Excellent Commentary from Truthdig Editor Robert Scheer
The media tirade against Helen Thomas is as illogical as it is hysterical. The few sentences uttered by her were, as she quickly acknowledged, wrong—deeply so, I would add. But they cannot justify the road-rage destruction of the dean of the Washington press corps. Suddenly this heroic woman who broke so many gender barriers and dared to challenge presidential arrogance was reduced to nothing more than the stereotypical anti-Israel Arab that it is so fashionable to hate.
“Thomas, of Lebanese ancestry and almost 90, has never been shy about her anti-Israel views,” writes Richard Cohen in The Washington Post, in a non sequitur reference to a reporter born in Winchester, Ky., in 1920 when few—Jews included—supported a Jewish state in Palestine and whose parents were Christians. Obviously Cohen, who attacks Thomas for “revealing how very little she knew” about the history of Israel, is unaware that Lebanese Christians have been the staunchest allies of the Jewish state. Indeed, they provided the shock troops who, under Israeli cover, massacred the unarmed inhabitants of Palestinian refugee camps. To attribute Thomas’ views on Israel to her Lebanese parents is no less offensive than it would be to suggest that a Jewish reporter cannot be objective because, as in my case, his mother escaped anti-Semitism in Russia.
Continue to Full Commentary
Showing posts with label Israel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Israel. Show all posts
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Saturday, June 5, 2010
World Idiots: Israel Gaza Raid Mess, North Korea Cartoons - 5 June 2010
From Denny: Israel created a world storm of fury against them when they used excessive force on a boat raid of Gaza activists. You just don't shoot a man in the head four times and call it self-defense.
While most reasonable people agree that a country has the right to fight terrorism and the right to search aid boats for bombs and weapons, everyone also agrees that excessive force is unnecessary. What is also in evidence is that if the aid workers want to be taken seriously then they have to not provide resistance against Israel when they run a military blockade. It's suicide by bullets.
This week the mostly Turkish aid workers used more wisdom and chose to be calm and cooperative when boarded. This time the situation did not get out of hand with both sides making a better effort. And the biggest winners were the starving people in Palestine suffering from the Israeli blockade. It was a good week.
North Korea continues to be as weird as ever, declaring war with this country and that. Whether another war blows up between South Korea and North Korea remains to be seen. The good news is that South Korea has built up a million man army over the decades America has been there keeping the peace. There is no longer a reason for America's 38,000 troops to remain in South Korea. They have stood up their army and can take care of themselves.
Israel:
See Cartoons by Cartoon by David Fitzsimmons - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
See Cartoons by Cartoon by Patrick Chappatte - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
See Cartoons by Cartoon by Christo Komarnitski - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
North Korea:
*** See Also: Cartoons: Obama vs. BPs Oil Spill - 5 June 2010
*** See Also: Cartoons: Staycation, New Summer Trend 4 Middle Class - 5 June 2010
*** See Also: Funny Summer Heatwave Cartoons - 5 June 2010
*** See Also: Tea Party Weird and Immigration Cartoons - 5 June 2010
*** See Also: Cartoons: Global Warming Al Gores Surpise Divorce - 5 June 2010
*** See Also: Funny Fathers Day Cartoons - 5 June 2010
*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!
While most reasonable people agree that a country has the right to fight terrorism and the right to search aid boats for bombs and weapons, everyone also agrees that excessive force is unnecessary. What is also in evidence is that if the aid workers want to be taken seriously then they have to not provide resistance against Israel when they run a military blockade. It's suicide by bullets.
This week the mostly Turkish aid workers used more wisdom and chose to be calm and cooperative when boarded. This time the situation did not get out of hand with both sides making a better effort. And the biggest winners were the starving people in Palestine suffering from the Israeli blockade. It was a good week.
North Korea continues to be as weird as ever, declaring war with this country and that. Whether another war blows up between South Korea and North Korea remains to be seen. The good news is that South Korea has built up a million man army over the decades America has been there keeping the peace. There is no longer a reason for America's 38,000 troops to remain in South Korea. They have stood up their army and can take care of themselves.
Israel:
See Cartoons by Cartoon by David Fitzsimmons - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
See Cartoons by Cartoon by Patrick Chappatte - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
See Cartoons by Cartoon by Christo Komarnitski - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
North Korea:
*** See Also: Cartoons: Obama vs. BPs Oil Spill - 5 June 2010
*** See Also: Cartoons: Staycation, New Summer Trend 4 Middle Class - 5 June 2010
*** See Also: Funny Summer Heatwave Cartoons - 5 June 2010
*** See Also: Tea Party Weird and Immigration Cartoons - 5 June 2010
*** See Also: Cartoons: Global Warming Al Gores Surpise Divorce - 5 June 2010
*** See Also: Funny Fathers Day Cartoons - 5 June 2010
*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!
Monday, May 31, 2010
Can We Discuss the 51st State and its UNACCOUNTABILITY?
I first saw this story on BooMan Tribune.
DO YOU BELIEVE THIS STORY?
I mean, do you honestly believe this is how it went down?
I'll admit that I don't believe it for one second. The Israelis EXECUTED these people.
