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ebonlockThe Oversight Committee has learned that over the objections of the National Archives, Vice President Cheney exempted his office from the presidential order that establishes government-wide procedures for safeguarding classified national security information. The Vice President asserts that his office is not an “entity within the executive branch.”
-Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 6/21/07
Well clearly not, I mean obviously his office is technically an entity within the Guild of Calamitous Intent. I thought everyone knew that... But wouldn't it be kind of neat if we had the sort of press who would follow up that kind of a statement with a question like, oh I dunno', "Then what branch of government does your office fall under exactly?"
And Ezra Klein's review of Michael Moore's latest film, "Sicko", has me chomping at the bit to see it. One of the most telling moments in the review that jumped out at me was this:
Moore next visits a retired friend of theirs who suffered a recent golf injury. Moore and the friend begin talking through the Canadian health system, and Moore asks why he should have to pay for the man's bad luck and choices. "Because I'd do the same for you," replies the man. Later on, Moore's interlocutor reveals that he's a Conservative. Moore gapes at him. "Is that bad?" Asks the man. "No, just confusing," replies Moore.
Can you imagine living in a country where your neighbor would, quite happily, help pay for your health care? How about where a perfect stranger would? Can you even conceive of a system where people would see it as their civic duty to make sure nobody goes without an exam, splint or biopsy? Now can you please explain to me why the majority of people in this country seem to see this as a bad thing? Good god...
Klein continues:
Every story, every tale, every vignette asks the same question: "Who are we?" Who are we that our fellow citizens have to decide which fingers they'll pay to get reattached? Who are we that our hospitals push the ill and indigent into cabs, and drop them off, disoriented and clad in a paper-thin gown, on skid row? Who are we that we let insurers deny coverage to our neighbors because they are too tall, or have too many seasonal allergies? Who are we that we don't guarantee paid sick leave, or vacations, or child care, leaving that all instead to the whims of employers? And most of all, who are we to have let national pride blind us to these better alternatives, and let moneyed interests and powerful lobbies construct a country that best serves their needs rather than ours?
Why indeed.
-Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 6/21/07
Well clearly not, I mean obviously his office is technically an entity within the Guild of Calamitous Intent. I thought everyone knew that... But wouldn't it be kind of neat if we had the sort of press who would follow up that kind of a statement with a question like, oh I dunno', "Then what branch of government does your office fall under exactly?"
And Ezra Klein's review of Michael Moore's latest film, "Sicko", has me chomping at the bit to see it. One of the most telling moments in the review that jumped out at me was this:
Moore next visits a retired friend of theirs who suffered a recent golf injury. Moore and the friend begin talking through the Canadian health system, and Moore asks why he should have to pay for the man's bad luck and choices. "Because I'd do the same for you," replies the man. Later on, Moore's interlocutor reveals that he's a Conservative. Moore gapes at him. "Is that bad?" Asks the man. "No, just confusing," replies Moore.
Can you imagine living in a country where your neighbor would, quite happily, help pay for your health care? How about where a perfect stranger would? Can you even conceive of a system where people would see it as their civic duty to make sure nobody goes without an exam, splint or biopsy? Now can you please explain to me why the majority of people in this country seem to see this as a bad thing? Good god...
Klein continues:
Every story, every tale, every vignette asks the same question: "Who are we?" Who are we that our fellow citizens have to decide which fingers they'll pay to get reattached? Who are we that our hospitals push the ill and indigent into cabs, and drop them off, disoriented and clad in a paper-thin gown, on skid row? Who are we that we let insurers deny coverage to our neighbors because they are too tall, or have too many seasonal allergies? Who are we that we don't guarantee paid sick leave, or vacations, or child care, leaving that all instead to the whims of employers? And most of all, who are we to have let national pride blind us to these better alternatives, and let moneyed interests and powerful lobbies construct a country that best serves their needs rather than ours?
Why indeed.
