Corporate Space

Today's San Francisco Chronicle reports that Boeing's effort to enter the space tourism business, “...could bolster the Obama administration's efforts to transform NASA into an agency that focuses less on building rockets and more on nurturing a commercial space industry.” This is absolutely Bushesque. Another attempt to put the crown jewels in the hands of the corporate scumbags. Space is still dangerous and travel there remains research. I think the profit motive will lead to nothing but tragedy and the loss of our edge and prestige in this crucial arena.

Medicare Frauds vs. Honest Providers

Recently, I watched as a TV news magazine show (I think it was CBS' 60 Minutes) described widespread fraud of the Medicare system. They focused on criminals who would set up a phony medical supply businesses and bill Medicare for supplies like wheel chairs and other equipment which were never purchased or sold to beneficiaries. All these crooks needed was the name, address, birthday and social security numbers of members of the public in order to make these charges. Medicare claimed that it was under an obligation to pay within thirty days and did not have enough staff to investigate more than a small fraction of claims. Most of these so called businesses closed after receiving payments and were never heard from again. One gangster they interviewed, who had stolen about $20 million, had been caught and was serving a substantial prison sentence. It sounded like he was the exception and not the rule.

Today, one of my medical providers told me that Medicare was at least three months behind on its payments to him. In addition, he did not talk to actual Medicare personnel, but to people from a third party contracted by Medicare to handle providers. This was another legacy of Bush era attempts to put more money into the hands of investors, as government functions were contracted out. This has placed another level of organization into the billing process and allowed additional businessmen the opportunity to steal from the tax payer.

The juxtaposition of these two situations shows me that Medicare is more interested in paying criminals than in paying honest medical providers. I urge everyone to contact their elected representatives and make it clear that this is not acceptable.

Berkeley's Mountain Lion

There were reports of a memorial for a mountain lion killed by Berkeley police on August 31. Some in Berkeley objected to the police action and thought that the animal should be tranquilized and then relocated. The Berkeley Police should not be faulted for their actions. They were not equipped with sedative and delivery systems. Even if they were and the lion was darted, these drugs will not take immediate effect and the beast could run off, hide, sleep it off and remain a threat. According to the Spike Network show, Manswers, the deer by far has caused more human deaths in the United States than any other animal. This lion, however, was a predator by nature and could not have been allowed to remain in the neighborhood. These cats have lost the fear of humans which must change.

I do not want the police to have to second guess themselves in a future encounter. I think those who object to the outcome might feel different if a lion is about to scarf their Vegan rear ends. Some say this is only in Berkeley. I say get some common sense.

MacBeth's Digs

Recently, I attended a performance of the California Shakespeare Theater's production of MacBeth. I enjoyed the play as much as I usually enjoy Shakespeare as it was an interesting study of human nature and ambition run amuck. As in many a Shakespeare productions some of the sets and costumes were modernized and when MacBeth called for his armor, they brought out Kevlar. There was some gun play, but the climatic sword fight remained. I endured this and imagined that they were really Scots from hundreds of years ago. What I did not understand was the set. It appeared like an old, abandoned, Victorian building with broken windows and a sink and mirror that looked totally nasty. Hardly a residence deemed fit for a legitimate baron and illegitimate king. Before the play started I was left to contemplate MacBeth usurping the King of the Crack House.

Financing the New York Mosque

Many leaders of Muslim organizations in the United States think that opposing the mosque near the World Trade Center site is immoral and indicative of religious intolerance. Is there religious intolerance in the USA? The answer is yes from the beginning. These leaders are not going to change that, but they seem to want to exacerbate the issue by building their church near ground zero. Many Americans, although wrongly, lay the blame for the September 11 attacks on all followers of Muhammad. I think it is time for the Muslim leaders to shows some sensitivity, for the sake of their own followers, and back off. This building will not advance toleration of any religion, just inflame emotions.

Also, I would like to know more about the individuals and organizations who are behind the building of this mosque. This involves Manhattan property and I do not think it is financed by one hundred dollar donations, but by people of considerable wealth and I want to know what they intend to accomplish.

Red Carpet: Blah

Upon reviewing Yahoo's slide show of the Emmy Red Carpet scene, I have to say it leaves a great deal to be desired. I want to see women almost popping out of their tops. I mean massive cleavage. There is none of this last Sunday. This is a place to flash female flesh. It must be an ho-asis. I am disappointed.

Suicide at San Quentin?

Today there is an article in the San Francisco Chronicle on page C2 detailing a suicide at San Quentin State Prison. After describing this incident the article mentions that this is the second suicide there in less than a week. Previously an inmate, “...was found hanging in his cell Aug. 23 with his throat cut.” Huh? It sound as if this guy had some help taking his own life. It appears as though the Chronicle is regurgitating San Quentin press releases and not asking pertinent questions.