PERIOD.
This boat was in INTERNATIONAL WATERS, and they executed these people.
The response from Turkey?
Turkey was Israel's closest supposed Arab ally, and this is how they treat them.
We have the ARAB LEAGUE meeting, which is never a good sign.
So, where is Bibi Netanyahu?
Hauling ass back to Israel, ' skipping' a planned meeting with the White House.
And the response from the United States Government?
FUCK THIS.
It is time.
It is PAST TIME for the United States to HONESTLY evaluate what our sponsorship of Israel is costing us.
Not only in terms of dollars, but also in terms of good will around the world.
WE are the ones giving Israel the basically-interest free monies, not the other way around.
PERIOD.
And, it's time for this country to do an evaluation of what return we are getting for that money.
It's time to have a real debate on WHY we should continue to sponsor the 51st State.
And ALLLLL them mofos in Congress who want to shout down anyone asking this simple question should be forced, to say, to the American people, WHERE THEIR ALLEGIANCE IS.
WHICH country are they representing:
THE UNITED STATES
or
ISRAEL?
The Oath that a member of Congress takes is the following:
They took an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States - it's time that they be reminded of it, before they open their damn mouths.
It's also good and well past time for the American people to fully understand what AIPAC does, and why it's so influential. AIPAC's influence flourishes in the dark. Most people have absolutely no clue about its influence, and why that influence is detrimental to the United States. Time to turn on the light and show AIPAC for what it is. And, how the safety and security of the United States isn't their goal.
Turkey isn't backing down. They are also using their own diplomatic cards.
NATO to Hold Meeting on Israeli Attack
Since Turkey IS a member of NATO, how will the United States handle that? What about the rest of the member states, and do we see this as an attack on the country of Turkey?
Why, does it seem, everytime Israel is involved, things have a way of just spinning out of control in a flash?
Israel Massacres Pro-Palestinian Activists
by BooMan
Mon May 31st, 2010 at 09:43:45 AM EST
Here's how Haaretz tells it:
The left-wing activists on board a flotilla carrying aid to the Gaza Strip tried to lynch the Israel Navy commandos who stormed their Turkish-flagged ship early Monday, Israel Defense Forces sources told Haaretz.
The commandos, who intercepted the Turkish ferry Mavi Marmara after it ignored orders to turn back, said they encountered violent resistance from activists armed with sticks and knives. According to the soldiers, the activists threw one of their comrades from the upper deck to the lower after they boarded.
Activists attacked a commando with iron bars as he descended onto the ship from a helicopter, the army said. The IDF said its rules of engagement allowed troops to open fire in what it called a "life-threatening situation".
The soldiers said they were forced to open fire after the activists struck one of their comrades in the head and trampled on him. A senior field commander ordered the soldiers then to respond with fire, a decision which the commandos said received full backing the military echelon.
At least 10 people were killed and several more wounded after the Israel Navy troops opened fire on the six-ship flotilla. Unofficial reports put the death toll at between 14 and 20.
DO YOU BELIEVE THIS STORY?
I mean, do you honestly believe this is how it went down?
I'll admit that I don't believe it for one second. The Israelis EXECUTED these people.
PERIOD.
This boat was in INTERNATIONAL WATERS, and they executed these people.
The response from Turkey?
Turkey threatens action; Israel on alert
New Delhi: Turkey has threatened Israel with unprecedented action after Israeli forces attacked an aid vessel, killing 10 peace activists headed to Gaza.
Israel said 10 people died while those on the ship said at least 15 were killed
A shocked world has responded with outrage. Turkey recalled its ambassador to Israel and warned of unprecedented and incalculable reprisals.
Two Turkish activists were reported to be among those killed in the flotilla. Ankara warned that further supply vessels will be sent to Gaza, escorted by the Turkish Navy, a development with unpredictable consequences.
Israel has sounded an alert throughout the country fearing rocket attacks by Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The Arab League has called an urgent meeting on Tuesday to decide on a common response. Egypt is under pressure to end the blockade of Gaza while Greece has cancelled a military exercise with Isreal.
The world is waiting for the response from Washington, how will President Obama react to the provocation from America's closest ally.
Turkey was Israel's closest supposed Arab ally, and this is how they treat them.
We have the ARAB LEAGUE meeting, which is never a good sign.
So, where is Bibi Netanyahu?
Hauling ass back to Israel, ' skipping' a planned meeting with the White House.
And the response from the United States Government?
the White House later released an account of the conversation(between the President and Netanyahu), saying Mr. Obama had expressed “deep regret” at the loss of life and recognized “the importance of learning all the facts and circumstances” as soon as possible.
FUCK THIS.
It is time.
It is PAST TIME for the United States to HONESTLY evaluate what our sponsorship of Israel is costing us.
Not only in terms of dollars, but also in terms of good will around the world.
WE are the ones giving Israel the basically-interest free monies, not the other way around.
PERIOD.
And, it's time for this country to do an evaluation of what return we are getting for that money.
It's time to have a real debate on WHY we should continue to sponsor the 51st State.
