This just in: Berlusconi is still an asshole. Rosy Bindi, of the opposition Democratic party, was on a late-night TV discussion program and she attacked Berlusconi (who is Italy's Prime Minister). Berlusconi then phoned in to the show and said to Bindi, who the BBC article describes as 'bespectacled' and 'matronly' (ouch), "You are more beautiful than intelligent." After his sarcastic, cutting remarks about her intelligence and looks, Bindi replied, "I am not a woman at your disposal," referring to Berlusconi's tendency to cavort with young women. In the aftermath, nearly 100,000 Italian women have signed a petition against Berlusconi's comments. (Full Story)
And this isn't the first time Berlusconi insulted Rosy Bindi's looks. Berlusconi had been criticized by his wife for fielding a bunch of pretty women for the European elections this year; to which he replied, "What's wrong if they're pretty? We can't field all Rosy Bindis."
Yet another case of a child being denied health coverage in Colorado. This time a two year old girl was denied coverage by United Healthcare Golden Rule because she's too small. Her height and weight don't meet their standards. A few weeks ago a four-month-old infant in Colorado was denied coverage by Rocky Mountain Health Plans because he weighed too much (17 pounds). But due to the media coverage the story got, Rocky Mountain Health Plans reversed their decision. They said the initial rejection of coverage was a "flaw in our underwriting system." The family of the two year old girl is hoping media coverage of their case will produce the same result. (Full Story)
And this kind of stuff isn't just happening in Colorado. How can anyone deny that health care reform is badly needed? It's terrible that health insurance companies can deny coverage to children, or anyone, because of "pre-existing conditions". What kind of country do we live in when parents desperately hope the media will pick up their story so that their child can have health coverage because the insurance companies are publicly embarrassed and change their minds?
Oh isn't that cute, Delaware might finally get a national park like all the other 49 states. (Full Story)
Looks like someone is going to be eating at the big kids' table soon!
The Vatican announced that they will make it easier for disaffected Anglicans to convert to the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church will allow them to join while letting them maintain their own spiritual and liturgical traditions (like allowing married priests). (Full Story)
God loves an opportunist. But, seriously, if I were the Anglican church I would say, "Sure, take 'em. Get them off our hands." These disaffected Anglicans are unhappy about women being bishops, gay people being bishops, and the blessing of same-sex unions.
The Yes Men pulled off another prank. The Yes Men are a group of activists that often pretend to be powerful people/spokespeople representing an organization and they call attention to issues and often make fun of the ridiculousness of these people through satire. One of their members recently pretended to be an official for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and held a press conference. He announced that the chamber was dropping their opposition to climate change legislation that is currently in Congress. He said that companies leaving the chamber over its stance on environmental legislation was an inspiration to change their stance. And in response to chamber members that continue to not support the legislation, he said, "There will always be people behind the times."
Then the real official for the chamber showed up (he had heard about the hoax press conference by a reporter who mistakenly showed up at the real chamber's headquarters). Then a spectacle broke out in which the two men were shouting at each other, calling the other an impostor, and demanding to see business cards. Hilarious! [It's like those Hollywood movies. "I'm the real Jake. Give me the gun" -- "No, he's lying! Can't you see, I'm the real Jake! Shoot him!"]. The real spokesman then had to say that the chamber is NOT actually changing their stance and they still don't support the climate change bill. So, in other words, he looked like an asshole. 'No kids, despite what you heard, you won't actually be getting a pony this Christmas.' (Full Story)
I also loved this subtle dig in the article: "Before the real chamber official burst in, he told reporters that the chamber had decided to give up its aggressive opposition to climate legislation -- which has included a not-a-hoax call for a new 'Scopes Monkey Trial' to prove the science of climate change." That this idea is SO ridiculous that the writer had to specify it's not a hoax. 'I know it sounds ridiculous, but it's true!!!'
The College Board reported that the average cost for tuition and fees for public four-year colleges is now $7,020 and $26,273 for private colleges. They also reported that prices are rising faster in the public sector. Compared with the 2008-2009 school year, public four-year colleges saw a 6.5% increase in tuition and fees; while private four-year colleges saw a 4.4% increase. This increase is much higher than in previous years. Over the past decade, the average increase has been 4.9% for public schools and 2.6% at private schools.
