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Penny_From_Eugene's comments:
on Water: From the Bottle or the Tap?
You're right -- If you had told me in 1975 that in 30 years, even 20 years, we would all be buying and toting about bottles of water, I would have thought you nuts.
That said, we do (as I shared above) make an initial purchase, then refill with tap water for several weeks before replacing and redeeming. (We used to recycle, but the bottle bill changed about a year ago.)
posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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on Rx: The Final Health Care Bill
Throughout the discussion over the past year, I have been hearing that exclusions for pre-existing conditions will be prohibited. I am all for banning these exclusions, but let's do it right up front, not a gradual phase-in or a delayed ban that doesn't kick in until the current freshman senators are running for re-election. This delay will do nothing more than give the insurance companies a big window to look for more reasons to exclude people or rescind their coverage just when they need it most.
I am surprised that insurance companies haven't figured out the concept of excluding people for the most common pre-existing condition: life.
(Okay, I admit it...I am somewhat cynical...but I keep hearing about all the efforts that the right-wing wacko Republicons are going to just to derail it.)
posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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on Rebroadcast: Discovering David Douglas
Not a particularly riveting dicussion, eh? Well, I guess that's to be expected of a re-broadcast (rerun) of a show that isn't dealing with any of the important issues that hound us at present. (Economy, health care, getting the do-nothings in Congress to get off their collective arses, getting people into office who really WILL help the people, rather than enter into the endless campaigning for re-election cycle....just to name a few.)
posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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on Primary Conversations: Governor (D)
I would like to know if either candidate will be a REAL Democrat, and provide REAL help to the Citizens of Oregon, or if they will follow in the pattern of the Oregon's Current Fool-in-Chief, who has shown himself to be a DINO, otherwise known as a Democrat In Name Only.
"I am a member of no organized political party -- I am a Democrat!" -- Will Rogers
posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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on Oregon's Stimulus
Even during the Great Depression, unemployment only got up to 25%, not the 30-50% that you're citing.
(Incidentally, my Grandmother lived through the Great Depression -- she was 20 when the Market crashed -- said it "wasn't that great." ....okay, different usages of the word "great.")
posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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on Oregon's Stimulus
@Tom: I agree...we need to get the Republicons out of office! Unfortunately, there are too many people who have bought into their snake oil.
@David Miller: That may be, but "Job Stimulus" was the headline that we all heard on OPB and NPR (I listen to KLCC and JPR as well), and the story was not explored in depth at the time.
posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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on Oregon's Stimulus
Just don't drop turkeys!
posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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on Oregon's Stimulus
Oh, okay...then WHY did they not tell us that this was solely a CONSTRUCTION STIMULUS program?!?!?!
No, I am not a construction worker. But it still sounds like the politicians are woefully unconcerned about anybody who isn't in a "hard-hat" trade.
posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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on Oregon's Stimulus
It's a lucky thing for Dave Hunt that he doesn't represent MY district, as he sure as heck wouldn't get my vote, since he clearly doesn't give a fig about the rank and file citizen who is STILL looking for a job after over a year!!!!!
WHAT A COLOSSAL FAILURE OF A PROGRAM!!!!
posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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on Oregon's Stimulus
While it might not have been intended for entry-level jobs, it seems to me that it should still help all segments of the job market.
In MY case, the reason why I have been applying for a wide range of Entry-level jobs is that I have experience in the jobs I described AND the belief that these would be the most numerous jobs available.
posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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on Oregon's Stimulus
I would consider the "Go Oregon" stimulus program to be a complete and utter FAILURE. I am still unemployed after 22 months as no one seems to be willing to hire someone who is over 25. I have applied for just about every type of entry-level job conceivable -- fast food, pump jockey, cart pusher at a grocery store -- and I have had ZERO LUCK.
In light of this (and considering his push to rename Beltline Highway after Randy Pape), I would describe Ted Kulongoski as the WORST GOVERNOR EVER, and contend that he is a textbook example of a DINO (Democrat in Name Only).
posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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on Questioning the Census Boxes
Well, this is a small (and I do mean tiny) step forward -- allowing our lesbian and gay sisters and brothers check the "married" box, -- but what about those among us who are members of other aspects of the Queer community? By this, I mean those who identify as transgendered or genderqueer or asexual? By my count there are AT LEAST 4 different genders. (And the Census Bureau is still using the imprecise term "sex." I guess they want to define us by what anatomy is between our legs, not what wiring is in our hearts and minds and souls.)
posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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on Cracking Down on Truancy
"There is always the military. They now take almost anyone with an opposing thumb. Male and female." -- Gereng — Wed March 10th 11:21a.m.