And ALLLLL them mofos in Congress who want to shout down anyone asking this simple question should be forced, to say, to the American people, WHERE THEIR ALLEGIANCE IS.
WHICH country are they representing:
THE UNITED STATES
or
ISRAEL?
The Oath that a member of Congress takes is the following:
I, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.
They took an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States - it's time that they be reminded of it, before they open their damn mouths.
It's also good and well past time for the American people to fully understand what AIPAC does, and why it's so influential. AIPAC's influence flourishes in the dark. Most people have absolutely no clue about its influence, and why that influence is detrimental to the United States. Time to turn on the light and show AIPAC for what it is. And, how the safety and security of the United States isn't their goal.
Turkey isn't backing down. They are also using their own diplomatic cards.
NATO to Hold Meeting on Israeli Attack
NATO has agreed to a request by the Turkish premier to hold an emergency meeting over the fatal Israeli raid on the Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla.
"Planning is underway for a meeting at the request of the Turkish authorities tomorrow afternoon," James Appathurai, a spokesman for the alliance, said in a Monday statement.
NATO is deeply concerned about the loss of life in international waters, he added, AFP reported.
Since Turkey IS a member of NATO, how will the United States handle that? What about the rest of the member states, and do we see this as an attack on the country of Turkey?
Why, does it seem, everytime Israel is involved, things have a way of just spinning out of control in a flash?
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Sweeping Health Care Reform Signed into Law Today, Headlines 23 Mar 2010
From Denny: Today was an historic first for America. For 100 years various Presidents have tried to do what President Obama finally accomplished: get basic health care available at a decent price for everyone. It's not to say there will not be bumps on the road to polishing and refining how it is carried out.
For the moment, we are past the first high hurdle. Now we can get down to business of stripping out fraud from various agencies like Medicare and the like where we will save $60 billion. What we could do with that much money... how about a tax rebate, folks? I wish. :)
Eventually, the government will have to offer some kind of public option if the health insurance companies don't get their prices in line for the lowest income Americans. As it looks now, with the lobbyists fighting hard to repeal a law, it does not appear they are willing to do right by the American people.
You know when this escalation of insurance premiums through the roof started? When Hurricane Katrina struck in August 2005, Bush was in office, and suddenly insurance companies realized there was no one to stop them from being greedy or capricious with their customers. And the nightmare began, first on the Gulf Coast and then spread across the nation years later when fire struck in California and floods in the Midwest. Insurance companies offered ten cents on the dollar to "repair" a house roof, and then drug their feet paying for it for as long as three years. This is not an uncommon occurrence but rather a common one.
Historic Health Care Bill Signed: (CBS) President Obama today signed his comprehensive health care overhaul legislation into law, marking the most significant legislative accomplishment of his presidency to date.
"Today, after all the votes have been tallied, health insurance reform becomes law in the United States of America. Today," Mr. Obama said from the East Room of the White House. "The bill I'm signing will set in motion reforms that generations of Americans have fought for."
Mr. Obama hailed "a new season in America" in which "all of the overheated rhetoric over reform will finally confront the reality of reform.'' The legislation, Mr. Obama said, enshrines into law the "core principle" that everyone should have some health care security...
Watch CBS News Videos Online
Why Did Obama Use So Many Pens to Sign the Health Care Bill?: (Time) After more than a year of bitter political debate and seemingly inescapable congressional deadlock, President Obama sat down in the White House East Room on March 23 and signed the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law with a stroke of his pen. And then another pen. And another. Obama used 22 pens to sign the landmark $938 billion health care bill. It would seem that either the President has an undiagnosed case of OCD or the White House needs better office supplies.
Actually, the President was just adhering to an obscure Washington tradition. The practice of using multiple pens to sign important legislation dates at least as far back as Franklin Roosevelt and is now one of our government's frivolous little quirks, much like that oversize gavel Nancy Pelosi carried around the other day.
The rationale is fairly simple. The pen used to sign historic legislation itself becomes a historical artifact. The more pens a President uses, the more thank-you gifts he can offer to those who helped create that piece of history. The White House often engraves the pens, which are then given as keepsakes to key proponents or supporters of the newly signed legislation...
Funny of the Day: VP Biden slip of the tongue and microphones pick up him saying, "This is a big f---ing deal!"
Timeline: When health care reform will affect you
(CNN) -- President Obama signed sweeping health care reform into law Tuesday. The Senate must now pass a package of changes that will reconcile the differences between Senate and House bills. If those changes are worked out, here is how health care reforms will affect you:
Within the first year
• Young adults will be able stay on their parents' insurance until their 27th birthday.
• Seniors will get a $250 rebate to help fill the "doughnut hole" in Medicare prescription drug coverage, which falls between the $2,700 initial limit and when catastrophic coverage kicks in at $6,154.
• Insurers will be barred from imposing exclusions on children with pre-existing conditions. Pools will cover those with pre-existing health conditions until health care coverage exchanges are operational.
• Insurers will not be able to rescind policies to avoid paying medical bills when a person becomes ill.
• Lifetime limits on benefits and restrictive annual limits will be prohibited.
• New plans must provide coverage for preventive services without co-pays. All plans must comply by 2018.
