Good news -- Bad news

The good news -- the Obama administration is launching a special $5 billion coverage program to run until the end of 2013 for uninsured Americans with medical problems.

The bad news -- Most of those people can't afford the premiums, and the $5 billion will be completely spent by the end of 2011.

"Program starting for uninsured ill." The Dallas Morning News; June 30, 2010; p. 6A.

Sometimes we learn, sometimes we don't.

Laura Sandifer is a single mother with one child. She finished her degree at the University of North Texas with $50,000 in outstanding student loans. She says she can't make the $90 a month payments on what she makes -- a total of $34,000 a year. But, she says, the loans "had to be done" or she wouldn't have been able to get that degree in photojournalism. But did she really need that degree? She works at Sally Beauty Supply in information technology, a job I feel sure she would have without expertise in photojournalism.

Anyway, she's exploring civic service programs to find one that will wipe out her student debt. Then, she says, she'd like to go to law school. "We'll see what kind of financial aid I might be able to get," she says. Sometimes people learn, sometimes they don't. And sometimes the system is a terrible enabler.

"UNT student graduated to 30 years of payments." The Dallas Morning News; July 18, 2010; p. 21A.

World's dumbest criminals.

Man, you'd think a police officer would be smarter than this. Dallas Police Officer Jeffrey Thorn faces an aggravated sexual assault charge. The allegation is that he told a woman she would be taken to jail unless she agreed to a sex act with him. The woman argued that she didn't want to do that, but he eventually convinced her that she would have to.

Now here's the dumb part -- How do we know what happened? It was recorded on his squad car audio recording system. And this guy graduated from the police academy!

"Police arrest officer accused of sex assault." The Dallas Morning News; June 30, 2010; p. 2B.

He doesn't need our help!

Lucille Wilson of Cedar Hill condemns Republicans for voting no on yet another extension of unemployment benefits for those who have been employed for more than six months. She says their reasons have nothing to do with boosting the economy or limiting the government. She says, "It's really about causing a political failure of the Obama administration in any way possible." Now, really, Lucille -- do you think the GOP has to do one thing to hasten Obama's failure? He's doing quite well by himself, you know. Anyway, the Democrats don't need a single Repubican vote to pass anything they want to -- they are the majority party, you know.

"A costly political ploy." The Dallas Morning News; July 1, 2010; p. 18A.

Did you know . . .

Did you know that as a Texan, you are paying almost $100 million a year for drugs for more than 14,000 uninsured people who have AIDS? For those who contracted this blight through no fault of their own -- blood tranfusions or medical accidents or unfaithful spouses -- I'm all for helping them out. For the rest of them (and I feel sure that's the vast majority), if they'd been behaving themselves, they wouldn't be sick. I'd rather spend that money on patients who aren't suffering the consequences of illicit behavior.

As reported by The Paris News: High School Principal Gary Preston says, "We have had less discipline problems . . ." With role models like Preston, no wonder our kids can't speak or write proper English.

"Cuts may be ahead for AIDS program." The Dallas Morning News; July 2, 2010; p. 5A.

Hey, Michelle, put your cabbage where your mouth is!

Michelle Obama's big campaign is to prevent childhood obesity. "Plant a garden and eat your broccoli and carrots," seems to be her mantra. Well, Michelle, let's see you put your cabbage where your mouth is.

I challenge Michelle to ask Congress to pass legislation that mandates any federal dollars going to fund food stamp type programs be spent only on low calorie, heart-healthy foods. That cuts out Little Debbie's snack cakes, sodas, chips, candy, cake and brownie mixes, cookies, most red meat, and a whole host of other foods that contribute little to a nutritious diet. If Michelle is truly serious, she'll do it.

Of course, I have my doubts that she's familiar with my blog. That means we all need to write her a letter and encourage her to take on this project. If she doesn't, she proves my contention that she's a great big ol' hypocrite.

Paris News' flimsy grasp of English: Krista Goerte reports on the recent City Council meeting and Councilwoman Rogers' opposition to raising sanitation fees. "She mentioned looking into trash pickup once a week, instead of two." Krista, when you're not consistent, your sentences don't make sense. "Instead of two" what? What you've said is that Ms. Rogers wants to look into picking up trash once a week instead of once every two weeks. That would increase the cost, dear. However, the city already picks up trash twice a week, so I'm sure what you meant was "once a week instead of twice." I know you go to college, because I've seen your photo in the newspaper with awards you've won. If you have the best English skills in your class, I'm concerned!

Going to hell in an Obama basket

Obama's Labor Secretary has given the order. Businesses will be required to allow homosexuals time off to care for newborns or "loved ones." Earlier, the Administration ordered government agencies to extend child care services and expanded family leave to workers.

And then Obama had a big soiree at the White House honoring gays, lesbians, and trans-genders. Wonder how he explained that gathering to his little girls? Wonder how unbiased he really is? Wonder how he'll feel if, in a few years, Malia or Sasha says, "Daddy, guess what? I'm a lesbian!"

Yes, we're being sent to the devil in Obama's basket!

"Gay workers to get equal family leave benefits." The Dallas Morning News; June 22, 2010; p. 5D.