Not completely accurate, but I (for one) get your point. A number of years ago (never mind how many!), when I was about to graduate from High School, I contemplated entering the Service, and spoke to recruiters from all branches to see which I thought would be the best fit. Among the things I learned were that not only did All Branches require females to have their HS Diploma before enlisting, but the Marine Corps expected all recruits to be HS Graduates in order to enlist. I also found out that they would accept recruits at 17 with parental consent, or 18 on one's own consent. Further, if one professes to be gay, lesbian, or bi-sexual, they won't take 'em either. (Hopefully THAT will change soon.)
posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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on RX: Health Care Costs
I'm with you KatieD...I would strongly favour a single-payer system. America has plenty of allies across the globe who have Single-Payer systems that work -- from Canada to The U.K. to Australia to Taiwan (just to name a few).
Indeed, here in the U.S. we already have single-payer systems, provided you are a member of certain select groups (Veterans, Senior Citizens). Why can't we have that for all of us, regardless of whether we are old or have put on a uniform for Our Great Nation -- and it is a Great Nation, even if we disagree with the government from time to time.
posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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on RX: Health Care Costs
How would mandatory, compulsory health insurance really differ from the statutory requirement that anyone who wants to drive pay for Auto Insurance. (This sure seems to me to be an enforced subsidy of an industry on the backs of consumers. Anybody wanna refute this?)
posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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on Limiting Fertility?
Good point -- genetics only makes you a sperm donor or an egg donor. Caring for the child is what makes one a Mother or a Father. Deep, unconditional love and being there -- through thick or thin; accepting one's child for who they are -- gay, straight, lesbian, or transgendered; good times and bad; winning the soccer tournament or finishing the season 1 and 15 -- makes one a Mommy or a Daddy.
Please consider adopting a child (and not just the babies -- the older kids need someone to love them before they "age out" of the system, too). Every child needs someone who will love them, and teach them how to love and teach them all the things that they need to know to be a successful human being. (The things that aren't found in any textbook.)
posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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on Limiting Fertility?
What does Diane Downs have to do with this? There are plenty of people who are perfectly "normal" and perfectly "sane" who have children who grow up to be perverted, demented, or plain ol' psychopathic. Who are we to assume that just because an embryo came from a convicted felon the embryo will grow up and become the successor to the mother's (or father's) career in crime.
Jeffrey Dahmer was a nut-job, but that doesn't mean his parents were. John Wayne Gacy killed little boys, but that doesn't mean his father did. Ted Bundy (who did some of his most infamous deeds here on the West Coast, as well as in Florida) was somebody's son, but that doesn't mean that Mr. and Mrs. Bundy were psychopaths, too.
As for knowing that you are carrying the embryo of any specific person, you would never know. Administrative controls are in place to prevent anyone from knowing whose egg and whose sperm is being used, when a couple turns to artificial insemination. This is mainly to prevent a couple (or a parent) from pursuing the tissue donor for child support. (Picture if you will...Brad Pitt (for example) donates his sperm, which is later used by Mr. and Mrs. Average to have a baby. Some time thereafter, Mr. and Mrs Average discover whose sperm they got and see dollar signs, with the expectation that they will be successful with their paternity claim. If they do succeed, then it will have a chilling effect on the Artificial Insemination Field, as well as on organ and tissue donations.)
posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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on Cracking Down on Truancy
Here's a radical idea:
Instead of cutting school budgets, which seems to be the first thing politicians reach toward with the budget machete, how about we make education an inviolable first priority, just like the politicians claim it is when they're campaigning for office (or re-election, or re-re-election, or re-re-re-election, etc.).
Politicians all tell us while campaigning that they think education is their top priority, and that a well-educated populace is the key to our success as a society. How about it, Salem? Ready to put our money where your mouth is?!?!?
posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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on Cracking Down on Truancy
As to the problem of truant children, I would like to know one thing:
Who the heck decided that OPEN CAMPUS was a good idea?!?!
When I was in school, we had closed campus, which meant that once you arrived at school, you were there for the day, unless you had a note or other early dismissal arranged by your parent, such as for an appointment with the doctor.
Where I went to High School, closed campus was not a big deal -- there was almost nothing near the school to go to...no mall, no MickeyD's, no skate park, no nothing. (Yes, I know that is a double-negative...I am using it for emphasis.)
Let's return to a policy of closed campus, keep the kids in school where they belong, and out of the way of us adults during the day. Maybe they'll actually learn how to read.
(Climbing down off the soapbox. Who's next?)
posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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on Paper, Plastic or What?
"I was under the impression that OPB "Think Out Loud" was meant to be a platform for respectful, and thoughtful dialogue. If this was the case, why did they invite the very rude Stephen Joseph to contribute? What a wanker!"
And calling someone a "wanker" is thoughtful and respectful?
Yes, they should have included proponents from all sides, preferably from Oregon if possible.
posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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