receive a "Permanent Temporary Visa" ( who came up with that?)
  
  4. Amnesty will be given for GANG MEMBER Illegal Aliens!
  
  5. Illegal Aliens will NOT have to pay any back taxes they owe the U.S. government.
  
  6. This bill virtually erases the borders between Mexico and the U.S.
  
  7. Border security is not a priority in this bill.
  
  8. The U.S. government will provide tuition for Illegal Aliens to attend U.S. colleges (What about tuition for us citizens?)
  
  9. Amnesty will be given to Illegal Aliens who have already been deported so they can come back to the U.S.
  
  10. English is not required to be learned by Illegal Aliens.
  
  11. Illegal Aliens will be eligible for "Earned Income Tax Credit" !
  
  12. American taxpayers will have to foot the bill to pay Mexico for healthcare for its citizens to keep them from coming to the U.S. for healthcare.
  
  13. Illegal Aliens will be able to cut infront of legal immigrants who have the appropriate papers, visa, and applications pending for citizenship.
  
  Is there something wrong with this picture?
- Blog post
- 6 months ago
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Obama to give jobs to illegal
- From: JohnKJR
- Description:
  
  Barack Hussein Obama has driven unemployment up o 9.5% but Sweetness & Light notes :
  
  Obama De-Criminalizes Hiring Illegals
  
  Mr. Obama is effectively de-criminalizing the hiring of illegal aliens.
  ...
  Who will not be willing to risk the piddling fines, when you can save much more money by hiring illegal aliens?
  
  Mark Krikorian : Immigration Tidbits
  
  The Obama administration has yet again postponed implementation of the rule that most federal contractors use the E-Verify system to screen out illegal aliens. I guess they're going to wait until most of the porkulus money is disbursed before they make a show of implementing this commonsense rule.
  ...
  The Eighth Circuit upholds a municipal ordinance requiring businesses to use E-Verify to maintain their business license. Apparently it wasn't even close: "In reviewing the facts, the appellate court was puzzled as to why the ACLU even brought the case and dismissed their second complaint with prejudice." The Ninth Circuit upheld a similar Arizona law last year.
  ...
  Ahnold is "happy" that illegal aliens get government benefits and denies that illegal immigration is a significant contributor to the budget problems of the failed state of California.
  
  Janet Napolitano : Janet Napolitano said what?
  "...crossing the border is not a crime per se. It is civil. But anyway, going after those as well." -- Janet Napolitano(D)
  ...
  "In fact, pursuant to 8 U.S.C. 1325, crossing the border illegally is a crime–a misdemeanor for the first offense and a felony for the second and subsequent offenses. But of course, ignoring or mischaracterizing the law is a very convenient way for those in power to avoid the laws they find most inconvenient. Sadly, statements such as these are also a signal that Americans will have to wait a long time before their government articulates any credible immigration enforcement policy." -- Julie Kirchner
  Ed Morrissey : Shouldn’t a DHS Secretary know that illegal immigration is a crime?
  ...the Secretary of Homeland Security — the department that secures our borders — blithely asserts that illegal immigration is not a criminal offense. No, really...
  ...
  Napolitano knows that illegal immigration is a crime. She and the administration she serves don’t want to enforce that law; they want to pretend it doesn’t exist. The DHS seems a lot more concerned about the danger of American combat veterans returning home than they do illegal aliens crossing the borders, which speaks volumes about the political bent of the Obama administration.
  Sweetness & Light : Holding Illegal Aliens Violates Human Rights
  Thanks goodness Amnesty International has the guts to take on the tough issues.
  
  For instance, remember all of their reports castigating Muslim countries for how they persecute Christians and other non-Muslims?
  
  We don’t either.
  Borderline Security For The Border
  Terrorists and other criminals crossing into America are at least as threatening as our economic woes. If we can spend a trillion on stimulus, we shouldn't skimp on fixing the border.
  Doug Ross reminds us of the cost of failing to secure our borders : La Delgada Línea Azul
  Without warning, Salter was shot in the face after stepping through the doorway.
  ...
  An illegal alien, Alfaro had been arrested five times for possession or delivery of drugs – including three times after an immigration judge granted him “voluntary departure” in March 2001.
  ...
  Why wasn't Alfaro's status as a repeat offender and illegal alien available to Salter before serving the warrant?
  DHS Signals Policy Changes Ahead for Immigration Raids
  Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has delayed a series of proposed immigration raids and other enforcement actions at U.S. workplaces in recent weeks...
  Mark Krikorian : Non-Discrimination in Border Enforcement
  
  "One of the things that we need to be sensitive to is the very real feelings among southern border states and in Mexico that if things are being done on the Mexican border, they should also be done on the Canadian border." -- DHS Secretary Napolitano
  In other words, this is just the global application of the Norman Mineta Doctrine that Norwegian-American grannies from South Dakota pose exactly the same risk as single, young, Muslim men from Saudi Arabia.
  Gateway Pundit : Surprise!... Dems Push For Illegal Immigrants To Have Voting Rights
  Dems in Massachusetts want to start allowing illegal immigrants to vote.
  Michelle Malkin : Obama’s shamnesty distraction
  It’s a White House-planted distraction sourced mainly to La Raza/The Race lobbyist-turned-White House open borders czar Cecilia Munoz.
  ...
  ...there is already a de facto shamnesty plan already in place — overseen by DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano, who is eroding interior immigration enforcement. A West Coast source tells me that customs and border patrol agents have been ordered not to confiscate Washington state IDs from illegal aliens. ICE agents are feeling pressure to curtail workplace investigations. And illegal alien deportation fugitive Zeituni Onyango, aunt of the president, is going nowhere.
  Sweetness & Light : Obama Wants Illegal Aliens Amnesty By Fall
  ...given the minor detail that a vast majority of the American citizenry vehemently oppose amnesty for illegal aliens, it still comes as a bitter pill.
  Kaus : Obama to Potential Illegals: Arrive Now, Get Legalized Later
  Will Obama's New Legalization Push Screw American Workers? Or Has It Already Screwed Them?
  ...
  What better way to encourage more illegal immigration than by promising a possible amnesty in the next few years...
  ...
  It's hard to believe Obama adviser Cecilia Munoz doesn't realize reopening the amnesty issue could have this effect.
  Kaus : the Golden, Assaultive Years!
  Why might the Obama administration want to raise the topic of possible immigrant mass legalization even if it's not going to happen this year? Even if you assume such talk encourages more people to come here illegally--in the hope of qualifying for the amnesty--or at least discourages illegals currently in the country from going home during the recession, what good would that do Democrats? Illegal immigrants can't vote. ... It's not as if there is a once-every-10-years Census starting up in which areas with more illegals will get more money and representation!
  (D)emocrats want Illegals to provide the votes Americans Won't!
  
  "Amnesty is granting citizenship to an illegal immigrant that is currently in the country. It is very important if there is to be a compromise reached that the Senate back off amnesty. The way they have set it up is that it is an invitation to the same type of wholesale document fraud that occurred in Simpson-Mazzoli ... It also has U.S. citizenship for sale for $3,250—which is the fine that the illegal immigrants would have to pay. And U.S. citizenship should never be for sale." —Rep. James Sensenbrenner(R)
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- 4 months ago
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