• A temporary reinsurance program will help offset costs of coverage for companies that provide early retiree health benefits for those ages 55 to 64.
• New plans will be required to implement an appeals process for coverage determinations and claims.
• Adoption tax credit and assistance exclusion will increase by $1,000. The bill makes the credit refundable and extends it through 2011.
• A 10 percent tax will be imposed on amounts paid for indoor tanning services on or after July 1.
• Businesses with fewer than 50 employees will get tax credits covering 35 percent of their health care premiums, increasing to 50 percent by 2014.
2011
• Medicare will provide free annual wellness visits and personalized prevention plans. New plans will be required to cover preventive services with no co-pay.
• States can offer home- and community-based services to the disabled through Medicaid rather than institutional care beginning October 1.
• A 50 percent discount will be provided on brand-name drugs for Prescription Drug Plan or Medicare Advantage enrollees. Additional discounts on brand-name and generic drugs will be phased in to completely close the "doughnut hole" by 2020.
• Additional tax for health savings account withdrawals before age 65 for nonqualified medical expenses will increase from 10 percent to 20 percent. Additional tax for Archer medical savings account withdrawals not used for qualified medical expenses will increase from 15 percent to 20 percent.
• A plan to provide a vehicle for small businesses to offer tax-free benefits will be created. This would ease the small employer's administrative burden of sponsoring a cafeteria plan.
• The Medicare payroll tax will increase from 1.45 percent to 2.35 percent for individuals earning more than $200,000 and married filing jointly above $250,000.
2013
• Health plans must implement uniform standards for electronic exchange of health information to reduce paperwork and administrative costs.
• Contributions to flexible savings accounts will be limited to $2,500 per year, indexed by the Consumer Price Index in subsequent years.
• The Employer Medicare Part D subsidy deduction will be eliminated. Employers will lose the tax deduction for subsidizing prescription drug plans for Medicare Part D-eligible retirees.
• There will be increases to the income threshold from 7.5 percent to 10 percent of adjusted gross income. Those older than 65 can claim the 7.5 percent deduction through 2016.
• The hospital insurance tax will increase 0.9 percentage points for those earning more than $200,000 ($250,000 for married filing jointly), and it includes net investment income.
• A 2.9 percent excise tax on the first sale of medical devices will be established. Excepted are eyeglasses, contact lenses, hearing aids or other items for individual use.
2014
• Citizens will be required to have acceptable coverage or pay a penalty of $95 in 2014, $325 in 2015, $695 (or up to 2.5 percent of income) in 2016. Families will pay half the amount for children, up to a cap of $2,250 per family. After 2016, penalties are indexed to Consumer Price Index.
• Workers who are exempt from individual responsibility for coverage but don't qualify for tax credits can take their employer contribution and join an exchange plan.
• Companies with 50 or more employees must offer coverage to employees or pay a $2,000 penalty per employee after their first 30 if at least one of their employees receives a tax credit. Waiting periods before insurance takes effect is limited to 90 days. Employers who offer coverage but whose employees receive tax credits will pay $3,000 for each worker receiving a tax credit.
• Insurers can no longer refuse to sell or renew policies because of an individual's health status. Health plans can no longer exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions. Insurers can't charge higher rates because of heath status, gender or other factors.
• Health plans will be prohibited from imposing annual limits on coverage.
• Health insurance exchanges will open in each state to individuals and small employers to comparison shop for standardized health packages.
• Credits will be available through exchanges for those whose income is above Medicaid eligibility and below 400 percent of poverty level who are not eligible for or offered other acceptable coverage.
• Medicaid eligibility will increase to 133 percent of poverty for all nonelderly individuals to ensure that people obtain affordable health care in the most efficient and appropriate manner. States will receive increased federal funding to cover these new populations.
• An annual health insurance provider fee will be Imposed across the health insurance sector according to insurers' market share to companies whose total premiums exceed $25 million.
2018
• 2018 Taxing "Cadillac" plans: An excise tax will be imposed on high-cost, employer-provided health plans beyond $27,500 for family coverage and $10,200 for single coverage; it will increase to $30,950 for families and $11,850 for individuals, retirees and employees in high-risk professions.
How Health Reform Affects Small Businesses: (CBS) More than half of all American workers are employed by businesses with fewer than 100 employees. Forty-six percent of them get their health insurance through work. The rest have to look elsewhere for coverage.
Will companies still offer insurance under the new health care law?
Last year, Allentown, Pa., businessman Dick Bus saw his health insurance costs spike 33 percent - a trend that will quickly make providing coverage unaffordable.
The new law seeks to limit those kinds of increases, while giving businesses incentives to cover more workers.
Here's how:
• Businesses with fewer than 25 employees that pay an average of no more than $40,000 will get a tax credit - up to 35 percent of the company's share of their total health care premium.
• Companies with 26-49 workers are unaffected.
• Businesses with 50 or more workers must offer coverage or pay $750 per worker. That penalty applies for every employee if even one signs up for government-subsidized insurance....
