Mmmmm toasty!

I'm feeling a bit under the weather today which has made me think about one of my main comfort foods, tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. I realize most people like them smooshed and "grilled" but for me, I prefer them as they come out from toaster ovens since to me it creates a better end result. Especially when you are planning on dipping the sandwich into your soup.

Most appliances have changed in the years since their creation and toaster ovens are no different. There are even combination appliances out there that include a coffee maker and a toaster oven. Or, a toster oven with a toaster, which is my favorite design style since it gives you the ability to toast the traditional way and to be able to use the toaster oven as well.

Another food item that I also think turns out better with toaster ovens is frozen pot pies. You can supposedly microwave some of them but it never gives you the best crust result and you can of course use a traditional oven but that seems like such an energy waste if you are only making one or two. Pot Pies are another one of those comfort foods from my past that are still easy and cheap to make.

CMES says Congress to renege on Medicare Competive Building Program

When does your word mean your word? Depends on who it is:

HOLLYWOOD, Fla., June 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Congress has introduced a new bill that would delay the implementation of the Medicare Competitive Bidding Program, according to the Contracted Medicare Equipment Suppliers Association of America (CMES). This program would have drastically reduced the amount of money Medicare spends on items such as walkers, oxygen, and power wheelchairs. The program would also reduce the out of pocket expense to patients by an average of 26%. In addition, it would virtually eliminate fraud, and require that all suppliers are inspected and accredited by the same organizations that accredit hospitals. For seniors, says CMES, it's a pretty good deal.

Not so, says Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA), who has crafted a bill to delay the program (HR 6252). This bill seeks to delay the program for up to 18 months due to complaints of problems by those who lost. Unsuccessful bidders put intense pressures on Congress over the last few months complaining they were unfairly disqualified mostly for financial reasons. According to Medicare most simply bid too high. However, there is a process in place to review those complaints. Medicare also reports that they randomly re-reviewed 100 unsuccessful bids and found that the rejection was justified in each case.

In May, 325 providers, mostly small business, were awarded contracts to provide products in 10 areas of the country. Those businesses have collectively spent millions preparing for this program. Unfortunately, Stark's bill would leave them with nothing more than a pile of debt. That's their thanks for dealing with the government.

This bill seeks to terminate the contracts of the program's bid winners, with no reason given. The bill fails to give any concession to the small businesses that have expanded their operations, some using SBA financing, solely to implement the government's program. The bill simply leaves them high and dry.

This bill is on the fast track through Congress as it will likely be added onto the "doc fix" legislation and will be voted on this week. To compound this problem patients are being notified by Medicare that the program will be going into effect July 1, 2008.

Should the program go live, the Contracted Medicare Equipment Suppliers Associations members assure seniors that they are ready, willing and able to implement this program beginning July 1. There is no reason seniors shouldn't get the savings they were promised years ago when this program was signed into law.

Folding kitty sunglasses...

You may think I have temporarily lost my mind, but as I was searching for some historical information, I happened to see this link for vintage sunglasses and I couldn't resist taking a few moments to check it out. Then, I saw something that I had owned for many years, folding kitty sunglasses...Though mine were not grape they were white. Alas those were the days before I had to wear glasses, I don't think they make them in prescription strength, if they did? I'd probably sport a pair...

Libertarian detractors via books

I was searching the list of books that buy.com has on their website to see what was new or what I had missed and I came across a book called "The Libertarian Illusion." I guess it goes to demonstrate that being a Libertarian has reached the level of attention when books are written to show a critique of libertarian policy proposals on both the conservative and liberal spectrum of the concept of libertarianism. I haven't bought the book yet, waiting for it to go just a bit cheaper in price...

It's become like American Idol...

The other day one of my web friends who is a Democrat and is more liberal than I am made the statement in reference to Obama that perhaps part of the problem was the American Public treated this past primary more like "American Idol" than what it was supposed to be, a presidential election. Now, those on the other side have stated this, but this demonstrates to me that even the Obama supporters realize that it's become too much about looks and less about substance.

You start to wonder if now rather than working on a real platform of change the first thing discussed is the list of best diet pills out there or which plastic surgeon does the best botox....

Ron Paul stick firm to no endorsement of McCain...

HOUSTON (AP) -- Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul said Thursday night he is ending his campaign but will keep spreading his message by working to help elect libertarian-leaning Republicans to public office around the country.

"The campaign is going to shift gears. It's going to accelerate. It's going to get much bigger," Paul told The Associated Press in an interview before a rally where he was making the announcement. "To me, it's a technical change."

Paul formally announced the move - his new "Campaign for Liberty" - in a speech to supporters attending the Texas Republican Party state convention. He said he expected many at his Thursday night rally and other supporters from around the nation to attend an alternative mini-convention he will host Sept. 2 in Minnesota to coincide with the Republican National Convention in St. Paul.

"Freedom is very popular. Not only is freedom popular, freedom works," Paul told supporters.

