Buena Park pastor prayed for Murtha’s death - Total Buzz : The Orange County Register: "Southern Baptist Pastor Wiley Drake of Buena Park sent out an email Monday night, saying that perhaps his prayers had been answered with the death of Rep. John Murtha yesterday."
If people really believed in "the power of prayer" Rev. Drake would be in jail for murder. But since it's make believe, he is free to continue accepting donations from his playmates.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Pastors Challenged to 'Ordain' Every Christian, Not Do Ministry for Them | Christianpost.com
Pastors Challenged to 'Ordain' Every Christian, Not Do Ministry for Them | Christianpost.com: "Dave Ferguson, pastor of Community Christian Church in Chicago, recounted to conference attendees a bold call he recently made to his mega-congregation.
Preaching from the New Testament, he told members of the church, 'You are a royal priesthood. ... You're a priest. As a priest there's a particular people or there's a particular place that God has called you to.'
The Chicago pastor invited those who felt God's calling to come forward to be anointed. A couple thousand people came forward, named the people or place (neighbors, co-workers, underprivileged children, etc.) they felt called to go and share Christ with, and were 'ordained.'"
Next up, comedic fun when these "ordained" people begin to start their own churches, deal with the IRS.
Preaching from the New Testament, he told members of the church, 'You are a royal priesthood. ... You're a priest. As a priest there's a particular people or there's a particular place that God has called you to.'
The Chicago pastor invited those who felt God's calling to come forward to be anointed. A couple thousand people came forward, named the people or place (neighbors, co-workers, underprivileged children, etc.) they felt called to go and share Christ with, and were 'ordained.'"
Next up, comedic fun when these "ordained" people begin to start their own churches, deal with the IRS.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Bill Planned to Ease In-Home Care Restrictions - Nursing Link
Bill Planned to Ease In-Home Care Restrictions - Nursing Link
Another presumably well-intended government intervention in healthcare. This time, the state of Georgia wants to shift responsibility for professional nursing activities to the least-trained members of the healthcare team.
Provider organizations have thus far declined to comment on the bill until they've taken sufficient time to read and comprehend the proposed legislation.
As I've noted in another post, there is a reason current regulations and standards of practice require professional level skills. Patient safety is the primary and perennial consideration. Before he became known for his opposition to healthcare reform, Iowa Senator Charles Grassley made periodic headlines with hearings into the shortcomings of nursing homes. While the Senator's reports tended to inflame rather than inform, specific rules addressing real problems did result, and the safety of patient care did improve.
The Georgia proposal attempts to cope with budgetary issues but risks compromising quality of care. I hope the consideration of this bill begin to center more on the welfare of the vulnerable than the bottom line of the budget.
Another presumably well-intended government intervention in healthcare. This time, the state of Georgia wants to shift responsibility for professional nursing activities to the least-trained members of the healthcare team.
The bill will allow an unlicensed person who is trained by a Registered Nurse (RN) to perform some services — such as administering medication and keeping watch over a home patient on a ventilator — that now require RNs.Not surprisingly, the bill's backers share a justification. The bill, sponsored by Representative Jimmy Pruett (R-Eastman, is estimated to effect 800 Georgians who would be turned out of their current skilled nursing placement, saving the state hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. The bill has been endorsed by an employment agency that provides certified nurse assistants for as little as $10 per hour.
Provider organizations have thus far declined to comment on the bill until they've taken sufficient time to read and comprehend the proposed legislation.
As I've noted in another post, there is a reason current regulations and standards of practice require professional level skills. Patient safety is the primary and perennial consideration. Before he became known for his opposition to healthcare reform, Iowa Senator Charles Grassley made periodic headlines with hearings into the shortcomings of nursing homes. While the Senator's reports tended to inflame rather than inform, specific rules addressing real problems did result, and the safety of patient care did improve.
The Georgia proposal attempts to cope with budgetary issues but risks compromising quality of care. I hope the consideration of this bill begin to center more on the welfare of the vulnerable than the bottom line of the budget.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
A Database To Compare Health Care Costs At Colorado Hospitals | Colorado Health Insurance Insider
A Database To Compare Health Care Costs At Colorado Hospitals | Colorado Health Insurance Insider: "State Representative John Kefalas (D – Fort Collins) is�planning to introduce a bill next month that would create a website where Colorado residents could research the price of various medical procedures at hospitals across the state. �If passed, his bill would set up a committee that would spend 18 months determining what procedures should be included in the price comparison database."
This isn't a bad idea but it's already been tried. Look up Colorado Health Data Commission. A nice idea scuttled by insurance and HMO interests.