Watch CBS News Videos Online
Obama Meets with Netanyahu: (CBS) WASHINGTON (AP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is criss-crossing the Washington power grid Tuesday, striving to explain his country's position in a widening debate over its plans to construct new housing in east Jerusalem.
Netanyahu had a Capitol Hill meeting scheduled with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., a day after holding talks with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. He plans to meet later Tuesday at the White House with President Barack Obama.
Netanyahu has been trying to deflect U.S. criticism of his government's announcement of plans for 1,600 housing units in a part of Jerusalem that Palestinians claim as their own. He bluntly asserted before the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee Monday that "Jerusalem is not a settlement. It's our capital."
Watch CBS News Videos Online
*** THANKS for visiting, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers - and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!
For the moment, we are past the first high hurdle. Now we can get down to business of stripping out fraud from various agencies like Medicare and the like where we will save $60 billion. What we could do with that much money... how about a tax rebate, folks? I wish. :)
Eventually, the government will have to offer some kind of public option if the health insurance companies don't get their prices in line for the lowest income Americans. As it looks now, with the lobbyists fighting hard to repeal a law, it does not appear they are willing to do right by the American people.
You know when this escalation of insurance premiums through the roof started? When Hurricane Katrina struck in August 2005, Bush was in office, and suddenly insurance companies realized there was no one to stop them from being greedy or capricious with their customers. And the nightmare began, first on the Gulf Coast and then spread across the nation years later when fire struck in California and floods in the Midwest. Insurance companies offered ten cents on the dollar to "repair" a house roof, and then drug their feet paying for it for as long as three years. This is not an uncommon occurrence but rather a common one.
Historic Health Care Bill Signed: (CBS) President Obama today signed his comprehensive health care overhaul legislation into law, marking the most significant legislative accomplishment of his presidency to date.
"Today, after all the votes have been tallied, health insurance reform becomes law in the United States of America. Today," Mr. Obama said from the East Room of the White House. "The bill I'm signing will set in motion reforms that generations of Americans have fought for."
Mr. Obama hailed "a new season in America" in which "all of the overheated rhetoric over reform will finally confront the reality of reform.'' The legislation, Mr. Obama said, enshrines into law the "core principle" that everyone should have some health care security...
Watch CBS News Videos Online
Why Did Obama Use So Many Pens to Sign the Health Care Bill?: (Time) After more than a year of bitter political debate and seemingly inescapable congressional deadlock, President Obama sat down in the White House East Room on March 23 and signed the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law with a stroke of his pen. And then another pen. And another. Obama used 22 pens to sign the landmark $938 billion health care bill. It would seem that either the President has an undiagnosed case of OCD or the White House needs better office supplies.
Actually, the President was just adhering to an obscure Washington tradition. The practice of using multiple pens to sign important legislation dates at least as far back as Franklin Roosevelt and is now one of our government's frivolous little quirks, much like that oversize gavel Nancy Pelosi carried around the other day.
The rationale is fairly simple. The pen used to sign historic legislation itself becomes a historical artifact. The more pens a President uses, the more thank-you gifts he can offer to those who helped create that piece of history. The White House often engraves the pens, which are then given as keepsakes to key proponents or supporters of the newly signed legislation...
Funny of the Day: VP Biden slip of the tongue and microphones pick up him saying, "This is a big f---ing deal!"
Timeline: When health care reform will affect you
(CNN) -- President Obama signed sweeping health care reform into law Tuesday. The Senate must now pass a package of changes that will reconcile the differences between Senate and House bills. If those changes are worked out, here is how health care reforms will affect you:
Within the first year
• Young adults will be able stay on their parents' insurance until their 27th birthday.
• Seniors will get a $250 rebate to help fill the "doughnut hole" in Medicare prescription drug coverage, which falls between the $2,700 initial limit and when catastrophic coverage kicks in at $6,154.
• Insurers will be barred from imposing exclusions on children with pre-existing conditions. Pools will cover those with pre-existing health conditions until health care coverage exchanges are operational.
• Insurers will not be able to rescind policies to avoid paying medical bills when a person becomes ill.
• Lifetime limits on benefits and restrictive annual limits will be prohibited.
• New plans must provide coverage for preventive services without co-pays. All plans must comply by 2018.
• A temporary reinsurance program will help offset costs of coverage for companies that provide early retiree health benefits for those ages 55 to 64.
• New plans will be required to implement an appeals process for coverage determinations and claims.
• Adoption tax credit and assistance exclusion will increase by $1,000. The bill makes the credit refundable and extends it through 2011.
• A 10 percent tax will be imposed on amounts paid for indoor tanning services on or after July 1.
• Businesses with fewer than 50 employees will get tax credits covering 35 percent of their health care premiums, increasing to 50 percent by 2014.
2011
• Medicare will provide free annual wellness visits and personalized prevention plans. New plans will be required to cover preventive services with no co-pay.
• States can offer home- and community-based services to the disabled through Medicaid rather than institutional care beginning October 1.
• A 50 percent discount will be provided on brand-name drugs for Prescription Drug Plan or Medicare Advantage enrollees. Additional discounts on brand-name and generic drugs will be phased in to completely close the "doughnut hole" by 2020.