Hundreds of people rushed into a Houston hotel ballroom to hear Paul speak. They listened to a guitar player perform peace and freedom songs and gave loud cheers when Paul said the U.S. needs to bring home the troops from the Middle East. They also broke into applause when he spoke out for following the law and the Constitution.

He repeated his stances on other major issues, speaking against the United Nations and the income tax.

"Get more people," he urged. "They're paying attention, and it's across the political spectrum."

In the AP interview, Paul said his political message would not change and that he'll continue to speak out, just as he has since he first ran for Congress from Texas.

"It's just now that there's so much more enthusiasm, and so many more people involved," he said. "This last year has been astounding. ... We have to keep it going."

The announcement is a formality. The 72-year-old congressman won few delegates during the Republican primaries, but he raised large amounts of money online and developed a huge grass-roots following.

Jesse Benton, Paul's campaign spokesman, said Paul is beginning a "Campaign for Liberty."

The presidential campaign still has about $4.7 million in the bank, which can now be used for the new effort, Benton said, describing it as a "permanent campaign."

"We're going to work with the grass roots," Benton said. "People are really eager to continue and grow these efforts."

Paul opposes the war in Iraq and is a champion of small government. His campaign also drew support from independents and Democrats opposed to the war. His supporters have been pushing for him to have a speaking role at the GOP national convention.

But Paul has refused to endorse likely Republican presidential nominee John McCain, and he told the AP that was unlikely to change.

Songs get stuck in your head...

Ever hear a song and then feel as if it really fits what you are feeling at the moment? That happened to me earlier tonight with this song that I had never heard before from Shadows Fall:

A crack forms in the foundation
Fault line through your defenses
Illuminating the essence
Once clouded by a myth

Store bought conformity
Force-fed duality, I warp reality

The comfort that you will find,
As you remain hidden.
The light betrays,
casting your true self away,
They remain blinded.

As Vanity possesses me
I am further away
Gripped by a belief in empty words
Driven by a need to prove

The shell may wither
But the fire burns eternal

You hide behind
...cower...
The light that blinds

Will never find
What burns inside
You remain blind
Behind the light

Bob Barr applauds Ron Paul...

ATLANTA, June 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Upon hearing that Rep. Ron Paul has ended his campaign for the Republican Presidential nomination, Bob Barr, the Libertarian Party candidate for president, issued the following statement:

"Congressman Ron Paul has fought tirelessly in both the Libertarian Party and the Republican Party to minimize government power and maximize individual liberty. I want to thank him for all that he has done for liberty in this nation, and encourage him to continue his fight through whatever avenues he sees fit."

Barr represented the 7th District of Georgia in the U. S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003, where he served as a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, as Vice-Chairman of the Government Reform Committee, and as a member of the Committee on Financial Services. Prior to his congressional career, Barr was appointed by President Reagan to serve as the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, and also served as an official with the CIA.

Since leaving Congress, Barr has been practicing law and has teamed up with groups ranging from the American Civil Liberties Union to the American Conservative Union to actively advocate every American citizens' right to privacy and other civil liberties guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. Along with this, Bob is committed to helping elect leaders who will strive for smaller government, lower taxes and abundant individual freedom.

Not quite gothic anymore but...

Years ago I was more into the gothic culture especially when it came to home decorating, now the majority of my home decorating happens on my computer while playing The Sims. However, I do have to admit the idea of having a home large enough to have a place to display a suit of armor would be appealing. Years ago we stayed at a Bed and Breakfast that was designed as a replica castle, and it had several examples of armor that really added to the appeal and overall experience.

Cruise trips...

My oldest daughter returned from a cruise not long ago after findnig some great cruise deals online. Her only complaint was the large number of children that were left unattended by parents and since it was not a cruise designed for children there were not many things for them to do. Which would mean parents who are taking children on a cruise might want to make sure there will be a selection of activities for their little ones.

Libertarian goals...

A short list of libertarian goals, a balanced budget amendment. Term limits. Restoration of the gold standard. Those are the three main things that most libertarians would like to see happen. The Gold standard is one of the main ones, which many focus on since it's key to our current financial situation. However, most people don't stop to think about gold unless they are thinking about which gold anklet to buy.

Smart financial tips...

Many people decide to forgo life insurance believing that if finances are tight that it's something they can not afford. Some rely on life insurance through an employer, yet then if that employment ends, they are left without any coverage. There are a variety of different places online where you can get a life insurance quote with many different types of terms and conditions that can fit into almost any budget.

Technology and the bathroom...

For many who have problems getting in or out of a bathtub or shower there are new advances in construction such as walk in showers with special railings and of course the walk in bathtub. Yet for many the expense of re-doing a bathroom is out of their reach, which creates a need for shower chairs which have also come quite a ways when it comes to design than when they were first put on the medical supply market.

Mattresses made in the USA

One of the things I always check for when I buy any kind of a mattress is where it was made, because the materials used and the location they are made can have an impact on the quality of the product. I like this particular foam mattress for that very reason. The materials used to make it are made here in the US, and by a really well known company, BASF. Once years ago we bought a low cost mattress and discovered it was made of used shredded material that did not even appear to be clean. That really soured me on less expensive mattresses where you don't know where the material came from.