But the fundamental flaw is the assumption that the consumer cares about cost. Healthcare coverage insulates the consumer from financial considerations. I'd always buy a Beamer if a 3rd party picked up most of the costs.
This isn't a bad idea but it's already been tried. Look up Colorado Health Data Commission. A nice idea scuttled by insurance and HMO interests.
But the fundamental flaw is the assumption that the consumer cares about cost. Healthcare coverage insulates the consumer from financial considerations. I'd always buy a Beamer if a 3rd party picked up most of the costs.
Larimer legislators seek to balance bills, budget
Larimer legislators seek to balance bills, budget: "Lundberg also will make another run at a bill offering greater flexibility for those requiring medical care or living assistance under the Medicaid program.
Currently, he said, such services can be provided only in Medicaid-approved facilities by approved providers. With a federal waiver, Lundberg said, his bill would allow such services to be performed by family caregivers or smaller care facilities at a greatly reduced cost."
It's hard to think of any other single step that would do so much to increase fraud and abuse.There are reasons certification of providers as a condition of participation in public funds is mandatory.
Currently, he said, such services can be provided only in Medicaid-approved facilities by approved providers. With a federal waiver, Lundberg said, his bill would allow such services to be performed by family caregivers or smaller care facilities at a greatly reduced cost."
It's hard to think of any other single step that would do so much to increase fraud and abuse.There are reasons certification of providers as a condition of participation in public funds is mandatory.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Jack of the Woods - Asheville NC
Hanging at Jack of the Wood for the Kevin Kinney acoustic jam. Nice place with decent acoustics, coffee and Jameson whiskey. The lack of brown sugar is more than adequately compensated for by not being out in the cold.
On stage - Jennie Arnau & her band. Another new name. "Chasing Giants" is the next new CD, due in March. Very sweet vocals and an especially nice pedal steel player.
Woody Wood- introduced by local DJ as an Asheville Legend. I can hear why. Nice rough voice with a clean acoustic guitar. 1st murder ballad of the day, too, which is always a pleasure for me.
Oh, an epic moment for me - Ray Sisk is on the stage! Please Please let me hear "Glory Road"
On stage - Jennie Arnau & her band. Another new name. "Chasing Giants" is the next new CD, due in March. Very sweet vocals and an especially nice pedal steel player.
Woody Wood- introduced by local DJ as an Asheville Legend. I can hear why. Nice rough voice with a clean acoustic guitar. 1st murder ballad of the day, too, which is always a pleasure for me.
Oh, an epic moment for me - Ray Sisk is on the stage! Please Please let me hear "Glory Road"
Saturday, December 5, 2009
The Pathology of Losing
It seems we can't go a day without some fringe element repeating long-discredited slurs against the current occupant of the White House. G. W. Bush polarized and energized the center and left of the political spectrum. Now Barack Obama has the same effect on the members of the right, the further right the more effective.
The latest arises from a now-defunct Facebook page created by the mayor of Arlington, Tennessee. According to Greg Mitchell's reporting, Russell Wiseman promoted the idea that President Obama, a secret Muslim, scheduled his speech from West Point in a deliberate move tp preempt the annual broadcast of "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Apparently, there's something in the Q'uran about beagles, footballs, and security blankets being signs of the infidel.
This latest is a symptom, I think, of the far right's inability to accept the outcome of the elections. After enjoying the reins of political power for years, they became convinced of the inevitability of their point of view. When God and Government are on your side, the only way you can lose power is by subterfuge, some malign scheme by evildoers who, once having toppled the anointed, then move on to sacred cultural icons, like Charlie Brown.
Democrats should not be too quick to dismiss these paranoid ideologues. They exists in a fever of humiliation, one that very well might power them to the polls on 2010. Midterm losses are expected, but a pissed off base could change the balance of power even more than usual.
The latest arises from a now-defunct Facebook page created by the mayor of Arlington, Tennessee. According to Greg Mitchell's reporting, Russell Wiseman promoted the idea that President Obama, a secret Muslim, scheduled his speech from West Point in a deliberate move tp preempt the annual broadcast of "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Apparently, there's something in the Q'uran about beagles, footballs, and security blankets being signs of the infidel.
This latest is a symptom, I think, of the far right's inability to accept the outcome of the elections. After enjoying the reins of political power for years, they became convinced of the inevitability of their point of view. When God and Government are on your side, the only way you can lose power is by subterfuge, some malign scheme by evildoers who, once having toppled the anointed, then move on to sacred cultural icons, like Charlie Brown.
Democrats should not be too quick to dismiss these paranoid ideologues. They exists in a fever of humiliation, one that very well might power them to the polls on 2010. Midterm losses are expected, but a pissed off base could change the balance of power even more than usual.
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