• Additional tax for health savings account withdrawals before age 65 for nonqualified medical expenses will increase from 10 percent to 20 percent. Additional tax for Archer medical savings account withdrawals not used for qualified medical expenses will increase from 15 percent to 20 percent.
• A plan to provide a vehicle for small businesses to offer tax-free benefits will be created. This would ease the small employer's administrative burden of sponsoring a cafeteria plan.
• The Medicare payroll tax will increase from 1.45 percent to 2.35 percent for individuals earning more than $200,000 and married filing jointly above $250,000.
2013
• Health plans must implement uniform standards for electronic exchange of health information to reduce paperwork and administrative costs.
• Contributions to flexible savings accounts will be limited to $2,500 per year, indexed by the Consumer Price Index in subsequent years.
• The Employer Medicare Part D subsidy deduction will be eliminated. Employers will lose the tax deduction for subsidizing prescription drug plans for Medicare Part D-eligible retirees.
• There will be increases to the income threshold from 7.5 percent to 10 percent of adjusted gross income. Those older than 65 can claim the 7.5 percent deduction through 2016.
• The hospital insurance tax will increase 0.9 percentage points for those earning more than $200,000 ($250,000 for married filing jointly), and it includes net investment income.
• A 2.9 percent excise tax on the first sale of medical devices will be established. Excepted are eyeglasses, contact lenses, hearing aids or other items for individual use.
2014
• Citizens will be required to have acceptable coverage or pay a penalty of $95 in 2014, $325 in 2015, $695 (or up to 2.5 percent of income) in 2016. Families will pay half the amount for children, up to a cap of $2,250 per family. After 2016, penalties are indexed to Consumer Price Index.
• Workers who are exempt from individual responsibility for coverage but don't qualify for tax credits can take their employer contribution and join an exchange plan.
• Companies with 50 or more employees must offer coverage to employees or pay a $2,000 penalty per employee after their first 30 if at least one of their employees receives a tax credit. Waiting periods before insurance takes effect is limited to 90 days. Employers who offer coverage but whose employees receive tax credits will pay $3,000 for each worker receiving a tax credit.
• Insurers can no longer refuse to sell or renew policies because of an individual's health status. Health plans can no longer exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions. Insurers can't charge higher rates because of heath status, gender or other factors.
• Health plans will be prohibited from imposing annual limits on coverage.
• Health insurance exchanges will open in each state to individuals and small employers to comparison shop for standardized health packages.
• Credits will be available through exchanges for those whose income is above Medicaid eligibility and below 400 percent of poverty level who are not eligible for or offered other acceptable coverage.
• Medicaid eligibility will increase to 133 percent of poverty for all nonelderly individuals to ensure that people obtain affordable health care in the most efficient and appropriate manner. States will receive increased federal funding to cover these new populations.
• An annual health insurance provider fee will be Imposed across the health insurance sector according to insurers' market share to companies whose total premiums exceed $25 million.
2018
• 2018 Taxing "Cadillac" plans: An excise tax will be imposed on high-cost, employer-provided health plans beyond $27,500 for family coverage and $10,200 for single coverage; it will increase to $30,950 for families and $11,850 for individuals, retirees and employees in high-risk professions.
How Health Reform Affects Small Businesses: (CBS) More than half of all American workers are employed by businesses with fewer than 100 employees. Forty-six percent of them get their health insurance through work. The rest have to look elsewhere for coverage.
Will companies still offer insurance under the new health care law?
Last year, Allentown, Pa., businessman Dick Bus saw his health insurance costs spike 33 percent - a trend that will quickly make providing coverage unaffordable.
The new law seeks to limit those kinds of increases, while giving businesses incentives to cover more workers.
Here's how:
• Businesses with fewer than 25 employees that pay an average of no more than $40,000 will get a tax credit - up to 35 percent of the company's share of their total health care premium.
• Companies with 26-49 workers are unaffected.
• Businesses with 50 or more workers must offer coverage or pay $750 per worker. That penalty applies for every employee if even one signs up for government-subsidized insurance....
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Obama Meets with Netanyahu: (CBS) WASHINGTON (AP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is criss-crossing the Washington power grid Tuesday, striving to explain his country's position in a widening debate over its plans to construct new housing in east Jerusalem.
Netanyahu had a Capitol Hill meeting scheduled with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., a day after holding talks with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. He plans to meet later Tuesday at the White House with President Barack Obama.
Netanyahu has been trying to deflect U.S. criticism of his government's announcement of plans for 1,600 housing units in a part of Jerusalem that Palestinians claim as their own. He bluntly asserted before the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee Monday that "Jerusalem is not a settlement. It's our capital."
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Tuesday, March 9, 2010
News Headlines Roundup 9 Mar 2010
U.S.: Pennsylvania woman tried to recruit terrorists: Washington (CNN) -- A Pennsylvania woman has been indicted for conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and kill a person in a foreign country, the Justice Department announced Tuesday.
Colleen LaRose, known as "Jihad Jane" and "Fatima LaRose," has also been charged with making false statements to a government official and attempted identity theft.
She was arrested in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on October 15, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office said. No arraignment date has been set, the official said.
