In an effort to get to some actual truth, PBS created this Frontline investigation into the health care systems of Great Britain, Japan, Germany, Taiwan, and Switzerland. It apparently is the full show, warts and all, of each nation’s system.
Even when showing the true pros and cons, we don’t stack up among the best.This truly needs to change.
I found this vastly entertaining and possibly useful.
I find this news concerning the advantages of coffee in reversing Alzheimer’s useful on a day I picked up an iced vanilla latte (from Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf – STRONGLY recommended) and am getting a year older.
Thanks to Michael “Art” for the link, granted it was many days earlier but I just got around to it.
Damnit, now I’m hungry.
A nice, quick writeup on my favorite burger joint. Enjoy.
If you just want the Cliff Notes version of this anti-American bullshit, here ya go:
“The idea that every life is infinitely precious and therefore everyone deserves the same kind of optimal medical care is a fine religious sentiment and moral ideal. As political and economic policy, it is vainglorious delusion. Rich and educated people not only receive better goods and services in all areas of life than do poor and uneducated people, they also tend to take better care of themselves and their possessions, which in turn leads to better health. The first requirement for better health care for all is not equal health care for everyone but educational and economic advancement for everyone.
Our national conversation about curbing the cost of health care is crippled by the vocabulary in which we conduct it. We must stop talking about “health care” as if it were some kind of collective public service, like fire protection, provided equally to everyone who needs it. No government can provide the same high quality body repair services to everyone. Not all doctors are equally good physicians, and not all sick persons are equally good patients.
If we persevere in our quixotic quest for a fetishized medical equality we will sacrifice personal freedom as its price.”
It is written by a psychiatrist that doesn’t believe in mental illness. Basically, it’s like having a Jehovah’s Witness working at the blood bank, or George Bush having any type of job. Complete (oxy)moron.
Basically, and this is an argument my mother-in-law picked up somewhere, for some reason, if we can’t give all Americans the same health care the top 1% of the top 1% of Americans get, we should not try to give anyone access to health care.
Look, there will always be wealthy folks who have advantage. As long as they aren’t trying to screw the rest of us out of something, let them have it. And to be honest, why *isn’t* health care a right in this country? We give it to both soldiers and senators for serving us, so why *not* to the tax-paying citizens who pay those salaries?
Frankly, like I said earlier, it’s about evil bastards looking to make a dime on the backs of sick people. And it’s high time to cut them from their addiction.
Guess I’ll make this how-to thing yet another trendline for the blog.
For the Fourth, NPR posted a handy article on making the perfect burger. Granted, opinions and tastes vary, but I found it a good article.
Less useful but more entertaining as a memory artifact is this article on how to open a beer bottle with a Bic lighter. Granted, I don’t smoke anymore and used a Zippo or matches when I did, but this is a skill that should not die in the modern era. Enjoy.
You are as guilty of some of these as I am. And, yes, I am posting this mostly for self-reference later.
An update on the White House garden. Apparently it is flourishing well and may possibly be inspiring others to grow their own food.
Too bad I live in a desert, no? I like fresh veggies.
I like charts. I like them so much I should make a special category for them. In the meantime, enjoy this guide to various coffee drinks that should be posted at every coffee shop in America, if not the world.
The folks over at Lifehacker had a nice food overview week last week. Here are some of the highlights of the week and I will link some personal faves that may or may not have made their list so seriously check that last link just in case.
Equipment-wise, they link to an article on how to properly season a cast iron grill. Also, articles on the bare minimum of utensils you need, as well as a list of tools for the best kitchen.
That said, the last list there tends to imply you can skimp on the pots and pans. Honestly, mostly through our wedding presents and by checking sales, we’ve collected a decent set of All-Clad pots and pans and could not be more pleased with the results. Yes, some of this stuff *does* cost money, but when you get the right stuff, it is so worth it.