feckin hell zap, i like it that you are here (sorry if that sounds a bit goopy)...many positive things have come from your being here.

And what was with the (as of yet not responded to) racist "people of color" comment? Was that from you or some cut & paste that slipped by you as well?

Did it ever occur to any one that maybe it's not required to show proof of citizenship in the event of an emergency? If it were required then a doctor or hospital could easily and legally blow off anybody by saying they had no proof of citizenship, even in the case of an emergency. And, at the very least, it would lower even more what little humanity there seems to be left in this world. "Nah! Just leave him there. We got no proof of citizenship!" Is that what we've come to?

What would you propose? National ID cards? Or maybe Nazi Germany-type tattoos? How about a subcutaneous chip implant?

Omission does not make something legal. Under that logic my pot-bellied pig would be eligeble for health care coverage. I mean, there's nothing in the bill that says she's not!

Thanks Agnes. But that comment about color got to me.

No argument there. Weirdly, he comes from a part of the world that taught it from the cradle which is why some of us still say "Sir" and "Mad'm" like a reflex. It tends to disturb our neighbors from the Land of the Northern Aggression.

The truth is it can't be simply a reflex. Good manners have to be thoughtful and intended. I like Felicia Day's line in The Guild:



And that is happening with the web acting as an amplifier reinforcing it. We're turning into Troll World. It's a problem particularly with a generation determined to undo any good done by the Woodstock generation in the search for their own identity. The same old same old is reaching out again.

@CaptZap:



They won't be turned away from emergency room services. No one is. My guess is they won't be allowed to register for non-emergency services (eg, prenatal care, cancer therapy). I don't think that is workable and that is where Obama gets into trouble. Still, we might want to ask what other countries such as Canada, Switzerland, France and Britain do with illegals in the health care system.

Let's not get carried away. Proof of citizenship is a requirement for other services.

I was heartened last night to Andrew Weill on CNN talking about alternative medicines and addressing the questions Arlo brought up here. There certainly are others in the medical profession with the same concerns and they are being drowned out in the Spy vs Spy.

I don't know where to begin. Dave, I don't like John Boehner because he is an annoying bastard who doesn't really stand for anything except lining his own pockets. I have a similar opinion about many of our congressmen and senators on both sides of the aisle. He's a pest. So's Harry Reid. And Joe "what party am I in today?" Lieberman. I could go on but it's not important.

Joe Wilson is a racist idiot. As far as people yelling out during an address to the joint session and to the American people--it should not be tolerated. From any party or any person at any time, and especially not when the President is speaking. Any president. I expect my elected officials to behave with dignity and decorum. I guess that's an "old-fashioned" view, but it shouldn't be. They are on the world stage blah blah blah. Again, relatively unimportant in the grand scheme.

The real issue is that while everyone quibbles over ridiculous issues like who is "entitled" and who isn't, people are dying. I know this from first hand experience.

And I agree with Zap--I have real issues with the whole people of color thing. But you don't have to explain yourself to me or anyone else. Remember the good samaritan story--it applies here. It's all in the book...whatsoever you do for the least of my brothers....etc.

Teddy Kennedy said it best in his letter to the President, which you can see on the White House website...

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_off ... M-Kennedy/

"...soon, very soon, affordable health coverage will be available to all, in an America where the state of a family's health will never again depend on the amount of a family's wealth. And while I will not see the victory, I was able to look forward and know that we will fulfill the promise of health care in America as a right and not a privilege."

Amen.

PS, thanks for the welcome Leo. I like it here. (although I must say that it is a little disconcerting to see the word virgin over my photo. )
hrg

Wow-health care gets everyone going! I'd love to know if the people that are having an issue with his plan have insurance or not. My family doesn't-when my insurance went from $600 to $700 and my husband had to have an MRI and we had to pay over $1400 out of pocket for it I said thats it. The best part was I was getting a discount because of my income-now if I accepted a raise it would have put me into a different bracket and my monthly cost would have been $1300! I'm a friggen manager and can't make that monthly payment! Now I voted for Obama and I will do it again because he gets it. And by the way goverment is in the business of health care and has been for many years. If the goverment options makes the big insurance companies lower rates that would be a problem how?

Sue...I'm sure it is the "haves" that are against the plan. It's sickening really.

But you know, I'm a big believer in karma. Sometimes it takes awhile, but eventually the wheel goes 'round.

In the meantime, we would all do well to remember this. There but for the grace of God go I.

hrg

Sorry...thinking SHE and typing Sue.
hrg

Well said Wiz. You brought out some interesting stuff...

I dunno. Most of this debate seems to be centered around propaganda. Out and out lies scaring people into positions that they don't really believe in. We have lost sight of honor, and that is scary.

John Boehne didn't make that comment - try to keep up.

In the wealthiest Country of all time, if we can not guarantee H.C. for all we best fix what is broken.

i understand.

Ok, hell... I wasn't going to explain - as I think it's funny when I sometimes ask a legitimate question or make a point it kind of goes ignored. But I can't have everyone thinking I'm a racist, as that couldn't be farther from the truth. It was a copy and paste that slipped by me. So there you have it. Oh, and the whole bit about just posting a link instead - why do you think I don't do that?! Little harder to ignore.

BTW, just for reference they are all not just cut and paste... I do occasionally add my own spin.

Go ahead and paste articles from the Huffington Post... Just don't forget who has the wand... Even if it has gone unused for a while... Might need to dust it off. Anyone for Newts??? LOL

In other words, lighten up... Those who know me, know I like to stir the pot from time to time... Can't help it.