LaRose is being held at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
LaRose and five unindicted co-conspirators recruited men on the Internet "to wage violent jihad in South Asia and Europe, and recruited women on the Internet who had passports and the ability to travel to and around Europe in support of violent jihad," according to a Justice Department statement.
If convicted, LaRose faces a possible life prison sentence and a $1 million fine, the statement said.
"JihadJane" Charged With Terror Recruiting: (AP) A suburban Philadelphia woman "desperate to do something" to help suffering Muslims has been charged with using the Internet to recruit jihadist fighters and help terrorists overseas, even agreeing to move to Europe to try to kill someone, prosecutors said Tuesday.
Authorities said the case shows how terror groups are looking to recruit Americans - even suburban women - to carry out their goals.
A federal indictment charges that Colleen R. LaRose agreed to kill a Swedish citizen on orders from the unnamed terrorists and traveled to Europe to carry out the killing. It doesn't say whether the Swede was killed, but LaRose was not charged with murder.
U.S. Attorney Michael Levy told The Associated Press the indictment doesn't link LaRose, a U.S. citizen who moved to Europe in August 2009, to any organized terror groups.
Authorities describe LaRose as in her 40s and from Montgomery County. They say she called herself JihadJane in a YouTube video in which she said she was "desperate to do something somehow to help" ease the suffering of Muslims. According to the indictment, she agreed to obtain residency in a European country and marry one of the terrorists to enable him to live there.
"Today's indictment, which alleges that a woman from suburban America agreed to carry out murder overseas and to provide material support to terrorists, underscores the evolving nature of the threat we face," said David Kris, assistant attorney general for national security.
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U.S. condemns Israel's decision to build in disputed territory: Jerusalem (CNN) -- Vice President Joe Biden said Tuesday that the United States condemns Israel's decision to build 1,600 housing units in a Jerusalem neighborhood, calling it "a step that undermines the trust we need right now."
"I condemn the decision by the government of Israel to advance planning for new housing units in East Jerusalem," Biden said in a statement issued just hours after he met with Israeli leaders in the region.
"The substance and timing of the announcement, particularly with the launching of proximity talks, is precisely the kind of step that undermines the trust we need right now and runs counter to the constructive discussions that I've had here in Israel."
The construction, announced earlier Tuesday, will be in the Ramat Shlomo neighborhood, located in disputed territory in East Jerusalem. The Israeli Interior Ministry denies the territory is in East Jerusalem.
Michelle Obama Donates Inaugural Gown to Smithsonian: Continuing a long tradition, First Lady Michelle Obama donated her inauguration dress on Tuesday to the Smithsonian National Museum on American History in Washington.
The white chiffon, one-shoulder gown created by designer Jason Wu will be displayed in a new gallery called "A First Lady's Debut" which will showcases 11 gowns from the past 11 first ladies starting with Mamie Eisenhower through Michelle Obama.
"I truly recognize the significance of this day. This gown -- and all of the items that we'll see in this wonderful exhibit -- help us connect with a moment in history in a very real way," Obama said as she unveiled the gown at the Smithsonian.
"The detail of each gown -- the fabric, the cut, the color -- tells us something much more about each single first lady. It's a visual reminder that we each come from such different backgrounds, from different generations, and from different walks of life," she continued.
Obama also reminisced about inaugural ceremony that took place a little over a year ago, and what this dress meant to her.
"I remember that it was freezing cold in Washington. I know we all remember that. Yet, despite the frigid temperatures, hundreds of thousands of people flooded the Mall. Nothing was going to stop them from being part of history," she said.
National Museum of American History, First Ladies at the Smithsonian exhibit
GOP Begins Attacks on Pelosi, Democrats Over Ethics: The Republican National Committee has released a new ad designed to capitalize on Democrats' recent ethical troubles and cast doubt on House speaker Nancy Pelosi's claim that she would help oversee the most ethical Congress ever.
*** THANKS for visiting, come back often, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers - and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email!
Colleen LaRose, known as "Jihad Jane" and "Fatima LaRose," has also been charged with making false statements to a government official and attempted identity theft.
She was arrested in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on October 15, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office said. No arraignment date has been set, the official said.
LaRose is being held at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
LaRose and five unindicted co-conspirators recruited men on the Internet "to wage violent jihad in South Asia and Europe, and recruited women on the Internet who had passports and the ability to travel to and around Europe in support of violent jihad," according to a Justice Department statement.
If convicted, LaRose faces a possible life prison sentence and a $1 million fine, the statement said.
"JihadJane" Charged With Terror Recruiting: (AP) A suburban Philadelphia woman "desperate to do something" to help suffering Muslims has been charged with using the Internet to recruit jihadist fighters and help terrorists overseas, even agreeing to move to Europe to try to kill someone, prosecutors said Tuesday.
Authorities said the case shows how terror groups are looking to recruit Americans - even suburban women - to carry out their goals.
A federal indictment charges that Colleen R. LaRose agreed to kill a Swedish citizen on orders from the unnamed terrorists and traveled to Europe to carry out the killing. It doesn't say whether the Swede was killed, but LaRose was not charged with murder.