Too much focus on the package rather than the contents...

I often wonder what would have happened if some of our previous presidents who were not exactly "attractive" were running today with the way the media is and the public focus so much on looks rather than the actual content of the character or the qualifications of a candidate. Back then candidates focused more on words rather than if they needed botox or acne treatments to look good for that next 30 second tv sound bite...

Not all conservatives for McCain...

(Denver, Colorado) In his keynote speech on May 23 to the Libertarian Party National Convention, Richard A. Viguerie, one of the founders of the modern conservative movement, declared today that John McCain is “trying to get conservative support on the cheap.”
“Senator McCain has had the Republican presidential nomination sewn up for over three months and has done nothing to convince conservatives to come off the sidelines and enthusiastically support him,” Viguerie said.
In his speech, “Conservatives are off the GOP Reservation: Will they find a home in the Libertarian Party?,” Viguerie said that Democrats and Republicans have both failed America.

“Republican leaders have treated conservatives with utter disrespect and, in turn, conservatives have lost all respect for Republican leaders. Millions of grassroots conservative activists and donors have left the Republican Party and taken with them their volunteer time, their checkbooks, and their votes,” he said.
Viguerie said, “Today, the Libertarian Party has a historic opportunity to provide leadership for America.”
A complete text of the speech is posted on ConservativeHQ.com at http://conservativehq.com/news-from-the-front/libertarian-convention

A great thing to have when traveling...

I like to take quite a few photographs, so when I fill up a card from my camera and then delete those after uploading to the computer, I like to make a quick back up of the photos on my flash drive as a safety back up. Having experienced laptops being stolen and/or crashing, there's nothing worse than discovering all of the previous photos you took were gone. For me it's one of those situations where now that I am doing this, it's never become needed.

The land down under...

I was listening to the song "Down Under" by Men at Work, which started me thinking about the "Land down under". Even before an old friend moved to Australia, the idea of vacationing there has been on our list of dream vacations. Once you start looking at some of the different deals for Sydney Hotels or Melbourne Hotels you discover that it's really much more affordable than you might imagine to stay in Australia.

For me the history aspect of a visit would be my primary focus, the lure of Brisbane Hotels being one of strolling the areas where Aboriginal tribes first lived before the English settlers arrived. The whole history of the original creation of a penal colony there has been something I've spent many an hour reading about. It's entirely possible that some members of my family that stayed in England could have very well ended up in Australia.

Then of course there is Perth, the first free settlement in Australia where not only is there a rich history but the temptation of Perth Hotels where some of the room service offerings include the famous vegemite sandwich.

Huckabee makes a tastless joke but...

When you watch the video of former Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, it's clear the joke was a stupid one and one that he's apologized for. It's clear that his off the cuff joke made when a chair fell is coming from a point of view that Obama would be afraid.

Most people would be afraid when a gun was aimed at them. I don't think the offensive nature of the joke can be defended. What is interesting though is the crowd laughed, not a huge amount of laughter but some did. It does not sound as if the crowd reacted negitively to Huckabee's statement.

The belief out there that if Obama was president someone would try to assassinate him has been broached by Obama supporters. One fashion designer created shirts asking Who Killed Obama. Doris Lessing stated:

"He would probably not last long, a black man in the position of president. They would kill him,"

Some have stated this fear is a reason to not vote for Obama.

Even Obama's wife has addressed this as a concern.

Which means, while the joke was offensive, those that are expressing outrage that anyone would even think of this (beyond the outrage over how stupid the joke was) seem to be forgetting that despite the stupidity of the joke, the initial expression of an attempt to kill Obama has been talked about again and again.

I'm fairly certain that out there somewhere a black comic has made jokes about Obama or some other black presidential candidate being killed, there was a whole Chris Rock movie where that was mentioned. There have also been quite a few jokes out there that while don't involve death, could be considered offensive:

"In New York, Catholic groups have forced an art gallery to shut down an exhibition of a six-foot image of Jesus in chocolate. Or, as Democrats call it, Barack Obama." --Bill Maher

"Barack Obama was in New Hampshire Sunday. When informed of this, President Bush excitedly asked, 'Did we catch 'em?' --Seth Meyers

Bottom line, over and over again people are selective in what outrages them...

Live and let live to a point...

I'm not an anti-bug person and I try to be a live and let live person when it comes to the variety of wasps, bees, etc., that come into activity this time of year. Yet we discovered that carpenter bees were trying to set up shop behind some of the vinyl shutters we have on the house as we were getting ready for a party to be held here.

Since they do cause damage by boring holes into the wood, it was necessary to kill the few we found and to re-seal around the shutters so that more did not appear. While they look large and mean and are very agressive in protecting their terrority I've been told that the larger males do not have stingers. I did not attempt to test this out though...I'm allergic to bees and even if I wasn't? I'm not that adventuresome when it comes to wanting to learn certain things first hand...