In addition, a College Board report found that public four-year colleges awarded two-thirds of their own grant funds for academic merit, rather than financial need. This suggests that schools are focusing more on increasing their academic pedigree than providing access to low-income families. And in these tough times, financial aid scholarships for those who can't afford school is needed more than ever. (Full Story)
A new Washington Post-ABC News poll found that there is growing support for a public option in the health care debate. When asked, "Would you support or oppose having the government create a new health insurance plan to compete with private health insurance plans?", 57% of respondents said they support a public option (which is a five point increase since August, and a two point increase since September), while 40% oppose it. Another question asked, "Do you think the health-care plan creates too much government involvement in the nation's health care system, not enough government involvement, or about the right amount?" The percentage of people that said too much involvement decreased from 45% in September to 42% now. And the percentage that said there's not enough involvement rose from 12% in September to 21% now (this was the largest gain).
The poll also found that only 20% identify as Republicans, which is the lowest number in Post-ABC polls since 1983 (Independents constitute the largest group at 42%; Democrats at 33%). In addition, "Poll respondents are evenly divided when asked whether they have confidence in Obama to make the right decisions for the country's future, but just 19% express confidence in the Republicans in Congress to do so. Even among Republicans, only 40% express confidence in the GOP congressional leadership to make good choices." Oh snap! (Full story)
In the UK, scientists at Leeds University's Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering are spending 50 million pounds over five years on innovative solutions to "regenerate" older bodies. Because we have higher living standards, people are living to an older age. The article says half of the babies now born in the UK will reach 100 years old. We're living longer, but our bodies are still wearing out at the same rate. The scientist are trying to achieve "50 active years after 50" by giving centenarians the bodies of 50-year-olds. "They plan to provide pensioners with old-grown tissues and durable implants. New hips, knees and heart valves are the starting points, but eventually they envisage most of the body part that flounder with age could be upgraded...The concept is to make transplantable tissues, and eventually organs, that the body can make on its own, getting round the problem of rejection." The article finally concludes with, "Prof Doyle said experts elsewhere were also working on similar regenerative therapies, but grown entirely out of the body, to ensure that people can continue being as active during their second half-century as they were in their first. " (Full Story)
I find it interesting how obsessed our society is with not growing old; how people take such measures to turn back the hands of time, so to speak. Also, how ethical is it for the wealthy to have access to all these upgrades, while the majority of the world is lucky to even make it to 50 years old?
Afghanistan will in fact hold a run-off election between Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah on November 7th. "Mr. Karzai told a news conference that he accepted the findings, adding they were a "step forward" for democracy." (Full Story)
Prosecutors in the Rod Blagojevich corruption trial are worried that Blagojevich's upcoming appearance on the NBC reality program, "The Celebrity Apprentice", will prejudice the jurors. The judge agreed with prosecutors that this will complicate the trial, but he did not bar Blagojevich from the show. The judge said the prosecutors and defense lawyers should reach an agreement regarding his conduct on the show. (Full Story)
I don't know why the prosecutors are worried. The TV is their best friend in the case. The more Blagojevich is given a public venue, the more he makes a fool out of himself. And nothing makes people look like assholes more than being on The Celebrity Apprentice. Nothing will turn the people of the jury off like seeing Blagojevich get catty with the likes of Bret Michaels, Sharon Osbourne, and Sinbad -- and all for the purposes of kissing up to the biggest asshole of them all, Donald Trump. And who knows, maybe Blagojevich will incorporate a pay-to-play scheme into his strategy to win The Celebrity Apprentice! Prosecution, embrace this. Just play the episodes and then the prosecution rests.
The costs estimate does not include damages from global warming; damages from burning oil for trains, ships, and planes; damages from coal mining; or damages from the pollution of rivers with chemicals filtered from coal plant smokestacks. It also did not calculate the costs of protecting fuel imports by the military. If all of this was taken into account, the hidden costs not incorporated into the price of fossil fuels would be even higher. "The study lends support to arguments that society should pay extra for energy from sources like the wind and the sun, because their indirect costs are extremely small." (Full Story)
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