U.S. Attorney Michael Levy told The Associated Press the indictment doesn't link LaRose, a U.S. citizen who moved to Europe in August 2009, to any organized terror groups.
Authorities describe LaRose as in her 40s and from Montgomery County. They say she called herself JihadJane in a YouTube video in which she said she was "desperate to do something somehow to help" ease the suffering of Muslims. According to the indictment, she agreed to obtain residency in a European country and marry one of the terrorists to enable him to live there.
"Today's indictment, which alleges that a woman from suburban America agreed to carry out murder overseas and to provide material support to terrorists, underscores the evolving nature of the threat we face," said David Kris, assistant attorney general for national security.
Watch CBS News Videos Online
U.S. condemns Israel's decision to build in disputed territory: Jerusalem (CNN) -- Vice President Joe Biden said Tuesday that the United States condemns Israel's decision to build 1,600 housing units in a Jerusalem neighborhood, calling it "a step that undermines the trust we need right now."
"I condemn the decision by the government of Israel to advance planning for new housing units in East Jerusalem," Biden said in a statement issued just hours after he met with Israeli leaders in the region.
"The substance and timing of the announcement, particularly with the launching of proximity talks, is precisely the kind of step that undermines the trust we need right now and runs counter to the constructive discussions that I've had here in Israel."
The construction, announced earlier Tuesday, will be in the Ramat Shlomo neighborhood, located in disputed territory in East Jerusalem. The Israeli Interior Ministry denies the territory is in East Jerusalem.
Michelle Obama Donates Inaugural Gown to Smithsonian: Continuing a long tradition, First Lady Michelle Obama donated her inauguration dress on Tuesday to the Smithsonian National Museum on American History in Washington.
The white chiffon, one-shoulder gown created by designer Jason Wu will be displayed in a new gallery called "A First Lady's Debut" which will showcases 11 gowns from the past 11 first ladies starting with Mamie Eisenhower through Michelle Obama.
"I truly recognize the significance of this day. This gown -- and all of the items that we'll see in this wonderful exhibit -- help us connect with a moment in history in a very real way," Obama said as she unveiled the gown at the Smithsonian.
"The detail of each gown -- the fabric, the cut, the color -- tells us something much more about each single first lady. It's a visual reminder that we each come from such different backgrounds, from different generations, and from different walks of life," she continued.
Obama also reminisced about inaugural ceremony that took place a little over a year ago, and what this dress meant to her.
"I remember that it was freezing cold in Washington. I know we all remember that. Yet, despite the frigid temperatures, hundreds of thousands of people flooded the Mall. Nothing was going to stop them from being part of history," she said.
National Museum of American History, First Ladies at the Smithsonian exhibit
GOP Begins Attacks on Pelosi, Democrats Over Ethics: The Republican National Committee has released a new ad designed to capitalize on Democrats' recent ethical troubles and cast doubt on House speaker Nancy Pelosi's claim that she would help oversee the most ethical Congress ever.
*** THANKS for visiting, come back often, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers - and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Video: Iran Protestors Again in the Streets
From Denny: Well, Ahmadinejad was busy screaming against Israel to stir up the populace. So, the Iranian protestors against his stealing the election in June came out to protest him - again! This guy really knows how to keep the opposition in the news. He's their best public relations guy in reverse. :)
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Video: Mideast Conflict of Israel and Palestine
From Denny: While this may be a simplistic overview with an interesting twist - it really is a good video to familiarize you with the focus of what people are thinking and feeling in the Middle East. As someone who grew up in the American intelligence community it did give me an ironic smile to see they used the demographics from the CIA's World Factbook. Well, the CIA has been the clearinghouse for world statistics for decades now and practically invented the discipline of demographics.
Demographics is a good way to track trends and that is what these reporters are talking about: How the population trend among the Palestinians can possibly push the Israelis to a new stance on the two-state solution. Of course, what no one mentioned as to the reason for the Palestinian uptick in population is that they tend to die young - and violently - therefore creating greater fertility.
Any time a population, human or animal, faces a harsh march to achieving adulthood or a long life, they tend to have a lot of offspring - in the hopes some of those offspring achieve full flower. Let's hope and pray both sides get their heads screwed on straight, their hearts emptied of hate and revenge and get truly serious about a lasting peace effort.
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CIA demographics Israel Palestine CBS Two-state solution Middle East statistics America population trend World Factbook
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Demographics is a good way to track trends and that is what these reporters are talking about: How the population trend among the Palestinians can possibly push the Israelis to a new stance on the two-state solution. Of course, what no one mentioned as to the reason for the Palestinian uptick in population is that they tend to die young - and violently - therefore creating greater fertility.
Any time a population, human or animal, faces a harsh march to achieving adulthood or a long life, they tend to have a lot of offspring - in the hopes some of those offspring achieve full flower. Let's hope and pray both sides get their heads screwed on straight, their hearts emptied of hate and revenge and get truly serious about a lasting peace effort.
Watch CBS Videos Online
CIA demographics Israel Palestine CBS Two-state solution Middle East statistics America population trend World Factbook
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